Today we kick-off the 16th Annual Lemon Bay Fest: Englewood History with Zest! This week-long series is packed full of programs and events here at Elsie Quirk Library and the Englewood-Charlotte Library.
Lemon Bay Fest programs highlight our area’s rich history and natural beauty. It culminates on Saturday, February 10 with the Cracker Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Park 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 a.m. with a 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 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.
Here are the library events for this week:
Saturday
- Lemon Bay Fest: The Great Invasion: from pythons to pepper at 10:30 a.m. Florida author, Charles Sobczak will take an in depth look at a wide array of species that have invaded Florida over the past 100 years. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- Lemon Bay Fest: American Roots Music Show at 2 p.m. Lisa Brande and Mark Trichka with Easy Street Duo will present an upbeat program featuring Bluegrass, Old-Time, Country, Cajun, and Zydeco. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- AARP Tax Aide at 12:30 p.m. Free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library’s front desk.
Monday
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- AARP Tax Aide at 10:30 a.m. 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: “Oh Florida!” at 10:30 a.m. Florida couldn’t be Florida without that sense of the unpredictable, unexpected, and unusual lurking behind every palm tree. Join Tampa Bay Times columnist Craig Pittman as he discusses his book “Oh, Florida!”. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Patrick Smith’s Florida: A Sense of Place at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. This film includes fascinating stories of Patrick Smith’s life and adventures and such experiences which led the author to writing his novel, “A Land Remembered”. It provides great insight not only into Florida’s past, but also into the mind of one of her favorite writers.
- English for Spanish Speakers/Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes meets 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. Class meets once a week. Señor Dan Duffy will be teaching from the book “English for the Spanish Speaker” book 4, by Kathleen Fisher; Fisher Hill Publishers 5th ed., (2009)
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Stop in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscape questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For more information, call 941-861-9807 or online at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/plantclinic.shtml.
- Health in Motion Bus will be in the library parking lot from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Florida Department of Health of Sarasota County, Health in Motion staff will be on-site to provide no-cost health screenings and referrals for general health and wellness. Nursing staff will help individuals who lack medical insurance find a medical home for ongoing health care through referrals to the Community Health Centers of Sarasota County.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Florida’s Shipwreck Preserves at 10:30 a.m. This lecture features Florida’s Museums in the Sea, historic shipwrecks that have been interpreted for divers and snorkelers to educate citizens and visitors about the real treasure of Florida’s shipwrecks-their history.
- Englewood Shell Club Board meets at 1 p.m.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101 at 2 p.m. This class will teach you the basics of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program. They will show you the nine principles that can help you have a successful, beautiful lawn and garden while protecting our natural resources.
- Reading Buddies at 3:30 p.m. For ages 4½ -8 (entering K through 3rd grade). Keep up your reading skills and become a better reader by practicing with a buddy. Have fun while reading together and playing engaging reading activities. Volunteers are not trained experts, but will listen, encourage and help as needed. Registration is required.
Wednesday
- Lemon Bay Fest: Dr. Mary Green and the Lemon Bay Mother’s Club at 10:30 a.m. In 1918 Dr. Mary Green organized the Lemon Bay Mother’s Club which today is known as the Lemon Bay Women’s Club. This presentation will share the significant role Dr. Green played in both the organization and the community.
- AARP Tax Aide at 10:30 a.m. 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: Your Favorite Songs of Yesteryear at 2 p.m. Dave Kilbride, guitarist and vocalist, will play music from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- French Conversation Group meets at 5:30 p.m.
- LEGO Club meets at 6 p.m. Children ages 5-12 will have fun getting together with others and sharing ideas, working together, and making new friends. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date.
Thursday
- Short Story Discussion Group meets at 10:15 a.m. February’s selection: “Greenleaf” by Flannery O’Connor
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Special event: For ages 0-5. Nationally recognized author/illustrator Suzanne Bloom will join us to introduce you to her friends Bear, Goose and Fox from her popular picture book series.
- Knitting Club meets at 1 p.m.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Cracker: The Last Cowboys of Florida at 2 p.m. For over 250 years, Cowboys have ridden the plains of central Florida. This film captures the beauty of the old ways with the drama of encroaching civilization.
Friday
- AARP Tax Aide at 10:30 a.m. 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: Sea Turtles in Manasota Key at 10:30 a.m. Join Carol Leonard from the Coastal Wildlife Club as she talks about Manasota Key Sea Turtles and what you can do to help protect these animals.
- Lemon Bay Fest: Gasparilla Island Lighthouse 2 p.m. Learn about the history and restoration of the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse.
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 scgov.net.
