Issuu

AU G U S T 2 02 1

Kids & Pets

TR AV E L ROADT RI P T O F LO RI DA'S F RESHWAT ER SPRI N GS LI F E + C U LTU R E T H E P. A .W. S P O O C H ES SHARE T H EI R LOVE T WO LO CAL FA M I L I ES ' T O TAL LY AWES O M E T RI PL E T S

A Change of

Scene A Change of

Pace

Village On The Isle—your destination for peace of mind, community, security and so much more. Village on the Isle is not just any retirement community. It’s also a never-ending vacation community. With ocean breezes and coastal sunshine, f riendship and fun, laid-back luxury, and peace-of-mind plus on-site health care—for life. So, make a change. Enjoy a new view and a new, caref ree you. Village On The Isle is Venice’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community (Life Plan Community). Come discover for yourself why savvy seniors choose Village On The Isle!

920 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285 | (941) 202-2533 www.VillageOnTheIsle.com/Change OIR #88005

LIFESTYLE LETTER

AUGUST 2021 PUBLISHER

Charmaine Tincher | charmaine.tincher@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

Let's Grow Together

Tony D'Souza | tony.dsouza@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT E XECUTI VE

Virginia LaPlante

WELL INTO OUR THIRD YEAR OF PUBLICATION, EVERYONE HERE AT VEN-

AD DESIGNER

ICE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE HAS A NEW AND EXCITING MOTTO: ‘LET’S GROW

Matthew Endersbe

TOGETHER!’ We love telling the stories of our community and are always looking to

L AYO UT DESIGNER

tell more. Venice Lifestyle invites all our readers, supporting businesses, friends and family to reach out to us and to join us in our excitement for watching our town and region grow. As businesses reopen and life gets back to normal, it’s truly an exciting time to be in Venice. Let’s grow together!

Kelsey Proctor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tony D'Souza, Kate Hyland Mercer CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

In this ‘Kids & Pets’ issue, we have the privilege of highlighting so many great members of our community. We are thrilled this month to tell the stories of two local families who were blessed with triplets: the Fellers and the Lewickis. Both

Stephanie Snow Photography, Still Silver Photography, Shannon Maloney, Rachel Duke, Charan Rattanasupphasiri, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

families talk of the joys and challenges of coming homing from the hospital with three babies. We are grateful to Fox Lea Farm and its horses for generously hosting one of the photo shoots. Then we meet the adorable pooches at the Center for Child Protection’s P.A.W.S program. These hardworking dogs help make children feel safe and comfortable as they work toward healing and wholeness. We know everyone is trying to get in some great, last summer fun before the start of school, so we showcase a road trip to Florida’s ‘Spring Country.’ With more than 700

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

freshwater springs, Florida is a swimmer’s and snorkeler’s paradise, and the springs

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

are great for the whole family. Our financial guru, Kate Hyland Mercer, shares tips on

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

how to save enough to have a secure retirement and leave something for the kids, and

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

in our Around Town section, we learn about the new ownership at Scarlett Macaw

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

Resort Wear, and new leadership at Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

Congrats to our friend Christina McCauley on her in-house promotion to CEO! We share plenty of photos this month from Women United’s craft brew micro at Barrel & Bean in Wellen Park, where we had so much fun! That and much more awaits you in this issue of Venice Lifestyle. Lastly, a huge congratulations to my beautiful grand-

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

daughter Emily on her graduation. I am so proud of her! Happy end of summer, Venice!

Charmaine Tincher, Publisher

ON THE COVER Brooke Lewicki with Fox Lea Farm’s Ragged Ridge, a 35-year-old retired showhorse.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY 4

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Venice

Proverbs 3:5-6 Venice Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Media Partners LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Venice area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Media Partners’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Media Partners does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Venice Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE AUGUST 2021

FEATURES 16 Freshwater Springs Perfect In-State Road Trip Destinations For Families With Kids, Florida's Springs Are Well-Kept Secrets

