Author Archives: friendsofpacklibrary

Although the crisp winter weather has not quite departed, Asheville has experienced an early arrival of spring flowers. A few weeks after the Snow Drops came and went, we were treated to early Daffodils and Crocus pushing themselves up and out of the earth to drink in the sunshine. Along with Forsythia, Cherry Blossoms andContinue reading “The Birds of Asheville’s Spring”

The recent cold snap was a stark reminder that winter is upon us. If you like the cold weather, you’re probably looking forward with a certain amount of glee to participating in the extensive variety of winter sports that are close to home. But for some of us, while the great (chilly) outdoors has itsContinue reading “The Comfort of a Warm Kitchen”

The beauty of the seasons unfold in a variety of colors. Pastel blossoms of springtime, along with the gentle newness of budding green leaves, lightens the heart. The bright summer sun brings with it the reds, purples and yellows designed to attract many species, including the tiniest Hummingbirds, while the trees settle into their darkestContinue reading “The Colors of Nature”

Sitting on my deck sipping cocktails with a friend on a fine summer evening several years ago, we struck up a conversation about the art of turning a book into a film. Of course, comparisons always occur. Speaking anecdotally, I find that people who have read the book before seeing the movie tend to likeContinue reading “Books Into Film: Comparatively Speaking”

Travel to far off ports of call can provide an exotic change of scenery. More importantly, it opens one’s eyes to other cultures and ways of living. Your length of stay and ability to interact with locals — even within the US — can also impart a certain amount of compassion and understanding of ourContinue reading “Paris Air … Speaking of Travel”

Outdoors — possibly with a good book — is the place to be in Western North Carolina in any season, but particularly during the spring when nature awakens from its winter chill and calls us into its domain. Sitting under your favorite tree or walking the many hiking trails of the Blue Ridge Mountains, takingContinue reading “It’s Spring – Let’s Plant a Garden”

Many bestselling authors have found inspiration in the beauty of North Carolina. While some were born and/or raised here, others found their way to this remarkable area later in life. Inspiration comes in many forms, but the pull of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina is apparent in the number of authors whoContinue reading “Celebrating North Carolina Authors”

Have you ever thought about the complexities of books? The topics within? How they are brought to life? What about their size? Now there’s something to think about … from the 2,300-page Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language (1755) to the tiny ABC books of 26 pages. Now, enter the world of theContinue reading “The Art of Tiny Books”

On June 15, all Buncombe County libraries opened their doors to the public based on Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 215. All branch libraries, including the main Pack Memorial Library, are now open for browsing, checking out materials, and computer use during their regular hours. The meeting rooms are now available for public use and programsContinue reading “Buncombe County Libraries Expand Hours”

The Friends of Pack Library are once again funding the popular ZOOM program. This program teams the Buncombe County Libraries with local attractions and museums to offer free admission for library card holders. ZOOM Partners Museums: Asheville Art Museum, Asheville Museum of Science, Hands On Children’s Museum, Smith-McDowell House MuseumTheatre: Asheville Community Theatre, NC StageNature:Continue reading “ZOOM Program”