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February 2020

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Black History Month Program African Roots of Southern Cooking Enslaved Africans brought their food ways and special skills, such as rice cultivation, with them during their forced journey through the Middle Passage.  Dr. Martha Bireda will present the journey of African foods and food preparation to modern day at the Lake Wales Public Library in celebration of Black History Month. Dr. Martha Bireda, Director of the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture, in Charlotte County, will present The African Roots of Southern Cooking, 6:00 p.m. , February 11, in the Lake Wales Public Library’s Schoenoff Meeting Room.  In addition to Dr. Bireda’s over site of the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture, she is also a historical reenactor, as well as the author of The Womb Rebellion (2017).  She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida, her M.A. from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University. Dr. Bireda will discuss the journey of food traditions and food preparation and how it influences what Floridians eat today.  The Lake Wales Public Library annually presents a Black History Month program. This year’s will not only be informative, but also tasty. Dr. Bireda’s presentation will include an interesting trivia exercise in which prizes of canned traditional southern food will be awarded. In addition, the program’s sponsors will provide a tasting of soul food prepared by Carter’s Barbecue & Soul Food, 907 North 2 nd Street, Lake Wales. Dr. Martha Bireda’s program honoring Black History Month is sponsored by The Jahna Foundation and the Lake Wales Library Association.  Dr. Martha Bireda’s program, The African Roots of Southern Cooking, is free and open to all. To RSVP call 678-4004, ext. 221.

Monthly Book Discussion Groups Tuesday, February 25 - 6 p.m. - LW Public Library's Night Owls Discussion - Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Thursday, February 27 - 11 a.m. - LW Public Library's Thursday Morning Discussion - Becoming by Michelle Obama Wednesday, February 26 - 12 p.m. - LW History Museum's Non-Fiction Book Discussion - Oh Florida: How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country by Craig Pittman

February Lifelong Learning Classes Highlights

Creator's Crafting Circle DIY Flower Press Saturday, February 8 4 until 6 p.m. The weather is beautiful, we're beginning to think about springtime. Join us to create your own Flower Press. All supplies will be provided Class is limited in size. Registration is free, but required. Call 678-4004 or email library@lakewalesfl.gov to register. Sponsored by

Chef Warren Caterson Cooking Demonstration Healthy Southern Cuisine Saturday, February 1 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sarasota Chef, Warren Caterson returns to the Lake Wales Public Library for another entertaining cooking demo. His February presentation will focus on our beloved Southern Cuisine, and how to lighten it for healthy eating. Please RSVP for this free program by calling 678-4004, extension 221. Sponsored by

 Gale Courses - Free, online continuing education classes. Requires a Polk Co. Library Cooperative card. Register Here for over 300 classes.

February 2020 Yoga at the Library - Mondays & Wednesdays - 5:30 - 7 p.m. - Click here for details. Coloring for Adults - Wednesdays - 11:30 a.m - 1 p.m. - Free - Drop in program Needle Art Groups: Friday mornings - 9 a.m. Friday evenings - 5:30 p.m. Free - Drop in program, open to all Genealogy at the Library - 1st Friday of the Month - February 7 - 11:30 a.m. Free - Please bring your own laptops or tablets if available. Paper & More Paper Crafters - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays - February 11 & 25 - 10 a.m. Free, drop in, no registration required.

Help for you at the Lake Wales Public Library Wednesday, February 5, 2 p.m. - Grief Support Group - led by VITAS Healthcare Chaplin Monday, February 24, 10 a.m. - Central Florida Speech and Hearing Amplified Telephone Giveaway. Must qualify medically

Lake Wales History Museum's February Events Our 'sister' department, the Lake Wales History Museum, has an amazing nationally renowned new exhibit from the National Constitution Center, Spirited: Prohibition in America.  Supporting the exhibit, are several wonderful programs during February. Visit Lake Wales History Museum February Events for details. Call 863.676.1759. 

Lake Wales Student Art Show The Lake Wales Public Library is honored to host the 50th Lake Wales Student Art Show. This is the fourth year our library has been filled with beautiful student art work created by young artists in kindergarten through 12th Grade. As a component of the Lake Wales Arts Festival, the Lake Wales Student Art Show may be viewed throughout the month of February, filling every corner of the Lake Wales Public Library. Participating students are not only from Lake Wales' public, charter and private schools, but also from Frostproof and Haines City schools. The Lake Wales Student Art Show officially begins Monday, February 3, throughout the Lake Wales Public Library.

