NEXTGEN February - March 2021

February - March 2021

FEEDING MANATEE COUNTY! Local kids help those in need…

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more confidence. emergency less wondering. heart experts.

When you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, you want fast, expert care. Our emergency room is open 24/7, and our ER doctors and nurses are trained to care for all types of medical emergencies—from shortness of breath to broken bones to severe burns.

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Bradenton

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2723 Manatee Ave West Bradenton FL 34205 941.226.1230

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INVESTINGININ INVESTING INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE. We’re proud to support those We’re proud to support those whowho work toward asupport brighter tomorrow. work toward ato brighter tomorrow.

We’re proud those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

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Contents February - March 2021

PUBLISHER

EARLY LEARNING COALITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EDITOR Darrell King

GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES Adam Mohammadbhoy (Chairman) Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer) Andrew Minor

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

PRODUCTION EDITOR Katelyn Disbro Kelly Harbour DESIGN EDITOR Mara Stork PHOTOGRAPHY Whitney Patton Wendy Dewhurst CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kara Chalmers, Amy Bell, Carlee Colonneso, Bre Jones Mulock, Christa Hardin, Petra Vybiralova, Caroline Lehman, Kelly McLean, Leslie Rowe, Dr. Carla McGill, Lisa Indovino CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata ADVERTISING SALES Kelly Stasurak: kstasurak@elc-manatee.org PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION PCI Communications, Inc.

CONTACT NEXTGEN EDITORIAL................................ 941-757-2912 ADVERTISING..........................941-212-4988 FAX........................................ 941-757-2917 EDITOR editor@nextgenmagazine.org COMPETITION ENTRIES competitions@nextgenmagazine.org

PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS James R. Chatham, M.D., Lupita Wells, Len Tabicman, Michael Rampino, Christina Riggio, Karen Carpenter, Doug Hall, Zack Kallis, Rev. Dr. Robert Baker, Dr. Michael Mackie, Bryan Rench, Gary Scott, Caroline Halfacre LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS Rachel Kendzior Children With Disabilities Program Representative Annette Larkin Private, For-Profit Provider Representative Dr. Robin Thompson Manatee County School Board Designee Jennifer Passmore Board of County Commissioners' Appointee Kathy Patreka Head Start Director Maritza Gonzalez Department of Children and Families Designee James Disbro CareerSource Suncoast Dr. Carla McGill County Health Department Designee Kristina DeWitt Florida College System Designee Marjani Jones Faith-Based Provider Representative Paul Sharff Chief Executive Officer

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@nextgenmagazine.org

SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Linda Guritz

ADVERTISING SUBMISSIONS adsubmissions@nextgenmagazine.org

BOARD OF EDUCATION MANATEE COUNTY Scott Hopes, Charlie Kennedy, Gina Messenger, Rev. James Golden, Mary Foreman, Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS articles@nextgenmagazine.org

6 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING Ben there and done it…

12 NEW YEAR, NEW REGIME! 18 DOWN IN THE JUNGLE SJG battling back from COVID impact 24 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION An Island Treasure…

30 A GIFT THAT TRANSFORMED A LIFE 33 ELC INSIDER SECTION! 36 FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC Best COVID-19 resources for parents 42 CHILDCARE PROVIDER DIRECTORY 50 OUR COUNTY CARES! How FCTCF is making a difference 56 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT Keeping it Reel…

61 On the Bookshelf 62 BEYOND GENEROUS Awash with kindness 68 Fun Kids Craft 74 The Latest From WRC… 75 Kids in the Kitchen

NEXTGEN and the Early Learning Coalition do not endorse or warrant any products or services contained herein, unless otherwise expressly noted. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. Submitted materials will not be returned. Whole or part of this publication may not be used or duplicated in any way without written permission from the Early Learning Coalition.

The Early Learning Coalition is a 501-C (3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring affordable and creditable early child care and early education through School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs.

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning and Manatee County Government.

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76 I CAN FEEL YOUR HALO AC system keeping kids safe 84 GRADE LEVEL READING LATEST

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Ben There And Done It‌ After decades of service Betsy Benac remains committed to the local community WORDS: Amy Bell PICTURES: Whitney Patton

F

rom 2012 to 2020, Betsy Benac served tirelessly as a Manatee County commissioner at-large.

Although she decided not to seek reelection, one thing is certain: Betsy's unwavering dedication to the community will continue to have an impact for years to come.

"Local government is where things get done, so I was very excited to get elected eight years ago," she reflects. "It was a great opportunity to represent the people serving on the county commission."

Commissioner Challenges & Successes During her eight years as commissioner, Betsy faced her fair share of difficult challenges, but she also enjoyed countless successes. "You learn very quickly that people are extremely passionate about whatever issue is important to them, and

it's simply not possible to make all of the people happy," she explains. Even so, she was able to accomplish a number of things, such as some changes to the county's land development regulations.

"I also was pleased to see so many infrastructure projects that had lingered for a long time come to completion, such as the Fort Hamer Bridge," she adds.

However, Betsy's service to Manatee County started long before she was elected as commissioner in 2012. In fact, she has been giving back to this community since she first moved here in the early 1980s.

Before being elected as a commissioner, Betsy served as Assistant Planning Director for Manatee County from 1983 to 1994. "During those 11 years, I got to know a lot of people in the county," Betsy recalls. "That's really where I met a lot of the people who became my supporters."

Over the decades, Betsy has also given her time and energy to a number of local organizations.

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One of Betsy's proudest accomplishments as a county commissioner was also one of her earliest. She helped oversee the construction of a soccer field at Daughtrey Elementary School to provide a recreational facility for youth in the area.

"It had been in the works for a long time," she explains. "It took an agreement with the school board and donation of sod from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, but I was so excited to see kids finally playing on that soccer field."

and health department folks stepped up."

Betsy says the county commissioners turned to state legislators for support in the early days of the pandemic. "It was very important to have a good relationship with our legislative delegation," she says.

"When we needed testing, we went to Bill

Galvano, and he was able to provide that.

We reached out to all of our legislators and said we needed to work together to bring CARES Act funding to the county.

They were great, and I credit our staff for having a very quick response and good working relationships."

Betsy faced her greatest obstacle when Covid-19 struck—just two months after she was elected as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.

"It was something so unprecedented, something we'd never seen," she emphasizes. "The role of the local g o v e r n m e n t c o u l d n' t h av e b e e n anticipated. People were asking us to make decisions on behalf of public safety and welfare issues. People looked to their government for leadership, and I think we did that from the very beginning. I was very proud of the way our public safety 8

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Giving Back Over the years, Betsy has given back to the community in so many ways. She has served on the Bradenton Kiwanis Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the Manatee County Economic Development Council, the Board of Directors of the Manatee Chamber, the Board of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast, FL, and the Board of Tiger Bay Club of Manatee County.

She has also been a big supporter and cheerleader for the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) . "Obviously, children are our future, and I think it's been a great challenge for us in Manatee County to improve our children's reading skills," she says. Betsy comes from a long line of teachers—her husband and sister are both retired educators. She also served on the board of Head Start when she worked in the private sector. "I think the ELC's efforts are so important to our community, as they work to improve the literacy of our kids and give them the best early start possible."

The Road to Commissioner Betsy was born and raised in Michigan.

After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1979, she landed a job as a planner in her home state—but times were tough. "The town where I lived had ten General Motor plants, and a lot of those jobs were going overseas," she recalls. "The economy was pretty bad in the state."

At the time, Betsy's soon-to-be husband Bob was teaching in Englewood, Florida.

"I had an opportunity to come down and visit him, and I've been here in Florida ever since," she laughs.

After working in the Manatee County planning department from 1983 to 1994, Betsy moved into the private sector. She went to work for Wilson, Miller, Barton & Peek, Inc., a successful engineering and planning consulting firm based out of Naples. "They'd been around since the construction of the Tamiami Trail, and they were expanding and opening an office in this area," she says. "They were the first business to open in Lakewood Ranch."

Betsy worked for the company for the next 18 years. She was the first woman to be appointed to VP of the company, and she became one of the owners and principals.

"We grew and did really well—until the recession hit," she says." Although the company survived the recession, it was bought out by a multi-national corporation in 2010. Soon after, Betsy decided it was time to move on and was hired by Benderson Development. "It was a great experience working for a family-owned company that was known throughout the country as one of the largest commercial land developers," she says.

When 2012 rolled around, Betsy shifted her focus to public service once again.

"The election was coming up, and I really wanted to get back to working for and in Manatee County," she says. "That's where my roots had always been. People were asking me to run against long-time Commissioner Joe McClash, so I threw my hat in the ring—and I got elected."

As they say, the rest is history.

Family Ties Betsy decided not to seek re-election in November because she wanted to spend more time with her family. "I had initially planned to run for re-election, but my husband Bob received a diagnosis, which made us reevaluate," she explains.

"At this point, I'm really happy that I made that decision."

Bob retired from Sarasota County after a 35 -year teaching career. He and Betsy will celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary in June. "My husband is doing great," Betsy says. "His treatment has been wonderful, and it's really working out well."

Bob and Betsy have two adult children, both graduates of Manatee County schools. They also are the proud grandparents of one granddaughter.

"She is two years old and pretty much the light of my life," Betsy gushes. "I'm really happy to have all of my family here locally."

Now that she's retired, Betsy spends lots of time kayaking and exploring local parks and preserves. However, she says it feels odd to be on this lengthy "vacation."

"It's kind of strange being retired," she says. While she may no longer be a commissioner, Betsy plans to stay involved with the community. "I will continue to volunteer, and I may eventually do some consulting," she says. "I thank my lucky stars that I ended up here in Manatee County. We have a great community of people. I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve—and you never know what the future holds."

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NEW YEAR, NEW REGIME!

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WORDS: Christa Hardin, MA Christa Hardin, MA, is the owner of Reflections Counseling and Coaching in LWR, 941-914-0519. She is also the podcast host of Enneagram & Marriage, which you can find on iTunes & Spotify, as well as the author of the R & R Marriage Method.

E

ven though the phrase "Visions of Sugarplums danced in their heads" is a little outdated these days and this time of the year, I'm pretty sure most of us can agree that we indulged in our holiday feasts this past season. With 2020 hitting everyone so hard, the world felt the heaviness together. We also became heavier together, with three-quarters of Americans saying they have experienced quarantine related weight gain (Hartford Healthcare).

Unfortunately, when it comes to protecting our health as families, it's the very thing we were trying to be vigilant about this year. Our actual bodies may have taken an even worse hit, with some of us tipping the scales toward high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and other diet or obesity-related issues.

It isn't just a product of our modern world of technology either.

It's also caused by the fact that the ease and convenience of Zoom meetings and online grocery delivery have made us need to move less.

And yet, as much as we're sedentary, we're still as busy as ever, trying to pivot with the times financially and academically as families.

So now that we're on track with moving forward in 2021, just how can a family fit in fitness times together or individually this new year? We've got 10 tips for you right here!

As you read them, remember this. We don't want to send our kids any underlying messages that they need to have a certain look or body worthy of love or acceptance. It's about them being healthy and moving in the world with as much confidence, health, and dexterity as possible with their unique build and personalities.

Since one size does not fit all, be mindful that we all have different goals, and thus different strategies will work for each. Find a few of these that will fit for you and your crew this season!

1. A nightly parent-child or whole family bike ride through the neighborhood can be amazing as a stress-release together as you transition from work into evening or weekends together. It's also fun to go either on the trails at G.T. Bray Park, Benderson Park, or a nearby track, which is a wonderful way to have fun.

2. YouTube's PopSugar workouts are amazing, and some are as short as five minutes! Let family members trade which style of workout you do. They have everything from yoga and Pilates to kickboxing and Bollywood dancing! Also, be careful that you don't push people to be at your level. Literally, no two bodies are in the same shape or go at the same pace, or even need the same cross-training. Give grace and no shaming anyone who needs to modify, even the modified workout. The important thing is getting moving and having fun.

3. Florida is the great state of playing tennis, and there's nothing more fun than a family game of it (unless you're talking pickleball with the grandparents!). Play doubles and be flexible on the rules for an extra special game with non-tennis people (you know who you are!)

4. For especially reluctant family members, incorporate fun treats into the mix. You may not initially like the idea of a walk around Anna Maria Island followed by a double scoop at Dips, but consider the fact that at home, it's Publix Premium ice cream and no walk, and you're on point for realizing any exercise helps!!

5. Ice-skating is an awesome workout that can be done at the Ellenton Ice Arena all year long, and they even have figure skating lessons or adult hockey teams so parents who want to get back into the game can find their family cheering them on!

6. Bring roller blades or skates to Benderson Park for a totally free and yet similar ice-skating experience. For people who are less stable or injury-prone, bring bikes or remind them that they can walk or slow jog ahead or behind you. Never underestimate the fun of a brisk or leisurely walk for all ages!

7. Check out Robinson Preserve and Emerson Point Preserve for stunning settings, easy hiking trails, and gorgeous ocean views just a short car ride away!

8. For the runners and joggers among us, if you normally do your workouts on the treadmill indoors due to the humidity, remember these first few months of the year are refreshing outdoors. This is the time of year to remember why you love living here, so supplement your indoor workouts with some time outside.

9. If you're a gym lover, enjoy it and set some muscle gaining goals just against yourself, not in competition with others and if you've got teens, bring them with you. Make sure you're sanitizing well and honoring those around you. If you're not feeling great, do a lighter workout at home and give your body some time to recharge.

10. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. This is a tip for everyone of every age and fitness level. Your body will thank you for refueling after sweaty workout sessions and flushing out toxins. Don't wait 'til you're thirsty either. Try instead to drink your body's recommended water intake a day!

Lastly, don't overdo it with tech during the workouts. Get your playlist going and shut down emails and responses to texts for a bit. Be safe and stay in well-lit areas but don't let your phone dominate you!

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PICTURES: Whitney Patton NextGen FebMarch 2021.indd 14

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Specialized Care at North River Family Health Center

Sara Wemlinger, DO Family Medicine & Sports Medicine Physician

Ryan Zaleski, DO Family Medicine Physician

Sara Wemlinger, DO, is a board-certified family medicine physician with an added certificate of qualification in sports medicine.

Ryan Zaleski, DO, board-certified family medicine physician was trained in vasectomy during his residency on active duty as a U.S. Navy physician.

