WOW To Do List: Blessing of the Fleet, more
SEPTEMBER
Blessing of the Fleet
Before you know it, we'll be eating delicious fresh stone crab claws again! But, do we think about the boats that go out at 4 a.m. each morning, whatever the weather? They will set their traps soon to pull them up laden with the rare local goodies on Oct. 15 when the season for harvesting officially begins. To make sure they have a good send off, Everglades City is holding its annual "Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet" on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the historic Rod & Gun Club on the Barron River. The event starts at 10a.m. with fun for all the family and ends at 1 p.m. after the contest results are announced. There will be Arts & Crafts booths, music, raffles, and bake sales. Local pastors will bless each boat at around 10:30 a.m. The celebration is being organized by the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation. Information: www.evergladeshistorical.org or Marya at 239-695-2905.
More:3 To Do: Bingo returns; anxiety classes
OCTOBER
Dick Shanahan Memorial Golf Tournament
The Marco Police Foundation will host its annual Dick Shananhan Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 6. The “four-player scramble” event will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and a “shotgun” start at 8:30. Golfers will gather after the competition for lunch and prizes around 1 p.m. This year’s tournament takes place on the newly redesigned golf course at the Island Country Country Club on Marco Island. This will be the first community tournament, open to the general public, on the new course and promises to be a special treat for players. Those wishing to play in the tournament ($125 per player) or purchase hole sponsorships ($100) can contact Joe Granda at 389-2823, Curt Koon at 389-4511, or e-mail CofCJs@PalsPlaces.com.
‘Boating Skills & Seamanship’
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is holding a summer session of our safe boating course ‘Boating Skills & Seamanship’ starting Oct. 8. The session is a four-week course which is held on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7 until 9:30 p.m. Participants get educated on many boating topics and get a 400-page boating text. The sessions include navigation, rules of the road, weather, handling your Boat, etc. Information: Joe Riccio, cgauxcourses@gmail.com or 239-384-7416.
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser
From 4:30 until 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Knights of Columbus San Marco Council #6344 will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the police and fire foundations in the San Marco Parish Center The cost will be $12 per person with $5 for children under 12. Dinner includes spaghetti with marinara sauce, meatballs, Italian sausage, salad, Italian bread, and dessert with beverages and cash bar. Take out is also available. This event is open to the public and everyone is invited. Information: 239-389-5633 or www.marcoknights.com.
Florida Domicile seminars
Attorney William G. Morris announced a series of seminars designed to educate those thinking about making Florida their domicile. Morris will explore issues of concern and how to deal with them. The seminars will be free to participants, but due to limited seating, reservations are encouraged. The seminars will be moderated by financial adviser Kevin O’Fee of Edward Jones. The series will be held at Keller Williams Realty, 830 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, Florida from 5:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10. These seminars are free but reservations are required due to limited capacity of the meeting room. Information: Kathy Ansted at 239-394-2412.
Folk Singer Penn Johnson
The Marco Island Center for the Arts presents folk singer and songwriter Penn Johnson, who describes himself as an old soul in a 21st century body. Originally a Massachusetts native, in the past two years he has logged 150,000 miles in his van performing at festivals and shows throughout the country. His sound is described as “poetic vocals with percussive strumming.” He is a refreshing songwriter focused on the lyrics and message. Penn writes about timeless issues and his unique sound connects to audiences on an intimate level. The performance takes place from 5:30–7:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, in the Art Center. The ticket price is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Information: 239-394-4221 or www.marcoislandart.org/musicalinterludes.
Marco boat show
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12 to 14, Rose Marina, 951 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island. The Marco Boat is the largest premier in-water recreational show in the Naples-Marco Island area. The show will feature displays by Marinas, Boat dealers, and other marine related businesses. One-Day admission: $5. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult. Information: marcoboatshow.com.
Corkscrew Swamptober Fest
From 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, 375 Sanctuary Road W., Naples. Experience the Corkscrew boardwalk in the evening light and participate in educational programs and interpretive exhibits during Corkscrew’s After Hours nights when the Sanctuary’s Blair Audubon Center and 2.25 mile boardwalk stay open until 9 p.m. $14 adult admission for all-day admission and after-hours event. Information: corkscrew.audubon.org/programs/corkscrew-after-hours.
