Landings Eagle - February 2023

Landings Free College Update

COVID-19 impacts January schedule

By Irv Kushner

COVID-19 made its presence felt at The Landings in January. Consequently, it seemed reasonable to postpone all the planned January presentations. The plan is to try again in February.

Here is the schedule as it stands now:

February 2nd: Mayson Brooks will present Holy Donkeys, I’m over 60!, a guide to help you make the most of the remaining years of your life. Written by Landings resident Mayson Brooks in a fun and entertaining style, it’s 13 (short) chapters with 16 suggestions of things you can do today. “The sands of time are quickly slipping down the hourglass of life. Tempus Fugit, so Carpe Diem”. And some of us are at least a little bit familiar with this topic also.

February 9th: Jay Handelman, art editor and theater critic of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, will present Six Degrees of John Ringling, which traces the history of the arts in Sarasota, beginning from when the Ringling Circus moved here in the 1920s. Don’t miss this one!

February 16th: Bonnie Goodman of the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, in Bradenton, will tell us about that institution. It is “the most exciting museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast,” and features The Planetarium, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, the Mosaic Backyard Universe, and a constantly changing lineup of temporary exhibitions.

February 23rd: Virginia Shearer, the executive director of the Sarasota Art Museum, will tell us about that museum.

Established in the old Sarasota High School building, it is a contemporary art museum committed to providing inclusive experiences

Continued on p. 2

The next Landings Community Hauling Program is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th from 8 to 10 a.m. If these hours do not fit into your schedule, see if a neighbor can help and drop them off for you.

The following should be disposed of in the weekly trash pickup: empty paint cans, batteries (A, C, D and 9-volt sizes), stereos, speakers, and telephones. Take the batteries out first and you can recycle these batteries on March 14th.

If you have any questions about this program, please call Harvey Greller at 908-804-2300 or Brian Magnum, Hazardous Waste Coordinator, Sarasota Public Utilities at 941-735-6430.

Landings Volunteers Who Work for You: Elida Ramberger

This is the sixth in a series of articles highlighting the work of special volunteers who help to make the Landings such a wonderful community. The Eagle interviewed Elida Ramberger for this issue. You may know Elida Ramberger as the President of Landings Management Association, but did you know she is also a social worker, airplane pilot, sailboat captain and entrepreneur?

Originally from New Jersey, Elida moved to Osprey, Florida in 2007. She had a friend who lived in The Landings and encouraged her to take up tennis. She started taking lessons at The Landings and then, as she got better, took clinics.

At about that time, she also wanted to move closer to downtown where more of the cultural life and restaurants were located. She purchased a lot on Arlington Street and a condo in The Landings in 2017, with her brother, that they were going to rent.

She had been dating Mike Donaldson and they decided to buy a home together in The Landings. She sold the Arlington and Osprey properties, kept the condo as a rental, and found a home with Mike on Kestrel Park Place in The Landings.

When Elida was asked what she likes most about The Landings, she immediately said it was the people. “So many residents have had great careers, interesting backgrounds, and come from places all over the U.S. and the world. Many have made significant contributions to our country. It’s special to be around people who are so talented and are great conversationalists.”

She also noted that the location of The Landings and it’s beautiful environment have been special for her.

She got her undergraduate degree at Rider University and master’s in social work at

Rutgers. She also had completed significant work on a Ph.D. in social work. Early in her career, she worked in protective services with children and adults. She also worked in the area of substance abuse and was employed in a psychiatric hospital for 10 years. She then went into consulting in community mental health.

In the 1980’s she and her husband decided on a special adventure and spent two years on a sailboat based in Ft. Lauderdale.

Her husband had started a software company that serviced the pharmaceutical industry. Elida joined him in developing the company until he passed away in 2002. She continued running the company and moved it to Florida. She eventually closed the company and retired. Some people in retirement just take it easy. Not Elida. While in Florida she had an opportunity to take flying lessons which led to her obtaining a pilot’s license. It didn’t take long for Elida to get involved in The Landings. She joined The Landings South 6 association board and soon became its president. She was recruited, ran for the LMA board, was elected in 2021 and became

president last year. She also serves as chair of the roads committee and is on the technology/ website committee.

When asked what she is most proud of during her term as President of LMA she noted: 1) there has been an increase in resident involvement on committees, 2) Pinnacle Management has been hired and is taking on more responsibilities than the previous management company, 3) there has been a cultural shift. With the new management company, fewer day-to-day responsibilities are falling on committee chairmen. Residents can and should contact Pinnacle directly. 4) she is especially proud of the work of the roads committee and the board’s willingness to address the need for more reserves.

When asked about continuing challenges for LMA she noted 1) making sure that the new relationship with Pinnacle goes smoothly both with volunteers and residents, 2) make sure that committee chairs turn over their vendor relationships for Pinnacle follow up, 3) making sure LMA adequately serves both part-time and full-time residents taking into account their unique needs, and 4) that the community address the overall environment including the nature trail flooding, deterioration of the outside walls around the community and maintenance of lakes and drainage.

She did indicate that she has a pet peeve which could best be described by paraphrasing a quote from Teddy Roosevelt. “You can criticize when you are in the arena but if you are not, your criticism has less value”. Bottom line……. get into the arena.”

Her wish for The Landings is that we can restore it to what it was like in the early 1990s. Elida is a multi-talented individual who has made a major contribution to our community for which we can all be grateful.

Meet Juno and Jesse

Back to Bradenton we go

The Flying Scotsman gets it done

THE PHOTO SHOP

More architectural photography

President’s Report

The January meeting was cancelled primarily for health safety reasons. The School Administration notified LMA just before the meeting that the building was closed due to winter break, eliminating our best option for a hybrid meeting. In addition, two board members tested positive for Covid-19 days before the meeting. The remaining board members preferred to avoid gathering for a meeting due to the increased incidence of Covid-19 in our neighborhood. The agenda lacked any urgent business. All these elements added up to cancelling the meeting.

February marks the beginning for a new board, elected on the 2nd. Candidates include two men and five women. This is a notable distribution because the proportion of men on the board is usually higher than the proportion of women, as we can see from the current numbers. Please get to know the new board members, their roles on the Executive Committee – President, VP, etc., and any committees they chair. Volunteers perform many committees chair positions without benefit of a board position who deserve our thanks.

The Landings Five-Year Plan is in the works. Jeff Smith, VP, and Alice Howard, LSI, have launched a series of interviews of current board and committee members, as well as candidates. The goal is to produce a plan that reflects the input from us all which will guide the board’s energies going forward. The last plan was developed in 2018 so we seem to be on schedule. The hope is that going forward the board will be able to use the plan to assess progress toward the stated goals.

The shift to Pinnacle has had a few bumps, which were addressed by meeting with our property manager. The good news is that additional staff are being hired to provide better response time to our requests. The new administrative

assistant who will be the clearing person for all our communication is Emily. Please write to her. She will forward our messages to the appropriate person within Pinnacle. Emily can be reached at: Emily@pinnaclecam. com.

The Roads Committee update, as of this writing, Jan 15, is that the project engineer at Stantec expects to provide a task schedule this week. There may have been delays in requesting proposals for our project. We will learn more about that at the Feb 2nd board meeting.

