FirstARTS Series presents

7:30 p.m. Feb. 17: The Merling Trio from Western Michigan University (piano, violin, and cello) . First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St. Free and open to the public. Info at 704-636-3121.

Rowan History Club presents ‘Neely School’ 

7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14

The History Club of Rowan Museum will host Mary Neely Grissom, president of the Historic Neely School Foundation from China Grove, on Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

Mrs. Grissom will share her personal connection to the Neely School and the steps to save this historical structure. The Historic Neely School was built in 1908 by Julius Restus Neely to provide educational opportunities for rural African American children. The school provided an education for pupils in grades one through seven between 1908 and 1948. “Educating rural African American children was a huge undertaking for a local family arising to the needs of the local community. Most notably known for educating rural African American children is Julius Rosenwald. To have a local family share their passion of education shows the great network of families that made up Neelytown that was once a largely populated African American community near China Grove.”  History Club is free and open to the public. Light refreshments are provided. Rowan Museum Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., (use rear entrance, elevator is available for second floor meeting room). Learn more at 704-633-5946 or visit www.rowanmuseum.org

Black history month artist event —  3:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 18: Exhibit and sale by featured artist Delores Medlin, local artist who draws from pictures with pencil and charcoal. Chance to win prizes. Hosted by E & M Art Gallery / 2 Dots and a Mae, 907 S. Main St. See more at facebook at dee’sartssandcrafts salisburync. or call  704-636-8522.

The Kneeling Gardeners

The Kneeling Gardeners held their monthly meeting January 23^rd at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kannapolis. 2017 President Jean Kadela called the meeting to order the welcomed members and guests. Chaplain Jan Query had devotions entitled “The End of the Year”.

The speaker for the evening was Linda Barnett from “Exceptional Te3rrariums” in Charlotte. Linda started building terrariums in 1973 when it was a fad to dig around in the woods. About five years ago, she opened “Exceptional Terrariums” in response to her renewed interest and fascination around this unique living art form. Having grown up in southern California, camping in Yosemite and all along the West Coast, many of her terrariums look like a snapshot of a woodsy scene. As early as 500 BC, plants were kept under bell-shaped glass jars for exhibit, but the modern form of terrariums was invented in 1827 by Dr. Nathaniel Ward, a London doctor with a botanical passion. A plant growing in a jar in his backyard inspired him to create an enclosure called a “Wardian Case”. The case was ideal for sustaining plants across long sea voyages. New plants were introduced to Victorian-era Europe and became popular indoors.   Though people from all walks of life had terrariums, the wealthy enjoyed elaborate installations. Today, terrariums have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Barnett says the benefit to keeping a terrarium is the low maintenance. Because space is limited in the glass enclosure, the plants grow slowly and require only an occasional trimming or pruning. They thrive on six hours of indirect light or bright enough to read by.   Each terrarium becomes its own miniature ecosystem. The small amount of water in the container is consumed by the plants, which exhale moisture-rich oxygen into the enclosed container. Condensation occurs and rolls off the side, down to the bottom and up through the roots as the cycle continues.

She loves to choose special rocks and moss and uses a combination of compost and leaves. Always have clean hands to eliminate mold and never overwater. Only 15 drops of water will sustain a terrarium for up to six months. Succulents are also excellent plants to use. Most of her plants she orders from Florida and grows her own moss and strawberry begonias. At her space in South End’s Atherton Market, she sells terrariums that range in size and scope from large glass vessels to antique jars. Customers bring her containers that have sentimental value and ask her to give them new life as terrariums. Those she brought for display were beautiful. It was a wonderful program.

Anyone interested in gardening is welcome to join us on February 27 when Aaron Newton from Lomax Farms will be the speaker.

 

Carolina Artists meet Thursday

The Carolina Artist Guild will meet Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Rufty Holmes, 1120 S.MLK Jr. Ave. On program  will be artist Doris Trexler, sharing what she learned at Art of the Carolinas Workshop in Raleigh. Doris will provide painting surface, acrylic paints and a few brushes for those who do not use acrylics.  For those who do have brushes, medium size round, and a flat with a spring to them please bring them along with a container for washing brushes. Wear your paint clothes or apron.  Visitors are welcome.