K of C Bingo
On Thursday, Oct. 18, the Knights of Columbus San Marco Council #6344 will host a Bingo night fundraiser in the San Marco Parish Center with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 7. Bingo will run every Thursday from Oct. 18 through Nov. 15. Bingo will resume on Jan. 3. This event is open to the public and everyone is invited. Come join us for an evening of fun and games and celebrate the 41th anniversary of K of C Bingo. Information: 239-389-5633 or visit our website at www.marcoknights.com.
‘Rehearsal for Murder’
8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 through Nov. 11 at the Marco Players theater, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets range $32 to $34. Themarcoplayers.com.
Mangrove trimming and regulations
At 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. This half day course will provide landscape professionals with knowledge and skills related to mangrove maintenance, and will consist of a combination of demonstrations, hands-on learning, discussion and lecture. Rookerybay.org/calendar. Information: 239-530-5940.
ONGOING
The artwork of Cheryl Costley
The Marco Island Public Library and the Marco Island Foundation for the Arts (MIFA) work together to bring the work of local artists to public view during monthly exhibits at the library. The fiber art of Cheryl Costley will be on exhibit for the months of September and October at the Marco Island Library branch on Heathwood Drive. To see more of Cheryl’s work, visit her website at www.cherylcostley.com.
Daytime Pickle Ball at the Marco YMCA
The daytime pickle ball courts are now available. Players can enjoy the advanced round robins on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and those who are beginners or intermediates can play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Time frame for all is 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. The program is free to members and only $15 for others. Instructional clinics are slated to begin in October 2018. www.marcoymca.org.
Interactive exhibit: ‘I Remember Marco’
The Marco Island Historical Society’s (MIHS) interactive exhibit, “I Remember Marco,” at the Marco Island Historical Museum. The exhibit is open to the public until Oct. 4, and admission is free. Visitors are invited to share stories and recollections about Marco Island and its history by participating in photo opportunities to share via social media, interactive question stations, and recording responses to the exhibit’s memory-inspiring Marco Island artifacts and images. Prizes will be awarded to selected participants. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is handicapped accessible. For general information visit www.themihs.org or call 239-389-6447.
Parallel Harmonies: Art and Nature
This collection of work by Cesar Aguilera, Paul Arsenault, Juan Diaz, and Katia Miranda celebrates the relationship between the artist and the natural world that inspires him or her. Through Oct. 31 at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. Closing reception: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26.
Ten Thousand Island Waverunner Guided Excursions
Daily Tours at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Marco Island Watersports, with three locations, JW Marriott Marco Island, Hilton Marco Island and Marriott’s Crystal Shores Marco Island. 90-minute tours. Experience the native wildlife that resides in the mangrove forests while expert tour guides teach about the nature and geography of the region. $225 plus tax, singles or doubles. Check in a half-hour before departure. 239-642-2359.
Lupus support
The Marco/Naples lupus support group meets the third Saturday of each month at Physicians Regional Medical Center, 8300 Collier Blvd, Naples. Meetings are held from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Palm Dining Room. Open to all patients, families and interested parties. Learn to live and cope with Lupus, get current information. Contact Marilyn, 239-398-4800 or Jan, 239-389-2749.
Round Robin Tennis
Round Robin Tennis is available at various times and days for men and women at the Greater Marco Family YMCA, 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island. Eight clay courts are available. Round Robins are free to Marco YMCA members and $15 for community participants. Players must register to play in Round Robins. Registration or information: 239-394-3144, ext. 224.
NOVEMBER
Four One-Act Comedies
8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28 through Dec. 16, at the Marco Players theater, 1089 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets range $32 to $34. Themarcoplayers.com.
For more event listings, navigate to the Entertainment section and click on the WOW To Do List at marconews.com. Calendar items must be emailed to mail@marconews.com and should be submitted at least a week before desired publication.