If your summer travel plans this year involve hiking or camping, check out these books from Rowan Public Library before you set off.
“Camping Made Easy” by Michael Rutter offers information for the beginning camper, including how to select the right equipment and clothing. Fire safety and first aid each get their own sections as well.
Joe Miller’s “Backpacking North Carolina” is a handy guide to the many trails available to hikers and backpackers in the state. Miller divides the books into sections, from the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains to the Appalachian Trail, Piedmont and coast. For each trip, Miller lists the same detailed set of important information, including distance and difficulty of the trail, where you can find campsites and water, and special considerations (e.g. watch out for bears!).
Especially useful for trip planning is the “best trips by category” section — find the locations and trails most suitable for beginning backpackers, for viewing waterfalls and wildflowers, going fishing and so on.
Hiking and backpacking are going to work up on an appetite, so don’t miss “The Trailside Cookbook” by Don and Pam Philpott. They begin with a nice overview of camping stoves, dutch ovens and pots and pans and provide a comprehensive list of pantry staples, essential backpack items and kitchen items.
They help you plan for the amount of food you’ll need, and how to store and label the food you bring. Recipes comprise the bulk of the book, and you might not want to wait for the trail to try one out. From hearty breakfasts and and breads to trail mixes and desserts, the variety is impressive.
Check out Rowan Public Library today before beginning your next adventure.
Kitchen chemistry — June 23, 6:30 p.m., headquarters, Stanback Auditorium; June 24, 6:30 p.m., South branch, China Grove. Tired of using harsh cleaners that leave your head dizzy and your wallet empty? Learn how to make environmentally friendly alternatives at a fraction of the cost. As part of the “Literary Elements” Summer Reading Program for Adults, the library has an exciting line-up of programs. This program will be led by Toi N. Degree, family and consumer education agent with Rowan Cooperative Extension. There is no charge to participate, and each attendee will be entered for a chance to win a door prize. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8229 for more information. Reading hours may be tracked beginning Monday, June 16 through Aug. 11. Prize drawings will be held with a grand prize awarded at the end of summer celebration.
Summer movie series — June 17, 6:30 p.m., “The Lorax” (PG); June 24, 6:30 p.m. “City of Bones” (PG13). The library will offer a movie night every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at RPL headquarters in Salisbury throughout the summer. Movies are free and all ages are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Movies begin June 11 and run through Aug. 20. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Summer reading — The library invites children to celebrate science and reading with Fizz, Boom, Read. Reading hours may be tracked beginning Monday, June 16. Prizes for every 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours read with door prizes given at the school-aged programs.
Kick-off celebrations will be held at each location. Thursday, June 12, 3:30-5 p.m. at the South Rowan Regional location in China Grove; Friday, June 13, 1:30-3 p.m. at the East Branch in Rockwell; and Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m.-noon at RPL Headquarters in Salisbury.
Weekly programs begin June 16 and run until July 31. RPL staff will be on hand to entertain the youngest participants and professional performers will help captivate the school-age children. Family programs will again be offered at Cleveland Town Hall and reading hours can be tracked there at the time of the program.
For a complete schedule of programs, click here, or go to the library website or call your closest location: Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South, 704-216-7728; East, 704-216-7842.
The library will also have a literacy workshop for parents of children up to age 5 on Monday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. The workshop is free but registration is required and space is limited. You can register by calling 704-216-8234.
Teen summer reading: Teens may participate in Spark a Reaction where they will explore science through programs and reading. Starting June 17 and running through July 31, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders are invited to participate. Programs will be held 3:30-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Headquarters; Wednesdays, East Branch in Rockwell; Thursdays, South Rowan Regional in China Grove. Each week, events will focus on science concepts, experiments and crafts. Every teen who registers receives a booklet for keeping track of the library dollars they earn. Those dollars will be used to enter raffles for prizes provided by the Friends of RPL and other local sponsors. Winners will be announced at the end of the summer Blow Out Blast at South Rowan Regional on July 31, 3:30–5 p.m.
Displays for June: headquarters, doll society; South, fiber items by Rowan Fiber Guild; East, “Winnie the Pooh,” by Kim Davis.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.