Club Chat

“Kayaking Gals” is a 531-member private Kayaking Facebook Group, started May 17, 2017, by Debi Graham-Schroeder, for women with paddle experience in Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Their third Annual Halloween Paddle (weather permitting) is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th. In costumes and decorated “Broom Yaks” the Witches will fly out of Bill Coy Preserve, 5350 Placida Road, at 10:30am paddling north. Spectators are welcome to watch from boats, homes along Placida and the Bay as they “fly” by, cross the channel to the beautiful “Palm Island Resort” Beach at Stump Pass, arriving at approximately 12:30pm. There they will invade the beach for a quick break to stretch, walk and have photos taken, then returning to the launch. The group will head to Artur’s Restaurant (70 N. Indiana Avenue), in costume for a Bewitching Luncheon Celebration. This is a spooktacular event you don’t want to miss, so plan to watch and be enchanted!

Fishing Club Talks Fall Fishing
The Englewood Fishing Club meets at 6:30 pm, Thursday, October 10 at the Rotonda Community Center, 646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West. October’s speaker is Capt. Mike Meyers of Reel Shark Charters. The topic for October is “Fall Fishing the Charlotte Harbor Area”. Visitors are welcome. Attendees are asked to bring an item of non-perishable food that will be shared with local food pantries. Learn more about the club at englewoodfishingclub.net.

 

 

The Englewood Shell Club (ESC) is preparing for its 29th season. Join them for the General Meeting at the Parish Hall of St. David’s Episcopal Church, 401 S. Broadway, on Tuesday, October 15th at 1pm (doors open at 12:30pm). Conchologists, Malacologists, and Seashell enthusiasts of any kind are invited to reunite with old acquaintances, make new friends, and learn about the club’s upcoming activities. While new members pay $40 annually, all seashell lovers are welcome to attend the general meeting as a guest to discover more about the club. This year, the club aims to bring together individuals interested in seashells and shell collecting to promote understanding of mollusks and their habitats. Through monthly study sessions, guest speakers, shell crafting, beach walks, and excursions around SWFL, the club fosters knowledge and appreciation for all things salty and sandy and their environments. For additional information or to become a member, visit englewoodshell.club. You can also follow ESC on Facebook or their YouTube channel. Out on a beach walk, club members (l-r:) Linda Masterson, Judy Landry, Anita Wilson & Donna Anderson, take a moment to pose for the camera.

Burgerfest in Paradise
Who’s got the best burger in town? The Englewood Sunset Rotary Impact Club is bringing back Burgerfest in Paradise on Saturday, October 19, 11am to 2pm, at Pioneer Plaza, 325 W. Dearborn Street. Guests can purchase tickets for samples of the contestants’ burgers, enjoy music by area bands, purchase beverages. Other items will be for sale and along with raffle chances (credit card purchase only). For those wishing to participate in the best burger contest, there will be two team categories, business and residential, vying for the bragging rights using a charcoal grill. Entry fee is $25 residential and $45 restaurant. To sign up as a griller, request an entry form by contacting Janet Shawen at 941•882•2398 ([email protected]) or Bobbi Sue Taylor at 941•716•4417 or [email protected].

Auxiliary Unit 113 Craft Fair
Save the date for the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113, Rotonda West, Craft Fair on Saturday, October 26, 9am to 2pm, at Legion Post 113, 3436 Indiana Rd, Rotonda West. There will be many vendors and items to choose from. Email questions to [email protected] or [email protected]. See you there!

Artisan & Vendor Call
Calling all artisans and vendors to reserve your table now for the Rotonda Elks Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 2nd at the Elks Lodge, 303 Rotonda Blvd. East, Rotonda. Tables indoor and outdoor are available. The bazaar will be open to the public. Contact Nancy Craig for details at 941•457•7106.

Halloween Party
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113, 3436 Indiana Road, Rotonda presents a Halloween Spooktacular Party on Thursday, October 31 from 5 to 9 pm. The cost is $20. and includes a menu of Pulled Pork, Sloppy Joes, or Mac and Cheese. Music by Bandana from 6–9 pm. Costume Contests, 50/50, and more! Proceeds to benefit education/girls state funds. Tickets available at the Bar. Contact the Post at 941-697-3616 for information.

Lions’ Poinsettia Sale
The Englewood Lions Club is once again holding their Poinsettia Sale this season and they are accepting orders now. Prices remain the same as last year. Cost is $6 (4” pot size, 1 stem); $12 (6.5” pot – 2 stem), $20 (8” pot, 3 stem) and $28 (10” pot, 3-4 stem). Winter roses will again be only $15. All plants are in pot covers & sleeved; pricing includes local delivery. Order deadline is Monday, November 18th. Checks should be made out to Englewood Lions Foundation, Inc and mailed to Englewood Lions Foundation, 4611 Placida Road, Englewood FL 34224. For more information or to order, email [email protected] or call 941•698•7508. This Lions fundraiser supports their community projects.

On Saturday, September 21, the Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary Club held their annual Kids Fish-a-thon at the Anger Fishing Pier next to the Tom Adams Bridge. More than 50 kids participated, and the fish were biting. More than 203 fish were caught as well as some non-fish like the bonnehead shark caught by Bryson Dill, pictured on the cover. Awards were handed out for six categories and also to “Future Rotarian” Eli McCaniel. Award winners were: Bryson Dill – Most Unusual, Jaxon Benner – Most Fish Caught, Jace Stickley – Ugliest Fish, Michael Cahill – Heaviest Fish, Christine Vetter – Longest Fish, and Grace Ekleberry – Shortest Fish. Every kid received a t-shirt, a bag filled with snacks and a drink, a sandwich, and a gift card. In all, more than $3,000 in gifts and awards was given away. Pictured here are the award winners and some of the Rotarians who helped out with the popular event.

Items appearing in this column are as accurate as possible. Please call the listed numbers for confirmation and further information. If you have an event or happening you would like to have considered for Club Chat, please email to: [email protected].