Issue No. 7 | Spring 2023

ISSUE NO. 7 | SPRING 2023

CONTENTS

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David Tejada

by Emma Taylor

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Bradenton City Hall on the Move

by Shelly West

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A Hop, Skip and Jump from Bradenton

by Kelly Stilwell

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Bradenton Business Owners

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Geoff Pinter

Mixologist from Harry’s Continental Kitchens

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Kim’s Krew

Serving the Needs of Families in Manatee County

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Welcome Spring with Tried-and-True Traditions form Around the World

by Sarah Fish

Photo by: Paula Wright, Publisher

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Realize Bradenton - Start-Up Circle Entrepreneurship Program

by Emma Taylor

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Manatee County Habitat for Humanity From homelessness to homeownership: Home is the key to a brighter future

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Bradenton Celebrates 100 Years of Baseball

by Travis Cornwell

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The Bali Hai

by Liz Reed

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Local Camps for Kids

by Kendra Gemma

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My “Go Green”

by Paula Wright

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M ISS I O N

support local

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David Tejada

BY EMMA TAYLOR Bradenton recently acquired a new creative resident in renowned photographer David Tejada. Tejada has enjoyed a successful career as a commercial photographer that has spanned 40 years and led him to 57 different countries. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, Tejada brings a fresh worldly vision to Manatee County with some exciting ideas for new projects.

Photography was just a hobby for the Newport Beach, California, native when he was working as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines in the late 1970s. Tejada was selling his “Ansel Adams-esque” art prints to fellow flight attendants when fate came knocking in the form of commercial photographer Joe Baraban.

Baraban boarded one of Tejada’s flights toting ample camera equipment and the two struck up a conversation that would open the door for Tejada’s long and prolific career as a professional photographer.

“It was November when I met him (Baraban) and I was preparing to bid for Christmas off.

Instead, I bid for a schedule that would allow me to fly out to Los Angeles to watch him work. We did a capabilities brochure for Shell Oil. It was the first time I’d seen strobe lights, umbrellas—all that sort of stuff. I was really a ‘rock and tree, wilderness’ kind of guy. After five days of shooting this assignment, my heart just sank when they dropped me off. I had found myself as a man and I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Tejada says powerfully of his first glimpse into the realm of commercial photography. The trip eventually led to a job offer and Tejada quit his position with the airline and moved to 10 | BMAG

Houston, Texas. He worked for Baraban for about a year and a half before relocating to Denver and setting up his own business in 1983.

Once settled back in Colorado, Tejada made a name for himself focusing his work on a niche that he refers to as “big industry”—photographing for Fortune 500 companies primarily in the fields of oil and gas, mining, and engineering. However, Tejada also came to specialize in location work. And his willingness to travel over his four decades in the corporate sphere has fostered partnerships with a wide array of companies throughout his career.

But Tejada’s corporate success shouldn’t be mistaken for a loss of his artistic roots. He’s a devoted student of light and has developed and taught programs around the world to share his artistic vision. “I love shooting people and it’s a strength of mine. Sometimes corporate work can be very safe—not so dramatic in lighting, but I love to light. I became pretty well known for my use of what are called ‘speed lights’—small flashes that go on top of a 35mm camera,” he says.

The photography world took notice of Tejada’s unique approach to lighting and doors began to open for him as an instructor on the subject.

Tejada spent nine years teaching workshops in locations around the world for Popular Photography magazine.

He developed a program for Santa Fe Photographic Arts Workshops in New Mexico called “Small Strobes, Big Results.” And he eventually brought the program overseas at the encouragement of an Austrian student attending his Santa Fe-based course. His workshop went on to serve as credit toward admission to an artists’ guild—a necessity for prospective professional photographers in Austria. Tejada has shared his techniques and lighting methods from New Mexico to Maine, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Dubai, and now, Bradenton.

Tejada’s wife, Deb, once lived in Sarasota and the two have vacationed in the area many times over the years. While Tejada maintains many long-standing accounts, the pandemic brought on a new professional landscape in the world of commercial photography and a change of location seemed to go along with it.

Admittedly a “humidity hater,” Tejada decided to come down to Florida for a month-long trial run in July of 2021 to really test his fortitude among the viscous atmosphere. During which time he shot “about seven or eight assignments” for Sarasota Magazine, and he and Deb came off their stay with an intent to call the area home.

Perhaps the air isn’t the only sticky thing about the Tampa Bay Area.

While retirement would be ageappropriate and within Tejada’s means, it doesn’t seem to be in his nature. As in the climate of many creative minds, his ideas seem to have no age nor financial agenda.

Recently, Tejada has started carving out a concept for a new project—dignified representations of seniors “in their element.”

“My work is very polished, and I’d love to be able to make ordinary people look like they belong in an ad. It’s not a traditional portrait. It’s an environmental snapshot that places them where they belong—where they’re remembered most by family—If dad was always sailing if mom was always cooking.

I want those very cherished memories to be imprinted on those images. Why take them out of their known environment and put a backdrop behind them? That’s not where I’m at.

I’d love to get out on someone’s boat and make them like they’re in a Louis Vuitton ad. That would be something they’d never forget,” Tejada says of the burgeoning project.

In the meantime, Tejada has begun a collaboration with a new marketing firm out of Sarasota called Vivid Studios Digital Agency and is taking jobs that keep him busy based on very simple criteria. “I don’t care how large or small the projects are. I just like to be active and take pictures,” he says.

The original idea for this issue’s cover of Bradenton Magazine was a drone shot of Old Main Street, but some pesky trees proved problematic for an aerial perspective. So, Tejada and Editor-in-Chief, Paula Wright, put their heads together and the result is this beautifully composed shot of the downtown harbor.

Tejada’s creative passion and experience are sure to have an impact on the growing artistic community in Manatee County.

Once he and Deb finish the renovation their new home, you may run into him on the water fishing, or you can contact him for commissions.

Tejada’s work can be viewed on his website: davidtejada.com.

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Photo credit: David X Tejada 14 | BMAG

Bradenton City Hall on the Move

BY SHELLY WEST Situated on Old Main Street in Bradenton, the City Hall is an unassuming yet charming Spanish-style structure on sprawling four-plus acres of prime, not to mention valuable city, and riverfront real estate. Sharing the building with the Bradenton Police department, City Hall services the public in the epicenter of what is Bradenton.

That is all set to change. After much deliberation, the city council has decided to put the City Hall and the property it sits on up for sale. This includes the building and surrounding land, equaling 5.64 acres on the parent site.

The decision to sell the building and relocate the city offices and the police department was not an easy one. The impact on the surrounding neighborhoods, traffic, and infrastructure was considered heavily. The city hired an independent appraisal firm in 2022 to establish a fair market value for the building site and surrounding land.