As you drive through the gates, you have no doubt noticed the illuminated gate arms that signal when it is safe to proceed. Beside adding to the safe operation at the gates, the gate arms are a great improvement in appearance and demonstrate attention to both safety and attention to detail. Thank you to the Safety and Security Committee for continuing the improvement effort.

Signage, including street signs, will be an ongoing focus for maintenance. Straightening street signs after the hurricane continues. In addition, the main entrance sign pole was damaged and is being replaced. The poles are designed to break away in the event a vehicle runs into them. The upside is improved safety for the vehicle, the downside is increased cost for maintenance.

Another focus for maintenance in the next year will be the ongoing work on the north gate guardhouse and the main gate guardhouse. Repairs to the interior of the north gate continue. (The north gate

guardhouse serves as a data/server backup for our security services.)

Repairs to the exterior will be completed when the building is painted. Although rarely discussed or noticed, the wall that delineates The Landings seems to need attention. Although I have not walked the wall in the backyards of the homes, I have walked the remainder. It is apparent that some maintenance is necessary if the goal is to maintain a wall. Contractors are being asked to provide detailed analysis of repair needs.

Communications within our neighborhood will be updated by Pinnacle with NABR and a new “front end” website. The significant element is that the NABR system will integrate databases and “talk to” dwellingLIVE. John Schmidt and Dick Bayles will work closely with Pinnacle to implement NABR. Eddie Goldstein will work with Pinnacle to develop the “front end” or outward facing website that will be open to anyone who searches for The Landings. I finish this month’s report by saying thank you to board and committee members for supporting me during the last year. Whether we differed or agreed, everyone was involved and participated in the work being done. After careful consideration, I have decided to run for office again, but will not seek the presidency. I expect that the roads project will be a big enough project to keep my retirement fully occupied. Thank you all to those who have shared their support, compliments, and frustrations on this journey.

for all audiences. There are regular exhibits, and programs include family art sessions, jazz Thursdays, and talks by curators and artists.

March 2nd: Irv Kushner will tell us about Two Gun Cohen: a Chinese General. Learn how a poor Jewish juvenile delinquent from the slums of the East End of London became a General in the Chinese army.

March 9th: Dr. Michael P. Crosby, president and CEO of the Mote Marine Laboratory, and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Beth Brady will present Sea Change. Hear about Mote’s research and its exciting future. Mote SEA, planned for Nathan Benderson Park, is projected to inspire 700,000 visitors from the Sarasota-Manatee region and around the world each year with incredible displays of marine life, interactive technology, and windows into Mote’s amazing science. This presentation will be followed by a mouth-watering reception.

March 16th: John Bruno, emeritus distinguished professor of psychology, neuroscience and psychiatry at Ohio State University, gave us a terrific talk about Parkinson’s disease last year. This year, his topic will be the Neuroscience of Depression and Anxiety: Two Sides of The Same Coin. A lot of us are at least a little bit familiar with this topic.

March 23rd: Sandra Cacic, one of our tennis pros will let us in on What Goes on Behind the Scenes in Professional Tennis. Sandra played for many years on the WTA tour, reaching a ranking of 39th in the world in 1992. She’ll be introduced by Adrian “Mo” Moghina. Additionally, her colleague Jen Fiers will give us some additional insights into the world of tennis.

March 30th: Frank Pipers, a charter member of the Free College Hall of Fame, will treat us to another informative and entertaining presentation: The Erection of an Insurrection. While Jan 6th was a bell weather event, the U.S. history is pock marked with insurrection. The talk will put into perspective the history of insurrection, highlight the failed insurrection of the 1940’s, and identify the common thread that underlies all these uprisings.

After that, the season will wind up with a bang with refreshments provided by our realtors Judy Greene and Tara Lamb, again.

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Welcome Back Reminders

By Landings Safety & Security Committee

Your Safety & Security Committee welcomes back all the seasonal residents, new owners, and renters.

With many returning residents, new arrivals, and fulltime residents, we thought we should remind everyone of some of the basics rules of The Landings that makes our community a more pleasant and safe place to live.

Speed Limits

First and properly foremost, remember to watch you speed while driving. The maximum speed limit is 20 mph with many areas posted at 15 mph. Pay attention to walkers, runners, and bikes. If you are walking or running travel facing oncoming traffic on the outside edge of the street, especially in narrow areas.

Guests, Vendors and Deliveries

All guests are required to register at the front gate before being allowed into The Landings. We want to remind residents to use the Dwelling Live system to preregister your guests and vendors. This will help speed up their entry process at the front gate. Landings rules require vendors to be approved by the resident before they enter the community.

You can register on the Dwelling Live site in The Landings Management Association tab on the LMA web site.

Vendors (contractors, landscapers, service people, etc.) are not allowed in before 8:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and must stop work and leave before 5:00 p.m.. Exterior services are not allowed on Saturday, Sunday, or national holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).

Deliveries

Common carriers (UPS, FedX, USPS, etc.) are allowed in at any time. All other deliveries (furniture, construction material, landscaping material, moving companies and freight companies) are only allowed Monday through Saturday except holidays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Because of the narrow road configuration in The Landings, some trucks cannot make the turns in The Landings, especially moving vans and vehicles over 40 ft. in length. Those deliveries may need to be shuttled in from outside The Landings in smaller vehicles.

Notify your mover of those restrictions prior to their arrival at the Main Gate.

Exceptions

Household emergency services such as plumbing, AC, phone/internet service, electrical and roofing leaks will be admitted for emergency repairs at any time. The main gate should be notified in advance of their arrival.

Routine exterior services, if prevented by unusual weather conditions during the preceding weekdays, may be done on Saturday between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except on holidays.

An exception to delivery and service rules will be allowed in hardship situations when approved by a board member of the association whose resident is requesting the exception and the main gate is notified in advance.

Trash Collection

Both recyclables (blue containers), other trash, and yard waste are normally picked up on Wednesdays throughout the day. Your trash may be put out at the curb the night before after 6:00 p.m.. After the pickup, the empty containers must be stored promptly out of site.

Pets

For those of you just coming back for the season, you should be aware that there have been sightings of coyotes around The Landings and a few alligators in our lakes. Please make sure your pets are always under your control, especially from dusk to dawn. Make sure to keep your garage doors closed at night.

Be respectful of your neighbor’s and association property by cleaning up and properly disposing of pet excrement.

Parking

No overnight parking on the street is allowed without approval from a LMA director and security is notified. Parking is not allowed off the roadway onto the grass. Vendors, landscapers and construction vehicles cannot block other vehicles from passing at any time. For a full copy of all Landings Rules & Regulations, you can find them on the LMA web site under the Landings Management Association tab. Welcome back and enjoy the season!

LMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

ELIDA RAMBERGER President

JEFF SMITH Vice President

HARVEY GRELLER Treasurer

HARRY MOSER Secretary

SUE CAMINS Parliamentarian

JOHN SCHMIDT Director

CALI LAMPTON Director

PAUL WEINER Director

NEIL GOLDMAN Director

HEATHER HAMILTON Property Manager

Pinnacle Management Company

LMA COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

HARVEY GRELLER Finance

JOHN SCHMIDT Communications

NORMAN OLSHANSKY The Eagle

MARALYN KAUFMAN Environmental

AMY DRACHMAN Governance Advisory

SUE CAMINS Governing Docs Review

HARVEY GRELLER Hazardous Waste

JEFF SMITH Lakes & Drainage

PAUL WEINER Landscaping

HARVEY CAMINS LMA Property Mgr Needs Comm.

