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Florida: Beaches, Shells & Marine Life, Rodgers And Hart, Florida's River Ecology: Ride An Airboat

Program Number: 19469RJ
Start and End Dates:
2/17/2013 - 2/22/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Price starting at: $949.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Multi-Topic Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Activity Particulars

Walking up to a mile over uneven terrain.



Coordinated by Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.



Florida: Beaches, Shells and Marine Life

Stroll the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico searching for fossils with biologist, as various forms of marine life wash upon its shores. Visit Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory for a look at current cancer research using sharks and other species.Bring water shoes or sneakers for the fossil searches on the beaches. Walking less then one mile on even terrain.



Rodgers And Hart: See a Musical

For almost 20 years Richard Rodgers worked with superb lyricist Lorenz Hart. This legendary team worked to produce songs that are as alive today as when first created for Broadway and Hollywood. Explore their music, lives and relationship.



Florida's River Ecology: Ride An Airboat

Trace America's development and the river's role as it interweaves history, culture, politics, economics, and natural science. Experience a narrated excursion on the vital Myakka River at Myakka State Park.




Sarasota

Situated on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast, Sarasota is rich in cultural treasures and recreational attractions within a short driving distance, including the outstanding John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ringling Museum of the Circus, art galleries, golf courses and beaches.
Accommodations
Enjoy four-star hotel with private baths, A/C, refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron/board, high speed Internet service, heated outdoor swimming pool/spa, fitness center, full service restaurant, cocktail lounge, room service, on site laundry facilities. One dinner on your own to enjoy local cuisine with transportation provided.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
  Sarasota, FL 5 nights
 Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Hotel is located on Lake Osprey in the Nationally Renowned Master Planned Community of Lakewood Ranch, minutes from many of the area attractions. Close to restaurants, a hospital, pharmacy, grocery stores, movie theaters, hair salons etc., some within walking distance.
  Contact info: 6231 Lake Osprey Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240 USA
phone: 941-782-4400
web: www.hilr.com
  Room amenities: In room coffeemakers, refrigerator, microwave, hair dryers, iron/board, data ports, 2 two-line phones, desk, ergonomic chair, high speed Internet service, plug in or wireless, color TV/remote, in-room pay moves, cable/HBO, alarm clock radio.
  Facility amenities: Hotel has a heated outdoor swimming pool/spa, fitness center, full service restaurant, cocktail lounge, room service, on-site laundry facilities, free parking.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $119-$149 AAA discount rate Please make reservations as soon as possible this hotel fills up quickly during season. Please call the hotel directly at 941-782-4400 not the national toll free number in order to receive the AAA discounted rate.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $119-$149 AAA discount rate Please make reservations as soon as possible this hotel fills up quickly during season. Please call the hotel directly at 941-782-4400 not the national toll free number in order to receive the AAA discounted rate.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:30-4:45pm at the Road Scholar registration area at hotel just outside our private meeting room. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 10:30am followed by lunch. You will be staying at Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sarasota, FL
  Nearest city or town:  Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton
  Nearest highway: I-75
  Nearest airport:  Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Sarasota, FL
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Diplomat Taxi
phone: 941-365-8294

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $25
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 min. 
 

Distance:

 

7 miles
   

Taxis are readily available 24hrs a day at the SRQ Airport.
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Starlight Limousine
phone: 941-957-6761
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $85 to hotel
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 
 

Distance:

 

55 miles
   

They use executive town cars and SUVs, please ask for Rick.
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Sarasota Tampa Express
phone: 800-326-2800
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$35 to SRQ Airport or office of Sarasota Tampa Express
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 30 min 
 

Distance:

 

55 miles
   

Please call in advance for reservations. You will then need to call a taxi to take to the hotel. They can tell you who to call and taxis are readily available at the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  I-75 and SRQ Airport, Sarasota, FL From I-75 North or South take exit 213 University Parkway, East, right on Lake Osprey Drive, Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch is on the left. From Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, East on University Parkway - 7 miles, right on Lake Osprey Drive, Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch is on the left.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Check-in Registration & Orientation, Getting to know you
(Sunday, February 17)

Note: Participants do not leave the hotel grounds.
   