Sports Medicine Is Not Just for Athletes

Holistic Approach to Care and Vasectomy Services

“It’s for anyone who has an injury or pain and wants to feel better and engage in an active lifestyle,” says Sara Wemlinger, DO of North River Family Health Center. “I like to try to help patients learn strategies to prevent injuries from happening in the first place.

As a doctor of osteopathic medicine, Ryan Zaleski, DO of North River Family Health Center believes in a holistic approach to patient care. “Mental and physical, everything is inter-connected in holistic medicine,” he says. “It’s important to me that I get to know my patient so that I can treat the whole person.”

“My patient-care philosophy overall is to try to help my patients become engaged in their own care, starting with nutritional and exercise advice for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of disability or fitness level.

“Same goes for sports medicine, if we start by giving our body an individualized foundation of regular exercise, healthy nutrients and adequate sleep, the body will often find a way to heal itself. However, I am always here for my patients when it doesn’t.”

Dr. Wemlinger’s sports medicine services include preparticipation and pre-exercise physicals and sports-related concussion management. Other specialized services include Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) to relieve tightness and restriction in the joints and muscles.

OMT involves the physician using techniques that include stretching, gentle pressure and resistance. Additionally, Dr. Wemlinger provides ultrasound guided injections and diagnostics for pain management and women’s health other than obstetrics.

A holistic approach is useful to vasectomy, one of the specialized services Dr. Zaleski provides. Patients considering the procedure have an entire pre-operative appointment dedicated to learning about the procedure.

During this time, Dr. Zaleski completes a thorough patient history and an exam. The patient also receives all of the pre-and post-procedure instructions and the follow-up information to learn about potential risks and complications of the procedure.

“This is also the time to counsel the patient to ensure they understand the permanency of vasectomy, since reversal is not always successful,” says Dr. Zaleski. “If, during this appointment, we discover that this is not the right time for the patient to have vasectomy, I am able to make other family planning recommendations, appropriate for the individual patient.”

Dr. Zaleski performs the no-scalpel vasectomy procedure (NSV). He also specializes in ultrasound-guided injections and diagnostics for pain management and contraceptive services for women.

Book an Appointment Online with Dr. Wemlinger or Dr. Zaleski at manateephysicianalliance.com, or call 866-515-9777.

606 4th Avenue West | Palmetto, Florida 34221-5226 Member of Manatee Physician Alliance For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 210207-8318 01/21

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Not Your Garden Variety Attraction…

Beloved local park battles back from COVID impact with community love.

WORDS: Kara Chalmers

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he COVID-19 pandemic has been disastrous for visitor and tourist attractions worldwide, and Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a beloved, Old Florida park that’s been around for more than 80 years, is no exception.

However, things are starting to look up.

Jungle Gardens has returned to its preCOVID schedule; it’s hopeful to continue a seven-day-a-week schedule. The park, which in March cut 80 percent of its staff, is now starting to hire back some positions it lost, according to Nancy Lavick, Jungle Gardens’ marketing director and also a member of the family that owns the park.

Besides recruiting new staff, Lavick said the park focuses on finalizing new exhibits and interactive experiences and investing in its employees to deliver “unmatched customer service.”

Just before COVID-19 struck, Jungle Gardens had launched a new mission statement: “to educate and inspire our community through interactive experiences with animals and nature, supported by unmatched customer service.”

As for the new exhibits, Giant Snakes of the World, a year in the making, opened in January. Visitors can now view a 13foot Green Anaconda, a 12-foot Burmese Python, and a 19-foot Reticulated Python in habitats housed in a cave-like structure and waterfall that you walk through. Each snake has its own habitat, with plants and small pools, behind glass.

The Butterfly Aviary & Nursery Exhibit – the first such butterfly exhibit in the area – allows guests to interact with butterflies.

It opened just before COVID-19 hit and thus was shuttered for months. It is back up and running, as is the native butterfly garden adjacent to the enclosure.

Jungle Gardens’ resident American Crocodile, Dominic, just got a new roommate. His female companion is sharing his habitat, which has been enlarged by 60 percent and now contains three water features instead of two.

Also new at the park: 18 extra-large, recycled plastic picnic tables throughout the park, some with umbrellas in front of the café and next to the koi pond and water fountain, as well as a mining slough activity for kids.

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call the gardens home. The park’s signature offering is hand-feeding its 27 free-roaming pink flamingos in their lakefront habitat. Also housed at the park are parrots, cockatoos, macaws, and reptiles like a dwarf caiman and a black-throated monitor. There’s a coatimundi, prairie dog, iguana, ring-tailed lemurs, tortoises, crocodiles, alligators, and birds of prey. Also, peacocks freely roam the grounds.

About two years ago, the park obtained a Reeve’s muntjac (aka a barking deer because it can sound like a dog) named June, and an African crested porcupine, Quilly. While the park has always had a petting zoo – which currently houses sheep and pigs -- it recently added the Tortoise Petting Zoo, which contains seven gopher tortoises and a handful of ducks. This smaller space is ideal for young children, who may be intimidated by the sheep and pigs’ size.

Jungle Gardens is a popular birthday party venue. Included are food, drinks, and two animal interactions in a shaded outdoor picnic area, plus access to the entire park for the day.

Shows and Animal Interactions Knowledgeable animal keepers hold four educational and entertaining shows a day.

They meet with guests afterward, answer questions, and offer chances to pet, hold or take photos with the animals.

The Jungle Bird Show, held at noon, features exotic birds performing different feats, such as roller-skating or bicycling.

Wildlife Wonder, held at 1 p.m., might feature native Florida animals, red-tailed hawks, kookaburras, owls, skunks, and hissing cockroaches. The Reptile Encounter, held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., features snakes, lizards, and alligators.

A Jungle by the Bay Sarasota Jungle Gardens is exactly what it claims to be: jungle gardens. It’s a 10acre property near Sarasota Bay, with a brick-paved path that meanders for 1.2 miles through lush, shady landscaping, by animal habitats, waterfalls and ponds, and over bridges.

It’s one of the oldest continuously operating attractions in Florida and is a restful, beautiful place for visitors of any age. It’s 90 percent outdoors, making it an attractive option during a pandemic.

There’s a café, playground, gift shop, and a pavilion for animal shows.

Some 250 creatures – often abandoned, abused, surrendered or un-releasable –

Jungle Gardens sets itself apart from other zoos and theme parks with its interactive animal experiences. Here, you can feed and hold baby alligators and invite exotic birds to perch on your arm. Purchase a reusable tote size “Super Feed Bag” and get food for alligators, turtles, and flamingos, plus two encounter tickets, to hold a baby alligator or bird or have a photo taken with the Aldabra giant tortoise.

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Jungle Gardens is offering more and more multi-species exhibits. For example, June the Reeve’s muntjac has birds in her habitat, which makes the exhibit feel more natural and realistic. The park is also working on replacing any exhibit’s bars with zoo mesh or glass partitions.

Awe-inspiring Generosity The COVID-19 pandemic was crippling for the park, which was forced to close on March 17. On May 1, it re-opened, but only for four days a week.

Being closed during season – a time that the park makes a substantial portion of its money – was disastrous, as the park is supported only by admission, gift shop, and café sales. It had to cancel its popular Easter event, the annual “Jungle Trails, and Bunny Tails.” Its well-known summer camp still took place, but there was a drastic reduction in the number of campers allowed.

Also notable: Jungle Gardens had sustained major damage to hundreds of its trees and path pavers when Hurricane Irma hit in September 2017. Luckily, no animals or staffers were hurt.

Since closing in March, the park has received heartwarming, overwhelming support from the community, Lavick said.

She’s been awed at the generosity, from monetary donations to bird toys and food.

The Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores Association provided volunteers. As of publication, the Jungle Gardens Covid19 Operating Expense Fund on gofundme. com had raised $33,277, more than 50 percent of its goal of $60,000.

“There were donations from $5 to $1000,” Lavick said of the fundraiser. “And we knew some of the $5 ones were from kids.

They wanted to help us.”

In all, there have been 450 donors. The funds are paying for animal care expenses, like food, enrichment, veterinarians, and security, utilities, and insurance. Funds

are helping the attraction to recoup its losses due to the closure and the reduced number of tourists in Sarasota and Florida as a whole. The park also has a wish list on Amazon.com.

The community’s goodwill has helped raise employee morale, Lavick said, and provide hope for the future. But the park is still in need.

“COVID has been incredibly difficult,” Lavick said. “But with every hardship, we’ve learned more. We have learned the strength we have as an organization and as a place in our community.”

• Jungle Gardens is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com for more information.

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An Island Treasure!

AMI Privateers Celebrates 50 Years Helping Kids...

WORDS: Amy Bell PICTURES: Whitney Patton

W

ay back in 1971, a gang of pirates invaded Anna Maria Island, and they’ve been making waves across Manatee County ever since. But these aren’t your typical swashbucklers. Known as the AMI Privateers, this krewe is on a quest to help kids in the community.

The organization’s official mission is to have a positive impact on the area through community service and activities and to promote youth through scholarships and programs.

“It’s all about kids and community,” explains Kim “Syren” Boyd, President of the Privateers. “We raise monies to give local high school students scholarships to help with college expenses. Currently, we are working on implementing a new program where we broaden our scholarship program to help young children attend preschool and also partner with other educational programs that work with preschools.”

Blimey! The Krewe Turns 50!

This year, the Anna Maria Island Privateers is celebrating its halfcentury anniversary. The krewe was established as a non-profit organization in 1971 by a small group of folks interested in serving as a much-needed support group for Manatee County and island youth programs. Their charter goals were to promote activities for the betterment of youth, render service to the community and participate in area events.

Tim Thompson, Liaison Officer for the Privateers, says the organization’s original membership included just 12 men.

Today, that number has grown to a total of 68 male and female buccaneers. The Privateers’ vessel has also seen some major improvements over the years. “We went from a tow float to a motorized pirate ship float,” Thompson explains.

To raise funds, the organization sponsors a number of local activities, including mullet smokes, thieves’ markets (a piratestyle flea market), golf tournaments, business “captures,” and other special events.

The Privateers also raid Anna Maria Island for a variety of big events throughout the year—from the 4th of July parade to the annual Christmas parade (starring Santa with a sack full of

gifts) to Snooks Adams Kids Day, which features games, food, and family-friendly fun—just to name a few. Each year, the Privateers also hosts the Whitey Horton Golf Tournament to raise scholarship funds for local students furthering their education in whatever field they choose.

Boyd reflects on the countless memorable moments she’s enjoyed since joining the Privateers four years ago. “Delivering Christmas gifts to the kids, pulling up with the sleigh and the kids seeing Santa Claus and the huge smiles on their faces.

And then as we unload the gifts, the look on the parents’ faces and tears in some of their eyes—it just solidifies why I joined this organization: To make positive impacts on our community and help kids,” she says.

“I will never forget a visit we made to a nursing home for Pirate Month,” she recalls. “The smiles, the clapping, the laughter and even a few tears of joy from those sweet elderly people just tugged at my heart. It made me feel good that being a pirate makes people smile.”

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Exciting Events in 2021

surprises up their pirate sleeves. the AMI Privateers have tons of fun To celebrate their 50th anniversary, ing year: organization has planned for the com Here are just a few of the events the Flea Market Pirate Style • February 20: Thieves Market: A ip Capture • February 27: Sandpiper Scholarsh Heritage Day Celebration ety Soci al oric Hist I AM • March 6: County Commissioners atee • March 9: Privateers Capture Man de Para Day • March 17: AMI St. Patty’s Market Pirate Style • March 20: Thieves Market: A Flea a Party • March 27: Privateers Host a Yog ip Putt-Putt Pub Crawl larsh Scho ton Hor itey Wh 10: l • Apri ket Pirate Style Mar Flea A • April 17: Thieves Market: ip Poker Run larsh Scho ” iprek “Sh s • May 15: Privateer • May 22: Coastal Cleanup • May 29: Snooks Adams Kids Day ff (Rum Tasting) • June 5: Privateers Host a Grog-O t -Fes Rib a t Hos s • June 19: Privateer age of Cortez Vill the of t ques Con The • June 26: Parade July • July 4: Anna Maria Island 4th of enton Beach Brad of City the of • July 10: The Conquest Hall City ia Mar a Ann of ture Cap s • July 13: Privateer Drift-In • July 24: Christmas in July at the l Invasion/Scavenger Hunt/Pub Craw te Pira ary ivers Ann 50th 6: ust Aug • in Tortuga t Nigh e t/On Invasion/Scavenger Hun • August 7: 50th Anniversary Pirate s ateer Priv the with nch Invasion/Bru • August 8: 50th Anniversary Pirate ht Parade Nig d Islan s ateer Priv 18: er • Septemb Celebration with Rum Tasting Day te • September 19: Talk Like a Pira oberfest • September 25: Privateers Host Okt est Bayf r mbe Cha I • October 16: AM e Soup Cook-Off • October 23: Privateers Host a Bon ion brat • November 11: Veterans Day Cele e Formal Gala k-Ti Blac a t Hos s • November 13: Privateer of Holmes Beach City the of t ques Con The • November 20: de Para as istm • November 27: City of Venice Chr mony Cere ting Ligh • December 3: AMI Chamber Tree Celebration as istm Chr ter Cen ping • December 4: Eastbay Shop Sale Christmas Tree • December 12: Boys & Girls Club istmas Party at the Drift-In Chr a t Hos s ateer Priv 18: er • Decemb mes Beach City Hall Hol • December 21: Privateers Capture iversary Finale Party Ann 50th Eve ’s • December 31: New Year th ary,” this year to celebrate our 50 Annivers “We have events planned every month ts, even s ateer Priv the latest and greatest says Boyd. For an up-to-date list of their Facebook page. You can also find like or site web ’s tion visit the organiza a s happenings in The Islander, The Ann more info about upcoming Privateer ets.

Maria Island Sun, and other news outl

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Climb Aboard Ahoy, matey! If you want to get involved with this incredible organization, join the Privateers for one of their many local events or make a donation on the organization’s website. “Donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible,” Boyd adds.

Want to become a member of the krewe? Privateers membership is open to all adults. “Anyone over 18 who passes a background check can apply to join the Privateers organization,” Boyd adds.

• For more information about the AMI Privateers, visit their website at www.AMIPrivateers.org.

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Pictures: Wendy Dewhurst 29

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A GIFT THAT TRANSFORMED A LIFE… WORDS: Leslie Rowe

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W

hen a ten-month-old baby is diagnosed with a brain tumor, a mother's drive kicks in to do whatever it takes, and Celeste Welch became little Valerie's chief advocate.

