NOTE: This is the final installment in a four-part series that explores the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Click accordingly to read parts one, two and three. 

“The City of Charlotte has documented many celebrations of Meck Dec Day, with the first known celebration occurring in 1825. The Charlotte Observer frequently covered the events of Meck Dec Day in the daily paper….” Newspaper excerpt:

The Fireworks Tonight 5/20/1891 p.1 The expert sent here to superintend the fireworks display tonight has been hard at work all day, and has everything arranged for a great display. The display will be given at the graded school grounds, at 8 o’clock, and will be the most elaborate ever given in the State. Some of the bombs will go half a mile high, and that part of the show can be enjoyed by our neighbors for 20 miles around. The display last year was a magnificent one, but the display to be made tonight will be a still better one. The set pieces and the figures in the air will be worth seeing. Every visitor who sees the fireworks display will feel repaid by that show alone for the trip to Charlotte. Take THE NEWS’ word for that.

During the celebration, three balloons were released. One of the balloons had a deed to a lot in Dilworth:

BROWN GETS THE DEED. 5/21/1891 p.1 The Balloon is Found by the Side of the Beattie’s Ford Road Six Miles From Town, by J. E. Brown, Who Gets a Lot in Dilworth. One of the original features of the fireworks display last night, was the sending up of a balloon, to which was attached a tin box, bearing a certificate that the finder would be entitled to a deed for a lot in Dilworth. Three balloons were sent up. The certificate was carried by the second balloon. All three balloons sailed high over the city in a northwesterly direction. The first balloon landed at Biddleville. The second sailed out of sight; the third was burned by fireworks at a great height. This morning, as Mr. J. E. Brown, who lives near the Capp’s Hill Mine, was coming to town, his attention was attracted by a balloon lying in a field by the Beattie’s Ford Road six miles from town. He picked up the balloon and saw the tin box attached. He broke open the box and found the certificate entitling him to a lot in Dilworth. The certificate was signed by E. D. Latta, president and J. L. Chambers, secretary, and called for a deed to lot No. 2, in block 69. That block is located in the southern portion of Dilworth, and the lot fronts on Springville Avenue. It is one of the prettiest lots in Dilworth.

As you’ve likely been able to infer, Meck Dec Day is a huge deal for Charlotteans. So much so, that the city asked and successfully hosted four United States presidents: William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Gerald Ford.

In 1995, the Meck Dec Day celebration was re-established to take place annually at Independence Square on the crossing of Trade and Tryon Streets in Uptown Charlotte. Independence Square has four statues, each in one corner of the square to represent Transportation, The Future, Commerce and Industry.

Happy Meck Dec Day!

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REFERENCES

Inscoe, Corey. 5 Things you Probably Didn’t Know about Meck Dec Day—and How To Celebrate this Weekend. Charlotte Five. Accessed May 2019. https://www.charlottefive.com/meck-dec-day-2017/

Kent, Tricia. Five Facts to Know About Meck Dec Day. UNC-Charlotte. Accessed May 2019. https://inside.uncc.edu/news-features/2018-05-18/five-facts-know-about-meck-dec-day

Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. 1891 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Celebrations. CMStory. Accessed May 2019. https://www.cmstory.org/exhibits/mecklenburg-declaration-independence-celebration-timeline/1891-mecklenburg-declaration

Syfert, Scott. The First American Declaration of Independence? The Disputed History of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland Company, Inc., 2014.

Williams, Jim. The Mecklenburg Declaration: The Celebrations. Mecklenburg Historical Association. Accessed May 2019. https://www.meckdec.org/declaration/the-celebrations

IMAGES

Captain Jack Statue. Image. Accessed May 2019.  https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/TrailOfHistory/Pages/CaptainJack.aspx

Mecklenburg Declaration Sidewalk Plaque. Image. Accessed May 2019.  https://www.cmstory.org/exhibits/robinson-spangler-north-carolina-room-image-collection-hornets-nest/mecklenburg-declaration

Mecklenburg Resolves. Image. Accessed May 2019.  https://archive.org/stream/documentsillustr00libr#page/6/mode/2up

North Carolina State Flag. Image. Accessed May 2019. https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/north-carolina/state-flag/flag-north-carolina

Crawl through a jungle cave and dig for treasure as you think about all you can be and do!