Another firm conducted a comprehensive use study and evaluation of the impact this project would have on the community. The Regional Economic Consulting Group provided the Council with a list of questions to provide to the developers, which served as a general guide for the use of the space.

The proposed massive project will change the face of the downtown core in a potentially overdue way. Some might not like change, but it’s worth a look when this type of change projects a highly positive economic impact on the immediate area and beyond, bringing potentially millions to stimulate the local economy.

On January 25, 2023, the City Hall hosted a workshop where the public was permitted to listen to the proposals from three builders for developing the City Hall property. These being early days, deciding who will purchase the property is expected to take several months. The Council desires to be methodical and explore various proposed options that would impact

employment, labor income, value added to the region, and economic input.

Potential labor jobs this project would create could well exceed 1,500 jobs and around five hundred jobs in operational.

While the city emphasizes the desire to maintain transparency with the community, and to that extent, throughout this process, the Council intends to keep the voices of the community heard.

The focus of the development is to provide mixed-use space to include upscale condos for sale, multi-family rental housing, ground-floor retail, dining, and the possibility of a hotel.

In his presentation, Jim Zboril of L & L Development Group said, “We intend to curate a place that creates a buzz in the downtown area that is lifestyle-driven.”

The lifestyle that all three bidders presented was an upscale use that would service the existing community and draw visitors from neighboring communities, thus stimulating the local businesses.

With all this potential growth and change to the downtown core, losing what Bradenton is and what it should look like was of great concern to the citizens who attended the meeting and the Council. The consensus was that the project needs to maintain the core feeling of Old Main Street without losing sight of the durability and ability to be flexible and progressive.

All three bidders presented plans or ideas consistent for providing multi-family housing.

Ryan Solow, President of Development with Silver Hills Development Inc. and Edwards Co., stated, “Multi-family activates a community.

It brings high energy to the downtown.” The multi-family housing will be luxury or upscale, appealing to the living and working families in the core area.

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The fiscal benefit is bringing density to the urban core, but how will that impact the existing infrastructure?

The Council is taking parking, emergency services, water, sewer, and traffic concerns into account as well. Once the Council has decided which vendor will win the bid, deciding on a construction plan and infrastructure studies will be part of the decision-making process.

In a separate conversation with Rob Perry, Bradenton City Administrator, he expressed the Council’s desire for the project to “Keep Bradenton the best Bradenton it can be.”

This sentiment was expressed throughout the workshop. The emphasis was not on trying to emulate the success of our neighboring cities like Sarasota, St. Petersburg, or Tampa. The Council’s goals are to keep the Old Main Street vibe while making the core a place where people want to live, dine, shop, and explore the beautiful Riverwalk.

For those who are concerned about the library, which is two blocks away from City Hall, Perry added, “There have been questions about the status of the library. It will remain for now. There are no plans at the moment to change.” He also emphasized how he felt it was important to the area to have the library as part of the downtown community.

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“Maximum success involves a community led by a visionary group of officials,” adds Perry.

“The community has an incredible opportunity for economic growth, quality of life, and making downtown a special place.”

There are also many opportunities for those who seek affordable housing to live in the downtown area or close to the core. These projects are either planned or currently in various stages of being under construction.

Two completed projects are The Addison at 702 6th Avenue E, and Grand Palms, at 1715 14th St. W. In the works but not completed are NINE20, located at 920 Manatee Avenue, W., The Astoria on 9th at 2111 9th Street, and Riverview 6 901 6th Avenue W. All these projects are to fill the need for affordable housing, especially for people who want to live in the city. Many are professionals, teachers, nurses, police, fire, or even retirees.

Making new attainable housing available is a smart way to build a diverse and livable community that activates the city, infusing the desired buzz.

The Council emphasized they intend to take this one step at a time. The earliest they anticipate taking that next step will be mid-year. After all, keeping Bradenton great takes some careful planning and time.

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A HOP, SKIP AND JUMP

from Bradenton

By Kelly Stilwell

Where to go when you already live in Paradise? We have ideas! Whether you’re looking to hop to a new place for an overnight stay, skip away for a long weekend, or a jump a little further for a week-long getaway, we think you’ll love these destinations!

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HOP Just about 90 minutes from Bradenton is an easy getaway with fantastic luxury shopping, beautiful beaches, and more. Have you been to Naples?

For a family trip, take the kids to Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Zoo, or spend the day making sand castles on the beach. The Naples Pier is the quintessential spot for sunset pics worthy enough for next year’s Christmas card. Note: only part of the Pier is open after destruction from Hurricane Ian. For adults, Naples has upscale shopping above and beyond your typical mall offerings. Check out Fifth Avenue South for boutiques and local art galleries. Third Street South is another perfect spot to window shop or find unique pieces to add to your wardrobe.

You’ll even find antiques and resale stores, always fun to browse.

Golfers will want to check out the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Tiburon, where they can play two different 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman. Another option for an amazing golf experience is at the Naples Grand Golf Club, with a par 72 championship course designed by Rees Jones.

For restaurants, you’ll find everything from coastal deliciousness on the beach to classic French cuisine to food tours where you can taste as you explore the area. You can even experience a Royal Tea at Brambles English Tea Room.

You can’t go wrong with a stay at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, The Inn on Fifth, or the Naples Grand Beach Resort. All are family-friendly with romantic offerings for the special getaway for just you and your significant other.

Naples

SKIP Panama City Beach is quite the drive at almost seven hours, but making it a road trip can be fun. Ocala is just about two hours away and has a plethora of restaurants on Main Street.

After lunch, drive two hours and 45 minutes to reach Tallahassee to stretch your legs as you take a walk through Railroad Square to view the beautiful street art. Another two-hour drive and you’re in PCB. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll find stunning beaches and loads of great seafood restaurants, 21 of them beachfront.

For things to do, take a boat to Shell Island where you can relax and explore seven miles of undeveloped beauty connecting St. Andrews Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. Spotting wildlife is part of the fun, with a good possibility of seeing starfish, both loggerhead and green sea turtles, and deer.

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For shopping and nightlife, check out the Skywheel and Shops of Pier Point. The outdoor shopping complex features 124 shops and dozens of restaurants. Tip: Don’t miss The Yard Milkshake Bar. You’ll also find a lot of live music in PCB. Simply browse the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitor Bureau’s website for locations and more ideas for things to do.

The Yard Milkshake Bar in Panama City

If you don’t want to spend two days driving, you can rent a car and drive one way, or simply fly into and out of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. You’ll find daily flights out of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

A JUMP It’s not possible to drive to Playa del Carmen, but flights are easy and available every day out at SRQ. For the most romantic getaway of your life, head to adults-only Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen, where you won’t have to think about what to do or where to eat as it’s all-inclusive.

