Keeping Up With The Kids

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.

LBHS Fall Concert
Join the Lemon Bay High School Bands for an evening of inspiring music at their Fall Concert, “the Mountains Are Calling”, on Monday, October 7 at 6:30pm. This special event will feature performances by the Lazz Rays, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and a showcase by the award-winning Marching Mantas. Prepare to be transported by the sounds of the mountains as the students perform a diverse selection of pieces inspired by the beauty of the great outdoors. Admission is free but tickets are required. Reserve your ticket at teachtix.com/lemonbayhighband/lbhs-bands. Donations are welcome and support the LBHS Bands program. All are welcome to come hear these talented students! Lemon Bay High School is located at 2201 Placida Road.

Full STEAM Ahead
On Friday, October 11, 4:30 – 5:30pm, kids can register for an hour of hands-on STEAM-tastic fun in the library! We’ll explore new concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Dress for a mess! Englewood Charlotte Public Library, 3450 N Access Rd. For info call 941•681•3736.

Boots & Bows Sweetheart Ball
Round up your cowgirl or cowboy for a night of frontier fun at this year’s Boots & Bows themed Sweetheart Ball on Friday, October 11 at the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way in North Port. This event is open to children in grades K-6 and features a hearty chuck wagon dinner, desserts, a photo booth, crafting corral, and dancing. A sensory hour will be offered 6 to 7pm, and then, from 7 to 8:30pm, the music is turned up for a boot-scooting good time on the dance floor. Registration is $20/couple and $10 for each additional person. For more information & registration, visit northportfl.gov/sweetheartball.

Fire Safety Fest
As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Charlotte County Libraries is partnering with Charlotte County Fire & EMA to help you stay safe all year long. On Saturday, October 12, 2 to 4pm, bring the family to the Family Services Center (21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte) for fun interactive activities about fire safety. Explore a firetruck, meet firefighters, and learn about some of the resources available to you to keep you & your loved ones safe in a fire or household emergency. The program is free and no registration is required.

Family Fall Festival
Fellowship Church, 140 Rotonda Blvd. West, will be holding its Family Fall Festival on Oct. 12th from 10am-1pm and it’s free. There will be games/prizes, live animals, hay rides, homemade treats, a photo booth, pony rides, Police, Fire Department and much more.

Creative Learning
Come join Stephanie Gebhardt-Murray on Friday, October 18, 4 – 5pm, for a fun story time and craft activity for children ages 7-12 at the Englewood Charlotte Public Library, 3450 N Access Rd. For info call 941•681•3736.

Peek-a-Boo Halloween Painting
The Port Charlotte Library invites kids & their families to join the Pop-Up Art School on Saturday, October 19, 4 to 5pm, at the library, 2280 Aaron Street in Port Charlotte. Dress for a mess as kids will use acrylic paints for a cute twist on the classic jack-o-lantern. Geared for kids ages six to ten. The program is free but registration is required at charlottecountyfl.libcal.com/event. Registration opens Saturday, October 5 at 4pm. For questions, call 941•764•5562.

Pumpkin Plunge
Get ready for a splash of autumnal excitement at North Port Parks & Recreation’s annual Pumpkin Plunge to be held on Saturday, October 19, 9 to 11am at the North Port Aquatic Center, 6205 W. Price Blvd., North Port. This family-friendly, fun-filled event incorporates traditional harvest-time activities with an aquatic twist, offering participants the chance to pick their pumpkin from a floating pumpkin patch. Cost is $10 per child with supervising adult complimentary. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged at northportfl.gov/pumpkinplunge.

President’s List Recreants
Congratulations to Englewood residents Tristan Blaisdell, Brianna Schrauf, and Eileen Gaffney for making Southern New Hampshire University’s Summer President’s List. To make the President’s List students must be a full-time (at least 12 credits) undergraduate and earned a grade-point average of 3.7 and above.

Dog Tales
Readers of all ages are invited to come read aloud to a therapy dog in the library on Wednesday, October 23 from 3:30 – 4:30pm. Registration required. Charlotte Public Library, 3450 N Access Rd. For info call 941•681•3736.

Fish Art Contest
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites kids, ages 5-18, to enter their Fish Art Contest. To enter, kids need to submit a one-page creative writing submission (required for gardes 4-12) and an original piece of artwork featuring any fish, including one or more of the Florida native species listed on the form. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 28, 2025. The winners will be announced on social media and on the FWC website. Kids who are interested can learn more at myfwc.com/education/programs/fish-art/