If you were an eagle circling above the LRC tennis courts the last Saturday in January, you would have witnessed a tender and heartwarming scene: Young lovers holding hands vowing to love and cherish one another for the rest of their lives.
The couple chose this unlikely wedding venue because it was where they had first met more than two years earlier.
The young man, Ethan Engdahl, had been coaxed by his father Mark
to join a Monday evening tennis clinic where other young people were playing. He was surprised to find his dad was right.
“They were actual 20-somethings, not 45-year-olds”, said Ethan. One of them was Emily Nightingale, who had been living in The Landings with her mom Heidi since Covid. She happened to turn up the same evening with her neighbor, Austin Hagen.
While Ethan was pleased to see young faces, he presumed they were a couple.
When he learned they weren’t an item, “I had to really turn on the charm for the next hour and a half to make an impression on her,” recalled Ethan. Sparks flew and the pair spent the rest of the week taking long walks around The Landings talking and laughing.
Emily remembers texting her best friend that she had met the man she thought would become her husband. “I truly think the Universe brought us together at the exact right time in both our lives,” says Emily. Emily and Ethan dated just a few months before Ethan’s company transferred him to Kansas City. First, he hoped to convince Emily to go with him, then he needed to win over her now-3-year-old Great Dane-Rottweiler mix, Doug. “I’m still working on that!” laughs Ethan.
Ultimately, they set off for Kansas City. A year later, they were engaged, moved to Engdahl’s hometown of Minneapolis and bought a house. When it came time to choose where to take their vows, they thought of Court 5, at The Landings Racquet Club. LRC manager Kevin Lechlitner was not only receptive to their idea, but enthusiastic. “He just made it happen,” said Emily. “That court is so special to us. I will never forget the moment our eyes first met on that court. Being able to get married there was such a perfect start to our married life,” said Emily It turns out, the tennis courts at The Landings had hatched another love match. Well over a decade ago, two moms were chatting after tennis. Leslie Shriberg told Beverly Austgen that her daughter Dana had just moved to Denver. Bev was interested as her son Randy lived in Boulder. Bev asked if Dana skied and biked. Yes, to both. Then, Bev asked the all-important question: was Dana tall? Leslie laughed; her Dana measures barely five feet. That was the clincher. (Bev’s son was not looking for a tall girlfriend.) The moms decided to try to set them up. But it took a while. Dana went through a couple of boyfriends before Randy finally called her. It wasn’t love at first sight. They
Volunteers Who Work for You
If you play tennis at The Landings, you may know Doug Day as the tall guy with the high flying, looping tennis shots. Or, you may know Doug as the planner of the haunted trail in The Landings on Halloween. He has been in The Landings for many years so you also may know him from his volunteer work on The Landings shore cleanup events or when he served on the LMA Board. But to really get to know Doug, you need to go back to his interesting family history. Doug’s grandfather, who only had a 6 th grade education, got involved in Coca-Cola bottling and eventually moved into a position where he was offered partial ownership of the plant and territory in the Scranton, Pennsylvania district.
Doug’s father and his three brothers went into the Coca-Cola family business as well. More on the family business later in this article.
Doug grew up in the coal country
of Pennsylvania in a town called Clarkes Summit, near Scranton. He has one older brother and described his childhood as ideal. His mother was a homemaker who was originally from Bradenton, FL. His parents met while both were in Atlanta working at Coca-Cola.
As a young child, Doug loved art, however, he gave it up at around eight years old. He went to a Quaker boarding high school in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was surprised, but pleased, at the lax attitude toward how the students dressed. While in high school, he got into wrestling and loved to ski. Upon graduation, he went to Ohio Wesleyan, outside of Columbus, got involved with a fraternity and found out that his major in humanities was not for him. While in college he was reintroduced to art and changed his major. The summer after graduating, he ventured cross country by car and ended up in Alaska where he worked for a while in a fish cannery. Upon his return to the family business, he got involved with a Coca-Cola management development program in Atlanta and used it for his own personal growth and time to learn more about himself. That program took him all over the country.
The family’s Coca-Cola business, back in Scranton, was sold in 1985. This prompted him to start graduate courses in art and sculpture at Virginia Commonwealth University. Even though he loved it, he soon realized that art wasn’t going to pay the bills. He moved to Atlanta and was a teacher for a while before getting
into the exhibit business where he helped fabricate movie and theater sets. He also had a most enjoyable and memorable experience being a cameraman for a documentary film about a teacher who worked with special needs students.
