Florence Neighbors

Calendar of Events

* May may have been named for Maia, the Roman goddess of fertility and growth. Or the month may have been named to honor the Mairoes, the Roman Senate.
* May birthstone: the emerald. May's flower: lily of the valley or hawthorn.

Events at Florence-Lauderdale Public Library

Library Closed
Monday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 8
The library will be closed for two days for maintenance. The bookdrop will remain open. Bookmarks Coffee Shop will remain open on Monday, May 7, but will be closed on Tuesday, May 8.

The Screening Room: The Magnificent Ambersons
Thursday, May 10, 7:30 pm
Join Pillar of Fire and the library for a 70th Anniversary Screening of Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), starring Joseph Cotten, Anne Baxter, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorehead, Dolores Costello, Ray Collins, Erskine Sanford and Richard Bennett.

Joss Whedon, Superheroes, and The Avengers
Tuesday, May 15, 6:30 pm
The Avengers is poised to be one of the biggest superhero movies of all time. After you’ve seen the movie, join us for this event to discuss it! Dr. Cynthia Burkhead, a pop culture scholar who teaches English at UNA, will discuss how the film fits into writer/director Joss Whedon’s body of work. Also, Andrew Richards, owner/operator of House of Heroes comic shop, will compare the film to the comics. The speakers will then lead audience discussion. Richards will also have a copy of Avengers #1 for participants to see. Call 256-764-6564, ext. 28 to learn more.

The Screening Room: My Week With Marilyn
Thursday, May 17, 7:00 pm
Join Pillar of Fire and the library for a screening of Simon Curtis’ My Week With Marilyn (2011), starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Emma Watson, Julia Ormond, Toby Jones, Zoe Wanamaker and Derek Jacobi.

Alabama Women Writers Series: An Evening with Gin Phillips
Thursday, May 24, 6:00 pm
For the second event in our Alabama Women Writers Series, FLPL welcomes back Birmingham author Gin Phillips to talk about her new novel Come In and Cover Me. Books will be sold and signed before the event (starting at 5:30 pm) and after.
When Ren was only twelve years old, she lost her older brother, Scott, to a car crash. Since then, Scott has been a presence in her life, appearing as a snatch of song or a reflection in the moonlight. Now, twenty-five years later, her talent for connecting with the ghosts around her has made her especially sensitive as an archaeologist. More than just understanding the bare outline of how our ancestors lived, Ren is dedicated to re-creating lives and stories, to breathing life into those who occupied this world long before us. Now she is on the cusp of the most important discovery of her career, and it is ghosts who are guiding her way. But what do two long-dead Mimbres women have to tell Ren about herself? And what message do they have about her developing relationship with a fellow archaeologist, the first man to really know her since her brother's death? Come In and Cover Me is the moving story of a woman learning to let go of the past in order to move forward with her own future.
Gin Phillips' first novel, The Well and the Mine, was published in 2008 and won the Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Gin worked as a freelance magazine writer for nearly a decade. She now lives in Birmingham with her husband, her stepkids, and her schnoodle. Call 256-764-6564, ext. 28 to learn more.

The Screening Room: The Cowboys
Thursday, May 24, 7:00 pm
Join Pillar of Fire and the library for a 40th Anniversary Screening of Mark Rydell’s The Cowboys (1972), starring John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Slim Pickens, A Martinez, Robert Carradine and Clay O’Brien.

Alabama Women Writers Series: An Evening with Rheta Grimsley Johnson
Monday, June 4, 6:00 pm
FLPL is proud to welcome back renowned columnist and author Rheta Grimsley Johnson, as she discusses her new musical memoir Hank Hung the Moon. This program is the final event in the library’s Alabama Women Writers Series. Books will be sold and signed after the event.
Hank Hung the Moon is Johnson’s evocative and personal tale of 1950s and ‘60s musical staples, all viewed through the life story of Hank Williams and the people he influenced. The book celebrates a world of 78 rpm records and 5-cent Cokes, while Hank provides the book’s soundtrack and wisdom.
Rheta Grimsley Johnson has covered the South for over three decades as a newspaper reporter and columnist. Her reporting has won numerous awards, and in 1991 she was one of three finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. In 1986 Johnson was inducted into the Scripps Howard Newspapers Editorial Hall of Fame. Syndicated today by King Features, Johnson’s column appears in about 50 papers nationwide. She is the author of Poor Man’s Provence and Enchanted Evening Barbie and the Second Coming, both published by NewSouth Books. Call 256-764-6564, ext. 28 to learn more.