20 Pooches With A Purpose The PAWS Program At The Child Protection Center Helps Children Feel Secure

24 A Tribute To The Feller And Lewicki Triplets Two Local Families Share The Fun And Challenges Of Raising Triplets

20 24

34 Have I Done Enough For My Kids? Financial Planning Tips From Ferris Wheel Finance's Kate Hyland Mercer

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Around Town

Local Experiences

Road Trip

24 Our Town 28 Local Limelight 30 Culinary Creations 34 Financial Buzz

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Craft Beer Micro Fundraising Event Held At Barrel & Bean The United Way's Erin Lilly hosted a craft beer micro-event to raise money to assist in eviction prevention and homelessness mitigation through Women United on the beautiful patio of Barrel & Bean, a hotspot in Wellen Park. Guests enjoyed a flight of four craft beers, lite bites, and music by Joey O. Women United. 941.484.4811. Uwssc.org/womenunited Joey O Music. Joeyomusic.com Barrel & Bean Wellen Park. 12275 Mercado Drive Unit #2, Venice. 941.460.8874 PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Joey O. and Erin Lilly 8

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

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AROUND TOWN

THE JEROME & MILDRED MEMORIAL FOUNDATION GRANTS FUNDING FOR THE CHILD PROTECTION TEAM The Child Protection Center has been awarded

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY PROMOTES LEADERSHIP FROM WITHIN Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County

a $20,000 grant through the Jerome & Mildred

welcomes

Paddock Foundation to support the intervention

Christina McCauley. She joined Habitat in 2016

new

CEO

Executive

Director,

of child abuse through CPC’s Child Protection

as Development Coordinator, and was previ-

Team. The Paddock Foundation has long sup-

ously Executive Director of the Friends of the

ported the Child Protection Team and its crucial

Venice Library. “I look forward to further engaging

work in identifying and evaluating child abuse,

this outstanding community, resuming in-person

abandonment, and neglect. “Without the case

events in the fall, and welcoming more volunteers

coordination and follow-up services provided by

back onto the job site.” Christina says. Longtime

CPC, many families would fail to receive the ser-

Director of Construction, Michael Sollitto, was

vices they need to recover from the multiple trau-

promoted to Chief Operating Officer. “This is well

mas of child abuse,” explained Doug Staley, Child

deserved and I am thrilled to have him by my side

Protection Center Executive Director.

as we move forward,” says Christina.

941.365.1277. CPCSarasota.org

941.493.6606. HabitatSouthSarasota.org

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Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

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SCARLET MACAW RESORT WEAR SEES AN OWNERSHIP TRANSITION Venice's Scarlet Macaw Resort Wear has under-

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTH SARASOTA COUNTY'S "UNDER THE BIG TOP"

gone an ownership change. Former owner, Peggy

Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County

Matsko, has retired and ownership has passed to the

invites everyone to its Under the Big Top 'swanky

store manager, Simone Killoren (pictured). Simone

evening' fundraising event. Join Habitat on October

is also an artist whose painted work appears on the

8, 2021, at 6:00 P.M. at the Plantation Golf and

boutique's fashions. "I am very excited to keep The

Country Club for delicious food, specialty hooch,

Scarlet Macaw a family-owned business and truly

and dancing. The goal of this fundraising event

appreciate the support Venice and its visitors have

is to raise money to build a new Habitat home

shown during the transition!" says Simone. Venice

for a family in the Habitat program. Habitat for

Lifestyle wishes a happy retirement to Peggy. And

Humanity believes that home is the foundation for

best wishes for success to Simone!

successful lives and that everyone deserves a safe,

941.483.3500. 225 West Venice Ave., Venice.

affordable place to live.

Scarletmacawofvenice.com

941.493.6606. HabitatSouthSarasota.org

Your investments are ‘tools’ to aid in your retirement. What is your investment account doing for you? Is it creating income? Is it growing or shrinking? Is it doing ‘enough’ for you? As you near retirement, these questions become more and more important.

Call Kate today and let’s see if we can get the answers for you! 941.483.3600 Kate Hyland Mercer, Financial Advisor 941.483.3600 Kate@FerrisWheelFinance.com Creating a Lifestyle for a Lifetime

417 Commercial Ct. Suite F, Venice, FL 34292

CityLifestyle.com/Venice

LOCAL EXPERIENCES

KIDS + PETS WHILE IT’S NOT OVER YET, SUMMER IS SOON COMING TO AN END AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO BID ADIEU THAN TO SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND OUR FAVORITE FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS! Embrace the end of the season by gathering for some indoor and outdoor recreation and exploration, pet-friendly destinations that embrace our furry friends, and our end of summer.

