Friendsofmurphylibrary's Blog

Library cancels Thursday movies

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: February 8, 2010

Someone stole the movie projector and DVD/VHS player from the Murphy Library.  Hopefully we can acquire another projector, if there are insurance proceeds or through fundraising. For the time being we won’t being showing movies on Thursdays. 

The library received this equipment from a grant several years ago and has made good use of it for the community.  Tax dollars go for creating infrastructure, but volunteers, donations and grants put the “heart” into our buildings. 

Our movies have been a place to take kids and visiting grandkids at no charge. 

Michele Allen introduced her film about Clay Corners at the library.

 

 The projector enabled us to show locally made movies such as Michelle Allen’s “No Place Like this Place” about Clay’s Corner and it seemed like everyone in Murphy came to see it. We showed Allen’s film about local craftswoman Martha Owen, and then Owen’s daughter Emolyn Liden showed her movie. 

John Davidson took this photo of his son Jan introducing the John C. Campbell Folk School's film Sing Behind the Plow when it was shown at the Murphy Library.

 

When we screened the John C. Campbell Folk School’s documentary, not once, but two times, Jan Davidson not only came to introduce it, but there in the audience were his family and all the people who had a part in it — there in the library’s meeting room to see the product of their hard work on the big screen. 

The library now has tighter security. And the librarians and volunteers still try to make this library the living, breathing heart of Murphy and Cherokee County. But it was a shame someone had to steal something that gave so much pleasure to so many.

Attention everyone. Get inspired and make a difference

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 29, 2010

“I’m putting together a book that will chronicle some of the local stories of cancer survivors and those who are no longer with us.”   Mark Townsend is talking about his book project to raise money for the Cherokee County Relay for Life.  He is looking for local stories about cancer experiences, whether personal or stories of loved ones and friends.

And best of all, you don’t have to be a writer – you just have to put down your memories.

These are the reasons Mark Townsend is compiling this book: his wife, daughters, and son.

Townsend is the Associate Editor of the Cherokee Scout in Murphy, North Carolina.  But that’s not all.  He’s a loving husband, a doting father, and he’s a cancer survivor.

One of his heroes is the late North Carolina State University basketball coach, Jimmy Valvano, who offered an inspiration for living as well as for writing in a speech he gave two months before he died from cancer.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day … You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy … If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day.”

Townsend has some stories already but he needs more. “I want to include all the stories we tell each other about our family and friends and their battles with cancer” he promises. 

Get inspired and send your story to mtownsend@thecherokeescout.com

 

Spelling Bee Words for 2009-2010 Week 12

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 28, 2010

This week’s words for the 2010 Cherokee County Spelling Bee that will take place on May 13 at Martins Creek School are from Arabic, and can be found on the National Spelling Bee web site, www.myspellit.com.  

adobe   crimson   algebra   mattress

cotton   apricot   monsoon   orange

guitar   magazine   zenith   average

hazard   giraffe   alfalfa

Award-winner from Uruguay at library Thursday at 6 p.m.

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 26, 2010

Jara is a bear of a guy.  And he’s shy.  However he is dependable, and makes a good security guard in his town on the outskirts of Montevideo, Uruguay.  During the wee hours of the morning he sits alone and clicks the security monitor over the aisles of a grocery store. 

Finding love in a security camera may not seem likely.  However, one night Jara notices a pretty young woman mopping the floors.

The Murphy Library is showing Film Movement’s latest movie, “Gigante,” winner of three prizes at the Berlin International Film Festival.  Screening will be Thursday at 6 p.m.  Running time is 85 minutes.  In Spanish with subtitles in English. This film is not rated but would be suitable for teens.

The young woman is Julia.  She’s from the country and spends her days watching scary movies, listening to rock bands and going to the local beach.  She does not tell Jara this information.  He finds it out by following her around the town.  He even tails her when she’s on a date.

But stalking is not the way to form a relationship and soon shy Jara has to make a move before it’s too late.  The Murphy Library shows a Film Movement selection every fourth Thursday at 6 p.m.  Call 837-2417 for details.

Library Collection Boxes at BB&T Bank

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 25, 2010

Here’s a good deed for the New Year that is convenient and will cost only your time. Clean out your closets and take those used books, DVDs, CDs and tapes to BB&T Bank.

 

That’s right, make a deposit at the bank for your libraryBB&T has generously donated space for Murphy Library’s collection boxes at each of its three branches: King Street in Murphy, Highway 64 West, and in Wal-Mart.

 

This is another brainstorm of Nora King, the past president of Friends of Murphy Library and now its Fundraising Chair.  Her good ideas do not cost a lot but they reap big rewards.

 

Nora King’s husband Larry crafted the wooden boxes by hand.  And BB&T Bank managers: Teresa O’Blenes, Financial Center Leader of 251 King Street Branch; Marge Gaulin,  Branch Manager, Wal-Mart Branch; and Tami Humphryes, Financial Center Leader, 1911 W. US Hwy 64 Branch, quickly found the perfect spot for them. See their photo above by Jane Hembree.