It seemed that he couldn’t find his niche. He learned that he needed to find work that would give him independence within a structured environment. It turned out that his brother, who had a citrus farm in Myakka City, invited him to join him in Florida. He moved to Florida in 1995 and fell in love with the work on the farm, riding around on a tractor and enjoying the local environment. While working on the farm he had an apartment in downtown Sarasota and this is where he met Ronnie, who was working in a card shop. In 2008 they got married, had a daughter and about the time she turned four, they knew they wanted a home with a yard and larger space. After looking at about 30 homes around Sarasota, they found the one they wanted in The Landings. The farm was sold in 2022 and Doug retired.
His tennis history is also interesting. Doug’s father played tennis but, for most of his life, Doug was only a spectator who enjoyed watching tennis. When he moved to Sarasota he started playing regularly at Payne Park, Bath and Racquet and now, in The Landings.
Ronnie and Doug’s daughter, Cathryn (Catty), who is now 15, went to St Martha’s Middle School and is now at Cardinal Mooney High School where she plays volleyball.
dated a bit, then broke up. They re-connected two years later in a hospital room. Randy had broken multiple ribs in a ski accident. Dana learned about his plight and visited him. When he was discharged from the hospital, she generously invited him to stay with her so he would not be alone, while recovering. As Leslie says, “And he just never moved out.” The couple still live in Denver and have an 11-year-old son Simon, who is doted on by his two grandmothers.
When asked what he thought was the best thing about living in The Landings (in addition to tennis), he noted the variety of different housing, associations/communities, the Florida lush landscaping, and the social activities at the club. They all make up for a positive social and physical experience for him and his family.
Doug was asked what he would want to do to improve The Landings if he had unlimited resources. He immediately said he would acquire more real estate to expand the club, add facilities, have sidewalks and room for pickleball.
Doug is always brainstorming and has a way of looking at things in a unique manner. He describes this as his eccentric character.
Doug has an email address that sums up who he is: “flaniceguy” (Florida Nice Guy). Those who know him feel the same way.
With a proven track record of exceptional results, I can help you achieve top dollar for your home. Call me today for a free consultation.
Evan Danzig
President’s Report ByJeffSmith
Another “season” is ending, and we wish our “snowbird” neighbors cool temperatures and a fun and healthy time with family and friends until their return to The Landings.
Your volunteer Board and Committees worked hard during the season and looking back, have much to be proud of.
This season had the most robust social calendar ever seen for LMA events. It overflowed with Musical Cocktails, Plays, the Landoliers, a spirited Dog Parade, the first LMA Block Party and of course in partnership with the Environmental and Parks committees, Nature Day with more than 300 residents in attendance.
Our new committee, LMA Parks, burst on the scene by planting more than 2,000 native species in the Nature Basin Preserve. In addition, the committee created new trails through the area, added a butterfly garden and improved existing trails with the addition of benches made from fallen trees and more crushed shells.
The Kayak Committee launched the LMA kayak dock and added twenty more kayak racks. The committee sponsored numerous kayak outings as well.
The Landscape Committee completed the conversion of all islands to drip irrigation to eliminate standing water from sprinklers on our newly completed roads. While recovering from the impact of the storms, the committee found time to complete the major landscape project at the North Gate. Behind the scenes our Maintenance Committee has kept our physical structures in top shape while the
Roads Committee has greatly assisted in storm recovery, continues to work on drainage issues and road maintenance while adding safety features (such as boulders placed strategically) to our roads.
The Digital Communications Committee has assembled The Landings first consolidated database and signed up more than 750 residents to Proptia, our new software system that is the backbone of security/gate operations with many more applications yet to take advantage of. They did this no less by actually “writing a book” introducing our residents to Proptia. Work is now being done to modernize our public facing web site. The Eagle is now publishing more content than ever while maintaining its high standards.
The Security Committee is now operating all gates on a 24/7 basis thanks to our new gates and technology. There are pedestrian gates at both the North and South gates so individuals not belonging or invited to our community cannot just walk in. All gates have mechanisms to allow emergency responders access at any time. On the safety front, two new radar systems have been added and two “speed readers” to remind our residents to drive within the speed limit.
Our Governance Committee has rewritten our Governing Documents to bring them up to date and to make them compatible with our new security systems and Proptia software. This involved an inordinate amount of work and patience (they had to deal with lawyers after all)
The Lakes and Drainage Committee has worked to “harden our drainage assets” and completed several major projects. These include securing the bank on the inflow of
Cloisters Creek, the eroded bank immediately west of the inflow, clearing the overflow swale at Treehouse Lake, and securing the bank at the outflow of Courtside Lake.
Projects underway include extending Cloister Creek all the way to Roberts Bay, restoring the original contours of the Treehouse Lake swale, and mitigating the runoff impacting Peregrine Point Cul de Sac.