Dream Big: Summer Reading Programs for All Ages!
May 29-July 27
Kids’ Summer Reading (through age 10)
Read and Earn Prizes all Summer! All books in our Easy Section will be worth 1 ticket each. Chapter books will earn you 1 ticket per 25 pages. Trade in your earned tickets for fun prizes at our Summer Reading Program Store! Store hours are included in the program list below. Registration begins May 29, and book logs are due by July 20. Prizes can be picked up through July 27.

Programs Daily June 4 - July 20
Mondays at 2:00: Animals After Dark (Store open 3-4 pm)
Tuesdays at 2:00: The Night Sky (Store open 3-4 pm)
Wednesdays at 10:30: Bed Time Favorites (Store open 11:15-11:45 am)
Wednesdays at 2:00: Ghosts, Ghoulies, & Things that Go Bump in the Night! (Store open 3-4 pm)
Thursdays at 2:00: Yummy Stories (Store open 3-4 pm)
Fridays at 10:30: Babies Love the Library (Store open 11:15-11:45 am)
Fridays at 2:00: Big Dreamers: Bio Book Club (Store open 3-4 pm)
Saturdays at 2:00: Awesome Art! (Store open 3-3:30 pm)
Sundays at 2:00: Book Bingo
For more information about any of these events, call 256-764-6564, ext. 14 or visit http://www.flpl.org/

Own the Night: Teen Reading Program (ages 11-15)
Teens can enter to win an iPod Shuffle or a $50 iTunes card by earning “i-entries.” Read 5 books and get 1 i-entry, plus a free appetizer to Texas Roadhouse. Read an additional 5 books and get another i-entry, plus a $5.00 gift card to Bookmarks Coffee Shop. Continue earning entries for every 5 books read, up to a a maximum of 4 entries (20 books). We will draw for the iPod and iTunes card from all i-entries on July 30, and our winner will be contacted. For more info contact the library at (256)764-6564 or youthservices@flpl.org.

Programs every Thursday at 5:30 pm:
June 7- Minute to Win It
June 14-Yoga & Smoothies
June 21- Fear Factor
June28-Just Dance
July 5- Wii Tourney
July12- “What to Expect in High School” Q&A
July 19- Dark Movie Knight (Screening The Dark Knight)

For more information about the teen program, call 256-764-6564, ext. 14 or visit http://www.flpl.org/.

Adult Summer Reading Program (ages 16 and up)
The kids don’t get to have all the fun at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library! For the Adult Summer Reading Program, adults get a prize entry for every 5 books they read. Are you a busy parent who has difficulty finding time to reading for yourself? For the first time this year, parents can get credit for 1 book for every 4 hours they read to their children. Entry forms will be available May 29 and must be turned in by July 27.
This year’s grand prizes are a Kindle, a night at the Marriot Shoals, and dinner for two at the 360 Grille! Other prizes include gift certificates from Legend’s Steakhouse, Ricatoni’s, Bookmarks Coffee Shop, The Friends of the Library Bookstore, The Gourmet Shoppe, The Wine Seller, McGraw’s Coffee House, and Makadoo’s. Call 256-764-6564, ext. 12 or 28 for more information.

The Civil War: It Happened Here
To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library will host a series of events including lectures, exhibits, classes, and living histories over the next two years. The first lecture series, “The Civil War: It Happened Here,” will focus on the battles and pivotal events that occurred right here in the Tennessee Valley. The series will educate participants about the direct involvement of influential leaders and residents within Northwest Alabama and Southern Tennessee.

Conflict in the Tennessee Valley, Robert S. Steen
Sunday, May 27, 2:00 pm
Robert S. Steen will provide a general overview of the four years of war in Lauderdale County, specifically in the city of Florence.
While currently serving as Interim Director of the City of Florence Resources Department, Robert Steen is involved in many civic organizations including the City of Florence Historical Board, the Tennessee Valley Historical Association, and the Mayor’s Walk of Honor Committee. He has also authored several books and pamphlets on various aspects of University of North Alabama history.