 

The books and other media you find in your cupboards might go into the library’s collection or onto a shelf in the Friends Book Store and the money earned from its sale will help buy new books.  Either way, the citizens of Cherokee County win.  Call 837-2417.

 

Romantic comedy at library Thursday

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 17, 2010

When Johnny is released from prison, a guard warns him that going to New York City may be a mistake.  It’s full of trouble.  But he quickly finds a job in a diner.  And one of the waitresses keeps looking at him.  Even though she’s wary, and weary.

The Murphy Library is showing the romantic comedy “Frankie and Johnny” starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, Thursday at 6 p.m.  Running time is 118 minutes.  It is rated R and would not be suitable for children.

It’s easy being typecast in Hollywood, especially when you become the “Godfather,” as Al Pacino did just before he made “Frankie and Johnny.”  But the role of the short-order cook looking for love stops typecasting in its tracks.  Johnny is needy, talkative and a little unsure of himself, not at all like the Godfather. 

Furthermore, Michelle Pfeiffer never lets her beauty get in the way of looking plain and tired of life.  Her Frankie just wants to be alone with a carryout pizza and her new VCR.  She’s had it with men.   Then she sees clues this one might be different.  And sways between hope and anger, truth and consequences.  All you have to do is look in her eyes.

Terrence McNally originally wrote his play “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune” for off-Broadway.  His dialogue is spot on.   The story of meeting someone, getting to know them, and finally telling them the truth is as old as Adam and Eve.  And it’s still fun to watch.

Spelling Bee Words for 2009-2010 Week 11

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 14, 2010

This week’s words for the 2010 Cherokee County Spelling Bee that will take place on May 13, 2010 at Martin’s Creek School are from Asian languages, and can be found on the National Spelling Bee web site, www.myspellit.com.

nirvana   karma   guru   typhoon

bungalow   mahatma   jungle  oolong

mongoose   bamboo   jackal   bangle 

shampoo   dungaree   chutney

Bollywood romance at the Murphy Library

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 13, 2010

Ranbir Raj is new in town.  But his way with a song lands him a job at a local club.  Then he comforts a young woman standing alone on a bridge and over four nights loses his heart to her.  The Murphy Library is showing a Bollywood-style romance “Saawarya” Thursday at 6 p.m.  It is rated PG and runs 142 minutes.

Award-winning Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali used the short story “White Nights” by Feodor Dostoevski.  The young woman, Sakina, is on the bridge that night missing her beloved Imaan.  But he had left the year before, promising to return.

Music, dance and moody blue lighting envelope the town that looks like Venice.   And then there’s Lillian, the old lady with the twinkle in her eye who rents a room to Raj.  He calls her ‘Lilipop.’  Call the library at 837-2417

Spelling Bee Words for 2009-2010 Week 10

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 5, 2010

This week’s words for the 2010 Cherokee County Spelling Bee that will take place on May 13, 2010 at Martin’s Creek School are from Italian, and can be found on the National Spelling Bee web site, www.myspellit.com.  

ravioli   palmetto   pistachio   mascara

cauliflower   crescendo   harmonica

ballerina   spaghetti   scenario   galleria

balcony   bandit   influenza   rotunda

Scooby Doo mystery movie at library

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: January 1, 2010

The Murphy Library has a Scooby Doo treat for the back-to school crowd Thursday, January 7.  The library is showing the first mystery that the young puppy helps solve with his friends Daphne, Velma, Fred and Shaggy. 

There will be two screenings:  3:15 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.  Running time is 82 minutes and it is rated PG.
 
Although teachers love their work - practical jokes by students are not appreciated.  Especially when ghosts are involved.  When that happens at Coolsville High, four students are suspended.  Who else but Daphne, Velma, Fred and Shaggy?  But they didn’t do it.  And they’re going to find out who did.  With help from a certain puppy.
 
Call the library at 837-2417.

Film Movement British comedy available at library

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: December 18, 2009

Marek is a Polish teenager living in Somers Town, the area in London between King’s Cross and Euston stations.  Tomo is a runaway from Nottingham who’s trying to make a go of it far from home.  When they become friends, life gets better for both of them.

Film Movement’s  British comedy with heart this month, “Somers Town” is now available at the Murphy Library.  Running time is 70 minutes.  The film is not rated.

Marek’s father works on a new rail line in London and is away all day.  It’s summer and the boy walks the streets with this camera, looking for interesting shots.  Tomo has just arrived on the train.  He’s full of outward confidence, but he has no money and no where to stay.  And there are thugs out there

 But it’s a pretty French waitress who brings the boys together. They are both in love with her. And just like in Casablanca, it is “the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Don’t expect pretty English byways in this film.  The boys walk along working class streets that have their own charm.  Do expect quirky characters and lovable kids.  It’s all about being friends.  That’s what counts.    Call the library at 837-2417 for details.

Spelling Bee Words for 2009-2010 Week 9

Posted by: Julie Chautin on: December 15, 2009

This week’s words for the 2010 Cherokee County Spelling Bee are from Latin, and can be found on the National Spelling Bee web site, www.myspellit.com

humble  message  opera  jovial  plausible

library  patina  exuberant  benefactor

adjacent  amicable  necessary  renovate

curriculum  consensus