Have an out-of-this world, silly adventure with The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD® exhibit at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center May 25 through Sept. 8, 2019.

The much-loved MR. POTATO HEAD character will lead young visitors and parents on a number of fun and educational adventures. From jungle safaris to archeological digs, each activity will provide children with engaging learning experiences.

The exotic and fanciful exhibit is designed to develop school readiness and academic skills for young children, focusing on literacy, problem solving, mathematics, science and social studies. It is based on developmental milestones set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and national academic standards.

The 1,500-square-foot exhibit, targeted to children ages 3-8, was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with PLAYSKOOL, the infant/preschool toy division of Hasbro, Inc.

Visitors will find interactive play areas within the exhibit, including:

WELCOME! – The fun begins with an awe-inspiring collection of MR. POTATO HEAD parts and accessories as well as an anthology to depict the character’s wild adventures.

SPUD QUEST – While on an archeological dig in search of the statue of King Tato, visitors will need to decipher “tatoglyphs” and solve mazes to find the statue’s secret caché. Guests will use special maps to explore the treasure chamber and excavate the dig site to uncover fun artifacts from the King’s past, while reconstructing the King’s crown and weighing the discoveries in MR. POTATO HEAD’s research tent.

SPUD SAFARI – While roaming jungles with MR. POTATO HEAD, visitors can enjoy a pretend mudslide or venture inside a cave in search of mysterious objects.  Guests should listen carefully to identify sounds in the jungle, discover camouflaged and hidden creatures, and gain a different perspective when they use special lenses and cameras to see the world through the eyes of silly birds, bugs and animals.

Plan your visit

Admission to the exhibit is free. The exhibit is open during ImaginOn building hours: Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday – Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (ImaginOn is closed on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day for summer hours.) but entry will close 30 minutes prior to building closing time. For more information, call 704-416-4600 or visit imaginon.org.

Information for groups

Can I bring a group? Yes! Groups are welcome to visit The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit after 12 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Reservations are neither required nor accepted and entry into The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit is always on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if you wish to combine your visit to the exhibit with any other building-wide activity, a group visit booking is required. You can make a request at  imaginon.org/calendar/group-visits.

Can a group make a reservation to visit The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit? No, all visits to the exhibit happen on a first-come, first-served basis. Families are encouraged to take advantage of Family Time, if your schedule allows. (See below for details.)

Is there a time when the exhibit is open just for families? Yes! Family Time for The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit is every Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. During this time, the exhibit is open just for children with their parents/caregivers. (Limit five (5) children per adult.)

Can children visit the exhibit by themselves? Children under age 8 must be with a caretaker at all times. Caretakers should be at least 12 years old and mature enough to follow ImaginOn rules and guidelines. Chaperones are required for all groups visiting ImaginOn and the exhibit.

What if the exhibit is full when I arrive? Because visitor safety is our top priority, admittance into the exhibit is limited. This allows guests the ability to fully explore the exhibit at their own pace. If the exhibit is “full,” we have a queuing area where visitors can wait to enter the exhibit on a first-come, first-served basis. We have suggested activities to pass the time while you are in line.

The summer exhibit at ImaginOn is funded through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Humanities Endowment Fund, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit was created by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with Hasbro. MR. POTATO HEAD is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. and is used with permission. © 2019 Hasbro. All rights reserved. The national exhibit tour is sponsored by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, with additional support provided by Debra Altshul-Stark and Brian Stark, and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Throughout the 6 classes offered in this program, seniors have access to hands-on learning in the areas of computer basics, web basics, Microsoft Word and Excel basics, mobile devices and library digital resources, and social media.

Not only will participants attend a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements, but they will also be more proficient in using a computer in their everyday life.

While the Library offers numerous programs to help with digital literacy, this program is unique. DigiLit Community takes the curriculum, staff and devices into the community to reach those who may face barriers in accessing a traditional library facility and program. Thanks to a new gift from the Van Every Foundation to support two portable computer labs, DigiLit will be in the community even more.

It also offers a structured sequential curriculum (as opposed to a one-time class) and individualized practice time to make the sessions relevant to the student's needs.

