SRQ Magazine | May/June 2023

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Contents may/june 2023

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Happy 25th anniversary to the Sarasota Film Festival. This year’s programming brought exciting films and events to the community and to those passionate about the film arts and cinema. From heartwarming documentaries about Mary Tyler Moore and Donna Summer to a thrilling story brought to life by Roma Downey and a revealing look into the lives of Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the festival covered serious ground for its silver anniverasry. Sit back and enjoy our coverage of some of our favorite films and for an interview with Mark Famiglio, the man behind the festival.

This page:

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Our best friends—they give us unconditional love. Whether they’ve got fur, hair, feathers or scales, we celebrate them every year in the SRQ Pets We Love Competition. Meet the winners of our 5th annual contest. We thoroughly enjoyed reading through all the heartwarming submissions– including purrfect personalities, doggone adorable quirks, naughty habits and impressive tricks. You’re in for a treat as we unveil our best of show favorites!

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President and CEO of the Sarasota Film Festival Mark Famiglio, photography

by Wyatt Kostygan.

Next page: Al Forno’s Chicken Shwarma wrap, photography

by Wyatt Kostygan; Peter Rothstein, courtesy of the Asolo Repertory Theatre; and the sculpture of artist Viktor Mitic, courtesy of the artist.

Cover: Alissa Silver shares her greencheeked pineapple conure Cholula in this year’s Pets We Love , photography by Wes Roberts

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contents may/june 2023

37 ELITE AGENTS SARASOTA GULF COAST HOMES AMERICAN PROPERTY GROUP FINE PROPERTIES

43 REJUVENATE LG HOWARD + COMPANY SIRIUS DAY SPA, SALON & MED SPAS THE BLUE DOOR SPA

85 ROCKETKIDS GUIDE TO PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS 98 IN CONVERSATION CHILDREN FIRST AND UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

105 GIVING COAST DONOR’S GUIDE TO GIVING

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Canadian artist and sculptor Viktor Mitic is capturing the art community’s attention from his new Siesta Key beachside studio.

The dynamic duo of Frank Imbarlina and Mellissa Louty serve up homemade delicacies at Two Chefs on Hillview. Jlona and Stefan Dobler of Switzerland make toasting more inclusive than ever with Vine Importers’ introduction of Rimuss non-alcoholic drinks, perfect for everyone and every occasion. Skepticism and anxiety greeted Richard Corcoran’s hire at New College. Can the school’s new leader convert his critics?

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Peter Rothstein will become the new producing artistic director of the Asolo Repertory Theatre this July. He shares his hopes for the theater’s upcoming season.

Director Peter Rothstein shares what it takes to reinvigorate Man of La Mancha with a contemporary agency. Elizabeth Goodwill and Barbara Gerdeman at Creative Liberties are blazing a new trail for artists in Sarasota.

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Let the good times roll with the hottest summer staples.

Assunta Swier brings a flair to Sarasota’s shopping scene.

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Turmeric Indian Bar & Grill brings Sarasota’s Rosemary District to new heights. At Al Forno Grill, an authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean eatery, a blend of exceptional dishes, attentive customer service and Middle Eastern spices wows diners.

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By helping people to help themselves, Jessica Braemer is recognized as a good hero by her colleagues and community.

Learn how NewGate School helped a neighbor whose home and business was devastated

by Hurricane Ian.

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M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 3 CEO / PRESIDENT / EDITOR IN CHIEF

LISL LIANG EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

WES ROBERTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT

Ashley Grant ACCOUNTS + CLIENT SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Robinson Valverde SENIOR SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

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Nichole Knutson Rob Wardlaw VP OF PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO

Wyatt Kostygan MANAGING EDITOR

Barbie Heit CLIENT MARKETING+ DIGITAL PROGRAMS MANAGER

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Megan Mitchell CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR + SENIOR DESIGNER

Virginia Jankovsky EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES

Dylan Campbell Laura Paquette CONTRIBUTING EDITORS + ARTISTS

Ariel Chates, Chris Leverett, Jacob Ogles, Kate Wight

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STORIES ABOUT THE LOCAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINE OUR HOMETOWN

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

GETTING PEOPLE TALKING

Canadian artist and sculptor Viktor Mitic is capturing the art community’s attention from his new Siesta Key beachside studio. Barbie Heit

A NEW CONTEMPORARY ARTIST HAS JOINED Sarasota’s

diverse and vibrant art scene. Canadian painter and sculptor Viktor Mitic moved to Siesta Key, just north of the village, about a year and a half ago and now spends his time working in his tropical beachside studio, where he can enjoy the views of his very own ‘Sculpture Studio Garden’—a museum-like backyard. Viktor Mitic was born in Yugoslavia but has spent most of his life living and working in the Toronto area. After discovering the local arts community over ten years ago, the father of two teenagers fell in love with the Sarasota area and eventually moved his family here from Toronto.

Once called “controversial,” Mitic is known for using art as a means to influence audiences and provoke discussion. Working with upcycled materials, which Mitic says is just another word for everyday objects that folks don’t want anymore, he creates work that gets people talking. Some of his more controversial pieces on famous people who were killed as victims of gun violence, like John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi and John Lennon, have brought Mitic to celebrity status in the art world.

The artist starts every day by looking at all the news he can get. “I go from Canadian to American to European to Asian news just to see what's going on in the day.

That's with my breakfast and coffee,” he shares. “And, I am totally against gun violence. I’m not an activist or anything like that but violence is something that I’m absolutely against.” Hence the creation of Mitic’s entire body of bullet-ridden artwork created on canvas. In 2007, Mitic saw some videos on YouTube showing a group of soldiers that were shooting up religious icons–paintings and sculptures—which he found to be unsettling. srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 11

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“Art was a target then and still is,” he says “so I tried replicating that into a piece that would spark a conversation. I wanted to have a painting that would be descriptive, and have value in terms of color composition. And at the same time, I added this little unnerving detail to it. So the painting actually looks like a connect-the-dots game. Interesting play of forms but then if you find out an actual weapon was fired to create it, you start thinking about it a bit more.” Mitic tried to keep the project’s message of art combined with violence secret for a number of years, but then word got out.

“I didn't want to make it a focal point,” he says. “I didn't want that to be the entire conversation when it comes to art because for me it's not–it is an art form.

I use the weapons to create. At the same time, there's this fight. I'm creating and destroying the painting at the same time. And I'm trying to make something that is aesthetically pleasing. But it's gonna get a message out. So you'll be the judge.”

In 2015, Mitic started using repurposed metal to build structures that would be hung in space. Those structures are based on photographs of paint splashes and paint marks he found on his studio floor and walls.

He brought the photos into the computer, using 3D programs to give them volume. The computerized art was used to simplify the process of making them out of aluminum at first and then as time progressed and more collectors were coming to support his work, he slowly transitioned into incorporating stainless steel, 24K gold elements and bronze.

Today, Mitic continues his commitment to generate interest and conversation via art. One current project, which he has named, XOX (like Tic Tac Toe), is based on 12 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local

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Above, left to right: Heartland, bronze, 10'x2'x2'. 2019. Courtesy of Oeno Gallery.

Unfinished Business.

Bullet holes, gold leaf, acrylic on canvas, 2022.

Artorwar.com; instagram @ viktor_mitic.

a shadow he saw on the wall while having his morning coffee. Thinking it looked like a face, he photographed it and drew the eyes, the mouth and a hat. “For five years I've been working on developing the rest of the body, and most of that work was done right here, over the last year and a half,” he says. “It was just a twodimensional flat drawing that didn't have legs or arms and I knew I wanted the character to have a backpack or jetpack. I then started developing the whole story. It’s become a short sci-fi-based tale about a being that was created out of crystal-like structures on a world whose core is dotted with black holes that power that same world.” A local myth that Mitic heard about crystals in the Bay that steer away hurricanes made him think the piece would be a nice connection to Sarasota. He then developed first a 3-D clay prototype of the head and kept it in the freezer to prevent it from drying out. Mitic is now working on a 20-foot, stainless steel version of XOXthat will eventually be painted a very bright yellow. While this one is not meant to cause any controversy, he is certain that the size and dominance will certainly have a compelling presence.

Mitic’s work has been featured in galleries worldwide and now, right here in his own backyard.

While the sculpture garden is not currently open to the general public, Mitic is operating on an ‘appointments only’ policy for visitors who are seriously viewing, considering and interested as collectors of art. In addition, Mitic is working on some time-sensitive work, which he plans to announce publicly once the sculptures are ready for full public access, viewing and acquisition. The target date for this announcement is this November. SRQ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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TOAST WITH A TWIST

Jlona and Stefan Dobler of Switzerland make toasting perfect for everyone and every occasion. Laura Paquette

WHETHER YOU’VE RAISED A GLASS TO “CHEERS,"

“¡salud!” or “santé,” chances are you’ve experienced the universal pleasure of toasting together. Swiss citizens and owners of Bradenton-based Vine Importers Jlona and Stefan Dobler aim to shake up the American nonalcoholic drink market. As children, they toasted alongside the adults with products from Rimuss, a brand beloved in Switzerland for its non-alcoholic and sparkling drinks, and acquired a taste for the sophisticated yet accessible product. Having fallen in love with the United States on previous visits to the country, they decided to relocate stateside, taking over ownership of Vine Importers, which sells alcoholic products to licensed establishments and non-alcoholic products to the public, in late 2021 and moving to Florida in April 2022. “Our ambitions were to find products that did not exist in the U.S. market and introduce them to consumers,” adds Jlona. Rimuss, which held a special place in the Doblers’ hearts, was an obvious first choice.

Founded in 1954 in the Hallau region of northern Switzerland, Rimuss recognized the need for a special drink that everyone could enjoy on celebratory occasions, regardless of their age or ability to consume 14 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local

alcohol. The brand’s slogan “Mit Rimuss stossed alli aa!” means “With Rimuss everyone can toast,” referring to the fact that people of all ages can enjoy a Rimuss drink. Jlona reached out to the Davaz family, who took over the brand’s parent company Rimuss & Strada Wein AG in 2017, to discuss the potential of becoming the first importer of Rimuss products to the United States. “Because we knew the brand as children, they trusted us and felt our passion and intention,” says Jlona. “They decided to give us a chance.

Vine Importers is introducing four Rimuss products to the American market: Sparkling Rosé and Sparkling White dealcoholized wines along with Champion Organic and Lychee Perl carbonated grape juices, both vegan options.

With elegant bottles complete with a popping cork, the packaging is just as stunning as that of traditional alcoholic refreshments. Each drink has no added sugar, coloring or preservatives and meets the high standards set in Switzerland to ensure quality. The grapes, sourced from Italy and Germany, add just enough sweetness without overwhelming the palette. A drink that tastes delicious and brings everyone together? Cheers—or “zum Wohl” as they say in Switzerland— to that! SRQ

Above: Jlona and Stegan Dobler.

Everyone, from restaurants to individuals, can purchase Rimuss beverages by calling Vine Importers.

Customers can also place online Rimuss orders through the Vine Importers website. vineimporters.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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MADE FROM SCRATCH

The dynamic duo of Frank Imbarlina and Mellissa Louty serve up homemade delicacies at Two Chefs on Hillview. Laura Paquette

PEOPLE CRAVE THE SIMPLE JOYS IN LIFE, like crackling bacon in the morning or a warm, gooey cookie baked with love. At specialty

food shop Two Chefs on Hillview, Sarasotans can enjoy these culinary pleasures, cooked up by chef-owners Frank Imbarlina and Mellissa Louty. Imbarlina and Louty both own their own wholesale food businesses while collaborating and selling products under the Two Chefs on Hillview brand. Imbarlina heads up SRQ Cured, which specializes in locally smoked fish and charcuterie, and Louty runs Blue Dahlia Bakers and Catering. While Imbarlina supplies SRQ Cured seafood products to restaurants, hotels and markets like Morton’s Gourmet Market, customers can purchase meat charcuterie produced by him only at Two Chefs on Hillview.

Louty, who focuses on baked goods at the store, also caters for a variety of special events through her wholesale companies. A drive to play around with new ideas inspired the pair to team up and combine their expertise with an innovative concept.

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Below, top and bottom: A mixed arrangement board featuring charcuterie from Frank Imbarlina. Peanut butter cupcakes and muffins by Mellissa Louty. Two Chefs On Hillview, 1960 Hillview St., Sarasota, twochefsonhillview.com.

“WE HAD A LOT OF RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER," says

Imbarlina, “and both of us were looking to grow our wholesale businesses.” The pair decided to search for a workspace that would allow them to expand while sharing rental costs. When their current space, occupied by the former Gateway to India restaurant, on Hillview St. became available, they tailored it to their needs. They transformed the dining area of the restaurant into a kitchen and took advantage of the shop’s location on the busy street by situating their gastronomical shop at the front of the building.

In addition to the baked goods made by Louty, charcuterie products produced by Imbarlina and soups, dressings and sauces made by both from scratch, the store also assembles charcuterie trays and other arrangements for smaller events. The business’s flexible nature allows the pair to experiment with the menu, which changes on a regular basis, and balance their culinary vision with customer tastes, a concept on full display in the charcuterie and mixed arrangement boards. “We’re traditionalists and purists,” he adds. “To us, charcuterie is just meat, but we have a cheese board and mixed arrangements because people are used to everything coming on one tray. ” Blending convention with customers’ whims keeps Imbarlina and Louty on their toes, sparking a bounty of recipes.

“This is a playground,” Imbarlina says, “and when you do wholesale production, you’re making the same stuff all the time in big quantities, so you get a little bit bored and want to come up with new recipes.” With many offerings, like the soups, the pair tries out their own individual flavors and concepts, like Louty’s Peruvian chicken and rice soup. The chefs also incorporate seasonal inspiration into their dishes, such as the chilled yellow tomato gazpacho, a summertime favorite.

“We concentrate on making everything in the shop ourselves,” Imbarlina says. While the store does carry products that are not produced in-house, the majority of the food is made by the team. For their popular bacon and onion jam, Imbarlina cures Duroc pork belly, known for its marbling, with a curing mixture containing maple brown sugar and white pepper for about a week. He then smokes it on an electric smoker to ensure that the flavor of gas does not seep into the meat, and Louty uses the bacon to make the jam. Whether preparing bacon bits or entire pastries, the pair pours their hearts into each element, no matter how small. “If I have a Danish on the menu, then I make the dough myself,” adds Louty. From hand-rolling out the dough for croissants to making her own Danish filling, she ensures that each product is made with care and attention to detail. “It all comes down to freshness and integrity,” says Imbarlina. “Everything that comes out into the shop has our name on it,” he adds, “but even if it didn’t we’d still make it the same way because that’s the kind of chefs that we are.” SRQ 18 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local

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NEW BOSS FOR NEW COLLEGE Skepticism and anxiety greeted Richard Corcoran’s hire.