Lounge chairs covered with thatch umbrellas await on the beach where you can enjoy the crashing waves and each other. Waiters are at your beck and call for cold beer, cocktails, and food. Tip: The jerk chicken is to die for.

For activities, you can join a beach or pool volleyball game, swim in one of seven pools, taste tequila at one of the bars, chill out in a cenote, take a yoga class on the beach, or take out a paddleboard.

There’s nothing like a nap while on vacation, and taking one in a hammock on the beach is the way to do it at Secrets Moxche.

When it’s time to eat, don’t worry about not having enough variety in the resort restaurants. Secrets Moxche has 11 on-site restaurants from Italian to French to Mexican to sushi. Have a freshly made margarita at one of the seven bars, including a swim-up bar in the main pool.

Once the sun sets, you can take in a live music performance in the open-air amphitheater or experience one of the resort’s incredible live shows. There’s so much to do…or not to do.

We hope we’ve given you ideas for your next getaway. Whether you choose a Hop, Skip, or Jump, one thing is for sure: it’s always good to get back home to Bradenton!

Playa del Carmen

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Solvable Art Mazes by MSG

Prints and originals exclusively at Monark Custom Framing and Art Gallery

John and Kristin Hokanson Owners of Fiorelli Winery

When did you start the business? Why? We purchased Fiorelli Winery in April of 2021. At the time we had just had a newborn baby and were looking to start a new business which would allow us to live where we work and give us more time to spend together as a family.

What is your connection to Bradenton?

My husband, John, and I absolutely love living in Bradenton! I was born and raised in Bradenton and have lived here my entire life. I was in the first graduating class of Lakewood Ranch High School and hope to see our daughter, Madison, graduate from there one day as well!

John moved here from Canada in the late ‘90s to escape the cold and fell in love with Bradenton and its hometown feel.

What is your background? Is this business a result of your passion?

We come from the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Most recently we were the franchise owners of Sonny’s BBQ in Bradenton. We absolutely loved what we did before this, but the restaurant industry can consume your whole

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life and can be exhausting. Just starting a family, we really wanted to start something new that would allow us more time together as a family. I have always had a passion for event planning and we love the customer service industry so when we saw Fiorelli Winery was for sale we fell in love with the idea of hosting weddings and events while also having the winery to bring in new guests each day.

What were your drives to start up?

John and I enjoy working together and feel we each bring a different perspective to the business. We really wanted to be a part of something that we can do together and grow a business that can be successful while also allowing us time together as a family. Family is so important to us, so we really try and incorporate that as much as possible in our business.

Are the Sacrifices worth it?

Owning a business can be difficult at times as you’re always “on,” always thinking about new ways to improve and grow, sometimes it’s hard to turn that part of our brain off but owning a business can also be so rewarding,

seeing all those ideas become reality makes it all worth it in the end!

What are some goals you hope to accomplish with your efforts?

At the end of the day, we just want to be successful. We want folks to come visit our winery and/or host an event here and have an amazing time. We want people to have so much fun that they share their experience with their friends, family and neighbors and come back again and again. We love it when folks come for the first time and then become regulars. That means we’re doing our job!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

We love meeting new people. There are so many interesting and fascinating people in the world. We know we are just a little piece of this town but we love being in Bradenton and love opening our doors to new people. I also love meeting with wedding clients and bringing their vision to life. To see how happy they are on their wedding day just makes my heart so happy and to think they chose to host their wedding at Fiorelli Winery truly means the world to us.

Has it been everything you expected?

It has definitely been an educational experience. It helped

that we had experience in running a business, however, running a winery was new to us. We have really had to educate ourselves in grape farming, harvesting, and making wine.

What makes your services unique?

We are a 10-acre vineyard, we grow six different types of muscadine grapes. We make and produce wine from our vineyard and then we import wine from other areas of the United States and blend those varieties with our wines. All our wines are unique to us as we create the recipes and do all the blending and bottling on property. We are also one of the only vineyards in our area. Our event pavilion is set right in the middle of the vineyard so you have vineyard views on all sides which makes you feel like you’ve been transported to the Italian countryside. It is absolutely beautiful!

What advice would you give someone starting their own business?

Just go for it! Our motto is you only live once so make it the best life possible. If there is something that you are passionate about just go for it and don’t stop until you succeed. There will definitely be bumps in the road and hurdles to jump over but it makes it all the more rewarding in the end.

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Dru Love Owner of Blessed and Distressed When did you start the business?

What is your background?

My literal answer is: I opened Blessed and Distressed Vintage on February 1, 2018.

I have wonderful memories of days spent with my elementary school teacher mom visiting antiques shops, small artistic towns filled with beautiful boutiques, and fun vintage and art fairs. My grandmother taught me to sew as a child– never making me tear out my own mistakes! My mom and I took a plethora of classes, from needlework to painting to upholstery, and wood refinishing. She started a monthly gathering where several strong, professional women got together for cocktails, conversation, and crafting. Each month we learned a new skill from one of the women. Those were joy filled years of real inspiration for me.

What is your connection to Bradenton?

My grandparents moved to Bradenton when I was in middle school. We traveled from Lansing, Michigan once or twice each year to visit them. It was love at first sight for me. I continued visiting Bradenton every chance I had through college and beyond.

In the early ‘80s, I was the executive director of a statewide health association. Much of my job focused on hospitality. I loved the creativity of planning, marketing, and producing educational programs for our physicians, spouses, and their children. Although I traveled a great deal for my job, there was no place I would rather be heading than to Bradenton.

In the late ‘80s, my husband and I visited my grandparents.

Although we visited them every chance we had, there was something different this time. We decided my grandparents could really use some company and clearly needed our assistance. The time had finally come. We packed up and moved to Bradenton. As luck would have it, we found a home right across the street from my grandma and grandpa. It was meant to be, and I was finally blessed to call Bradenton my home.

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My father had a hand in my obsession. I had no desire to live the college “dorm life” so he allowed me to live in one of three of his rather well-worn vintage homes that had been divided into multi-family units. It was there that I received my “education by fire” fixing and maintaining old things – plumbing, walls, light fixtures, etc. I remember calling my father to tell him that I couldn’t fix an old toilet and needed to call a plumber. His reply has stuck with me. He said, “How about you go to that big building on campus that holds all the books. What is it called? Oh, yes… a library!”

We didn’t have the wonder of YouTube in those days! I learned to read and figure things out.