While raising a family of four daughters, Celeste and her husband Craig took on the challenges of caring for a seriously ill child.

Doctor's visits, brain surgery, chemotherapy that stretched into 18 months after the tumor grew back, and hospice for a bit.

At five-years-old, Valerie was accepted for treatment at St. Jude's, which meant occasional trips to Memphis, TN, as well as radiation treatments. And besides fighting to beat cancer, Valerie was growing up legally blind.

"They did the surgery, and during that, they mistakenly cut her optic nerve and damaged her optic chiasm," explains Celeste.

"She had perfect vision at ten months old. Now she has no light perception in her left eye and no peripheral vision in her right eye.

Over time, her vision has stabilized, but until she was seven years old, she didn't realize her field of vision was limited, and other people could see more than she can."

"At the hospital, I would bump into poles," explains Valerie, now a teenager. "When I was out in public, outside the house, I was hitting a lot of stuff."

guide dog would be too much work," Valerie says, and Celeste concurs. "I agreed to the camp because I thought we would go, and she would see that big dogs are scary to be around."

Throughout the challenges, Celeste and Craig were determined to give Valerie and her three older sisters a life filled with rich experiences. The family settled in Sarasota after living in Gainesville and spending four years in Ecuador as missionaries.

They bought a home on two acres, where they established a working plant nursery, fruit farm, and honey bee apiary. Celeste, an expert in rare fruit and bananas, taught her daughters how to care for their rare tropical fruit trees and edible landscaping.

"The camp was literally life-changing," Celeste continues. She jokes and explains, "I'm convinced these aren't just dogs. These are some other animals that you're passing off as dogs."

As Celeste continued to advocate for Valerie, Valerie learned to advocate for herself. That's when she started asking her parents for a guide dog. However, there was one problem: Celeste was terrified of dogs. And besides, she explained to her daughter; she was allergic. Clearly, dogs were not welcome in the Welch home.

Valerie's quest for a guide dog started in 2012 when she was seven years old and visited Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto on a puppy-hugging field trip with the Division of Blind Services. The quest continued when Valerie met young Millie, first in Bradenton and again at Camp Sunshine in Maine. Millie had the same kind of brain tumor, and Valerie heard about Millie's dog Miracles, a Kids Companion dog and a gift from Southeastern Guide Dogs.

The last straw came when Celeste and Valerie ran into a group of trainers working with guide-dogs-to-be at the UTC Mall. "Valerie had her white cane," Celeste recalls. "Marisa, the trainer, took so much time to talk to me. I had looked into Southeastern Guide Dogs once, and they said the age was 18, but Marisa knew the age limit was changing and encouraged us to please reach out to Southeastern Guide Dogs again."

With pressure from Valerie, Celeste made the phone call, just when Southeastern Guide Dogs had launched a new Guide Dog Camp for visually impaired teens and their parents. This two-day, overnight experience was designed as a hands-on introduction, helping families gain an understanding of what having a guide dog can mean. Reluctantly, Celeste signed up.

"My mom wanted me to go so that she could prove to me that a

The instant they returned home from Guide Dog Camp, they filled out a guide dog application. Just a few months later, in August 2019, Valerie attended Guide Dog Class 281. Since she was only 15 years old and participated in the adult class, Celeste came along, enjoying her own private dorm room next door to Valerie's.

Valerie was paired with the lovable, cuddly, playful, life-changing Micky. Micky, whose tail never stops wagging, especially when he's with Valerie. Micky's infectious joy surrounds Valerie, whether she's having a good day or not.

Now 16, the inseparable Valerie and Micky share secrets and adventures. Together they've shared doctor's appointments, shopped at malls and grocery stores, enjoyed parks and trails, dined in restaurants, played in pools, and continue to do what best friends do best: stick together.

And Celeste? She's still very much involved as she coaches Valerie how to advocate for herself. After all, her youngest child will be on her own one day, and that day isn't so far away. Knowing Micky is there makes all the difference for this mama-bear. "My mom doesn't worry as much," Valerie says simply. "I always have someone with me." •

Southeastern Guide Dogs is a nonprofit organization that transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. A staff of experts breed, raise, and train elite working dogs—including guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs—and provide life-changing services for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges such as vision loss or the loss of a parent in the military. All services are provided at no cost to recipients.

For more information, visit www.GuideDogs.org.

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alkathon S O U T H E A S T E R N G U I D E D O G S

& F e s t i va l !

A

Dog-Lovin’ Day

Saturday, March 6th Nathan Benderson Park

Free Admission!

3K Walk Live Entertainment Food & Drink Vendor Fair Gift Shop $1,000 Raffle Gates Open: 9 am Let’s Walk! 10 am Raffle Drawing: Noon

Walkathon is Southeastern Guide Dogs largest fundraiser of the year.

All proceeds benefit our amazing dogs and the people who need them.

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ELC INSIDER

CONTENTS: 34 35 36 37 40 42 48 50 52 54

Operation W.I.T COVID Busters!

Youth Sports - The Risks Cleaning Chemical Safety Beat Kids Boredom Childcare Provider Directory Infant Safe Sleep Manatee CARES! Holidays at the ELC The Giving Tree

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DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO HAVE GREATER PEACE, HARMONY & RESPECT? PLEASE JOIN US FOR...

CICC'S EFFECTIVE BLACK PARENTING PROGRAM

An award winning program brought to you through a partnership with The From Cradle to Collegeâ„¢ Foundation and The Early Learning Coalition HURRY! of Manatee County. The program highlights GROUPS ARE FILLING UP! a series of highly innovative and easy-touse parenting strategies and skills. Overall, Operation W.I.T. teaches parents and others how to connect with African American children.

Contact the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (941) 757-2900 ext. 2500 or communityengagement@elc-manatee.org NextGen FebMarch 2021.indd 34

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T T

Whatever It Takes

COVID COVID

BUSTERS! BUSTERS!

he Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC) he Learning of Manatee Inc (ELC) hasEarly sanitized over Coalition 60 child care centersCounty, since September has childthe care centers pandemic. since September in thesanitized ongoingover fight 60 against COVID-19 Using in the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 Using funding awarded through the Manatee Countypandemic.

CARES Act, the funding awarded through the Manatee County CARES Act, the ELC purchased sanitizing machines and trained staff to respond ELC purchased sanitizing machines and trained staff to respond to COVID cases at child care facilities or requests for preventative to COVID cases at child care facilities or requests for preventative spraying treatments. spraying treatments.

The Perma Safe solution used kills Sars-coV2 – responsible for The Perma– Safe used kills Sars-coV2 responsible COVID-19 and issolution effective for at least 90 days. –This was donefor in COVID-19 – with and aismassive effectivedistribution for at least 90 days.Providers This was of done in conjunction to ELC PPE, conjunction with a massive distribution to ELC Providers of PPE, face masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, paper products, face masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, paper products, and other materials all procured through the CARES Act funding. and other materials all procured through the CARES Act funding.

ELC's response has been warmly received by local Providers ELC's response warmly received by local Providers who have battled has hardbeen to stay open and continue the crucial role who have battled hard to stay open and continue the crucial role of childcare during such challenging times. of childcare during such challenging times.

Julee Williams, Wee World, said: "The ELC staff did an amazing Julee Williams, Weewe World, "Thedue ELC did an amazing sanitation job after had said: to close tostaff COVID. They really sanitation job after we had close everyone due to COVID. went above and beyond andtomade at our They centerreally feel wentto above and beyond and made everyone at our center feel safe reopen." safe to reopen."

Sharon Greer, A Child's Galaxy, said: "We have had the ELC Sharon A Child's Galaxy, team outGreer, to spray twice. The second time was duehad to one said: "We have the case ELC team out toParents spray twice.

The second was due to one case of of COVID. were so happy thattime we were taking advantage COVID. Parents were so happy that of the resources offered

by ELC. Weweletwere our taking parentsadvantage know on of the resources offered by ELC. letELC our provided parents know on Facebook and displayed the signsWe that us with Facebook and displayed the signs that ELC provided us with when when the center had been sanitized. All the feedback from the center had been sanitized. All the feedback from parents was parents was really positive." really positive."

Renee Lux, Toad Hall, said: "ELC staff has sanitized our center Renee We Lux,have Toadhad Hall, said: "ELC staff from has sanitized our center twice. a great response parents and family twice. We who havepick hadup a the great response from family members students when weparents tell themand it's being members the students when we tell them it's being done.

ELCwho staffpick areup always very professional and friendly, and done. ELC staff are always very professional and friendly, and we truly appreciate them for offering the extra precautions at we truly appreciate them for offering the extra precautions at no no cost to us." cost to us."

Janet Hamstra, Sunshine Academy, said: "When we notified Janet Hamstra, Academy, said: case "When the ELC that weSunshine had a confirmed COVID in we onenotified of our the ELC that we had a confirmed COVID case in onesanitize of our classrooms, they offered to come out right away and classrooms, they offered to come out right away and sanitize that classroom and others. They scheduled for a time that was that classroom and others. They scheduled for a time that was convenient for us. The team was very professional and courteous. convenient for us. The team was very professional and courteous.

We truly truly appreciate appreciate the the ELC ELC offering offering this this service service and and all all the the We other PPE and supplies they have provided us with during these other PPE and supplies they have provided us with during these challenging times." times." challenging

We bring the learning to you with our mobile fleet of educational vehicles. Parents and family members will learn from the Effective Black Parenting Program, while children receive instruction to help them be better prepared for school.

ELC team members Josh Weaver (left) and Andres Guzman get anotherJosh sanitizing job…

ELCready teamfor members Weaver (left) and Andres Guzman get ready for another sanitizing job…

Judi Behrens-LaRue, Growing Hands, said: "Paul Sharff delivered JudiPPE, Behrens-LaRue, Growing Hands, said: "Paul Sharff delivered us face masks, and other cleaning supplies before us PPE, faceHe masks, andus other cleaningpackage supplies before Christmas.

Christmas. brought a wrapped of books as well.

He brought us a wrapped package of books as well. We do We do appreciate the packages!" appreciate the packages!"

Paul Sharff, ELC Chief Executive Officer, said: "It is so important Paulour Sharff, ELCand Chief Executive said: "It is sostay important for children families that Officer, child care facilities open. for Iour children and families that and childstaff careatfacilities stayare open.

As have said before, the owners the centers our As I have said before, the owners staff at the centers are our 'Untold First Responders,' and weand have used a huge amount of 'Untold FirstAct Responders,' we have used a huge amount of the CARES funding to and support our Providers and help them the CARES Act funding to support our Providers and help them remain open. I would also like to pay tribute to our ELC staff remain open. I would also like to pay tribute to our ELC staff who who have gone out and sanitized the child care sites without have gone out and sanitized the child care sites without hesitation, hesitation, and to team all thewho ELChave teamworked who have worked tirelessly to and to all the ELC tirelessly to get the PPE get the PPE and other products out into the community." and other products out into the community."

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Youth Sports & COVID-19: Understanding the Risks How long are athletes in contact with each other?

Sports with limited exposure to other players may be a safer option. For example, a sprint in a track race may be less risky than sports that put someone in close contact with another player for an extended period of time, like an entire half of a game.

Is it an inside or outside sport?

Where athletes train, practice, and compete also impacts risk.

Data suggests that COVID-19 is more likely to spread in closed indoor spaces with poor ventilation. So indoor sports will likely be riskier. Prioritize outdoor venues for sports whenever possible.

How many players are on the team?

The more people someone interacts with, the greater the chance of COVID-19 exposure. So small teams or practice cohorts that stay together, rather than mixing with other teams or coaches, will be a safer option. This will also make it easier to contact individuals if there is an exposure to COVID-19.

Do the teams travel?

WORDS: healthychildren.org

T

he sudden loss of sports during COVID-19 shutdowns was hard for many young athletes and their families.

Understandably families and young athletes are looking forward to returning to sports as soon as they can but are rightfully concerned about safety during this pandemic.

As sports resume in your area, it will be important for you to understand the risks and make choices that take into account what is going on in your community and what is best for your family. To help you make an informed decision about whether your child should return to playing a sport, we have broken down some key risk factors associated with sports participation.

What type of sport is it?

Sports that allow for individual participation and physical distancing, like golf or cycling, will be less risky than sports that involve a lot of close contact like basketball or wrestling.

Do players share equipment?

Sports, without shared equipment, like cross country, will likely be less risky than sports such as football that are played with a shared ball.

Staying within your community will be safer than participating in travel teams. Traveling to an area with more COVID-19 cases could increase the chance of transmission and spread. Travel sports also include the intermixing of players, so athletes are generally exposed to more people.

Are masks being worn?

Wearing cloth face coverings is an effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets. It is common for coaches, players, and spectators to raise their voices while shouting, singing, or chanting at sporting events.

The more people who wear masks, the less likely there will be a transmission of COVID-19. If nobody is wearing a cloth face covering, the risk of spread will be much higher. Spectators should wear cloth face coverings, especially at events held indoors or where it is hard to keep a safe physical distance from others. Coaches, athletes, and officials should wear cloth face coverings whenever safe and possible.

Is everyone following COVID-19 safety procedures?

In order to create safer environments for everyone, new safety procedures will be put in place for practices and games. Parents, athletes, coaches, and staff should work together to help keep everyone healthy and safe by following them! When people do not follow these precautions, it can put the whole team at risk.

So, remember to be a good teammate and fan and follow the new safety rules.

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Being Mindful of Cleaning Chemicals...

WORDS: ChildCare Aware of America In this new world of COVID-19, everyone is trying to kill germs and avoid sickness. However, our fears should not distract us from the mindful use of cleaning chemicals, including hand sanitizer. Even chemicals that are meant to keep us healthy can cause poisoning or even death when misused, especially around children.

Why are children at high risk?

Children are curious. Their natural tendency to put things in their mouth, lick surfaces, and crawl on the floor raises their potential exposure to chemicals and toxins. Young children are also in a stage of rapid growth and development. They breathe faster and have a faster metabolic rate, making exposure to chemicals and toxins even more dangerous and consequential.

What safe practices should I follow?

• Read and follow the directions on the label before purchasing

• • • • • •

or using any chemical. Note its intended use and the surfaces and items on which the product can be used. Is it safe to use on food contact surfaces or mouthed toys? If not, or if you don't know, it is very important to thoroughly rinse the item or surface with water to remove any chemical residue.

