Explore & Discover
Exploration doesn’t always require traveling far. Sometimes it simply means seeing familiar places with fresh eyes. This issue celebrates the natural beauty, hidden gems, inspiring people, and local experiences that continue to make Venice a place worth discovering again and again.
In Wild Myakka Wonders, photographer Brian Glantz captures the remarkable wildlife and memorable moments he’s experienced in Myakka River State Park. Written by his daughter, Jessie Marie Glantz, the story reminds us that some of Florida’s most unforgettable experiences happen when we slow down and truly observe the natural world around us.
Exploration can also mean revisiting cherished places with fresh eyes. Our article, Snook Haven Prepares for Reopening, looks at the exciting transformation of one of our area’s most beloved Old Florida landmarks. While preserving its laidback riverside charm and live music traditions, the historic Myakka River destination is evolving for a new generation of visitors to enjoy. And for those eager to explore somewhere new for dinner or brunch, Five Nine Grill & Tavern Comes to Osprey introduces a popular Bradenton favorite expanding south with scratchmade comfort food, welcoming hospitality, and community spirit.
This issue also celebrates the many ways people explore creativity, connection, and personal growth. In Unveiling 75 Years of Friendship, the Venice Yacht Club commemorates its Diamond Jubilee through extraordinary artwork, shared traditions, and the lasting bonds built over generations. Meanwhile, Investing in Tomorrow highlights how the STSCC and Target Masters are helping local students pursue bright futures through encouragement, mentorship, and scholarship support.
And because exploration should also include caring for ourselves, Restored, Refreshed, Renewed , introduces readers to area wellness spas redefining self-care through innovative therapies, healing treatments, and restorative experiences designed to help clients feel their very best.
Finally, our national story, The 10% Target Mindset, takes a look at Jennifer Cohen–a fitness authority, TV personality, entrepreneur and best-selling author.
Whether your next adventure takes you down a shaded hiking trail, to a favorite riverside gathering spot, into a new restaurant, or simply toward a healthier, more balanced version of yourself, I hope this issue inspires you to embrace discovery in all its forms.
Happy exploring!
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Charmaine Tincher | charmaine.tincher@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Emily Leinfuss | emily.leinfuss@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jessie Marie Glantz, Emily Leinfuss, Kali Kasprzyk
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brian Glantz/1st Glantz Media, Emily Leinfuss, Florida Lakes Spa, Sweet Sparkman Architects (Renderings), Janie Jones
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas Learn how
3:5-6
inside the issue
Wild Myakka Wonders
Nature
Unveiling
The
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-7: The Venice Yacht Club’s (VYC) 75th Diamond Jubilee was filled with lively music that beckoned guests to the dance floor, spirited conversation over delectable food and drinks, and a spectacular art unveiling by Graeme Baxter that honored the essence and evolution of the club. “This celebration is one of the best the club has ever had,” said VYC General Manager and COO Ed Tindall. “It was truly my first hallmark celebration,” he said. “I was honored to be part of the planning committee and bring this experience to the membership.”
Photography by Brian Glantz,/1st Glantz Media
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Celebrate America's 250 and Venice’s Centennial with Parade, Picnic & Fireworks!
As the nation marks America’s 250th anniversary and the City of Venice celebrates its centennial year, the community is invited to a jam-packed lineup of Independence Day festivities on July 4. Events begin with the return of downtown Venice’s morning parade at 9:30 a.m., followed by a community picnic. Evening fireworks, presented by Zambelli Fireworks with support from Venice Fire Rescue and the Venice Police Department, launch at 9 p.m. from the South Jetty. venicegov.com/things-to-do/july-4th-parade-picnic/
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Bob & Sue Vedder Honored by the City of Venice
The City of Venice honored the community spirit demonstrated by longtime volunteers Bob and Sue Vedder by renaming the Centennial Park gazebo in their honor. During the dedication, Mayor Nick Pachota thanked the couple for their decades of service and commitment to beautifying the community. Together, the Vedders have made lasting contributions to Venice civic life. Bob founded Venice Area Beautification Inc.’s Bloom Team flower program, while Sue helped establish the Venice Library bookstore, and much more.
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Mote Aquarium Blends Marine Science, Education, Conservation, and Family Fun Experiences
If you haven’t visited the new Mote Science Education Aquarium yet, summer is the perfect time to go. Officially opened last October, the 146,000-squarefoot facility at Nathan Benderson Park combines marine science, education, and immersive experiences. Visitors can explore expansive habitats featuring sharks, manatees, and penguins, along with three state-of-the-art STEM teaching labs. Best of all, it’s educational and fun for all ages.