When it came time to purchase my first house, this young, confident, single woman bought a 100-year-old, threestory, five-bedroom home that needed serious work. It was another “education by fire,” but soon I found myself loving my beautiful old house, right down to the horsehair plaster!

to multiple platforms is a never-ending process. This leads me to the second sacrifice: no longer have time to spend creating things and having my own booth. I miss it, but I do take joy in providing spaces where others can display and sell their wares. I would say it is totally worth it!

You could say that I was raised with an innate appreciation of antiquity, learning, and resourcefulness. My love of all things vintage and handcrafted was now permanently ingrained in my soul. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

What are some goals you hope to accomplish with your efforts?

What were your drives to start?

When my sons were grown and gone, I turned our family room into a large studio where I could spend my free time creating beautiful mosaics, restoring vintage furniture, and sewing lovely custom pillows and cushions out of exquisite fabrics. While still working a “grown-up job” full-time, I continued to build my inventory. My husband and I started taking our show on the road to vintage shows. Although it was very rewarding, it also took up an immense amount of time and energy.

After a long windy, rainy day in our elaborate booth at an outdoor vintage show in St. Pete, we had a light-bulb moment. We sat exhausted watching vendors pack up their things and vie for the limited loading areas. When everyone was loaded and gone, we coaxed our tired selves out of our chairs and carried our loads across the field to the trailer. Our last item was a beautiful tiger oak dresser.

We were only steps away from the trailer as a drawer slid out and broke into pieces on the concrete before our very eyes! All I could do was look at my husband and laugh an exhausted laugh (It was better than crying). At that moment, I exclaimed out loud “I can’t do this anymore!” It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do “this “anymore, I just didn’t want to do it in tents!

I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was ready to be in this next chapter of my life. It was scary to leave my grownup steady-income job, but I settled in with booths in two multi-booth venues. I learned a great deal and was blessed to serve as floor manager of the shop that had so inspired me.

I believe it was divine intervention when the location of our shop became available only four blocks from our home in the community where we have lived for the last three decades. I had four days to consider it, decide upon a name, become incorporated, insured so I could sign my lease.

Are the sacrifices worth it?

There are a few sacrifices that immediately come to mind. The biggest one is time. Although the shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, I actually work six or seven days a week keeping up with the behindthe-scenes business and duties. The need to remain relevant on social media in this day and age is hugely important. Developing content, taking photos, and posting

In these troubled and uncertain times, it would be fair to say that keeping a business open and continuing to allow it to organically grow and improve is a goal. As a creative space, we must be an ever-changing work in progress.

It is vital that small business owners lift each other up. We are not in competition. We all offer something different to our community. We delight in helping our guests find other area small businesses. We not only display brochures and business cards of other shops, we hand them to our customers encouraging them to visit specific shops that may have the items they seek. If time allows, we often phone other shops to help find a specific item. We must be kind and inclusive. Each time a small business closes, a dream is lost, and hearts are broken.

My intention when I first opened this shop was to provide a home for creative people to display and sell the many wonderful things they have made, curated, upcycled, and refurbished. I wanted to take this 3,000-square-foot box and transform it into something more than just one large space carved into the typical smaller vendor booths. This is a place where creative people could take up residence within our four walls. Over the past five years as this business continues to grow, each one of our creative residents and their beautifully decorated spaces have continued to elevate as well.

Blessed and Distressed is now home to some wonderfully creative people. As visitors walk up to our front door, I want them to feel like they can leave their worries behind and enter a place of wonderment, inspiration, and joy.

Guests will have the opportunity to wander into uniquely individual spaces. Each one is thoughtfully designed by our artists and resident dealers in a way that brings their own unique vision to life.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love to see the faces of new visitors right when they first walk through the doors. It makes me so happy to watch them get drawn into this world where they find themselves surrounded by beautiful and creative things. I like to think of it as a feast for the eyes. I also truly appreciate that our regular visitors return often just to say hello and see the new treasures that arrived since their last visit. I enjoy hosting our guests in a way that gives them that small town a sense of belonging. And it’s important to me that each person knows how very much we appreciate their support and their purchases but most of all, I appreciate BMAG | 29

their time. In this hectic crazy world in which we all find ourselves these days, I am so lifted and eternally grateful that people take time out of their very busy lives to come and visit me in the shop.

My 95 year-old father encouraged me to pay my first six months’ rent in advance so that I all needed to worry about was starting and growing the shop. Genius! It was a difficult check to write but I never had to worry about making rent.

I am blessed to have a wonderfully supportive family, completely selfless friends and vendors who work tirelessly to make our shop the best that it can be.

The world would be a little better place if we all stop and ask ourselves…

Has it been everything you expected?

In a word: yes! But I must add and then some! I think because of all the years, from childhood until the day I opened this shop, I’ve been learning, creating, preparing and planning in one way or another. I believe I was as ready as I could be. Yet no one knew what to expect when we faced a pandemic, maintain a retail business when we all had to close our doors, and/or how to combat a horrible economy and supply shortages of materials for ourselves and our artists, or how to keep our prices reasonable for our cherished customers when all of our material costs have skyrocketed. Those are things that absolutely no one expected, and we faced them all within the first five years we’ve been opened.

I cannot end my answer to this question without sharing something far more positive. Probably the most unexpected gift that I have been given is the joy I receive from getting to know our guests. I am taken back each time I receive a beautiful letter or card in the mail, and for every invitation to a family event that I receive, not to mention lovely gifts and special pictures that I’ve been given, and the most thoughtful voicemail and email messages I’ve received and I have even had visitors bring in yummy treats they have made! I don’t think I ever expected the genuine friendship and love that I’ve been given. I set out to create a beautiful space for the artists and dealers as well as a welcoming destination where guests felt like they could walk in to a place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” It has surpassed my goals, by a lot!

What advice would you give someone starting their own business?

As my precious and insightful mom told me so many years ago, “You can have it all, but you can’t have it all at the same time!”

I have applied that simple phrase to every aspect of my life. I have to remind myself that there is nothing wrong with being filled to the brim with ideas! Keep a list you can prioritize. You can have and do it all, one thing at a time!

Another seemingly practical piece of advice that I can share is to make sure the business that you start is going to be a labor of love. The keyword, you would think, is love. But in all actuality, it’s the labor that you are willing to invest that will turn your love into a business. I think the phrase should really be “it’s the hard labor that brings your love to life!”

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How can I best live a fulfilling life? How can I turn my passion into a business? What can I provide to my community that will add to the existing businesses? What can I do to be a blessing to someone else today?

It means a lot to me that Blessed and Distressed Vintage is a woman-owned business. I truly admire and respect so many women that I have met along my path that helped and encouraged me in countless ways. There are so many wonderful ladies who made their dream of owning a business a reality. The best way that I can show my gratitude is to pay it forward and encourage all the other women in our community living out their dreams of owning their own business too!

