Arts Council, Wayne County Reads launch Afghanistan education program

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The Arts Council of Wayne County along with the Wayne Country Reads are hosting a series of events Jan. 15 through March 3 to educate the community about the unique and rich culture and history of Afghanistan.

The events center around an exhibit titled "A Country, A People" at the arts council featuring photographs taken by military members while serving Afghanistan. The display serves as a backdrop for the Wayne County Reads 2011 books "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones into Schools" by Greg Mortenson.

Calendar of events
· Thursday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.: U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry speaks about the U.S. presence in Afghanistan at the Arts Council of Wayne County, 2406 E Ash St., Goldsboro.
· Tuesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.: Official reception for "Eastern N.C. to the Middle East: WCC Perspectives on Afghanistan" photo exhibit in the Administrative Suite of the Dogwood Building at Wayne Community College, 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr., Goldsboro.
· Friday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.: Exhibit -"Afghanistan & Pakistan: Overview of Historical, Cultural, and Diplomatic Issues" opens at the Wayne County Museum, 116 N William St., Goldsboro. The exhibit runs through Feb. 25. For details visit, www.waynecountyhistoricalnc.org.
· Friday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: Opening reception for "A Country, A People" and supporting exhibits hosted by the Military Affairs Committee with opening comments by Col. Patrick Doherty, 4th Fighter Wing commander at the Arts Council of Wayne County. The exhibit runs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Feb. 25. The exhibit includes an interactive map and internet project.
· Monday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.: North Carolina Humanities Council Roads Scholar, Dr. Fasih Ahmed, presents his program, "Islam: History, Traditions, and Practices." Arts Council of Wayne County.
· Thursday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.: Seymour Johnson AFB Library Book Club book discussion at the base library, base access required.
· Thursday, Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.: "Three Cups of Tea" young adult book discussion at the Wayne County Public Library.
· Monday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m.: Dr. Roy Heidicker, 4th Fighter Wing historian, will moderate a panel discussion with Seymour Johnson Airmen about their experiences in Afghanistan at the Arts Council of Wayne County.
· Tuesday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m.: The Seymour Johnson AFB Library children's program will read "Nasreen's Secret School" by Jeanette Whitaker then participate in Afghan folklore activities and crafts. Base access required.
· Monday, Feb. 7, 9 p.m.: This is the deadline for high school and college student poetry contest entries turned into Wayne County Public Library. For details, visit www.waynereads.com.  
· Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Dr. Miriam Cooke, professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University will present her program "Women and War in the Modern Middle East" at the Arts Council of Wayne County.
· Wednesday, Feb. 9, noon: There will be book discussions at the Wayne County Public Library and the Seymour Johnson AFB Library.
· Thursday, February 10, 6 p.m.: A "Children Like Us" children's program featuring a reading of the books "Listen to the Wind" and "Four Feet, Two Sandals" by Karen Lynn Williams to kick-off of Pennies for Peace Campaign at the Wayne County Public Library.
· Saturday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m.: There will be a "Stop Hunger Now" community food packing event. For details visit, www.stfrancisgoldsboro.org.  
· Saturday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m.: There will be a viewing of the film "Kandahar" and discussion led by Dr. Jalil Roshandel of ECU at Wayne County Public Library. For details visit, www.wcpl.org, or call 735-1824 or 735-5100.
· Sunday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m.: There will be a viewing of the film "Osama" and a discussion led by Dr. Jalil Roshandel of ECU at Wayne County Public Library. For details, visit www.wcpl.org or call 735-1824 or 735-5100.
· Friday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m.: Dr. Laura Browder, author of "When Janey Comes Marching Home: Stories of American Women at War," Tyler and Alice Haynes Professor of American Studies at the University of Richmond will speak at the Seymour Johnson AFB Library. Base access is required.
· Friday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.: Dr. Laura Browder will lead a panel discussion of female military members about their experiences in Afghanistan at the Arts Council of Wayne County.
· Saturday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m.: A "Celebrating Afghanistan Festival" featuring the sounds and flavors of the Afghan culture will take place where the essay con-test winners will be announced at the Arts Council of Wayne County
· Sunday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.: A viewing of the film "Afghan Star" and discussion led by Dr. Jalil Roshandel of ECU at the Wayne County Public Library. For details, visit www.wcpl.org or call 735-1824 735-5100.
· Friday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m.: Arts Council and Wayne County Museum exhibits close.
· Thursday, March 3, 6 p.m.: There will be a Penny Party to wrap up Pennies for Peace Campaign at the Wayne County Public Library Main Branch. For details, visit www.wcpl.org.

For more information, visit www.waynereads.com, www.artsinwayne.org or call (919)736-3300.