JUDY GREENE Maintenance

JACKIE MASSARI Kayaks

CALI LAMPTON Nominating

ELIDA RAMBERGER Roads

MIKE KNUPP Safety & Security

VACANT Social/Community Events

HARRY MOSER Standard Op. Procedures (SOP)

EDDIE GOLDSTEIN Website Designer

© Serving The Landings Community since 1992|27th State Media, LLC | 941-312-0665 PO Box 35105, Sarasota, Florida 34242. Publishers: Brion Palmer

To advertise in print or on-line call 941-312-0665. Advertising Representatives: Irene Brooks and Brion Palmer. Please note that contributing writers and photographers are acknowledged with bylines accompanying their submissions. We sincerely thank everyone for their contributions.

The Landings Eagle is published monthly and is partially funded by The Landings Management Association & Landings Racquet Club, but is independently edited and reported by Landings residents. The Landings Eagle is published by 27th State Media, LLC, a Florida LLC. Advertising rates and information will be gladly furnished by calling 941-312-0665, We are ready to answer your questions and to assist you in preparing your ad at no extra charge. All advertising and editorial content is subject to editing to conform to our style, and is copyrighted 2020 by 27th State Media, LLC and may not b e reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted under federal law. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy for any reason. 27th State Media, LLC is not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers.

To access each issue of The Landings Eagle, please go to: www.islandvp.com. Simply scroll down to The Eagle image and click on it for the current issue. If you would like to view past issues, click on the text, “TO VIEW PAST ISSUES OF The Landings EAGLE, CLICK HERE”That will bring you to a list of the back issues going back to July 2013. For anything earlier you will need to go to the website: www.landingseagle.com

COVID pauses January Social Activities

More Fun Ahead, Though

By Paige Packman, Social Chair

Sure enough, just as we were launching our LRC 2023 expanded social program, a holiday Covid surge halted indoor activities. Thankfully, we live in Florida and can spend a lot of time outdoors, so were able to continue to enjoy tennis games, pickleball, kayaking, and bike outings!

Fortunately, we have been able to reschedule January events to alternate timeslots and push back the start of classes. We have a new format for our event schedules, grouping like activities by type (e.g., arts & learning, card games) to make it easier to find what you like!

NEW DATES: Here is a list of revised event dates (subject to drop in Covid rates):

• Landings Free College to start Feb 2nd

• Chili Cookoff moved to February 8th

• Landings Art Show moved to February 11th

• Trivia and Koffee Klatch to restart early February

• Writing Classes to start Feb 1st

• Bridge Classes to start Feb 13th

A few small group activities may restart in January (i.e., Art Group, fitness classes, etc.), with social distancing, windows open, and masks encouraged. In the end, each LRC member needs to make their own personal decision on what is right for them and their health.

Mah-Jongg Anyone?

Heads up that Betty Greenspan resumed her Mah-Jongg Learning Group from last year which is held Mondays from 1-3 p.m., on Lakeside porch currently. If you are interested, please look for signup sheet at club or reach out to her directly at betty. greenspan@gmail.com. Some members have also expressed interest in starting a regular Mah-Jongg weekly play group. If you are interested, please signup on Betty’s LRC

signup sheet. We will need to coordinate play times based on room availability and establish a primary owner for coordinating this event ongoing.

TV Socials:

Watch for upcoming Sports TV socials at Poolside Room, to be viewed on the new 75” TV! Philippe Maraval is heading up the new committee to plan TV Sports Socials, they will pick a few popular sports events each month to watch at the club. These events will be announced at the clubhouse and posted on TeamReach app (use Group Code LTVS to join).

Please let me know if you have an idea for another type of TV social event you would like to organize at the LRC (e.g., watching a Ted talk with a group, the Oscars, etc.).

TeamReach:

Be sure to join the easy-to-use phone app TeamReach to stay aware of upcoming events for Pickleball, Kayaking, Biking and TV Socials. Look at the TeamReach Setup Guide included in the Eagle on this page.

Kudos!

Finally, a big shoutout to our hardworking Social Committee Members Carolyn Friday, Fern Vaughan, Gayle Fitzgerald, Heidi Nightingale, Helen Bella, Beverly Austgen, Ingrid Weimer, Jen Trotter, Ron Pierce, and Valentina Valentini - they are making life at The Landings even better!

Mark Your Calendar:

Be sure to update your calendar to include upcoming social events (hint - take a photo of the event schedule). Try out some new events and make some new friends - we hope to see you there!

LRC SOCIAL EVENTS

February 2023 Look Ahead

Here is the upcoming schedule of Landings social events, subject to change based on COVID rates. If you are planning a new LRC event, please reach out to me at ppackman@gmail.com, to minimize event conflicts. Thank you! Paige Packman, LRC Social Director Activity Details

How to Sign Up

LRC SOCIAL EVENTS Attendance limited to LRC Members only.

Koffee Klatch Feb 14th & 27th. 9-11 AM Poolside.

Chili Cookoff NEW DATE: Wednesday Feb 8th at 5:30 PM in Lakeside. Try out some Landings chef’s home-cooked chili !

Super Bowl Party Sunday Feb 12th, 5:30 PM

Rock & Roll Pool Party! Friday March 3rd, 6-9 PM. Lisa Rott is back, along with Maggie’s food truck!

Landings Baseball Outing Sunday March 26th, Philadelphia Phillies vs Baltimore Orioles. Picnic lunch at 11:30 AM followed by game at 1:05.

OVERVIEW

TeamReach is a free phone-based app that allows Landings groups to connect about upcoming activities, share photos and chat with each other. This app helps to organize group activities and expands your connections within the Landings community!

KayakingLKS

PickleballLPBS

How Do I Setup TeamReach?

1.Download the Team Reach App to your phone from iPhone or Google Play App Store for free

2.Join a Group using a Group Code from above

3.Turn on TeamReach Notifications on your phone to stay informed (e.g., sounds, banners, badges)

Questions? Speak with other TeamReach members or the Group Leader.

Join today! It's easy to use and will plug you into fun at the Landings!

No signup needed. 2nd Tuesday, 4th Wednesday

Signup at LRC. BYOB plus $10 cover.

Signup at LRC a few weeks prior.

Signup at LRC a few weeks prior. Cover charge and BYOB.

Signup at LRC starts January 15th Tickets are limited so will sell out quickly!

LANDINGS ACTIVITIES Open to Landings Residents and their guests.

Landings Art Show NEW DATE: Saturday, February 11th, 10 AM –3 PM at LRC

Landings Dog Parade Saturday Feb 18th at 11:30 AM. Rain date Feb 19th

For more info, contact Marie McHugh at mchughmld@gmail.com

To signup email bpendrell@aol.com with your name, dog’s name, age, breed & size.

Newcomer Reception Wednesday March 1st, 5-7 PM Invites to new residents will be sent in February.

LRC CARDS & GAMES

Free for LRC members; guest partners pay $5.

Canasta Wednesday, 1-3:30 PM Feb 1st start, Poolside Room Signup sheet at LRC.

Mah-Jongg Learning Group

1 -3 PM Start Jan 16th in Lakeside Porch. Signup at LRC. Contact Betty Greenspan at 941-780-1528.