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Photography by Lorraine Anderson/City of Venice
Photography by VisitFlorida.com
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
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NAT URE PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN GLANTZ CAPTURES THE DELICATE AND FIERCE BEAUTY OF MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK
ARTICLE BY JESSIE MARIE GLANTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN GLANTZ/1ST GLANTZ MEDIA
WILD MYAKKA
WONDERS
Myakka River State Park contains 58 square miles of outdoor adventure and serenity. Otters, turtles, and fish swim in the Myakka River while alligators gather in large numbers to rest on the shore, and deer, bobcats, raccoons, and more than 100 species of
A barred owl perches on a live oak.
birds grace the subtropical forests and dry prairies. The park’s 38.9 miles of hiking trails are looped and connect with backcountry roads, enabling visitors to adapt the length of their hike to their liking or ability. An estimated 300,000 people explore the park annually, and many are inspired by what they discover in its wild Florida landscape.
Brian Glantz, local nature photographer, frequents the trails for the unique photo opportunities they present. “It’s rare to come across a place where you can get a plethora of wildlife as well as spectacular landscapes—it offers a little bit of everything,” he explained. Glantz first observed Myakka River State Park’s natural beauty through other photographers on social media and has since found community among those he encounters on the trails.
“I’ll often go up to other people with a camera—or they’ll come up to me—and we’ll have a conversation about what models, settings, or lenses we’re using, what we’re shooting, or what we’re hoping to shoot,” said Glantz. “There was a time a group of us were trying to get a shot of a barred owl and it kept landing on tree branches and flying away,” he remembered. “We would all try to get our pictures as quietly as possible while respecting each other’s space, then get in our cars and follow it to the next location.” He recalled that the shared experience of getting the sought-after shot made it even more memorable. Glantz, who teaches
A close-up of one of Myakka’s many wild alligators.
Nature photographer Brian Glantz sits atop a leaning palm tree to shoot the Myakka River.
A view of the Myakka River.
digital photography at Suncoast Technical College, frequently tells his students that working with other photographers is never a competition. “It’s actually an incredible way to learn the art,” he said, “whether you’ve been taking pictures for five months or 50 years.”
Glantz also enjoys moments of solitude at the park. He often tracks the call of raptors and the crackling of animals—large and small—traveling through the leafy forest and takes in the sound of the breeze as it rustles against foliage and palm fronds. He notes that one of a nature photographer’s greatest assets is being still. “It’s amazing what you can see by being patient and observant,” he said. “A bobcat may be camouflaged by the plants around it, a heron could be hidden in plain sight, or you might even walk by a beautiful flower without giving it a second look,” said Glantz.
On how far he is willing to hike to get a particular shot, Glantz said he is willing to go “50 feet or 5 miles,” depending on what he’s prepared for that day. Preparation and planning are key, especially when hiking in the Florida heat. The Florida State Parks website notes that ideal hiking seasons are late fall, winter, and early spring. Hiking in the summer presents a heightened risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. The State Parks site also suggests hikers “always carry water, a map, and compass or GPS” and wear appropriate sturdy footwear. Other concerns include insects and flooded or overgrown trails.
Glantz is no stranger to prioritizing safety on his hikes, as his favorite subjects are also one of the park’s most
A little blue heron surveys the river.
An alligator emerges from the river.
volatile creatures: alligators. The park is home to hundreds of wild alligators, which can become aggressive during their May and June mating season. “It’s important to respect their space,” said Glantz. “I use my super telephoto lens to get close-ups from a safe distance,” he shared. “The detail of the scales, the eyes, the teeth, is amazing. It’s like going back in time and looking at a dinosaur.” Just as he began admiring other photographers’ work from Myakka River State Park on social media, Glantz finds that people respond strongly to the alligator photos he posts online. “Some find them stunning, others … daunting,” he said. “I’m just glad I have the opportunity to hop in the car and get these kinds of shots. That’s the beauty of living in Southwest Florida.”
In addition to one-of-a-kind photo opportunities and hiking trails, Myakka River State Park offers spaces for bicycling, birding, camping, fishing, geo-seeking, horseback riding and paddling. Visitors can also see the park from a different perspective on the Canopy Walkway, the first public treetop trail in North America. According to Florida State Parks, it “is suspended 25 feet above the ground and extends 100 feet through the hammock canopy.” It consists of two observation towers, the tallest reaching 74 feet, from which one “can look down on eagles, hawks, vultures, and the tops of live oak and sabal palm trees.”