At this five-year anniversary of starting my business here in the town that I have loved my entire life, I would like to share this…

Opening Blessed and Distressed was very hard work, but it came at a time in my life when I desperately needed and wanted to make a change. I was searching for my purpose.

I welcomed the life change and took the leap of faith by enthusiastically jumping in with both feet! It turned out to be one of the biggest blessings in my life. Now, my shop has not only been a joy-filled blessing for me and my family, but it is now my desire to be a blessing to everyone who walks through our door.

I am so touched and honored to be featured in your magazine in this way. I love being one of the growing numbers of small businesses in this wonderful community in which we live. The idea of “Shop Small Shop Local” is so very important in this day and age. It seems like we are surrounded by giant box stores, large chains of retail spaces from other faraway places, as well as the extremely fast-growing world of online shopping. It is important to me, now more than ever, to shop local as often as I can.

It’s the local shops that do the most for the community by offering unique and wonderful items as well as for all the charitable works that stay right in all of our neighborhoods benefitting the people we care about most.

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Kim’s Krew

Serving the Needs of Families in Manatee County Kim’s Krew Inc. is an evolving 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving some of the neediest families in Manatee County. We are a proud member of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce and work with many agencies in Manatee County.

Working with clients referred by established agencies such as Manatee County Food Bank Meals on Wheels Plus, Humana, Elite, Sunshine Health, and Saint Vincent DePaul CARES, Kim’s Krew continues to locate and help people with limited access to current food programs. Kim’s Krew provides a safety net for those that have fallen through the cracks. Using information generated through a client-based approach, Kim’s Krew has been able to find unique ways to stabilize underserved families in crisis.

Eighty-five percent of Kim’s Krew clients have limited access to the 50 drivethrough type food pantries caused by a lack of transportation combined with major medical situations such as cancer, blindness, Covid, cardiopulmonary diseases, PTSD, recent surgeries, mental illness, or the ability to walk or carry groceries. Seventy percent of these clients are under the age of 62, further limiting their resources.

Kim’s Krew’s goal is to respond within 24 hours to true emergencies. Clients order food for a month from our inventory based on their dietary health needs, what they can prepare in their current living situation, and what the family will eat. We deliver groceries for about 11,000 meals a month.

We also provide hygiene products, laundry and cleaning supplies, towels, sheets, blankets, kitchen utensils, and small kitchen appliances. Twenty-five percent of our families are trying to survive in motels, vehicles, or the woods.

Additionally, Kim’s Krew provides case management by taking information and developing a plan to access other resources and agencies to stabilize and improve our clients’ situations. This often takes time and Kim’s Krew is committed to supporting and working with our clients monthly, reviewing their plan and revising as needed. Of the 293 different families we have worked with in the past 13 months, only 18 families have requested our help for more than five months.

Case managers receive training and shadow other case managers until they feel comfortable to take information over the phone. They usually volunteer for about two and half hours per week. They listen to people in need, provide support and encouragement, ask specific questions from our intake form, take food orders, and start developing an initial plan. No one has a magic wand to solve the many problems our clients face, so call backs and followup from the client and Kim’s Krew are almost always needed.

One of the newest members of the Kim’s Krew volunteers, Carole, had this to say. “Kim’s Krew is my first volunteering effort. I wanted to make sure my time and energy meant something to another person and made me feel rewarded as well. Being a Case Manager here is a one-on-one volunteering experience and has fulfilled my expectations of doing volunteer work!”

We are an all-volunteer group and due to our growth, more volunteers are needed, please consider joining us.

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Welcome Spring with Tried-and-True Traditions from Around the World

BY SARAH FISH

W

ith March comes the Spring Equinox, the official start of a new season. There are many ways to celebrate the arrival of spring, and many of those ways have been practiced for centuries by various cultures around the world. If you don’t have your own spring traditions just yet, this list of six may inspire you to begin your own celebrations this year.

closing off any streets. Or host your own backyard Songkran celebration with water balloons and visiting with friends and family.

HOLI IN INDIA AND NEPAL Color is the cornerstone of Holi, the spring tradition celebrated in India and Nepal.

During Holi festivities, people gather around the time of the Spring Equinox, dressed usually in white. They have fun tossing brightly colored paints and powders around, covering themselves like beautiful canvases.

SONGKRAN WATER FESTIVAL IN THAILAND Traditionally, Songkran falls on April 13 each year, but it is celebrated for five days, from the 12th to the 16th. Sanskrit for ‘astrological passage,” Songkran is the Thai celebration of a new year according to the solar calendar, when the sun makes its way from Pisces into Aries. It is a festival of unity and purifying and during celebrations people in Thailand close the roads for massive water fights. They also make offerings to Buddha and pour water over his effigies to symbolize the washing away of one’s sins and bad luck.

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If you want to celebrate spring with vibrancy in Bradenton, consider taking a stroll through the Village of the Arts to take in color around every corner. This artistic village is like an outdoor art exhibit sure to cure your craving from something colorful.

JAPAN’S CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL In Japan, spring marks the time that the cherry trees begin to blossom, and an entire festival, known as Hanami, or “flower viewing,” is dedicated to their beautiful, bright pink flowers. People in Japan celebrate by having outdoor gatherings

beneath the cherry trees. Evening celebrations consist of hanging paper lanterns in the trees displaying a beautiful show of lights and color.

If flowers are your fancy, celebrate spring at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. There you can stroll through the majestic grounds and take in all the flora and fauna of spring in the Bradenton area.

Renowned artist, musician and writer Patti Smith will perform again at the Selby among the flowers this year, an event not to miss.

“Patti Smith is recognized worldwide for her revolutionary mergence of artistic disciplines— especially poetry and rock,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, President & CEO of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, on their website. “Selby Gardens applies interdisciplinary practice to our ongoing exhibition program, and we feel that Patti’s visionary methodology resonates with our organization on many levels.”

RIDING THE WAVES IN ENGLAND In England, surfers from around the world visit a part of the River Severn in Gloucestershire, England, to ride the biggest waves the river ever sees. This is due to the high tide during the Spring Equinox causing the river to swell and become quite surfable.

Bradenton will see similar effects on its tidewaters so Floridians can celebrate similarly.

Visit any of the gulf beaches and splash around in the waves.

If the water is too salty for you, take a dip in the public pool at the G.T. Bray Park.

THE PYRAMID OF THE SUN IN MEXICO Some cultures celebrate spring with feats of strength and endurance. In Teotihuacan, Mexico, people come in mass to climb hundreds of stairs as their spring tradition.

Typically dressed in white, visitors will climb 360 steps to stand atop the Pyramid of the Sun to watch the sun rise over the Apan Mountains with open arms.