KIDS AT PLAY + Historic Downtown Venice has been completely renewed and beautified and has never looked better. Kids love visiting the colorful shops, especially the ice cream shops! 200 W. Venice Ave, Venice + The Legacy Trail offers miles of vehicle-free pavement for biking, rollerblading, running and walking with plenty of views of wildlife including Venice's famous gopher tortoises. 303 E. Venice Ave., Venice + Nokomis Beach, like all our wonderful area beaches, is excellent for finding fossil shark teeth. Nokomis Beach is worth the drive for the quiet vibe. 1000 South Casey Key Road, Nokomis + The famous 700 foot long Venice Fishing Pier offers rod and tackle rentals, great sunset views, and casual & fine dining at Sharky's and Fins. 1600 Harbor Dr S Venice, FL + The Canopy Walkway at Myakka River State Park opened in 2000 it was the first public treetop trail in the country. Enjoy vast forest views. 13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL 12

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

Irina Mos

scan for more city-wide tips

END-OF-SUMMER HURRAH + Goldfish Swim School - Lakewood Ranch is the top swim school for kids aged 4 months to 12 years with a max 4:1 student/teacher ratio. 8205 Natures Way Lakewood Ranch, FL + Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota is home to many retired and rescued animal performers. Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! 7101 Palmer Blvd Sarasota, FL + GTFL Athletics provides gymnastics, judo, ju-jistsu, tumbling and cheer. Owner Chrissy Brown, a former UF gymnast, has been coaching for over 25 years. 519 Tamiami Trl S Venice, FL + See gators and explore the wild Myakka River with a Logan River Boat

Rolf Dannenberg

Tours ride, located at the Venice Pier Group’s ever popular destination, Snook Haven. 5000 East Venice Avenue, Venice

scan for more city-wide tips

+ Take a relaxing trail ride at Deer Prairie Creek Preserve, a beautiful nature preserve with quiet charm, riding with Real BeachHorses’ wilderness guide, Jimmy Edwards. 7001 Forbes Trail, Venice

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F R E S H W A T E R

ROAD TRIP

F R E S HWATE R SPRINGS FLORIDA IS HOME TO OVER 700 FRESHWATER SPRINGS, ALL A CONSTANT 72 DEGREES, MANY EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN OUR STATE PARKS SYSTEM. From shallow pools full of colorful fish, to deeper sinkhole caverns, the springs are perfect for snorkeling, and are watery fun for kids of all ages. Though springs exist in almost every corner of the state, it’s northwest Florida that is considered ‘Spring Country.’ Small, rural towns just a three and a half hour drive from Venice including Branford, Mayo, and Old Town are great places to stay. For public springs visit Floridadep.gov/my-home-my-springs. For the private Ginnie Springs visit Ginniespringsoutdoors.com. 16

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

PERFECT IN-STATE ROAD TRIP DESTINATIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS, FLORIDA'S SPRINGS ARE WELL-KEPT SECRETS

Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a great choice for a first-time springs visit. The main pool, about the size of a football field, is shallow and lively with fish. The main vent from the aquifer splits the sandy bottom and creates a gentle underwater current that kids enjoy swimming through.

ARTICLE TONY D'SOUZA PHOTOGRAPHY FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The park also has river tubing on the spring-fed Ichetucknee River, and for the intrepid, a hike through the 2700-acre woods leads to the famous, diveable open-ceiling cavern called the Blue Hole. Kids can snorkel on the surface and watch as their parents wave up at them from the deep blue water below. CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Venice

ROAD TRIP (CONTINUED)

S P R I N G S

Ginnie Springs is privately owned and has a modest entrance fee that is well worth the cost. It has a series of seven aquamarine pools along a two-mile trail that runs parallel to the Santa Fe River. Plan a full day to snorkel or dive at Ginnie. It’s considered by many to be the clearest and most beautiful of all Florida’s springs, and with plenty of modern amenities, is easy to visit with young children.

Just west of Ichetucknee, Troy Spring State Park features a sunken paddle-wheel riverboat, scuttled by Confederates as Union soldiers advanced, that’s a great wreck-snorkeling site. The park’s main pool, a 70-foot-deep cavern, has limestone formations that resemble brain coral. Kids love swimming with the yellow-bellied slider turtles that call the spring home. Royal Springs near the small town of O’Brien has a huge, deep main pool with a tall wooden diving platform. Kids scream with delight as they fall far through the air to the warm, blue waters below. No matter which springs you visit, the kids will learn about freshwater ecology and the importance of Florida’s aquifer.

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Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

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ARTICLE TONY D'SOUZA | PHOTOGRAPHY STILL SILVER PHOTOGRAPHY, SHANNON MALONEY, RACHEL DUKE

pooches with a purpose P.A.W.S. PROGRAM AT THE CHILD PROTECTION CENTER HELPS CHILDREN FEEL SECURE

AT THE NONPROFIT CHILD PROTECTION CENTER,

years ago after learning about the concept at the foren-

DOGS LIKE FIONA MARIE, STELLA, BROOKE,

sic interview training through the National Child

OLIVER, DJANGO, RAVEN, HERCULES, DAISY AND

Protection Training Center.

CRACKER ARE OFFERING THEIR LOVE TO KIDS

"Part of that particular training included information on

THROUGH THE CPC'S P.A.W.S. PROGRAM -- PET

children testifying in court and how traumatic that can

ADVOCATES WORKING IN THE SUNCOAST. The

be," Danielle says. "I learned that other national children's

CPC serves victims of childhood sexual abuse. Danielle

advocacy centers were utilizing certified pet therapy ani-

Hughes, the P.A.W.S. program coordinator and Child

mals with the children during the court process. I knew

Protection Team supervisor, began P.A.W.S. eleven

right away that we needed to do that in Sarasota."

Fiona

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

Danielle's own pet, a yellow Lab named Harley Duke, was already

"The dogs do what we can't," Danielle says. "It's such a beautiful thing

a certified pet therapy animal. She reached out to the local state's

to see. We had a victim who was eight or nine years old, and she was hav-

attorneys who were handling crimes against children, and they

ing trouble talking to the attorneys about what had happened to her. We

expressed their support. Officially starting P.A.W.S. in 2010, Danielle

brought in a pet therapy animal named Big Red and the handler told the

was able to locate three other pet therapy animals and handlers who

girl how scared Big Red was while riding up on the elevator. The girl went

felt capable of working with children suffering with extreme traumas.

to comfort the dog, and because she understood he had been scared like

"We are dealing with very heavy topics here at the CPC," Danielle

she was, she was soon able to talk to the prosecutors about what had

says. "To have a dog sitting in the lobby, it lightens the load for the

been done to her. It is amazing what these dogs can do for these kids."

children and families a little bit. The state's attorney will ask the

Handlers with certified pet therapy animals interested in the

family if they are interested in having a pet therapy animal with the

P.A.W.S program should contact Danielle for more information. The

child during the court process. If they are, I send the request to our

Child Protection Center, Inc. was established in 1980 to provide

volunteer handlers. The handler interacts with the family, but it's

child abuse intervention services through the Child Protection Team

only to talk about the dog, what kind it is, how old it is. The dog is

working with the Department of Children and Families and Law

there to support the child."

Enforcement. Today, CPC encompasses multiple programs offered

The P.A.W.S. dogs help make the children feel more at ease through depositions and other challenging aspects of a criminal case.

in four offices across Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. 941.365.1277. CPCSarasota.org.

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OUR TOWN Davis, Eli and Kennedy

A T R I B U TE TO TH E

FEL LE R T R IP LE TS

DOUG AND DUSTY FELLER'S CHILDREN ARE ON THEIR WAY TO SECOND GRADE ARTICLE TONY D'SOUZA PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY 24

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

OW SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS OLD, DOUG

AND DUSTY FELLER'S TRIPLETS, DAVIS, KENNEDY, AND ELI, ARE HEADING TO SECOND GRADE THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR. Cute, polite and smart, the trio were born just minutes from one another with Davis arriving first at 2 lbs. 4 ozs., Kennedy second at 1 lb. 14 ozs., and Eli completing the set at 1 lb. 10 ozs. The children spent 64, 69, and 76 days respectively in the neonatal intensive care unit before they were able to come home.

“Sometimes we feel that having three all together was easier than having three spread apart.” "Part of it was a blessing because the children came home on a schedule," Dusty explains. "I am still personal friends with a number of the nurses who cared for them. They taught us that if you feed one, you feed the other. If one wakes up, you wake up the other. We would change them and we would feed them and it had a conveyor belt feel. You cannot sweat the small stuff. Everyday that we survived was a blessing." "Sometimes we feel that having three all together was easier than having three spread apart," Doug, CEO of Venice's Village On The Isle, says. "We potty trained them all at once, they learned to swim all at once. But we also tell people that we didn't taste food for three years. We just had to eat as fast as we could because there was always something going on." The children are close friends and depend on one another. "I swear that when they were little, they developed this language that only they understood," Doug says. "One would talk their gibberish and the other two would roll around laughing. They knew what they were saying, but we didn't have a clue." For Doug and Dusty, the experience of having triplets only strengthened the already very strong marital bond they had. "When we found out we were pregnant with triplets, our doctor told us, 'Promise me when you want to cry, you find the laughter in every situation,'" Dusty says. "And that's how we have handled it." 920 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. 941.484.9753. Villageontheisle.com CityLifestyle.com/Venice

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Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

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ARTICLE TONY D'SOUZA

PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY/PHOTOGRAPHED AT FOX LEA FARM

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

A T R I BU T E TO THE L E W IC K I T R I PL E T S 28

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

Jake, Brooke and Luke

DR. FRANK AND LAUREN LEWICKI'S KIDS MARK A MILESTONE: 10 YEARS OLD

DR. FRANK AND LAUREN LEWICKI'S TRIPLETS, BROOKE, JAKE AND LUKE, WERE SEPARATED BY JUST MINUTES WHEN THEY WERE BORN TEN YEARS AGO. Brooke came first and weighed 3 lbs 8 ozs, Jake second at 4 lbs 2 ozs, and Luke last at 4 lbs 6 ozs. "Fortunately, they were the big kids in the NICU," Lauren says of the children's five-day stay in neonatal intensive care unit. The family lived in Boston back then, before they moved to our area when Frank joined the storied Davis & Beyer dental practice. "It was like having a family in a single day," Lauren, a teacher, says and laughs. "What has been the most surprising is that people assume they are similar, but they are totally different. They are each so unique as individuals." "Raising them was like playing the zone defense," says Frank, who was still in dental school when they were born. "It's a lot of teamwork and you have to stay on a schedule in order to get everything done." "We learned to take any help we were offered, to be patient, and to go with the flow," Lauren says. "It's been a wonderful journey." 1218 E. Venice Ave, Venice. 941.488.1075. Venicedentist.com

CityLifestyle.com/Venice

CULINARY CREATIONS

ARTICLE JENNIFER ANDERSON MSPH RDN

TE AC H I N G YO U R K I D S TO E AT H E A LTH Y

HEALTHY LUNCHES & SNACKS FOR KIDS AS PARENTS, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PRIORITIES IS ENSURING THAT OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE NUTRIENTS THEY NEED. But getting them to eat their fruits and vegetables isn’t always easy, especially if your kids are picky eaters like many seem to be. Let’s talk about the benefits of introducing healthy food to your kids at an early age. Read on to find helpful information about feeding picky eaters.

With over 1.3mm Instagram followers and over 250,000 visitors each month, Kids Eat in Color is a VIBRANT, educational, and inspiring national resource for parents to learn the ease and creativity of “what to feed kids” who “love to have fun.” About the Author

Known for her beautiful and colors-of-the-rainbow photos of flavorful meals, Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietician who has a FUN and playful approach to guiding parents to reduce mealtime stress.

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

4 B E N E F I T S O F H E A LT H Y LU N C H E S A N D S N A C K S F O R K I D S TO E AT NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL TO KIDS’ DEVELOPMENT Kids develop quickly in the first few years of life, so incorporating a variety of nutritious foods is essential to their growth and development. BALANCED NUTRITION LEADS TO HEALTHY KIDS Feeding your child a variety of foods is the key to getting them many different types of nutrients. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help your child fight off illnesses. HEALTHY EATING AS CHILDREN EQUALS HEALTHY EATING AS ADULTS When little kids learn to eat fruits and vegetables at an early age, they are more likely to continue eating healthy foods as adults. COLORFUL FOOD PROVIDES ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS Each plant compound does something different in your body, which is why eating lots of different colors helps keep our bodies healthy.

3 T I P S F O R G E T T I N G YO U R K I D S TO E AT H E A LT H Y F O O D S MAKE SNACKS AND MEALTIME FUN We all know that kids like to play and have fun, so why not make food fun? Whether you’re turning broccoli into a microphone at dinner, or playing tic-tac-toe with edible carrot sticks, kids get into it. DON’T GIVE UP Parents often assume that if a child doesn’t eat a food the first or sec-

GREEN STR AWB E R RY SMOOTHIE Real Easy

Weekdays

Prep time: 10 minutes

Meal Plan

Cook time: 0 minutes Yield: two 10-oz smoothies

ond time it’s served, the child doesn’t like the food. Many children may need to see or taste a food 10 or 20 times before they are willing to eat it.

INGREDIENTS + 2 cups / 235 mL baby spinach, packed

FORCING HEALTHY FOODS ON KIDS OFTEN BACKFIRES Often, making a child eat food or eat a certain amount of food

+ 1 ripe banana + 1⁄2 cup / 120 mL frozen blueberries

backfires. It may backfire in the short run by making a child more

+ 1⁄2 cup / 120 mL frozen strawberries

selective and less likely to eat the foods you want them to eat.

+ 1 cup / 235 mL full-fat milk of choice + 1 Tbs. / 15 mL hemp hearts, optional

S TA R T H E A LT H Y H A B I T S E A R LY The key takeaway here is to introduce healthy foods to your child

+ 2 Tbs. / 30 mL nut/seed butter of choice Sprinkles, optional METHOD

at an early age. Be patient with your pickiest of eaters, and re-intro-

1. In a blender or food processor, combine all

duce a food several times. Stick with it; their long-term health habits

ingredients. Process until smooth.

depend on it!

2. Transfer smoothie to two glasses. Top

Children tend to mimic adults, so try to be a good example and

with sprinkles, if desired.

eat the foods you want them to eat. Your health will benefit too! Try

DAIRY-FREE:

to make snacks and mealtime fun for your kids so they will want to

Use alternative milk and ensure sprinkles

participate and develop a healthy relationship with food.

are dairy-free. CityLifestyle.com/Venice

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FINANCIAL BUZZ

ARTICLE KATE HYLAND MERCER PHOTOGRAPHY CHARAN RATTANASUPPHASIRI

Have I Done Enough For My Kids? FINANCIAL PLANNING TIPS FROM FERRIS WHEEL FINANCE'S KATE HYLAND MERCER

Tip 1: Plan Ahead Many families are careful about saving, but forget to maintain their paperwork.

THE QUESTIONS I HEAR

If you have children under 18, you must have a legal guardianship document in

MOST FROM OUR CLIENTS

case you can’t care for them. Regardless of your age, create a will. If you have

ARE, "KATE, DO I HAVE

multiple homes, businesses, a blended family, etc., having a will probably is not

ENOUGH? For my spouse

sufficient. Creating a trust ensures your wishes are handled without probate. You

and kids? To retire? To stay in

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ney to update an out-of-state will once you change your residency.

are asking if they have 'done

Tip 2: Update The Details

enough' to ensure success during their life and after.

To protect bank funds from probate, they need beneficiaries just like investment accounts. If you and your spouse have joint accounts, you will need a ‘pay on death’ to someone in case you pass together. Adding a POD is a better solution than adding an adult child as a joint owner or co-signer. While you are looking at the paperwork, confirm the beneficiaries on your life insurance policies are correct. Having correct beneficiaries saves time and angst!

Tip 3: Leverage Your Team

Keeping up with the rules and tax codes for investments / income is difficult. Communicate with your financial team to ensure you get all the latest benefits. As your children get older, bring them into the conversation. You don’t need to tell them everything, but make them feel confident you have done your planning. Congratulations! Following these tips should allow you to relax knowing you have done ‘enough’ and that your kids are well protected!

Kate Hyland Mercer is a Financial Advisor for Ferris Wheel Finance, Inc. 941.483.3600. Kate@FerrisWheelFinance.com. Advisory services are offered by Ferris Wheel Finance, Inc., a registered investment advisor in the State of Florida. 34

Venice Lifestyle | August 2021

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