Let’s Pretend Day Children ages 2 to 8 and their caregivers are invited to visit the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street, for Wednesday morning free play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination. Drop-in anytime between 10:30 and 11:30 am on Wednesday mornings. For more information, call 941•861•1225.
Summer Reading Kick-Off
It’s that time of year again – the Charlotte County Libraries Summer Reading Program kicks off on Saturday, June 3, 11 am to 1 pm, at the Tringali Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road. Let’s get “All Together Now” to start off the summer with some fun for the whole family. Pick up your reading logs and enjoy some free food and entertainment. Sponsored by the Friends of Englewood Charlotte Library. For more information, call 941•681•3736.
Summer Reading Program
Sarasota County Libraries’ summer reading theme is “All Together Now”. At Elsie Quirk Library (100 W. Dearborn Street), the staff have embraced the theme with gusto and added their own take on nine weeks of exciting programming for the community. Thursday, June 8th is the Summer Reading Kick-Off event. 10:30-11:30 am: Showtime, laugh-out-loud comedy magic show for all ages. 11:30 am to 1 pm: T-Shirt Making for all ages. 11:30 am to 1 pm: free Community BBQ. All day: Summer Reading sign up with prizes, food, and more. To see all the fun activities and programs scheduled, go to scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com. For questions, call 941•861•1225.
Didgeridoo Program
Kids & families are invited to an interactive program about the Didgeridoo on Saturday, June 10, 2:30 pm, at the Tringali Community Center, 3460 N. Access Road. A didgeridoo is an Aboriginal Australian wind instrument made from hollow wood and known for its drone sound and percussive rhythms. You can also pick up your Charlotte County Libraries summer reading log while you are there. For more information, call 941•681•3736.
Calvary Baptist Vacation Bible School
Calvary Baptist School invites your children to attend Vacation Bible School scheduled for June 12-15 starting at 6:30 pm each night. This year’s theme is “VBS in the Wild Wild West”. Register now at calbaptist.net. Calvary Baptist Church is located at 75 Pine Street. For more information, call 941•475•1555.
Kids’ Fun at Elsie Quirk
The activities for the Sarasota County Libraries Summer Reading Program continue during weeks two and three. Stop in the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street, anytime during week 2 (June 12-16) and pick up a Thank You Card Kit, a take-home bag with supplies to make thank you cards for local heroes or people/organizations who make Englewood a great place to live. Also happening this week is the Escape Game. Patrons can pick up instructions at the desk and work together to solve clues throughout the library and win a prize. During week 3 (June 19-23), stop by the desk to get your Make Your Own Music Kit, a to-go bag with all the supplies needed to make a crafty banjo. If you haven’t signed up for the Summer Reading Club, do so while you are there. For more information, call 941•861•1225.
Read and Feed Program
The Friends of Englewood Charlotte Library will sponsor a Read and Feed Program for children ages 5-12 Tuesday, June 13 through Friday, June 16 beginning at 11:30 am. This event will be held in the library, located at 3450 N. Access Road in Tringali Park. Each child will choose a book to keep, and nutritious lunch will be served. Registration is required by going online to the Charlotte County Library website, charlottefl.ent.sirsi.net, or by calling 941•681•3736. Please register each child separately.
Summer Reading Craft
Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to join staff at the Englewood Charlotte Library for summer fun reading craft fun every Friday from 11 am to noon with a different international theme each week. Registration is required. Register online at charlottecountyfl.libcal.com or call 941•681•3736. The library is located at 3450 N. Access Road.
Fire Truck Day
Kids ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers won’t want to miss this special story time with a visit from local firefighters on Thursday, June 15, 10:30 to 11:30 am, at the Elsie Quirk Library, 100 W. Dearborn Street. Little Adventure participants will also get to tour a fire truck outside the library. For more information, call 941•861•1225.
School Vaccination Clinics
It may seem early but as you prepare your “to do” list for back to school, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County reminds parents updated vaccines are required for kindergarten and seventh grade in all Florida schools. A completed DH 680 form is required for registration in Sarasota County public schools. The form is available through your child’s pediatrician and at the Department of Health Sarasota, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. There will be two Back to School Vaccination Clinics offered during the summer with no appointment necessary, walk-ins only: Saturday, June 17, 8 to 11 am, at 6950 Outreach Way, North Port and Saturday, August 5, 8 am to noon, at 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. If your family is new to Florida, please register your children in advance by calling 941•861•2784.
GCUMC Vacation Bible School
Kids from age 4 through those leaving grade 5 are invited to Gulf Cove United Methodist Church where they will launch on a cosmic quest through Vacation Bible School, Monday, June 19-Friday, June 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Stellar VBS rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun, and captivates kids with rugged moonscapes, colorful constellations, and lunar landers. After the opening ceremony, all VBS kids (and their families, if they like) will receive a free, kid-friendly dinner. The information packet (including registration form) is available on GulfCoveChurch.com. Register online, drop the form off at the church office, or call Dana at 941•979•9927 by Thursday, June 15th. Gulf Cove UMC is located at 1100 South McCall Road in the Gulf Cove area of Port Charlotte.
Bilingual Music & Games
Evan & Vanessa, bilingual children and family musicians, as well as hosts of the Spanish learning podcast “Eat Your Spanish”, will bring all of the fun of their podcast to the Elsie Quirk Library on Thursday, June 22, 10:30 to 11:30 am. Enjoy fun sing-along songs, engaging stories, interactive sound games, and more. Free. For more information, call 941•861•1225.
VBS at St. Francis
At St. Francis of Assisi Church, blast off for VBS fun at Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light! Vacation Bible School to be held June 26-30, 9 am to noon, for children, K to 6th grade 2023-2024. At VBS, each day will be a new adventure as kids learn that Jesus is the light of the world, through five Bible stories, meeting new friends, fun activities, singing great songs, crafts, science experiments, games, snacks, and more. VBS is open for any child in the community; you don’t have to be a member of the church. Come along & shine a light on Jesus’ love! Come to the church office at 5265 Placida Road and register your kids or contact Jim Brantner at 941•697•4899.
Young Artists Studios
Spark your child’s creativity this summer with Englewood Art Center’s Young Artist Studios. Classes for ages 5-8 are offered Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10-11:30 am, ages 9-12 on Wednesdays, 1-2:30 pm and Thursdays 10-11:30 am, and ages 13-16 on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1-3:30 pm. Cost is $15/$20 per class, materials included. To view the dates, times, prices and to register, go to tinyurl.com/EACYoungArtist2023. Pre-registration is not required, but strongly suggested as space is limited. Englewood Art Center is located at 350 S. McCall Road and can be reached at 941•474•5548.
Check This Out!
The Class of 2023 at Lemon Bay High School has earned the distinction as “the most decorated class in Lemon Bay Athletics history”. Look at this scorecard: 79 Individual District Champions, 29 Individual Regional Champions, 35 State Place Winners, 3 State Champions, 12 State Runner Ups, 35 District Championship Teams, 19 Regional Championship Teams, 1 State Runner Up Team, and 16 All Around Student Athlete Winners. Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Mccallister Earns Master’s Degree
Michelle Mccallister of Englewood was among the more than 500 graduates who earned master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Scranton. Mccallister earned a Master of Accountancy degree in accounting analytics. Degrees were presented at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 21st at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023.