Spring is the perfect time to celebrate your own strength and stamina by joining a gym or going for a run. Not quite there yet? Exploring one of Bradenton’s several parks and preserves can give you a more leisurely approach to fitness along the miles of available walking trails.

Try Emerson Point, where you’ll find stretches of paved walkways and plenty of shade. Get there early for ‘golden hour’ when the natural lighting is at its best.

OSTARA No one parties like the Pagans do when the Spring Equinox rolls around. Ostara is the official name for springtime for heathens who follow the seasons and after months of darkness, these celebrations focus on light and abundance.

Pagans follow the seasons and ebbs and flow of the earth, so Ostara is the celebration of the land becoming warm and fertile, when crops can begin to be sown and the natural world begins to wake from its wintry slumber.

If the natural cycles of the earth speak to you, celebrate like the Pagans do and start your own indoor herb garden. Planting seeds also refers to new ideas and goals.

Ostara is the perfect time to begin new projects and set intentions for yourself.

However, you choose to celebrate the arrival of spring this year, it’s never too late to begin a new tradition. The overall theme of the season is positivity, growth, and gathering with loved ones—reasons to celebrate we can all agree on.

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Realize Bradenton – Start-Up Circle Entrepreneurship Program

BY EMMA TAYLOR Small businesses are wonderful for a local economy and provide their communities with a unique and colorful personality like the one that Bradenton, “The Friendly City,” is known for.

a playful nod to ABC’s Shark Tank, as the goal of Start-Up Circle’s panel is to foster constructive feedback and collaboration rather than harsh competition.

Realize Bradenton is an adaptive organization within The Friendly City with a mission to listen to the needs of the community. As the professional environment shifted in recent years, a need was identified to provide people with models to either start their own business, or perhaps pivot the way their current small business is functioning.

Recent Start-Up Circle graduate and small business owner of Scott’s Exotic Plants, Shelena Scott, can attest to the benefits of the course. “I feel fulfilled. I feel joy. I feel excited about the future and being able to continue to connect and give back.

I really believe participating in Start-Up Circle gave me so much momentum and it’s helped me to improve my business in every area. It’s really helped me set a precedent when it comes to setting goals,” she says.

Knowing that entrepreneur training programs are prolific in many cities around the country, Bradenton set out to develop one of its own. StartUp Circle has completed four cohorts to date, with a fifth about to launch, and a sixth scheduled for the end of the year. “We knew right away that we had something that was really energizing to our small businesspeople in the community,” says program facilitator Kristie Kindstrom. Since its inception, Start-Up Circle has had 161 small business dreamers, owners, successors (and more!) commit to their future by applying to the program.

The only criteria for applicants is a thirst to learn and a desire to be coached. The guidance, networking contacts, and lesson plan are provided, but the research and words come from the participants. Start-Up Circle aims to present itself as a tool for its capable students, providing them with just enough counsel to realize their own entrepreneurial vision.

Each nine-week cohort meets in person for two hours per week with an ultimate goal of each student having completed a polished business plan. The course culminates in participants presenting their plan to a panel—an event known affectionately as “The Koi Pond.” The moniker is

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From the local donors and sponsors to the contributors and pupils themselves, Start-Up Circle lends itself to the community as both a training tool, and a powerful opportunity for tenacious minds to connect and learn from one another long after the program has been completed.

Interested parties can learn more about the Start-Up Circle Entrepreneurship Program by visiting realizebradenton.com and Shelena Scott’s business at scottsexoticplants.com.

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From homelessness to homeownership: Home is the key to a brighter future “I didn’t have stability growing up, and I don’t want my daughter to have to go through that,” said Brittany, a prospective homeowner who will soon move into Manatee County Habitat for Humanity’s next 16-home community in Bradenton. A manifestation of precisely why home is the key to unlocking a brighter future, Brittany’s journey from homelessness to homeownership is a story of perseverance.

For her, owning a home became an aspiration when she got pregnant and began envisioning the life that she wanted to give her child. However, with a baby on the way and nowhere to live, she was not yet in a position to become a homeowner, and she knew she had to take small steps toward her long-term goal.

The first one being, to find a homeless shelter that would take her in.

With no family support Brittany entered a maternity program at Solve, a non-profit organization that provides cost-free housing and support for at-risk women during and after pregnancy. While in the program, Brittany heard about Manatee Habitat. Still eager to become a homeowner, she reached out and learned that to qualify, she would need to move out of the shelter and have a consistent job.

Motivated to buy a Habitat home, Brittany earned an associate’s degree in applied science and got a job at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital as a surgical technician. Having reached her career goals, Brittany was ready to leave the shelter and spread her wings.

She found an apartment that could serve as her and Goldyn’s temporary home. However, a year and a half later, having struggled with consistent rent increases and unsafe living conditions, Brittany is ready now, more than ever, to have their forever home.

Their apartment has limited outdoor space, and with a bar located directly across the street, it’s too dangerous for Goldyn to play outside. In their Habitat home, they’ll have a yard and be in a safe neighborhood where she will have all the space she needs to play and make childhood memories.

Plus, with the security of a home, Brittany can reach new heights in her career. She plans on going back to school to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing which will allow her to get promoted at her job.

Above all, Brittany will be at ease knowing that she left a legacy. “I know that death is a part of life so when I pass, I want Goldyn to have a home. That way, she’ll never have to worry.”

At Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, they believe that homeownership empowers families to live from a position of strength, stability, and selfreliance. Since 1994, they have partnered with over 140 local families to build safe, affordable homes. In response to the current housing crisis, the non-profit is scaling up to building 10 homes a year. To do so, they rely on the community to support them through volunteerism, donations, and advocacy.

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BRADENTON CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF BASEBALL

BY TRAVIS CORNWELL

LECOM Park in Bradenton will celebrate its centennial this year. It was originally constructed in 1923 as City Park with its first tenant, the St. Louis Cardinals. Fast forward, LECOM has been hosting the Bradenton Marauders since 2017.

The ballfield at that time in 1923 was east of the current field, as a golf course was converted into a baseball facility. The Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, attended the field’s opening ceremonies. He was flown in on a biplane, which was piloted by Harry Land, a member of Manatee County Board of Trade who approved bringing Major League Baseball to Bradenton.

The ballpark has had many different names and tenants throughout the years, such as Ninth Street Park (1927-1947) being the home of the St. Louis Cardinals (NL), Philadelphia Phillies (NL), Boston Red Sox (AL), and the Boston Bees (NL). During the Second World War from 194147, Ninth Street Park was closed and taken over by the U.S. Army and named Camp Bradenton.

“Teams didn’t come to train here in Florida.