Try to avoid aerosols because they contain propellants that can affect breathing. Pump or trigger sprays are a better option.

Do not spray chemicals around children. If possible, move children to another area or have someone distract them away from the area where a chemical is being used.

Make sure all surfaces and items are completely dry before children use them.

Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children.

Always keep chemicals in their original containers. If this is not possible, label the alternate container to prevent errors.

Keep the original bottle or take a picture of the label with your

phone if you need to reference ingredients or use guidelines.

• Do not mix chemicals. Doing so can produce a toxic gas.

• Keep the phone number for Poison Control, 800-222-1222 posted, and programmed into your phone.

What do I need to know about hand sanitizer?

• Keep hand sanitizer out of the reach of children. Due to its

high alcohol content, ingesting hand sanitizer can be toxic for a child.

• Handwashing with soap and water is always recommended over the use of hand sanitizer.

• If hand sanitizer is used, closely supervise children to make sure they rub their hands until completely dry, so they do not get sanitizer in their eyes or mouth.

• While hand sanitizer is not prohibited for children under 2 years of age, handwashing is the preferred and safer method.

Consider using a baby wipe to clean hands if a sink is not available, rather than using hand sanitizer.

Why is this more important than ever?

In response to COVID-19 recommendations, people are using chemicals to disinfect and sanitize surfaces and items more often throughout the day. To make this easier, chemicals are being placed where they are easily accessible for adults but not always safely out of children's reach. This heightened need to disinfect and sanitize is making people stressed and distracted from following their typical routines and safe practices.

Unfortunately, this increased use of chemicals and distractions from safe practices has also increased the number of calls to Poison Centers, reporting that a child has ingested hand sanitizer or been over-exposed to chemicals. Now more than ever, we need to protect children from chemicals, as well as germs.

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Handwashing: Keeping Your Family Healthy Handwashing is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep kids and adults healthy. When your family is healthy, you don’t have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.

Help your child develop handwashing skills Parents and caretakers play an important role in teaching children to wash their hands. Handwashing can become a lifelong healthy habit if you start teaching it at an early age. Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating. You can find ways to make it fun, like making up your own handwashing song or turning it into a game.

Lead by example Young children learn by imitating the behaviors of adults in their lives. When you make handwashing part of your routine, you’re setting an example for your children to follow.

www.cdc.gov/handwashing This material was developed by CDC. The Life is Better with Clean Hands Campaign is made possible by a partnership between the CDC Foundation, GOJO, and Staples. HHS/CDC does not endorse commercial products, services, or companies.

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A

Handwashing can prevent

1 in 3

cases of diarrhea

1 in 5

respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu

Give frequent reminders Building handwashing skills takes time.

At first, your child will need regular reminders of how and when to wash hands. It is especially important to remind children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching pets, after playing outside, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. But once handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child’s day, they will practice it throughout their lives.

What if soap and water aren’t available?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

Did you know?

Baby wipes may make your hands look clean, but they’re not designed to remove germs from your hands. CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water when possible.

Remember to make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and at play!

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Boredom Busters When You’re Stuck Indoors!

WORDS: Jenny Miller

F

amilies are saying hello to a new year, but with the coronavirus pandemic still hanging around, things continue to look way different than we’re used to. Some students are back in the classroom every day, others are still doing modified or virtual schedules, and some are still being home-schooled.

Whatever your family is doing, we’re all left with time on our hands where the kids are stuck inside, and it doesn’t take long for little ones to start feeling bored at home. That’s when parents can step in with these fresh ideas to keep boredom away. And what’s better than indoor boredom busters? Boredom busters that are educational too!

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Take a Virtual Field Trip There’s a reason why field trips are such a fun part of being a kid! Taking a field trip reminds kids that there’s more to the world than their classroom, plus it’s a great way to break up the monotony of doing the same thing each day. You may not be able to recreate the exact experience but taking a virtual field trip is the next best thing.

Another plus for virtual exercises of this sort is that parents and siblings can join in too, so it’s educational and an opportunity to spend time together as a family. Try visiting a virtual zoo or aquarium if your family loves animals, check out a museum for some art or history lessons, or get off the couch and move together while watching a concert or fitness class.

Game Night Done Right Games today come in all forms, from traditional board games to creative make-believe games - and even the latest video games and mobile apps. We love the timelessness of classic games like chess, but it can be just as fun to switch things up. For example, Parents magazine has some fun ideas for making classic games educational, like turning Twister into a math game or creating your own giant Scrabble.

And as much as we love these hands-on games, don’t worry if your kids gravitate towards the digital side of gaming. While it’s always good to have limits for screen time, many parents are surprised to learn that video games have multiple benefits for children’s development. As Engadget explains, video games are great for developing coordination, problem-solving skills, and social skills (to name a few!).

Especially now that kids miss their friends, online gaming is a perfect solution for kids to get the social interaction they need.

So, let the kids play on - just within reasonable limits! One more word of advice: for the best experience, it’s worth looking into the best internet connection for online gaming. Not only do you want to boost speed for gamers, but you’ll want to be sure your connection is robust enough to support online work and educational needs.

Kids in the Kitchen This last idea might seem more far-fetched than typical kid stuff, like games and field trips, but that’s exactly why kids love it so much! There’s no place like the kitchen for kids to get a little dirty while learning some hands-on, real-life skills. The next time you’re cooking, let little kids help with small tasks, like mixing up a cake, while older kids can put their math lessons to use by helping you follow a recipe.

Along with learning how to cook (and getting to sample their creations), kids love doing kitchen science experiments. Parents love these because they’re easy to do, plus most use basic ingredients that you already have on hand. And the result is a visual learning opportunity that’s just as exciting as it is educational.

Parents continue to face some interesting dilemmas these days.

Thankfully, whether your kids are inside due to the pandemic or changing weather, a world of learning is right at their fingertips.

All you have to do is give a little guidance - or even join in on the fun!

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Childcare Provider Directory A Child's Galaxy Preschool 4417 20th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-755-6302

Boys And Girls Club at Harllee Middle 6423 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-751-7027

A Growing Start Childcare Center, LLC 525 3rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-9750

Boys And Girls Club at Lincoln Memorial Middle 305 17th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-721-6840

A Little Schoolhouse Christian Academy 11740 U.S Highway 301 North Parrish, FL 34219 941-776-1973

Boys And Girls Club Palmetto 1600 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-1268

A Plus Growing Academy 800 10th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0797

Bradenton Christian School West 1305 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-404-4491

A Readiness Learning Academy 9045 59th Avenue Circle East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-727-9354

Bradenton Early Learning Academy 7700 Cortez Road West Bradenton, FL 34210 941-216-3305

A Readiness Learning Academy 2 6130 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-752-4927

Bright Angels Academy & Daycare, Inc. 1716 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-962-0472

Adventures In Learning 712 61st Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-1816

Bright Beginnings Academy 614 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-479-7910

All Gods Children Preschool 11107 Palmbrush Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-739-2776

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool, LLC 1617 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-251-5436

Bella Rose Learning Center 708 32nd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-749-2800

Capokids Martial Arts Preschool 11534 Palmbrush Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-922-4520

Bible Baptist Church of Palmetto Academy 1750 6th Avenue West Unit 101 Palmetto, FL 34221 941-479-4958

Children's Nest of Manatee, Inc. 5051 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-753-9024

Boys And Girls Club DeSoto 5231 34th Street West Bradenton, FL 34210 941-758-3828

Children's Nest of Manatee 2 600 7th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34207 941-479-7789

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Community Christian School 5500 18th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-756-8748 CORE Early Education And Learning 605 13th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-9069 Countryside Academy For Children 5807 18th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-747-304 Creative Kids Connection 408 75th Street Northwest Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-8687 CRPE Academy 1621 66th Avenue Terrace East Sarasota FL, 34243 (941) 932-0984 DC's Child Care Center 5105 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-746-6090

Drama Kids International Multiple locations in Sarasota & Bradenton 941-922-8121 Easter Seals of Southwest Florida 350 Braden Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7637 Education Time 5165 33rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-7332 Evans Family Day Care Home 1500 7th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-720-9640 Faith Preschool of Faith UCC 4850 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-7895 Family Life Community School 3301 Moccasin Wallow Road Palmetto, FL 34221 941-281-6412 First For Kids Children's Christian Center 603 11th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-0824 Forza Child Development Center, Inc. 8605 Erie Road Parrish, FL 34219 941-545-6380 Foundation For Dreams 16110 Dream Oaks Place Bradenton, FL 34212 941-746-5659

Dixon-Wright Family Day Care Home 1016 31st Street East Palmetto, FL 34211 (941) 721-0232 Doodle Bugs! Children's Learning Academy 11015 Passage Drive Bradenton, FL 34221 (941) 721-0330

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Free To Grow Academy 5304 7th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4268

Johnson Family Day Care Home 2403 Lehigh Avenue Bradenton, FL 34207 941-242-1831

Genesis Learning Academy 1420 6th Avenue East Palmetto FL, 34221 941-723-7358

Joy Learning & Development Academy 2515 37th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-721-0684

Grandma's Babysitting Center 1728 26th Avenue East Bradenton FL, 34208 941-708-9864

Jump Start Preschool of the Arts 11005 Passage Drive Bradenton, FL 34211 941-747-8900

Great Minds Childcare 1018 35th Avenue West Bradenton FL, 34205 941-896-5319

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch 4225 Concept Court Bradenton, FL 34211 941-727-9072

Growing Hands Learning Center 5743 69th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-845-4873

Kids Academy Plus 57th 1415 57th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-727-1841

Happy Cubs 6207 21st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-798-6173

Kids Academy Plus 38th 5415 38th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-3678

Happy Go Lucky 1606 55th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-752-4608

Kids Academy Plus HL 4635 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-524-1045

Hawkins Family Day Care Home 439 47th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-405-2405

Kids On The Rock 1401 14th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-4567

House of JBaby's Preschool 1300 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-7415

Kids R Kids 4 Florida 11520 Palmbrush Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-727-9990

Imagine Charter School at North Manatee 9275 49th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-981-5345

Kidzone Preschool 116 27th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-2727

In The Beginning Learning Center 5503 12th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-567-6106

La Petite Academy 37th 4301 37th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-756-5227

It's A Small World, Inc. Daycare & Preschool 900 3rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-405-4532

La Petite Academy SR 70 6919 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-2336

Jackson Family Day Care Home 6715 36th Avenue Drive West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-5097

La Petite Academy Vintage Road 4507 Vintage Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7677

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Lane Family Day Care Home 602 31st Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-1774

Mini Me Kids Daycare 1902 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-251-3504

Laugh and Learn Academy LLC 202 3rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-281-2930

Morgan Family Day Care Home 2809 8th Street Court West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-745-2401

Learning! Kidz Zone 2211 53rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-254-7859

My First Steps of Bradenton, Inc. 3815 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-727-5511

Learning Unlimited 6210 17th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-5838

My Three Angels Daycare, LLC 2611 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-7211

Learning With Love 2712 47th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-751-4989

Myakka Early Learning Center, Inc. 37190 Singletary Road Myakka City, FL 34251 941-322-2605

Let's Learn Early Childhood Center 2118 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941-567-4279

Next Generation Academy 4636 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-251-2491

Lil' Angels Daycare Inc. 1415 7th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-0442

Our Kids West 2425 38th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-752-1715

Little Einstein's Academy 3631 Tallevast Road Bradenton, FL 34243 941-894-6505

Palma Sola Early Learning Academy 7315 1st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-795-0788

Little Manatee's Cove, LLC 707 3rd Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 (941) 405-7991

Palmetto Youth Center 501 17th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0783

Little People's Place 374 Scott Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-8741

Pathways to Learning LLC 2601 7th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-8802

Love Comes First Preschool & Child Care Center 8630 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-755-7800

Primrose School Lakewood Ranch North 5730 New Haven Blvd.

Bradenton, FL 34211 813-230-2827

Loving Hands Daycare 1204 60th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-755-6306

Primrose School Lakewood Ranch Town Center 9127 Town Center Parkway Bradenton, FL 34202 941-373-6363

Manatee United Methodist Preschool 315 15th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-750-6739

Puppy Patch Preschool 1116 35th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-6648

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RCMA Palmetto Child Development Center 2725 16th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-723-4563

Stapleton Family Day Care Home 1110 42nd Terrace East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-580-0510

Reaching For The Stars Academy 2239 14th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-3901

Step Up Suncoast Rise & Shine Early Learning Morton Clark 1707 15th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-750-6667

Sand & Buckets Daycare 3407 17th Street Court East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-748-4799 Sandman Preschool & Academy 924 Wilmerling Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-755-2591 School District of Manatee County Professional Support Center 2501 63rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-751-6550 School For Constructive Play, Inc. 302 Pine Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216 941-778-2210 School for Constructive Play 6608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-2210 Smarty Pants Preschool LLC 832 62nd Street Circle East, Suite 101 Bradenton, FL 34208 941-747-7710 Smarty Pants Preschool 2 904 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-896-4796 Smiling Faces Academy, Inc. 910 19th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-756-1234 Smiling Faces Junior Academy, Inc. 1720 11th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-747-3925 Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc. 1222 36th Avenue East Ellenton, FL 34222 941-776-4947 Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc. 3411 US Highway 301 North Ellenton, FL 34222 941-845-4484

Step Up Suncoast Rise & Shine Early Learning Palmetto 1315 2nd Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-750-6667 Step Up Suncoast Rise & Shine Early Learning Parkland 6432 Parkland Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-750-6667 Step Up Suncoast Rise & Shine Early Learning West Bradenton 2531 9th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-750-6667 Sunny Daze Preschool East 9922 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34212 941-750-0042 Sunshine Academy & Daycare 2520 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-3143 Teachable Moments Learning Center LLC 4200 32nd Street West Anna Maria, FL 34205 941-900-1022 The Goddard School 14534 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-752-6600 The Learning Experience Lakewood Ranch 14425 Arbor Green Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-251-4046 The Learning Post Child Care 623 30th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-536-4858 The Myakka City Community Center 10070 Wauchula Road Myakka City, FL 34251 941-322-8114

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Thompson Academy LLC 1212 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-748-2162

Tree Of Life Preschool 2200 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-747-1756

Tiny Tots University 930 9th Street Drive West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-723-9072

Trinity Children's Center 3200 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-8608

Toad Hall Children's Center of Bradenton 4004 8th Avenue Drive West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-746-3951

Woodland Early Childhood Center 9607 SR 70 East Bradenton FL, 34202 941-753-8588

Toddler's Ark FCCH 711 36th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-879-2407

YMCA Manatee County 3805 59th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-798-9622

Toddler's Inn Child Care Center LLC 2611 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-4631

Childcare Resource & Referral (941) 757-2910

Make a difference, donate today at www.fromcradletocollegefoundation.org!