Finally, the Finance Committee, while overseeing our operating and reserve spending has managed to restore our Emergency Reserve at $250,000 as we approach the next storm season.
The accomplishments of your volunteer board and committees would not be possible without the patience and support of our residents. Thank you and please join me in hoping for a very quiet 2025 hurricane season here in Sarasota.
P resident Jeff Smith
Vice President Judy Greene
Secretary Elida Ramberger
Treasurer ..................................... Hans Hawrysz
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.
Looking for a good casual fish house in Sarasota, we discovered Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill, tucked away in a strip mall on 41. What a wonderful find. There were four of us for dinner, and we made a reservation-thankfully so, as by 6 PM on a weekday, all the dining tables were full. This place is clearly popular, and for good reason. Here are three highlights:
1. Fresh, Well-Seasoned Fish I ordered the grilled grouper sandwich on a brioche bun, and it was delicious; perfectly cooked, properly seasoned, and a generous portion. For my side, I had coleslaw, which was fresh and light, not overpowered by too much mayonnaise.
2. Relaxed, Comfortable Atmosphere
The restaurant has a casual coastal vibe. It's a neighborhood spot that feels welcoming and unpretentious, perfect for hanging out over a good meal and a cold beer. Wear your shorts and flip-flops if you want. They have outdoor patio seating, too.
3. Attentive, Efficient Service
Our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, explaining the menu without being pushy. Everyone in our group got exactly what they wanted, and all the dishes were served just as ordered. In addition to my grouper sandwich, two of us had the red snapper plate, and the other had mahi-mahi plate. Everyone raved about their meals.
If you're looking for fresh fish in a casual setting, give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. Salute!
LRC President’s Report
On March 31, a Town Hall was held to share the results of the survey that was sent to LRC members. We are happy to report that there was a greater than 50% response which is the highest percentage of responses since the club started doing surveys of the membership. A highlight was that over 70% of those filling out the survey used club facilities in one way or another.
One reason the board undertook the survey was to gauge the satisfaction with certain aspects of
Manager’s Report
ByKevinLechlitner
Even though summer is here, our social activities are still going strong. Our Memorial Day BBQ has historically been one of the biggest events every year. The BBQ is scheduled for Monday, May 26 at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $12.00 per person and will include burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, potato chips, beer, soda, water and dessert. As we have
ByNeilGoldman
the club. The board was interested in seeing what members felt worked well, and what members thought needed to improve. The satisfaction results were then used to help guide the board in its decision making in connection with which projects were going to be undertaken in 2025. In addition to a major pool resurfacing project which is long overdue, based on the survey the board will attempt to address the cleanliness of certain aspects of the club and the pool furniture, both of
done every year the event is held, military veterans are invited at no charge. Look for the signup sheet in the Pro Shop in early May. The deadline to register is Saturday, May 24. Beginning May 1, our “Peak Time” policy comes to its seasonal end. Now reservations can be made two days in advance for prime-time courts (8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) if there aren’t
News From the Court
The weather this spring has been consistently perfect and beautiful to play tennis. But we are getting into that time of year where we must be very mindful of staying hydrated every time we go outside - especially if we are doing any physical activities and definitely when we play tennis. I strongly recommend that you go to the USTA.Florida website and search “USTA Sport Science: Hydration, Dehydration Tips”. Not only will your performance suffer on the court if you don’t properly stay hydrated, but you
which members thought should be improved.
The board is also aware that access to pickleball is another aspect of the club where improvement is desired by LRC members. To that end, a group of pickleball players have formed a committee to investigate whether more or different pickleball access is feasible.
Finally, there is a group of members who are concerned with various miscellaneous aspects of the club, including specifically whether
more guests on the court than members. If a member wishes to reserve a court with three guests, that can be done one day in advance. The reservations will stay this way through the end of October.
As we have done every year, The Landings Racquet Club will offer a summer membership to those living in The Landings who haven’t participated in the
ByAdrian“Mo”Moghina
risk getting a heat stroke.
In the last few years, a lot of the top men and women players in the world have been working on improving their serves. Players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have tweaked parts of their serves so they can be more consistent, efficient and accurate. Most of them worked on reducing their toss height.
