Marsha Phelts is a third generation Floridian, who began vacationing at American Beach when she was four years old. Today she is a full-time resident of American Beach and conducts walking tours of the community. Her book, "An American Beach for African Americans," was the first to chronicle the history of American Beach. After its publication by the University Pess of Florida in 1997, Marsha received the J.M. Family African American Achievers Award in 1998 and the Florida Trust Preservation Award in 1999. In 2008, the University Press of Florida published her second book, "The American Beach Cookbook," a collection of over 300 traditional recipes.
Marsha is the facilitator for our June "Something to Talk About" academic discussion on Thursday, June 25th, 10:30-noon in the Lucas Room of the library. She will provide samples from some of the recipes in her cookbook. Our special guests will be students from the classes of Professor Madeline Richard and Professor Jacquelyn Odom. Courtney Griffin and Gloria Warren, students from Professor Richard's class, will introduce and give words of appreciation to Mrs. Phelts. This discussion promises to be a memorable event.