DigiLit Community helps advance the Library's overall mission to improve lives and build a stronger community.

More about Digital Inclusion at the Library

We asked Justin Perry to share his perspective on libraries, our city, and building a stronger community:

Born in Presbyterian hospital 38 years ago, a lot has changed in my hometown since 1980. It’s bigger and shinier, but also more divided in many ways.

We have a more picturesque skyline, more restaurants, and more big events. We also have more segregated schools, bigger gaps between haves and have nots, and greater social distance between different sets of people than ever.

However, as I walk down North Tryon Street in our rapidly growing uptown, I see a familiar face in a familiar place. 

As I step into the Main Library, I see an Irwin Avenue Elementary classmate who recently began working there. We share an embrace and experience instant nostalgia.

Immediately after, I see two Charlottes up close and personal. One man with tattered clothes, and luggage likely carrying all of his possessions is flanked by another wearing a suit, topcoat, and cuff links that likely retail for more than his contemporary’s possessions. While I could cynically discuss the realities of such gaps, I’d like to acknowledge the beauty of this hub that was central to my childhood providing both men with free and equitable access.

From expanded internet access, hard copy and audiobook versions of literature, staff members willing and able to provide historical presentations with primary sources, programming for children, and supports for adults at various reading levels, there’s no shortage of free offerings from the Library to the public.​

Unlike many parts of our society, the Library doesn’t focus on who you know, what “stock you come from,” or what you can offer it. The Library actually asks and answers the rare question of what it can do for you. In a society full of opportunities for division, the Library seeks to fill gaps that at times can seem overwhelming in a community that has just started facing some of these uncomfortable realities.

​On a Monday winter night in January, 1,200-1,500 people of various racial, socioeconomic, age, and ZIP code backgrounds packed into a congregation and overflow of First Baptist Church West to see Richard Rothstein and local community members discuss our affordable housing crisis and Rothstein’s book The Color of Law, detailing our government’s segregation of our nation. This response doesn’t occur without Charlotte Mecklenburg Library freely distributing the book at their various regional locations throughout the community.

Our largely divided community took a step in coming together for shared knowledge and a vital movement. While it will take sustained commitment to grow more intentionally, a vital cog in that growth being more equitable will be investment in growing our free, public Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system.

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Justin Perry is a therapist for people coping with mental health and substance use disorders. He is also an advocate and speaker on behalf of social justice and equity in education, housing and criminal justice throughout the Charlotte Mecklenburg region. 

Updated: May 2022

In 1978, the first ten days of May were officially recognized as Asian American Heritage Week after President Jimmy Carter signed a resolution. This week expanded into a month-long recognition in 1990, then was officially renamed Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by President George H.W. Bush. The month of May was chosen as a tribute to the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system is honored to recognize this diverse community by sharing the following materials from our catalog.

Nonfiction:

• Anuradha Bhagwati’s memoir Unbecoming details her transformation into a Marine Captain despite her strict Indian-American upbringing.  
• Nicole Chung’s All You Can Ever Know describes the author’s journey to learn about her Korean heritage and past after she was adopted at two months old. 
• Wajahat Ali’s memoir Go Back to Where You Came From, is a humorous account of the xenophobia he experienced while growing up in America.
• Afterparties, Anthony Veasna So’s short story collection, portrays the lives of Cambodian-Americans in California and was on multiple 2021 “Best Books” lists.
• Maui native Alana Kyser shares Hawaii’s food history in Aloha Kitchen, a collection of diverse recipes.
• Cathy Erway, author of the blog The Art of Eating In, explores Taiwanese cuisine in her The Food of Taiwan.
• Top Chef alum Preeti Mistry dishes out Indian-Ugandan-American recipes and anecdotes in The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook. 
• Kian Lam Kho’s Phoenix Claws and Jade Trees is a must for any home chef seeking authentic Chinese cooking techniques.
• Top Chef alum Leah Cohen explores her Filipino roots with Southeast Asian recipes in Lemongrass and Lime.

Fiction:

Amy Tan rose to fame with 1991's portrayal of Chinese-American women in The Joy Luck Club.  Discover these other Asian-American authors today!