The toss is one of the biggest problems for all level tennis players. When working on your toss height, realize that you don’t
want a toss that is too high or too low. A toss that is too high makes you wait too long to swing the racquet, and you can easily lose the rhythm, flow and momentum of the swing. A toss that is too low makes you rush your swing and cause you to hit a lot of serves in the net. The toss height should be just right for your height. Basically, that means that when you start your service motion you want the racquet to never stop moving until you finish the serve. The rhythm should feel like your racquet is moving slow at the
the fee structure at the club could be different from the status quo. To address the concerns of some members on various topics, and to discuss whether a different fee structure should or could be instituted, the board will hold a Town Hall on May 7 at 4 p.m. at the club. The board will discuss how it analyzes the issue. A cost analysis by activity at the club will be presented. All are invited to attend. Zoom will be available
summer membership before. For a one-time $375 fee, during the months of June through September, your family will have full privileges throughout the facility. You will also be able to attend any social functions as well as receive member pricing on any tennis lessons or clinics with our professional staff. Please see me in the Pro Shop if you are interested in signing up.
beginning and at the last second prior to contact, your racquet will be accelerating and moving fast into contact with the ball. I suggest that you take a lesson on your serve so that you stop the frustration of this most important part of your game.
We are excited to have our former beloved pro and friend John Janes join us for our pro exhibition on Friday May 9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
See you on the courts
4:00 - 9:00 PM
Women’s 3.0 tennis team celebrates solid season
ByMicheleEngdahl,co-captain
The women’s 3.0 tennis team celebrated their successful season with a lovely party on April 2. We were celebrating a strong season and the fact that the team landed in 3rd place. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of this team. We won over half of our matches this season which is an improvement over the last two seasons. (We won 40% of our matches in 2023 & 2024 and 26% in 2022 & 2023). We appreciate the support of the pros and the fans who come and cheer us on.
3.5 Ladies Tennis Luncheon Closes Season
ByDeeRicapito
The annual 3.5 Ladies Tennis Luncheon, marking the end of the Tri-Cities tennis season, was held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
As a special highlight this year, Beth Malden and Dee Ricapito, representing The Landings, each took home a door prize.
The ladies enjoyed a spirited lunch
with plenty of laughter and exchanged humorous reasons why a “Venetian” team didn’t win. Peggy Hite quipped, “My sunglasses kept slipping off my nose.”
Dee Ricapito joked, “My tennis shorts were too tight.”
Bonnie Cummings said with a smile, “My opponent’s outfit dis-
tracted me — she wasn’t wearing a bra.”
Elizabeth Malden added, “I got Har-Tru in my shoes.”
The luncheon was a fun and memorable close to the season, celebrating camaraderie and the love of the game.
FromLtoR:PeggyHite,DeeRicapito,BonnieCummings,andElizabethMaldencelebratingendofthe3.5seasonat the Sarasota Yacht Club.
Landings 4.0 Tri-Cities Team Finishes 2nd
ByBeverlyAustgen
The Landings 4.0 Tri Cities team placed second in its division. Under the coaching of Mo and Jen at weekly clinics and Sandra’s warmups, the
players worked hard to improve their techniques and doubles strategies.
The team was headed up by Amy Grossman and Beverly Austgen as
co-captain, but it was the cooperative spirit of all teammates that led to such a great season.
You’ve seen them, masked by caps and goggles, swimming back and forth in the lanes, over and over. You might not recognize your neighbors as you watch from the comfort of your lounge chair, but there they are – swimming smoothly, kicking up a froth of spray, or floating faceup to the sun as they lazily backstroke. While you may jump in and out of the water just to cool off, or join the Zumba class on Tuesdays, or bob around on your pool noodle, lap swimmers just keep going.
When news of the upcoming pool renovation reached these normally solo sports enthusiasts, we looked around to see just who the lap lane denizens are - and as you see in the group photo, we found a tribe.
We know there are more of us out there, but we’re hard to catch since we often lurk around the pool when others avoid it: early mornings, evenings, in cool weather, under cloudy skies. We’re not there to soak up the sun, but to get in our favorite cardiovascular exercise – an exercise that can also feel like a meditation.
According to an article on the Cleveland
Clinic’s website, “swimming is not just good exercise, it’s great exercise.” Swimming is easy on your joints, keeps your heart strong, strengthens your lungs, burns calories, builds muscle, keeps your mind sharp, supports healthy aging, and helps your mental health.
As lap swimmer Alice Howard says: “In the northeast, I considered swimming pools the penalty box. It’s where I went after an athletic injury had me down for the count. But, since moving to The Landings, I discovered our wonderful pool and now lap swimming throughout the year is one of my favorite go-to cardio exercises.”
For many, the LRC pool, with its lovely long lap lanes, was a key amenity that drew us to purchase homes here. Chuck Lumb, a resident of Eagles Point Circle, underscores this point: “When I was looking for a place to buy, close proximity to a lap pool was one of my must-haves. I really enjoy swimming at the LRC pool. The surroundings are beautiful, the pool is not overcrowded, and the water temperature is comfortable all year-round.”
ByJenniferBrownMittereder
Last LMA Musical Cocktails of the Season: What a Blast!!!
