Saturday, February 4, 2017 we will kick-off the 15th annual Lemon Bay Fest: Englewood History with Zest! Lemon Bay Fest takes place the week of February 4-11, 2017. This week-long series is packed full of programs and events here at Elsie Quirk Library and various other locations in Englewood. Lemon Bay Fest programs highlight our area’s rich history and natural beauty. It culminates on Saturday, February 11, 2017 with the Cracker Fair from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Pioneer Plaza on Dearborn Street. There will be festivities for the whole family such as games for kids, music, crafts, food vendors, artists and more. A lemon dessert contest will take place at 10:00 a.m. with a $10.00 first place prize for each category and of course bragging rights! For a full listing of the entire Lemon Bay Fest programs visit the Elsie Quirk Library for a brochure or online at www.lemonbayhistory.com/cracker-fair-lemon-bay-fest. Lemon Bay Fest programs at Elsie Quirk Library are made possible through the generous support of the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
Make plans now to attend a special night at Lemon Bay Playhouse to see the play “Tuesday’s with Morrie”. On Tuesday, March 14, 2017 all ticket proceeds will benefit the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library. Funds raised by the Friends of the Library directly support the library. They are used for library materials, equipment, and programs for children, teens, and adults throughout the year. Tickets are on sale now. Contact the Lemon Bay Playhouse at (941) 475-6756 for ticket information.
Here’s what’s happening at the library this week:
Saturday
- AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library’s front desk.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Favorite Songs of Yesteryear at 2:00 p.m. Musician Dave Kilbride plays guitar and sings popular songs from the past.
Monday
- AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. By appointment only.
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play at 10:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. For children up to age 5 and their parent or caregiver. This class is a chance for you to be a partner in your child’s playtime. Each session is limited to 12 families on a first come, first served basis.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Shell Collection 101 at 10:30 a.m. The Englewood Shell Club will present topics including the 12 most common shells found on the local beaches, their common names, habitat, and more.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Shell Collecting 102 at 2:00 p.m. The Englewood Shell Club members will examine the process of identifying, organizing, and displaying your shells.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Monday Night Movie at 5:00 p.m. In tonight’s film enjoy a nostalgic journey through film to a Florida that exists today only in books. Based on Patrick Smith’s beloved novel “A Land Remembered”.
- English for Spanish Speakers (Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes) at 5:30 p.m. This class is for Spanish speakers, who want to improve their English skills in speaking, and understanding English, with emphasis on correct pronunciation. Students must be able to speak some basic English.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic at 10:00 a.m. Come in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscaping questions from the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardeners.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Identifying Common Birds of Southwest Florida at 10:30 a. m. Presenter Eileen Teel from the Audubon Society of Venice will provide an informational program on birds of southwest Florida.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Boat Building and Fishing in Early Englewood at 2:00 p.m. The Southwest Historical Organization of Resources and Education (S.H.O.R.E.) will talk about Jobe Huddleston, an early Englewood boat builder and angler.
- Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead – SCIENCE. For ages 5-11 at 3:30 p.m. Explore science—learn about scientific principles that are a part of our everyday life. Awesome, exciting, hands-on fun. Registration is limited to 12 participants.
Wednesday
- AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. By appointment only.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Mangrove Informational Workshop at 10:30 a.m. Environmental specialist Alyssa Vinson will present an informative program on mangroves including biology and identification, ecological, and economic benefits and current Florida rules.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Florida and the Gulf of Mexico: History, Wisdom, and Hope at 2:00 p.m. UF professor Jack E. Davis will talk about the role the Gulf of Mexico has played in the course of US History.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Easy Street Duo at 6:00 p.m. Musicians Lisa Brande and Mark Trichka will present an upbeat program featuring Bluegrass, Oldtime, Country, Cajun and Zydeco music.
Thursday
- Family Storytime begins at 10:30 a.m. and is open to ages birth through 5. Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that will include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities. The theme will be “Valentine’s Day”.
- Great Books Discussion Group meets at 10:15 a.m.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Bertha Palmer in Sarasota at 10:30 a.m. Dr. Frank Cassell will discuss some of the key reasons why the Palmer family was so critical to the history of Sarasota County.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Thursday Afternoon Film at 2:00 p.m. Enjoy viewing this film that captivates the beauty of cattle-raising in 21st century Florida with the drama of encroaching civilization.
Friday
- AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. By appointment only.
- Lemon Bay Fest: A Trip through Florida History at 10:30 a.m. Author Sally Ling will share a fascinating journey through Florida’s history from the Panhandle to Key West. Enjoy stories about rumrunners, Al Capone, German spies in Boca Raton, a double homicide cold case and more.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Augustine: America’s First City at 2:00 p.m. Author J. Michael Francis discusses his book “St. Augustine: America’s First City”.
- Spanish Reading Group meets at 3:00 p.m. This is an intermediate class for those who have participated in the beginner’s class, as well as any others who can read/speak basic Spanish.
For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at www.scgov.net/library.
