MEMBER MICRONEWS

JUNE HAPPENINGS AT THE HISTORY CENTER!
Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events are open to the public and free of charge:

June’s Family Program – Curators of Curiosity - All Month - Our Symbols

This month, explore the important role that symbols serve in identifying Polk County. Specific animals, colors, flowers and even machines help to tell people all about Polk without saying a word. Discover more about local and national symbols, complete the symbol scavenger hunt and design your own symbol while visiting the History Center in June. Make sure to stop by the education desk for some hints.
Through the Lens: Polk County’s Natural Beauty Exhibit Opening and Reception
- Featuring local photographers, this exhibit captures rare and beautiful photos of Polk nature and wildlife. The opening reception for Through the Lens: Polk County’s Natural Beauty will include an opportunity to meet the exhibitors: Willie A. Brown, Professional Photography by Brown; Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Jeff Spence, Parks and Natural Resources director; and Lynette Spence, a clinical trauma registrar with Lakeland Regional Health Systems.

Polk has a remarkable natural beauty that can't be found anywhere else in the state. From its vivid wildlife in places like the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, to its delicate ecosystems on the Lake Wales Ridge, Polk's natural resources are an attraction to many. Through the Lens will be on display through October 29, in the first floor northeast gallery.
Also featured in the exhibit gallery is an interactive kiosk featuring water. Sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council, the kiosk features a history of the importance of water in shaping the United States from a national, state and local perspective. The History Center produced content highlighting Polk’s special connection to water, recounting the stories of Kissengen Spring and Cypress Gardens.

June 8, 11:30 a.m. – Special Feature Lunch and Learn Honoring Judge J. Dale Durrance

Judge J. Dale Durrance has served on the bench in the Tenth Judicial Circuit since January 6, 1981 and will retire in July. Join his colleagues from the bar and bench, family and many friends as his 35-year career is celebrated at this special lunch and learn program, offered by the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida Historical Society in partnership with the History Center.
June 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Dad and Me Day at the History Center
Take Dad out to the ballgame at the History Center and enjoy the recently expanded baseball exhibit in honor of Father’s Day. In addition to commemorating the early 1900s local leagues, the exhibit also includes artifacts and history on the Detroit Tigers, which has spring trained in Polk since 1934.
June 18 , 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour
Join us for a family friendly architectural tour of the History Center and learn more about neoclassical architecture, the construction of the building and the stories behind the iconic Old Polk County Courthouse. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.
June 21, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn – Cypress Gardens: America’s Tropical Wonderland
- Author Lu Vickers will speak about Cypress Gardens and Dick Pope. “To the average person weathering a New England winter, Dick Pope's Cypress Gardens must have looked even more exotic than a trip to Alice's Wonderland. The images coming out of his promotional powerhouse appeared in magazines, newspapers, newsreels, and movies. These Technicolor glories depicted everything from bathing beauties aquaplaning through walls of fire to southern belles relaxing beneath huge tropical plants, from Don Ameche proposing to Betty Grable under moss-hung cypress trees to Esther Williams performing a water ballet in the famous Florida-shaped pool.”

It was all happening in sleepy Winter Haven, where one real estate maverick turned tourism tycoon was out to sell "100,000 [visitors] 25 cents worth of Florida."

Recommended Book Club Reading: “Cypress Gardens, America's Tropical Wonderland: How Dick Pope Invented Florida,” by Lu Vickers. Brilliantly illustrated with more than 250 vibrant images, this book reveals the empire Dick Pope built from its origins as remote swampland, to its heyday as a famous water-sports destination and playground for such stars as Joan Crawford, Johnny Carson and Carol Burnett, as well as royalty from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to King Hussein of Jordan. Vickers also discusses the park's decline following the construction of Walt Disney World, changes in management, the evolving interests and vacationing habits of the nation, as well as its outlook for the future as a part of LEGOLAND Florida.

JULY 4th BARTOW ADULT CONCERT BAND SONGS LISTED
The Bartow Adult Concert Band will present its July 4th Concert on Sunday, July 4,2016 with a program titled: “Let Freedom Ring”. This one-hour FREE concert will be held inside the Bartow Civic Center (2250 S. Floral Avenue) beginning at 2:30 P.M. Conductor of the band for the July 4^th Concert will be Mr. Jeff Cayer, Director of Bands at Southwest Middle School in Lakeland.