SubmittedbyLMASocialChair,JackieMassari
The Braden River Brass Quintet performed on Sunday, March 16 in the LRC Lakeside Room, entertaining with a repertoire that ranged from John Philip Sousa’s marches to Louie Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. It was a rousing performance, acknowledged with a standing ovation. Those in attendance were enthusiastic in their praise of the Quintet’s musical selections!
The concert was followed by the customary food and libations reception on the Lakeside porch, allowing residents to mingle with each other as well as with the musicians.
This Musical Cocktails event completed the 2024-25 season. All the performances this seasonJazz quartet, Flute quartet, Violin/piano duet and this Brass quintet have been enthusiastically received with attendees expressing their favorites and clamoring for return performances for next season.
To that end, the LMA Social Committee has begun to book entertainment for the 2025- 26 season. If you have any suggestions for performers or would like volunteer to help with the receptions, contact LMA Social chair at jackiemassari@ yahoo.com.
At the April LMA Board meeting, the Board voted unanimously to approve a rule (commonly referred to as a Nuisance Rule) addressing behavior toward others within The Landings community.
It seems unfortunate that there would be a need, but LMA President Jeff Smith has been alerted to incidents where the conduct of residents was not consistent with expectations delineated by this rule. These have been recorded by the Main Gate’s security camera. To ensure that residents are wellinformed, the rule has been posted on the LMA website, an email alert was sent to all residents, and it is also published here. Each offense may result in a $100 fine,
contingent upon a Board vote. The current statute requires that the LMA Board establish a Fining Committee, composed of residents who have no affiliation with any Board member to allow the resident a hearing.
To that end, the Association Presidents have been asked to provide nominees to serve on the Fining Committee. If you would be willing to serve, please let your Association President know. It is hoped that fines will never need to be imposed, but we must follow the procedures as required.
NUISANCE RULE:
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII 1. (d) OF THE BYLAWS
All members, owners, and their tenants and their respective guests, families, invitees, agents, employees, contractors, licensees, and all other persons on the Commons within The Landings shall conduct themselves in a civil, professional manner that is consistent with the “Family Friendly” nature of The Landings. No nuisances are permitted on The Commons or within The Landings. By way of illustration only and not as limitation, nuisance includes: unreasonably loud music or noise; harassment; engaging in any abusive or harassing behavior, either verbal or physical, or any form of intimidation or aggression directed at other residents or guests or directed at the
Landings Management Association’s management, its agents, and/or its employees or vendors; or causing other conditions that disturb the reasonable peace, quiet, safety, health, or comfort of another person in The Landings. Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in this Declaration, the Board’s interpretation of what constitutes nuisance shall be binding upon all parties unless wholly unreasonable. An opinion of legal counsel that any interpretation adopted by the Board is not wholly unreasonable shall conclusively establish the validity of such interpretation.
Neighbors to Nature
ASuccessful2ndAnnualLMANatureDay
SubmittedbyJackieMassari,LMASocialChair
For several days prior to the planned March 30 Nature Day, the planning committee fretted about the forecast for rain. While Nature Day is billed as a rain or shine event, impossible to reschedule, it would not have gone well had the skies opened up and dampened our event. The forecast was wrong. Beautiful sunny skies appeared, as did lots of visitors - an estimated 250 plus participants, young and old.
I have stolen the title, Neighbors to Nature, used by the Observer (Sarasota/ Siesta Key edition, April 3) front page article- brief but informative Your Town column about the LMA Nature Day, because I think it encapsulates some of the essence of the event. Nature Day was run entirely by volunteers, bringing together groups of exhibitors from across the Sarasota- Manatee counties, and attended by neighbors sharing the wonder of The Landings mangroves- how important they are to our environment and to The Landings- the newly planted Micro Forest and the Butterfly gardens, the kayaking facilities, the gazebo with its fishing options and bay views. These are now permanent fixtures on The Landings’ Nature Trail, despite a few hurricanes causing some temporary disruptions.
There was much to see and do, much to enjoy and lots to learn. Exhibits offered information on saving birds, mosquito control, beekeepers, fossil exhibits, a butterfly club, oysters in our waters, as well as bromeliads to view and purchase. There were experts to explain about composting in The Landings, small mangroves to take home, a Ringling student’s project on the life cycle of bees, how to build bat houses, and issues related to water conservation. There were three expert birders leading popular bird walks, one of whom will be
back to search for a rare Mangrove cuckoo suspected to be residing in our mangroves.
There were lots of fun activities, as well under the Big Top- arts and crafts tables for making projects related to nature, including homemade bird feeders made from pinecones. If you needed some just plain fun, you could have your face painted and enjoy an ice cream treat. To wrap up the day, there was Bluegrass music performed by some Landings’ musicians with cold beer to be had.
