By Arielle Tuan
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October 7, 2024
Every year, from September 15 th to October 15th, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. This is a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities around the world. This month focuses on family, traditions, food, music, and art- everything that makes Hispanic culture so wonderful and exciting! We asked a few of our Coalition staff members to share how they celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month; Ysis Figueroa, Customer Resource Assistant Manager, explained the following: “During Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, it’s important to me, as a Dominican in the U.S., that my daughter stays connected to her heritage. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we make an effort to attend local events and festivals to celebrate our Latino culture within the community. I pass down traditions by cooking staple Dominican dishes like mangú (mashed plantains), La Bandera ("the Dominican flag," a national dish of rice, beans, and meat), and sancocho (a hearty stew with meat and root vegetables). We celebrate Dominican holidays throughout the year with family, enjoying vibrant music, dancing, and cultural pride. We also stay connected to the island by following our favorite baseball team, Tigres del Licey, when the Dominican Winter League starts in October. Thanks to technology, we can stay connected and follow the games no matter where we are. My parents, now retired, travel back and forth between their home in Palm Beach County and their home in Santo Domingo, which also helps us stay connected to our culture. In Palm Beach County, we love visiting Dominican spots like Las Americas Restaurant and La Casa del Mofongo to enjoy authentic Dominican flavors. If you want to try some Dominican recipes at home, I encourage you to visit https://www.dominicancooking.com/ , a fantastic resource for traditional Dominican dishes!” Maria Gutierrez, Family Services Manager- Early Intervention and Inclusion, also shared an important part of her Columbian heritage- coffee! She writes: “Coffee is a significant part of Colombian culture. Not only because our country produces world-class coffee, but also because most locals drink it daily and several times a day. Yes, some Colombians are not fans of coffee, but we are generally a coffee-drinking culture. When do we drink coffee? When we wake up: early morning ritual. During the day at work. After lunch. During work meetings. When you are invited to someone’s house. When catching up with friends. The intake of coffee depends on the person. Some people drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day, while others drink up to 6+ cups of coffee a day. Other names for coffee are Cafecito, Tinto , and Tintico.” By celebrating this special month, we are better able to understand different cultures and the important role they play in making our world a better, more vibrant place. By learning new words, trying new foods, or making some cool art, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is all about having fun while learning more about the world around us. Check out your local library to see which books and authors librarians recommend for Hispanic Heritage Month, and ask if they offer any fun activities. Visit https://wpbcitylibrary.libcal.com/calendars?t=g&q=hispanic%20heritage&cid=-1&cal=-1&inc=0 to find Hispanic Heritage Month activities at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach.