Issuu

F E B R UA RY 2 022 | TH E LO C A L LOV E I S S U E

Local Love

A R T S + C U LT U R E

PO ET KEN AN DERSO N RECALLS H IS M ENTO R H E A LTH + W E LLN E S S

LYN N E & CHARLI E H ELV I E CELEBRATE 6 0 YE ARS LI F E + C U LTU R E

' WO M EN U N ITED' H ELP IN TIM ES O F N EED

5TH ANNUAL “FUN” RIDE FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY:

VYC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION KICKS OFF ITS MILESTONE 2022 YEAR!

The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, now in its 12th year of giving

Fun Ride for a Better Community will take place on Sunday, February 20,

is kicking off its 2022 Fund Raising and Grant Year. Over the past 11 years

2022. This event, where 100% of the funds raised go to help those in need,

VYCCF grants to the local community total over $900,000.00! VYCCF invests

include registered bicyclists, donors, and sponsors from the Yacht Club as

in those charities that provide tangible impacts in the Venice and South

well as many friends in the Community who have responded year after year

County Region focusing on the following key areas: 1) Fighting Hunger and

with enthusiasm and a true sense of caring to keep our foundation’s mission

Homelessness; 2) Improving Childhood Literacy; 3) Providing safety and

funded and vibrant!”

protection to women, children, and families at risk; 4) Veteran’s Services and

Dave Slaman, Co-Ride Director explains: “With our low to no traffic 12- and

5) Youth Boating. The foundation enters 2022 with high hopes of a brighter

6-mile routes on beautiful Venice Island this is a ride that everyone who rides

year for all and reaffirming their mission: “to do the most good for people

a bike can be part of! Our registered riders include grandparents to grandkids

at risk, by supporting and enhancing the cumulative goodwill of the Venice

ages 8 to 85 making it a family outing. A modest $50 registration includes

Yacht Club membership to serve the needs of our community”. During

commemorative shirt, a post ride breakfast and music by WC Sounds on the

2021 foundation grants of over $109,000.00 helped such organizations as,

grounds of the Venice Yacht Club. If you would like to register as a rider or

All Faiths Food Bank, Our Mother’s House, SKY YMCA Sunshine Academy,

sponsor a rider so that our grants can help those in need throughout our

Venice PD Blue Santa, The TWIG, Special Ops Warrior Foundation, Big

community, you can do so at www.vyccf.com and follow the prompts.

Brothers and Big Sisters and many more, reach those in need of a hand up

Co-Ride Director, Steve Bieglecki adds: “What a fun, healthy and giving

within our community.

way to spend a Sunday morning with family and friends!” This 5th Annual

The VYCCF, looks forward to an exciting year of fund raising and is planning

Ride for a Better Community, continues a partnership between the Venice

to push their cumulative grants to local charities to an amazing Milestone of

Community and the Foundation.

over $1,000,000 by year end. Incoming 2022 Chair Sylvia Hollister explains:

To find out more about our mission and grant history or to register as a rider go to The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation at: www.vyccf.com

“The first step in that quest is our premier fund-raising event that involves both the VYC membership and the Venice Community: The 5th Annual

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Local Love

February 2022 PUBLISHER

Charmaine Tincher | charmaine.tincher@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Tony D'Souza | tony.dsouza@citylifestyle.com

Happy Valentine’s Day, Venice! This month’s theme is ‘Local Love,’ and if there is one thing our team here at Venice City Lifestyle truly enjoys, it’s highlighting everything ‘local’ that we can. There is so much to do in Venice, so many great shops and restaurants, a plethora of wonderful entertainment, and so many fine people. We here at Venice City Lifestyle love thinking locally and covering local stories because we know you ‘love local’ just as much as we do! ‘Local Love’ is what makes our community great. In that spirit, on our cover we are proud to introduce local poet Ken Anderson. Our feature on Ken includes one of his original poems. Ken’s inspirational story will remind you again how many fine artists of all sorts are attracted to our area. Also featured this month are Jacaranda Trace’s Lynne and Charlie Helvie, who celebrated 60 years of marriage this past November. Congratulations, Lynne and Charlie! Make sure to check out the great photos of the ‘Masquerade Ball’ held by the United Way’s Women United group at the Casey Key Resorts. The members of Women United—of which I am proudly one—work to make lasting, positive change in our communities. Learn all about these efforts in our feature this month on the group Chair, Nikki Sanders, and her personal story of overcoming hardship. Barbara Bailey of the Venice Area Quilters Guild offers us a great article on quilting as an art form, as well as information on the guild’s ‘Quilting By The Gulf’ show, which takes place next month. You’ll also find great ideas on Valentine’s Day date destinations and experiences in the Local Experiences section of the magazine. I’m pictured this month with my sweet eight-year-old grandson, Mason. I’m so fortunate for the love of all my grandchildren, and fortunate again that Mason lives right nearby. That really is ‘Local Love.’ Lastly, with a heavy heart, I wish to bid a fond adieu to my dear friend, MJ. Farewell, MJ. You were a great friend and you will be missed!

AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Tony D'Souza, Ken Anderson, Barbara Bailey CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Stephanie Snow Photography, Gay Haines, Child Protection Center, Loveland Center, Kaponia Aliaksei, Justin Fennell, John Porteous, Barbara Bailey

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER Bruce Ianni DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

CHARMAINE TINCHER, PUBLISHER @VENICELIFEST YLEMAGAZINE

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/ VENICE |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Venice City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications 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 Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Venice City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Behind The Scenes At Women United

Lifestyle Letter

The United Way’s Women United Group Is Focused On Helping The Region's 'ALICE' Population

City Scene

As It Faces The Eviction Crisis

Business Monthly

Local Experiences

20 On Poetry & Prose

Local Limelight

Local Poet Ken Anderson Shares A Valentine's Day Poem And Memories Of His Late, Great Mentor,

Trend Setter

Professor Len Blanchard

Inspired By

Our Town

Events

24 The Quilting Life

Venice's Very Own Quilting Guild Served The Community Through The Pandemic. Its 'Quilting By The Gulf' Show Celebrates This Fine Art.

30 A Broken Date, An Enduring Bond

Jacaranda Trace's Charlie And Lynne Helvie Celebrate Six Decades Together

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Stephanie Snow Photography Local poet Ken Anderson. Read his poem and his memories of his mentor on page 21.

LI FE + C U LTU R E

A RTS + CU LTU R E

HO ME + D E SIG N

LI FE + C U LT UR E

GRAND LIVING

FOR SENIOR RESIDENTS COMING SOON TO WELLEN PARK By many accounts, 75 is the new 60 … and younger. Today’s older generation is more active and socially connected than those of the past, in search of an active healthy lifestyle, amenities and homes that fuel a passion for new experiences while accommodating concerns about aging in place and future healthcare needs. And they’re discovering Wellen Park – the fifth fastest-selling community in the U.S. – and the Venice area in record numbers, where the 75 and older population is projected to increase nearly 36% by 2025. Grand Living, a luxury senior community now under construction at Wellen Park by Ryan Companies, caters to the desires, wants and needs of older residents, offering onsite amenities and activities, the just-steps-away convenience of Downtown Wellen, and luxury studio to two-bedroom residences. Designed by Ryan Architecture + Engineering, the four-story building offers 156 independent and assisted living homes, and 36 memory care units as well as cottages built by Mattamy Homes. Residents will enjoy multiple dining venues, a library, 150-seat performance theater, a wellness/ telehealth center, fitness facilities, spa and salon services, club and activity rooms, private chapel and meditation center, a pet park, putting green, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and a large gathering space for community events and spiritual services.

Grand Living is expected to open in March 2023, just months after the completion of the first phase of Downtown Wellen, a robust hub featuring an 80-acre recreational lake, entertainment venues, retail shops, a food truck park, waterfront dining, pedestrian-friendly trails and streets, and community gathering areas including an event lawn, town hall and playground. Ryan has completed 50 senior living communities across the country, including over 500 units in Florida. “Ryan and Grand Living have a proven track record of delivering luxury, nextgeneration senior living communities where they are needed most,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president of senior living development for Ryan Companies. “Grand Living is the perfect addition to Wellen Park, with best-in-class retail, restaurants and entertainment just a stone’s throw away for residents.” To learn more about Grand Living at Wellen Park and to sign up for more information, visit grandliving.com.

“We have been very mindful to select partners like Ryan Companies that can layer in the appropriate diversification of residential lifestyles with the level of quality people have to come to expect at Wellen Park,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “The addition of a luxury senior living community provides options for both Wellen Park residents who want to age in place and their senior loved ones.”

WELLENPARK.COM VISIT OUR WELCOME CENTER 12275 Mercado Drive, Venice, FL 34293 | (941) 271-0116

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen in the city. 1

7 5

1: MJ Johnson and United Way of South Sarasota County President & CEO Barbara Cruz. 2: Christina, Michael, and Trinity Naletko. Christina was the co-organizer of the event. Read more about Women United on page 16. 3: Women United members were 'unmasked' and acknowledged at the Masquerade Ball. 4: Jackie Evans, Whitney Stetler, Angie Omicioli, and Christina McCauley. 5: Our publisher, Charmaine Tincher (middle), with Closed Title Reinvented's Michelle Richey (left) and Mattie Mikesell (right). 6: Whitney and Blake Stetler. 7: Guests having fun at the Women United Masquerade Ball held at Casey Key Resorts and catered by Chef Rolf. Photography Credit: Stephanie Snow Photography

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your social media photos with @VeniceLifestyleMagazine

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Venice's Gay Haines' Releases New Book: 'The Love of Oliver' Venice resident Gay Haines' new book, 'The Love of Oliver', is written from the heart of her Therapy Dog, Oliver, an Australian Labradoodle. It describes his adventures helping thousands of adults and children in need of love only a dog can give. For 12 years, Gay and Oliver have served the tri-county area as a Pet Therapy team. The book's sales will be donated to the organizations Oliver works for: Suncoast Humane Society and the Child Protection Center. Store.bookbaby.com/book/the-love-of-oliver

Scan to read more. Photography Gay Haines

Child Protection Center Expands To Meet Increased Need For Services In response to pandemic-related increased mental health challenges and the shortage of trained counseling professionals, the Child Protection Center is expanding staff and operations to meet the increased need. A $175,000 grant from the Barancik Foundation will help bring on more staff to lower wait times. “Our employees are our greatest resource,” said Doug Staley, Executive Director. “Helping families move from victim to survivor to thriver begins with the right staff." For more information visit Cpcsarasota.org or call 941.365.1277.

Photography Child Protection Center

Scan to read more.

Loveland Center Announces Vice President Of Clinical Services Lisa Gallea Loveland Center has launched new in-house clinical services including Speech Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy, to increase the independence and life skills of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “I am so excited to join the Loveland team with the mission of helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live their lives to the fullest,” says Clinical Services VP Lisa Gallea. For information about services or job opportunities, please contact Lisa Gallea at Lgallea@lovelandcenter.org.

Photography Loveland Center

Scan to read more.

If you want to be included, send us a message! 12

B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

local experiences Locals recommending the best places and things to do in the city.

Celebrate the ones you love this Valentine's Day by treating them to a night out at one of your favorite restaurants or experience something new and find a hidden gem around town. Whatever you are looking for, we have you covered.

Romantic Date Ideas CMX CINEBISTR O: With great food, a full bar, spacious seating and the total theater-going experience, CMX CineBistro should top any list of best Valentine's Day date destinations. 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota SAIL VENICE: Located at the Crow's Nest Marina, Sail Venice's gorgeous sailboat "Inspiration" takes up to three couples on a two-hour cruise on our lovely Gulf of Mexico. 1968 Tarpon Center Dr Venice, FL AR T CAFFE: Art Caffe features the delectable preparations of International Executive Chef Pasquale Stallone. Originally from Milan, Chef Stallone has led some of the finest restaurants in South Beach. 390 Nokomis Ave S Venice, FL VENICE FLOR IDA TOUR S: Love history and knowing more about our town? Take a guided walking tour with Venice Florida Tours. The tours are leisurely and last an hour and a half. 200 W. Venice Ave., Venice FINS AT SHAR KYS: With one of the very best views and settings in all of Venice, the fine dining experience at Fins At Sharky's is second to none. 1600 Harbor Dr S Venice, FL

Scan for more photos and the full list. Sail Venice Photography Kaponia Aliaksei

Want to recommend a local experience? Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

Behind The Scenes At Women United Nikki Sanders, chair of the United Way South Sarasota County’s Women United, was the headline speaker at the recent Masquerade Ball appreciation event (see photos from the event in our City Scene section on page 10). One of Women United’s missions this year is to help the region’s ALICE population as it faces rising evictions. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed, to denote those who are working but still struggling financially. It’s a situation Nikki knows personally, and she shared her story at the event. “I was a single mother of two kids and a Vice President at a well-known bank when the financial crisis hit,” Nikki says. “I went from having a home, a nice car, and all the things that go along with success, to falling behind on everything. My car was repossessed. I get so emotional talking about this. It was all just so awful.” What followed was a seven-year period in which Nikki had to work multiple minimum wage jobs to provide for her children. “Now I have a successful consulting business (Change Consulting Solutions), but I can never forget that time,” she says. “My message is that this kind of crisis can happen to anyone. It had nothing to do with drug abuse, nothing to do with not wanting to work. I had an MBA and experience. It had everything to do with the economy. I know just how much a little bit of assistance can help. Working parents can pay for after care, keep their family together under one roof and allow their children the stability to focus on school. I want people to know that we are here to help. If you give low-income people and the people who are trying a chance, there’s a great possibility they’ll become real assets to society.” Nsanders@changeconsultingsolutions.com. Changeconsultingsolutions.com To learn more about Women United: www.uwssc.org

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE

THE UNITED WAY’S WOMEN UNITED GROUP IS FOCUSED ON HELPING THE REGION'S 'ALICE' POPULATION AS IT FACES THE EVICTION CRISIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

Women United Chair Nikki Sanders

Women United’s Christina Naletko and Kelley Shaw

“My parents were part of the ALICE population,” says Kelley Shaw,

co-organizer

the

Women United Masquerade Ball. “I came home with the lights and water off. I just don't want other children to have to come home and feel that way.”

Christina Naletko, founder of Naletko Designs & Marketing, and Kelley Shaw, owner of Studio KS, organized the United Way’s Inaugural Women United Masquerade Ball raising donations in support of our area’s ALICE population, which is facing rising threats of eviction. Christina and Kelly’s focus is to bring community awareness and support for the annual Masquerade Ball while ‘unmasking’ and showing appreciation for fellow Women United members. “This work is so important to me because I was a single parent who faced eviction issues,” Christina explains. “The misconception is that Venice is an elderly, wealthy, retired community, but younger families do live here and many are struggling.” “We don’t have affordable housing,” says Kelley. “If one thing breaks and needs to be fixed, these families are done financially. We have over 500 people in South Sarasota County facing eviction right now.” Naletko Designs & Marketing. 941.234.2242. Naletkodesigns.com KS Studio. 941.786.8053. Kelleystudioks109.glossgenius.com FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / V E N I C E

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Ken Anderson

T R E N D SE T T E R | A RTS + CULTURE

on poetry & prose Local Poet Ken Anderson Shares A Valentine's Day Poem And Memories Of His Late, Great Mentor, Professor Len Blanchard ARTICLE BY TONY D'SOUZA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

Aries Sunrise by Ken Anderson Your heart is warm A testament to fire Your spirit is free Flying light lift higher I love the way you smile An example of your pain I love the way you dance Like bringing thunder with the rain I love the way you look A reflection of your cause I love the way you speak A story told with no pause Your heart is warm An eternity that’s true I really just am trying to say My dear, that I love you

Sometimes a teacher can change everything. That was the case for local poet Ken Anderson when he took Professor Len Blanchard’s English course at State College of Florida seven years ago. Now 28, Ken wasn’t even sure he wanted to be in a classroom. By the end of the course, Ken knew that writing and reflection would be his journey forevermore. “I didn’t even know that stuff existed,” Ken says of the wide array of readings in poetics and literary classics that Len introduced him to. “I liked his teaching style, could see how passionate he was. When the class ended, I asked if we could meet up and talk now and again. He made time for me, and over the years I read all the different writers he talked about, read his poetry and plays, and began to write my own. Len was the catalyst. He told me I was good enough, and he changed everything for me.” Last summer, Ken realized it had been awhile since he had called his mentor. Len’s daughter answered the phone and let Ken know that his professor had passed away. “I was devastated,” Ken says of that terrible news. “I felt guilty for not having called him more. He’s the reason I am who I am. I have the passion I have because of him.” Originally from Connecticut, Len earned a PhD in Literature from Emory in 1975. He appreciated and taught writers across the literary arts, including everyone from Shakespeare, to Camus, to Louise Erdrich, to Lorca, Brecht and Thackeray. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Thomas Hardy. Ken loves touring on his Harley when he’s not earning a living at his day job as a HVAC tech. He thinks about Len often as he sits down to compose a poem. “There’s what you have to do to make a living,” he says. “And then there is our real life, the life of the mind. That’s what Len gave me.”

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THE QUILTING LIFE

Venice's Very Own Quilting Guild Served The Community Through The Pandemic. Its 'Quilting By The Gulf ' Show Celebrates This Fine Art.

ARTICLE BY BARBARA BAILEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUSTIN FENNELL, JOHN PORTEOUS, BARBARA BAILEY

I NSP IR E D BY | HOM E + DE S I GN

“VAQG strives to promote the love of quilts, encourages and preserves the art of quilt making, and shares the knowledge and joy of quilting with others.” There’s something so comforting about seeing a simple quilt on a bed. A quilt makes a room feel cozy, elicits fond memories of childhood and family, and its colors make you feel warm and happy. But don’t be fooled— there is absolutely nothing simple about a quilt! The choices of colors, fabrics, and patterns reveal the interests and personalities of the people who make them. Quilt making begins with pattern and fabric selection. Fabric is cut into specific shapes and sizes, and joined by hand or machine stitching in a process called piecing. An alternative method of making a quilt called ‘appliqué’ attaches patterns onto a larger piece of fabric to create a desired design. Regardless of method, once a quilt top is completed, batting and a backing fabric are added. Quilters work with a wide variety of materials including cotton, wool, polyester, and even bamboo, each with its own weight and loft. Some quilts are functional, others tell a story, and yet others offer insight into a culture or the everyday life of the quilt maker. But all quilts share certain things in common—they are examples of careful planning and color coordination, as well as fine craftsmanship, design and needlework. Crazy quilts are an excellent example of skillful needlework on quilts. This style, popular in 19th century America, was mostly for display. Crazy quilts involve joining irregular pieces of fabric such as silk, taffeta, and satin in an apparently haphazard manner. The maker meticulously embellished these quilts with beautiful embroidered flowers, animals, and fanciful stitches, thus elevating needlework to an art form. To the Victorians, the word ‘crazy’ meant ‘wild, crazed or broken.’ Crazy quilts were likely inspired by the ‘crazed’ ceramics and asymmetrical artwork viewed in the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition’s Japanese pavilion.

Today, quilts are still created for everyday use, but many are made as fine art. Quilting is a living craft and quilters are often attracted to the idea of belonging to a group that shares this passion. Locally, the Venice Area Quilters Guild (VAQG) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983. It has 240+ members and puts on a biennial quilt show, ‘Quilting By The Gulf’. VAQG’s members are quilters of all skill levels and interests. Guided by a strong sense of community service, VAQG strives to promote the love of quilts, encourages and preserves the art of quilt making, and shares the knowledge and joy of quilting with others. At the beginning of the pandemic, VAQG members sewed more than 500 washable, reusable facemasks for local hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and senior living facilities. They have since created and donated over 650 quilts to organizations such as Children First, Tidewell Hospice, Our Mother’s House, Guardian ad Litem, and veterans’ groups. In 2021, VAQG added a new project—making care bags containing ‘Hearts Full of Love’ heart-shaped pillows for individuals facing breast cancer surgery. The pillows can be used as padding to keep weight off tender areas, or just to give a soft hug when needed. The guild holds annual fundraisers to benefit the South County Food Bank, Toys for Tots, and other local charities, and the members love getting together. But last year was a bit different. VAQG President, Beth Christoffel, says, “Despite our inability to hold in-person events, we found creative ways to support our members, and the community. Two Venice quilt shops—Crazy Quilters and Deborah’s Quilt Basket—served as drop-off and pick-up stations for many of our projects, enabling us to maintain social distancing. And by using Zoom and Facebook, we found ways to connect our members, conduct workshops and classes, and hold board

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / V E N I C E

This year's Opportunity Quilt, which will be raffled off at Quilting By The Gulf on March 6th.

'Hearts Full of Love' for individuals facing breast cancer surgery.

and committee meetings. While these methods have been challenging for some, we provide tutorials and individual help so everyone who wants to is able to remain connected.” “Our membership wholeheartedly supported continuing our annual monetary donations even though our normal fund-raising events were not possible,” Beth continues. “As residents of Venice, Englewood, North Port, Nokomis, Osprey and Sarasota, we recognized the need to continue our community support as best as we could. We are looking forward to life returning to normal, and are very hopeful that we will have the opportunity to share our love of quilting with the public during our upcoming quilt show.” VAQG’s Quilting By The Gulf will be at the Venice Community Center on Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6, 2022. The event will be one of the first quilt shows in southwest Florida in 2022, and co-chairs Virginia Perkins, Melanie Paul, and Patrice Bartelme and their team are anticipating a large turnout. For each show, members of the guild create an ‘opportunity quilt’ that’s raffled off. This year Virginia Perkins, Cheryl Czerwinski, and Patrice Bartelme collaborated to create the quilt ‘Seas the Day,’ inspired by the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico. This 92” square quilt incorporates varying blue batiks to represent moving water. Each of the quilt’s nine large blocks, pieced by Cheryl, contain a different creature of the sea, appliquéd by Patrice. The quilting by Robin Kriegs is outstanding, and a close look reveals fishnets and hidden sea life. The quilt will be on display throughout the show, with the winning ticket pulled on Sunday. All are welcome to this exciting event! For more information visit Vaqg. org, Facebook.com/VAQG1, or email info@vaqg.org.

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954-612-1754 karlablakemedicarespecialist.com FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / V E N I C E

A Broken Date, An Enduring Bond

ARTICLE BY TONY D'SOUZA PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE SNOW PHOTOGRAPHY

Jacaranda Trace's Charlie and Lynne Helvie Celebrate Six Decades Together Married 60 years this past November 5th, Charles and Marilyn ‘Lynne’ Helvie remember their first date as if it happened yesterday. The setting was Davenport, Iowa. He was a 27-year-old Mobil Oil marketing rep from Huntington, Indiana. She was a 24-year-old elementary school teacher from Iowa Falls. “Friends of ours told me they wanted us to meet,” Lynne recalls from the couple’s home in Venice’s Jacaranda Trace. “I really didn’t want to meet up with anybody. Charlie called and we set a date for New Year’s Eve, which happened to be my birthday. I got excited but then he called and said he was sick. So I told myself that was that. But he called and called and finally, we got together. It was a blind date, of course. He jumped out of his car, ran up to my place, picked me up and carried me down to his car.” “The way I heard about her was, my territory covered eastern Iowa and one of my Mobil dealers kept telling me about this cute little school teacher who drove a Sunbeam Alpine sports car,” Charlie explains. “Well, I didn’t have time because I had 25 service stations and five were closed. I was spending all my days and evenings interviewing and looking for dealers. Anyway, I did finally call.”

O UR TOWN | L IFE + CU LTURE

“We went over to the Legion Club, and sat down at a little table,” Lynne says of their date. “We sat there from eight at night until two in the morning, and the next day I called my mother and told her I had met the man I was going to marry.” What came next was a lifetime of love and devotion. That’s what happens when you match the youngest Eagle Scout in the state of Indiana—Charlie accomplished that when he was just 14—with a driven, confident woman like Lynne, who would go on to earn a Masters from Butler University, a PhD from Northern Illinois University, and eventually became the principal of a large elementary school in Fairfax, Virginia. The Helvies also spent periods of their lives in Chicago, and have been active Methodists throughout their 60 years of marriage. Today, the couple enjoys their four children, boys Lane and Brock and twin daughters Kim and Kristi, their four grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, Vanessa and Kayla, and their families. The secret to marital bliss? “Don’t fight and argue,” Charlie says. “We rarely had any kind of argument. We talked it all out.” Jacaranda Trace, 3600 William Penn Way, Venice. www.jacarandatrace.com 941-408-2050

Lynne & Charlie Helvie FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / V E N I C E

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / V E N I C E

F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in the city.