Have I missed something or somebody? If so, it was entirely inadvertent. We appreciate all contributions and contributors and hope next year you will add your talents and assistance.
Thanks to all! What a day!
Thenewplantings.
The ice cream truck.
KarlMaggardandfishingbuddies.
Learningaboutbees.
Mote Marine booth.
Letter to the Editor
To LRC Club Members,
There is a group of Landings Racquet Club (LRC) members interested in exploring an alternative fee structure for the LRC. We see this as a collaboration with the LRC Board and would like the whole LRC community to be part of the “conversation”. We’re looking for ideas/ thoughts/suggestions to consider and to share with the LRC Board.
Chantal Perrot ClubFeeRestructuring@gmail.com
Landings Directory
New Owners
the online resident directory on the Landings website. www. residents.thelandingsofsarasota.com as your source for current resident directory listings and other Landings information.
Directory information is updated on the site no less often than weekly and changes are made to other Landings information when available. If you want CURRENT INFORMATION, use our website’s Resident Directory!
We encourage every resident to check their online directory listing for accuracy. Additions, changes, or corrections to the online directory may be requested by clicking on Update Your Profile.
It is always amazing how much talent thrives within The Landings community— and April’s Landoliers Spring Concert was one more example. The Landings Management Association (LMA) culminated its sponsoring of musical events for this season with the Landoliers’ spring concert, providing an afternoon filled with harmony and community spirit.
Held on April 6, the Landoliers, comprised of singers from within and outside The Landings, performed to a fully packed house. The audience did not just listen, they joined in. Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline had the entire audience waving their hands and singing along with gusto: “So good, so good!”
The concert featured a vibrant and diverse program under the expert direction of Suzanne Stearns and the accomplished accompaniment of pianist Barbara Rothman. From the Beatles and Leonard Cohen to Eric Clapton, Broadway classics, and, of course, Diamond’s classics, the setlist had toes tapping and spirits soaring.
A particularly poignant moment came as longtime member Bob Fernander, unable to attend due to health issues, was featured
in a video performance of Old Black Magic recorded during dress rehearsal. His presence was felt and warmly received.
Following the performance, LMA hosted a lively reception where audience members and performers mingled, shared refreshments, and celebrated an afternoon of music and camaraderie. Numerous Landings residents volunteered to help in the set-up/ clean- up of the reception. A special thanks to them.
While audience members praised the group’s sound and song choices, many commented on the remarkable leadership of Stearns and Rothman. As one attendee put it, “We’re so lucky to have such talented people guiding and supporting this group.”
Looking ahead, the Landoliers are already preparing for the 2025–2026 season, promising more beautiful tunes and joyful harmonies. No formal music-reading skills are required—just a love of singing and a willingness to have fun. For those interested in joining the Landoliers and becoming part of this spirited musical family, contact Ron Fellman at 617-429-3854 or RMFellman@ gmail.com.
ENGAGE ABUNDANTLY
Discover the heart of vibrant community living at Bay Village, where welcoming connections flourish and friendships blossom. Please call us at 941.966.5611 to schedule a tour and learn more. Scan the QR Code to visit our website.
Batten Down the Kayaks Hurricane Season Approaches
SubmittedbyLMAKayakChair,JackieMassari
This winter was not the best for kayaking because of the cooler temperatures and windy days. However, John McFetridge led outings in March and April that were reportedly “just about perfect”. While there are no kayaking outings currently on the books, connect with John or Wayne Trotter on TeamReach as they are always willing to lead a group out on the waters. As many of you begin to make plans to soon head for other destinations, do not forget about your kayak. If you are planning to leave your kayak(s) on the racks in your absence, it MUST be secured with straps to prevent it from becoming disengaged from the racks and causing damage to yours or others’ kayaks. Straps can be obtained from Economy Tackle or similar locations.
Last year LMA purchased $800 of straps. Three volunteers, Roger Blanken, his son-in- law, and Wayne Trotter tied down the racks- about
90% of them- in the pouring – and I do mean pouring rain. As you may recall due to their efforts, there was only one lost and one damaged kayak. In the “no good deed goes unpunished” category, Roger’s was the kayak that was damaged.
This year, the LMA Board will charge you $50, plus the cost of straps and the labor to secure your kayak(s) if you fail to do so. Hurricane season is officially from June 1November 30, with the peak of the Atlantic season between mid-August to mid- October. Be prepared!
