Doris K. Wells Heritage Festival - Events for December 2023

DEKALB COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Events for December 2023 Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration Trivia Challenge

Legends of Cherokee History

Throughout December • During Library Hours

Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library 1282 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033

Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

Wednesday, December 6 • 7:00–7:45 p.m.

404.286.6980

Do you know the history of Kwanzaa? Pick up the Kwanzaa Trivia Challenge at the Circulation Desk and challenge yourself to answer all the questions correctly to win a prize. Support provided

by Friends of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library.

Kwanzaa: A Cultural Celebration Bookmark Throughout December • During Library Hours Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

404.286.6980

Celebrate and expand your knowledge of Kwanzaa with a bookmark that explains the Seven Principles. Support provided

by DeKalb Library Foundation and Friends of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library.

Jubilee of Reading Book Club Conference Saturday, December 2 • 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038

770.482.3828

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Join us as we celebrate authors and book clubs. Participants will help advance literacy in our community and provide an outlet for book clubs to share ideas and meet well-known authors. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

DIY Holiday Ribbon Wreath Wednesday, December 6 • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

404.286.6980

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Make a handmade wreath using decorative ribbon and embellishments. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Friends of the Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library.

404.679.4404

Explore Cherokee history through real life tales of courage, conflict, and determination. Presented by Bright Star Children’s Theatre with support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

Recipes with Annissa Roberts Thursday, December 7 • 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Lithonia-Davidson Library 6821 Church Street, Lithonia, GA 30058

770.482.3820

Learn how to make a budget-friendly chocolate and cheese fondue. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Creative Expressions Crocheting Group Saturday, December 9 • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Hairston Crossing Library 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

404.508.7170

All experience levels welcome. Please bring your own supplies.

Gullah Tales & Stories of Strength and Perseverance Saturday, December 9 • 1:00–2:00 p.m.

County Line-Ellenwood Library 4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294

404.241.1668

Celebrate the richness of stories from our heritage with LaDoris Bias-Davis. Support provided by Friends of the County LineEllenwood Library.

For Registration Required events, call, visit branch, or visit our online calendar to register. continued

Melt and Pour Soap Creations

Gingerbread House

Saturday, December 9 • Noon–2:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 14 • 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038

770.482.3828

Create various soaps for the holidays.

Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation

Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038

Make a festive gingerbread house.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Tasty Traditions: Cookie and Dessert Exchange

First Fruits, Family, and Community Kwanzaa Celebration

Saturday, December 9 • 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

404.286.6980

Make and share your family’s favorite cookie or dessert and sample the desserts of others. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Friends of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library.

Weave a Snowflake

Monday, December 18 • 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Flat Shoals Library 4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034

404.244.4370

Join author, percussionist, and storyteller Jerry G. White for an interactive Kwanzaa celebration filled with drums, dancing, music, storytelling, and fellowship. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

DIY Kwanzaa Kinara

Saturday, December 9 • 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Dunwoody Library 770.512.4640 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338

Weaving instructor Elaine Bradley will teach this traditional Scandinavian craft. Support provided by Friends of the Dunwoody Library.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Genealogy Timelines Monday, December 11 • 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038

770.482.3828

770.482.3828

Thursday, December 21 • Noon–2:00 p.m.

Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

404.286.6980

Create a handmade wooden Kinara.

Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Friends of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Frederick Douglas Reese Foundation Saturday, December 23 • 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

County Line-Ellenwood Library 4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294

Jewelry with Gin Live!

Learn about the Selma Teachers’ March, and view artifacts from this historical, legendary moment in time. The grandsons of Dr. Frederick Douglas Reese, who grew up in the Ellenwood community, will share how his actions and the actions of the “Courageous Eight” shaped the Voting Rights Act for all people of color.

Genealogist Tamika Strong will teach the importance of genealogy timelines, and share tips and tricks to help enhance your genealogy searching.

Tuesday, December 12 • 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Redan-Trotti Library 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia, GA 30058

770.482.3821

REGISTRATION REQUIRED Jewelry designer Virginia Milner will show you how to create a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry.

Support provided by Friends of the Redan-Trotti Library.

Silver Screen Movies: Black Nativity Tuesday, December 12 • 10:30 a.m.–Noon Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30034

404.286.6980

Enjoy a screening of the movie Black Nativity (2013). Rated PG. 1h 33m.

404.241.1668

About the Festival The Doris K. Wells Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of the diverse communities that make up DeKalb County. It is named in honor of DeKalb County Public Library’s first African American librarian, the late Doris K. Wells.

Doris K. Wells The festival originated in 1983 as the Kwanzaa Awareness Festival at Scott Candler Library. More than 1,000 people attended this inaugural event. Since then, the festival has evolved into the annual, two-month celebration we know today. The purpose of the festival is to honor, share, and learn about the diverse cultural heritages of DeKalb County residents through special programs.