• By Mia Jordan
  • Posted Friday, March 1, 2024

Celebrate Forsyth Creek Week with the Forsyth County Public Library

Celebrate Forsyth Creek Week

Forsyth Creek Week is March 16-24, 2024. During this week, there will be fun and informative activities for all ages in honor of our waterways. Visit your local library and learn more about these amazing and vital natural resources.

Forsyth Creek Week is a county-wide initiative organized by the Winston-Salem Stormwater/Erosion Control Division, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Forsyth County Center, Winston-Salem DOT, Winston-Salem Recreation & Parks, Winston-Salem Human Relations, Forsyth County Public Libraries, Forsyth County Environmental Assistance and Protection, the Town of Kernersville, the Village of Clemmons, The Town of Lewisville, Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful, Forsyth Audubon, the Gateway Nature Preserve, Kaleideum, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Piedmont Environmental Alliance, Piedmont Land Conservancy, Reynolda Gardens, the N.C. Sierra Club Foothills Group, and Yadkin Riverkeeper.

All Forsyth County Public Library programs are free and open to the public.

LIBRARY PROGRAM FOR ALL AGES:

“The Pond” Tragedy Exhibit
March 1-31
Forsyth County Central Library – The North Carolina Collection
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
For all ages. Discover the tragic story behind how the Pond neighborhood got its name. Nov. 2, 1904, the north wall of the city’s reservoir collapsed sending millions of gallons of water pouring through the neighborhood surrounding the reservoir, destroying homes and killing nine people. The rushing water settled in a low-lying area where officials looking at the scene remarked that it looked “like a pond” giving that community its name. The North Carolina Collection will be hosting a month-long exhibit featuring newspaper articles and photographs of the 1904 Reservoir disaster.

The Amazing Power of Nature's Filtration System
Tuesday, March 19 at 3 p.m.
Walkertown Branch Library
2969 Main St.
Walkertown, NC 27051
All ages welcome. Transform polluted water into clean water using the amazing power of nature's filtration system.

Forsyth Creek Week Critters
Saturday, March 16 from 11-11:45 a.m.
Southside Branch Library
3185 Buchanan St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27127
All ages. Come meet some local animals that have made their home at our very own Salem Lake. Get up close and personal with our Creek Week Critters and learn about some of those that we do not want to pet. In partnership with Salem Lake Parks and Rec.

LIBRARY STORYTIMES:

Creek Week Storytime
Toddlers: Monday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Preschoolers: Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Lewisville Branch Library
6490 Shallowford Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Join us for special Creek Week storytimes! We will learn about frogs, turtles, and other critters found in our own backyard!

Preschool Forsyth Creek Week Storytime
Monday, March 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Reynolda Manor Branch Library
2839 Fairlawn Dr.
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Join Miss Priscilla for a fun-filled 30 minutes of stories, songs, and more in celebration of our waterways. Let’s engage your preschoolers with stories, songs and activities that promote language and pre-reading skill development to help facilitate their growth into successful readers! Lenny the Lifeguard will be joining us for this special Forsyth Creek Week storytime.

Frogs in the Pond Storytimes
Tuesday, March 19 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.; Thursday March 21 at 10:30 a.m.
Clemmons Branch Library
6365 James St.
Clemmons, NC 27012
Ages 1-6, but all ages are welcome. Read stories and sing songs with us!

Water-Themed Storytimes
Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20 at 10 a.m.
Toddler Storytime on Thursday, March 21 at 10 a.m.
Paddison Memorial Branch Library
248 Harmon Ln.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Join us for special water-themed storytimes.

Music and Movement with special guest Lenny the Lifeguard!
Wednesday, March 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Clemmons Branch Library
6365 James St.
Clemmons, NC 27012
Ages 3-6, but all ages are welcome. Sing and dance with Lenny the Lifeguard!

Forsyth Creek Week Storytime
Thursday, March 21 at 10, 10:30, and 11 a.m.
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center
1110 E. Seventh St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 3-5, but all ages are welcome. Lenny the Lifeguard will join us for a special Preschool Storytime celebrating Forsyth County's waterways and natural resources. Meet Creek Week's froggy mascot, get your picture taken, and stay for your regularly scheduled stories and songs. He's here for one morning only, so younger children are welcome as well.

Forsyth Creek Week Storytime
Thursday, March 21 at 11 a.m.
Forsyth County Central Library
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 3-5, but all ages are welcome. Join us for a special water-themed storytime.

Frog Storytime
Thursday, March 21 at 11 a.m.
Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch Library
7125 Broad St.
Rural Hall, NC 27045
Ages 3-6, but all ages are welcome. Join us for a special frog-themed storytime.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR KIDS:

EcoEXPLORE Forsyth County Central Library
https://www.ecoexplore.net/
See it! Snap it! Share it! EcoEXPLORE is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8 by the N.C. Arboretum. The Forsyth County Public Library participates as an ecoEXPLORE Discovery Pack LoanSpot. Check out an ecoEXPLORE Discovery Pack from the Central Library’s children’s area and get out to explore your waterways during Forsyth Creek Week.