Poker Most Wednesdays, 6 PM in Poolside To signup, email Ron Pierce at rwpierce55@gmail.com

Trivia Challenge 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in Lakeside Room. Feb start Watch for Kevin email, $5 fee

LRC ARTS & LEARNING

Signup with Norm at Nfpconsultingresources@gmail.com

needed. Free for LRC members, $5 for guests.

signup, contact Lee Hall DelFausse@ adin276@aol.com

Sunday March 26th

Baltimore Orioles vs Philadelphia Phillies

Landings Racquet Club Members: Join your fellow neighbors for a picnic & game at Ed Smith Stadium! Picnic starts at 11:30 AM; game at 1:05 PM.

Tickets on first come first serve basis, signup at LRC starts January 15th. Tickets will sell out fast, so mark your calendars!

Racquet Club News LRC President’s Report

By Mayson Brooks

By the time you’re reading this article, we’ve had our annual meeting at the club. What a successful 2022 it was, culminating with the refacing and painting of the club exterior. Amazing how it has improved the overall look of the club and will substantially reduce our ongoing maintenance. Additionally, by the time you pick up this newspaper, we will have had our club elections and we’ll have several new board members including a new president of the club. As the board is made up of volunteers, make sure you thank them for spending their personal time and effort to help make the club just a fantastic place.

Despite a small delay in the social activities in early January due to Covid, the social committee has really ramped up the offerings this year. It really is an impressive spread of things to do and if you’re not taking advantage of some of them, you’re missing out. I don’t think there is a club in Sarasota with as many activities. I can’t thank the entire social committee

Manager’s Report

By Kevin Lechlitner

enough for all they do, and they do a lot!

The professional players on the tour have just finished the Australian Open; the first major of the year and have left for the indoor season abroad. As I’ve mentioned before in these articles, the Aussie Open is not only a favorite of the players but is also considered the best major for spectators. The only problem is it’s about a 24-hour plane ride from here. However, that hasn’t stopped numerous LRC members from making the trip this year. I know of 8 members who flew over for the Aussie Open and to tour the lovely Australian continent. Good on you, mate!

As I end my tenure as president, I want to personally thank Kevin, our fantastic pro’s, our new court maintenance team, pro shop team and all the volunteers who make the LRC a very special place. And as I like to say:

The Landings Racquet Club – tell only your best friends!

February 2023

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

Thank you to all the members that have paid their annual assessment already. For the handful of you that haven’t gotten around to it yet, please note that late fees and interest will be added February 1st. I’d like to see everyone avoid that if possible. Please contact me in the Tennis Pro Shop at 941-923-3886 if you have any questions regarding your annual assessment or your account in general.

I’m happy to announce that the major project we have been working on since early October is complete. If you have been to the club lately, you have seen it with your own eyes. All four buildings received a new stucco exterior and were painted. It looks like a brand-new club! We have added new bulletin boards and light fixtures as well. Thank you to the board and everyone else that played a role in bringing this dream to fruition.

Last month, I informed you that Edvin had resigned. A few days later, (after the Eagle deadline), our other long-time maintenance employee Hans Behr also gave his resignation. Hans was a fantastic employee for the ten years he was at the club. He left to spend more time caring for a family member who was living at his house. The staff and members are sad to see him go but understand why he needed to make the transition. I wish him only the best with his future endeavors.

The two new faces you see around the courts are our new maintenance staff, Barris Harrell and Jeremy Jones. They are new to the tennis world, but both have a maintenance history on their resume. They are doing well so far and learning quickly. They both work full-time Monday through Friday.

Please take the time to introduce yourself when you see them at the club.

News from the Court

By Adrian “Mo” Moghina

The best tennis players can make you feel that you must hit the ball to very small spaces on the court (aiming closer to the lines then you are comfortable and forcing you to hit lower percentage shots). For example, in singles, the players with great forehands and footwork can run around their backhands to hit their forehand and they basically dare you to find their backhand. Thus, what happens a lot is that you start aiming closer to their backhand sideline and start to make a lot of errors.

TUESDAYS 3.0 Ladies Team Clinic

- 9:30

- 11:00

*only 3.0 ladies team members in ProShop Office 941923-3886

*only 3.5 ladies team members via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

- 5:00 via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

In doubles, the teams with an aggressive net player (the terminator) can make the opponents aim into smaller spaces. The best way for the net player to do that is to “poach” when your partner is serving.

There are three types of poaching. 1) poaching by command, 2) poaching by anticipation, and 3) poaching by reaction.

WEDNESDAYS Cardio Tennis

Kids (8 and under) Clinic

Kids (9+) Clinic

Middle School & High School Clinic

- 9:30 2.5 and above

-

-

- 7:30

THURSDAYS 4.0 Ladies Team Clinic 9:00 - 10:30

Men's Doubles Clinic

Kids (10+) Clinic

-

*staggering start times

via Pro Shop on 3rd Friday of current month for next month's dates

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

*only 4.0 ladies team members via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

via Tennis Director, Mo @ 707-287-1685

- 6:30 via Jen Fiers @ 805448-2669 or jenfiers@gmail.com

The best and most effective way to poach, especially at the club level, is by command (verbally or with signals). This way you and your partner are clear that the net player is poaching. Now, the server at the baseline knows for sure to switch sides after they serve to cover the new territory where his net player left from and took prepare for a potential down the line return. The key here is that the net player commits and doesn’t hesitate to poach. Basically, this means that the net player is trying to steal the ball and finish the point with the opponent’s crosscourt return.

The timing of your poach is very important also. You should make you move to just prior to your opponent contacting the ball or simultaneous to their contacting the ball.

Poaching by anticipation means that you are noticing clues from opponents to predict a crosscourt return and then

instantly decide to poach. In this case, your partner at the baseline doesn’t have to switch sides immediately because you might not actually reach the ball.

You should wait and see if you reach the ball and then make the effort to switch sides.

Poaching by reaction means that the opponent sent a weaker shot than expected that passes near the middle of the court. This was an unexpected gift.

If you are alert and always looking for opportunities to finish the point, you will now either hit a winner or force the opponents into an error. And occasionally you will miss the shot by going for too much.

Therefore, it’s very important to always know where to aim.

Your best target is down the middle between the players. Aiming at the net players feet or the outside tee on their side is also high percentage. Poaching, even if you lose the point, creates more anxiety and pressure on your opponents to hit into smaller spaces. Your opponents will make more errors during the match if you don’t abandon this play.

Our next social round robin and pro-exhibition will be on February 24th from 2-5 p.m. Sign up at pro shop.

See you on the courts!

Forty people had fun playing Triples on Friday, January 13th. George Ulrich did a great job with the format and organizing teams. A big thank you goes to George, for a job well done. Thanks also to Lee Delfause, Lou Desmarteaux, John Fournier, and Neil Goldman for feeding the balls to start play. There were a few new members who had an opportunity to meet many people in this fun and easy format. Even though the weather was chilly and windy, many players stayed to socialize after the tennis was over.

The next Club Triples will be February 10th. Sign-up early as there will be a 40-person limit. LRC Tennis, rocks.

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN THE SARASOTA AREA BY FAR! FRESH, FLAVORFUL, PERFECTLY PREPARED

FOOD. BE BACK NEXT YEAR!