• Laila Lalami’s The Other Americans is a family saga/murder mystery, following a California family after their immigrant father’s death.
• Fans of Lisa See’s The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane will enjoy her novel China Dolls, the story of three Chinese-American women in 1940s San Francisco. 
• Lisa Ko's 2017 The Leavers, a finalist for the National Book Award, explores the relationship between a single Chinese immigrant and her abandoned U.S. born son.
• Chia-Chia Lin’s debut The Unpassing features a Taiwanese-American family’s coping with death in the wake of the Challenger tragedy.
• Jean Kwok’s Searching for Sylvie Lee, one of the most anticipated summer reads, unearths a Chinese immigrant family’s secrets after a sister goes missing. 

Click here to find all titles listed above.

We have more than just books celebrating Asian Americans! Chinese American Jon Chu directed the immensely popular Crazy Rich Asians, based on Kevin Kwan’s book series. Indian-American director M. Night Shyamalan is known for his suspenseful, twisting thrillers. Hawaiian-born Bruno Mars keeps you dancing all night long with his mixes of R&B, reggae, soul and pop music. Try one of these Asian-American artists!

• Korean American indie rock band Run River North.
• Korean American R&B singer/rapper Jay Park. 
• Check out the multitalented rapper and songwriter Anderson.Paak (also half of the 2022 Record of the Year Grammy winners Silk Sonic).
• Michelle Zauner pulls double duty as the lead vocalist for the band Japanese Breakfast and author of the critically acclaimed memoir Crying in H. Mart.
• Catch Awkwafina’s Golden Globe winning performance in The Farewell, and other films that celebrate AAPI heritage on Kanopy, free once you log in with your Library card.
• Kanopy also has an entire section devoted to Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

Did you know the Library has materials in more than a dozen languages, including Telugu, Gujarati, Marathi and Vietnamese? Contact your local branch to see what languages are offered.   

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has all the resources you need to discover a new culture or embrace your heritage!

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This blog was written by Kristi Atkins, librarian at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

WineFest goers twenty-one and up sampled more than 100 wines, listened to music and filled their bellies along the boardwalk this past April. To get you in the mood to enjoy wine in the upcoming hot, hot months, we’ve paired some of the most popular wines with books and movies. 

Try Wine Reads or The Booklovers' Guide to Wine for how to pair your wines with books. Or, take our word for it with this list. 

Book clubs can pair a book with a different wine each month; cozy mysteries’ fun, pun-filled titles make it easy to pick and pair. Try Ellen Crosby’s Wine Country series, Joni Folger, or Nadia Gordon. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine in the United States. Often described as “full-bodied” or “complex,” it’s a major industry in cool climates from California to Chile. Try with the complex characters found in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple  or Isabel Allende’s Chilean saga Daughter of Fortune. 

Merlot, derived from the French word for “blackbird,” has hints of plums and is considered a blending grape. Pair a big glass with Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum crime series or Chris Bohjalian’s around-the-world thriller The Flight Attendant. 

Chianti is a dry red Italian wine and pairs well with pizza. Enjoy a glass with your next slice while watching Mystic Pizza. This wine also is best enjoyed with fava beans according to Hannibal Lector; sip it while reading Thomas Harris’ other works.    

Pinot Noir made popular in the 2005 movie Sideways, is a crowd-pleasing lighter red wine. Try it with universal crowd-pleasers like Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist or any title by Agatha Christie.

A light and fruity Chardonnay pairs with “cheesy” cozy mysteries like Avery Aames’ For Cheddar or Worse or The Long Quiche Goodnight. This wine also is perfect for lighter beach reads by Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, or Elin Hilderbrand. Be sure you’ve signed up for Wowbrary to sign up for new release by these popular authors! 

Are you afraid of acids? Do tannins terrify you? If you feel intimated by wine lingo, get up to speed with these handy guides and tutorials:

• Try columnist Marissa Ross’ humorous take on wine education in Wine, All the Time.
• Ophélie Neiman’s Wine Isn't Rocket Science takes the guesswork out of wine tasting in an easy-to-follow guide.
• Karen MacNeil’s The Wine Bible (digital only) routinely shows up on top 10 lists.
• The Beginner’s Guide to Wine class via Universal Class is free with your library card. 
• If you have mastered the basics, Madeline Puckett’s Wine Folly takes your wine knowledge to a higher level. 