Story Walk
March 1-31
Triad Park
9652 W Market St.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Are you looking for the perfect family activity this March? Enjoy a Forsyth Creek Week-themed story page-by-page on a walk through Triad Park. This month's story walk will present the book, Drop: An Adventure through the Water Cycle by Emily Kate Moon. Presented by The Forsyth County Public Library.

Nature Notebooks
Beginning Saturday, March 16
Lewisville Branch Library
6490 Shallowford Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Pick up your Nature Notebook at the Lewisville Branch Library starting on March 16 (while supplies last). Find plants that are native to North Carolina in the wild and draw them. When you’ve drawn a plan in each required category, bring your notebook to the Lewisville Branch Library by May 31 for a prize. Each Nature Notebook comes with a packet of wildflower seeds. Presented by Stormwater Smart of The Piedmont Triad Regional Council. Email Emily Emerson (emersoem@forsyth.cc) for more information.

Forsyth Creek Week Scavenger Hunt
Week of March 18
Carver School Road Branch Library
4915 Lansing Dr.
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Ages 6-12. Stop by Carver School Road Branch Library anytime during the week of March 18 to take part in our Creek Week Scavenger Hunt. We’ve hidden pictures of river critters all around the library for you to find, and you might even learn a few fun facts along the way. Grab a clue sheet from our Creek Week display to get started. Turn in your finished sheet at the circulation desk to earn a prize.

Take and Make Craft – Raindrop Suncatcher
Week of March 18
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center
1110 E. Seventh St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 4 and up. Construct a suncatcher to celebrate Forsyth Creek Week. Pick up a craft at the branch’s front desk and take it home to make a suncatcher with your family.

Creek Discovery Play
Tuesday, March 19 at 11 a.m.
Forsyth County Central Library- Front Lawn
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 2-6. In honor of Forsyth County Creek Week, you are invited to join the Children’s Library on the front lawn for Creek Discovery Play. This is an outdoor activity, so bundle up and come out to explore plants and other things that live in our local creeks. In case of rain this activity will be moved indoors.

Pokémon Wednesday: Fish Pokémon
Wednesday, March 20 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Clemmons Branch Library
6365 James St.
Clemmons, NC 27012
Ages 5 and up. Join us for a special night of Pokémon club when we learn about the fish Pokémon and what real-life fish inspired the designs!

Down in the Creek
Saturday, March 23 from 2 - 4 p.m.
Reynolda Gardens
100 Reynolda Village
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Join educators from Kaleideum, Reynolda Gardens, and Forsyth County Public Library at Reynolda Gardens for a free program we’re offering in conjunction with Forsyth Creek Week. Visit Reynolda’s Boathouse, wetlands, ponds, and creeks for storytime and interactive experiences designed to show children how vital water and our water systems are to human, animal, and plant life.
Check out the Reynolda Gardens Event Page to register.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS:

To-Go Craft Kits: Jumping Frog Origami
Week of March 18
Forsyth County Central Library Teen Central
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 12-18. Teens can pick up a DIY to-go craft kit while supplies last. Call 336-703-3035 for more information.

STEAM for Teens and Tweens: Every Drop Counts
Wednesday, March 20 from 5-6 p.m.
Forsyth County Central Library- Makerspace
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 9-18. Learn about the vital and limited resource that is our water supply with hands-on activities. Presented by the Piedmont Environmental Alliance.

River Rock Painting
Thursday, March 21 from 3-4 p.m.
Carver School Road Branch Library
4915 Lansing Dr.
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Ages 8-18. Come paint a river rock and learn how these smooth stones are formed and the important role they play in their environment. All supplies will be provided.

STEAM for Teens and Tweens: Foldable Paper Microscopes
Wednesday, March 27 from 5-6 p.m.
Forsyth County Central Library Makerspace
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Ages 9-18. Make and learn to use foldable paper microscopes. We will be looking at samples of water from local waterways.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS:

Water Trivia Contest
March 16-24
Clemmons Branch Library
6365 James St.
Clemmons, NC 27012
In honor of Forsyth Creek Week, pick up a quiz on water trivia at the Clemmons Branch Library. Return the completed quiz by March 24 to be eligible for a prize drawing.