Can the school’s new leader convert his critics? Jacob Ogles

WOMEN DRESSED IN RED GOWNS MODELED AFTER THE HANDMAID’S TALE wander the campus of New College— a colorful statement as Richard Corcoran begins his first week as the New College President. It’s one of many symbols of an atmosphere of protest that currently consumes the tiny Sarasota school. But the potential for demonstrations to shift from literary to violent in nature grips the administrator’s attention. It’s the last day of February and the first day Corcoran will offer a report in front of the New College Board of Trustees.

He had planned to spend part of this morning in a magazine interview, but has to delay the meeting. The announcement the prior evening of an “academic freedom” protest on campus forced Corcoran instead into a hastily scheduled meeting with security. It’s the second time in as many days that Corcoran has postponed my interview with him. He originally scheduled the meeting for 24 hours prior but that was Corcoran’s first day on campus and it quickly became clear his daily schedule held no room for conversation. There’s definite doubt whether today will prove much better, but he promises a sit-down will happen.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS.

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Tumult and uncertainty, though, some weeks prior became the norm at New College.

Corcoran arrives amid unprecedented controversy about the school’s future.

Gov. Ron DeSantis in January appointed a batch of new trustees, including extremely controversial ones like Manhattan Institute senior fellow Christopher Rufo, who led a national crusade against the teaching of critical race theory. Tension heightened when the reshaped board at its first meeting fired College President Patricia Okker without cause. Another new trustee, Hillsdale College dean Matthew Spalding, had hosted Corcoran as a guest speaker at the Michigan school and suggested the former Florida Education Commissioner take over for Okker— though not before Corcoran’s lobbying firm announced he had the job.

The personnel change angered students and faculty, and more outrage followed after Corcoran negotiated an 18-month interim contract with a base annual salary of $699,000 a year. More than double Okker’s pay, that makes him one of the top 30 highest-paid public university professors in America—and he doesn’t even hold the job permanently yet. But Corcoran, in an eventual sit-down, acknowledges the compensation comes with expectations. He has little time to deliver on a promise of a brighter future for New College, yet remains confident he can impress not only those trustees who hired him but the throngs gathering on campus bemoaning his hire.

“We’ll get to a point where some of our harshest critics will say that this was a great moment for New College,” he says.

As crews from CNN and Fox News crowded inside the Harry Sudakoff Conference Center, Corcoran opened his report to trustees by offering “tremendous gratitude and thanks to Governor DeSantis.” That choice of accolades drew boos from students angry at recent disruptions but likely sits better with those trustees the governor recently installed.

“I think what he is trying to do here and what he wants to accomplish in higher education— and this is an individual who has been educated at what is considered some of the most prestigious institutions in the country— is his heartfelt desire to have New College be a leader and an example of an excellent liberal arts education,” Corcoran says. srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 21

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Beyond that, he promises to hit the ground running but also to seek input from those on campus with a stake in its future. He said his top priorities will be in filling existing staff vacancies, evaluating course offerings and improving the student experience as much as possible. His initial visits to campus, he said, revealed needs in physical infrastructure, and he wants more extracurricular activities for students as well. A connected politician, Corcoran also promised to raise money—a task that would become all the more urgent

we wrote back under Speaker (Marco) Rubio, I think the first 34 ideas of a 100-idea book were education. Whenever you get an opportunity to go into a position where you can impact the education of students at any level, it’s always going to be a passion of mine.”

New College notably isn’t the first Florida University Corcoran has aspired to lead. He applied when Florida State University held a national search for a president. As a side note, state Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, at the time served as trustee there and nominated

“Education has been my passion pretty much since I started serving in 2010 in the Legislature, even when I was on staff.

If you go back and look at even 100 ideas that we wrote back under Speaker (Marco) Rubio, I think the first 34 ideas of a 100-idea book were education.” —Rich ard Corcoron, New College President in coming weeks. But for now, the report proved understated considering the bombast leading to the moment.

Corcoran left his first trustee meeting in an oversized golf cart filled with board members, rolling past protesters to a secured area of the conference center parking lot.

A protester shouts “fascist!” in alliteration with a curse word. But he and other riders zip by to arrive at their vehicles. Corcoran and New College counsel ride from there in a black suburban back to College Hall. And finally, that twice-delayed interview begins.

Time is short, as Corcoran needs to head from this meeting to a dinner where he will dine with university trustees. Before he settles in to talk, Corcoran asks staff to print out a question-and-answer he already completed with the local newspaper. With an eye on the clock, he asks that this interview not tread too much of the same territory.

Corcoran acknowledges the leadership transition at New College created a period of unrest. But asked why he wanted to take on the task of leading the school anyway, he signals little hesitation about the task.

“Education has been my passion pretty much since I started serving in 2010 in the Legislature, even when I was on staff,” he says.

“If you go back and look at even 100 ideas that

Corcoran for the job, but it ultimately went to Richard McCullough. New College notably had its own search running at the time, and Gruters said he tried back then to convince local trustees to poach Corcoran when it became clear he would not get the FSU job.

New College instead hired Okker. It is clear that Corcoran in fact has aspired for years for an ivory tower office. Now he has it, but only for a limited time. While 18 months is a long guarantee for an interim president, he wants to make the most of his time. “Right now, my objective is to get a first down,” Corcoran says, “and then if we get that first down, get another first down and see where that takes us.”

What will it take to advance the ball?

Much of the consternation about the recent transition stems from angst over the thousands who love New College as it is and haven’t taken kindly to characterizations of a campus in crisis. News and World Report recently ranked the school as the No. 5 public liberal arts college in the country, behind only the nation’s military academies, and that’s a spot it has held for years. The school regularly produced more Fulbright Scholars than exponentially larger universities.

But the college also struggles with enrollment. The Florida Legislature years ago set a target for enrollment at 1,200

students a year. Corcoran as Florida House Speaker helped set that target.

“That's not a number that came from New College and the leadership in and of themselves,” Corcoran said. “They just never attained it. So what do you do to increase student life? What do you do to make students want to put this on their list and make it their first choice? Those are the things we have to work through and it starts here with a lot of changes that need to take place.” That ultimately verifies, according to Corcoran, that whatever love exists for a tight-knit community, New College is in need of rescue. Point to a private liberal arts school that can sustain itself year after year with just 700 students.

“When they say New College is in trouble, if it wasn't subsidized by the taxpayers, if it was a private entity, a New College doesn't exist, right?” Corcoran says. “I'm not saying New College doesn't exist. I'm saying a private entity like a New College with 700 or less students over time, doesn't exist. It doesn't survive.”

Whispers filled in the pauses of campus conversations for months about whether a leadership change at New College means a philosophical purge of faculty will follow. The campus has long been perceived as politically progressive; the conservative Daily Caller website recently listed the university among the “most rabidly leftist, politically correct colleges for dirty, tree-hugging hippies.”

Rufo on Twitter posted the same day as this interview that “We will be shutting down lowperforming, ideologically-captured academic departments and hiring new faculty. The student body will be recomposed over time.”

Another new trustee, Eddie Speir, suggested before his first meeting that New College fire all faculty before Corcoran came on and let him decide who to hire back, though the board never entertained that notion.

Weeks after the magazine interview, Corcoran would replace Provost Suzanne Sherman within the university’s administration. But Corcoran told media he won’t act too quickly to make personnel changes. He also has promised to keep key parts of the New College curriculum like a Senior Capstone Project, though he never

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responded to questions about whether he will pursue the college issuing grades. Critics of the school contend the lack of grades discourages the academic achievers New College needs from attending the official honors college in the State University System. Past leadership and trustees have always refused such a change; long-time trustee Mary Ruiz said it’s important New College instead continue with individualized student contracts that long determined when students earn their degree.

Corcoran certainly won’t endorse the idea of a faculty purge but makes clear every asset of operations will be scrutinized at the school.

“I think it's healthy and every university should do it, let alone New College,” he says.

“Do an evaluation of the courses that work and the Board of Governors and the state requires us to. We're under performance metrics. If we're having a graduate and they're not finding employment because they're getting a certain education that's not working, then of course it's incumbent upon the leaders of that school to go and do a deep dive of course offerings and make sure that we are an excellent liberal arts college and are going to be the preeminent liberal arts college in the country.”

Asked about whether Corcoran could make room for more “conservative” professors, he pushes back, but only on the vocabulary choice. “That’s the wrong word,” he says. “We want to bring in excellence, just continue to go out there and get excellent professors.”

But the prospect of a right-leaning think tank on campus? He piques up at the prospect and notably characterizes it as achievable through addition instead of distraction.

“Every university has some degree of that. Why can't New College?” he says. “The University of Florida has the Hamilton Center. There's the Institute of Politics at Florida State. There are all kinds of centers at every single university. There's the Adam Smith Center at [Florida International University]. All these centers exist. Why can't New College also engage in that kind of diversity of thought?”

Something Corcoran espouses frequently is his love of the Chicago Principles, a promotion of freedom of expression developed in 2014 and adopted by many

colleges nationwide. “It is important that higher education is not dominated by a selfaggrandizing few who want to co-opt the education system to force their personal beliefs on other people’s children,” he recently wrote in a letter to donors. “That is the opposite of what education is for.”

But will those principles change things in noticeable ways at New College? That seems hard to measure. Droves of parents and faculty defending the school amid the recent changes have said student expression already reigns on campus.

uninhabitable because of mold. But Corcoran knows it takes more to get money from the state than proving you need it.

“I've been on the other side of the fence,” he says. “We need to put this together for the Legislature. Here's what we need, and here's what it would go to for every penny, and we're not asking for a penny more. What is that list? We'll put that list together and we'll make that case.”

With DeSantis on the university’s side, Corcoran says the school for the first time in years doesn’t face the risk of

“Governor DeSantis and I, under his leadership, opened up schools (during the COVID-19 pandemic). You can't imagine the pushback. You can't imagine the criticism. There was nobody. I don't remember anybody coming to our defense ever. Now, it's the same thing.” —Rich ard Corcoron, New College President More than new values, though, Corcoran promised a different type of rainmaking.

The university president would spend his second week on the job not in Sarasota but in Tallahassee, lobbying in his old Florida Capitol haunt for appropriations support. He promised trustees to secure record funding for New College this year, and early in Session leaders budgeted $15 million in additional funding requested by DeSantis.

But the flow of public dollars comes as private funding drizzles. The shake-up at New College prompted more than a dozen donors to pull out of $29 million in commitments, the New College Foundation reported in March.

That has Corcoran working overtime to rally fresh support and regain the trust of longtime backers for the school.

Corcoran doesn’t need to look far to demonstrate a need for dollars. He describes his first tour of campus when he passed two greenhouses that looked dilapidated from the outside. He asked how many weeks or months the buildings had been in that condition. The answer was closer to two years.

The school right now has about $51 million in deferred debt, and even before the recent shake-ups, students attended trustee meetings upset at the lack of food centers on campus. Many of the dorms remain

“extinction” each legislative session. He knows there’s controversy at the college today, but that’s nothing new to the career politician. Whether as House Speaker or as DeSantis’ Commissioner of Education, he has faced resistance.

“Governor DeSantis and I, under his leadership, opened up the schools (during the COVID-19 pandemic). You can't imagine the pushback. You can't imagine the criticism.

There was nobody. I don't remember anybody coming to our defense ever. I don’t care if it was on any level,” Corcoran says.

“Now, it's the same thing.

“What Governor DeSantis had at his heart in that moment of opening up school was taking care and protecting the well-being of schoolchildren, and making sure they got a world-class education. What he cares about here at New College is the same thing.

He cares about the students that graduate from here having a world-class education, and that's the direction we'll go. Those kinds of changes, those kinds of things we would do in the next month, two months, three months, whatever it might be, they'll be readily visible and known, and we'll be making a difference.” SRQ

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Our best friends—they give us unconditional love. Whether they’ve got fur, hair, feathers or scales, we celebrate them every year in the SRQ Pets We Love Competition. Meet the winners of our 5th annual contest. We thoroughly enjoyed reading through all the heartwarming submissions–including purrfect personalities, doggone adorable quirks, naughty habits and impressive tricks. You’re in for a treat as we unveil our best of show favorites. compiled by megan mitchell | photography by wyatt kostygan + wes roberts

Pets We Love A ROUNDUP OF THIS YEAR’S PAW-SITIVELY PAW-SOME ANIMAL FRIENDS.

Special Thanks To Presenting Sponsor

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CHOLULA THE 10-MONTH-OLD GREEN CHEEKED PINEAPPLE CONURE

“Growing up in Switzerland, I was always surrounded by pets and my grandmother’s parrot. I missed having a feathery best friend here in SRQ, so I decided to get the smallest version of a parrot - Cholula.”

— Owner Alissa Silvers. Shown on the previous page.

IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Mean Girls -

She can be a bit sassy and sometimes she’s very particular about who can sit with us. HOW WOULD YOUR PET DESCRIBE THEIR PERFECT DAY? Snacking on some cereals is my perfect start into the day & then I’m already tired again. My favorite is taking a nap on someone’s shoulder until I’m getting bored and start chewing the shirt collar or start playing hide and seek inside my owner’s shirt. I love all types of berries so that will be my treat after showing off some tricks. After a nice bath in the sink I’m ready for a nap as long it is on my humans. After a long walk on a harness through my neighborhood I’m ready again to chew on some clothes until I get served some fresh veggies for dinner. Oh and don’t forget to add rice - I’ll go crazy when I see it!

REBEL RAVEN VOM SCHWARTZE-HUNDE “RAVEN” THE 12 AND 1/2 -YEAR-OLD BLACK LAB AND PIT MIX

“I purchased her from a working dog kennel in CA in 2010. She was 9 weeks old and flown to Tampa where we picked her up. She was a happy, loving puppy from the minute we opened her crate.