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INFANT SAFE SLEEP…

WORDS: Dr. Carla McGill

A

ll parents and caregivers want to create a safe environment for their families. This is especially important for infants and their sleep environment. Sadly, there are around 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths in the United States each year. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have the following recommendations for creating a safe sleep environment for your baby.

• Infants up to one-year-old should be placed to sleep on their backs by all caregivers for each sleep, bedtime, and naps.

Side or stomach sleeping is not safe and is not recommended.

• Infants should be placed on a firm sleep surface (such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib) covered by a fitted sheet with no other bedding or soft objects in the crib.

• Infants should never be left to sleep on sofas, armchairs, or in sitting or rocking devices.

• Infants should sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed but on a separate surface (room sharing). The infant’s crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet should be placed in the parent’s bedroom.

• Soft objects such as pillows and pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and loose bedding can obstruct an infant’s nose and mouth.

• Bumper pads or similar products that attach to crib slats or sides are not recommended for infants.

• Infant sleep clothing, such as a sleep sack, is preferable to blankets and other coverings to keep the infant warm.

can contact the Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. at 941-714-7541 or visit www.hsmanatee.com. Pack ‘n Plays and other safe sleep items are distributed for free by Healthy Start based on availability.

Healthy Start offers free support services for pregnant women, new mothers, and infants, including safe sleep education and breastfeeding support, coordinated intake and referral, individualized care coordination, connection to local resources, and baby items.

Breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of infant death.

A pacifier can be used at sleep time once breastfeeding is established. Other efforts to reduce the risk of infant death include not smoking in the home and avoiding overheating and head covering for infants.

Unsafe sleep environment is the leading cause of infant death both in Florida and Manatee County. More infants die of accidental suffocation in an adult bed, often with pillows and blankets in the bed than in any other environment. The issue of unsafe infant sleep is so important in Manatee County that the Manatee Child Death Review Committee created a Safe Sleep subcommittee to help address the issue.

The Committee's goal is to reduce sleep-related infant deaths and disparities in infant mortality through community and parent education. Anyone interested in learning more about safe sleep 48

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MANATEE COUNTY CARES! Pictures: Whitney Patton

The From Cradle to College™ Foundation (FCTCF) held its last Mobile Food Pantry of the year at the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County on Saturday, December 12th. Made possible by the Manatee County CARES Act Funding and Feeding Tampa Bay, the event concluded a series of 30 FCTCF Mobile Pantries across the County, expediting the distribution of food, PPE and children’s books to over 5,000 families in need over the last four months. To learn more about the From Cradle to College™ Foundation, it's community programs and services, and how you can become involved, visit www.FCTCF.org.

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Over the course of a year, ELC donates tens of thousands of books to the local community, with the mission to inspire a generation of young readers. These books are hand-selected for a variety of purposes and leave our building with specialized labels. One label, developed recently, provides family-based reading tips appropriate to the age of the child.

It also features a QR code to give the coalition some additional information on how their books are utilized. Labeling books to prepare for distribution into a child's hands is a mountainous task, and the ELC team could not do it alone.

Weekly, a team from Volunteers of America, bustle into the Early Literacy Annex building to use their talents and time to label books.

The typically quiet Annex building comes alive with conversation, laughter, and music while the flow of labeling commences.

ELC has many community partners, but as Rachel Spivey, Director of Community Educational Initiatives, explained: "Our work with Volunteers of America is very special to my heart." Ana Rodriguez, Deputy Director of CEI, added: "The volunteers seem to enjoy coming and often race to finish just one more box, a sentiment we genuinely appreciate!"

From the ELC team, thank you, Volunteers of America; your kindness and abilities help thousands of children experience the joy of reading!

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EVERY year the ELC seeks to make the holidays bright by sharing books with children. This year the Coalition supplied books to 80 childcare centers, all the Manatee County School District VPK classrooms, and select aftercare programs connected to the District. The total count was over 7,000 books distributed to children birth to 15 years old.

Because 2020 was a year like no other, the ELC didn't stop there. In addition to books, the ELC also provided COVID-19 relief supplies to 71 childcare sites too. Literacy for the Holidays became a drive-through event. Under a bright white tent, participants waited in their cars while the jolly ELC team brought not only books but various cleaning supplies, PPE, educational materials, and plexiglass dividers to them.

The ELC is grateful for all the childcare providers who participated in Literacy for the Holidays and all childcare centers for their continued efforts to keep the children in Manatee County learning in a safe and healthy environment!

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The Giving Tree

T

he Play and Learning Strategies (PALS) team at the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County had their 3rd Annual Giving Tree during the holiday season to spread some muchneeded cheer to families in our community. This year, 23 families in the PALS program needed assistance providing Christmas gifts for their children. The ELC staff, along with local businesses and people in the community, helped by “adopting� a child or family for Christmas and providing them gifts. Every child on the Giving Tree was adopted, which meant 56 children received gifts this year.

The Bradenton CBD Store donated gifts for nine local children, the Kiwanis Club of North Manatee also donated gifts, and AAA Florida donated $8,000 to purchase gifts for our PALS families.

The families are so grateful for the warmth and kindness that the community has shown them and their children.

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APPOINTS SEVEN NEW BOARD MEMBERS

T

he Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc (ELC) has appointed seven new board members from the private business sector. They are a Mr. Doug Hall, Mr. Zack Kallis, Rev. Dr. Robert Baker, Dr. Michael Mackie, Mr. Bryan Rench, Mr. Gary Scott, and Mrs. Caroline Halfacre.

Four board members have stood down after serving dedicated terms – Mr. Joe Miller, Ms. Sharon Otis, Mrs. Diana Neeves, and Rev. Nathan Speck-Ewer. Statutorily required Florida College System Designee board member Dr. April Fleming, of State College of Florida, has been replaced with Dr. Kristina DeWitt

by SCF President Carol Probstfeld.

Mr. Paul Sharff, ELC Chief Executive Officer, said: “I would first like to offer our utmost and sincere thanks to the five members who are leaving the board. They have been unwavering in their dedication to our mission and the future success of the children of Manatee County.

“I would also like to warmly welcome all of our new members who were unanimously approved at this week’s board meeting. These new board members bring a wealth of experience in governance, fundraising, business acumen, and philanthropic endeavors, and I am sure they will all prove to be tremendous assets to our existing dedicated board and the organization overall.”

NEW BOARD APPOINTEE PROFILES Doug Hall (Private Sector)

OCCUPATION: Area President at Payday, Inc. BOARD EXPERIENCE: • Azalea Park Community Association • Amherst College Alumni Association of SW Florida

“Making sure kids have access to the proper resources starting at a young age is a critical first step to put them on the right path for a successful educational trajectory.”

Zack Kallis (Retired Private Sector) OCCUPATION: Former Owner of American Car Care.

BOARD EXPERIENCE: • Past President Manatee 100 Club • Past President Manatee Social Club • Manatee County Sherriff’s Advisory Committee

“I have always admired the ELC and the work that the organization

does to help children prepare for school and their lives. I hope to continue and expand that mission using my many contacts in the local community.”

Rev. Dr. Robert Baker (Private Sector)

OCCUPATION: Reverend at Christ Episcopal Church.

BOARD EXPERIENCE: Board of Trustees St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.

“Strong interest in human development and providing opportunities for all people.”

Dr. Michael Mackie (Private Sector)

OCCUPATION: Owner and Optometrist at Eye Center Inc. BOARD EXPERIENCE: Manatee County Ducks Unlimited

“We have always been an organization that helps the most needy children in Manatee County, and I am looking forward to helping more local kids through involvement on the ELC board.”

Bryan Rench (Private Sector) OCCUPATION: Owner of Rench’s Cooling and Heating.

BOARD EXPERIENCE: NA

“Being born and raised in Bradenton, I will have the best interests of all children in mind. After growing a very successful business, I would enjoy giving back to the community.”

Gary Scott (Private Sector)

OCCUPATION: Sales Manager at Innerstaff PEO. BOARD EXPERIENCE: Conquistador Historical Foundation Vice Chairman

“ELC is an organization that I am interested in and one that I will be able to make a significant contribution considering the strengths I will bring to the position. I’m excited to have the opportunity to join the Board and to further serve Manatee County.”

Caroline Halfacre (Private Sector) OCCUPATION: President of Ashdown Flooring.

BOARD EXPERIENCE: • SAC-Vice President (Stewart Elementary) • PTO-Treasurer (Stewart Elementary) • PTO-Vice President (Stewart Elementary)

“I believe in involvement in anything that benefits the children of Manatee County. School readiness is an essential part of every child’s life. Early Learning is the key to educational success for children.”

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Keeping It Reel

WORDS: Kara Chalmers 56 PICTURES: Whitney Patton NextGen FebMarch 2021.indd 56

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O

n a recent Wednesday evening, in the Sunday School room at Trinity United Methodist Church in Bradenton, eight little girls danced. Matched by height and ability in groups of two, the girls kicked, tapped, and spun, sometimes holding hands, always smiling.

This was a typical Irish dancing class at the O'Reilly School of Dance. These younger girls ages four to 10 practice from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Older girls – ages 11 and up – dance for an hour starting at 5:30 p.m.

All of the girls seemed to love the class. For reasons, they cited the fun atmosphere, the fast-paced music, the chance to spend time with friends, and a passion for dance. They also love their teacher, Fiona O'Reilly.

"I would do it for 1,000 years," said six-year-old Maggie Gubernat, who's been Irish dancing for two years. "She's super kind," Maggie said about O'Reilly. "And fabulous!"

Maggie's sister Mia, nine, said she had never heard of Irish dancing until her mother signed up her and her sister for class. "I'm proud I've learned Irish dancing," Mia said.

As mentioned above, this was just a class. The dancers have even more fun at the local performances they attend for the New World Celts, O'Reilly said, where they get to display their skills and dress up, usually in black shirts and tights, along with green skirts that O'Reilly provides.

"They really enjoy it; I try to make it fun," said O'Reilly. "I love it. I love teaching these kids. They're amazing."

Unfortunately, the number and frequency of performances have plummeted since the onset of COVID-19 in the spring.

The class size has dropped, too, O'Reilly said. In the past, she has had up to 30 dancers. Currently, she has 12.

ballerinas, Irish dancers keep their upper body stiff, with their arms still and straight at their sides, held close to the body. The reason, O'Reilly said, is so viewers can focus on the dancers' intricate footwork. Irish dancers keep their shoulders back and their heads and eyes up. They try to stay as high on their toes as possible.

Irish dance is set to traditional Irish music, which is upbeat, with a fast tempo and instruments including the drum, fiddle, accordion, and harp.

Irish dance forms can be categorized by rhythm and/or shoe.

The dance forms "reel" and "jig" each have its own music, the reel with a faster tempo than a jig. A reel is the most common music played, the most common dance form, and usually, the first dance taught to students.

A jig is more elegant and graceful than a reel, and there are many types. For example, a light jig is the fastest type, and the slip jig is sometimes called the ballet of Irish dance.

As dancers become more adept, the speed or tempo of dances slows down so that they can perform quicker, more complicated steps to the slower tempos.

As for shoes, soft shoes, called poms, are used for dancing reels, slip jigs, and light jigs. They fit kind of like ballet slippers. They're made of black leather, are flexible, and lace from toe to ankle.

Hard shoes, which are similar to tap shoes, are used to dance the hornpipe, treble (or double) jig, treble reel, and St. Patrick's Day dance forms.

Best Foot Forward Irish dancing is a traditional Gaelic or Celtic style of dance, performed solo or in groups. It's marked by precise, quick foot movements, kicking and swinging legs, and pointed feet and toes. Dancers often use the whole stage (or room) for their dances, which can include hops, skips, high kicks, toe-tapping, twirls, stamps, shuffles, and a bow at the end.

Some Irish dances resemble ballet, but at a much faster speed. Unlike

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At the O'Reilly School, the dancers learn everything from a reel to a St. Patrick's Day hard shoe dance. "We do it all," O'Reilly said. While Irish dance competitions take place around the world, the O'Reilly School of Dance doesn't compete.

Keeping T hem on T heir Toes O'Reilly, the preschool director at Trinity church, has taught Irish dance for eight years.

As a child growing up in New Ross, in County Wexford, Ireland, O'Reilly started dancing at age three, at a school in walking distance from her home. Irish dancing schools are prevalent in Ireland, she said.

O'Reilly typically practiced four days a week. Around age eight, she started traveling around the country at least once a month for competitions. While she also did gymnastics and played tennis, dancing was her passion. She even tried out for Riverdance, the theatrical show that debuted in 1994 and popularized Irish dance and music worldwide.

"It kind of comes naturally when you're Irish," she said. "It's in your blood.

On the recent Wednesday in O'Reilly's class, two four-yearold’s, Liv Fannin and Joanna Hess seemed thrilled to be dancing together, especially when they got to hold hands.

Joanna just started Irish two months ago but is already doing well, O'Reilly said. Liv has been dancing for two years.

"She picked it up and just loved it," said Liv's mother, Sarah Fannin. She heard of the class the way most of the parents do – through word-of-mouth. Because her mother was Irish

and her grandfather danced, Fannin liked the idea of Liv Irish dancing.

Other kids, like seven-year-old Ava Kelly, went to Trinity Preschool and heard about the Irish Dancing class there.

She has been dancing for three years.

Irish dancing is a large part of Irish culture, and some of the families are drawn to it partly because of that.

Three sisters, Arden, Greta, and Prudence Deckinga, six, eight, and 10, respectively, are part Irish. They love Irish dancing so much; they said they practice at home every day.

As for the older girls, some of them have been dancing with O'Reilly for six years. Like Rebekah Harold, 14, a freshman at Southeast High School. Rebekah has a background in

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ballet, which has some things in common with Irish dancing.

She started ballet at age three, quit at nine, but then started again at 11 because she missed it, she said. She's never taken a break from Irish dancing, though.

Rebekah said she enjoys the class, her teacher, and her classmates. Also, her father is half Irish, and she likes feeling like she is representing her heritage. Her grandmother was an Irish dancer, she said.

Serafina Colonneso, 12, in sixth grade, plays a lot of sports.

