Keeping Up With The Kids

Aquatics Open House
Join the Englewood YMCA, the Rotary Club of Englewood, and Josh the Otter for water safety, food, and fun at the YMCA Aquatics Open House on Saturday, September 23, 11am to 2pm. Led by certified lifeguards, there will be swim testing, pool games, crafts, and fun for the whole family. The event is free, and all are welcome. The Englewood YMCA is located at 701 Medical Blvd. For more information, call 941•475•1234.

Take a Child Outside Week
In celebration of the “Take a Child Outside Week,” Sarasota County is offering an array of free events to help children and families explore and connect with nature Sunday-Saturday, September 24-30. From a 3-hour kick-off event featuring family-friendly activities, educational games, and live reptiles to hiking and biking through the wonders of natural Sarasota, ten events scheduled in different Sarasota County locales during the week focus on getting children and their families more outdoor time together and creating deeper, lasting connections to the natural world. In Englewood there will be a Mangrove Ecowalk at Lemon Bay Park on Friday, September 29 from 8:30 to 10:30am. See the line-up and register at Eventbrite.com/cc/1964829. For questions, call 311 or 941•861•5000.

Halloween Haunted Hike
Cedar Point’s Halloween Haunted Hike event is a spooktacular fundraising event occurring every Saturday night in October between 6 to 9pm. The event will feature a spooky guided haunted hike, food trucks, pumpkin patch, keynote speakers, crafts, and more. Admission fees are $5 per person (kids under six are free). The guided haunted hike will be accessible to a younger crowd from 6-7pm while there is still light outside. Later on, “scare-ers” will be hidden along the trail to make for a truly spooky event! Cedar Point Environmental Park is located at 2300 Placida Road. Dates: Saturdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28. For ticket sale and for more information, visit checflorida.org/events or call 941•475•0769.

Sweetheart Ball
Enjoy a night of glitz and glam with your little sweetheart and make lasting memories at this year’s Hollywood Hall of Fame Ball on Friday, October 13, 6 to 8:30 pm, at the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way, North Port. This event includes a DJ, dinner, dessert, craft, and keepsake photobooth momento. This event is for K-6th girls and their father (or father figure). Semi-formal attire recommended. Sensory hour is 6 to 7 pm and from 7 to 8:30 pm, the lights will be turned down and the music turned up to dance the night away. This event is $20 per couple and $10 per additional attendee. Space is limited; register at bit.ly/NPPRSpecialEvents. For questions, call 941•429•7275.

Family Fall Festival
Mark your calendar! Fellowship Church of Englewood & Englewood Community Coalition would like to invite the entire community to the Family Fall Festival on Saturday, October 14th at Fellowship Church Campus located at 140 Rotonda Blvd. West in Rotonda. This is a free event for families with kids from pre-school to middle school ages, starting at 10am and ending at 1pm. There will be games, crafts, hayrides, pony rides, face painting, and lots more. Enjoy a free lunch: grilled hot dogs, chips, cookies & cold drinks. For more information, please call 941•475•7447 or log onto fcenglewood.com.

The Velveteen Rabbit
In a brand-new adaption of “The Velveteen Rabbit”, Margery Williams’ classic story springs to magical life at Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota. When the Child gets the Rabbit, she is at first disappointed with her gift. But as the two quest and adventure through her storybooks, both Rabbit & Child grow, change, and care for each other as they discover love is the greatest force in the universe and can make impossible things real. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is performed on Saturdays & Sundays at 10am & noon through Sunday, October 15. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org or call 941•366•9000.

Haunted Trails
Plan to attend this frightfully fun family event, Haunted Trails, that runs Friday & Saturday, October 20 & 21 at Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. The Haunted Trail winds along the dark, haunted road to a terrifying Haunted House for those who truly dare to be scared from 8 to 10pm both nights. For the kids, the Trick or Treat Trail is open 7:30 to 9:30pm both nights. There is also a fun kids’ area, games, and Lil’ Monster Manor. Bring nonperishable food items for the food drive to benefit South County Food Pantry. Admission is $14 adult; $6 child ages 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 & under. Online ticket sales have begun so get yours before they sell out at halloweenhauntedtrails.com. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, and the Osprey Nokomis Chamber of Commerce.

Kids Needs Boutique
Kids Needs Greater Englewood operates a free clothing boutique that is open every Saturday from 10am to noon and Thursdays 4 to 6pm during the school year. The Boutique is located in Heron Plaza at 2670 S. McCall Road, Unit 10. For questions, email [email protected].

Schrauf Makes President’s List
Brianna Schrauf of Englewood has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Summer 2023 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

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