Raven has been a certified pet therapy dog for more than ten years, retiring in 2022. She worked with the Child Protection Center and the State Attorney’s Office, helping children who have to testify against their abuser in court. She has provided children the courage and strength to testify in front of a jury.” — Owner Eileen Fitzgerald

DORY THE 2-YEAR-OLD CREAM FRENCH BULLDOG “We got our Dory in October of 2020. We had previously lost our first Frenchie in May of 2020. This was such a heartbreaking time for our family with COVID and then losing our puppy at 9 months old to a brain tumor. We waited until October and then I took a drive to West Palm Beach to look at another cream Frenchie. It was LOVE at first sight, and I immediately brought the angel home with me! She joined her big brother, Nemo, who is a Goldador from SouthEastern Guide Dogs. He, too, is an angel and he soon had another little rascal to take under his wing. He is the best, most gentle, big brother to her.

Her playfulness brought us so much joy during the pandemic.

She truly lifted my spirits.!” — Owner Leigh Hughes.

IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE

Dory’s Diva Days

IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Pet Advocates Working in

the Suncoast in the Court: Helping Convict Pedophiles in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

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GOLIATH THE 7-YEAR-OLD ROTTWEILER “He’s our 7-year-old epileptic Rottie. Three and a half years ago, Goliath began having seizures, and it was one of the scariest moments of our lives. We thought we were going to lose him. After many vet visits and a new daily medication, he is still his goofy, playful, happy self. He absolutely loves chicken, stuffed animals, cuddling and going to the beach. And while Goliath may be the one who requires a little extra care, we feel he has been our emotional support throughout all these years.” — Owner Rosalyn Yeager IF HE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, IT WOULD BE Goliath - the Roaming Rottie.

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IVY ROSE THE 3-YEAR-OLD YORKSHIRE TERRIER MIX

“Ivy Rose was found by Pinellas County Animal Services roaming the streets alone. She had no microchip for the shelter to identify her owner, and although she was advertised, her owner never returned for her. After the required stray hold expired, the County released Ivy Rose to AMI Pup Rescue located on Anna Maria Island. She was initially very scared but warmed up quickly in her foster home.

Ivy Rose was vetted, groomed and spayed, and ultimately adopted into her forever home! She’s now living with three other fur siblings and living her best life on Anna Maria Island! She is spunky, smart and super playful!”

—Owners Christine Aaron & Debbie Greenspan IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE

The Ivy Rose Story: from Outhouse to Penthouse.

ZUZU THE 4-YEAR-OLD BLACK LAB AND PIT MIX “Zuzu thinks that one of the toys the kids have, a squeaky toy shark, is her baby! This is no joke. Zuzu takes this very seriously and we find her often whining for her baby shark when she can’t find it or if she thinks the shark is in danger. Zuzu takes extra special care of her baby and she will often walk around the house ever so gently, carrying her baby in her jaws. She will pick up the shark from wherever it is and gently place it on her bed and proceed to lay down with it. Sadly, one day the squeaking mechanism in the shark stopped working and Zuzu was very disturbed. It stayed this way for a couple of weeks much to her dismay. Luckily, one of our oldest sons finally had a day off work and school and decided to tinker around with it. He had to perform a minor surgery where he cut open the toy shark and fixed the squeaker. All is right again in Zuzu’s world!” —Owner Angela Molineaux

WHAT’S YOUR PET’S FAVORITE OUTFIT OR COSTUME TO WEAR? Oh,

Zuzu really hates when the kids dress her up and it’s quite possibly the funniest most entertaining thing to watch. We would have to say a modified human pumpkin costume that has been cut to accomodate Zuzu’s large body. There’s no escaping the pumpkin costume. IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE My Big

Crazy Human Family.

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AWESOME BLOSSOM THE 5-YEAR-OLD BASSET PITBULL MIX

“I wasn’t looking for a new dog. I was still heartbroken from losing a pet, but I attended a Luau Charity fundraiser for Satchel’s Last Pet Resort. Blossom came up to me dressed in a hula skirt and would not leave my side. I offered to foster her. Let’s just say I am a foster failure. Blossom comes to work with me at my boutique located at the Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

Everyone knows and loves her.”

—Owner Terra Tominelli IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Walk the Catwalk: Doggy Couture

STELLA (AKA STELLA BELLA AKA STELL BELL) THE 3-YEAR-OLD LABRADOR-DACHSHUND MIX

“Stella and her four siblings were found in a box by a dumpster at four weeks old. Thanks to Nate’s Honor Rescue and an amazing foster mom, we were able to adopt her at 10 weeks old, the same day we had to put down our family dog. I didn’t know what else to do to explain to my three-year-old daughter that our dog was gone. We found Stella that day and our lives were changed forever. My daughter has a sister that just happens to have four paws! Stella has brought so much happiness to our life during such a difficult time in the world. We love her and are so grateful to have rescued her, for she rescued us in return.” —Owner Meghan Coughlin IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Beachside/Poolside with

Stella & Emersyn & Mama.

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STELLA + LUNA THE 1 AND 1/2 YEAR-OLD AND 7 MONTH FRENCH BULLDOGS

“Stella and Luna are our “therapy dogs’’ in our office. When we wanted a dog, we knew we had to have one that we could bring to the office with us. They are our office greeters for the children and anxious or stressed adults! More than the adjustments, people come to visit Stella and Luna!”—Owner Jina Foltz IF THEY HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER THEM, IT WOULD BE Thelma and Louise.

LOKI (AKA LOKI DOKI) THE 3-YEAR-OLD BLUE MERLE CATAHOULA LEOPARD

“My daughter adopted her from the Highlands County Humane Society after looking ruthlessly for a Dalmatian to adopt and stumbled upon my gorgeous grand-dog. She came with a cumbersome past, after being given up for adoption twice, but has found her furever home with my daughter, Megan. Her goofy personality quickly blossomed into a four-legged best friend for life. I’m so happy they found each other,” says Brenda, owner Megan Mitchell’s mom. IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Pageant Princess.

TREDJE THE 11-YEAR-OLD NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT

“Tredje is our office cat here at the Animal Health Center. Since 8 weeks old, he has been greeting our patients and clients. He defends our reception lobby from lizards that occasionally slip in the front door.”—Owner Morgan Tiefenthal, cat pictured to the right. IF HE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, IT WOULD BE Napping in Baskets - Living the Life of Leisure.

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DAISY THE 10-YEAR-OLD ENGLISH CREAM GOLDEN RETRIEVER

“My husband and I adopted Daisy from the Gulf Coast Golden Retriever Rescue. She had been used by a breeder until she was 2 and then given up for adoption. She was a heavy 92 pounds when we adopted her. After rigorous dieting and exercise, she gradually reached and retained her normal healthy weight of 60 pounds. Daisy is a PAWS therapy dog for the Child Protection Agency, and is dedicated to providing comfort to children in court.” —Owner Nancy Ciaschini, pictured left.

IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE

LUNA THE 4-YEAR-OLD MIXED BREED

“Luna loves to give kisses and cuddle. She knows the names of her toys, and commando crawls on the carpet to scratch her belly with her monkey tail in the air. She’s a 50-pound lap dog that will without fail climb on your lap at the dinner table in hopes of scraps or fall asleep comfortably in your lap.” —Owners Lucy & Derrick Buchholz, pictured below right IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE The Monkey.

BROOKE THE 8-YEAR-OLD GOLDADORABLE “Brooke served as a companion to a child at court. The child refused to go and testify, but Brooke accompanied her into the courtroom.

All turned out well thanks to the support of Brooke. She is part of an organized donation of 150 pillowcases to All Children’s Hospital monthly.”—Owner Mary Nissen, pictured below left. IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Brooke’s Kisses for Kids

Meet Miss Daisy: Calm, Cool and Collected.

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DUTCHESS THE 12-YEAR-OLD HUSKY LAB MIX

“When I owned my electric service company back in 2011, I took my kids on a ride to an estimate that I had on a hot summer day. My daughter requested that we stop at Publix for some raspberry lemonade. Once we arrived at the shopping plaza, there was a pet store next to Publix with a pop-up dog rescue with puppies ready to be adopted. Per my kids’ requests, we walked over to the fenced area that had three puppies in it. Two dark-coated dogs, and then there was Dutchess. She stood out with those ginormous ears and blonde fur. We locked eyes and it was love at first sight. Once we adopted her, we left with no raspberry lemonade, but a life-long friend instead.”

Owner Sal Alfonso, pictured below right with daughter Gabriella Alfonso.

IF SHE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HER, IT WOULD BE Daily Dose of Dutch.

MOCKO THE 17-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN SHORTHAIR TABBY

“Mocko was a ‘throwaway’ who showed up at a house on St. Croix, USVI in the middle of a Sunday brunch. The vet said he was about two months old. He was emaciated, with long skinny legs. Someone at brunch said “He looks like a mock jumbie!” referring to the stilt walkers commonly seen in the Caribbean. We now say that he’s ten pounds of love in a fur coat.”

—Owners John Connor & Richard Harris IF HE HAD A SHOW NAMED AFTER HIM, IT WOULD BE Mocko’s Great Adventure:

How a Feral Cat in the Virgin Islands Found His way to Lakewood Ranch.

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S R Q M A G A Z I N E | S P E C I A L B R A N D E D C O N T E N T F E AT U R E | M AY/ J U N E 2 0 2 3

2023 SRQ MAGAZINE

ELITE REAL E S TAT E A G E N T S

ADAM SEIDEL / AMERICAN PROPERTY GROUP MUGSIE QUINLAN / FINE PROPERTIES S A R A S O TA G U L F C O A S T H O M E S

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2023 SRQ MAGAZINE

LISTING OF AGENTS | MAY 2023

ADAM SEIDEL

mugsie quinlan

Sarasota Gulf Coast homes

American Property Group of Sarasota 7750 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota P | 941.923.0535 Adam@AmericanPropertyGroup.com AmericanPropertyGroup.com facebook.com/APGSRQ

Fine Properties 5224 Paylor Lane, Sarasota P | 941.467.3448 E | mugsiequinlan@ mugsiesellshomes.com MugsieQuinlan.com FineProperties.com

Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota 1549 Ringling Blvd. Ste. 600, Sarasota Matt Rode C | 941.241.7949 SarasotaGulfCoastRealtors.com

Sarasota Gulf Coast Homes THE MISSION OF SARASOTA GULF COAST homes is to deliver excellence and aim to exceed expectations in everything we do. For the majority of people, the purchase or sale of a home is their largest single investment. Their goal is to guide you successfully and easily through the contractual investment and emotional decisions involved in the real estate process. They are committed to providing you, your friends and family with superior service and expertise. The team’s commitment to their clients shows as the Sarasota Gulf Coast Homes quickly became one of Sarasota’s top producing teams in just two years. The team has sold 400+ million in volume and over 800 units.

They are the number one KW team in the North Florida Region in units sold. This full-service team strives to modernize the experience of buying and selling real estate while serving their clients at the highest level.”

Laura & Matt began their career selling real estate in Sarasota, FL in 2014. In 2018, they joined Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota and established their team, Sarasota Gulf Coast Homes. Pictured here are the teams top performing agents each with over 10+ million real estate volume sold each year. From left to right they are Halie Monde, Melissa Killion, Stephanie Bronzino, Molly Higdon, Matt Rode, Sinead Magennis, and Laura Rode. This elite group of professionals includes several members of Keller Williams Luxury International and CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists). They are your market experts for all things real estate in both Sarasota & Manatee counties.

Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota | 1549 Ringling Blvd #600, Sarasota Matt Rode c 941.241.7949 | SarasotaGulfCoastRealtors.com 38 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 elite agents

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2023

American propertY group

ELITE AGENTS

OUR MISSION at American Property Group is to provide exceptional commercial real estate services to our clients while up-

holding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and innovation. With decades of experience in the industry, we are committed to delivering outstanding results for our clients by leveraging our expertise, market knowledge, and cutting-edge technology. We strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients, earning their trust and exceeding their expectations at every turn. American Property Group believes that by putting our clients’ needs first and providing unparalleled service, we can help them achieve their goals and grow their businesses.

Adam Seidel is an experienced commercial realtor with over 14 years

of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Adam has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable expert in all aspects of commercial real estate, providing exceptional service to his clients. Adams expertise lies in his ability to assess the unique needs of each of his clients and provide them with tailored solutions that meet their specific goals.

He has a deep understanding of market trends and dynamics, which enables him to provide his clients with valuable insights and guidance throughout the entire transaction process. Over the years, Adam has built an extensive network of contacts in the industry including property owners, investors, and developers. He is skilled at negotiating and closing deals, and his track record of success speaks for itself. His commitment to his clients is unwavering, and he always goes above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction.

7750 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 941.923.0535 AmericanPropertyGroup.com

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2023 ELITE AGENTS

MUGSIE QUINLAN Nicknamed Mugsie at the ripe age of one, Mugsie Quinlan has been leaving an impression since before she could rightly walk. She learned business savoir faire from her grandmother, who opened her own successful shop in 1924. Her grandmother and later, her mother’s business sense was a driving force in Mugsie’s life. Prior to relocating to Sarasota to be near her family, Mugsie worked with the New York Yankees, where she was renowned as the pulse of the iconic Legends Club. Mugsie has assisted over 114 buyers and sellers representing over $50+ Million in sales since 2019 and dosed out 2022 as the #1 top selling agent in the brokerage.

SINCE BECOMING A REALTOR, MUGSIE HAS BROUGHT A SKILL SET THAT INCLUDES EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, a remarkable work ethic, and a sense of fun and adventure to every transaction.

Mugsie’s customers find her service and knowledge of the active lifestyle and 55+ communities immeasurable. A resident of Parrish, she specializes in both the new and resale neighborhoods of Manatee and Sarasota county.

Mugsie Quinlan Fine Properties 5224 Paylor Lane | Sarasota, FL 34240 941.467.3448 e: mugsiequinlan@mugsiesellshomes.com MugsieQuinlan.com | FineProperties.com

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LOCAL PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS+CULTURE

This page: Drawn to the extraordinary qualities of the Asolo and the city of Sarasota, Peter Rothstein is excited to assume the role of Producing Artistic Director.

culture city THE SHOW GOES ON

New producing artistic director Peter Rothstein shares his vision for the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Laura Paquette

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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culture city THEATER, BY ITS VERY NATURE, IS A FLEETING ART FORM. One night, noise and movement abound, but the next

day, the stage is silent, awaiting the next production, the next story to be told. At the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the transition between the current producing artistic director Michael Donald Edwards and the upcoming producing artistic director Peter Rothstein embodies this ephemeral quality of the theater. Edwards will retire from the Asolo after 18 years of service this June, along with Linda DiGabriele, the Asolo’s managing artistic director. Throughout his career, he has guided the Asolo through financial difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic and this transfer of leadership to Rothstein. Rothstein holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Theater from St. John’s University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1998, he founded the music theaterfocused Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis, MN, where he has directed and supported the creation of groundbreaking and inclusive productions. In preparation for his new role at the Asolo, Rothstein discusses what drew him to the position, what he’s learned from the present directors and where he hopes to guide the Asolo going forward.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR POSITION AT THE ASOLO? PETER ROTHSTEIN: I’d been fortunate to have directed

two productions here, first Ragtime in 2018, then Sweeny Todd the next year, so I’d been able to experience the Asolo from the inside. I had just incredible experiences both of those times. In conversations with Michael selecting those shows, there was a simpatico of thought around how we approached the work, but also about how Michael talks about this community and what stories he wants to tell in this community and discovering how the stories that are told on stage would resonate with Sarasota audiences. When I arrived I saw the scene shops, the costume shops and the prop shops, and they are the best craftspeople in the country and do extraordinary work.