“This is a small family run restaurant and the owners are onsite there. The owners and staff are friendly and welcoming. The service is great, but the food is phenomenal ! We had the blackened grouper, crab cakes and fish stew. It was seasoned and prepared perfectly! We found it because we were looking a place to eat after a movie, and if we hadn’t looked for reviews on TripAdvisor we would never have found it. It’s in a small plaza in the back corner and does not stand out. It was 45 minutes from where we were staying but it was so good we had to go back again. Each of the last 3 years we have stayed for 2 months on longboat key and this was the best seafood restaurant we’ve been to, hands down! It was nice to meet the owner who it turns out was from the town next to us in Connecticut. You must try it, but I would recommend reservations at dinner time as it’s a small place.”

COVID Strikes Again; Art Show Rescheduled

By Marie-Louise McHugh

We are sorry to have to announce that because of a major outbreak of COVID-19 at The Landings, all indoor activities at the Landings Racquet Club have been cancelled until further notice. This includes the scheduled return of the Landings Artists Art Show. We have a new date for this event: Saturday, February 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Same artists and same set up in both the Lakeside and Poolside Rooms.

Kayak outing set for Feb. 26

Kayaks galore! There has been so much interest and activity surrounding kayaking activities that another adventure is planned for Sunday, February 26th at 10 a.m., launching from the Nature Trail.

Once again, John McFetridge has agreed to pilot this outing. It has been posted on TeamReach, but we wanted to make sure that all were informed. if you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on TeamReach.

We expect to receive help from other experienced kayakers for those who are

LHA Meeting Notes

The Landings Homeowners Association held its regularly scheduled board meeting on January 12th at 5:00 p.m. at the Landings Racquet Club.

The board approved landscape changes on Pine Harrier Circle and

“newbies.”

Our January 21st outing at Turtle Beach was quite the success. There were more than 36 people who joined the outing, most of whom then gathered for lunch at a nearby restaurant. John led that with assistance provided by Wayne Trotter.

There have been complications getting the 2023 billing and annual contracts issued by Pinnacle. By the time you read this, it is hoped that we will be back on track.

See you on the water!

a replacement roof on Peregrine Point Drive.

The next regular meeting is at 6:00 p.m. February 9th, in the Poolside Room at the Landings Racquet Club followed by the Association’s Annual Meeting of

Members at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting material will be mailed or, if the member has so elected, emailed to each member. Please return the proxy or register on-line to be sure we have a quorum for the meeting.

Outdoor Waterfront Dining!

Salmon … $22

Sea Scallops … $22

Shrimp and Seafood Au Gratin … $16

Fisherman Platter … $32

Baby Back Ribs … $24

Orange Pecan Chicken … $16

Filet Mignon … $24

Filet Mignon & Stuffed Shrimp … $34

Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail … $48

Stuffed Shrimp & Maine Lobster Tail … $42

Twin Maine Lobster Tails … $54

FRIED SEAFOOD PLATTERS

Coconut Shrimp … $22

Large Gulf Shrimp … $20

Fish & Chips … $19

Fried Combo … $28

PASTA & BOWLS

Shrimp & Crab Scampi … $24

Salmon Pasta … $21

Chicken & Shrimp Curry … $21

Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken & Shrimp … $22

Pasta Primavera … $16

DESSERTS

Turtle Pie … $9

Key Lime Pie … $9

Sample Platter … $12

Ice Cream Bar … $6

Remodeling this year? Tips from Landings Residents and Renovation Pros

By Jane Bartnett

Landings residents Anna Maria, Colin and Brian Campbell are the talented and creative people behind the new Flying Scotsman home improvement business. Named after the famous express train that travels from Edinburgh to London, the Campbell’s purchased their Landings home in 2019 with the intention of relocating from the suburbs of Glasgow, Scotland. “COVID got in the way. We couldn’t’t get back for two years,” said Anna Maria. “Eventually we were able to move to The Landings in December 2021, and we started our business, the Flying Scotsman, in March 2022.”

The Campbells discovered Sarasota some 15 years ago when Glasgow friends rented in The Landings. “We came over on vacation to stay with them, fell in love with The Landings and eventually, we found our piece of paradise,” she said.

As they celebrate the one-year anniversary of their new Landings based business, the Campbells are looking ahead to a successful new year. No strangers to the home improvement business, they bring more than 30 years of experience in the field of home improvements to their new Flying Scotsman business.

“We’ve been flipping houses and running our own businesses in Scotland for more than 30 years,” said Anna Maria who manages the business side of the business while her husband Colin and son Brian handle the projects. “We carried out all the work ourselves and developed a very broad spectrum of skills. The Flying Scotsman was a natural progression for us.” When asked if an HGTV show of their own may be on the horizon, Anna Maria laughed and said, “I wish! You never know!”

This past year, the Campbells focused on working on projects in The Landings. “Our jobs have been very varied, ranging from

bathroom and kitchen remodels, painting a 10 x 10 deck area and changing hardware.”

Kitchen Refresh Program

As home prices continue to rise in The Landings and throughout the Sarasota area, many homeowners are making the decision to stay in their home, paint and update, instead of moving. “That’s why we developed the Flying Scotsman Kitchen Refresh program,” Anna Maria said. While refreshing an existing kitchen is primarily cosmetic, it can still entail a significant amount of work and budget. Unlike a renovation, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical re-wiring are not included

in a refresh. The national average cost of a full cost of a full kitchen remodeling, according to Fortune Magazine, stands at approximately $80,000.

“Our kitchen refresh plan is designed for people who don’t want the inconvenience or expense of remodeling their kitchen from scratch,” said Anna Maria. “We can totally revamp and refresh a kitchen by respraying the existing doors and drawers, changing the hardware, repainting the walls, installing new backsplash, and updating the flooring. The difference can be amazing.”

As opposed to an $80,000 renovation budget, Colin Campbell reports that customers considering a kitchen refreshment

should plan on budgeting between $10,000$20,000.

“There are many factors to consider,” he explained, “including the size of the kitchen, the condition of the cabinets, and trim. The type of flooring that the homeowner selects as well as backsplash tiles that can range widely in price, hardware, and the cost of other materials also factor in.” He noted that although countertop replacement is not included in the Flying Scotsman kitchen refresh program, they work with leading area countertop experts that can be brought in for the job. “We also work with other local

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Left and clockwise: Colin Campbell (the Flying Scotsman, on the left) with Anna and Brian; a Landings kitchen before a refresh by the Flying Scotsman, and afterward. (submitted photos)

Remodeling Continued from previous page experienced and licensed plumbers and electricians, when needed.”

Landings homeowners considering home improvements should “call us first,” said Colin. “We provide free in-home estimates. That’s the first step and the best way to begin,” he said. After meeting and reviewing the scope of the work, Flying Scotsman will offer suggestions, advice, and guidance on a budget and next steps.

Painting - A Dramatic Difference

Painting offers a less expensive but often effective way to update a home. “Painting is an opportunity to create an individual look, and protect the surface it is applied to,” said Anna Maria. “Over the years, we completed many decorating and painting projects. A great deal of our Flying Scotsman business so far has been painting and renovating walls.”