Besides Irish dancing, she is currently playing beach volleyball and has participated in flag football, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics. She started Irish dancing because of a friend who used to take the class. She said that she likes that it's active.

When she was in third grade, Lily Edwards, now 15, heard about the Irish Dance class from her mom, who works at Trinity Preschool. She thought it sounded fun and signed up.

She's stuck with it ever since, longer than with ballet, which she had taken for three years when she was in middle school.

"My dream is to do Broadway," said Lily, who currently takes Musical Theater at Manatee High School. But she noted that she prefers dancing over acting and singing. "I just love to dance," she smiled.

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R E A D Y, S E T , READ... SCAN! WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Through state and local funders, the ELC of Manatee County is able to donate 38,000 books a year into our community. Please scan the QR code located on the inside cover or back of an ELC book to take a short informational survey. Your feedback offers us important data on child literacy outcomes. This will help to ensure our funding can continue to support Early Literacy.

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On The Bookshelf REVIEWS: Kelly McLean

(4-6) • By Zuriṅe Aguirre

(Birth to 3) • By Ailie Busby “Spring” is a beautiful book to read with your little ones as the seasons begin to change from winter to spring. The illustrations embody spring’s cheery feeling with rosy-cheeked children playing outside, singing with the birds, and planting seeds! The book also includes fun and engaging vocabulary words to describe spring activities such as “bugs buzz, butterflies flutter, run and skip and jump.” The book features rounded corners and hard/sturdy pages that provide safe reading and easy page-turning for growing little hands.

A touching fishy tale of love that is perfect for Valentine’s Day! What outrageous acts of love would you go through for your loved ones? Would you travel across the sea, get stuck in a terrible storm, or even get swallowed by an octopus? This whimsical tale, filled with wonderful and vibrant pictures, takes you on an adventure as Grandmother Lola goes through great ocean lengths to make sure Grandfather Lolo has his favorite food, sardines, for dinner.

While fishing, things start to get very fishy f o r L o l a , l e av i n g her all alone and swallowed with fear!

What will Lola do when she is left with nothing but sardines to eat? What will Lolo do when he realizes his beloved Lola is missing? What would you do for love?

(7-9) • By Dan Gutmanand Illustrated by Jim Paillot With Easter hippity-hoppiting around the corner, “Bunny Double, We’re in Trouble!” is an exciting and whacky read to get you into the Easter spirit! What could be more exhilarating than an easter egg hunt at a mansion, hosted by the mayor of the town? A prize golden egg with a thousand dollars inside for the one who finds it!

This silly story is a great chapter book filled with imagination, creativity, candy, and even the Easter Bunny! Who will find the golden egg and receive the $1000 grand prize? If that isn’t enough egg-citement, the book also includes bonus mazes, puzzles, and other games inside the book too! Ready, set, go! Hop into this egg-cellent story and start reading!

The first 50 people to come into the lobby of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, 600 8th Avenue West, Suite 100, Palmetto can pick up free copies of the books reviewed.

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T Awash With Kindness…

o a symphony of humming vacuums, strawberry, leather, and jasmine air freshener scents floated among the soap bubbles at American Car Center, an iconic car wash perched along the main artery of West Bradenton and luring in A-list residents like former Florida State Senator Bill Galvano, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown and Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells since the mid-90s.

Zack Kallis on 27 years in Manatee County and the community he loves WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock PICTURES: Whitney Patton

Many loyal customers would follow the late afternoon glow to the famed turquoise roof after a long day at work, seeking more than just a pristine wash and wax. They rolled in for camaraderie and small-town chatter. They pulled up to analyze Manatee High School Football and glean little league baseball updates.

They steered into the long stretch of pavement to laugh and form friendships.

They came for Zack Kallis.

A jovial man with jet-black hair, a New Jersey accent, and a smile that could dim Broadway, Kallis – who recently sold the car wash – garners an identical reaction from everyone who knows him. Without pause or edit, friends of Kallis declare the same statement every time: He’s a really great guy.

“My motto is to never frown,” said Kallis as his face lit up with his signature grin. “I smile all day long. I never yell – it’s just not in my nature. If one of my customers comes in upset, I smile, and they might just smile back. I strive to always bring a brighter day to people.”

Through his contagious kindness and genuine passion for others, this father of three, former professional chef, and avid fisherman

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has brightened the days of others for decades. From serving as the president of the Manatee 100 Club to recently joining the Early Learning Coalition’s board to doling out sponsorships to sports teams zigzagging across the county, Kallis reflects love for his community through volunteerism and philanthropy.

“I consider donating to charities a moral duty and a way to help our town thrive,” said Kallis, who you may find exploring the loop at Robinson Preserve or whipping up spinach pies and lamb shanks at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s annual festival.

“If anyone needs help, I will help them. This is my home, and I want to invest in it and show everyone I am here to stay.”

“After that, I said, ‘It’s time to get out of here,’” said Kallis with a chuckle.

Selling his business, Kallis and his wife followed the sunrays leading to Bradenton and sought out another restaurant to own before ultimately deciding on a 14th Street car wash instead.

A couple years later, they eventually bought their Manatee Avenue location.

“My customers aren’t just my customers,” said Kallis, who can’t help but jump in to help his landscapers trim and prune on any given day. “They are also my friends. Most of my customers have my cell number.”

While carving out his home in Manatee County and working tirelessly to help his neighbors, community leaders have admired Kallis from afar.

“Zack is one of the finest men I have ever met,” said Sheriff Rick Wells. “He has a true desire to help people and to make our community a better place. Zack has a contagious personality that makes you feel good every time you’re around him. He always puts the needs of others before his own, and I am truly blessed to be able to call him my friend.”

Toting a bamboo pole, Kallis – a native of Hell’s Kitchen, New York – fished the docks of Long Island during the summers as a child, catching snapper, bluefin, and the coveted striped sea bass. Treasured memories of cooking up daily catches in the kitchen alongside his family warmed his heart and inspired the young foodie to tackle restaurant ownership after high school.

Specializing in seafood, Kallis churned out tasty dishes seven days a week until the winter of 1994 hurled three snowstorms and left behind 18 inches of snow.

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Long-time customer and friend Captain Alan Engle has Kallis on speed dial. The fishing buddies navigate local waterways, pulling up everything from grouper and hog snapper to redfish and snook.

During winter, Kallis will often slip into Engle’s kitchen to help cook hundreds of pounds of stone crab claws during the season.

“What impresses me most about Zack is that every day I never see him in a bad mood,” said Engle. “I never see him without a smile on his face. He has a great way about himself, and all of his friends feel this way. There are very few people who can succeed in so many things – as a father, husband, businessman, friend – like he does.”

Aside from contributing to his community with donations, Kallis shines as a mentor to many young adults peppered throughout the county.

“Zack is a role model for me,” said Engle, who shared Kallis never charged law enforcement or first responders for a car wash. “I watch how he deals with life in general, and he is so well-rounded.

He’s done so many different things. I joke with him that he is too young to have done all these things.”

Former Florida State Senator Bill Galvano echoes Engle’s sentiment.

While retirement has carved out a space to embrace family time, it is unlikely Kallis will sit idle for very long before he revs into another career.

“I’m going crazy already,” said Kallis, shaking his head. “I may go back into the restaurant business or maybe do something in real estate. I do know I can’t sit.”

Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown had another suggestion. He teased Kallis about handing out parking tickets.

“I said I don’t think I would give out a lot,” said Kallis, throwing back his head in a laugh. “I have a heart. I’m too nice for that.”

Kallis does share without even a dash of doubt in his voice that he is not going anywhere.

“I love my community and the people here,” said Kallis. “Whatever I do, I will do it here.”

That’s a relief for all who love and cherish Kallis.

“If for some reason I was to get in trouble or need help, and I had just one phone call to make, it would be Zack,” said Engle with a chuckle but a hint of dead seriousness. “Zack’s the call I would make. That’s just the kind of person he is.”

“I have never met a more positive force than my friend Zack Kallis,” Galvano said. “He has a genuine love for people and has done so much for so many. Beyond being a very successful businessman, he is a true community leader. Zack has been and is such a wonderful influence in my life. Zack and I have been close for decades, and I can say that no matter what he has faced in life, he has faced it with a smile.” With charities, a moral duty and a way to help our town thrive.

Juggling a business and raising a family, Kallis has given voice to many boards striving to improve his community.

He passionately served as president of the Manatee 100 Club, an organization that supports the families of fallen law enforcement officers and first responders.

“These are the heroes in our community risking their lives,” said Kallis. “It is so important to support them and their families.”

After working long hours seven days a week since he turned 17, Kallis sailed into a new era at the end of 2020: Retirement. He swapped 6 a.m. wake up calls for mid-morning bike rides and evenings trying out recipes in his new outdoor kitchen. As a proud father of three high-achieving kids, Kallis is anxious to indulge more in their lives.

“My son is an orthodontist in New Jersey, and my daughter is a dermatologist,” said Kallis with eyes proudly shining. “My youngest son is a senior in high school and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. They are all very accomplished Greek dancers. They competed and everything.”

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Investing in our youth is not merely our responsibility.

It is our privilege.

It’s never too early — or too late — to plan for the financial future of your family or business.

Jodi D. Allen Vice President, Commercial Banking 941.757.4561 | jodi.allen@bmo.com Mandy Quinones Branch Manager, Retail Banking 941.723.6933 | mandy.quinones@bmo.com

BMO Harris Bank® is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC.

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We specialize in:

• Conventional Loans • FHA Loans • VA Loans • Renovation Loans LICENSED IN CONNECTICUT AND FLORIDA

FREE MORTGAGE CHECK-UP Direct: 203-589-4677 Office: 941-545-1545 Visiting and planning a move to Florida?

MAKE US YOUR FIRST CALL!

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www.pms1.org Platinum Mortgage Solutions, Inc. is a Mortgage Broker licensed by the State of CT Department of Banking. NOT A LENDER OR A CORRESPONDENT MORTGAGE LENDER. NMLS No. 1598108.

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PUT YOUR HEART F

ebruary is here, which means it is time for cards, Conversation Hearts Candy, and decorated boxes or bags for your child’s classroom!

If you happen to have leftover construction paper, wrapping paper, or extra cards from your supplies, there is another way that you can celebrate this holiday in a crafty way. All you need are items from around your home like a bowl, glue, plastic wrap, and scissors to transform these paper items into a Paper Mache Heart Valentine’s Day Bowl.

Now I must give kudos to both my son and daughter for inspiring this craft. At some point, they have both made Paper Mache Bowls either via a kit or an art project at school. However, this time we decided to put a Valentine’s Day twist on our creation. If you would also like to make this Paper Mache Heart Valentine’s Day Bowl with your family, details are below…

Supplies you will need: • Construction paper, wrapping paper, or cardstock • Glue • Foam brushes • Safety scissors • Plastic wrap • Plastic bowl • Cup Tip: You can find most of these items at a local craft store

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& BOWL DIRECTIONS:

INTO IT!

To get started, first have your child cut out different sized hearts from the paper. Do this by folding the paper into sections. They should be no larger than three inches, and your child should use most of the construction paper to get good coverage.

We started with three sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper and cut out different sizes of hearts. My daughter kept folding the paper to get as many hearts as she could. The more layers of hearts you put on the bowl, the sturdier it will be. You may even decide that you may want to add additional sheets of paper to make more hearts.

Next, take a plastic bowl and completely cover it inside and out with plastic wrap. FYI, you may need to use tape if it does not stay secured to the bowl. Be sure only to use a plastic bowl since a ceramic one could break if dropped by a child.

Tip: Have your child wear an apron or oversized t-shirt to protect their clothing, as well as lay something down to protect surfaces.

Then it is time to start layering on the hearts.

To do this, squeeze glue into a cup to make it easier to dip the foam brush. Next, start applying by dapping and spreading the glue onto the plastic wrap’s surface and the heart. Then, take the heart and apply it directly onto the surface of the plastic wrap.

Continue to do this with different colors and sizes, overlapping the hearts over one another. You really cannot mess up with the

glue unless you do not use enough of it. Be sure to cover the surfaces completely to make them stick, cover any holes, and they become sealed.

After all the hearts are applied, the bowl will need to set until the glue is dry. After about 24 hours, the first application should be dry. However, we decided to put an additional layer of glue to make sure the bowl was completely sealed.

Once the bowl is set, you can carefully peel the plastic wrap from the inside. The bowl will be bendy, but the glue helps prevent the paper from ripping. Although this bowl is not food safe, you can use it for a Valentine’s Day decoration, cards, small-lightweight items, and change.

This is not only a perfect piece of artwork for Valentine’s, but it is a reminder of an activity you shared with one of your favorite SWEETHEARTS!

WORDS & PICTURES: Carlee Colonneso Carlee Colonneso is a wife, and stay at home mother of three. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and author of funlearninglife.com.

Her website is a lifestyle blog that centers on family, crafts, recipes, and frugal living.

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FREE FOR ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

RESIDING IN FLORIDA, REGARDLESS OF INCOME Call (941) 757-2910 or register online at www.elc-manatee.org today!

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Three campuses.

One mission.

Easterseals Academy specializes in serving students – Kindergarten through 12th Grade – who are challenged by autism and related developmental disabilities as well as physical, learning and other mild behavioral disabilities.

Small teacher-to-student ratios help to ensure that students are afforded every opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.

Beyond educational platforms offered at our campuses and virtually, we also enrich your child’s education experience.

Classroom settings include lessons in art, music, performing arts, Spanish, organic agriculture as well as PT-OT-speech-behavioral therapies enhanced with neurofeedback, nutrition, movement as well as family support.

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY K-1st at Braden Avenue campus SARASOTA 2nd-8th at Claxstrauss Drive campus SARASOTA 9th-12th at Boys & Girls Club of Manatee campus BRADENTON

Learn more at EastersealsAcademy.org.

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enrollment@easterseals-swfl.org n 941-271-9851

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Blake's Breakfast

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With Santa Parade Pictures: Whitney Patton

Breakfast with Santa is an annual event hosted by Blake Medical Center for all its staff and their children in celebration of the Holiday Season. Each year, every child in attendance has an opportunity to meet Santa and share with him their Christmas wish.

This year, in spite of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the event commenced as a drive through style parade, complete with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and some very special guests all the way from Canada! Made possible by a donation, Santa's reindeer joined the fun and added an extra bit of holiday magic for everyone in attendance. One by one, cars filled with eager children made their way through the line, meeting Santa, visiting the reindeer and receiving a very special present from Santa himself!

