Our first speaker this fall is Kay Dennis, AICP Municipal Director for City of Marianna for 17 years. She has written a book titled, “Surviving Hurricane Michael: A Community Story of Devastation, Survival and Hope During Recovery” that was published on December 2, 2019. The book documents history through the stories of survivors, and highlights the human side of what took place during and after Hurricane Michael came through Marianna. Her goal has been to let the country know how small rural communities need just as much help, if not more, as urbanized, heavily populated areas. All proceeds from this book have been donated to City of Marianna for recovery and is available for purchase on Amazon.
Ms. Dennis has earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Political Science and International Affairs, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, an Advanced Diploma in Theology, and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Theology and is currently in the process of finishing her third Master’s degree in Theology, working towards a Ph.D. She has 22 years of grant writing, and City Planning experience, and 17 years management experience. In her position at the City of Marianna, she has been submitting newspaper articles to the Jackson County Times and Jackson County Floridan for about two years, highlighting businesses in Marianna. My articles have also been published in the Tallahassee Democrat and Dothan Eagle. She recently began sending business articles to the following magazines: Florida Trend, 850, and Real Florida.
She has been married to Britt Dennis for 33 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. She is also a member of the Optimist Club of Jackson County, where I served as president for two years, Altrusa of Marianna and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she is currently serving on the Vestry and teaching adult Sunday School and youth classes on Wednesday nights. She loves the community and helping area citizens and businesses.
President’s Message:
Hello to each and every member of Friends of the Library,
I hope that everyone has been able to stay safe and healthy during these most trying of times. I have really missed our meetings and the warm fellowship that we have together.
We will meet Thursday, November 5th, at 12 noon, in the John Wesley Building at the Methodist Church. The meeting room is large enough that we can safely social distance by sitting only 2 per table. Also, masks are recommended to increase our level of safety. We will not be eating during the meeting as our kitchen is closed; however, Susan will be treating our guest speaker to lunch after the meeting.
Renae will be giving us an update on the repairs to the Library and future plans concerning reopening of the Chipley Library. During the summer, I conducted a poll of Board members as to the amount to be donated to the Library. By voice vote, the Board approved a donation of $2500 which was delivered to Renae in September.
I am looking forward to our meeting on November 5th.
Regards, Pat Dickson