F E BRUA RY 4 T H- 5T H

F E BRUA RY 5T H, 1 2 T H , 1 9 T H, 2 6T H

F E BRUA RY 5T H, 1 9 T H

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The Venice Symphony's 'A Night At The Oscars'

VEN ICE PERFORMIN G ARTS CE NT E R | 7 :30 P M Enjoy acclaimed piper Eric Rigler's reprise of his original soul-stirring performance from the Titanic soundtrack and from the film Braveheart. The Venice Symphony orchestra will play the Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning music from Forrest Gump, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Godfather, Rocky, The Magnificent Seven, La La Land, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and more. TheVeniceSymphony.org . 941.207.8822.

Free Carillon Concert At The Venice Performing Arts Center

VEN ICE PERFORMIN G ARTS CE NT E R | 1 0 :0 0 A M Free carillon concerts Saturday mornings are performed by Wylie Crawford in front of the Venice Performing Arts Center. Bring a chair and enjoy the music! This free event features Venice's carillon, one of only four carillons in Florida; the Andrew W. Crawford Memorial Carillon is the only Florida carillon made in the European style and has 48 different bells.

Museum Exhibit: Venice Area African American History

VEN ICE MUS EUM | 11:00 AM The Venice Division of Historical Resources is proud to celebrate the significant history of the area’s Black community through its newest 2022 seasonal exhibit: Venice Area African American History: Over 100 Years in the Making. This educational exhibit details the establishment, roles, and accomplishments of the African American community. Learn about the stories of building a community, fighting for improved housing, and experiencing integration.

Venice Musicale 70th Anniversary Celebration and Concert

VEN ICE COMMUN ITY CEN TER | 2:0 0 P M Venice Musicale invites the public to join its 70th Anniversary celebration with an afternoon of free fun and entertainment. Enjoy hearing talented musicians perform beautiful music while savoring delicious refreshments, meeting Venice Musicale members and friends, and helping honor 70 years of promoting quality music in the greater Venice area. The Concert Co-Chairs are Barbara Koning and Arlene Yeates. Venicemusicale.org/index.php/home/concerts/current-season

F E BRUA RY 24TH-27TH

The 33rd Annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival

F E BRUA RY 2 5T H- 2 6T H

'Superheroes and Schumann' At The Venice Symphony

EVE N TS

VEN ICE FAIR G R OUN DS | 4:00 P M Four days of live music, entertainment, food, vendors, rides and games sponsored by the Italian American Club of Venice. In its 33rd year, the Feast & Carnival runs four days long and offers free admission to all, and parking is just $10. Gates open on Thursday and Friday at 4 PM and Saturday and Sunday at noon. Italianamericanclubofvenice.com .

VEN ICE PERFORMIN G ARTS CE NT E R | 7 :30 P M What do you get when you team Batman, Thor, and Captain America with Finland’s greatest composer, Jean Sibelius, and symphony master Robert Schumann? An unbeatable concert with universal appeal! The orchestra journeys from Sibelius’s Finlandia, to The Dark World of Thor, to the Marvel and DC Universe. Schumann's Symphony No. 4 in D Minor features Concertmaster Marcus Ratzenboeck’s serene solos before an explosive finale. TheVeniceSymphony.org . 941.207.8822.

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A new 151-single family located north of Laurel Road along Kings Way Dr. Enjoy the convenience of being close to I-75 (Exit 195) the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital, schools, beaches, restaurants and shopping. CALL 941.786.9403

CASSATA POINTE 2 REMAINING ESTATE HOMESITES ALONG ROBERTS BAY IN NOKOMIS, FL. DOCKS WITH LIFTS INCLUDED. CLOSE TO SCHOOLS, BEACHES, RESTAURANTS, SHOPPING, AND THE NEW SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

DON’T MISS OUT, CALL TODAY! Pro Group Realty and Property Management, LLC • ProGroup-Realty.com • 941.786.9403

Prices, terms, and availability are subject to change. Floor plans, photographs, renderings, elevations and sizes are approximate for presentation purposes only and may vary. Photos by Victoria Dietz.