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Leon County hosts events thanks to 2024 Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

With Misty Penton, Tradition Keeper and Storyteller for the Muscogee Nation of Florida
Courtesy of Leon County Government
With Misty Penton, Tradition Keeper and Storyteller for the Muscogee Nation of Florida

Leon County has won a 2024 Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The county chose a book called ‘The Bear’ for its themes of natural environment -- and built a month-long series of events around it.

So far this month, county residents have enjoyed a scavenger hunt, a writing workshop, a couple of stargazing events and a trail walk focused on local ecology at the Miccosukee Greenway.

Monday was a virtual discussion with Andrew Krivak, the author of ‘The Bear.’

County Learning and Workforce Services Manager Sally Mason says the county chose the book because of its themes.

“So, ‘The Bear’ was a great book because the themes of nature, sustainability, history, story-telling were all things that we thought hit home for Leon County," Mason said, "and we thought it featured really well with our environment.”

This Saturday, the county will host a workshop at its main library with Misty Penton, a Tradition Keeper and Storyteller for the Muscogee Nation of Florida. "Keeping History Alive: The Power of Tradition and Storytelling" will be at the main Leon County Library at 200 West Park Avenue at 2 p.m.

Follow @MargieMenzel

Margie Menzel covers local and state government for WFSU News. She has also worked at the News Service of Florida and Gannett News Service. She earned her B.A. in history at Vanderbilt University and her M.S. in journalism at Florida A&M University.