For a different kind of pairing, come to one of the Library’s book clubs that take place at local wine bars or breweries! Our graphic novel book club meets every fourth Monday at the Wine Vault in the University City area. In May, the 20s and 30s book club discussed Charlotte author Kimmery Martin’s The Queen of Hearts. 

Didn’t make it to WineFest this year? Mark your calendars for the next WineFest event planned for April 18, 2020. In the meantime, we hope the varieties and suggested titles above will take you to the vineyard of your dreams this summer!

NOTICE: This blog was updated on June 8, 2022 to include updated Pride resources and event information.

Happy Pride!

At Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, we are on a mission to improve lives and build a stronger community. In conjunction with that value, we believe that every person, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, identity, gender or gender identity, level of education, socio-economic status, etc., has the right to have their voices heard and to be their authentic selves without fear of retribution or castigation from society. It is both a privilege and an honor to stand beside the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, yearlong, as members, friends and allies.

Proud Beginnings

On June 28, 1969, the New York Police Department raided the historic Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, in Manhattan. Police raids on gay establishments were common in the 1950s and 1960s when social and political anti-gay and homophile efforts flourished. Gay bars were places of refuge where LGBT people could safely be in community without fear of public ridicule or police aggression. However, on that fateful morning, patrons of the Stonewall Inn decided to fight back against the police and the injustices against them. The week-long riots, which coincided with the civil rights and feminist movements, became the catalyzing moments that birthed the gay liberation movement.

Progression of Liberties

Just six months after the uprising at Stonewall, numerous grassroots gay and human rights organizations began to form across the U.S. such as the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA). Since the Stonewall riots, the LGBT community has made many strides against injustice. In October 1979, the first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place in D.C. which drew an estimated attendance of 75,000-125,000 supporters. On March 2, 1982, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and in April 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. For a current list of LGBT rights, milestones and fast facts click here.



A Celebration of LGBT History

In addition to national pride celebrations in June and locally in August (moved in 2021 to October), October was established as Gay and Lesbian History Month by a Missouri high school teacher, Rodney Wilson, in 1994.  Rodney worked with other teachers and community leaders to secure a month where public school was in session, and everyone could celebrate and learn about gay and lesbian history. According to LGBTHistoryMonth.com, October was selected for its existing tradtions, such as National Coming Out Day which falls annually on October 11. To see this year's LGBT History Month icons, click here.

Additional Information

In 1999, the U.S. National Park Service added the Stonewall Inn to the National Register of Historic Places and in 2016, President Barack Obama designated the inn a national monument.

For literary resources and suggest LGBT titles from the Library, be sure to check out the LGBT, Raising Rainbows: Parenting Books for LGBTQ+  Parents, Children, And Allies and LGBTQIA Teen booklists. 

To celebrate Rainbow Book Month™ with the American Library Association, click here.

To learn more about LGBT rights and how you can get involved, please visit the American Civil Liberties Union.

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This blog was written by Asha Ellison, marketing & communications specialist at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Sources:

Images and information from History.com, LGBTHistoryMonth.com and The Stonewall Inn.

Update: While we prepare to close Scaleybark for our move to South Boulevard, the Scaleybark location will reduce services and programs. Starting 9 a.m. Monday January 6, 2020, only HOLDS,  PICKUPS & RETURNS for materials will be available at Scaleybark. If you need Wi-Fi, computers, programs or other services, please visit another nearby branch location including Myers Park, West Boulevard, Main Library or another location here. We apologize for the inconvenience, and look forward to serving you in the new location on South Boulevard.

Scaleybark Library moves to new location with a new name
It’s a new building with a new look. The Scaleybark Library re-opens as South Boulevard Library on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. The new branch is located at 4429 South Boulevard – approximately 0.4 miles south of its former location*.

The branch remains an essential connector in the community. The Library continues to offer services, programs, Wi-Fi and computer use, along with a wide selection of books and audio-visual materials including DVDs, CDs and audiobooks, but the new South Boulevard location offers more space and resources to the growing local community. 