 Arrive To: PROGRAM REGISTRATION: Takes place outside our private meeting room. Please visit the Road Scholar registration table between 3:30 - 4:55pm.

HOTEL CHECK-In: 3:00pm, room may be ready earlier.

 Afternoon: ORIENTATION: Begins at 5:00pm in our private meeting room. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety, guidelines, emergency procedures, and any other administrative issues. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.
 Dinner: The dinner will be served at the hotel in the private meeting room at approx. 6:00pm. (There will be a vegetarian option available if you noted a vegetarian preference on your Health & Safety form.)
 Evening: GETTING TO KNOW YOU: After dinner we'll spend some time becoming better acquainted with participants and program staff. Find out what you have in common beyond a love of learning! The rest of the evening is yours to continue making new friends or just to relax and prepare for the full day of activity ahead.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Musical theatre, shark research, field trip to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, evening DVD
(Monday, February 18)

Note: In order to see all of the exhibits at Mote there will be walking up to 1 mile.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and is a continental breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were introduced in 1919, when both attended Columbia University and were asked to write an amateur club show. After writing together for several years, they produced their first successful Broadway musical, The Garrick Gaieties, in 1925, which introduced their hit song, "Manhattan." Listen and discuss their musicals and films.

PRESENTATION: Learn about the shark research taking place at the Mote Marine Laboratory. Mote staff continue their shark obsession with the Shark Habitat, the nation's only congressional designated Center for Shark Research.

 Lunch: Lunch at the Deep Sea Diner a retro '50s-style diner offers a fun atmosphere at Mote Marine.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. Florida has nurse sharks, bull sharks, blacktips and sandbar sharks — among others — and you can get closer than you’d like at Mote’s 135,000-gallon shark habitat. This exhibit is also home to the world’s largest grouper species, the Goliath grouper (yes, he’s a cousin to Florida ’s favorite seafood dish) and some of the world’s most sporting fish: tarpon, snook and redfish. That's nearly a grand slam, by local angling lore.
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel in our private room.
 Evening: Enjoy a DVD that relates to your marine life studies.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Rodgers & Hart their music, lives and relationship, Florida's river ecology, history and culture, Florida's river economics and politics, Interactive walk with shelling expert on a local beach for shell identification.
(Tuesday, February 19)

Note: Enjoy walking up to 1/2 a mile on a sandy beach with uneven terrain.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and will be continental breakfast with eggs and a breakfast meat on the third and fifth mornings.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Rodgers & Hart their music, lives and relationship.

PRESENTATION: Florida's river ecology, history and culture.

 Lunch: Lunch catered by hotel's restaurant in our private meeting room.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Florida's river economics and politics.

FIELD TRIP: Visit a local beach with a shelling expert for a close up look at Florida shells. There are over 50,000 different kinds of shells (ie, seashells and landsnails and fresh water shell-bearing Molluscs), many with dozens or even hundreds of color and pattern combinations to find and enjoy. Expert will help to identify various shells you may find on the beach as you walk. Learn the various types of shells you will encounter as you walk on the beach. Learn what is rare and what is common. Shelling guide will be provided for your use during the field trip.

 Dinner: Dinner will be served at the hotel.
 Evening: HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: Game Night!
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Myakka River State Park for ride on a giant airboat, picnic lunch, Dinner on your own in the Lakewood Ranch area.
(Wednesday, February 20)

Note: Walking at Myakka State Park could be up to 1 mile on paths and uneven terrain. The giant airboat ride is very smooth.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and is a continental breakfast.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Myakka River State Park and discover how The Myakka was designated a Florida Wild and Scenic River by State legislature in 1985. It is one of only two rivers in Florida to be recognized with this special status. The act provides for preservation and management of the 34-mile portion of the river within Sarasota County.

Hop aboard one of the world's largest airboats, the Myakka Maiden or the Gator Gal, and take a scenic cruise of the Upper Myakka Lake. Hear intriguing stories about the alligator, anhinga and sandhill crane as you become acquainted with the variety of creatures that make their home here. These slow-moving but powerful air-powered boats venture into shallow, grassy areas where traditional craft of such size could not go. The leisurely ride is safe and smooth, allowing ample time for photographs.