Security Incident Report
SubmittedbyTheLandingsSecurityCommittee:
Recently, both the North and South Gates moved to 24/7 operation. There were several issues encountered with the pedestrian locks at both the North and South gate. A combination of signage on the gates explaining the proper procedure plus our residents becoming familiar with the process has improved the situation considerably. At the same time, we experienced issues with resident decals not being read at the South Gate. (We experienced a similar situation when the North Gate began operations). In most cases, we found that glare from the midday sun was the primary cause. The remedy is to contact the main gate and request an appointment to have a new decal and to have our security captain position it in an area where it will be subject to less glare.
There are only two incidents worth reporting:
- 3/30-In the morning, a security committee member noticed unusual activity in a fish trap in Cloister’s Creek at the corner of Landings Blvd and Heron Way. Upon investigation, he noticed that a river otter had become hopelessly tangled in the net. Because “The Landings Nature
Day event was to begin shortly, there was an exhibitor from the Audubon Society on site who called an animal rescue team.
The team came and removed the otter who would need to be sedated to be untangled. If all went well, the otter would be returned to The Landings. (Note: There are no fish traps allowed in any area of The Landings.)
- 3/30-At approximately 9:30 p.m., a resident was entering the North Gate when they saw three individuals on motorized bikes attempting to gain entrance by tailgating. The resident stopped to prevent this from happening and in return was verbally abused by the individuals. The resident drove away and later in the evening reported the incident to the security committee. The individuals then attempted to gain entry through the pedestrian gate, which was locked, they then attempted once more to tailgate but were blocked by the barrier arm quickly closing and the swinging gate closing behind it. The individuals then sped away.
All this was captured on video.
Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have three siblings, two sisters and one brother
How long have you lived in The Landings? Eight months
What do you like about the Landings? I like the Racquet Club and Mo. I take lessons with Mo on Saturdays.
What is your favorite subject in school? Science
Favorites:
Favorite ice cream? Otter Paws
What is your favorite book? The Warriors series
Favorite TV Show? Gravity Falls
Favorite video game? Terraria
Favorite sport? Tennis
Favorite sports team? Clemson College Football
Favorite color? Pink
Favorite song? Memento Mori by Will Wood
Favorite Movie? The Three Stooges
Favorite food? Chicken
Least favorite food? Mac ‘n’ Cheese @ Pine View
What makes you laugh? Unexpected good things
If you could wave a magic wand, what ill in the world would you solve and why? Ungus Bungus, you no longer feel hungus. I’d solve world hunger. Tell me about a favorite trip you’ve taken? Two summers ago, we went to New York to visit friends from church. We spent the summer with them. One word to describe you would be: Aquarius
What advice would you give your parents? What’s in the past is in the past.
What famous person would you like to meet and have lunch with? Stephen King because I have connections, and he is a cool guy.
If you could wake up tomorrow with a super power, what super power would you want to have? Probability – I could do anything with probability. What do you think makes a person good looking? The #1 thing is personality and then the #2 things is looks.
Who is the most inspiring person you know? My father. He came from a rural town in the Bahamas and became a well-respected individual here and went on to MIT from Wofford, South Carolina at 16. What do you want to be when you grow up? Probably a biologist
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Reading and messing around with my phone
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? The entirety of America and a wallet with one billion dollars in it (untaxed)
If you were a new addition to a crayon box, what would you be and why? Ambrosia because it sounds cool and I like the color.
If you could make a new holiday, what would it be? A holiday that would make me miss a week of school and I’d also have it be National Urologist
Creative Connections at The Landings
ByMarie-LouiseMcHugh
Something special happens when artists gather in the same space. Even though each person is focused on their own work, there is a quiet exchange of ideas—sometimes through conversation, sometimes just by watching someone else create.
This kind of creative energy has been happening weekly at The Landings Racquet Club, where The Landings Artists Collaborative meets to work on their art and support each other.
On April 3, the group opened their studio to the public to share what they’d been working on over the winter, to the delight of many visitors.
Allison Small showed off her handcrafted jewelry, little paintings, and an impressive quilt she had designed and created from scratch. Dona Couzen and Nancy Solar displayed colorful glass mosaics. Debra Mitchell, Delarue Fleck, Fern Vaughn, Linda George, and Malcolm Schwartz showed their colorful and intricate watercolor paintings.
Marie-Louise McHugh and Roberta Zimmerman shared their work in both gouache and oils, while Joe Smith stood out with his unique surreal images created using scratchboard.
Charissa Baker displayed a large crab sculpture made from shells, beachcombed objects, and some watercolor paintings inspired by her recent trip to Vietnam.
Nancy Friedberg’s whimsical small objects added a fun and imaginative twist.
Lastly, Betty Greenspan joined the group with her small organic paintings and silk, wood, and stone sculptural pieces.
A few group members couldn’t attend the open studio, but their work is usually part of the weekly sessions.