5450 Eagles Point Circle #104

Flooring

Floors are another home improvement that many people are deciding to tackle. “We carry out all types of floor installation, but not carpeting,” said Anna Maria. “At the moment,” she said, “luxury vinyl plank, known as LVP, is the most popular. If you fancy a flooring update, LVP is a really versatile product. A composite, it is hardwearing, waterproof and can be manufactured to look like almost any finish,

such as stone or wood. A floating floor, it’s easy to lift and replace in future years. We’ve also been able to successfully lay LVP over tile.”

“We see ourselves as a local family business,” said Anna. “We want to help customers with all of their home repair needs, small and large.”

Visit the Flying Scotsman’s new website at: flyingscotsmanusa.com.

THE LANDINGS 2022 MARKET RECAP 1/1/2022 through 12/31/2022

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

1 Active l 1 Pending l 13 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $870,000 and over $5,000,000

Average Home Sales Price was $1,637,709

BAYVIEW HOMES

0 Active l 0 Pending l 6 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $485,000 and $675,000

EAGLES POINT at THE LANDINGS

1 Active l 0 Pending l 6 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $575,000 and $1,400,000

LANDINGS CARRIAGEHOUSES

0 Active l 1 Pending l 4 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $450,000 and $745,000

The real estate market is changing. Interested in having a current market value of your residence?

I’m here for you!

LANDINGS SOUTH

0 Active l 0 Pending l 9 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $370,000 and $615,000

LANDINGS TREEHOUSES

0 Active l 0 Pending l 5 Closed Sales

NEW LISTING MLS: A4557580 Listed for $675,000

2 Bedrooms l OfÞce/Den l 2 Bathrooms l 1,603SF

Ready to move into! On Phillippi Creek, this lovely updated condo is being sold turn-key furnished The expansive terrace is an added bonus.

50 Central Avenue Suite 110 Sarasota, FL 34236 941.315.3221

joan.koplin@premiersir.com

Fine Art Show

Sales closed between $500,000 and $712,,500

VILLAS at EAGLES POINT

0 Active l 0 Pending l 2 Closed Sales

Sales closed between $680,000 and $708,500

Average Condo Sales Price for 32 Units was $765,703

February 11 & 12

Phillippi Estate Park

@hotworksartshows www.facebook.com/hotworksartshows

Juried Fine Art & Craft Show – Something For Everyone

While at the show be sure to visit the Youth Art Competition!

A new listing and a look at what happened in The Landings real estate market in 2022 It’s looking good!

Michael Schuessler, Drawing

LRC RACQUET SPORTS

These activities limited to LRC members only.

ClassTime Signup Info

Pickleball Mon. Wed., Thurs. 2:30-4:30

Sundays 9:30 –11:30 AM

Ping Pong Wednesdays, 10–12 PM

Tennis Round Robins & Pro Exhibitions

Triples Tennis Social Mixers

Multi-purpose Room

Jan 27th, Feb 24th, March 17th, April 21st On Fridays at 2 PM

Jan 13th, Feb 10th, Mar 10th, April 7th, May 5th, 3:30 PM

No signup required, meet on court 8. Join PB TeamReach group with code LPBS

No signup needed.

Signup in advance at LRC. $7.50 fee for event and beverages.

Signup in advance at LRC. BYOB social mixer after.

OUTDOOR RECREATION

ClassTime Signup Info

Biking Sunday February 5th 9:30 PM bike excursion. Signup with Norm at insidethelandings@gmail.com Join TeamReach (LBS)

Fishing Contact the Landings “Fish Whisperer” if learn how to fish or fish with a friend.

Golf Weekly social golf group that plays Thursday afternoons at Serenoa Golf Club.

Kayaking Sunday February 26th 10 AM kayak excursion. May visit bird island.

Signup with Norm at insidethelandings@gmail.com

Reservations required, contact Sue at scault@comcast.net to sign up.

Meet at kayak rack. Please mark yes under TeamReach (LKS) event if you are coming.

Landings Directory

online resident directory on the Landings website: www.thelandingsofsarasota.com/ login as their source for current directory listings and Landings information. Directory information is updated on the site no less often than weekly and changes are made to other Landing information when available. A directory, downloadable as a PDF file, dated November 2021 is also available on the LMA home page. If you want CURRENT INFORMATION, use the website’s online directory!

I encourage every resident to check their online directory listing for accuracy. Additions, changes, or corrections to the online directory may be requested by filling out the change form on the online Residents Directory page or by e-mail to: landings.directory@gmail.com.

Yoga, Yoga, Yoga! By Dee Recapito

Magdalena de Poel says, “We don’t go to yoga because we are already flexible. We go to begin our journey in gaining flexibility.”

Magdalena teaches a variety of yoga classes to Landings residents. Here is a summary of her yoga classes residents have the option to participate in.

Gentle Yin Yoga quiets the mind and gently stretches the body. These classes are on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $8 to join the session.

Core and Mobility classes focuses on strength,

balance, mobility, and overall coordination. Core and Mobility classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:15 a.m. and are $5.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga improves posture, fundamentals of movement, strength, and endurance. Vinyasa Flow class is on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. and the cost $8. Additionally, look for information in the LRC Pro Shop on Circuit Training in the fitness center. Cost is $10 and there is a limit of 10 people per class.

The Eagle Has Landed

A sighting of “The Eagle” at the World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Submit your “Eagle” sightings to info@27statemedia.com for inclusion in a future edition

Day Tripping: West Bradenton, part 2

By Betty Greenspan

To the right and clockwise: Pier 22 is a great spot to dine and watch for dolphins, boats, and other wildlife go by; the Manatee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile stroll offering plenty of benches and shade; the ArtCenter offers art exhibits, classes, and even has a great gift shop; the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature offers wonderful educational experiences.

This month, we continue the exploration of West Bradenton. This article will focus on parts of the downtown area I think you will find exciting and interesting to explore.

Being a lover of the arts, the ArtCenter Manatee, located at 209 9th Street, is one of my favorite places to visit. Many of my art friends have exhibited and taken classes there and the instructors are top notch.

Founded in 1937, the ArtCenter Manatee is the premier center for art, art education and unique gifts. The nearly 10,000 sq. ft. building features three galleries with exhibits that change monthly, five classrooms, an artists’ market gift shop, and an art library featuring

over 3,000 art volumes.

Over 400, day, evening and weekend art classes, and workshops for adults are offered year-round in painting, drawing, pastels, pottery, jewelry design, photography and more.

I especially love wandering the charming gift shop with its creative selections and reasonable prices. It’s not hard to spend hours shopping, looking at great artwork and peeking in at the classrooms busy with aspiring artists.

Not far away is the South Florida Museum, 201,10th Street West.

As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the South Florida Museum offers engaging exhibits as well as educational programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world, and our universe.

In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum features a constantly changing lineup of exhibitions on a regular basis, including a photography workshop focusing on wildlife.

The museum also has a hall of medical history, where you can see some of the advances medical science has made. The museum includes the all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater and the Parker Manatee Aquarium. The Bishop Planetarium is the Gulf Coast’s premier astronomy education facility, outfitted with a state-ofthe-art planetarium and projection system with stunning multimedia capabilities. The Parker Manatee Aquarium, founded in 1949, is a Stage 2 Manatee Rehabilitation Facility, where injured or orphaned manatees are rehabilitated for return to the wild as part of the Manatee Rehabilitation and Release Partnership.

