Former PB Post columnist Eliot Kleinberg speaks to P&P on Saturday, February 14

Eliot will share stories from his popular book “Weird Florida” at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

Eliot Kleinberg, a former longtime reporter and history columnist for The Palm Beach Post, will be the guest speaker at the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 14, at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, part of Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413.

The meeting is free and open to everyone -- current and past club members, club visitors and guests and the public.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive for socializing starting at 1:30 p.m.

Eliot’s topic: “Weird Florida”

Description: “Any time you jam descendants of slaves, rednecks, Indians, con artists, carpetbaggers, drug smugglers, fugitives, UFO abductees, strippers, alligators and political refugees into a flat peninsula surrounded by water . . . you get a pretty weird place. Weird Florida.”

So says lifelong resident and award-winning journalist Eliot Kleinberg of his home state. Kleinberg chronicles Florida's weirdness in his popular book -- and he's not making it up.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Eliot Kleinberg spent nearly four decades as a reporter, including more than 33 years at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach. In addition to covering local news, he also wrote extensively about Florida and Florida history.

“Post Time,” his weekly local history column, ran in the Neighborhood Post section of The Post for two decades.

He has written more than a dozen books, all about Florida. They include “Black Cloud,” on the great 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, and two “Weird Florida” books.

Eliot recently published his first novel, “Peace River,” which presents lesser-known facts about the Civil War, and life in Florida during that period.

After his presentation, Eliot will be signing and selling his books.

MEETING REMINDER
--Who: Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club
--What: February club meeting
--Speaker: Eliot Kleinberg
--When: Saturday, February 14, 2 p.m.
--Social time: Starts at 1:30 p.m.
--Where: Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413
--Directions: From Jog Road, take Forest Hill Boulevard 1.2 miles west to Eshleman Trail (the second Okeeheelee Park entrance). Turn right (north) and follow the signs and road 1.6 miles to the Nature Center, which is in the back of the park.
--Questions: Text or call 561-312-2765.

Before the meeting: Please bring produce to support Okeeheelee’s ‘Animal Ambassadors’

Please bring your extra produce to the party. Produce can be placed on the table in the back of the meeting room.

Here are the produce and specialty items that will be particularly helpful to the Nature Center:

--Apples (loved by the deer and Paisley, the opossum)

--Carrots (for the deer, opossum and insects)

--Celery (favorites of the deer)

--Sweet Potatoes (loved by the deer, opossum and insects)

--Unsalted Almonds (for the deer)

--Canned Cat Food (loved by Paisley)

--Unscented “Puppy Pads for Paisley”

--Plain Epsom Salt (used by Luigi, the diamondback terrapin)

--Wild Bird Seed with no corn or fillers (for the local birds at the bird feeders)

(Note: Please do not bring citrus or iceberg lettuce.)

Produce donations help to feed animals throughout the beautiful natural area at the park. And our club receives credit for our produce donations!

REMINDER: We also have a donation jar on the table. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase produce for the next monthly meeting.

The Nature Center gratefully thanks you for your generous donations at each meeting.

Looking ahead: Our events preview slide show for the next four weeks!

Near the end of the meeting, we will view Michael Barr’s slide show presentation of upcoming events and trips that will include comments from trip organizers!

We will learn about events and trips for the next four weeks – plus trips that you will need to plan for far in advance!

WHERE TO FIND A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:

NEW! You can now join or renew using our new Electronic Membership Form!

--ELECTRONIC MEMBERSHIP FORM:

Ready to join or renew for 2026?

Just click on our new Electronic Membership Form:

https://form.jotform.com/mbarrdragon2/pb-pnp-member-app-2026

--IN PERSON: Pick up a membership application at a club meeting or event.

QUESTIONS?

For questions about the Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting, please call or text 561-312-2765.