Making Waves
Member news
FSC Librarians co-author Cypress Gardens history
|
|
Florida Southern College librarians Mary M. Flekke and Randall M. MacDonald, with Sarah E. MacDonald, have authored "Cypress Gardens," a book of vintage images drawn from the Cypress Gardens archives and personal collections. Detailed captions accompany the images.
Florida's first theme park, Cypress Gardens, was the brainchild of Richard Downing "Dick" Pope Sr. With his wife, Julie Downing Pope, he transformed a marshy, lakeside property in Winter Haven into a magnificent garden. The park's first visitors in 1936 toured pathways surrounded by lush plants from around the world. Two years later, electric boats meandered through the park's winding, hand-dug canals. Water ski shows commenced in 1942, and the park became the "Water Ski Capital of the World." The Florida-shaped Esther Williams Swimming Pool still graces the shore of Lake Eloise.
|
The park was a set for dozens of short feature films, a stage for beauty pageants, and a site for special television broadcasts. A butterfly garden, zoo, rides, and the small-town Southern Crossroads shopping and dining area remain popular features. Kent Buescher purchased Cypress Gardens in 2004, and today's expanded Cypress Gardens Adventure Park preserves the family-friendly appeal of Dick and Julie Pope's magnificent park.
Flekke and Randall M. MacDonald are senior librarians at Florida Southern College, with a combined 44 years of service to the college. Sarah E. MacDonald is a student at Florida State University.
"Cypress Gardens" is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, online bookstores, online through Arcadia Publishing, or at (888) 313-2665.
Pasco County Library System celebrates two grand openings
|
The Regency Park and Land O’Lakes Libraries are now open! The new libraries feature separate areas for children, teens, and adults, plus larger meeting rooms and computer labs. The Regency Park Library has an aquatic theme with neon fish in the children’s department. The Land O’Lakes Library has a native Florida theme with birds flying from the ceiling.
The Grand Opening of the Land O’Lakes Library, located at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’Lakes, will take place Sunday, April 22, at 1 p.m. and everyone’s invited! Florida State Librarian Judith Ring will attend the event. There will be tours of the library, the soft jazz sounds of Valerie Gillespie and refreshments.
Regency Park Library's Grand Opening occured on Sunday, April 15, at 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey. Florida’s Secretary of State Kurt Browning attended the event. Attendees enjoyed tours of the library and the music of a steel drum band.
|
 |
Commissioners Ted Schrader, Michael Cox,
Anne Hildebrand, Pat Mulieri, County Administrator John Gallagher, and Commissioner Jack Mariano cut the ribbon to the new Regency Park Library.
|
Pasco County's Terri Romberger wins grant
The Public Library Association awarded a DEMCO New Leaders Travel Grant to Terri Romberger, library systems application analyst for Pasco County Library System. The purpose of the grant is to enhance the professional development and improve the expertise of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities. PLA will recognize Terri and the other award winners on June 25, 2007, as part of the PLA President's Program at the 2007 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
.jpg) |
Palm Harbor's Lois Eannel appointed FLA Board Fellow
Lois Eannel, assistant director and head of children's services for Palm Harbor Library, was recently appointed as a Florida Library Association Board Fellow for 2007-2008. Congratulations, Lois!
|