The Artists Collaborative will take a break for the summer and start meeting again in early November. We encourage everyone interested to join the group next fall, and we thank The Landings Racquet Club Community for providing its facility.
Delarue Fleck
Donna Couzen
Alisson Small
Happy Hour
ByConnieStephen PhotosbyBobManteiga
A wonderful evening was shared by all attending the April 9 Happy Hour, at the Lakeside Room.
Georgia and Mike Riber, local musicians, entertained us with their incredible repertoire of classic tunes ranging from today’s pop hits to Motown, along with the easy
listening and dancing music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!
Conversation was plentiful, as friends and neighbors gathered. As always, the food offerings were varied and plentiful. Oh, what a night!
Happiness is…Next Steps
May is graduation season, and we’re proud to celebrate our amazing Abel’s Ice Cream seniors as they head off to chase their dreams!
Addyson is off to Bryan College to play basketball and pursue a master’s in criminal psychology. Her favorite flavor? Chocolate Peanut Butter (Rich chocolate ice cream swirled with a creamy peanut butter.) Funniest moment? Accidentally dropping a scoop into the hot fudge!
Lizbeth plans to study accounting. She’s all about Stellar Coffee (Rich and decadent coffee ice cream with delicious fudge & mini dark chocolate coffee cups.) Most memorable moment? One windy day, she and a teammate were taking out the trash when the buckets blew away, and they had to chase them all over the parking lot!
Taylor dreams of becoming a nurse and cherishes the connections she made with regulars. Her pick? Cherry Oblivion (Creamy black cherry ice cream loaded with black cherries & luscious liquid chocolate chips.) Funniest moment? A fizzy explosion mixing tangerine sorbet with Sprite!
“These students inspire me,” says owner Jerry Williams. “We’re so thankful to be a part of their journey.” Celebrate with us by enjoying our senior’s favorite flavors featured all month long served with joy as always!
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 Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at www.abelsicecream.com or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
Landings Family Picnic Exceeds Expectations
Landings residents, Jessica Albert and Kelly Baldwin, began working with the LMA Social Committee in January to develop a way to introduce Landings families to each other,
children and adults, young and old. To that end, LMA sponsored a Family Picnic on April 4 on Starling Drive. It was so well attended that we ran out of hot dogs and hamburgers.
Comments included: “This is one of the best things that LMA has ever done!”
“I had no idea we had that many children in the Landings, fantastic!” LMA hopes to do it again next season. It seems that the included pictures tell the story
Calcutta Tournament - A Big Success
ByGeorgeUlrich PhotosbyJeffPackman
The inaugural Landings tennis Calcutta was played March 28-30. (A “Calcutta” is a sporting event that includes both competitive play and betting.) Based on the comments of both players and members who participated, the event was an overwhelming success. The event, which was promoted by the Tennis Committee, had 32 players and many other members who cheered for their favorite teams.
The action started on Friday night with a potluck dinner attended by approximately 75 people. Next, the players were paired as mixed doubles teams, selected by a random draw.
The teams were then auctioned off to the highest bidder who then became the “owner” of that team. The “owners” then won a cash payout based on the results of how their team did in tournament play.
The tournament was played on Saturday and Sunday,
and the action was hot and heavy!! Teams who lost in the first round were entered into a consolation format which guaranteed all players had at least two matches.
Play ended on Sunday afternoon and drew a nice crowd of over 50 people. The big winners of the main draw were Mark Engdahl & Marilyn Herbert who defeated Angie Eason & Jim Donovan. Other semifinalists were Alex Sokoloff & Deb Mitchell and Jeff Stephen & Paige Packman. The consolation tournament was won by Doug Day & Peggy Sokoloff who defeated John McFetridge & Kim Cooper.
Since the event ended, there has been much positive feedback, comments on how to make improvements going forward, and many calls to bring back the tournament next year. The tentative plan to do that is for March 20-22, 2026.
Van
ByPaigePackman,LRCTechnologyChair
Good news! We now have over 100 members using the LRC app to sign up for clinics, check court reservations, look at statements and pay their bills! Kudos to the 50 members who are currently paying their bills via ACH online payment, with over $44K in ACH payments collected to date! This saves the club many hours in manual labor to process and deposit hundreds of checks monthly, requiring Kevin to make a manual payment entry into each member’s account.
Heads up – if you play tennis, be sure to get on the app soon, as we are moving to online reservations in the next few months. To get on the app, check with the LRC office or look on the LRC website for signup instructions. Setup is simple – first create your sign in credentials at https://lrctennis.clubautomation. com/Setup, then download the app and sign in.
If you need help, reach out to Kevin or the front desk staff…we are happy to help! Thanks to many members who have successfully set up their account, we had a strong turnout of over 60 people at our LRC app pizza party!
