Fun In The Sun!
Views from the Boardwalks
Morning arrived softly on the Gulf Coast as Mel slipped into her convertible and headed toward the beach. By the time she pulled into the parking lot at Nokomis Beach, only a handful of early risers were there—unpacking chairs, coolers, and the small comforts that make a day at the shore feel complete.
Few beach finds are as cheerful and eye-catching as coquina shells. Small, glossy, and splashed with colors ranging from soft pink and lavender to gold, cream, and violet, these little shells often catch the light like polished gems. For many Venice beachgoers, spotting them along the shoreline turns an ordinary walk into a treasure hunt. Beyond their beauty, coquinas are fascinating little clams with an important role in coastal ecosystems—and they have even inspired simple seaside cooking traditions such as coquina soup.
On occasion you may have seen a cluster of small one and two person sailboats maneuvering through local waters under the watchful eyes of instructors aboard motorboats. In the Venice area what you were very likely witnessing was one of the many Venice Youth Boating Association (VYBA) sailing classes.
Oscar Scherer State Park...
A Wild Oasis!
Tucked away between the popular coastal communities of Sarasota and Venice lies an unexpected sanctuary of old-world Florida. The Oscar Scherer State Park, a pristine 1,400-acre expanse located in Osprey, stands as a stunning
testament to preservation. Oscar Scherer offers an immersive escape for nature lovers of all ages.
Frosted, smooth, and colorful pieces of glass, each with a unique history, are being discovered on shorelines across America. Uncovered by the changing tides, these beautifully worn pieces of glass resemble precious gemstones. Pounding waves and water flows saturate the surface of the glass, leaching the soda and lime components and leaving behind colorful molten silica shards of glass.
Rock painting has become a very popular activity for the young and the young at heart, and there are many reasons for that. It is a creative expression that brings joy and at the same time can provide an avenue for stress release. No special skills are needed to enjoy rock painting—it is simply a lot of fun! The components of the activity are easy to come by, and it is an inexpensive hobby bridging art and nature.
Summertime Blues
Spending time at the shore is a wonderful way to enjoy nature at its best. The beautiful blue water and the sounds of the waves rolling in are reminders that every day is a new day and a prime time to enjoy life. Floridians in our area are fortunate to be able to travel just a few miles to reach paradise. We invite you to spend the day with us as we enjoy the summertime blues…
The Lifeguard Tower:
A Perch with a Purpose!
Although these waterfront fixtures may seem simple, they have been very purposefully designed. In this article, we take a closer look at these structures, revealing how they serve a multitude of important functions and, in some instances, can even be a colorful expression of a city's or area's unique character.