Creekside Creativity Kits
March 16-24
Paddison Memorial Branch Library
248 Harmon Ln.
Kernersville, NC 27284
This Forsyth Creek Week, channel your inner creative soul with a Creekside Creativity Kit. Register for and pick up your kit, then find a quiet, comfortable spot near any body of water. Spend some time just observing the natural world around you. Then, once you feel centered, open your kit and use the included supplies to create something unique: a poem, a sketch, or maybe even a bracelet. Since kits are limited, registration is required and there is a two-kit limit per household. For more information or to register, email our Adult Services Librarian Lara at goldstLB@forsyth.cc or call her at 336-703-2932.

“How to Save the World with Plants” Lecture
Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m.
Paddison Memorial Branch Library
248 Harmon Ln.
Kernersville, NC 27284
Plants have amazing superpowers! Wendi Hartup, Town of Kernersville Stormwater Manager, will lead a 45-minute discussion on what types of plants can clean the air, reduce erosion and even improve water quality. As well as highlight plant myths, beautiful plants and conservation practices. For more information, contact Lara Goldstein (Adult Services Librarian). Please call (336) 703-2932 or email goldstlb@forsyth.cc.

Forsyth Creek Week Acrylic Pour Wood Panels
Monday, March 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Walkertown Branch Library
2969 Main St.
Walkertown, NC 27051
Unleash your creativity and craft a one-of-a-kind abstract work of art through acrylic pour painting! This program is open to adults of all experience levels who are eager to experiment with acrylics. Pick up a new skill that you can easily recreate at home. Registration is required. Stop by the branch or call 336-703-2990 to register.

The Birds of Our Neighborhood
Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m.
Forsyth County Central Library (meet on the library’s lawn in front of the children's area)
660 W. Fifth St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Join us as we go in search of local birds around our library while using binoculars and try to identify their songs. Binoculars will be provided. To register, call 336-703-3024 or email leonarzl@forsyth.cc .

Composting ABCs
Tuesday, March 19at 12 pm and 2 p.m.
Lewisville Branch Library
6490 Shallowford Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Did you know composting is an excellent way to take care of our waterways? Celebrate Forsyth Creek Week by learning how to start and maintain your own backyard compost bin or pile. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agent Rebecca Craps will discuss the benefits of composting, the two main types of compost, the tools you need to get started, and more. Registration requested.
To register for the 12 pm class, go here, call 336-703-2858, or email rlcraps@ncsu.edu.
To register for the 2 p.m. class, go here, call 336-703-2858, or email rlcraps@ncsu.edu.

Locally Rooted: Embracing Ecological Landscaping with Native Plants
Tuesday, March 19 at 2 p.m.
Reynolda Manor Branch Library
2839 Fairlawn Dr.
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Join Bee City USA liaison, Moriah Gendy, and Bashiva Gardens owner and Lead Horticulturist, Maxwell Nottke, for an in-depth discussion on how your planting choices can make a difference. After our conversation, participants will have the chance to participate in a DIY activity - building a bee hotel - to help support our local native pollinators. Registration is required. Please contact Moriah Gendy, Food Resilience Program Manager, at 336-727-8249 or email moriahg@cityofws.org to register or ask questions.

Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Tuesday, March 19 at 4 p.m.
Rural Hall/Stanleyville Branch Library
7125 Broad St.
Rural Hall, NC 27045
Join us as we create beautiful eco-friendly bookmarks using natural and recycled materials. Space in limited so call 336-703-2970 today to reserve your spot.

Naturally Beautiful: Adult Natural Watercolors Workshop
Wednesday, March 20 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center
1110 E Seventh St.
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Welcome to Naturally Beautiful, a Girl Scout Silver Award Project hosted by Alexandria Dove. Bring your own natural materials such as flowers petals, tea leaves, and berries to create your own natural watercolors. Alexandria will provide step-by-step instructions and engage you in a day of creativity, imagination, and fun. Registration is required. Please sign up by calling 336-703-2950.

Witchy Washi and Whatnot
Wednesday, March 20 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Lewisville Branch Library
6490 Shallowford Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Join us in our monthly craft group as we make silhouettes of aquatic life with washi tape to celebrate Forsyth Creek Week. Space and supplies are limited to first 12 registrants, so call the branch (336-703-2940) to reserve your spot.

River Rock Painting
Thursday, March 21 from 12-1 p.m.
Carver School Road Branch Library
4915 Lansing Dr.
Winston Salem, NC 27105
For adults. Come paint a river rock and learn how these smooth stones are formed and the important role they play in their environment. All supplies will be provided.

Color and Coffee
Friday, March 22 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Lewisville Branch Library
6490 Shallowford Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Color and Coffee is a morning to relax, color, be with others and enjoy a cup of coffee on the house. In celebration of Forsyth Creek Week, nature-related coloring sheets, colored pencils and coffee will be available for participants. No registration required.

SUGGESTED READS FOR AGES 5-8:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR AGES 9-12:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR TEENS:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

SUGGESTED READS FOR ADULTS:

Find the print copy here.

Find the print copy here.

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