The stage management, just across the whole organization prioritizes artists and the creative process. And I’ve worked in a lot of places, but this truly felt like an artistic home from those first collaborations. The other thing that drew me to this position was not only how extraordinary the Asolo is, but how extraordinary Sarasota is in the

way they’ve invested in culture. It is one of the cultural destinations in the country, and for a city of this size to have a major ballet company, a major opera company, the Ringling Museum, the circus school, the symphony and the Ringling College is extraordinary. I can’t think of another city of this size in this country that has the level of artistic excellence and cultural investment that this community has made. I love all of the art forms and I need to live someplace where art and culture are important, and clearly, in Sarasota, it’s been a priority for generations .

Left: Peter

Rothstein (left) and Michael Donald Edwards (right) discuss their hopes for the Asolo’s future. Right: Peter Rothstein takes the helm as Producing Artistic Director this July.

HOW WILL YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE ASOLO BE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THEATER LATTÉ DA? ROTHSTEIN: Theater Latté Da

is an all musical theater. The work is still wide-ranging, as with opera or dance-driven pieces, but music is always at the center. As the producing artistic director, I’m excited to program plays as well as musicals. It’s a different community, and we create theater for an audience. I’m excited to intersect with a new community and take the time to get to know the local arts community and the

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community at large and program work that will hopefully feel meaningful for them. The Asolo is also a larger platform with a larger budget and bigger theaters. I’m excited for the opportunity to collaborate with artists that I’ve spent a lot of my career with and challenge myself in new ways.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM OBSERVING MICHAEL AND LINDA’S WORKING RELATIONSHIP? ROTHSTEIN: They are great partners, and at each event

I’ve been to they both share the stage and are the public faces of the organization. I would hope to continue that practice with a new leader. A theater company is a very public-facing enterprise, and I would hope that my new partner would be engaged in the community as a face along with me. Theater makers are trained in collaboration, and I don’t want to work alone.

WHEN MICHAEL BECAME THE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, HE HELPED THE ASOLO GET OUT OF FINANCIAL STRUGGLES. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SO YOU CAN CONTINUE THAT GROWTH? ROTHSTEIN: Michael and Linda have already been

really thoughtful about how to pass the baton and pass on as much knowledge to me as possible. They’re trying to impart as much institutional knowledge as possible.

Today, the theater is in excellent financial shape, but anyone taking a new job will want to look inside a nonprofit and see its financial situation. We’re not out of PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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the pandemic yet, and we are looking at the theater in a different way. Supporting theater makers and artists and giving them a better work/life balance takes resources, and the status quo is not an option.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO MAKE THE ASOLO ACCESSIBLE? ROTHSTEIN: It’s all about the

invitation, and certainly, ticket prices have something to do with it, but I’ve learned over my career that it’s not just about prices, you have to take work that resonates with different audiences. The power of theater is that people gather collectively to experience someone’s story other than their own. The idea of the “other” is inherent in the bargain, and theater in general needs to continue to expand the stories we tell. How do we build relationships with communities who have not come to the Asolo for one reason or another and what has been that barrier?

What matters is the invitation, which comes from listening, making relationships and being intentional about finding ways to open the door for people who have not felt like it’s a place for them. I think it’s always the question of an artistic director to decide what stories we choose to tell for the current audience and the absent audience, the audience that isn’t there yet, and figure out how do we welcome them into the theater. I’m excited to get to know this community and find out how to welcome people to the Asolo, and what that invitation is for as wide a spectrum of people as possible. SRQ srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 43

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culture city

Below: The play runs through June 11, 2023 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

HEART OF THE STORY Peter Rothstein reimagines the classic musical Man of La Mancha. Dylan Campbell

ROTHSTEIN, WHO IS NO STRANGER TO MAN OF LA MANCHA HIMSELF, having directed

HOW DO YOU REIMAGINE A CLASSIC? How do you immerse audiences in a tale as old as

time? The answer, for Peter Rothstein, is remarkably simple: by getting to the heart of the story. This is the duty Rothstein has taken on as director of Man of La Mancha, premiering at the Asolo Repertory Theatre this May. The Tony Award-winning musical, penned by Dale Wasserman in 1965, is one of the most celebrated works of musical theater, featuring four Broadway revivals and countless productions around the world. The story, which is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes and his 17th-century novel Don Quixote, staged as a play within a play performed by Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as they await trial with the Spanish Inquisition, and follows the idealistic journey of knight-errant Don Quixote. “I hope that our production celebrates what Dale Wasserman originally intended, which was not a documentary of Cervantes’ life or necessarily a faithful telling of the epic novel but a story of its own,” says Rothstein. “We also wanted to acknowledge the historical importance of the original novel, which is the most translated book in the world next to the Bible. Don Quixote has been labeled as the first modern novel, so part of my charge has been to figure out how to give the production a contemporary urgency, that not only lets the story feel as modern as it was when it was written in the late 1600s but also reflects the international impact of the story as well.”

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the musical in Minneapolis at Theatre Latté Da back in 2017, was able to gauge the scale of the story’s international impact by traveling outside the United States. “I spent quite a bit of time in Mexico because my husband’s from there and you can tell that Don Quixote is really still quite present in that culture–you see it on t-shirts, shoes, artwork–there’s even a museum, Museo Iconográfico del Quijote, devoted to Don Quixote that I was able to visit,” says Rothstein. “While the musical was written in English and premiered on Broadway, how do we nod towards the story’s Spanish origins and the cultural resonance that it still has today?”

Part of doing so is ushering in that contemporary urgency–Rothstein and the team at Asolo Rep wanted the story to feel as modern and relevant as possible, despite the musical’s original setting of late 16th-century Spain. While the team was faithful to the text, they did take some creative liberties to bring this classic into a contemporary light. “The play within the play definitely adheres to the original, but what we call the container, the space for it is modern. Wasserman refers to it as a place for those who wait and that the characters are waiting in this kind of powerless place,” says Rothstein. “So the design team and I really sat and questioned what kind of contemporary equivalent of that, where people are detained in a holding place and are in a state of limbo. As this novel has kind of transcended language and culture we wanted the inhabitants of this space to be international.”

Ultimately, for Rothstein, reinvigorating Man of La Mancha as a modern musical meant delving deeper into the heart of the story: the core thematic values that have resonated with audiences since its inception. “How do the oppressed exercise agency and power? You do that by dreaming of a better world that’s more equitable,” says Rothstein. “The story is also about trying to hang onto chivalry and not as the sometimes sexist connotations of the word but of what it actually means to be chivalrous and righteous and do good by your fellow countryman. We’re experiencing that in our country and world right now–where’s the place of mutual respect and kindness for others simply because they’re a human being on the planet at the same time? The piece is fighting for that.” SRQ IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ASOLO.

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culture city

Below: Elizabeth Goodwill (left) and Barbara Gerdeman of Creative Liberties.

ARTISTS HELPING ARTISTS

Creative Liberties opens their third artists’ studio gallery space at Gaze Gallery. Dylan Campbell

“GALLERIES CAN BE INTIMIDATING,” says Elizabeth Goodwill of Creative Liberties. “When people walk into this space, one of the first things

they remark on is how positive of a vibe this place has and how welcoming it is. People want to be here and feel comfortable being here, which we think is pretty remarkable in the art world today.” Elizabeth Goodwill and Barbara Gerdeman, co-founders of Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery, and Creative Academy, are speaking of their third artist studio/gallery space, this one at Gaze Gallery in the ARCOS Apartment Complex in Sarasota’s Rosemary District. At Creative Liberties, Goodwill and Gerdeman work to break down the barriers between the public and the artist, creating a more accessible avenue for not only creating art, but buying and selling it as well. “Elizabeth and I originally met as summer art camp teachers at Art Center Sarasota,” says Gerdeman. “Fast forward a few years later, she was the education director and brought me on as a camp coordinator and after working together for a few years, we decided we wanted to start a business of services for artists–‘artists helping artists’ has become our mantra. We wanted to reach out to these artists to provide them with everything from helping organize bodies of work to cataloging their inventory, learning how to prepare for shows, talking to galleries, and assisting them with self-promotion and social media.”

At the Gaze Gallery, Creative Liberties will offer artist residencies for local artists to create their work, followed by a two-month exhibition period for each residency. “We’ve learned as artists that we’re stronger together and learn from one another. The space is open to the public three times a week which creates this really great environment that’s also ripe for sales because when the people have the opportunity to meet the artists they’re forging a connection that they might otherwise not have been able to make,” says Gerdeman. “They become a part of the artist’s story, learning about their motivations and thought processes, which really creates a unique bond between the artist and collector.”SRQ

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL

SILVER SCREEN Happy 25th anniversary toThe Sarasota Film Festival. This year’s programming brought exciting films and events to the community and to those passionate about the arts and cinema. From heartwarming documentaries about Mary Tyler Moore and Donna Summer to a thrilling story brought to life by Roma Downey and a revealing look into the lives of Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the program was a true crowd pleaser. Sit back and enjoy our coverage of some of our favorite films from the 2023 Sarasota Film Festival.

Written by Dylan Campbell, Barbie Heit, Laura Paquette and Wes Roberts Photography by Wyatt Kostygan, Wes Roberts and courtesy of the Sarasota Film Festival

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Mark Famiglio, and the untold story (until now!) of the Sarasota Film Festival.

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sff MARK FAMIGLIO, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL,

has been inseparable from the festival since he took the reins in 2008. This year, marking the 25th anniversary of Festival, Mark sat down with SRQ’s Executive Publisher, Wes Roberts, to reminisce and share thoughts on the history of the festival. Both men had been part of the Festival since its inception, and found it an interesting time to tell stories and compare memories about the true “inside scoop” of the film festival. This is a small excerpt of a much longer conversation that will be released as a podcast and video interview. Don’t miss the release of the full interview to hear many more stories about the evolution of the SFF and the sometimes outrageous goings-on behind the scenes. —Interviewed by W. Roberts TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT THE FESTIVAL. MARK FAMIGLIO: Well, since about 2009, I stepped in

for an operational position. I was on the executive board at that point and it was wonderful to see this thing germinate and grow. It was just amazing. In 2009 after the real estate collapse and this area was like the epicenter, it was time to reevaluate everything that had to do with philanthropy.

We looked at it, we had a great budget, we had built up a very substantial and successful festival, but things had to change. A couple of board members asked me to step in and I said, “okay.” The idea for the Sarasota Festival originally came up in 1997 or 1998. I had been involved in the French Film Festival in ‘93 as a donor.

THE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL, WHICH HAD A HUGE PRESENCE HERE FOR A LOT OF YEARS, WAS AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE. FAMIGLIO: I remember

going to the Ringling Museum for a black tie event with a thousand people for the French Film Festival. I remember seeing famous actors, actresses, models, beautiful people, men and women strolling down the esplanade. My jaw just dropped. That’s Elle Macpherson and what is she doing here? The guy who was the head of Unifrance was heavily involved and put up the first half a million to get things of seed money. And I think he loaded people on a 737 from Paris and flew people to Sarasota, Florida. It really made its mark. It only lasted a few years, but it was very big and it closed. Bob Johnson was involved in it, Senator Johnson at the time. The thought was to generate economic activity and to bring a high end kind of cultural feeling about Sarasota, which you already kind of had, but they wanted to cement that. I got involved as a donor and I was definitely not a film guy, but I enjoyed watching Sarasota react to all this celebrity and it was international celebrity.

I remember Gerard Depardieu coming into the opera house and I remember the hubbub up front and I’m parked somewhere standing on a wall watching this going, “wow”.

Little did I know that 10, 15 years later I’d be the one calling the shots and involving myself more deeply.

AFTER THE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL ENDED, WE WERE APPROACHED BY “THE TWO MYRNAS” AND THEY ASKED US IF WE WANTED TO HELP START A NEW FILM FESTIVAL. WE WERE ALREADY WORKING 26 HOURS A DAY ON OUR NEWLYFOUNDED MAGAZINE AT THAT MOMENT, BUT WE SIGNED UP TO BE THE FIRST EVER CORPORATE

SPONSOR. FAMIGLIO: I didn’t know that. That would’ve been interesting. Consider yourself very fortunate that you said “no!” Of course, the two Myrnas were literally giants in the social scene and the philanthropic scene. They led large groups of people and I’m so glad to hear that because they’re both such fabulous, warm, loving people.

THEN AT SOME POINT STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES, THEY BROUGHT IN THE FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JODY KIELBASA, WHO YOU AND I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH FOR MANY YEARS. FAMIGLIO: I love Jody. Jody was a smart guy, a character. Eh,

he pissed some people off, but you know what, he got things done and he did grow the festival. He was not a businessman and that was potentially what hurt that growth. The entire country, the entire region was suffering at that point. I don’t fault him. When I was asked to see about taking over, it was really more because of financial support. I could not even have imagined having to stand in front of people and make a speech. I just wouldn’t do that. I was scared and in the beginning they’d have the teleprompters and everything and I quickly pulled a Donald Trump and ignored them because I just couldn’t really focus on them. I would just start ad libbing. There were some bills that hadn’t been paid. By the time I was able to dig in and see what was actually owed, it was almost double what they thought in the beginning. I kept saying, “Hey, I’m the janitor. I’m cleaning things up. That’s the best I can do.” We put an infusion of capital and then we looked to the community to support us. Some people wanted to bankrupt it. Just bankrupt it. I heard that a million times.

I’m like, “Well, maybe we don’t have to.” I didn’t think that was the solution. Maybe people would’ve forgotten in a year or two, but there was so much good work that had gone into developing the festival. In a relatively short period of time, with the guests that came in and because of the dollars that were spent, it had established an international reputation. I very simply thought, ‘why blow this?’

