Programs at Lanier Library are a tradition that started in 1890 when Mrs. Knott shared her opinions about annexing Canada. The tradition continues with speakers and topics ranging from authors to poets, historians to sculptors, crafts workshops to

wine tasting, butterflies to elephants in the Felburn Nature and Wildlife Series, and more. Most are free to the public and some are possible thanks to support from the Kirby Endowment Fund at the Polk County Community Foundation.

Upcoming programs

Lanier Library Intrigue and thrill of Birding Tyon NC

Birding: Felburn Nature and Wildlife Program-Postponed until April 23

This program was cancelled in February due to weather, but it’s been rescheduled with birders Kevin Burke and Cheryl Day to give you enough time enough to get ready for the spring bird migrations.

Western North Carolina has always been one of the best places to seek and find newly arrived spring bird migrants such as vireos, warblers, tanagers, and more. Even though, some birding hot spots in our area were heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene, Kevin and Cheryl can still share places for birders to go and enjoy the colors calls, intrigue, and thrills of a spotting. Kevin has led birding trips for almost 20 years in the United States, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and elsewhere. Together, he and Cheryl will tell you what to look for in your backyard and within convenient driving distance of Tryon.

The program is free and open to the public.

Live@Lanier, Wednesday, May 21, 1 PM, goes deep into The Dark Corner of SC, once disreputable for its gunfights, outlaws and moonshiners.

Greenville County Historian and author, Jim Stehlik, will take you across years and mountains and through forests to meet the matriarchal heads of the Dark Corner families that helped evolve the Greenville area into what we know today. For example, Martha Lindsey Plumey raised moonshining sons and daughters and purchased Glassy Mountain. Rebecca Hagood Hightower championed a wife’s right to divorce a husband and own her own plantation. Sarepta Merritt Davis championed the Kingdom of Happy Land, a town of former slaves.

Jim will present a 200-year perspective with vintage pictures from his recently published: “Dark Corner Journey: Glassy Mountain to the Valley.” This is the third volume of his trilogy.

COMING IN 2025

JUNE 18: Nature Photographer, Corrie Woods, tips and techniques, a Felburn Nature and Wildlife Series Program