“If you love nature, you’ll love Myakka River State Park,” said Glantz. “I have so much respect for the wildlife, and I try to convey its dignity and importance through my photographs. That’s what I hope people take away from my pictures.”
A great blue heron catches a fish
A red-shouldered hawk perches on a tall tree.
ARTICLE BY JESSIE MARIE GLANTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN GLANTZ/1ST GLANTZ MEDIA
INVESTING In TOMORROW
The STSCC and Target Masters honor and support local students
This year, the Shark Tooth Sports Car Club (STSCC) and Target Masters gathered at Venice City Hall to honor high school seniors Luke Kenneth Hamilton and Alexis “Lexi” Karajman, respectively, for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Throughout their educational careers, Hamilton and Karajman have demonstrated a deep appreciation for and devotion to their studies, areas of interest, and the city of Venice.
The STSCC and Target Masters convene annually to award two graduating Venice High School students with scholarships of $1,000 each. Through the Venice Rotary Futures Club and Benevolent Committee, the STSCC selects an accomplished student with an interest in entering an automotive-related field of study. Target Masters—a local gun club whose members are retired police officers and veterans—chooses an exceptional recipient who hopes to major in criminal justice, attend a police academy, or otherwise support and improve their community.
Hamilton, who lives in Venice with his parents, will graduate from Venice High School with a 4.0 weighted GPA and an academic resume of varsity football and varsity weightlifting. He also participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Drug Free Youth. Hamilton works as a host and busser at Rib City and
was a mechanical engineering intern at Darcey’s Place where he performed oil changes, tire repairs, and brake and axle work. He enjoys the problem-solving aspect of operating on vehicles and manufacturing systems and will start a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing internship in June. He plans to further pursue his passion by majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the State College of Florida, where he will begin studying in the fall.
Karajman, who resides in Venice with her grandmother and siblings, transferred from Venice High School to the Venice Campus of the State College of Florida in her sophomore year, and will graduate only 13 credits short of an associate’s degree at the age of 17. She often balanced her education with 50-hour work weeks, as she worked as a server and concierge at Plantation Golf & Country Club in addition to attending classes.
Karajman’s grandmother, who raised her from the age of nine months old, enrolled her in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at 13 as a source of community and peer socialization. Karajman remains close with her Big Sister Cassie, who has continued to provide her with friendship, guidance, and mentorship over the years. Karajman also has a special connection with STSCC and Target Masters President Ken Maher, whom she first met while working
at Plantation Golf & Country Club. Maher was instantly impressed by Karajman’s positivity, confidence, and self-determination and knew he wanted to help her reach her goals.
The meeting took a heartfelt, emotional turn when, as a symbol of his personal support, Maher surprised Karajman with an additional $1,000 toward her education. Karajman plans to earn a bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida and ultimately become an occupational therapist—a career that mirrors her enthusiasm for helping others recover from difficult circumstances and live fulfilled lives.
“If you sit in front of the TV and watch the news, you may have some doubts about the future; but when you see kids like that, it gives you cause to be optimistic,” said Maher of the scholarship winners. “We’re the past,” he said, “but we have the opportunity tonight to invest in the future.”
Top Left: Lexi Karajman and her grandmother reflect on what Karajman’s double scholarship awards mean to their family.
Middle Left: Target Masters members (L-R) Randy Mineo, Ray Leather, Paul Drimmer, Richie Fortino, Frank Henneberg and Lou Divito surround award winner Lexi Karajman.
Right: STSCC members and their scholarship recipient: (L-R) Ron Wencil, Linda Wencil, Luke Kenneth Hamilton, and Sandy Ferega. Bottom Left: Hamilton and his mother.
UNVEILING 75 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
THE VYC’S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATES TRADITION, COMPANIONSHIP, AND EXTRAORDINARY ART
ARTICLE BY JESSIE MARIE GLANTZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN GLANTZ/ 1ST GLANTZ MEDIA
The Venice Yacht Club’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated not just a milestone anniversary, but the camaraderie, friendship, and shared love of the water that have defined the club for 75 years. From the energetic music emanating through the building to the Italian themed desserts, wines, and charcuterie upstairs and fresh seafood and desserts downstairs and outside; the club treated nearly 300 guests to a party reminiscent of the joy and success of the last 75 years. The grand celebration reached its height at the end of the
Venice Yacht Club Commodore Michael Marquette and General Manager/COO Ed Tindall shake hands in front of the club’s new commemorative painting.
evening with an art unveiling that captured the spirit of the club with exquisite precision and thoughtful detail.