YOU JUST SAID IT WASN’T ABOUT THE FILMS, IT WAS ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION. ARE YOU A BIG FILM WATCHER? FAMIGLIO: I like music. Well, I’ve said

this before, probably in your magazine, but my top films are Harold and Maude, which I loved, I loved him when he took a Jaguar, I think, and converted it to a hearse. The Cat Stevens soundtrack really got me and Godfather I and II, which is all about my heritage, what can I say? Those are my favorite films. srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 51

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sff WAS THERE A FILM FESTIVAL MOMENT THAT STUCK WITH YOU, THAT INSPIRED YOU? FAMIGLIO:

One was with Bob Altman, the director. I picked him up in New York and he flew down and we gave him an award.

It was on the 10th anniversary I believe. We were at the Longboat Key Club. We were in an air conditioned tent on the Gulf. It was an amazing thing, and the Longboat Key Club was a wonderful sponsor during those years. I mean, wonderful isn’t even the word. They kind of made things happen and it was wonderful. He came, we had some great people. We had a bunch of directors we were honoring.

Bob was one of my favorites. We had a bunch of actors. I think it was the year Charlize Theron was there, and we had the governor at the time. Charlie Crist was here too. It was very entertaining, but the moment occurred after the festival when I got a phone call and it’s, “Mark, Bob Altman here.” “Hi Bob.” I’m thinking, is this really Bob Altman? It was, “I want to come to Sarasota and make a film.” “Yes sir.

I’d love that to happen. How can I help you? We’re at your service.” I don’t know what I’m talking about, but I’m just so excited that the guy’s going to come to Sarasota because he’s an icon. Anyway, the cast was like Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, all these people that had worked with him in some manner or fashion. It was a big cast. He just pays them nothing, but they do it to be able to work with him. Well, he did come down, and we were doing site selections for the film. The Colony Beach Resort at the time still existed, and they agreed to put them up and they were going to put the cast and crew out there. They were going to have barbecues on the beach. That’s how he did it.

He made it a big party. Ultimately, it didn’t happen because of trying to get hurricane insurance. It was a $700,000, $800,000 cost to buy the insurance. And [Altman] prided himself on doing quirky things and getting people to work cheap. I wasn’t in a position to do that, so it didn’t happen, but I’ll never forget that.

OKAY, SO I’LL HIT YOU WITH A BUNCH OF FAST QUESTIONS. FAMIGLIO: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

CELEBRITY THAT YOU WERE TONGUE-TIED TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF. FAMIGLIO: John Voight,

actually. He had a white scarf, and he was very elegant and commanding. I really, really liked him. We had the one event, I think at Michael’s, somebody had drank a little too much and, “Ratso Rizzo.” I know who it was. I’m not going to mention any names.

I KNOW WHO THAT WAS . THERE WAS A TIME WHEN I WOULD’VE SAID, BUT I WON’T SAY. CELEBRITY THAT SURPRISED YOU WITH THEIR KINDNESS? FAMIGLIO: Woody Harrelson. Woody came, yeah,

he stayed at my home for three weeks. Then the Merry Pranksters, which was the kind of characters in a movie that he did with a VW bus or something. They stayed in my

house. He was a staunch vegan. I ran around the house and I changed out everything. Hemp sheets, magazines about yoga. I mean, I’m trying to seem like you make him feel comfortable and welcome. He was very kind to the point of a childlike innocence. He’d want to wrestle you.

CELEBRITY YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE TO BAIL OUT OF JAIL? FAMIGLIO: Well, we

did have a newspaper reporter that did get arrested on Longboat Key. Oh my God. We’ve got to keep it private. I’m not going to name any names, but it’s another publication.

You know what, I got to know the gal later, and she’s a lovely gal, but she really liked the guy who was in The Hobbit. She showed up outside his hotel room and was screaming.

I THOUGHT THE ANSWER WAS GOING TO BE GARY BUSEY. FAMIGLIO: No Busey. Forget Busey. Neil,

McCurry was the president for a year or two back in the early 2000s. He decides he’s going to bring Gary into his house and his family and really enjoy it, ‘cause Busey was a big star, and he was absolutely bonkers. Absolutely bonkers.

I remember getting a phone call, “You want to take Busey off my hands?” I’m like, “Why? What happened? What’s going on?” The best thing about Busey when he hit on Katherine Harris at the Ritz at a formal function.

THAT WASN’T BUSEY. THAT WAS HARRELSON. THAT WAS WOODY HARRELSON. I WAS THERE. KATHERINE HARRIS WAS PERSONA NON GRATA FOR THE LEFT, BECAUSE OF THE ELECTIONS. HE WAS SMITTEN BY HER. FAMIGLIO: That’s right. He

did. I didn’t tell Woody that night that I was giving him an award and he would have to make a speech. He didn’t know.

He’s sitting at the table and I remember he got just lettuce, regular iceberg lettuce and put wine vinegar on it, and that was his meal. Because he was a raw foodist. I said something about Woody and tonight we’re going to honor Woody and what he’s like, I remember him looking at me and he was wearing a light blue suit that he told me the tailor was Cary Grant’s tailor. He just stopped eating, and very cool, walked up to the podium at the Ritz. I think we had about 800 people, something like that, and he was amazing. He was absolutely amazing. Another outrageous story was Aerosmith. I mean, that was ridiculous. It’s got estranged family members coming together, surprise guests, other celebrities showing up. A private, spontaneous Aerosmith concert. It was very touching, very emotional, and we were part of that. The film festival is what precipitated all that. It was very dramatic. Who was there? Farrah Faucet. Penny Marshall. These are icons of course, should I tell that story?

WE’VE RUN OUT OF SPACE FOR THE MAGAZINE, BUT LET’S KEEP GOING AND WE CAN INCLUDE THAT STORY IN THE PODCAST!

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sff A TRUE LEADING LADY Who Can Turn the World on with Her Smile? Mary Tyler Moore! Being Mary Tyler Moore, a new HBO documentary directed by James Adolphus premiered on April 1st.

BEFORE HE STARTED WORKING ON THE FILM about legendary screen icon Mary Tyler Moore, director James Adolphus had never seen a single episode of either of her most famous sitcoms, The Dick Van Dyke Show or The Mary Tyler Moore Show. And, he somehow managed to get through film school without seeing Ordinary People, the 1980 film in which Moore was nominated for an Academy Award. So how did Adolphus come to be chosen as director for the film without any prior knowledge or experience in working with celebrity documentaries?

“It had been a few years after Mary passed away, and a number of folks had been trying to gather the keys from Dr. Robert Levine, her widowed husband,

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to tell Mary’s story, but he had been waiting for a group of filmmakers he thought would ensure that Mary’s legacy remained relevant,” shares Adolphus.

“One day, Levine was in bed on a Sunday morning, and he was reading Vanity Fair. On the cover is writer, Lena Waithe, and in the article about her, she mentioned that Mary was one of her biggest heroes and that if she ever makes it in the world, she wants to make a film about Mary Tyler Moore. Robert’s head exploded. For him, he found it remarkable that a young, unapologetically Black and queer woman from the South Side of Chicago was obsessed with Mary, so much so that she has tattooed Mary Tyler Moore on her body.”

This page, clockwise: Director, James Adolphus; screen legend Mary Tyler Moore, Bettmann: Getty Images and bottom image courtesy of Getty Images: CBS Photo Archive.

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sff Waithe and Adolphus had worked well together in the past so she immediately reached out to him to direct the project. “I was very flattered and terrified at the same time,” says Adolphus. “Handing the keys to a man, and being a Black man, but a man in the era of Me Too seemed an odd choice, but that’s how I started the journey.”

Adolphus began with Moore’s autobiography and immediately felt a kinship, wanting to protect the actress and her story. This was three and a half years ago, at the start of the pandemic which made the next year very difficult for the film team. “It was really painful because we were set to go out and start capturing interviews in March of 2020 but for the next 15 or 16 months, we had to watch a number of people we wanted to interview pass away: Carl Reiner, Cloris Leachman, Ed Asner…we lost a whole bunch of folks. And all of our subjects, 90% of them were senior citizens, so the added weight of infecting someone in the era of COVID made it impossible,” he shares.

After reading her book, Adolphus then spent his evenings binge-watching The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show on Hulu. “For me, I feel like it’s like a treat,” he says. “Everything was shot on film. Everything’s been scanned, and it’s all in 4K. No one could watch it that beautiful then, but now it’s pristine and sharp, and Mary’s brilliant.” As for the documentary, the team tried to touch on nearly every aspect of the star’s life. The first half of the almost two-hour film focuses on the first two acts of Moore’s life, including her work on The Dick Van Dyke Show

and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Later, the focus is on her Broadway experience and her extraordinary performance in Ordinary People.

“The woman depicted on The Mary Tyler Moore Show didn’t really emerge in real life for Mary until her 40s, a number of years after the sitcom had ended,” says Adolphus. “A lot of folks look at Mary and think that’s the woman she portrayed on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but in real life, Mary relied heavily on the men in her life. She was married when she was 18 to get out of the house. She remarried shortly thereafter, to Grant Tinker, and spent 18 years with him. Although they shared a great love for each other, it was a professional partnership.”

It wasn’t until the third act of her life, meeting Dr. Robert Levine, that Mary finally found true love. “She was finally at this place in her life where she realized she would never need to depend on a man for anything. In love, she was able to beat alcoholism. In love, she was able to become a massive advocate for juvenile diabetes research, helping to raise $2 billion,” says Adolphus.

Throughout the film, we hear from famous women inspired by Moore, including Katie Couric, Oprah Winfrey and Tina Fey. “It’s spoken about in the film that there was a rule at CBS, an unspoken rule where you couldn’t have divorced people, folks with a mustache, or Jews on television,” says Adolphus. “It was a different era, but Mary’s work still stands the test of time. It’s actually really nice when young folk see the film, and come out and are like, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t realize she paved the way.’”—B.Heit

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GROW UP Producers Alexandra Barreto and Taylor Feltner were drawn to the relatability of the script written by Anna Greenfield about two women of two generations inspiring each other forward.

IN THE COMING-OF-AGE FILM LATE BLOOMERS, two women from different generations find themselves thrust

together as they struggle to figure out their lives. The film follows Louise, a 28-year-old woman lacking direction, who breaks her hip in the process of trying to break into her ex-boyfriend’s apartment while drunk and winds up meeting Antonina, a misanthropic elderly Polish woman while in the hospital. While the two women have a rocky initial encounter, throughout the film they develop a strong friendship that helps each find purpose in her life.

“I connected with the script because we’re all late bloomers, and we all feel like we’re struggling and not growing up as fast as we want to,” says producer Alexandra Barreto. When they meet, Louise and Antonina face difficulties in communicating with their families, making it hard for them to move forward with their lives. While avoiding their issues, the pair must find ways to connect even though Antonina doesn’t speak English and Louise doesn’t speak Polish. This emphasis on human connection resonated with Barreto. “Communication comes in so many forms,” she adds. “You don’t have to speak the same language, and you don’t have to see the person every day, but maybe you should pick up the phone and call them and check in.”

Louise and Antonina realize that despite their age gap, they are both at a similar crossroads concerning their relationships with their relatives. “What’s great about the movie is that there are different generations represented and it shows that growing up at any point in your life is hard,” Barreto says, “but as long as you’re trying, it’s okay.”

Their adventures together help them empathize with and rekindle their familial bonds. “I hope that after someone watches the film, they realize that connection is so important,” she adds. “Sometimes when you haven’t talked to someone in a long time it feels scary to pick up the phone because you think they’re mad at you and they’re not going to receive you well, and I don’t think it matters. Just pick up the phone.”—L.Paquette srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 55

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IT’S ONLY LIFE AFTER ALL Former SFF Director Tom Hall gets the inside scoop on the documentary It’s Only Life After All by Alexandria Bombach of the Indigo Girls.

TOM HALL, DIRECTOR OF THE SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL FROM 2005-2014 was invited back for SFF’s 25th

anniversary on Saturday, April 1st for a very special Q&A session with the key players of It’s Only Life After All, a film that shares an intimate look into the lives of one of the most iconic folk-rock duos in America, Indigo Girls.

During the Q&A session in which Hall invited members of the audience to participate, Atlanta-based singersongwriters Amy Ray and Emily Saliers were open and candid about sharing details of their musical careers, their commitment to LGBTQ rights and visibility, their partnering with Indigenous activist Winona LaDuke in the fight for environmental justice and their own personal struggles throughout the years. Director Alexandria Bombach discussed her experience in working with Saliers and Ray in uncovering forty years of raw footage and introducing the Indigo Girls in a never-before-seen format to fans new and old. On April 2, 2023, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers were presented with the Sarasota Maestro Award by Sarasota Film Festival board chairman and president, Mark Famiglio. Below is an excerpt of Tom Hall’s interview. Questions and responses have been edited for length and clarity.

HOW DID YOU GUYS COME TOGETHER FOR THIS PROJECT. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE FOR YOU MAKING THE DECISION TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT? AMY RAY: Well, we had a friend, a wonderful friend named

Kathlyn Horan, who had met Alexandria. Kathlyn is in film and directs and writes and producer, and she said, “I want you to meet somebody.” And then Alexandria said that she wanted to do a documentary about us, and we were like, why? And then we were like, you can, yes, but it can’t really be about us. EMILY SALIERS: It was a surprise that anyone would want to make a documentary about us. We’d never had that in our plans, but we just trusted Alexandria. And honestly, during the whole course of the interviews and when the film crews were there, we had no idea what the film was going to be about.

And then COVID happened right in the middle of it. So, there were all kinds of things, but we’re very, very grateful.

It’s a big honor for us, and she did all the work, so I’m going to let her talk about it. ALEXANDRIA BOMBACH: Well, I’ve been a fan since I was like 12. So, in the making of my film, On Her Shoulders, it was a really rough edit.

And Kathlyn and I had met at a director’s retreat and she had mentioned that she was friends and had worked with the Indigo Girls for many years. And I was like, wow, that’s incredible. If you ever need me to come on a shoot, just let me know. And so she knew I was having a hard time with the last edit, and so she brought me to a show and I was just sobbing in the theater listening at the Ace Hotel in LA and I looked around and other people were crying too, and I was like, it’s not just me. Then I went

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back, had incredible conversations with them and just was really blown away and quickly looking on my phone if anyone had ever made a film about them, because it just seemed like it needed to happen. And, yeah, I was just really honored that they let me do it and terrified.

