Book event, ballet on tap

Patrons of the Columbia County Library on Saturday will have more to choose from than just checking out books.

//

A Columbia County author will make her debut during a book-signing from 2-3:30 p.m., while the Columbia County Ballet will offer a free outdoor production at 5 p.m.

Florence Brown will meet readers inside the library, welcoming them to discuss her memoir, The Breezy Meadow: A Butterfly's Story.

Brown's first self-published book was released in February. It tells about her life growing up on a Burke County farm in the 1960s.

"It kind of chronicles the life of a young African-American girl with the struggles that she had growing up with poverty and life's disappointments, trials and tribulations," the Martinez resident said.

Brown, a psychiatric registered nurse at the Medical College of Georgia, said the book reveals the lessons and faith instilled by her parents.

The book took Brown about a year to write and publish, but she started compiling notes in a journal about 10 years ago when her mother died, she said.

"That was kind of the push to get it going with the thoughts, feelings and emotions and just wanting to landmark certain important times in my family's legacy," she said.

Brown also will participate in the Barnes & Noble local author book-signing from 1-3 p.m. May 23 at Augusta Mall.

The book costs $14.99 and can be purchased at amazon.com and booksurge.com. Brown said she will also have copies of the book available at the library.

Also Saturday, the Columbia County Ballet will end its ballet season with the third annual May-fest celebration at the Columbia County Amphitheater, where the production company will perform Peter and the Wolf .

"It's real casual, real enjoyable," said Ron Jones, the ballet's artistic director.

Dancers Matthew Conway and Naomi Hergott will perform a duet selection as a love-struck slave and princess from the ballet Le Corsaire , Jones said.

Hip-hop dancers from Augusta's Best Dance Crew also will perform a short debut piece, Jones said.

For information, call the Columbia County Library at (706) 863-1946.