Ed Tindall, Venice Yacht Club (VYC) General Manager and COO, had long admired renowned artist Graeme Baxter’s iconic oil paintings of golf courses around the world. While Baxter had never painted a yacht club, Tindall admired his soulful landscapes and commissioned him to create a painting commemorating the club’s 75th anniversary. Baxter and Tindall then began the creative process by photographing the club via helicopter, a member’s yacht, and a Venice Police Department boat. Still feeling something was missing, Baxter called Tindall to ask for another perspective.
“He calls me up and says Ed, I just need a couple more pictures,” Tindall laughed. “I'm not very good at flying drones … and I, on a very windy day, took the drone up and snapped a few pictures,” remembered Tindall, “and he calls me up and says, ‘it's perfect.’” In the end, Baxter subtly included Tindall standing on the dock in his painting, taking the very drone shot that inspired the masterpiece. “You made the painting!” said Baxter of Tindall’s cameo. Much to members’ astonishment and delight, Baxter also featured their boats docked on Roberts Bay—adding immense personal value to the work. “Most thought it was a photograph,” said Tindall of
the guests’ reaction to the accuracy with which Baxter represented the club.
The painting’s aerial view emphasizes the VYC’s proximity to the shoreline—a sight that is sometimes obscured on land. “Being a native Floridian, I remember the days when you used to drive over the bridge and you saw nothing but the beach,” said Tindall. “People drive by the club out front and see a parking lot. Well, our million-dollar view is Roberts Bay,” he explained. “The back of the clubhouse is a wonderful reflection of who the members are and the culture and longevity of the club that has been part of this community for 75 years.”
When asked what the VYC’s future looks like, Tindall had one word: bright. He has a deep appreciation for the thoughtful and caring nature of the club’s members and the positive culture of the staff. “I myself couldn’t be happier that I’m part of this very unique, wonderful club,” said Tindall.
Artist Graeme Baxter (L) with VYC COO Ed Tindall..
VYC members enjoyed drinks with a waterside view.
Guests took to the dance floor toward the end of the night.
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FIVE NINE GRILL & TAVERN COMES TO OSPREY
Popular Bradenton favorite brings scratch-made comfort food, brunch and community spirit to Osprey
Food lovers in Venice, Nokomis and Osprey now have a new spot to explore with the arrival of Five Nine Grill & Tavern, the popular Bradenton restaurant known for its elevated comfort food, welcoming atmosphere and scratch-made Southern-inspired specialties.
Situated in the former Bay Leaf space at Blackburn Point Plaza on South Tamiami Trail, the
new location marks Five Nine’s first expansion into South Sarasota County.
For co-owner Mike DeGirolamo, the move into Osprey felt like a natural next move. “We always liked the area,” DeGirolamo said of Osprey, Nokomis and Venice. “It just seemed like a really good fit for our clientele.”
Five Nine Grill & Tavern’s Mike DeGirolamo raises a glass to his new Osprey location and its guests.
“YOU CAN HAVE GOOD FOOD,” DEGIROLAMO SAID, “BUT WHAT SETS US APART ARE THE EMPLOYEES WE HAVE AND THE SERVICE WE DELIVER.”
DeGirolamo, a Bradenton native, has spent roughly 35 years in the restaurant business working with both corporate restaurant groups and independent concepts throughout Florida and the Midwest. Five Nine Grill & Tavern grew out of a desire to create something more personal alongside his wife, Holly, and business partner Quincy Watkins.
Today, the restaurant has developed a loyal following thanks to its combination of casual tavern energy and elevated comfort food.
“We’re not a sports bar,” DeGirolamo explained. “We’re a restaurant that you can watch sports in if you want.”
The expansive menu blends New American tavern fare with Southern comfort classics, seafood dishes, steaks, burgers and bowls—much of it prepared from scratch. Popular menu items include cheeseburgers, French dip sandwiches, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, Tuscan salmon bowls and Midwestern-style pork tenderloin sandwiches.
The restaurant’s scratch-kitchen philosophy remains central to the concept. “If we’re frying something, we’re hand-battering it,” DeGirolamo said.