They stayed at home and the park was used as a haven during the war,” says Pirates Team Historian Jim Trdinich. The name was changed to Camp Weatherford in April 1943 in honor of Pfc. Willie M. Weatherford of Miami, who was killed in the Philippines during WWII. There is a historical marker located in front of the Bradenton Public Works building past left field on 9th Street West in memory of Willie.

2016 McCutchen @ Bradenton 44 | BMAG

1965 Aerial

Clemente posed at McKechnie

1978 Entry under construction

From 1948-1961 it was called Braves Field, hosting the Boston/ Milwaukee Braves (NL), and then McKechnie Field (1962-2017) hosting the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (AL). Since 1969 it has been the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bradenton’s LECOM Park is the oldest stadium still used for Spring Training games. Its rich history is right up there with Fenway Park (1912) and Wrigley Field (1914) as the third-oldest stadium currently used by a Major League team.

1923 St Louis Cardinals

Over the years it has seen many Hall of Fame players such as Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Mariano Rivera, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Lou Gehrig, to name a few. Also, Derek Jeter, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, David Ortiz, Rod Carew, and Ken Griffey, Jr. among many others have played here. The list goes on.

In 1950, Bradenton became the first city in Florida to allow an African American baseball player, Sam Jethroe, of the Boston Braves. This was a breakthrough because had Florida not allowed him to join, the state would have lost all its baseball clubs.

1949 Postcard Bradenton

The 100th season will begin with Spring Training this month when the Pirates welcome a handful of clubs to town as part of Florida’s Grapefruit League. The regular season for the Marauders will start on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. Manatee County is anticipating an influx of visitors to the area during this time. With the snowbirds coming back down and the centennial year for the ballpark, baseball lovers are sure to make a pit stop to check this off the list of stadiums visited.

SOURCES

1958 Postcard Greetings from Bradenton Braves

The history of baseball in Manatee County was provided by Pirates Team Historian Jim Trdinich.

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The Bali Hai

BY LIZ REED The Bali Hai is a classic old Florida beach resort, sitting right on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico in the town of Holmes Beach, on Anna Maria Island.

In its more than half a century of operation, it has been the site of countless happy vacations, and certainly many a blissful honeymoon has been spent here. However, a legend has grown up around the resort, of a tragic occurrence in the early years that continues to echo today. The exact year of the events related here is unknown, with conflicting dates having been found in our research.

A young engaged couple from up north were traveling together. They were on a carefree trip before getting married and settling down. They had no planned destinations or time schedule.

They would see the sights in one place, and head off in their car to the next spot on the map that sounded intriguing.

Their adventure brought them to Anna Maria Island, where at first they checked into a small, inexpensive motel. In many ways the island was a different place back then. It was less built up, less crowded, and moved at a slower pace than it does now. Like so many over the years, they fell in love with the island. They spent their days fishing, swimming, sailing, and lounging on the beach.

After many days had drifted by, they decided to make a change in their travel plans. Rather than

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head off to a new place, they would stay on the island for the rest of their trip. They also decided to speed up their wedding plans, and get married in this idyllic place.

They set about getting everything ready for their wedding. They got their marriage license, found the perfect location, and located someone to officiate. Of course one detail had to be taken care of without the groom being present, picking out the perfect dress for the big day.

They said their vows on the white sands of Coquina Beach, with the sound of waves lapping gently, and the sun setting in the background. A couple of new friends they had met on the island attended, and signed as witnesses after the ceremony.

They were newly married, very much in love, and full of optimism about their future together. After saying goodbye to their friends, they headed off to the Bali Hai Beachfront Resort, where they had reserved the honeymoon suite, with a beautiful view of the gulf. After a little room service dinner, they went for a walk along the surf. The moon lit their way, and they talked of their new life together, before heading back to their room for the night.

While she was searching for her wedding dress, the bride had been to several shops on

St. Armand’s Circle, and wanted to go back for some more leisurely shopping. After a luxurious breakfast the morning after their wedding, she and her friend went off on a shopping trip. Her new husband decided to take the opportunity to rent a small sailboat for a few hours out on the gulf. They planned to meet back in their room in the afternoon, and had already made reservations for dinner.

When the new bride returned from shopping, her husband was not back in the room yet.

Feeling a little tired, she turned on the radio and stretched out on the bed, enjoying the music as she rested and waited for her husband to return.

Surely he would come through the door at any moment. Before long, she had fallen asleep.

She woke and realized that several hours had passed, and she was still in the room alone.

Outside the sky was dark with a storm coming in from the gulf, she could see streaks of lightning and hear the cracks of thunder. The wind was up, and the water had turned rough, with whitepeaked waves rolling in and crashing on the sand. She ran out to the beach hoping she’d run into her husband, but he was nowhere to be seen. Within moments a torrent of rain started, cold and feeling like needles hitting her skin.

She was forced to go back to her room to wait, and hope.

The night passed, the sun rose to blue skies and gentle waves, a soft breeze barely ruffled the palm trees. But she was still alone. An official search began in earnest, but no trace of the little sailboat or the lost groom was ever found.

She stayed at the resort, and people saw her walking the beach day and night looking for her

husband. One evening something happened.

Witnesses speculated that in her grief she may have lost her mind. While walking along the edge of the surf she suddenly stopped and turned to the gulf as if she had heard something.

She called his name excitedly, and started quickly walking out in the waves. Some people yelled to get her attention, but she ignored them completely. She was out in the water up to her chest when a large wave crashed in, and then she was gone. After several days, the search for her body was called off.

In the decades since, the bride in her wedding dress has been seen walking the beach at night, still searching. While sightings occur all through the year, they are most frequent in the month of August. It is believed that August was the month of the couple’s wedding.

If you’re out walking on the beach in the evening, keep an eye out for a mysterious young woman in a wedding dress. Witnesses have reported that if you look right at her she’ll suddenly vanish. Watch for her out of the corner of your eye. You may be able to follow her as long as she doesn’t see you. Some have followed her from the beach and into the Bali Hai Beachfront Resort. She moved along a hallway and into the room where the ill-fated honeymoon was spent.

If you manage to get this far, you’ll likely hear faint music coming from the room, somehow familiar but unidentifiable. It was their song, but no one is quite sure what it was.

If you see her, don’t try to interfere, don’t try to talk to her. Let her keep searching for her lost groom, and hope that it won’t be long before they’re reunited.

LIZ REED CO-FOUNDER OF PSOBFL AUTHOR OF HAUNTED MANATEE COUNTY OWNER OF DOWNTOWN BRADENTON GHOST WALK paranormalsocietyofbradenton.wordpress.com BMAG | 49

Local Camps for Kids

Manatee County has summertime activities for every kind of kid – from the athletic to the artistic.