WORKING WITH ARCHIVE MATERIAL IS A CHALLENGE. YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SACRED MOMENTS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT IN THE FILM. I MEAN, THE MOMENT WHEN YOU POP IN THE FIRST TAPE AND IT GETS THAT NICELY STAGED BOOM BOX SHOT, IT’S JUST BEAUTIFUL. BOMBACH: Yeah, listening to those cassette tapes was

such a joy. I think that was one of the most painful parts not to be able to share more of because it was just such cool songs that no one’s heard, really amazing stuff…So yeah, it was a painful, painful process because there’s just so much left on the cutting room floor. It was a two-anda-half-year edit, but I was just there mostly alone editing, just in my own little room. You picture a crazy person that has a red string connecting to one thing or another. That was me, just insane. Just trying to make connections of past and present and to all and everything in between and just putting it all together took a long time.

YOU ARE MORE SPECIAL BECAUSE OF THE TIME PERIOD FROM WHICH YOU CAME. WE WERE IN THE AIDS CRISIS WHEN YOUR MUSIC WAS HAPPENING AND YOU BECAME CHAMPIONS OF A COMMUNITY REALLY, THAT LAUNCHED AN ENTIRELY NEW

IMAGE COURTESY OF THE INDIGO GIRLS.

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sff AWARENESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. TO COME OUT AT THAT MOMENT IN OUR SOCIETY AND THEN TO CARRY THAT INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL AWARENESS OF OTHER PEOPLE. RAY: I’ll say the

AIDS crisis was huge. And it really opened us up to what activism could achieve because I had a lot of friends in New York too that were doing really brave things. And for me, I feel like the audience, because we started so young that the audience was always kind of our peers. And so, we were learning from them language about gender, language about sexuality, language about activism. And we would talk to each other and we would get letters and we would talk at the bus and we would watch people’s development and they would become amazing people that were in the Peace Corps or whatever. I have some regrets about how long it took me to take up the mantle of understanding the true idea of feminism and separatism and some of the earlier theories that I could not grasp because I was scared and I had a lot of internalized homophobia. I have regrets about that because I didn’t need to suffer for so long. It’s even more important to me now because I suffered to get it for so long. SAILERS: The AIDs crisis eviscerated a huge chunk of humanity. And we knew a lot of people connected to that terror. And now I see what’s going on in this country and what the conservative factions in this country are doing. They’re trying to make large sections of human beings in this state invisible. They are passing these trans laws. They want to make being trans, not a thing. And they think if they pass these laws, they can do that. And they want to make critical race theory, they want to make what happened to black Americans, not a thing that happened because it’s all about white people.

And I’m not telling y’all anything you don’t know, but as a musician now, and Amy and I, we’re very fired up about what is going on around us, there’s always a fire inside to speak to issues and to learn from mentors and to network and see how we can all come together and be effective to fight these terrible things that are happening like a wave in our country right now.

TODAY IS NATIONAL TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT DAY. I’M NOT IN MY HOME IN BROOKLYN RIGHT NOW, I’M HERE WITH YOU GUYS, BUT I’M GLAD I’M HERE WITH YOU. ALEXANDRIA, DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT SORT OF HISTORY, THAT THE ARC OF THEIR ACTIVISM AS PART OF THEIR STORY WHEN YOU EMBARKED ON THIS PROJECT? BOMBACH: I definitely did just

because buying their CDs, they always had causes in the albums themselves. And I think that really affected me growing up that that was important to have in a CD case.

So yeah, I mean I knew that about their history, but I didn’t know the things that they said in the interview about the transition of meeting Winona LaDuke and all of that stuff.

So, it was fascinating to me. It was also really reinvigorating for me because a lot of the films I’ve made in the past are

kind of critiquing, not activism itself, but just the struggle that activism has. And a lot of my last film was at the UN and sometimes that can be very disheartening. So, I came into this film feeling like, yeah, I’m sure we’ll talk about activism, but what I was discovering and learning about, seeing the footage and hearing the interviews, I was just incredibly inspired. And then it’s funny what it does to you when you gather all that stuff and you make a scene and you tell the story, it kind of changes you on the inside. And so, I feel so lucky to have made this film because I just feel so much more hope in that space.

YOU GUYS ARE RELUCTANT AS SELF-HISTORIANS IN THIS MOVIE, YOU KNOW, DON’T WANT TO DIG TOO FAR INTO THE PAST, BUT YOU’RE LAUGHING AT SOME OF IT AND ENJOYING IT…BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU ARE NOT THRILLED ABOUT IN YOUR OWN PAST. SO, I’M WONDERING, NOW THAT YOU’VE SEEN THE FILM, WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE? SALIERS: When Alexandria

Below right: Chris Dyer (left) and Michael Ien Cohen attended the Sarasota Film Festival for the documentary Humanity Stoked.

first had a very almost final cut, but not the final cut, she showed it to Amy in her hotel room. We were on the road and I was overwhelmed, I couldn’t really take it in. And then Sundance happened and it was like, woowee this is awesome. And then I watched it again and I was like, oh, you could have said that. You could have done this. You come across like this, all this weird stuff.

And then of course I did see it one more time and it was better in the end. I’ll say each time I watched that I had a different experience, but it’s okay. It’s a really good film.

RAY: I’m going to plead the fifth on this one. No, I think it’s a brilliant film. I just have to compartmentalize it and pretend it’s not me because I hate to watch myself. It’s just my own issue of self-esteem and all that we deal with our whole lives. But I just know it’s really good. I think the arc is super interesting. I know all that. And when there are scenes in it where I’m like, I don’t want to show that to anybody. I think to myself, take one for the team. Who is the team? Alexandria’s the team. Take one for the team.

Because ultimately she’s the filmmaker, she’s the director, she’s the editor. And I have this massive reverence for filmmakers because I’m basically married to one, my partner. I mean, we’re not married, but anyway, 20 years.

So, I have this thing where I’m like defer to the filmmaker, defer to the filmmaker. It’s their vision, it’s their film. It doesn’t have our name on it. It’s not directed by Indigo Girls. And so it’s like trust because if you don’t trust, you just dilute the whole thing and it becomes just a bunch of cut-up pieces that don’t make any sense to anybody.

So, that’s how I looked at it and you just have to grin and bear it. I don’t watch it anymore, except there are certain scenes I want to see, which are the pictures of old friends or the “Indigenous Women’s Network” pictures. Because a lot of those women are not alive anymore and they were so close to us. —Compiled by B. Heit

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sff OVERCOMING FEAR Michael Ien Cohen’s documentary tackles the issues facing humanity through the eyes of skateboarding enthusiasts across the globe.

FEW THINGS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER MORE THAN SPORTS. People who live on opposite sides of the globe, speak different languages or work in unrelated professions all experience the shared joy of landing a skateboarding trick that they were afraid they couldn’t pull off. Humanity Stoked, a documentary produced and directed by Michael Ien Cohen, uses the ubiquitous sport of skateboarding as a lens through which to examine issues facing society. Cohen, a skateboarder himself, conceived the idea for the film after working through an excruciating period of depression which drove him to live a fear-based life. “I decided that if I come out of that period then I’m not going to let fear guide my hand anymore and I’m going to start living,” says Cohen. “I wanted to be a filmmaker, I wanted to be a humanitarian and I’m a lifelong skateboarder,” he adds, “and I thought that I could make a film that combines those things.” While Cohen intended for the narrative of the film to focus on skateboarding-related charities around the world, a tragedy that occurred in the skateboarding world before filming reshaped his vision. “I saw the potential of the film differently in terms of having it connect with people and tell these emotional stories that have to do with issues that affect all of us,” he says. Such problems include anything from drugs and addiction to the environment to racism, among a myriad of others. Everyone featured in the documentary faces obstacles, but they all share a love of skateboarding. The sport opens a portal that invites young viewers to examine these issues from a different perspective. “Skateboarding makes the film appealing to such an important demographic around the world of young people who want to be inspired, who want to be creative and brings them to a table that not all of them would want to sit down at and see a film about this issue or that issue,” he adds. “I’m grateful that skateboarding happens to be on fire, and it makes the film interesting to so many people.” Artist Chris Dyer, who appears as a subject in the film, is happy to be part of a project that inspires positive change among future generations. “Michael’s movie is like a giant net where he’s going to catch a lot of fish, but fish are not going to enter a net with no bait,” Dyer says.

“Skateboarding is a beautiful, enticing bait.”—L.Paquette

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN + COURTESY OF HUMANITY STOKED.

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sff FAILURE TO LAND Losing Grip documents a gymnast’s trial through adversity to represent the United States in the 2020 Olympic Games in a world that seems to care less and less about his sport.

Left: Gymnast Shane Wiskus preparing for a training session at a Sarasota facility.

Below: Losing Grip director Steven Nye (left) with producer Christopher Boulton.

“FAILURE IS PRETTY MUCH EXPECTED IN THE SPORT. There’s no two ways about it.

In order to get every skill in your routine, you have to try it a million times before you actually get it,” says Shane Wiskus. “It’s really those meets at the end of your competitive season when you’ve gone to multiple competitions and you’ve learned from those failures, is where things start to finally fall in place. So I think a lot of gymnasts are quite comfortable with failure. The problem is that when you fail after a full season of getting your bearings underneath you, that’s when the pressure can really start to mount in your head.” Wiskus, a heralded collegiate gymnast who represented the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, is the subject of Losing Grip, a documentary about the decline of men’s collegiate gymnastics told through the lens of Wiskus’ athletic career.

The documentary is directed by Steven Nye, a longtime friend of Wiskus who grew up training in gymnastics in the same home gym back in Minnesota. Although Nye eventually stopped competing in high school, he never left the sport. “I’m a little bit older than Steven, so when I was around level nine or ten, Steven was still just getting into the optional routine side. We were separated but he started doing a lot of video work in the gym and then more and more we started becoming friends,” says Wiskus. “I later moved to a new gym, but he stuck around, taking footage of people, and eventually doing social media for my college team at Minnesota. He was right there for the beginning, all throughout college, through COVID, and finally the Olympics.”

“Because I knew that I couldn’t actually travel to the Olympics with all the COVID stuff, and Shane’s parents couldn’t even go, the Olympic trials became the climax of the film,” says Nye. “I had archival footage that starts from 2015 and continues to around 2020 and then the majority of the interviews were shot in the summer of 2021, leading up to and after the Olympic Games. To be there in the stands and to actually hear Shane’s name be called to be selected onto the team, was just such a pivotal moment of him achieving this monumental goal.”—D.Campbell

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS (left) + WYATT KOSTYGAN (right).

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sff HIGH-WIRE ACT Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net gives an inside look into the company’s resurgence after nearly collapsing during the pandemic.

WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT, everything came to a screeching halt. Schools, restaurants, small businesses – the rhythm of daily life was put

on hold for what felt like forever. The circus was no exception. Within 48 hours of the lockdown, Cirque du Soleil, the largest contemporary circus producer in the world, shut down all 44 of its shows and within a week had let 95% of its workforce go. “In 2021, I got a call from MGM while we were still sort of in lockdown. They said that they had secured access to Cirque du Soleil’s flagship show “O”, and that the show was going to come back after the pandemic, but the kicker was, they only had eight weeks to get back onto the stage,” says Dawn Porter, director of Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net. “The performers had been out for more than a year. The stage hadn’t been touched for more than a year. There was a tremendous amount to do in a really short amount of time.” Just like the performers and staff at Cirque, Dawn and her team had to mobilize very quickly, moving down to Las Vegas where “O” takes place at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Everybody was scrambling to get ready for the show, Dawn and her team included.

“Most of the interviews I was doing for projects were by Zoom, so I had to find people who would get tested, who would quarantine, so we ended up just moving a whole group of people there. We thought it’s easier for us to move people there and to just embed with them than to try and go back and forth on planes. We were like a MASH army unit,” says Dawn with a laugh. Ultimately, the effort made by both Dawn’s team and Cirque was well worth it. “There’s so few times in the world where the whole world understands what different entities are going through. I felt like everyone knew what was at stake for Cirque–people just wanted to get back to work. We all wanted to get back to normal,” says Dawn. “It felt like we all could root for them to try and make it back to the stage. What they do is incredibly difficult and dangerous. It’s all based on timing, so it’s not something that you can do a Zoom about. They had to be together. The project just felt like a really unique opportunity to remind people that sometimes there are some things we have to work together to accomplish.”—D.Campbell

Above, left to right: An acrobat practices for Cirque du Soleil’s production O, the coastline of the oyster-depleted Apalachicola Bay; Valerie LeBlance in Bridge to the Other Side.

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sff A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL Bridge to the Other Side follows a widow’s journey out of her grief and back into the turbulent world of post-pandemic America, as she works alongside a firefighter on a crisis response team.

SO MUCH CAN HIDE BEHIND A SMILE. For as much quantifiable damage the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked throughout the world, there was just as much unseen destruction as a result of it. Increasing levels of mental illness, exacerbated by the isolation and grief from the lockdown, ran rampant throughout communities, and first responders faced with the impossible task of keeping everyone safe and healthy, experienced trauma in a way they never had before. This turbulence serves as the setting for Bridge to the Other Side, director KT Curran’s latest feature film. The film follows Max Toussante, a grieving widow who in an effort to come out of her grief, joins the fire department’s crisis response team and starts helping young adults struggling with mental illness in the community. In addition to a commentary on the growing mental health crisis in a post-pandemic world, the story is also a tale of unraveling two traumas–both Max’s and of her crisis response team partner, firefighter Jake Monroe. “What we first wanted to tell a major story about were those increasing levels of mental illness in our communities, especially in young people, as a result of the pandemic.

What I wasn’t initially aware of was also its impact with first responders as they dealt with all the trauma. We have our police, our firefighters, our paramedics, our medical staff that was on overload for the past three years and I wanted to tell a story in a way that can honor these heroes in our community,” says KT Curran. “So I interviewed 150 people in our immediate community and across the nation about crisis response and mental health. I talked to therapists, firefighters, police, parents, teachers, nurses, doctors and I thought, how do I weave all this together in a compelling narrative feature, a fictional tale that somehow will give audiences a sense of what I was hearing in the interviews? One of those interviews happened to be with a crisis response team leader and I thought that is a way to tell many stories in a unified way.”—D.Campbell

SURVIVAL IN THE WATER Unfiltered: The Truth about Oysters takes a long and hard look into the demise of oyster harvesting in Florida’s Apalachicola Bay and the collapse of oyster reefs around the world.