Take a break and stroll on the beautiful new Riverwalk which stretches along the south side of the Manatee River. This outdoor gathering place has lots of benches and shade. It’s a 1.5-mile, ADA-accessible park spanning downtown with many features including an amphitheater, skate park, beach volleyball, a fishing wharf, several water fountains, and even a doggy fountain.

A favorite dining stop is Pier 22 on the river overlooking the marina where you can spot dolphins and watch the boats go by. There is both an indoor and outdoor patio as well as a big dining room. The perfect place for larger groups.

Fav’s Italian Cucina at 419 12th Street W, is another favorite of mine, where you can sit on the patio and sample some of the best pizza, in my humble opinion, in Florida!

There’s lots more to explore in West Bradenton so stay tuned!

Teen Scene By Heidi Bodor

Ari Drachman, 17, 11th-grader at Sarasota High School

Do you have any siblings? A twin brother, Joel

Do you have any pets? We have a dog named Cooper. He’s a Cavelier King Charles Spaniel.

How long have you been in The Landings? A few years

Do you like The Landings? Why? Yes, it’s pretty - a nice place. I like the scenery the best. There’s a lot of greenery and flowers. It’s nice to go on walks around here. My grandma lives here, too, so that’s nice.

What is your favorite subject? I’m taking a nursing class at Sarasota Tech College. I go to Sarasota Technical College the first half of the day and then to SHS.

What is your favorite video game? Elden Ring - I like the story of that game.

What is your favorite sport? I don’t really have one but I really got in to watching the World Cup. I enjoyed the soccer.

Favorite Teams: All the Boston teams – Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins I used to live in Massachusetts.

Favorite ice cream: Chocolate

Favorite color? Blue

Favorite movie? Spiderman into the Spider Verse

What do you do in your spare time? I play video games when I’m able to and hang out with friends.

What do you want to be when you get older? I’ll probably go into nursing. It seems like a good career path. We will do “clinicals” soon and I want to wait and see what that is like before deciding.

Tell me about a recent trip you’ve taken. We went to Boston for Thanksgiving. We visited family and looked at some colleges. We haven’t traveled much lately due to the pandemic.

What is your favorite food? I really like lamb chops. My grandma makes them on special occasions. They are really good.

If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why? I’d probably be a domesticated ferret. They seem to have fun. They seem to burrow around in the dirt and do mindless things.

If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? I would bring an ax, a fishing rod, and flint and steel.

Who are your heroes and why? My grandfather was a really good lawyer. He was also a really great guy - really nice. He always made the time to help you out. He prioritized others over himself. He passed a few years ago from cancer. I want to grow up to be like him -- to do good.

If you could fix one ill in the world, what would it be? There is too much corruption. If you want to do something, make it known. Be transparent.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? It’s to make new friends and get more connected with the ones I have.

Do you belong to any organizations? I go to temple where we have monthly meetings about traditions and how keep Judaism alive through a modern lens.

How is it being a twin? It’s OK. We usually don’t see eye to eye on things. We are fraternal twins. We have many differing opinons. Sometimes it’s nice. I have my driver’s license. My brother doesn’t yet have his so it’s nice to bond with each other in the car.

THE PHOTO SHOP: Architectural Photography II

By Bob Manteiga

The Photographs of Joel Gross, Architectural Photographer

After announcing the publication of my January article on Architectural Photography, I received several photos from Landings residents, many of whom were submitting photos for the first time. At the time, I had no idea that there was a professional architectural photographer living right here in The Landings. By the time I received his photos, it was already too late, to be included in the January issue. The article and issue had already gone out to print. I was, of course, disappointed. But, after giving it some thought, it struck me that this just might be a fortuitous turn of events. It would give me the opportunity to publish yet a second article on architectural photography, dedicated entirely to this artist’s work.

Joel Gross grew up in the Midwest, but later moved to the Boston area to pursue a career in financial services and technology. Joel had always had an interest in photography, and even dreamed about someday being a National Geographic photographer.

After retiring, he found that he had a lot more time to dedicate to this lifelong hobby of his. He says that “his postretirement venture into architectural photography was something entirely unplanned and organic”. A realtor friend who knew that Joel was a “decent” photographer asked him if he would be interested in photographing some antique homes she was listing. The experience gave him the “opportunity to learn, evolve, and perfect” his craft.

Joel credits Brian Vander Brink, the workshops offered by Maine

Media Workshops, and Mike Kelly’s video tutorials, “Where Art Meets Architecture,” for helping him move on from real estate photography to working with architects, interior designers, and developers.

He is passionate about, “producing high quality images that enable his clients to attain their business objectives through the proper presentation of their work”. Joel’s licensed images are used for advertising, website development, and client portfolios. Now, he says jokingly, his dream is to be a photographer for Architectural Digest.

Joel’s “go to” camera is a Sony a7r IV full-frame mirrorless camera, less bulky than many of the other SLRs on the market. He uses a variety of lenses depending on the kinds of shots he is taking… from wide-angle lenses

to intermediate zoom lenses, all with extremely high-quality glass. He even has a drone camera equipped with a Hasselblad lens that he uses for aerial photography. His camera bag includes a variety of tripods to maximize stabilization. While most architectural photographers employ a variety of lighting techniques, Joel prefers ambient lighting combined with the technology afforded by high-resolution images, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and other software packages.

We offer you a selection of Joel’s images, and hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Our March issue will be dedicated to “seascapes,” and other “water” images. So, if you have any photographs that meet these criteria, please send them to me at roberto@uri.edu.

New Year, New You! But What About Your Pup?

Last month, we touched on a handful of ways you and your dog can resolve to have a great 2023. This month, we’re going to focus on just one: grooming. While we often talk about the importance of a balanced diet, proper nutrition, and plenty of exercise for your dog, grooming sometimes gets short shrift. But a well-rounded grooming routine— including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and dental care—is necessary to keep your dog feeling good and looking their best.

Grooming Go-To’s

Your pup’s beauty regimen begins with the two B’s: brushing and bathing. Brushing the fur from the neck down removes dead skin, hair, and mats can mitigate pests and will help spread your dog’s natural oils evenly throughout their coat. Plus, the stimulation aids circulation in their skin and helps them stay cool. Coupled with regular bathing, these activities make for a healthy start and offer some additional time for you to bond with your dog.

But it doesn’t end there. Consistent nail trimming goes a long way to prevent discomfort for your pup—and maybe your furniture. Ears and eyes should also be monitored to guard against irritation or infection. And then, there are your dog’s teeth.

Proper Choppers

A clean, healthy coat is important, but strong dental hygiene is even more vital to maintaining your dog’s health and well-being. Unsurprisingly, proper doggie dental care also begins with brushing to rid your pup’s mouth of food particles, bacteria, and salivary proteins that can contribute to plaque buildup. All it takes is a nice, soft toothbrush, some canine-formulated toothpaste, and a little patience. As you might imagine, many dogs aren’t fond of oral hygiene. So, prepare yourself in case it’s a struggle—and maybe keep a treat nearby.

Beyond brushing, don’t forget to pay attention to two other key elements that will keep your dog’s grill looking, feeling, and smelling great: chewing, and gut health.

Much like kids, many dogs don’t adequately chew their food. Chewing bones and toys can limit plaque, reduce tartar, and contribute positively to gum health. As for their gut, you can easily check on how things are going by giving your dog’s breath a sniff. While you should be mindful of gut health regardless, you may want to take special action if they don’t pass the smell test. Bad breath is not only unpleasant, but it can also be an indicator of bacterial imbalance. Thankfully, this imbalance can often be solved using probiotics to boost desirable gut flora while also helping prevent oral issues like halitosis and periodontal disease.