Note: The materials/book drop will stay open at Scaleybark until 9 a.m. Monday, January 13, 2020, when South Boulevard Library officially opens. After that time, it will close permanently and all materials should be returned to the South Boulevard location.

What's new at South Boulevard Library? 
In its brand-new location, South Boulevard Library boasts 18,850 square feet – an increase of 13,350 square feet (nearly 300%) from the old location. South Boulevard includes new spaces for both children and teens, public computers, children’s computers, three self-checkouts, an expanded community room, a dedicated children’s program room, a quiet reading room, five group study rooms, a laptop bar for customers who want to bring their own devices, many collaborative spaces and a vending café. Features include free Wi-Fi, audio-visual capabilities and a public computer lab with 12 computers.

There are two entrances to the branch, one in the front (facing South Boulevard) and one in the back of the building, along with ample parking spots in both locations.

Additionally, South Boulevard customers will be excited to know that the branch’s materials collection has increased by 20%, with the largest growth happening in picture books (50% increase), Young Adult and Teen Collections (45% increase) and World Languages (38% increase).

Library Hours
Starting January 13, 2020, South Boulevard Library begins normal operating hours. The Library is open Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The branch is closed on Sundays. The Scaleybark branch location will close its doors on Saturday, January 11, 2020, after regular business hours and will no longer accept holds or pickups.

Library Holds and Pick-ups
Scaleybark customers with items currently on hold can pick those items up at Scaleybark through January 11, 2020. Those items will seamlessly transition to be available for pick-up at South Boulevard beginning January 13, 2020. Any new holds placed after January 13, should be designated for pick-up at the new South Boulevard location by selecting it from the drop-down in the Library catalog.

Returning books and materials to South Boulevard Library
Customers may return books and materials at designated drop-boxes throughout the Library facility. (Please note after January 13, the old Scaleybark branch location will no longer accept returns.)

Funding for South Boulevard Library
Public funding for the South Boulevard project was approved in 2019 by Mecklenburg County and cost $1.7 million. The project was managed by Mecklenburg County’s Asset and Facility Management Team, the architect was Robert Johnson Architects and the builder/contractor was Shiel Sexton Company, Inc. The South Boulevard relocation is the fourth of several projects for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system; Morrison Regional Library was renovated and re-opened in 2017, North County Regional Library was renovated and re-opened in 2019, and South County Regional Library currently closed for renovations until early 2021.

When’s the celebration?
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will host a Grand Opening at South Boulevard Library with a ribbon cutting ceremony and lots of activities inside the branch. Watch for dates and times to be announced.

See you at the new South Boulevard Library location soon!

*The Scaleybark branch location will close on Saturday, January 6, 2020, after regular business hours and will only be open for returns and holds during normal business hours through January 11. The materials/book drop will remain open until Monday, January 13 at 9 a.m. and then will close permanently. All materials should be taken to the South Boulevard branch for return after this time.

NOTE: This blog is the second in a series on the history of winter holidays. Hanukkah was covered in this series and Kwanzaa comes next. Stay tuned!

Before there was Winston-Salem, there were two distinctive towns-- Winston and Salem. Salem was established by the Moravians in 1766. The Moravians were a Protestant church that began in what is now known as the Czech Republic. During the colonial period, Salem became a central trading center in North Carolina’s backcountry. Today, visitors continue to visit “Old Salem” which retains its early charms.  

Several Moravian traditions are incorporated in how we celebrate winter holidays in North Carolina. The delicious Moravian sugar cookies that we enjoy are now more available than ever and are particularly popular during the holidays. Many Moravian churches throughout the state hosts a colonial tea. The Moravians further celebrate on Christmas Eve with a traditional Love Feast, which dates back to the 1700s. Tapered, beeswax candles wrapped in red ribbons are lit then distributed to everyone present including the children. Hymns are sung and it all ends with the eating of sweet buns served with milky coffee or tea.  

In many homes throughout North Carolina, you will find a Moravian Star decorating the home. This 28-point star became popular in Germany and eventually in America and Europe where there are Moravian congregations. In Germany, they are known as Herrnhut stars, named after the Moravian Mother Community in Saxony, Germany, where they were first commercially produced. 



