Commissioners to cut ribbon for G.C. Herring Park

ROTONDA — The Charlotte County Commission has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of improvements to G.C. Herring Park at 8 a.m., Sept. 29, at 3406 Indiana Road in Placida.

Phase I of the park improvements was funded through the 2020 1% local option sales tax and includes two age-specific playgrounds (for ages 2-5 and 5-12), a basketball court, tennis court, fitness hub, multi-purpose field, and a running/walking track.

The park also features a large pavilion and two smaller pavilions.

Extension Office plans plant sale, open house

SARASOTA — The UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County office has its 20th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and EdFest, set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 at Twin Lakes Park, 6600 Clark Road, Sarasota.

The event will feature locally grown Florida-friendly plants, including shrubs, trees, palms, wildflowers, butterfly plants, natives and edibles. Extension-trained Master Gardener volunteers can answer questions along with offering gardening and landscaping advice. EdFest booths will highlight the array of programs and services offered through the Extension Office.

Admission is free, and plants will be available for purchase while supplies last.

For more information, call 941-861-5000, or visit sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/plantsale.0.

Englewood Charlotte Library Closed Oct. 5-10

ENGLEWOOD — The Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road, will be closed Oct. 5-10, 2026, for furniture and shelving upgrades.

Curbside pickup will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday by calling 941-681-1631.

For questions, contact EnglewoodLibrary@charlottecountyfl.gov.

Back Pack Angels to meet

NORTH PORT — The Back Pack Angels will hold a general meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited to join and see what the volunteers do for the needy children in the Sarasota school system.

Historic railroad tours to resume

EL JOBEAN — Historic tours are scheduled for Charlotte County’s “Ghost Railroad,” the old Charlotte Harbor & Northern or CH&N Railway that once traveled through the towns of Murdock, El Jobean, McCall, and Placida, ending at the Boca Grande Lighthouse.

The planned tours, in an air-conditioned mini-bus, begin and end at the Bean Depot & Café, 4370 Garden Road, El JoBean and visit the McCall Section House, the Placida Bunkhouse, the 1910 Boca Grande Train Station, the 1896 Boca Grande Lighthouse, and the Armory Memorial Chapel.

Tours are 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 10 and Oct. 24. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at www.ticketsignup.io/allaboardtour. For more information, contact Alice White at (941) 468-2486. Proceeds benefit People for Trees, a nonprofit native tree advocacy group since 1997.

‘Leading Ladies of Sarasota County’

ENGLEWOOD — The Lemon Bay Historical Society has announced an upcoming programs at Green Street Church in Englewood.

Meg Lepak, program and outreach specialist for the Sarasota County History Center, will lead a program at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 titled “Leading Ladies of Sarasota County. Explore the lives of Sarasota’s influential women, including Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby and Emma Booker.”

Using archival photographs, correspondence and records from the Sarasota County History Center, Lepak will tell the stories of leadership, philanthropy, education, business, preservation and cultural innovation that shaped Sarasota County.

All programs are free, and are held at the historic Green Street Church, 510 S Indiana Ave, Englewood. The Lemon Bay Historical Society will accept donations for the upkeep of the historic church building.

Friends of Mid-County Library seek volunteers

PORT CHARLOTTE — The Friends of the Mid-County Regional Library, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte, are looking for new members and volunteers to help at the Friends book store inside the library entrance.

The bookstore sells used and donated books, CDs and other media items. Proceeds fund library programs. The Friends are looking for volunteers who can work three hours a week, or substitute occasionally for other members.

For more information, visit the store, or stop by the library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. any weekday to fill out an application.

U.S. Marine Band to play in Charlotte County

PUNTA GORDA — “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band will return to Punta Gorda as part of the band’s National Concert Tour, performing a free 7:30 p.m. concert on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Charlotte Performing Arts Center.

For full details, visit www.marineband.marines.mil/Tour. Free tickets are available now (limit four per request). Seating is general admission and ticket holders must be seated by 7:15 p.m.; remaining seats will be released to the standby line at that time.

Homeschoolers meet up at library

NORTH PORT — “Homeschoolers: Wednesdays Meetup” in the Teen Room at the North Port Library, 13800 S. Tamiami Trail, North Port.

Families with tweens and teens are invited to stop by from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays to enjoy crafts and games with other homeschool families.

For more information, visit: scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/month/2026/08 or call 941-861-1110.

Wine Fest tickets on sale

WELLEN PARK — The third annual Wellen Park Wine Festival is set and tickets are on sale.

It takes place Nov. 13-14.

Tickets can be purchased at wellenpark.com/wine.

More than 40 vintners from around the world are a part of the days.

The Rotary Club at Wellen Park is the festival’s charity partner.

Master Gardener volunteers can help

PORT CHARLOTTE — Trained master gardener volunteers are available to help people with gardening and landscape problems at their office in the Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte.

The office is staffed with University of Florida, IFAS-trained master gardener volunteers from 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For more information, call 941-764-4340 or email Master.Gardener@charlottecountyfl.gov.

Vendors sought for Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

ROTONDA — The Rotonda American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113, 3436 Indiana Road, Rotonda West, has announced a Holiday Arts & Craft Fair is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the post.

Vendors are needed. The deadline for application is Oct. 16. Email alaunit113craft@gmail.com for an application.

For more information, call 941-697-3616.

Community Yard Sales planned

NORTH PORT — A Community Yard Sale, hosted each year by the city of North Port, is set for 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 7, at the City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd. Admission is free for shoppers.

Vendors, crafters and artisans must register in advance. Vendor fee is $20 per space, with tables available to rent for an additional $10 while supplies last. Registration and event information are available at NorthPortFL.gov/YardSale.

Food vendors may apply online. Participation is subject to event guidelines and space availability. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

The Nov. 7 Community Yard Sale coincides with North Port Newcomer Day at the George Mullen Activity Center, 1602 Kramer Way.