Dear Friends, Now that we've come to the end of the season, I would like to thank everyone who helped make it a success, including all devoted board members, loyal volunteers and library staff!

I would especially like to thank Krista Maki, for her contribution, always being there, and for her guidance and confidence in me, which allowed me the opportunity to volunteer with this important organization that does so much good for the community.

We've had an intriguing and diverse line up of experts this season at both DTL and Spanish River, as well as successfully launching our interactive BYOL (Bring Your Opinion and Lunch). 

To recap our 14 well-received Speakers and Topics:

DTL: Deborah Pollack - Author/Historical Biography, book "Bad Scarlett"

Randy Niederman, PhD -  Author/"Be Your Spirit" - A Guide to Health and Happiness

DL Havlin - Author/Florida History during WWII

Jerry Cooke - Author/Attorney/Educator - The relationship between Israel and China

Joyce Saltman - Professor/Educator - Learning through Humor

Jan Smolders - Author/"Harvest of War" - Historical Fiction detailing experiences growing up in Belgium during WWII

Michael Solomon - Author/Fiction - The Conversion Prophecy (Spy Thriller)

Spanish River Library: Winston Aarons - Author/Professor - The History of the Jews of Jamaica

Carla VanWalsum, PhD - Author/Epigenetics & trans-generational trauma and healing

Deborah DeNicola - Author - Dream Interpretation

Interactive discussions/BYOL:

Cyndi Bloom - 21st Century Library

Gayle Kirschenbaum - Emmy winning Filmmaker/"Look At Us Now, Mother!" - The Secret of Forgiveness

Dr. Steven Roper - Human Rights

Col. Al Biegel - Middle East

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For the next 2018-19 season, I have some interesting leads for speaker presentations, keeping in mind what the Friends audience enjoys, as well as the desire to broaden our outreach and attract a more diversified audience.

As for me, this summer, as President of the newly formed Delray/Boca Chapter of Women In Comedy, whose mission it is to Connect, Empower and Advocate for women seeking professional careers in the comedy industry, I'll be busy growing the organization and planning our first live event "Inside Jokes" which will be in August. For anyone interested in volunteering with us, we have leadership positions to fill including: Head of Marketing/Press/PR, Head of Sponsorships, Head of Volunteer Recruitment and we'll need general event support for our 2 live events: one in August and one in March 2019. Let me know if you or anyone you know is interested in doing something fun, helping out, or pursuing a professional career in comedy by emailing me at delray@womenincomedy.org All are welcome to attend our events, which will be publicized down the road.

I'll also be busy in my real estate business selling houses (www.FaithSellsBoca.com) - I will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Friends from any referrals that close that are sent my way via this blog. Again, thank you for a great season. I look forward to see you all again in the fall. Until then, wishing you all an enjoyable summer!

Sincerely, Faith Antman Batt

Manager, Speaker Series, Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library

President, Delray​/Boca​ Chapter, Women In ComedyFounding Member, Delray Beach Center for the Arts Writers' Colony (561) 703-9647

Email: faithbatt@gmail.com

Let's connect: linkedin.com/in/faithbatt "Have faith in Faith!"