Art Lecture with Nick Hauser – November 20, 2025 – 2:30PM – 3:30PM

Winslow Homer was a chronicler of the Civil War whose works hang in the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art. After the War he became a chronicler of the Old West and the rising upper class on the East Coast. The range of his works is incredible, from sailing in dangerous water, fishing, scenes of the new England Coast to family dinners and recess at school. After trips to Europe he developed his own American brand of Impressionism. Homer is also known for his paintings of life in Florida where he spent much time in his later years. Homer also redefined iconic American images, which might be his greatest claim to fame.

Art Lecture with Nick Hauser – October 15, 2025 – 2:30PM – 3:30PM

Claude Monet was an Impressionist painter who started out in Normandy. He painted for over 80 years and his painting, Impressions: Sunrise gave the name to Impressionism. Learn about the roots of Impressionism, Monet’s use of color, his critical relationship with his brother, who owned a new coal tar dyeworks.  One hundred years before Andy Warhol, Claude Monet serialized his paintings, painting large series of landscapes at Etretat on the coast of the English Channel (La Manche) , haystacks, poplar trees, church facades under different light and finally water lilies in  a pond. His final works set the stage for the revolution called Modern Art. During the presentation we will take a closer look at his technique.

Claude Monet. Houses of Parliament 

Friends Book Sale – August 27 – August 30, 2025

Purchase Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Magazines, Puzzles, etc. at discounted prices

Wednesday, August 27th – 3PM-7PM – Members Only

Thursday, August 28th – 10AM – 7PM

Friday, August 29th – 10AM – 5PM

Saturday, August 30th – 9AM – 3PM

March 15, 2025 – 1-3PM – Antiques Appraisal Show by Board Certified Appraiser Andrew Ford

Bring your antiques and collectibles to find out what they’re worth! Andrew Ford will give you information about you precious items and appraise them for you.

February 15, 2025 – 11AM – IMPROV by Will Luera, Director of IMPROV at Florida Studio Theater

Discover the freedom of spontaneity and prepare to laugh! Improv for everyone led by Will Luera will show how to think quickly on your feet, explore creativity, hone our comedic voice, and build self-confidence.

January 18, 2025 – 11AM – “Send Me No Flowers” (Broadway play) by Arts Alliance Play Readers

A comedy about a hypochondriac who wrongly believes he is dying and make plans for his wife’s future. Misunderstandings and hilarious confusion run rampant.

December 21, 2024 – 11AM – Holiday Music for the Family by Aloha Ukelele Group

A medley of all our favorite holiday music will be performed by singers and instrumentalists spreading “joyous noise” and holiday fun!

Friends Book Sale – Purchase Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Magazines, Puzzles, etc. at discounted prices.

Tuesday – August 27, 2024 – 3PM – 7PM – Members Only

Wednesday – August 28, 2024 – 10AM – 7PM

Thursday – August 29, 2024 – 10AM – 6PM

Friday – August 30, 2024 – No Book Sale – Library Closed due to Training Event

Saturday – August 31, 2024 – 9AM – 3PM

Giving Challenge – Noon 4/9/24 – Noon 4/10/24

The Friends of the Braden River Library are again participating in this year’s
Giving Challenge fundraiser. We were successful in raising over $5,000.00 in the
last Giving Challenge in 2022 and hope with your help to exceed that figure this
year.
While donations in any amount will be gratefully received, The Patterson
Foundation of Sarasota will match donations of $25.00 to $100.00 made online
between April 9 at noon and April 10 at noon. We hope you will take advantage
of this opportunity to have your gift doubled.
We are grateful for your continued support through donations as well as your
membership dues. More information about what this donation provides is on the
Giving Challenge website, givingchallenge.org under Friends of the Braden River
Library.
We invite you to mark your calendars for April 9 at noon and meet us in the lobby
at the Braden River Library for the kick-off event to this campaign. There will be
displays showing what your donations can help pay for and a special gift and
snacks for the first 100 attendees. Assistance in making online donations will be
available.
Donations to the Friends of the Library are a fantastic way to show your support
for your local library. These donations go above and beyond your membership
dues and help to fund essential programs, resources, and events that we may
not be able to offer otherwise.

Please click on the following website to donate: https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/friends-of-the-braden-river-library?fbclid=IwAR0wIJg8b3-NteBE2vzPTEUddbdd0e7mR5qViZoTnSbU4cVxz-CjLHonXcQ_aem_AcC9-EKrCTbSIwVn9uq8JDn690RWozNvGJk

4/13/24 – 11AM – Adult – Mayhem in Manatee! by Kristyn Miner, Supervisor of the Manatee Village Historical Park.

4/1/24 – 1PM – Adult – Active Shooters by Deputy Tom Kaczmarek, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

03/16/24 – 11AM – Adult – Barbershop Quartet

The “Barbershop Quartet,” a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society founded in 1938, will perform music genres including classic ballads, 50s/60s pop, patriotic, show tunes, inspirational and even a comedic song or two.  As with most superheros, the identity of Achilles will remain a mystery!

