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.
Registration open for Charlotte County Government Academy
PORT CHARLOTTE — Registration is open for Charlotte County Government Academy, a free, one‑day program scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd., Port Charlotte.
The academy offers a full day of presentations highlighting the programs and services provided by departments under the Board of County Commissioners. There is no cost to attend.
Register at www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov/Academy or at 941-623-1092. Space is limited and registration will close Oct. 12 or when capacity is reached. For more information, call 941-623-1092.
Englewood Charlotte Library Closed Oct. 5-10
ENGLEWOOD — The Englewood Charlotte Library, 3450 N. Access Road, will be closed through Oct. 10, for furniture and shelving upgrades.
Curbside pickup will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day through Friday by calling 941-681-1631.
For questions, contact EnglewoodLibrary@charlottecountyfl.gov.
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.
Blood drive planned
ROTONDA WEST — The GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club announced a OneBlood Drive to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Rotonda Marina, 117 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West.
All donors receive a $20 eGift Card, a Halloween T-shirt, Chick-fil-A Coupon and a Wellness Checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening. ID required. Appointments are encouraged. Visit oneblood.org/donate-now (use sponsor code 39275) or contact Kathryn at 610-952-1333.
‘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.
Charlotte County Walk to End Alzheimer’s
ROTONDA — The GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club is serving as host and sponsor for the Charlotte County 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, taking place Nov. 16 at Broadmoor Park, 646 Rotonda Circle, Rotonda West.
Registration and rally is set fo 8:30 a.m., with the walk starting at 9 a.m.
All neighboring Service/Outreach Volunteer Organizations, caretakers, residents and families are invited to join the Charlotte County Rotonda West Walk to prove “We Are All Better Together.”
Contact Kathryn at 610-952-1333 or kathryngal@yahoo.com for further information. Preregistration and those wishing to donate may visit act.alz.org/goto/CharlotteCountyRotondaWest
Legion plans Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair
ROTONDA — The Rotonda American Legion Auxiliary Unit 113 announed its Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the post, 3436 Indiana Road, Rotonda West. Kids can visit Santa.
Contact alaunit113@gmail.com. For additional information, call 941-697-3616.
Rotonda Woman’s Club plans Holiday Bazaar
ROTONDA — The GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club has planned its annual Holiday Bazaar for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 7 at the Rotonda West Community Center, 646 Rotond Circle.
There will be handcrafted items made by our organization’s crafts, knitting, sewing and baking teams and “cookies by the pound,” a bake sale, gift basket raffle, and Nearly New Jewelry Boutique. A hot dog lunch will be available after 11 a.m.
Proceeds benefit local charities. For more information, visit gfwcrotondawest.org.
Lemon Bay Woman’s Club plans Annual Holiday Bazaar
ENGLEWOOD — The Lemon Bay Woman’s Club has announced its annual Holiday Bazaar is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 13-14 at their historic clubhouse, 51 N. Maple St., Englewood.
LBWC members have hand crafted unique items which will be for sale including holiday decorations and gifts as well as everyday items. There will be raffles for a handmade quilt, Christmas door wreath and more. Baked goods will be available for purchase.
Proceeds go to local charities and to the upkeep of the clubhouse which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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.
Pickleball lessons are available
ENGLEWOOD — Charlotte County Community Services is offering a beginner pickleball clinic at Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park recreation center, 6961 San Casa Drive, in Englewood.
The clinic is designed for new players looking to learn the basics of pickleball in a welcoming environment. Sessions are Tuesdays and Fridays 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration is required and costs $3 per session. Registration is available at tinyurl.com/ACDRPpickleball or call 941-681-3760.
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.