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Staying Connected During COVID… WORDS: Women’s Resource Center

S

tudies have shown that maintaining stro ng s o cial net wo r ks c a n positively impact a person’s health, social status, and overall emotional state.

During a pandemic, staying connected is more important than ever. As we socially distance and create our COVID “bubbles,” it is important to remember that these relationships with trusted family, friends, and colleagues have lasting effects on our lives.

The phrase ‘social capital’ has become popular in describing how the people we surround ourselves represent tangible assets. It has been characterized as the glue that holds societies together, given how powerful these relationships can be.

Studies have shown that social capital is closely associated with a variety of important community health indicators, including better child welfare and school performance, decreased crime and aggressiveness, better health status, and even lower levels of tax evasion.

Global evidence also suggests that social capital plays a critical role in determining mental health outcomes in communities, especially during the pandemic.

Harvard researcher Robert Putnam has argued that while Americans have become wealthier, their sense of community has withered, and cities have become anonymous places where people spend less time joining community groups and socializing. While some may argue that social networks have merely evolved to include digital platforms, there is no doubt that people crave and need human connections built on trust and support.

So how do you maintain and expand your network during these unsettled times?

Whether you are looking for a new job 74

opportunity, emotional support, parenting advice, or a different perspective on a topic, surrounding yourself with a core group of people who can support and offer input is essential. And quality matters more than quantity. The key is ensuring you are tapping the resources around you and establishing a group of people you can turn to, virtually or in-person.

Woman Collective also serves as a platform to bring people with different experiences and perspectives together to build a sense of unity and create conversations that engage, inspire, and challenge our way of thinking.

Peer mentoring is another avenue for expanding your social capital. At the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), we have committed volunteers willing and eager to lend an ear to those interested in tapping such a resource. Mentors provide free, oneon-one coaching to assist women on their journey to meet their unique goals.

A mentor might be a confidential guide, a sympathetic ear, or a source for information. These trained volunteers can provide encouragement and emotional support, serve as an advocate, help develop skills, and open doors to additional networking opportunities.

WRC’s new series called the Wonder

• Please learn more at mywrc.org/Collective and save the date for our next virtual event on March 8th.

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Ki ds in th e Ki tch en

RECIPES: Caroline Lehman

BERRY HEART SMOOTHIE A nutritious and refreshing treat…

INGREDIENTS

• 1 frozen banana • 1/2 cup strawberries • 1/2 cup raspberries • 1/4 cup yogurt • Desired amount of milk (any kind)

PREPARATION

1. The night before, peel a banana and place it in the

2.

3.

4.

5.

freezer. The next day your banana will be ready to throw in the blender - nice and frozen. If you forget, add a handful of ice cubes with a fresh banana.

Place raspberries, strawberries, banana, and yogurt in the blender.

Add milk - I recommend half a cup, but it depends on the consistency you like.

Put all ingredients in the mixer for approximately 30 seconds and pour into a cup.

Add fruit on the side if you desire and enjoy!

CUPID’S TRAIL MIX A delicious, simple treat to brighten Valentine’s Day

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups pretzels • 2 cups Very Berry Cheerios • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips • 1/2 cup marshmallows • 1 cup Valentine’s Day M&M’s

PREPARATION

1. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add an extra handful of M&M’s to give it color.

3. Share with friends by putting them in clear bags and tying a ribbon around them.

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I CAN FEEL YOUR HALO! CARES Act funded system creates safe space at PAL and TEAM Success…

WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock PICTURES: Whitney Patton

A

hollow silence replaced screeching basketball shoes, whistles, and hollers from cheering parents and booming coaches that usually trumpet the commencement of basketball season at the Police Athletic League's gymnasium in Bradenton. Lights dimmed, bleachers emptied, and the rhythmic dribble of the basketball hushed as COVID-19 – the pandemic that shocked the world and shuttered businesses, schools, and sports on a pivot – threatened yet another casualty: The athletic programs at PAL. Team practices extend as lifelines to the 1,200 kids –many atrisk – who turn to PAL for guidance, leadership and camaraderie.

When lights blacked out on the court and fields emptied, the escape route for so many struggling children vanished.

"We were faced with not just keeping PAL open as a safe place for kids," said Deputy Ralph Bryant, PAL's director of football and creator of the league's fierce basketball program. "Now it had to be COVID safe."

Directors, board members, and employees of both PAL and TEAM Success – the neighboring K-12 charter school – put on their game faces, huddled together, and created a plan as if designing an emergency strategy on the court. Drawing from CDC guidelines and techniques in play at Disney, they rolled out safety rules such as mask-wearing and social distancing that helped usher many area programs and schools off the sidelines.

Then came the slam-dunk.

With help from the Manatee CARES Act – the County's distribution of up to $70 million to help with the crushing impact of the health pandemic – and Rench's Cooling and Heating, the HVAC systems at PAL and TEAM Success received

Pictures Left: Deputy Ralph Bryant with Kristie and Bryan Rench of Rench’s Cooling and Heating.

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a medical-grade makeover with a state-of-the-art air purifying system: The Reme Halo.

In less than two weeks, Rench's Cooling and Heating swooped in to install 62 Reme Halo systems in a nearly $80,000 job to help purify every inch of conditioned air space at the two facilities in an effort to create another layer of safety. By employing ionized hydroperoxide molecules distributed throughout the duct system, the purifier kills up to 99 percent of bacteria, mold spores, and viruses, according to the manufacturer.

"This technology uses UVC light and hydrogen peroxide molecules to kill on contact viruses, germs, and bacteria," said Bryan Rench, owner of Rench's Cooling and Heating and a Bradenton native. "It is very effective in reducing odors, dust, and pollen, essentially cleaning the air in an entire house or building."

Primarily spread through large respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes, COVID-19 can shed even smaller virus particles that may linger in the air and infect people when inhaled, notes the CDC. Small, enclosed spaces such as classrooms and gyms where air circulates less create particular problems. While the Reme Halo air purifier has yet to be tested on COVID-19, other validated test results show a 99 percent reduction of similar viruses, the manufacturer released in a statement.

"Getting this system into PAL where the building is old, and a lot of the duct system original is particularly important because the system will air scrub it and actually continue to clean the ductwork over time," said Josh Richter, an employee at Rench's Cooling and Heating who formally worked for RGF, the manufacturer of Reme Halo.

Both Richter and Rench feel a surge of pride to improve two facilities that impact so many children in their community.

"It makes me feel really good to know we are helping our community by creating a safer place to learn and participate in sports," said Rench, who shared giving backbeats at the heart of his company. "It is so important to have sports because many kids who enjoy playing thrive at school just so they can participate in sports."

"It's always been about the kids," said Bryant. "This is their outlet, especially now where they are at home just playing video games.

Sports are a very important part of their lives."

Bryant shook his head in a sigh of relief that PAL recently pulled off its annual Basketball Jamboree to kick off the season. The new purifier in the gym, coupled with masks, limited capacity, and social distancing, worked together to pave a level of safety.

Donning backpacks and masks, children meandered the sunlit outdoor halls at TEAM Success, a Title I charter school serving 696 students spanning grades K-12 and neighboring PAL. Getting the systems into the school was just as important as the PAL installation. The Reme Halo runs continuously and cleans the air in the classrooms, making it unique in that you can still be in the room while it cleans. With other systems, the room has to be sealed, and oxygen is taken out. Also, unlike portable units that are limited to the room they serve, the Reme Halo provides whole home or building purification.

As the pandemic clawed into the world, this purifying system emerged as a sought-after, hard-to-get-your-hands-on product.

"Back in March, the government ordered the manufacturer to send all of its product to hospitals and assisted living facilities in order to help combat this pandemic," Richter said. "We were without this product for two or three months."

After expertly explaining the purifier's technical process, Richter reminisced fondly about his own days as a kid competing across a roster of sports along with his active brothers. At school, he would diligently keep focused on the task at hand just so he could burst through the doors out to PE or run, tackle and kick on sports teams.

His favorite sport? Basketball.

"If I am just a little part of helping get kids back on the basketball court," Richter paused with inflection in his voice, "well, that makes me so happy."

Bustling around the office toting a drill to hang a shelf and multi-task his meandering to-do list, Coach Bryant paused to express his gratitude that the doors are open at PAL, whose mission is to bring law enforcement, kids, and families together in a positive, safe environment through sports and academics in order to build a strong community. PAL employs athletics and recreational activities to tighten the bond between police officers and children, sending the message to avoid gangs, drugs, and alcohol and incorporating life skills.

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2020 STAR Superintendent of the Year Mary Glass, President of the Manatee Education Foundation (MEF), presented Superintendent Cynthia Saunders with the 2020 STAR Superintendent of the Year Award given out by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Ms. Saunders won for her support of the MEF. Members of the MEF board, including ELC Chief Executive Officer Paul Sharff, (second from left) were also in attendance.

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VOLUNTEER TO READ TODAY! Just One Book Can Do Magic!

Help us spark a love of reading for children in Manatee County.

Call today to participate in the ELC’s Every Child A Reader and Books For Kids program and volunteer to read to classrooms in Title 1 schools!

(941) 757-2900 ext. 2503 Every Child A Reader

In partnership with the From Cradle to College™ Foundation

Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning.

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Seniors: Do You Want FREE Money for College or Technical School?

Virtual Workshops to help you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), hosted by the School District of Manatee County and REACH Manatee, are available on the following dates:

Please see the College and Career Advisor at your high school for more information or to register for one of the sessions.

Students can attend any of the virtual workshop dates.

February 27—10:00 AM-12:00 PM March 9—6:00-8:00 PM April 3—10:00 AM-12:00 PM April 24—1:00-3:00 PM

Have the Following Documents Ready:  Social Security Number  Driver License Number  2019W-2 forms and other records of money earned during that year  2019 Federal Income Tax Return  Current business and investment mortgage information  Business and farm records  Stock, bonds, and other investment records  Alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

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Zoom Link: ly.unidosnow.org/2020FAF SA .

Each year, more than $2 billion in financial aid Pell Grants go unclaimed. To get this money for college, all students need to do is fill out the FAFSA.

1/21/21 4:29 PM

REACH OUT MANATEE !

R

EACH Manatee, a collaboration between local colleges, nonprofits, foundations, employers, and the Manatee County School District, has a singular mission: To increase the number of adults in our community with a highquality credential or degree. The initiative brings together diverse organizations and individuals to develop strategies that support learning with the goal of meeting the ever-changing workforce needs in the region.

students to Pell Grants that offer up to $6,300/year in college support. These grants are free money and can be applied to one-year technical & trade programs and two-year and four-year college degrees.

The group, which is part of the Florida College Access Network, was organized four years ago by the leaders of UnidosNow and Manatee Community Foundation (MCF). They saw an opportunity to bring community stakeholders together with a shared vision of supporting low-income high school graduates and working adults in their college and career aspirations.

REACH Manatee partners are currently offering free one-on-one virtual FAFSA assistance via online help sessions with college financial aid officers and trained volunteers from the community.

High school seniors and their parents can get their questions answered and receive individualized support as they complete and submit the online FAFSA form. Participants can enter the workshops hosted by local nonprofit UnidosNow, using this link: ly.unidosnow. org /2020FAFSA, which is a Zoom platform but does not require an account or registration in advance.

Much of the work to date has centered on college planning, financial aid assistance, and mentoring. In particular, the group has been instrumental in improving overall FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion rates for Manatee County high school seniors, connecting them to millions of dollars in grant funds for college and technical certification programs.

The workshop times and dates can be found at this link: www.reachmanatee. com/upcoming-events Manatee County high school College and Career Advisors also can direct students to these and other financial resources. Adults with a high school diploma or GED interested in pursuing education for themselves also can complete the FAFSA and access Pell grants by going to fafsa.gov.

According to state agencies, each year, Manatee County high school students leave millions of dollars on the table by not completing the FAFSA, which connects

The community partners are also working together to raise awareness about the positive impact of mentoring. Youth organizations such as Take Stock in

Children, UnidosNow, and Big Brothers Big Sisters are active REACH Manatee members collaborating on strategies to recruit mentors for their students.

Research shows that mentored youth are more likely to complete a college-level program given these relationships and have positive effects on young people in terms of personal and academic outcomes. Local colleges like USF, SCF, and New College are also working with the group to engage more working professionals and retirees to mentor their college-level students.

Since such programs are correlated to academic success, higher GPA’s, leadership development, and degree completion, these benefits have a significant impact on students who have been traditionally underserved in higher education and for those underrepresented in particular academic fields.

Strategies such as access to financial aid and mentors are examples of how REACH Manatee uses the power of partnerships to drive change collectively.

The more Manatee County adults have the specific training and credentials that local organizations need to grow and thrive, the more the overall economy will equitably expand in the region. • To learn more about REACH Manatee, please go to www.reachmanatee.com

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SSOARING OARING ABOVE COVID RESTRAINTS! WORDS: Dr. Sheila Halpin, School District of Manatee County

S

oar in 4 is a community education program aligned with the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. It was created in 2016 as a response to Manatee County’s declining reading scores and parental requests for guidance to better support their children’s learning at home in literacy and beyond.

Soar in 4 is active within each of Manatee County’s 15 Title I Elementary Schools, which typically support ALICE families.

ALICE is an acronym for families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained but Employed. At least 99.8% of the students attending each of these Title 1 schools are impoverished (Social Economic Status), with most students of a minority race.

Additionally, Soar in 4 connects to the neighboring feeder preschools by partnering with the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, and Step Up Suncoast Head Start sites. For the past four years, Soar in 4 has provided innovative, play-based learning events and has provided learning materials for children and their families.

According to recent figures, enrollment in Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program was down statewide in 2020. This number may have risen as many families choose to keep their children home as COVID-19 spread across the state.

COVID-19 has impacted children and their readiness for kindergarten. For young children, it’s not ideal to have a virtual program. They need hands-on experiences; they need interactions. ALICE constrained families have been impacted severely, and many lack the resources to provide in-home literacy materials for their young child(ren).

Because of the high contagion level of COVID-19, Soar in 4 is no longer able to send learning materials from the classroom into children’s homes and have them returned to share with classmates after use. Due to the pandemic, Soar in 4 has created Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Bags that are sent home and will stay in the home permanently.

These bags will be provided to 2,000 pre-K students living in Manatee County’s low socio-economic Title I neighborhoods.