IN JULY OF 2020, THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY to ban wild oyster harvesting in the Apalachicola Bay until 2025. The

decision, which came after years of drought and environmental pressures had severely depleted the Bay’s wild oyster beds, felt to many like the final nail in the coffin to a way of life that had been prevalent in the Panhandle for over a century. Since the mid1800s, oystermen, fisherman, and seafood workers have built their lives on working in Apalachicola Bay’s oyster fishery–which at one point in history, produced roughly 90% of Florida’s oyster supply and about 15% of the entire country’s oyster supply.

Now, in 2023, those who made their living off this industry are left in limbo, waiting for the oyster’s population to bounce back. “The FWC closing the Bay to wild harvest was what sparked our interest in making the documentary,” says Josh McLawhorn, the director and editor of Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters. “It’s a film about the collapse of oyster reefs globally, but the ground zero of the story is here in Florida, primarily in Apalachicola Bay. It’s a story about a local problem that is happening all over the world– in Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe–90% of the world’s ancient oyster reefs have collapsed in the last 30 years.” The global collapse, as McLawhorn puts it, is a result of humans putting too much pressure on natural ecosystems. “Whether it’s not allowing enough fresh water to come down the river into the estuary, or over-harvesting, or destroying habitats by developing every square inch of coastline,” says McLawhorn.

“However, we didn’t want to make an environmental documentary that was all doom and gloom, you see that the summary is basically, “We’ve messed it up, there’s nothing we can do.” The experts that we interviewed for the film seem to really think that this can be turned around. We wanted to make it very clear in the film that if we do the right thing from a policy perspective and from the state, federal and local levels and we do shell recycling efforts, and people are conscious of their impact, it’s possible to turn around this decline that we’ve seen.”—D.Campbell srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 63

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sff EYE IN THE SKY Producer Roma Downey speaks on her latest film, On a Wing and a Prayer.

“I LIKE TO THINK THAT THERE ARE NO ATHEISTS IN FOX HOLES,” says Roma Downey. Downey, an Emmy-nominated actress best known for her role

as Monica on the television series Touched by an Angel, is the co-founder and president of Lightworkers Media, the production company responsible for bringing her latest project, On a Wing and a Prayer, to the big screen. As the president of Lightworkers, MGM/Amazon’s faith and family division, Downey looks to tell stories of hope and inspiration. When the script for On a Wing and a Prayer came across her desk – the incredible true story of Doug White’s struggle to save his family when suddenly forced to pilot their chartered plane mid-flight – it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW MOVIE ON A WING AND A PRAYER? ROMA DOWNEY: It’s a story of a family that gets on

a small King Air flight that quickly goes awry.

Dennis Quaid plays Doug White, the father, and they have just been to Florida attending the funeral of their brother, with his wife, played by Heather Graham, and their two teenage daughters, and they’re on the plane and Heather’s character says to the pilot, “Would you let him ride up front with you?

The pilot graciously agreed and next thing we know, the plane is hurtling through the air climbing to 33,000 feet. Dennis asks a question of the pilot, the pilot doesn’t answer, and Dennis to his shock and horror discovers that the pilot has died of a massive heart attack.

So he finds himself at the controls of a plane that he doesn’t know how to fly. It’s just him, his wife, and his daughters on board. And in that moment, absolute panic sets in, but they happen to be a family of faith. However, I would suggest that there are no atheists in a foxhole.

And if you yourself found yourself hurtling through the air on a plane with no pilot, chances are you might pray to someone, in their case, they prayed to the Almighty. And through a series of extraordinary coincidences, which can only be said to be the divine at work, miracles happened on that day. It’s like a thriller in the sky, while still being a family movie. It’s a terrific story of strength and courage. It’s beautifully directed by Sean McNamara. Dennis gives an extraordinary performance as Doug White and Jesse Metcalf plays the King Air expert pilot on the ground who finally gets connected to them via audio to try to talk him down.

IT’S A FASCINATING CONCEPT, AND IT’D BE SO EVEN IF IT WAS FICTIONAL, BUT IT’S NOT. DOWNEY: When you see these

series of coincidences play out, had it not been a true story, those are the moments that you might

have turned to the audience sitting to your left and right, said, “Well, great movie, that’s a bit far fetched.” I mean, for all of those things to have lined up exactly like they needed to line up for this to happen is just so extraordinary. There’s one scene with Dennis in particular, when he realizes that the pilot is dead, his family are all up the back, and he’s just sitting in the cockpit looking at the sea of instruments in front of him. It’s just total chaos to the layperson’s eyes.

The performance at that point is extraordinary because it’s like the shock and then into the awful awareness of the Herculean task at hand.

But he holds it together. And in real life, Doug White, he landed that plane and then he went on to become, in his own life, a commercial pilot of that particular craft. So I wonder if that had been your experience, either you’re never getting on a plane again or you do what he did, ensuring that he’d never be in that situation again.

AS THE CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF LIGHTWORKERS, CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT HOW THE STORY CAME TOGETHER AND WHAT YOUR ROLE AS PRODUCER ENTAILED? DOWNEY: I

formed Lightworkers, my production company with my husband Mark Burnett, gosh, I don’t know, around 15 years ago. And our first big production together was an epic miniseries on the Bible, which played on the History Channel.

At the time, many of our friends and colleagues here in Hollywood thought we were nuts to attempt something as massive as the Bible and thought that not only would we lose money, we would lose our reputations. But, we found great success and a large audience for that type of story and things have progressed from there.

Our mantra is it’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. And that I am interested in telling stories of hope. This script showed up on my desk because it has these elements. Brian Egeston, the writer along with Autumn Bailey,

producer and friend of his reached out to me to see if I would be interested in telling this story under my Lightworkers banner and I loved it. I then worked with Brian and Autumn to develop this script and then, during an unrelated meeting with Dennis Quaid regarding a completely different project, he mentioned that he was a pilot. And despite the fact that I was looking for an actor who didn’t know how to fly a plane, I gave Dennis the script and a few weeks later he told me that he’d love to be a part of it and I negotiated a deal to secure him in the role.

The very last meeting I had before COVID shut us all down was with Sean McNamara, who became the director and coincidentally had worked with Dennis before. So now I have a director, and now I have a star and I have a great script. I was in good shape, except it was COVID and nobody was doing anything, making anything.

But I approached my parents’ studio because Lightworkers was the faith and family division of MGM Studios, and I brought it into MGM at the time, under the leadership of Mike DeLuca and Pam Abdi, who gave me the green light.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL RESONATE MOST WITH AUDIENCE MEMBERS? DOWNEY: Anytime you’re taken on an

emotional journey by a film, it’s what’s the takeaway? What’s the feeling you’re going to be left with? And I think in this case, the feeling you’re going to be left with is that when we work together, we can move mountains. And then just the extraordinary supernatural element of all these things lining up so divinely that this was able to happen, that you’re just going to be left feeling there’s enough bad news in the world. Listen, on any given day, your heart could be broken a million times. Turning the news on this kind of film gives you a thrilling experience, but a satisfying, heartwarming ending. Call me corny, but I like that. —D.Campbell

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sff A DAUGHTER’S FINAL GIFT

Below: Brooklyn Sudano (left) with Mark Famiglio.

Director Brooklyn Sudano on Love to Love You, Donna Summer, the documentary she made about her mother Donna Summer.

TELL US ABOUT LOVE TO LOVE YOU, THE DOCUMENTARY YOU MADE ABOUT YOUR MOTHER, DONNA SUMMER? BROOKLYN SUDANO: This has been a journey, I’ll say that. I

think that it’s been a number of years in process, and I think that one of the things that’s been most spectacular about being able to do something like this, not just on a grand level of music and just the amazing artist that she was, but just on a personal level to understand your mother, your parents, and understand a little bit more about yourself and your family. I had a daughter a few years after my mom passed away, and so I think there are a lot of themes there that I was able to really delve into and understand the complexity of being a working mom and what that must have felt like when you’re a global superstar. Being able to talk to my sister, talk to my aunts, and talk to the people that knew her the best, Roger and I (co-director) were really able to peel back a lot of the layers and the complexities of all of these different dynamics of her life. It’s been a journey and it’s been one of the biggest gifts.

HOW DID THIS JOURNEY BEGIN FOR YOU? SUDANO: This journey began probably

really about seven years ago. I’ve always loved documentaries as a form of storytelling, and I’ve been an actor for 20 years. As I started to process my own life with the birth of my daughter, I began to look at my mother and her life and her artistry, and I just felt like

there was so much that the world didn’t get to know about her. When people find out that your mom’s Donna Summer, they come and they share their stories and their own personal connections and memories and I realized that while there was so much that she was able to give to people through her music, but that people still didn’t really know her. I just felt like as a way to honor her, almost like my last gift that I could give her, was to be able to tell her story from as much of her perspective and the people that knew her the best. I got this really great advice from Kevin McDonald who directed the Bob Marley documentary who told me, “Listen, the best thing you can do is just start.” So I just started calling people and asking if they would share their experiences from the early days.

HOW DID CO-DIRECTOR ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS COME INTO THE FOLD? SUDANO: I’d obviously never directed anything

before. I thought to myself, “You know what? I really would like to direct this, but I would love to team up with somebody” and Roger was a name that came up a few times in the process. As soon as we sat down, we realized that we had the same exact vision and were completely in alignment with how we wanted to tell the story, which to be honest, did not change throughout the entire process of making this film. I feel so, so blessed to have been able to do this project with Roger and the team that came together around it.

WHAT WERE SOME OF THOSE INITIAL HALLMARKS OF HOW YOU WANTED TO TELL THE STORY? SUDANO: The biggest

thing was to tell the truth. A lot of times with these bigger musical icons and with stories coming from the daughter and the family, there’s a tendency to broad brush and not really get into some of the harder topics. But for me, it was really important to tell the truth because I think there is power in the truth and there’s healing in the truth. There were areas in my mom’s life where maybe she didn’t feel strong enough or willing to give up that part of her privacy that I could now share. That’s what storytelling does. It connects us. In that honesty and in that vulnerability is where you find connection.

WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE TO STEP INTO THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR FOR THE FIRST TIME? SUDANO: It’s been fantastic. I’ve loved

it. As an actor and a storyteller, you have to be curious. You have to want to ask questions.

You have to want to know what makes people tick. This was really just another avenue for me to exercise that curiosity and to ask people just what their perspectives were. You have your ideas, but sometimes things are a little bit different than you thought that they were.

One of the things that I did realize pretty early on was that people felt like they could trust me with their stories. Establishing that trust and having everybody understand that really the

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sff fundamental idea is to be as honest and truthful as possible in the storytelling, was paramount to our success. My mom used to always call me the reporter growing up because I would come home and I would report everything that happened at school. I thought it was funny that my first big report was on her.

DO YOU HAVE TO SEPARATE HER FROM BEING YOUR MOM TO BEING A MUSICAL ICON THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT? SUDANO: I think most of my life has been that,

right? When you grow up in an environment where the personal and the private and the public and all of these things are crisscrossing all the time, there’s a comfortability with that that’s different than probably what’s normal for most people. This is just how it is. We did a Broadway musical about my mom’s life, and people ask, “Is that so weird?” and I’m like, “No, my whole life has been about production.” So in some ways, it feels very second nature.

FOLLOWING THE FOOTPRINTS Eric Bendick on Path of the Panther, the documentary about the Florida panther.

PHOTOGRAPHER CARLTON WARD AND A TEAM OF biologists, ranchers, conservationists,

and Indigenous Peoples find themselves on the front lines of an accelerating battle between forces of renewal and destruction that have pushed the Everglades to the brink of ecological collapse. Path of the Panther is the culmination of more than five years in the field, 500,000 still images, and over 800 hours of ultra-high-definition camera trap footage of an animal on the verge of extinction. Against all odds, wild panthers have been stunningly captured in their native ecosystem, as they’ve never been filmed before.—Interviewed by W.Roberts

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT SUMMERS SPENT TOURING AND SINGING BACKUP FOR YOUR MOM? SUDANO: Yeah, it’s the

family business. We would go on tour in the summertime, and we would, my sister, Amanda and I particularly, worked backstage. We were like the PAs, steaming the dresses and setting up the makeup table and getting the band clothes ready and all of the quick change booths and all of these things. I think it was my mom’s way of including us in her life, but also teaching us that it takes a village to do this. She also let us perform a song and dance on stage from time to time as well.

SO YOU HAD TO PAY YOUR DUES? SUDANO:

For sure. To my parents’ credit, my sisters and I, for all of the amazing things that we got to do growing up as kids, we had a very kind of traditional upbringing in some ways: set the table for dinner, make your bed in the morning, do your chores, all of those kind of tent poles of a stable family life.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU’VE TAKEN NOW INTO YOUR NEW FAMILY LIFE? SUDANO:

I have in some ways a lot of insight because of my mother and my aunts who traveled with her because I grew up seeing working mothers and thinking, “Oh, well, I can do this.” It was never a thought like, “Oh, should I stay at home or should I work?” I’m always like, “Oh, no, I can do this.”

It’s important for my children to see me have a dream and to use my talents and my creativity. I want my daughter to know that. —D.Campbell

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FILM ERIC BENDICK: It’s a feature documentary, the story of a quest in the Everglades to film and photograph the Florida panther. This film took about six years to make, and that’s because we didn’t know we were making a feature film at the start of it. We just knew we were on an exploratory mission to find this elusive animal and see what would happen next. It’s been a heck of a journey getting here. WHAT DID YOU LEARN OVER SIX YEARS? BENDICK: One of the most incredible things about the journey of really following the panther, and learning from this animal about the landscape, and what hope remains not only for this animal but for us who live here in Florida, and for other parts of the world that are affected by the same really complicated issues of suburban sprawl and development, and toll roads, and commerce, you wonder, is there any hope left for a large carnivore like the panther to freely range throughout the world? What we found was, there’s actually a lot of hope that this animal can show us what remains. It can show us how those pieces may fit together, and if we do our part to conserve those lands, we can actually connect what amounts to a wildlife corridor, which could one day spread not just through Florida, but through the whole country. We think in Florida we have a blueprint for hope, not just here locally, but something that could go spread all across the world. The goal of this project and the reason that it was attractive to people to be partners with us was that we were going to create impact, and we’re going to open people’s eyes to the opportunity here in Florida to maybe change some hearts and minds about what old, wild Florida is capable of. If you miss this round here in Sarasota, I think watching it on Disney Plus in a month will also be amazing. This is a film that all Floridians really should see. Put it on your list. SRQ srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 67

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cargo

BOUTIQUE SHOPPING, HOME DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND TRENDS

SEA+SUN

Let the good times roll with summer staples. Compiled by Megan Mitchell

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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cargo FAMILY FUN YETI PREVIOUS PAGE: Hopper Flip Cooler Alpine Yellow $299, Cobia Draino 2 Charcoal $38, Economy Tackle, 6018 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-9229671; Kids Rainbow Premium Leather $36, Compound Epernay Slate Towel $33, Sun Bum SPF 70 Lotion 8oz $18, Sun Bum Cool Down Gel 8 oz $11, Compound Boardshop, 3604 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941552-9805; Gold Sunglasses $12, Orange Beach by Matisse Sandals $40, Marmalade Salon & Boutique, 1927 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941- 3620276; Herschel Rubber Bucket Hat $25, Stoked Flamingo, 263 12th St W, Bradenton.