July 4^th Program

The Star Spangled Banner………….……..Key/Adapted by Henry Fillmore

The Liberty Bell

You’re a Grand old Flag

Battle Hymn of the Republic – Neilson

Broadway Showstoppers

God Bless America……...………………...Irving Berlin arr. Frank Cofield

Star Spangled Salute

Duty, Honor, Country – Narrator

Armed Forces Salute……..……………………………...…arr. Bob Lowden
The Caisson Song, Semper Paratus, The Marines’ Hymn,
The U.S. Air Force, Anchors Aweigh

America the Beautiful……...……………..Samuel Ward arr. John Cacavas

Instant Concert

The Stars and Stripes Forever……..….…………………...John Philip Sousa
The official National March of the United States of America


MEMBER MICRONEWS JUNE HAPPENINGS AT THE HISTORY CENTER! Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events are open to the public and free of charge: June’s Family Program – Curators of Curiosity - All Month - Our Symbols This month, explore the important role that symbols serve in identifying Polk County. Specific animals, colors, flowers and even machines help to tell people all about Polk without saying a word. Discover more about local and national symbols, complete the symbol scavenger hunt and design your own symbol while visiting the History Center in June. Make sure to stop by the education desk for some hints. Through the Lens: Polk County’s Natural Beauty Exhibit Opening and Reception Featuring local photographers, this exhibit captures rare and beautiful photos of Polk nature and wildlife. The opening reception for Through the Lens: Polk County’s Natural Beauty will include an opportunity to meet the exhibitors: Willie A. Brown, Professional Photography by Brown; Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Jeff Spence, Parks and Natural Resources director; and Lynette Spence, a clinical trauma registrar with Lakeland Regional Health Systems. Polk has a remarkable natural beauty that can't be found anywhere else in the state. From its vivid wildlife in places like the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, to its delicate ecosystems on the Lake Wales Ridge, Polk's natural resources are an attraction to many. Through the Lens will be on display through October 29, in the first floor northeast gallery. Also featured in the exhibit gallery is an interactive kiosk featuring water. Sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council, the kiosk features a history of the importance of water in shaping the United States from a national, state and local perspective. The History Center produced content highlighting Polk’s special connection to water, recounting the stories of Kissengen Spring and Cypress Gardens. June 8, 11:30 a.m. – Special Feature Lunch and Learn Honoring Judge J. Dale Durrance Judge J. Dale Durrance has served on the bench in the Tenth Judicial Circuit since January 6, 1981 and will retire in July. Join his colleagues from the bar and bench, family and many friends as his 35-year career is celebrated at this special lunch and learn program, offered by the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida Historical Society in partnership with the History Center. June 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Dad and Me Day at the History Center Take Dad out to the ballgame at the History Center and enjoy the recently expanded baseball exhibit in honor of Father’s Day. In addition to commemorating the early 1900s local leagues, the exhibit also includes artifacts and history on the Detroit Tigers, which has spring trained in Polk since 1934. June 18 , 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour Join us for a family friendly architectural tour of the History Center and learn more about neoclassical architecture, the construction of the building and the stories behind the iconic Old Polk County Courthouse. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. June 21, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn – Cypress Gardens: America’s Tropical Wonderland Author Lu Vickers will speak about Cypress Gardens and Dick Pope. “To the average person weathering a New England winter, Dick Pope's Cypress Gardens must have looked even more exotic than a trip to Alice's Wonderland. The images coming out of his promotional powerhouse appeared in magazines, newspapers, newsreels, and movies. These Technicolor glories depicted everything from bathing beauties aquaplaning through walls of fire to southern belles relaxing beneath huge tropical plants, from Don Ameche proposing to Betty Grable under moss-hung cypress trees to Esther Williams performing a water ballet in the famous Florida-shaped pool.” It was all happening in sleepy Winter Haven, where one real estate maverick turned tourism tycoon was out to sell "100,000 [visitors] 25 cents worth of Florida." Recommended Book Club Reading: “Cypress Gardens, America's Tropical Wonderland: How Dick Pope Invented Florida,” by Lu Vickers. Brilliantly illustrated with more than 250 vibrant images, this book reveals the empire Dick Pope built from its origins as remote swampland, to its heyday as a famous water-sports destination and playground for such stars as Joan Crawford, Johnny Carson and Carol Burnett, as well as royalty from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to King Hussein of Jordan. Vickers also discusses the park's decline following the construction of Walt Disney World, changes in management, the evolving interests and vacationing habits of the nation, as well as its outlook for the future as a part of LEGOLAND Florida. JULY 4th BARTOW ADULT CONCERT BAND SONGS LISTED The Bartow Adult Concert Band will present its July 4th Concert on Sunday, July 4,2016 with a program titled: “Let Freedom Ring”. This one-hour FREE concert will be held inside the Bartow Civic Center (2250 S. Floral Avenue) beginning at 2:30 P.M. Conductor of the band for the July 4^th Concert will be Mr. Jeff Cayer, Director of Bands at Southwest Middle School in Lakeland. July 4^th Program The Star Spangled Banner………….……..Key/Adapted by Henry Fillmore The Liberty Bell You’re a Grand old Flag Battle Hymn of the Republic – Neilson Broadway Showstoppers God Bless America……...………………...Irving Berlin arr. Frank Cofield Star Spangled Salute Duty, Honor, Country – Narrator Armed Forces Salute……..……………………………...…arr. Bob Lowden The Caisson Song, Semper Paratus, The Marines’ Hymn, The U.S. Air Force, Anchors Aweigh America the Beautiful……...……………..Samuel Ward arr. John Cacavas Instant Concert The Stars and Stripes Forever……..….…………………...John Philip Sousa The official National March of the United States of America
Newsletter1 - June 7, 2016