These bags have been designed to support the VPK standards and contain literacy manipulatives, interactive materials, and books.

Research shows us that academic achievement increases when parents are engaged in their children’s education. By using the bags’ resources, parents can create a fun learning experiences for their children to help prepare them for school.

Bags are available thanks to donors’ generosity to the Soar in 4 fund at the Manatee Community Foundation. The materials within the bags and the learning engagements are interconnected and build upon each other for student proficiency. An online instructional video is available to support families on how to use the materials at home.

The bags will be shared throughout the targeted neighborhoods by collaborating with early learning providers, faith-based organizations, and local businesses. Day training is available to ensure that organizations receiving bags to disseminate can demonstrate and support the in-home family literacy activities.

In addition, parents that complete the parent response card and return it to a drive-thru Soar in 4 event will receive another new book for their child’s home library.

For more information on Soar in 4, visit: soarin4.org/ or on Facebook at @soarin4Manatee 84

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Pre

Learning your name is one of the first steps in learning how to read!

Write & Sing: Write your child’s first name on the whiteboard provided. Singsong the letters in order while you point along.

Name Game: Play “Guess Whose Name” with your child! Write the names of your family members with dry erase and ask your child to identify their name amongst the others.

Readiness Guide

Name Roll: Use the play-doh to roll out letters and create your child’s name.

Trace & Erase: Play disappearing letters to help your child learn the letters of their name. Write your child’s name. Allow them to trace the letters with their finger making the dry erase disappear.

Material Mix-Up: Practice writing your child’s name with different materials like chalk and paint!

Recyclables: If you have a newspaper that is ready to recycle, ask your child to circle or cut out the letters of their name! Write the letters with dry erase.

Music supports components of learning to read by allowing children to hear word parts and rhymes. Dance and movement strengthen muscles necessary for healthy bodies!

Teach With Tunes: Sing and dance with your kids daily! Jack Hartman, Dr. Jean, Have Fun Teaching, The Learning Station and Koo Koo Kanga Roo are popular YouTube artists/groups that have free educational songs on the internet. Dance and sing along while supervising your children while on the internet!

Musical Props: Make dancing props with household items such as rags and brooms. Create musical instruments like homemade maracas, beans inside empty bottles, and practice keeping a beat/rhythm.

Ideas and Activities For Parents and Children

Use the scavenger hunt provided to create a collection of free educational materials!

Create Caps: Bottle caps with handwritten letters and numbers inside make fun games! Stack, throw them in the tub, or sort them.

Categorize: Sorting is another way to use found items. Sort by color, shape, material, etc.

Children learn by using their 5 senses. Strengthen their skills with these play-based activities.

Play-Doh: Play-doh is perfect for sensory play! It is squishy and can be used to develop the skills necessary for writing and cutting.

Roll & Cut: Form a long snake with the play-doh and let your child cut it into tiny pieces.

Roll & Count: Teach your child to roll play-doh balls. Take turns rolling and counting out the spheres. Use the doodle pad to write down the number of spheres made.

Mold Your Feelings: Use sensory play to tame big emotions; upset children can be redirected to calm down by squeezing play-doh. Children can express emotions by creating dough characters that describe their feelings.

Shape & Trace: Roll the play-doh into shapes such as triangles, circles, squares, and rectangles. Ask your child to trace the dough shapes with crayons on paper.

The ELC of Manatee County offers families child care funding assistance, VPK and School Readiness programs, child health and developmental screenings, STEAM education, unique literacy programs, connections to various community resources, and works closely with childcare providers to help maintain quality early learning environments for all children in Manatee County. For more information on our programs and services, visit www.elc-manatee.org today!

SOAR In 4 offers FREE monthly family events throughout the community designed to engage the whole family in learning. We invite you to come be inspired to play, learn, discover, and grow together!

LOOSE PARTS SCAVENGER HUNT!

Watercolors: Try finger painting letters, numbers, and shapes with watercolors.

At this age, young children are beginning to understand their abilities. Let them feel like “big” boys and girls by teaching them some appropriate independence.

Pour & Drink: Practice independent pouring with little mess, pour delicious drinks in your child’s measuring cup. Allow them to transfer the liquid from their measuring cup to a real cup thus preparing their own beverage.

Sorting Socks: Have children help with laundry and matching by sorting socks!

Bind a Book: Validate your child’s artwork by making a book! Use the lacing string to bind or “publish” the pages together.

Grocery Shopping: Make grocery lists with your child. Cut labels off products and glue to them to paper. As children develop switch from cutting labels to copying the print. In the store, have your child help find the items from the cart.

Pretty Plates: Make small holes in paper plates and use the lacing string to weave/ create interesting designs and shapes.

Have hours of fun collecting, investigating, manipulating, and learning! Find a bag, basket, or box for your plastic loose parts collection, look outside or inside your home for the items pictured above or others to add to your collection. Exploring your new plastic loose parts collection together will help your child to learn letters, beginning letter sounds, syllables, compound words, vocabulary, and more!

For more scavenger hunt ideas and activities visit us online at www.soarin4.org, follow us at Facebook.com/ soarin4Manatee today for more family fun, and be sure to join us at our next SOAR In 4 FREE family event!

JOIN US!

5:00pm-7:00pm March 3, 2021 April 7, 2021 May 5, 2021

Practice Lacing: Use the lacing string and chunky beads to get little fingers ready for complicated tasks like tying shoes.

Cook Together: Allow your child to support meal preparation. Find simple tasks for them to do like counting and measuring!

Bathtub Fun: Use the measuring cups provided to practice pouring in the bathtub.

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Bicycle Helmet Bicycle Helmet Do's & Safety!

Don'ts

WORDS: Lisa Indovino, Community Educator Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

T

here are so many beneficial reasons for youth to ride a bicycle: it offers them fun, freedom, and exercise, plus it is good for the environment! Unfortunately, less than half of children aged 14 and under regularly wear a properly fitted and fastened bike helmet.

Additionally, many are not aware that it is the law in Florida that youths under 16 years of age must wear a helmet that is properly fitted and fastened when they are on a bicycle. Research has shown that wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head and brain injuries by up to 88%.

the caregiver to be involved and take an active role in keeping the child safe.

In addition, each child receives a bag full of educational materials on the topic of bicycle and helmet safety and a set of bicycle lights.

The Injury Prevention team at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital has conducted two of these events in collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and has distributed close to 100 free helmets, bicycle lights, and educational materials.

Steps For Fitting A Bicycle Helmet:

In an effort to promote the use of properly fitted bike helmets, the Injury Prevention team at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital has been hosting a series of bicycle helmet drive-through giveaway events throughout six counties where hundreds of youth will receive properly fitted bicycle helmets, bicycle lights, and educational materials.

• •

Participants who attend the helmet drive-through events view a short video guide on how to properly fit a helmet, as well as tips about proper helmet use. A certified bike helmet fitter then issues a helmet for each child present and guides their caregiver through achieving a proper fit for the child. The events are a learning opportunity for both the caregiver and child and allows

•

•

•

First, make sure the helmet is level on the child's head.

The child should be able to fit one to two of their fingers between the bottom of their helmet and their eyebrow, but there should be no more than two fingers space allowed.

The front and back straps should be equally tight and meet at a "V" just below the child's ear. The side strap buckles should be right under the child's earlobes.

Make sure the helmet is buckled. To achieve a proper fit, the child should not be able to fit more than two fingers between their chin and the chin strap.

Lastly, have the child shake their head like they are saying "no". A perfectly fitted helmet will feel snug on their head and will not move. Another check you can perform is to have the

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child do a fake "yawn" and then check to make sure that they can feel the chin strap pulling when they open their mouth.

A Few More Bicycle Helmet Tips: • • •

•

• •

When shopping for a helmet, purchase the smallest size that fits. Do not purchase one that is too big that you will "grow into".

Purchase the correct type of helmet for your activity. In this case, a bicycle helmet that has been approved by the Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC).

Be sure to consult the helmet manufacturer for their recommendation on expiration, but also keep in mind factors such as how much wear and tear you put your helmet through as these can affect the expiration date.

Some occasions when you would need to replace your helmet are if you are in an accident with the helmet, if it no longer fits properly, or if it is falling apart or missing pieces.

Always store helmets in a cool and dry environment. This is especially important in Florida.

Always purchase a new rather than used helmet as you do not know the history of a used helmet.

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Car Seat Safety: Facts and Myths WORDS: Petra Vybiralova

Y

ou might assume that with people driving less, there are fewer car crashes. This has not been the case. According to preliminary reports from the National Safety Council, fatalities are up in comparison with previous years. For example, when we look at May, fatalities were up 23.5% compared to the previous year. So, even though people were driving less, they were more likely to experience more severe crashes.

While some of our lifestyles have changed during the pandemic, keeping your children safe in the car is still very important. On this week's On Call for All Kids, Petra Vybiralova Stanton, SAFE Kids Supervisor at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, provides parents with what's true or false on questions about car seat safety.

FALSE: My child can be front facing after his or her first birthday.

The safest way for children to travel is rear-facing until they outgrow the seat's weight or height limit for the rear-facing position. This information can be either found in the car seat manual or on the labels on the car seat.

FALSE: I have to turn my child around when his or her feet touch the back of the vehicle seat.

Having the child's legs extend over the car seat in the rear-facing position is not a safety hazard. Children love to bend their legs or even sit "criss cross applesauce." The car seat will move backward in a crash, which also creates more room for the legs.

For children who are within the weight and height limit of the seat, they are safe because the car seat was safety tested that way.

FALSE: Using both lower anchors and a seat belt will make the car seat safer.

Most manufacturers allow us to use one method or the other at one time. Typically, we recommend using lower anchors or a seat belt, not both. Using both can apply too much crash forces on the seat. However, a couple of car seats do allow the use of both, make sure you read your car seat manual to ensure you are installing your car seat correctly.

FALSE: My child is 4 years old and 30 pounds, so he or she can move to a booster seat.

A five-point harness is always safer than the seat belt. Think about race car drivers and their harnessing. So, keep that five-point harness as long as the weight or height limit allows. The minimum

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for a child to use a booster seat is 4 years of age and 40 pounds.

If you have a 7-year-old who is 36 pounds, he or she should still be in the five-point harness. Also, we urge parents to look at the child's maturity level and ask yourself: Is the child able to sit properly for the entire ride? In a booster seat, the seat belt will allow for more movement. If your child is likely to move around while you are driving, keep him or her in the five-point harness.

TRUE & FALSE: Booster seats do not have to be used.

If your child can properly fit in the vehicle seat belt, which is around 4 feet 9 inches in height, he or she does not need a booster seat. To check whether the child is ready to be in a seat belt, sit him or her on the vehicle seat and buckle up. Make sure the child's back is against the vehicle seat. The seat belt should go over the collar bone and the hip bones or upper thighs. The knees should be able to bend over the edge of the seat, and the feet should be able to touch the floor.

If the seat belt goes over the child's neck or stomach, a booster seat should be used. If the knees do not bend over the edge of the seat, children tend to move forward to allow for the knees to bend, but this places the seat belt on their stomach and neck — therefore, they must use a booster seat to be safe.

FALSE: My child can sit in the front seat at age 12.

This is actually a case of tricky language. The vehicle manufacturers stated on their sunshades THROUGH the age of 12, meaning at 13 years old, the child can sit there. They have changed the language now, and in many cases, it states 13 years of age. The bottom line is this: We do not worry about the size of the child as much as we worry about their bones. At 13,

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we know their bones are mature enough to withstand the impact of a deploying airbag.

FALSE: It's OK to wear a backpack while riding in the car.

Even though this is commonly seen as children depart schools in the car line, it is important that they remove the backpack before they put the seat belt on. This is true whether children are in a booster seat or a seat belt. Having the backpack on will put them too far forward and allow for too much movement in a crash.

What can we do right now to make sure our child's seat is safe and properly installed?

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital offers virtual car seat checks. Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital offers virtual car seat checks. Two safety seat technicians will meet with a family on a visual platform such a FaceTime or Google Duo and teach the family how to use their car seat correctly every time. The families gain a great deal of confidence in the use of their car seat at the end of the appointment.

Also, if families have a hard time obtaining a car seat at a regular cost, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital has a program to provide qualifying families with a car seat for a contribution of $20.

To schedule a virtual car seat check or to participate in a virtual session, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org/carseats or call 727-767-7835.

On Call for All Kids is a weekly series featuring Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital experts. Visit HopkinsAllChildrens. org/Stories each Monday for the latest report.

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With every generation,

we get better at protecting our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more —so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come. Ž

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OB/GYN River Landings OB/GYN 941-316-8200 • 6040 53rd Ave E, Ste A Bradenton, FL 34203 West Manatee Health Center (Perinatology Services Now Available!)

941-714-7150 • 2318 Manatee Ave W Bradenton, FL 34205

DENTAL East Manatee Health and Wellness Center 941-708-8710 • 1312 Manatee Ave E Bradenton, FL 34208 Lawton Chiles Children and Family Healthcare Center 941-708-7607 • 1515 26th Ave E Bradenton, FL 34208

PEDIATRICS Edgar H. Price Children & Family Healthcare Center 941-776-4050 • 12271 U.S. Hwy 301 N Parrish, FL 34219 Lawton Chiles Children & Family Healthcare Center 941-708-8600 • 1515 26th Ave E Bradenton, FL 34208 Manatee Pediatrics 941-748-4602 • 712 39th St W Bradenton, FL 34205 North Tuttle Pediatrics 941-315-6664 • 220 N Tuttle Ave Sarasota, FL 34237 South Manatee Pediatrics 941-210-7942 • 6326 15th St E Sarasota, FL 34243 Venice Pediatrics 941-493-3282 • 119 Shamrock Blvd Venice, FL 34293 Whole Child Pediatrics 941-366-2273 • 6040 53rd Ave E, Ste B Bradenton, FL 34203

941-776-4000 | mcr.health NextGen FebMarch 2021.indd 91

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SAFE. TRUSTED. READY. Emergency Room Services at the Manatee Healthcare System

Rapid response and medical expertise are right here at home when you need it ... 24/7 Don’t Delay Critical Care Emergency Services at the Manatee Healthcare System are fully operational and have safety procedures in place to protect you.

We’re ready to respond to life-threatening emergencies with fast, high-quality care.

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | 941.782.2100

lwrmc.com

206 Second Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 | 941.746.5111

manateememorial.com

Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Healthcare System, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Healthcare System. The hospitals shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 200372-8224 11/20

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