BY KENDRA GEMMA While the schoolbooks may be closed for a few months, the learning doesn’t have to stop in the summer. Sign your kids up for a summer camp that will expand their horizons, teach them new skills, and introduce them to new friends.

If your child has a wide range of interests, a more general camp – or an organization with a variety of options – may be your best choice.

The YMCA (https://www.ymcaswfl.org/programs/child-care/summer-camps), with camp locations in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Parrish, offers everything from a “traditional” camp to sports camps and specialty camps focused on cooking, ceramics, and science. They also have programs for teens up to 15 years old.

The Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department will host Summer Blast Camp (https://manatee.hosted.civiclive.com/departments/sports_and_leisure_services/camp_programs/ summer_blast_camp) at two locations. Recreational camps combine art, sports, wellness, and optional field trips to destinations in Tampa and St. Petersburg. The Junior Blast Camp caters to kids 14 and up who will help organize and lead activities for the younger campers. Specialty camps focus on athletic endeavors such as archery, basketball, and freshwater fishing.

Gracie Bradenton (https://bradentonsummercamp.com) takes a well-rounded approach. Participants will practice indoor sports and martial arts along with more creative pursuits like painting and crafts.

If your youngster has a specific passion or talent, we’ve put together themed lists of camps to help you pick the perfect one for your unique kid.

For the Athlete

Manatee County is teeming with sports-themed camps, whether they use a ball, a puck, paddles, or pompoms.

Do you have a future soccer star? For beginners and advanced players, the camps run by LWR Chargers (https://chargerssoccer.com/lwr/lwr-camps) teach fundamentals in a fun environment.

Baseball players will want to rush to enroll in the Marauders camp (https://www.milb.com/ bradenton/tickets/baseball-camp) where the minor league team’s coaches lead instruction. Tickets to three home games are included.

Is your kid a future Tampa Bay Lightning star? Sign him up for hockey camp (https://www. ellentonice.com/youth-hockey/summer-camps/) at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. Participants must have skating experience and their own equipment.

Multisport athletes will find the diversity they crave at i9 Sports camps (https://www.i9sports.com/ venues/lakewood-ranch-area-summer-camp-st-mary-magdalene-youth-sports-programs/3357).

The coed weekly programs include flag football, volleyball, soccer, and baseball.

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During the heat of a Florida summer, there’s no better place to be than on the water. Manatee County Youth Rowing’s Long Skinny Boat Camp (https://manateeyouthrowing.com/long-skinnyboat-camp) launches from Parrish’s Ft. Hamer Park. Kids in 6th to 12th grades will kayak, paddleboard, and row on the Manatee River.

If you have a fearless child in your family, channel that daredevil energy at Live Training Center’s Kid Ninja Summer Camp (https://livetrainingfl.com/kid-ninja-summer-camp/). The curriculum has the expected physical challenges but also crafting and character development lessons.

Tumblers and cheerleaders are a perfect fit for Phoenix Xtreme (https://phoenixtreme.net/ camps), located in Parrish. Besides the athletic activities, campers can take part in other events presented by local businesses.

For the Creative Type

Whether your kid is a visual artist or a performer, the ideal summer camp exists for your budding creator.

ArtCenter Manatee (https://artcentermanatee. org/shop/kidsart/) appeals to children’s imagination with weeklong workshops that have themes like mythical creatures and superheroes and villains.

Have your kids ever dreamt of running away and joining the circus? They can this summer! At Circus on the Ranch (https://circusontheranch.com/camps) in Myakka City, they’ll fly on the trapeze, juggle, walk a low wire, and tend to animals – to name just a few activities.

At Jump Dance Co. (https://www.jumpdancecompany.info/summer-camps-and-summer-classes), kids from 2 up to 18 can enroll in a performing arts camp. The youngest will take part in dance, art, and music, while older kids might rehearse for a musical theater production or learn new dance moves.

Manatee Performing Arts Center’s Summer Youth Education program (https://www. manateeperformingartscenter.com/) covers all aspects of staging a show – from auditioning to set design to performing in front of an audience. Each of three sessions put on a different production.

Would-be rockers and producers will find their second home at Music Compound (https:// musiccompound.opus1.io/w/summercamp). New to Manatee County, it will offer weekly sessions for grade schoolers and middle/high schoolers on topics such as intro to music, songwriting, drum circle, and DJ and music production.

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If your kid is most creative in the kitchen, sign up for culinary camp at Pineapple Kitchen (https:// pineapplekitchen.com/charcuterie-%26-more/ols/products/pineapple-kitchen-kids-summerculinary-camp-ages-7-14-choose-a-4-day-week-in-june-or-july-2023). For 7- to 14-year-olds, the fourday workshop culminates in a four-course graduation dinner for their families. Young chefs will learn food safety, presentation skills and even etiquette in addition to meal preparation.

For the Adventurer

When many of us think back on our summer camp experiences, we picture days in the wilderness, on a lake, or doing some other outdoor activity away from city life. If you want your kids to have a similar adventure or if they’re simply nature lovers, Manatee County has a few ways to fulfill your (or their) dreams.

Aspiring equestrians should register for Myakka River Trail Rides’ horseback riding summer camp (https://myakkatrailrides.com/horseback-riding-summer-camp.php). The five-day program accepts just six kids to ensure each one gets enough attention and instruction.

Did you know that special needs kids have their own special camp in Manatee County? Foundation for Dreams’ Dream Oaks Camp (https://www.foundationfordreams.org/) was created for children with different abilities and chronic illnesses. The residential camp runs from Monday morning through Friday afternoon. Activities, depending on each individual’s abilities and strengths, range from canoeing and nature programs to talent shows and drum circles.

For the Scientist

Future marine biologists, video game developers, or any children who wonder how things work can exercise their inquisitive minds this summer.

Curious kiddos will love Bishop Museum of Science and Nature’s Summer Science Camps (https:// bishopscience.org/science-camp/). Elementary schoolers have eight weeks’ worth of topics to explore, including native Florida flora and fauna, deep space, and ocean predators. Middle schoolers have two two-week camps to delve into: Fossils Rock! and Engineering and Space 2.0, where they’ll build their own space machines.

Have a kid you can’t pry away from the computer or tablet? Make it a productive endeavor by enrolling him or her in the Coder School’s Coding Camp (https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/ sarasota/#camps). Participants can create their own Minecraft or Roblox games by the end of the weeklong camp or develop a website (while learning about internet safety). There’s even a week devoted to artificial intelligence.

Most of these camps are one week long, so your kids won’t be committed to just one experience all summer. Why not sample a few for a well-rounded season? They’ll learn a lot, meet new friends, and never be bored! It’s a win-win for everyone!

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