The Pros Know

Establishing a home grooming routine is great. Still, you may also want to incorporate the occasional visit with a pro. At the very least, a trip to the groomer for a nice haircut from time to time is worth putting on the schedule, but keep in mind these skilled professionals

Going to the Dogs

By Karen Snyder

I am Juno the Golden Doodle! This month I turn eleven.

I am a typical Doodle, I love to run and play with other ogs, but my very best friend in all the world is a cat! That’s right, a cat named Jesse.

Jesse came into my life when I was a young pup. At the time, I was spending my days chewing on lots of rugs and even books much to my owner’s, Beth Cotner’s dismay!

When Jesse came into our lives, VOILA, I now had a kitten for a playmate and guess what? I never misbehaved again. That’s the truth. Well, almost.

Our favorite pastime is to wait each morning until Beth makes the bed and places all the throw pillows neatly on top.

Jesse loves to hide under a pillow while I jump on the bed and toss it off him. Jesse doesn’t stop but finds another pillow to hide under and the game continues.

We aren’t misbehaving!

During Covid another kitten named Cali arrived. The trouble with Cali is she thinks she’s the alpha in the pact. No way. I was here first.

We love to visit Didi who lives in The Landings! She is very generous with her treats. Three neighboring poodles are my canine friends with whom I play as well.

The Landing is a furry friends Mecca!

Text Karen for your photo shoot! It’s fun to read about who’s who in the animal world here. 9418550347.

can also offer other services that your dog will love. Finally, as you update your pup’s routine, don’t forget that your local independent pet store is an excellent resource to access both grooming tools and experts. Start the new year right by implementing a regular grooming schedule that will help your dog live 2023 happier and healthier, both inside and out.

About the Author: Kyle Baker, Senior Pet Food Nutritionist at DOGPerfect, has a passion for educating pet parents on the power of nutrition and how it can improve their pet’s lives with proper food, supplements, and treats. With over 17 years of industry experience, he has helped change the lives of thousands of pets.

Driveway Band Continues to Entertain By Marie-Louise McHugh

The Monday Landings Boulevard Driveway Band continues to entertain neighbors from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays.

Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, Gary and Ange Eason started the Monday Landings Boulevard Band by playing in their driveway every Monday. Shortly thereafter, other musicians began to join in. It has turned into quite an ensemble.

If you enjoy Bluegrass and Folk music, come by, join them, sing along, or just stay awhile and listen for a bit. Bring your dog, a chair, a snack and have fun. Live music just down the street. Hard to beat!

Happiness is...Love

Welcome to February – the month of all things romance and love! Nothing says love like a sweet treat from Abel’s Ice Cream.

Their friendly staff stands ready to help you impress your special someone with traditional flavors like awardwinning chocolate or vanilla. Or break the mold with their love-inspired holiday flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake (the ultimate classic cheesecake ice cream loaded with chunks of creamy cheesecake and a flavorful strawberry ribbon), or Cherry

Oblivion (creamy black cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries & luscious liquid chocolate chips). And, if you’re looking for just the right gift to surprise a good friend or loved one, check out Abel’s famous specialty chocolatier, Sweet Shop USA. Come into Abel’s Ice Cream and embrace the love. Life is too short to skip the celebration!

Abel’s Ice Cream is located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from

Members of the Driveway Band are (from left)

Ange Eason, Jack Hume (visitor), Mike Cohen, Peter McHugh, Bob Fernander, and Gary Eason

Inaugural Member -Guest Mixup Tennis Doubles set for Feb. 24

On February 24,

The Landings will host a Member/ Guest Mixup Doubles.

Members may invite a guest to play.

Noon-10 pm. Learn more at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

By the way, if a Valentine’s breakfast or lunch date is on your agenda, remember to head a few blocks north to the new addition of Abel’s family, and visit Simon’s Coffee House at 5900 S. Tamiami Trail. At Simon’s vegan, vegetarian and omnivore palates will all feel the love!

Members will sign-up beginning February 6th, at the pro shop. When you sign-up, you will designate your level and your guest’s level. The pros will then put together a 6.0 division, a 7.0 division and an 8.0 division. There will be no Men’s or Women’s divisions. (Therefore, the name-Mix-Up doubles.)

The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. and teams will play until 3:30 p.m. A pro exhibition will follow the event. As usual, there will be beverages during the pro exhibition. There will be a $15 charge per team to cover balls and beverages which will be available throughout the event. Beverages are for those participating in the Member/ Guest event, not those watching the exhibition. Let’s make this inaugural event a super success!

The Landings January bike outing to Myakka Park was a great success. Lots of gators and wildlife seen throughout the park including this limpkin, pictured above. The Bird and Canopy Walk were closed due to Hurricane Ian damage but we were able to identify some great hiking trails to explore on our own and during future visits.

Fishing at the Gazebo

The Fish Whisperer always enjoys teaching people how to fish. While most of his students are children, Bruce Reznick, a new homeowner in The Landings, had a great day for his first time fishing at the gazebo. If you want to learn how to fish, or just want to have an experience fishing at the gazebo, contact the Fish Whisperer at nfpconsultingresources@gmail.com.

Kitchen Ladies Recipe Corner

Compiled by Dee Ricapito

Helen Bella’s Homemade Pizza

February is the month to celebrate all things loved. Who doesn’t love pizza? Especially Helen’s recipe. She is an excellent cook and will delight us with the Chili Cook-off Contest next month.

Ingredients:

Pizza crust (Pillsbury or fresh pizza crust)

1 jar pizza sauce

Oregano, Italian seasoning, ground pepper

1/2 pounds of ground Italian sausage, cooked

Pepperoni slices

1 1/2 bell peppers (combination red & green) sliced in strips

1 tomato, sliced

Finely shredded mozzarella

Fresh basil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400*

Spray Pam or use olive oil on pizza pan.

Spread pizza crust on pan, add pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, pepper, cooked ground Italian sausage, lots of pepperoni - one piece at a time over entire dish.

Add bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh Basil & cover dish with shredded mozzarella (*add whatever ingredients of your choice*).

Bake @ 400° for about 15 - 20 minutes

Serve with salad & lots of Chianti

Ciao Bella

Just For Laughs

Compiled by Dee Ricapito

February Funnies to spread the Valentine love and laughter.

Q: What’s the difference between a $20 steak and a $55 steak? A: February 14th.

When you retire you switch bosses from one who hired you, to the one who married you!

Once you understand why pizza is made round, packed in a square box, and eaten as a triangle … then, and only then, you will understand women!

A man asked a fairy to make him desirable and irresistible to all women.

She turned him into a credit card.

Husband says, “I want you to have this bracelet, it belonged to my grandmother.

Wife says, “Why does it say on the back, “Do Not Resuscitate?”

My wife was going through her wardrobe she said, “look at this it still fits after 25 years”.

I said, “It’s a scarf”.

Tip for a successful marriage: Don’t ask your wife when dinner will be ready when she’s mowing the lawn!

Valentine tip: “If you have only one smile in you…give it to the one you LOVE.”

By: Maya Angelou