Five Nine has also become a favorite among gluten-free diners because many fried items are prepared using rice flour breading, allowing
guests to enjoy dishes like fish and chips without sacrificing flavor.
The Osprey restaurant seats approximately 120 guests and features a full-service bar with martinis, handcrafted cocktails and local craft beers. Extensive renovations transformed the former restaurant space with updates to the dining room, bar and guest areas.
While the Osprey location features many of the Bradenton restaurant’s signature favorites, it also places a greater emphasis on brunch, now served daily beginning at 9 a.m. Guests can explore brunch selections including biscuits and gravy, omelets, shrimp and grits, and a fried green tomato omelet topped with pimento cheese.
Seasonal specials and rotating comfort-food favorites also remain part of the experience, with offerings changing throughout the year.
Beyond the menu, DeGirolamo said community involvement remains an important part of the restaurant’s identity. Five Nine regularly partners with local schools, youth organizations and animal shelters through fundraisers and special events.
Still, he believes the restaurant’s greatest strength comes down to hospitality.
“You can have good food,” DeGirolamo said, “but what sets us apart are the employees we have and the service we deliver.”
Guests of the new Osprey location can enjoy a full bar with inventive cocktails a la Five Nine!
Clockwise from left: Five Nine’s Farmhouse burger, jambalaya, and creamy Tuscan salmon bowl.
SNOOK HAVEN PREPARES FOR FALL OPENING
Historic Myakka River landmark undergoing major transformation while preserving its beloved Old Florida charm and live music traditions
ARTICLE BY EMILY LEINFUSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SWEET SPARKMAN ARCHITECTS (RENDERINGS)
For decades, Snook Haven has been one of Venice’s most beloved slices of Old Florida—a laid-back riverside destination where visitors gathered for live music, airboat rides, casual meals and scenic views of the Myakka River. While the historic landmark closed last year, Sarasota County officials confirm it is preparing for an exciting new chapter.
Snook Haven’s new casual, concession-style dining area will feature covered outdoor seating.
Architectural rendering by Sweet Sparkman Architects depicts Snook Haven along the Myakka River.
Now undergoing an extensive $8.75 million transformation, Snook Haven Park is currently on track for a fall 2026 reopening. County leaders emphasize that while many improvements are underway, preserving the park’s unique character remains central to the project.
“The transformation of Snook Haven is one of our most anticipated park projects,” said Shawn Yeager, Interim Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for Sarasota County.
Located along the wild and scenic Myakka River, Snook Haven has served as a gathering place for outdoor recreation and community connection since Sarasota County purchased the property in 2006. The redesign aims to create a more resilient and accessible park while maintaining the rustic fish-camp atmosphere longtime visitors cherish.
One of the most significant changes involves moving facilities farther away from the river itself, reducing future flood vulnerability while still embracing the waterfront setting.
“The new construction is designed with the feel of a historic fish camp that we hope will serve as a gathering place for our community where friends and family can catch up over a meal along the riverbank,” Yeager said.
The former sit-down restaurant is being replaced with a more casual concession-focused dining facility featuring covered outdoor seating. Sarasota County is currently finalizing a concessionaire agreement to provide food and beverage service, live entertainment and eco-tourism offerings. The selected agreement will still require approval from the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners.
Live music—long considered part of Snook Haven’s identity—will remain a centerpiece of the experience. A new bandshell and performance space are planned, and county officials confirmed the popular Gulf Coast Banjo Society is expected to return after reopening.
Additional upgrades include a new fishing pier, improved access for kayaks and canoes, expanded recreational opportunities and enhanced accessibility throughout the property.
Yeager said the park “will provide natural resourcebased recreational opportunities while also preserving and protecting natural habitat.”
Pending construction progress, inspections and final approvals, Sarasota County hopes to officially welcome the community back to Snook Haven in fall 2026.
Snook Haven’s live music tradition will continue with the addition of a new bandshell and performance space.
Today’s wellness spas are designed to create calming, welcoming environments where guests can relax, recharge, and enjoy their self-care journey.
ARTICLE BY EMILY LEINFUSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY FLORIDA LAKES SPA
Three area wellness spas blend beauty, healing and modern therapies into transformative self-care experiences
Restored, Refreshed,
Renewed
In Sarasota, Venice, and Wellen Park, the modern spa experience has evolved far beyond traditional pampering. Today’s wellness destinations blend relaxation, preventive health, restorative therapies, and advanced medical aesthetics into highly personalized experiences designed to help clients feel their best—inside and out.
