The Emerson Center in Vero Beach invites you to enjoy this year’s Florida Humanities Series featuring four exceptional speakers

All programs are presented at 7 pm Tuesday evenings at The Emerson Center, 1590 27th Avenue in Vero Beach.

Carrie Sue Ayvar

Carrie Sue Ayvar

Tuesday, January 14: Doc Anna: Swamp Doctor of Florida. Carrie Sue Ayvar tells the inspiring story off Dr. Anna Darrow, wife, mother, pharmacists, artist, veterinarian and second woman licensed to practice medicine in Florida. She braved swamps, alligators, venomous snakes, and dangerous outlaws so she could heal the sick, nurse the wounded, and deliver babies in the 20th Century.

Vicky Machado

Vicky Machado

Tuesday, February 11 - Sacred Waters: Exploring the Protection of Florida’s Fluid Landscapes. Vicky Machado’s presentation explores efforts to restore Florida’s waterways. Vicky investigates the motivations of environmentalists who love and advocate for these water bodies. By focusing on issues related to springs and the Everglades, she explores the conversations that arise when Floridians view water as essential to their quality of life.

Michael Tougias

Michael Tougias

Tuesday, February 25 - Above and Beyond: JFK and the Florida U-2 Pilots During the Cuban Missile Crisis. Michael Tougias, best-known for his seven award-winning books examining extraordinary survivors, brings the thrilling story chronicling the Cuban Missile Crisis (with slides) while providing useful analysis of JFK’s process of tackling major decisions in practical ways that others can learn from and adopt. It’s an especially timely topic today with current tensions with North Korea and Russia. The author uses the same storytelling skills that landed him on the New York Times bestseller list to both engage and inspire his audience.

Tuesday, March 10 – Stories from the Navy SEAL: Sea, Air, Land. Richard (Rick) Kaiser, U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.) and recipient of the Silver Star for Valor (Battle of Mogadishu - "Black Hawk Down") relates stories of the incredible role Navy Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) teams have played in some of the most challenging military assignments ever undertaken on behalf of our nation. As Director of the Navy SEAL Museum on North Hutchinson Island, Master Chief Kaiser relates incredible stories of honor and valor.

This Florida Humanities Series is sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council (www.FloridaHumanities.org) with additional support from Marine Bank and Trust ensuring that these important programs remain open to the public and free of charge.

Seating is offered on a first-come-first-served basis for all Humanities programs. The Emerson Center is accessible to persons with disabilities and is conveniently located at 1590  27th Avenue, on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. The facility offers free parking and houses over 800 seats. For more information, contact the Emerson Center Box Office at 772-778-5249 or visit the website at www.TheEmersonCenter.com.

For interviews with any of the presenters, contact Laura Matson, 206-707-1553 or lauramatson7@gmail.com

The Emerson Center is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing arts and cultural events to the Treasure Coast. We are housed in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach.


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