To learn more about Moravian Christmas, visit the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room on the third floor of Main Library.

Photo courtesy of Our State Magazine 

NOTE: This blog is the third and final in a series on the history of winter holidays. We've covered Hanukkah,  Moravian Christmas and now Kwanzaa.

What is your favorite memory from celebrating Kwanzaa?  

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26-January 1. The celebration was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University-Long Beach, in 1966 to celebrate the African culture and the African harvest.  

After the 1965 Watts riots in Los Angeles and a series of police clashes, Karenga formed a discussion group called “The Circle” to spread awareness of issues that plagued the Black community. He felt that the black community didn’t have a holiday that they could identify with, so he created one. 

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Courtesy of SporcleBlog 

Kwanzaa is a Pan-African cultural holiday, uniting people of African descent all over the world. Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” 

There are seven candles to represent each pillar of Kwanzaa:  

• Unity (Umoja) 
• Self-determination (Kujichaguila) 
• Collective work and responsibility (Ujima) 
• Cooperative economics (Ujamaa) 
• Purpose (Nia) 
• Creativity (Kuumba) 
• Faith (Imani)

Unity means doing everything together as a family, community, nation and race. Self-determination is defining, naming, creating and speaking for themselves as a nation. Collective work and responsibility mean solving family problems together. Cooperative economics is to profit from businesses together. Purpose is restoring people and their community to greatness. Creativity is to do everything possible to make their communities more beautiful than it was when it was inherited. Faith is believing in the community and the victory of their struggle. 

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Courtesy of History.com 

There are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa:  

• Woven mat (Mkeka) 
• Candleholder (Kinara) 
• Seven candles (Mishumaa saba) 
• Unity cup (Kikombe cha umoja) 
• Ear of corn (Vibunzi) 
• Bowl of fruits and vegetables (Mazao) 
• Gifts for children (Zawadi).  

African culture, history, foundation, identities and aspirations are demonstrated by the woven mat. During Kwanzaa, reflections on the past and how it benefits the future are made. The mats were made from straw, African mud cloth, and other African textiles. This is the foundational symbol upon which the other symbols are placed. 

Ancestry is honored through the candleholder, standing tall as the original stalk from which African ancestors came. Sun and light are depicted by the seven candles (3 red, 3 green, 1 black). The red candles stand for Kujichaguila (self-determination), Ujimaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity); the green candles stand for Nia (purpose), Ujima (collective work and responsibility and Imani (faith); the black candle stands for Umoja (unity). Each night, one candle is lit, and the purposes are reflected upon.  

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Courtesy of KwanzaaKeepers.com

The unity cup celebrates the ritual that takes place on the sixth day of Kwanzaa (tambitko). During this ritual, each person takes a sip of a libation (a drink made of juice, wine or water). The eldest person in the room blesses the cup, holds the libation to the four winds (north, south, east, and west) to bless their ancestors, pours some on the floor and says "Amen." The elder will always drink the last drops of the libation. 

One ear of corn is given to each family to represent the children. It signifies the lessons in discipline, positive thinking, expectations, compassion and self-direction the child is expected to carry forward to future generations. In families without children, an ear of corn is given to support the children of the community.  

Fruits and vegetables depict the African harvest festival, reaffirming the commitment to the unity, thanksgiving, joy and sharing of the work put into planning all economic parts of the community. Laws, values and customs recognize those that fed the community and the animals. 

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Courtesy of the Long Beach Post 

Joy, family and thanksgiving are the meaning behind the fruit basket. The baskets of fruit also demonstrate the farmers’ sacrifice and collective labor to reaffirm commitment and responsibility to the community.  

Throughout Kwanzaa, gifts are given to children in order to promote self-determination, purpose and creativity. These are normally handmade to avoid the chaos of the Christmas shoppers. Examples of gifts include dolls, mats or cards. You become part of the family when you accept a gift, and it is that person’s responsibility to continue the gift giving if they are the host.  

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“Kwanzaa.” History.com. Accessed December 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history 

Watson, Stephanie. “The History of Kwanzaa.” HowStuffWorks. Accessed December 2019. https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/kwanzaa2.htm.