This is something you’ll want to get into your schedule right away. It’s the Environmental Learning Center’s study group of the wonderful Florida book, “A Land Remembered.” The study group begins Oct. 2. Ranked #1 Best Florida Book multiple times by Florida Monthly Magazine, this book takes readers through the lives of three generations of a Florida family – from 1858 when Florida “Crackers” had seemingly insurmountable challenges, and on into 1968, when the now-wealthy family battles the hardest challenge of all: human greed. The epic tale includes battles with wild animals, Confederate deserters, mosquitos, starvation, hurricanes and more. Its author, Patrick Smith, was a soft-spoken, kind man with a rich southern voice and who infused heart and dignity into the Cracker family’s story. The book, which was first published in 1984 and has had at least 14 hardcover reprints, was won Most Outstanding Florida Historical Novel by the Florida Historical Society. “Our main hope is a deeper connection with the land itself, as a living, breathing force of nature,” says Sonya Louise, co-leader of the study group. The study group is part of the ELC’s “Wellness in the Wild,” a new woman-centered series beginning 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 with a lecture on achieving and actualization, and then a connecting stroll through nature. The complete series runs through March 2022. But do plan ahead for the book study group. “We wanted to make it more than a book club,” says co-leader Jennifer Satterly. “We wanted to get more in depth with the book instead of just having a conversation.” “A Land Remembered” Study Group runs 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays starting Oct. 2 at the Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr., Vero Beach. Price without book is $50, with the book is $65. (You can pick up the book at the gift shop ahead of time.) The first meeting will cover chapters 1 to 11, so arrive prepared to engage in a lively discussion. For more information, call 772-589-5050 or visit DiscoverELC.org.
For entertainment and a good time galore, head to the Recycle Derby Saturday afternoon at Walking Tree Brewery and co-sponsored by Coastal Connections. This is the event where you see amateur drivers hop into their homemade derby cars made mostly of recyclable materials and take to a fun course loaded with challenges like hills, weavings and sudden fire drills around a stopped go-cart. In addition to speed and race cart driving know-how, participants can get showmanship points via outrageous team costumes, performance and/or soundtracks for their race. Organizers hope to make this an annual event to help raise awareness of Vero Goes Zero, an initiative designed to raise awareness of recycling and reducing single-use plastic. “This is going to be the most unique and exciting event this town has seen yet,” says organizer Kendra Cope, founder and executive director of Coastal Connections. She’ll be driving a derby car as well, which, she said, has a turtle involved in its design. The event is free for spectators. Portions of vendor proceeds will help fund Coastal Connections, a sea turtle organization focused on conservation of sea turtles in Vero Beach. The event runs noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Walking Tree Brewery, 3209 Dodger Road, Vero Beach. Call 772-217-3502 or visit WalkingTreeBrewery.com.
