Escape from Shawnees, journaling, signing among library's features

The Aiken County Public Library has planned a week of events perfect for the South Carolina history lover.

A new look at Aiken's old familiar landmarks is the focus of "Aiken Illustrated: The Southworth Collection," by photographer Ginny Southworth, graphic designer Cindy Pearce and author Richard Pearce, published in conjunction with the City's 175th anniversary Celebrate Aiken festivities. A signing with the authors of "Aiken Illustrated" will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the library, and copies of the book will be available to purchase during the signing.

Life coach Lillian Gaffney will present "Art and Heart of Journaling," a journaling workshop for adults, at 3 p.m. Sunday at the library. Participants should bring paper and pen and be prepared for some introspective journaling exercises, according to Gaffney.

For youngsters in grades 1 to 5, there will be an event focusing on the star of the "Junie B. Jones" children's book series at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The library will offer a special screening of the film "Follow the River" at 7 p.m. Thursday. The 1995 made-for-TV movie stars Sheryl Lee as Mary Draper Ingles, a Virginia homesteader abducted by Shawnee Indians in 1755, and also features a turn by veteran actress Ellen Burstyn.

The screening is a prelude to an appearance by living historian Caroline McIntyre, who will portray Ingles in character at the library at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30. Ingles was one of the few pioneers to escape Indian capture and traveled by foot some 500 miles from Kentucky to rejoin her family. The program is sponsored by the South Carolina Humanities Council.

The Great Decisions Discussion Series will have an event at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, with "Special Envoys" as the topic.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Aiken County Public Library at 642-2020 or visit the library's website at www.abbe-lib.org.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.