Lake Wales Library Association's Love Your Library Week The Lake Wales Library Association is our non-profit support organization. Their end goal being, the best public library service and collection possible. A national initiative, Love Your Library Month , is celebrated annually in February, to focus on the importance of libraries and their service to their communities. The Lake Wales Library Association will celebrate Love Your Librar y month, Monday, February 10 through Friday, February 14. Love Your Library week tables will be located at the main entrance and the Children's Library entrance. Join or renew your membership to the LW Library Association during this week and you'll be registered to win a gift basket sponsored by L'Incontro Italian Restaurant, Norby's Seafood & Steaks and Crazy Fish Seafood Restaurant, including gift certificates to these sponsor restaurants. In addition to these generous sponsors, a handmade Love Your Library afghan, designed and created by a library volunteer, will be an additional prize in the drawing. For families, with children, there will be one very special prize. Join the Lake Wales Library Association during Love Your Librar y Week and you'll be entered into a drawing for Dinner at the Lake Wales Fire Department , a special prize for those who join or renew their membership in the Children's Library. If you can't come to the library join or renew your membership by Thursday, February 13, 5 p.m. visit www.lwlibraryassoc.org/membership and select a membership level best for you. Pal level, ($10) receives one entry, Buddy level, ($25) receives three entries, membership levels of $50 or above will receive six entries in the prize drawings. Thank you to our friends of the library, Lake Wales Library Association. We are a better library due to their commitment to us. We LOVE our sponsors - L'Incontro Italian Restaurant, Norby's Seafood & Steaks, Crazy Fish Seafood Restaurant, anonymous donor of hand created afghan and the Lake Wales Fire Department.

More Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities Funding Information Network Training - February 13 - 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. - Learn to use the powerful grants, foundation and individual scholarship database now offered at the Lake Wales Public Library. Formerly, the Foundation Directory, the Funding Information Network database hosts 13 million funders' information and funding focuses. RSVP at 863.678.4004, ext. 221 or email library@lakewalesfl.gov. Basic Genealogy Class - February 18 - 12 until 1 p.m. - This class will be led by Preston Petermeir, Polk County History Center's Research & Genealogy Historian. RSVP at 863.678.4004, ext. 221, or email library@lakewalesfl.gov.

The Lake Wales Public Library no longer charges overdue fines on our materials. We have also forgiven existing fines on our materials. Help us spread this good news! Our services are open to all.

Mark Your Calendar for these upcoming community events February 29 & March 1 - 49th Lake Wales Arts Festival - Lake Wales Park, on the shores of Lake Wailes Lake - Lake Wales Arts Festival details March 10 - 6 p.m. - Rick Smith presents A Land Remembered, a program honoring his father, renowned Florida author, Patrick Smith. This program will be held in the Lake Wales Arts Center's Updike Hall, 1099 SR 60 East. Sponsored by the Lake Wales Library Association and in partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council. Visit Rick Smith presents A Land Remembered for details. For information call 863.678.4004 or email LW Public Library March 16 - 6 p.m. - Author book signing - Tom Freeman's Florida - Mr. Freeman and his co-author, Marcia Pennington will sign their new book, Tom Freeman's Florida, in the Lake Wales Public Library's Main Lobby. Books will be available to purchase, $59, cash or checks only. Visit Tom Freeman's Florida for details. March 21 - 6 p.m. - Lake Wales Live! - Concert under the stars in the park across the street from the Lake Wales Public Library's west entrance. Bring a chair, food trucks and Rotary on the Ridge's adult beverage booth. A special way to spend an evening in beautiful downtown Lake Wales, while the weather allows. Contact LW Recreation Department for more information. March 23 - 12 noon - To Your Health Lunch 'n Learn - 3-part Lunch 'n Learn focusing on healthy eating, smart shopping and important movement for all ages. Seats are limited, please register to be included. Class details will be provided upon registrations. Call 863.678.4004 or email Lake Wales Public Library class inquiries.

Lake Wales Public Library's February Closures Monday, February 17 - Polk County Library Cooperative Staff Training Day Saturday, February 22 - Library is closing at 12 noon - Mardi Gras Parade Day

Call the Lake Wales Public Library or the Lake Wales History Museum to confirm programs and events are scheduled as have been posted. Library - 863.678.4004, extension 221 Museum - 863.676.1759.