 Lunch: Picnic lunch at the state park.
 Afternoon: CONTINUATION OF FIELD TRIP: The canopy walkway is on a spur trail that goes off of the Boylston Nature Trail. Group walk to the spur trail and then to the walkway, it takes about 5 minutes to reach the walkway. Then take to the treetops with a stroll along the canopy walkway. Return to the hotel and relax before dinner.
 Dinner: Dinner on your own at a Lakewood Ranch area restaurant. Opportunity to dine with new friends with transportation provided.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Roger's & Hart, Florida River presentation, field trip to park on the Key, see the play "The Heidi Chronicles," at the Asolo.
(Thursday, February 21)

Note: Uneven walking up to one mile through various uneven terrain, shorelines, sandy beaches and mangrove areas. When attending the theatre the bus will drop participants off in front of theatre and will pick up in front of the theatre.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and will be continental breakfast with eggs and a breakfast meat on the third and fifth mornings.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Learn how Hart's lyrics, facile, vernacular, dazzling, sometimes playful, sometimes melancholic, raised the standard for Broadway songwriting. His ability to write cleverly and to come up with unexpected, polysyllabic rhymes was something of a trademark and learn how he also had the even rarer ability to write with utmost simplicity and deep emotion.

PRESENTATION: Talkback on your airboat ride at Myakka River State Park.

 Lunch: Lunch will be at the hotel in our private meeting room.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: To a park on the Key with expert to view the Coastal Ecosystems and help you identify varied forms of marine life, native coastal plants and fossils. In order to fully appreciate this experience you will get your feet wet. (water shoes or old sneakers are recommended.)
 Dinner: Dinner at the hotel or at an area restaurant.
 Evening: PERFORMANCE: See the play "The Heidi Chronicles," at the Asolo Theatre, by Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Laura Kepley.

If you were a woman finding your way in the world between the 1960s and 1980s, you might think that this play was all about you. After surviving three decades of juggling her career and her personal life, baby boomer art historian Heidi Holland looks back at her quest to “have it all” and tries to figure out what’s missing now that she’s actually got it. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, Wasserstein’s funny and touching play still mirrors the emotional trials faced by all of us as we try to figure out the big question: What should we do with our lives?

   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Wrap up of week with a musical theatre presentation.
(Friday, February 22)

Note: Stay on the hotel grounds, program ends.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be served in the private meeting room and is a continental breakfast.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Wrap-up of the magical music of Rodgers & Hart.
 Lunch: Opportunity to create your own sandwich with a to go lunch offered on Fridays to allow students who need to catch an early flight to take their lunch with them. Students who do not need to leave can enjoy their lunch in the meeting room or on the patio by the pool. Program ends at 10:30am followed by lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Sarasota, FL Sarasota attractions
Sarasota is known as the cultural arts center of Florida. The area has a plethora of activities: Selby Botanical Gardens, Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Marine Aquarium, Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Florida WestCoast Symphony, Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Sarasota Ballet Co., Asolo Theatre Co., Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. The area also offers several high quality beaches, boat rentals, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. Hiking in two local state parks. The Sarasota Polo Club is close to the Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch. For additional information, visit www.sarasotafl.org/
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Birds of Florida


Author: Bill Pranty, Kurt Radamaker and Gregory Kennedy


Notes On Broadway: Intimate Conversations with Broadway’s Greatest Songwriters


Author: Kasha, Al and Joel Hirshhorn


Collectible Florida Shells


Author: R Tucker Abbott Abbott, Ph.D.


Florida's Rivers


Author: Charles Boning


Lorenz Hart


Author: Frederick Nolan


Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.


Author: Cynthia Barnett


Myakka


Author: P. J. Benshoff


Description: Explore Myakka River State Park as each page takes you into the shady hammocks of twisted oaks and aerial gardens, down the wild and scenic river. When you visit the park, the adventures described here are sure to awaken your primate instincts to explore the unknown. The possibilities for new and exciting experiences are unending. If you return to the same places at different times of the year, you'll find enough adventures to last a lifetime.



Rodgers and Hart: A Duel Biography


Author: Marx and Clayton


Somewhere for Me: A Biography of Richard Rodgers


Author: Meryle Secrest


The Shark Handbook: The Essential Guide for Understanding the Sharks of the World


Author: Skomal, Dr. Greg




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