Most Clark Countians know Bobby Bratton as a real estate auctioneer and an avid local historian. All his life, he has also been a talented needlepoint artist.

Bobby generously lent the library a variety of his needlepoint pieces to display in the foyer and the reference department.

Bobby began doing needlework while growing up during World War II. There was little for children to do during the war and they had an 8 p.m. curfew. So many of them took up needlepoint.

He did needlepoint with his friends most of his life and became quite accomplished at it.

Bobby’s needlepoint belts are in one of the lobby cases.

You’ll see racing, landscape, wildlife and sports designs.

Those designs are in pieces displayed in reference.

Four 3-by-6-foot needlepoint nature scenes are hanging from the reading area ceiling.

There were five tall panels, but someone stole one when he moved back to Winchester from Lexington in the late 1990s.

The black pillow with a large orange “G” stands for Georgetown College. The red and orange Kappa Alpha pillow (with the motto “Dieu et les Dames”-oo-la-la!) is from the days when Bobby was the president of Kappa Alpha at Georgetown.

He made most of the pillows for family members. Many of them have a story. One of the best is attached to the blue Henry Clay pillow that sports a golf green on its right side.

On the green, there are four white dots representing golf balls on the green. Bobby’s son’s pillow was the closest to the pin, and he missed the shot. The pillow has always been a gentle joke between dad and son.

The pillows, arranged along the windows in the reference reading area, make a striking display. The landscape panels hanging from the ceiling enhance the greenery visible through the windows.

Next time you’re book surfing in the library and you want to read a few pages before you decide whether or not to check out a volume, consider it in one of the reference chairs. Then let your eyes and imagination wander over Bobby’s marvelous needlework. A serene and satisfying experience.

Bobby Bratton’s needlework will be on display throughout May.

Programs this week?

— At 11 a.m. Monday, Pageturner’s Book Group discusses “River of Earth” by James Still.

It is the story of three years in the life of a boy’s family and kin. No writer has caught more effectively the vividness of mountain speech or shown more honestly the trials and joys of mountain life. Books are available at the circulation desk.

— At 2 p.m. Monday, chair yoga. Kathy Howard, a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, teaches the class. There is a $5 charge per class.

— At 6 p.m. Tuesday, the Winchester-Clark County Writers’ Group meets to read their short stories. Writers suggest meeting topics for each meeting. Or, writers can choose their topics. Beginning writers or published authors are welcome. For information, contact President Betty Pace at bettypace3@aol.com.

— At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Kentucky Picture Show presents a 1945 drama about a hardworking mother who inches toward disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter. And nobody “inches” like Joan Crawford.

— At 7 p.m. Wednesday, the waiters at the Engine House Pizza Pub have to ask two, three times, “Is this your double pepperoni?” because patrons are so caught up in Jeff Gurnee’s trivia challenges.

— At 9:15 a.m. Thursday, gentle yoga taught by Kathy Howard. There is a $5 charge per class.

— At noon Thursday, it’s the end of the world as we know it, so let’s do lunch. The Book Lunch Bunch discusses “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Copies are available at the circulation desk.

— At 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, the Youth Summer Reading Program kickoff. Dozens of Clark County children will pack the parking lot, so drive carefully.

— From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, Outside the Lines Adult Coloring. Brighten up your weekend.

Brighten up every day of the week by coming to the library.

John Maruskin is director of adult services at the Clark County Public Library. He can be reached at john.clarkbooks@gmail.com.