"Oldies & Goodies," the nostalgic film series for adults, continues at Southern Pines Public Library on Thursday, March 12, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

This month's feature is "Gold Diggers of 1933." Mervyn LeRoy directs this irresistible and touching musical which asks the question: Can a group of unemployed Broadway chorus girls find work, financial security, and love in the midst of the Great Depression?

Busby Berkeley's choreography is breathtaking, as are the bevy of beautiful women in the elaborate productions. Many original and memorable, musical numbers highlight the film including "We're in the Money," in which a then-unknown Ginger Rogers sings in pig Latin. Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell are sensational as dancing and singing lovebirds, but the show closes on a melancholy note with a powerful protest number regarding the depression, "Forgotten Man," masterfully delivered by bombshell Joan Blondell.

The film series is free and open to the public and is made possible by the Friends of the Southern Pines Library.

For more information, visit www.sppl.net or call 692-8235.

Writing Classes

The following classes for beginning and experienced writers are held at the Jewish Community Center, 5009 Providence Road, in Charlotte. Registration is in advance only, either online (www.twwoa.org), or by mail: The Writers' Workshop, 387 Beaucatcher Rd., Asheville, NC, 28805. For more information, contact writersw@gmail.com or call (828) 254-8111.

March 14 -- Introduction to Playwriting, with Heather Jones. The class will learn the fundamentals of playwriting, including the structure of different formats such as one-act and full-length plays. Information will also be given on how to submit a play for production. Jones has an MFA in Writing from Spalding University. Her plays have been produced by the American Theatre of Actors, New York; Green Light Theatrical Productions, Pennsylvania; and UNC-Asheville. Meets Saturday, 12:30-5:30.

March 28 -- Memoir Writing with Karen Ackerson. Participants will learn how to turn personal and family experiences into a compelling memoir for family and friends, or for publication. In-class writing exercises will help students identify life-changing events to be used as the backbone of their memoirs. Discussion will include creating a sense of place and how to enhance one's writing style. Ackerson, a biographer and senior editor at The Renbourne Agency, has taught workshops throughout the Southeast for 15 years. Meets Saturday, 12:30-5:30.

April 4 -- Grant Writing Simplified. The basics of grant writing will be covered, and students will learn how to write a strong mission statement, proposal, and narrative. Information on researching funders and private donors will also be discussed. A two-page proposal and budget may be brought to the class for review by Workshop grant writers, who have 20 years' experience generating funds from private foundations and philanthropists. Meets Saturday, 12:30-5:30.

April 18 -- Fiction Writing Workshop, with John P. McAfee. Students will receive information on writing short stories and novels, including characterization, dialogue, and sense of place. Information on getting published and screenplay adaptation will also be discussed. McAfee is author of two novels, "Slow Walk in A Sad Rain" and "On Rims of Empty Moons." He has sold the rights to "Slow Walk" and has been hired to write the screenplay. Meets Saturday, 12:30-5:30.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Public Library's preschool story time is held at the Troy Library each Thursday at 10 a.m.

Youth games are held at the Troy branch each Thursday at 4 p.m. in the conference room. PlayStation 2 games include sports and action games like NFL Madden and NBA Live. Board, card and other games include Monopoly, Pictionary, Uno and Connect 4.

The Montgomery County Public Library Knitting Club meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Troy branch conference room.

The Montgomery County Public Library Book Club meets Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Troy branch conference room. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month.

Montgomery County Public Library will offer a computer class for seniors, "Getting Started on Computers" and "Using the Keyboard and Mouse," at the Biscoe Community Center Computer Lab in Biscoe. The free class is scheduled for Friday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. Registration is required, as the class is limited to 16 participants.

Call (910) 572-1311 to register.