Unraveling the Mysteries of Spring Hill, Tim Kent
Sunday, June 3, 2:00 pm
Presenter Tim Kent will attempt to explain the mystery of what occurred at Spring Hill during the time of the Civil War. His latest book, Die Like Men, which discusses the Battle of Franklin, is a gripping story that will take the reader through the invasion from Florence, Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee and provide insight into the colorful personalities of the leading participants.
Tim Kent is a Civil War historian & first sergeant with the 26th Alabama infantry re-enactment group. In addition to authoring his own books, he has assisted others in researching material for their books and was involved with the Wide Awake Films Civil War documentaries at Perryville. Mr. Kent’s next publication will focus on the Battle of Antietam.

War in the Shoals: The Events of 1862, Dr. David E. Gregg
Sunday, June 24, 2:00 pm
Dr. David E. Gregg will discuss the local events of 1862, including the Fall of Fort Donelson, the Confederate withdrawal, Don Carlos Buell’s March, and Reverend W.H. Mitchell’s arrest.
Dr. Gregg is the pastor of the Florence Blvd. Baptist Church and has had a lifetime interest in the Civil War. He has been researching local Civil War period records for the past 30 years. Dr. Gregg has given many lectures on the war as well as local and battlefield guided tours. He currently serves as Vice President of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society.

Tales from Beyond the Grave: Civil War Bushwhacker “Mountain” Tom Clark, Leader of the “Buggers,” Lee Freeman
Sunday, July 22, 2:00 pm
Lee Freeman will explore the fact and folklore surrounding East Tennessee native Thomas Marion “Mountain Tom” Clark who migrated to Lauderdale County, AL in 1864. As leader of an outfit of guerillas and bushwhackers, he is most well-known for his reputation of terrorizing the residents of Lauderdale County and the surrounding areas. Using period records, the program will examine what can be historically proven about Tom’s life and demise, in particular the legend of his burial underneath East Tennessee Street in Florence in September of 1872.
Lee Freeman is the head of the Local History/Genealogy Department at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library. He serves on the board of directors of many civic organizations including the Alabama Renaissance Fair, Heritage Preservation, Inc., Natchez Trace Genealogical Society, Mayor Bobby Irons’s Walk of Honor, and the Florence Historical Board’s Florence Cemetery Commission. In addition, Mr. Freeman has had articles published in the Journal of Muscle Shoals History and Alabama Heritage. He also writes a monthly local history column for Courier Journal’s Kidsville News!
Images of Tennessee Confederates, Myers E. Brown II
Sunday, August 19, 2:00 pm
Based on his book, Tennessee’s Confederates (Images of America Series), Myers Brown will share stories and images of some of the lesser known, yet important characters associated with Confederate Tennessee. This work draws upon photographs from the collections of the Tennessee State Museum, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Tennessee Historical Society, as well as private collections.
Myers E. Brown II is the curator of extension services at the Tennessee State Museum. He is also the author of Tennessee’s Union Cavalrymen (Images of America: Tennessee). He is governor and fellow of the Company of Military Historians.
Want to Discover your Civil War Ancestors?
You may register for the following classes:
Basic Genealogy
Saturday, June 30, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
This course will provide an introduction to genealogical research. It will focus on utilizing census records, vital records, land records, military records, and probate records (including deeds, wills, estate packets, and estate inventories) to trace your ancestry and learn more about members of your own family.

Genealogy Online
Wednesday, July 18, 1:00-3:00 pm
Internet resources, websites, and databases will be explored so that researchers may enhance their genealogical expertise while furthering their research.

Advanced Genealogy Online (Efficient Research Strategies and Documentation for Genealogists)
Wednesday, July 25, 1:00-3:00 pm
This intermediate-level class will be a step-by-step approach to family history. Participants should bring a personal Ancestor Chart, filled out with as much information as possible.

Seating is limited. To register, contact (256)764-6564 ext. 27 or classes@flpl.org.

Computer Classes
FLPL will be offering a wide variety of computer classes throughout the summer. The topics of these classes range from computer basics to advanced instruction on specific computer programs. A complete schedule of upcoming classes is available here: http://flpl.org/services/computer-classes/class-schedule/cat.listevents/2012/05/03/

Registration is required for all computer classes, and seating is limited. To register, call 256-764-6564, ext. 27 or email classes@flpl.org