From IV hydration and hormone optimization to body contouring, medical weight loss, and therapeutic wellness services, local spas are redefining self-care in ways that reflect the growing demand for both wellness and results.
Three area destinations—Florida Lakes Spa, HM Wellness & Aesthetics, and Harmony Med Spa—each offer their own approach to helping their clients recharge, refresh, and reconnect with themselves.
ADVANCED WELLNESS MEETS PERSONALIZED CARE
At Florida Lakes Spa, the focus is on combining modern wellness therapies and medical aesthetics with compassionate, individualized care.
Founded by Dr. T.C. Lackey II, the spa was created to meet the growing demand for advanced wellness and aesthetic services in Wellen Park. The philosophy is simple: clients should not only receive exceptional results but also feel genuinely cared for throughout the process.
“We offer a carefully selected range of advanced aesthetic services and technology that prioritize proven, resultsdriven approaches backed by clinical research and designed to provide safe, effective, and consistent outcomes, said Spa Manager Victoria Lackey.
That personalized approach is woven into every service, whether clients come in for massage therapy, body contouring, GLP-1 medical weight loss, incontinence therapy, laser treatments, RF microneedling, or other customized wellness services.
Florida Lakes Spa also emphasizes listening first. Rather than encouraging clients to “fix” perceived flaws, the team works to create detailed treatment plans tailored to each individual’s goals and comfort level.
The spa’s growing popularity reflects a larger shift in wellness, where confidence, health, and self-care are increasingly interconnected. Services such as medical weight loss, restorative therapies, and body contouring are often part of broader wellness journeys rather than isolated cosmetic procedures.
The result is an atmosphere that feels less clinical and more collaborative—where advanced technology meets a calming spa environment.
A WHOLE-BODY APPROACH TO WELLNESS
At HM Wellness & Aesthetics, wellness is viewed through a holistic lens that combines preventive care, science-backed therapies, and aesthetic medicine.
Formerly Hydration Market, the practice recently evolved into HM Wellness & Aesthetics under the leadership of APRNs Katie Spada and Kelly Gonzalez. The rebranding reflects a broader vision centered on long-term wellness and individualized care.
The practice offers services that range from IV hydration, NAD therapy, and hormone optimization to medical weight loss programs and wellness-focused aesthetic treatments.
What sets HM Wellness & Aesthetics apart is its emphasis on education and medically guided treatment. The team includes board-certified family nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and collaborative physician support, allowing clients to approach wellness and aesthetics with a strong medical foundation.
That integrative philosophy recognizes that looking refreshed often begins with feeling healthier overall. Instead of focusing solely on outward appearance, the practice encourages clients to explore the relationship between energy, hormone balance, nutrition, preventative care, and confidence.
The result is a wellness experience designed to help clients feel empowered—not pressured—as they work toward their personal goals.
WELLNESS FROM THE INSIDE OUT
At Harmony Med Spa, wellness and aesthetics go hand in hand, with a strong focus on helping clients feel healthier, more energized, and more confident overall. Rather than centering only on skincare treatments, the practice emphasizes services designed to support whole-body wellness.
One of Harmony’s standout offerings is IV therapy, which delivers vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and hydration directly into the bloodstream for fast absorption and noticeable results. Customized drips target everything from energy and immunity to athletic recovery and overall radiance.
The spa also offers medically supervised GLP-1 weight loss programs and bioidentical hormone optimization therapy, helping clients address concerns related to metabolism, aging, energy levels, and long-term wellness.
Led by board-certified nurse practitioner Jessica Simone, APRN, the team focuses on personalized care, education, and natural-looking results in a warm, welcoming environment.
Across the region, these wellness-focused spas reflect a growing shift in how people think about self-care—not simply as luxury, but as part of a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Modern treatment rooms combine advanced technology with personalized care, reflecting the evolving approach to wellness and restorative spa services.
NOWOPEN
The Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion
Sarasota Memorial’s latest addition to the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute is redefining modern oncology and creating a world-class destination for advanced treatment and patient-centered care — right here in Sarasota.
The 7-story, 200,000-square-foot pavilion houses a full array of outpatient cancer services supporting the entire continuum of cancer care — from prevention, screening and diagnosis to treatment, clinical trials, survivorship care and lifetime support – all under one roof and directly integrated with Sarasota Memorial’s inpatient Oncology Tower.
It’s more than a new building. It’s a beacon of hope.