2/17/24 – 1-3PM – eBay 101 – The Basics of Buying and Selling on eBay by Mike & Sue Ivankovich

This program is ideal for those who have rarely or never used eBay but want to learn about Buying and Selling on it.  Mike & Sue will explain the basics of using eBay. Even intermediate eBay users will probably learn some valuable tips with this program.

2/12/24 – 10-11AM – Meditation Workshop

Come join us in this introductory workshop to explore the basics of mindfulness meditation. It is theory and practice as well as providing physical, mental and spiritual benefits. Taught by Manching Tom, certified Mediation Teacher. Registration is required.

Consider bringing a cushion or pillow for additional support in your chair.

1/27/24 – 9:00-3:00PM – Book Sale Open to General Public

1/26/24 – 10:00-5:30PM – Book Sale Open to General Public

1/25/24 – 10:00-7:00PM – Book Sale Open to General Public

1/24/24 – 3-7PM – Members Only Book Sale1/20/24 – 10:45AM – Annual Meeting of Friends of the Braden River Library

1/20/24 – 11AM –  Adult – IMPROV – Will Luera, Director of Improv at Florida Studio Theater

Discover the freedom of spontaneity and prepare to laugh!  Will Luera will teach us to think quickly on our feet, explore creativity, hone our comedic voice, and build self-confidence.  We will learn how to play together, make others look good, support each other, and have fun, all while learning some classic improv games.

12/16/23 – 11AM – Family – Holiday Music by Aloha Ukulele Group

Aloha Ukulele Club is a group that loves spreading a “joyous noise,”  will perform a medley of all our favorite holiday music.  From beginners to seasoned players, as well as singers and many instrumentalists, all are welcome to join the fun. Aloha Ukulele Club is a group that loves spreading a “joyous noise,”  will perform a medley of all our favorite holiday music.  From beginners to seasoned players, as well as singers and many instrumentalists, all are welcome to join the fun.

12/7/23 – Adult – Nick Hauser Lecture on the Battle of the Bulge 

11/16/23 – Adult – Nick Hauser Lecture on Modern Native American Art

10/19/23 – Adult – Nick Hauser Lecture on Gustav Klimt & Friends

9/21/23 – Adult – Nick Hauser Lecture on Edvard Minch & Friends

September – Adult – Manchin Tom Yoga – 5 Weeks

8/9 – 8/12 – Friends Book Sale.  Books, DVD’s, CD’s, Puzzles for sale.  Wednesday, 8/9 designated for Friends Members only, you can join at the event.  Wednesday 3-7PM, Thursday 10-7PM, Friday 10-5:30PM, Saturday 9-3PM.

8/7/23 – Adult – Sheriff Tom Kaczmarek – Residential Security – 1:00PM – This lecture discusses steps needed to secure our residence and help limit the chances of being a victim.

July – Adult – Dan Stephens History Program – DeSoto National Memoria

3/23/23 – Nick Hauser presents Post Impressionism:  Van Gogh, Gaugin, Pissaro- 3:00-4:00PM

3/18/23- American Trilogy – 11-Noon.

Dave DeLuca, accomplished singer, songwriter and musician celebrates three men who lived the American dream, rising from humble beginnings to become internationally-renowned musical superstars: Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

2/14/23 – Beyond Beginners Ukelele – 12:15-1:45PM – Also each Wednesday

Kathleen Reynolds leads the group.  Beginner Ukelele is a pre-requisite.

Masterpieces of Western Art 1/26/2023.  How the West was drawn!  Explore the work of painters and photographers of the American West.  Learn more about this unique American contribution to the history of art.

Plaza Suite 1/21/2023.  This classic play by Neil Simon about three resident couples in a particular suite in the Plaza Hotel in NY, NY.

Battle of the Bulge Presented by Nick Hauser – 12/16/2022

On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive in the Ardennes forests in Belgium. Learn how American forces were surrounded but fought on and did not surrender.

Eyewitness to Dachau – 10/7/2022

Join 96 year-old Chuck Palmeri, as he presents “Eyewitness to Dachau.”

Art and Culture:  Impressionist Painters – 6/16/2022

Explore the roots of Impressionism, its role in Paris, the Classic and American Impressionism and beyond.

Asolo Rep Theatre Guild Play – 5/11/2022

This play, “Bintel Brief”, is about the time after the war when Jewish people came to America to start a new life and needed advice on certain customs that were new to them.

Life in the Circus – 3/26/2022

Aaron Watkins, a circus performer at the Circus Arts Conservatory will perform and discuss aspects of circus life.

Basic Yoga with Addie Balde – 3/1, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5/2022

Explore basic yoga movements in this five-session series.

What’s It Worth? – 2/18/2022

In this Antiques Roadshow-type program an expert Appraiser and Auctioneer appraises attendee’s treasures.