The Toe River Arts Council invites the public to join them at the Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery on Saturday, December 8 at 3 pm, for a special reading and book signing by local author, Janie DeVos. She will be reading from her new book, The Shopkeeper’s Bear. There will also be cookies, refreshments and a special drawing for a set of her books.  Writing in entertaining rhyme, and using animals as the main characters in her books, Ms. DeVos teaches gentle and loving life lessons about acceptance and tolerance towards others, and the importance of recognizing the special gifts that we each possess.  The Spruce PineTRAC Gallery is located at 269 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.  Phone 765-0520. www.toeriverarts.org