WEEKEND WEAR Bajio Sailfish Hat $35, AFICO Gazebo 2 Straw Hat $39, Economy Tackle, 6018 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-922-9671; Turtle Box White Speaker $399, Compound Boardshop, 3604 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941-552-9805; Gale Gold Beach by Matisse Sandals $40, Dippin Daisys Pink Bikini Top $43, Dippin Daisys Pink Bikini Bottom $43, Soulucean “Sunstone” Bag $90, Marmalade Salon & Boutique, 1927 S Osprey Ave, Sarasota, 941-362-0276; Sand Dollar Sand Cloud Towel $69, Yellow Oahu Hi Rise 4” Shorts $74, Salty Stitch, 466 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, 941-388-1040; Dark Seas Happy Hour Hat $32, Stoked Flamingo, 263 12th St W, Bradenton.

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Below: Assunta Swier credits her clients for their support. Assunta Salon & Boutique, 1833 Morrill St., Sarasota, assuntasalon.com. assuntasalon.com

SHOPPING UPLIFTED

The Boutique@1833’s Assunta Swier curates accessibility in shopping. Laura Paquette “SHOPPING SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE,” says Assunta Swier, the owner and operator of Assunta Salon & Boutique. A licensed hair stylist for over 35 years, Swier empowers her clients to look and feel their best, whether she’s lending them a sympathetic ear or adding volume to their hair with the magic of her curling wand. In January 2022, Swier dipped her toe into the retail world and discovered another way to spark confidence and self-love in her clients. “I woke up one day and decided that I wanted to try selling earrings,” she says. Swier ordered 12 pairs of earrings through a wholesaler, and within one day, all 12 pairs sold out. She ordered more earrings and created a consignment program selling gently-used clothes and accessories given to her by her clients. Just over a year later, Swier’s foray into retail transformed into The Boutique @1833, located inside her Laurel Park salon.

Racks of clothes, shoes, purses and more line the walls of the charming salon space. From understated Zara tops to hot pink Jimmy Choo heels, something special can be found around every corner. She also carries local goods, like Rockstar RollOn body oil, SRQ Hair products and Siesta Key Hair Extensions. Because the boutique receives new pre-owned pieces on a consistent basis, shoppers can keep their wardrobes fresh 74 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local

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and updated for an affordable price. Most products range from $12 to $300, making them accessible to a wider demographic.

“Having been a Sarasota resident and business owner for over 20 years, I see how shops in the downtown core are overpriced,” says Swier, “and my boutique gives people in different seasons of their lives the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of coming downtown and buying things.” With her salon and boutique, Swier blends the camaraderie of women gathering together with the bliss of a day spent shopping. “She’s developed a sense of community by meeting people and being so warm and welcoming,” says client Joan Jones.

“I’m a therapist, so I love coming here and having a place where I’m listened to. It’s good self-care,” she adds.

Swier hopes to grow the boutique through additional locations and an online presence, giving more women in the community the opportunity to find products that help them shine, both inside and out. However, she always puts her clients first. “It’s been great to have them involved, and I can’t imagine where I would be without a builtin network that supports me,” she says. Judging by the smiles on her clients’ faces, that feeling is mutual. SRQ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

4/18/23 1:17 PM

REJUVENATE BEAUTY & AESTHETICS

L G H O WA R D + C O M PA N Y S I R I U S D AY S PA , S A L O N + M E D S PA S T H E B L U E D O O R S PA

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LG HOWARD & COMPANY S A R A S O TA

LGHOWARDSALON.COM

S A R A S OTA

LG HOWARD & COMPANY is founded on the owner’s belief that so much of a person’s time is spent caring

for others, whether that is a spouse, child, parent, or friend. Liza Carden, owner and industry veteran of 17 years, encourages guests to ask themselves, “when was the last time I stopped to take time for myself?”

The mission of LG Howard & Company is to provide a place people can come to, not just to get their hair done, but to have an experience that renews their mind, body, and spirit. Liza has handpicked a team that is not just talented, but wildly passionate about fulfilling and exceeding the LGH mission. Each service includes a complimentary massage and mimosa or Aveda Comforting Tea, as well as a finished style that will leave you feeling fabulous. The LGH team is highly trained in their craft through quarterly education to ensure that their guests are always getting the very best we have to offer. When you trust LG Howard with that sliver of time you find for self-care, you will not only get compliments on your hair, but also leave fully refreshed and ready to conquer the next thing on your list.

O UR SE RVI CE S Women’s haircuts | Men’s haircuts | Kid’s cuts | Full color | Foil Balayage | Custom Color | Shine Treatment | Shampoo style | Iron Work Brazilian Blowout | Brow Wax | Lip Wax | Plant Peel Facial Express Botanical Kinetics Facial

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When was the last time you received a compliment on your hair?

941-702-5390 8620 S Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238 @lghowardsalon

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SIRIUS DAY SPA, SALON & MED SPAS S A R A S O TA | L A K E W O O D R A N C H

SIRIUSDAYSPAS.COM

Voted Best by Readers' Choice for the past 4 years and Best of SRQ, Sirius redefines the spa, salon and med spa experience.

Two convenient locations, top providers in their fields, 11 treatment rooms and full service salon and lounge, Sirius is one spa for all your needs.

SARASOTA (UTC)

8512 Cooper Creek Blvd University Park, FL 34201 LAKEWOOD RANCH

11585 E State Rd 70 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 LED BY BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dr. Blanchard, the Med Spa team (3 practitioners, Laser Tech, and

8 Medical Estheticians) provides the most cutting edge, science backed, and results driven treatments for your skin and body. We pride ourselves in taking the time to educate and customize each treatment for you. Experts in Botox & Fillers as well as Certified Providers for Morpheus8 facial sculpting, tightening & rejuvenation, Morpheus8 Body Contouring, Lumecca IPL, and Laser Hair Removal, the team at Sirius also offers Diamond Glow & Hydro facials, Dermaplaning, SkinMedica Facials and more. The tagline “It’s All About You” flows throughout the 2 locations, equipped with luxurious features including a Serenity Lounge with 360 degree massage chairs, a rock wall, refreshment bar and guided meditation if requested. Wellness and Aesthetics programs are also available for additional offers and savings. We invite you to come experience the Sirius Difference!

E X P E R T I S E , LU X U RY, A N D R E S U LT S F R O M H E A D TO TO E . . .

Full Service Salon & Nail Bar with Master Stylists and Colorists | Expert Massage Therapy with multiple modalities and specialties Ten treatment rooms each location plus a couples room | Full Service Skin Care & Med Spa Services F I R S T I N C L A S S T R E AT M E N T S I N C LU D I N G Botox | Daxxify | Fillers | Skin Tightening | Morpheus8 RF Microneedling | Exosomes | Morpheus8 Body Contouring | Lumecca IPL Chemical Peels | Laser Hair Removal | Diamond Glow | Hydro Facial | SkinClassic treatments | Platinum Allergan Partner | SkinMedica Alastin Product lines | Latisse | Upneeq | Affordable packages | Cherry and Care Credit financing options Now offering Daxxify (2x the duration of conventional tox)

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RE J UVEN ATE | W ELLNES S A ND BEAU T Y | S R Q MAG A Z I N E MAY /J U N E 2 0 2 3

THE BLUE DOOR SPA BRADENTON

THEBLUEDOORSPA.COM

EST 2006 and having been consistently voted BEST in Day Spa, Hair, Skin, Massage & Nails since 2009. Blue Door Spa & Salon knows BEAUTY!

WHAT SETS BLUE DOOR SPA & SALON APART from other

"Day Spas" is not only the fact that we offer head to toe beauty services, but that the whole experience is exceptional.

From Sauna to relaxing lounge to the boutique Hair Salon, your every need is catered to. Blue Door Spa and Salon is a resort style Day Spa & Salon, within the local community, with all our focus on guest satisfaction. At Blue Door Spa & Salon we use quality, results driven, professional products, and have a highly trained and continually educated team to ensure your visit is everything should be. When it comes to the luxury Spa experience our three generational, women owned business truly sets the bar, with the tag line #LocalLuxury our goal is to bring high-end and ultra pampering Aesthetics, Body, Nails and Hair to our discerning community. With a larger second location in the planning with a focus on wellness, Blue Door Spa and Salon expands its reach to those who seek deluxe and results driven beauty. Services offered: Hair Color, Hair Cuts & Styling, Manicures, Pedicures, Massage, Body Treatments, Facials, Micro needling, Dermaplaning, PMU, Waxing, Aromatherapy, Make-Up, Tattoos, Sauna, Relaxation Lounge, Showers, Lockers.

OWNER Nichola Nagy LOCAL LUXURY TRUE SPA PAMPERING ONE STOP BEAUT Y – HEAD TO TOE WE OFFER OVER 70 SERVICES Hair | Make Up | Waxing Manicures | Pedicures Body Treatments | Massage Facials | Eye Lash Extensions PMU | Tattoos Dry Sauna We use top products with the least amount of chemicals. We are a Wella Elite and Lanza Salon which ensures that all our stylists are experts in the products used.

5234 East State Road 64 | Bradenton, FL 34208 | 941.747.0111

instagram.com/bluedoorspasalon | facebook.com/mybluespa | pinterest.com/bluedoorspa Be sure to check out my blog at www.gritglamourandgratitude

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forage LOCAL EPICUREAN ADVENTURES AT THE TABLE

Below: Tumeric’s blueberry crush mocktail with mint, lime and soda.

A PINCH OF INDIAN SPICES

Turmeric Indian Bar & Grill Spices Up Sarasota’s Rosemary District. Laura Paquette

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

forage THE BUILDING THAT HOUSED THE FORMER RIVIERA MAYA MEXICAN RESTAURANT HAD LAID DORMANT, awaiting a tenant who could revive the space at the corner of Cocoanut Avenue and Tenth St. and help restore the historic neighborhood to its former glory. The space is getting a new lease on life with a group of friends who were interested in opening an Indian restaurant in Sarasota and selected it as the site for their new venture. Three co-proprietors, local practicing pharmacist Vikram Rao, manager Alex Cardoz and executive chef Sarbjit Singh spearheaded the efforts to transform the historic building into a modern Indian eatery, which opened last October. “We found the right property at the right time,” says Rao, reflecting on the unbeatable downtown location near the beach, airport and other busy parts of the city.

This page, left to right: Warm woods accentuate the cozy interior, warm garlic naan, the Tumeric special tandoor sampler with lamb chop, chicken, salmon and shrimp, spicy balti chicken and the piña colada cooler with pineapple and coconut.

Rao and his team worked to modernize the building’s interior while staying true to its architectural roots.

“The exterior of the restaurant doesn’t belong to us, it belongs to Sarasota as part of the former Broadway District,” he adds. From the marquee-style sign that beckons to customers to the clean and cozy dining space, the restaurant blends old Sarasota with a fresh atmosphere that highlights its tasty and healthy menu.

The team has woven turmeric, a spice from India renowned for its anti-inflammatory and anti-infective benefits, into every facet of the business like a golden thread. Whether guests are cheering on their favorite team from the yellow sofa in the bar area or sipping the signature Turmeric Punch, they experience the overarching theme of the restaurant. “We bring a different perspective of cooking and presentation from a health point of view,” says Rao, “and we pay close attention to what’s on the menu because we don’t want to load it up with things that are tasty but unhealthy.”

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Cardoz and Singh, who have worked together in the restaurant industry for the past 16 years, have driven Turmeric’s efforts to maintain excellent flavors with dishes that are good for guests’ health. The pair met in New Jersey after Cardoz had immigrated to the United States from India, starting out in the culinary world as a server. He had always dreamed of opening a full-service restaurant, and after collaborating with Singh, through whom he met Rao, he fulfilled his dream with Turmeric in Sarasota. At Turmeric, Cardoz puts his presentation and guest service skills to the test while Singh focuses on flavors. According to Cardoz, cooking Indian food gives the chef the extra challenge of achieving consistency in every bite. “Because Indian cuisine has so many spices and ingredients and each component has to be in the perfect state when prepared, it can be difficult to ensure that the flavor of each dish is the same every time the guest eats it,” says Cardoz, noting that chef Singh excels at this culinary juggling act.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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Turmeric’s extensive menu encompasses not only a pinch of many different spices but also features plates from various regions of the country. Most recipes are from the Punjab and Kashmir states of northern India, but others come from western India and the seacoast of Goa. Many of the Goan dishes highlight recipes from Cardoz’s family, bringing his journey through the food industry full circle. Indo-Chinese dishes and classic Indian streetside bites round out the menu. “When people think of Indian food, they imagine a two-hour table wait and a very heavy meal,” Rao adds, “but we want to break that concept by offering Indian quick bites, fast food, roadside dishes and a lunch buffet along with full course dinners.”

Standout dishes include Pani Puri Shots, Balti Chicken and Orange Kulfi dessert. The Pani Puri shots, crunchy dough balls with a chickpea filling, delight guests, who must balance popping the tasty morsel into their mouths and chasing it with a shot of mint-coriander

water. The Balti chicken, served in a bucket, or balti, in Hindi, comes with basmati rice and is a sharable entree.

Tender, flavorful chicken, bell peppers and onions shine against a backdrop of spices. The dessert, an ice creamlike treat, comes served inside a hollowed-out orange.

Many of the dishes offered are vegetarian, lactose and gluten-free and can be customized to fit guests’ needs.

The varied menu items pair well with the cocktails and mocktails, from the full bar, which offers Indian beers, liquors and wines. Diners love the Blueberry Crush mocktail with fresh blueberry, mint, lime and soda.

Since opening, Turmeric has experienced a positive response from the community. In addition to casual dining, the restaurant offers catering services to the community and hosts special events in its upstairs banquet space. “If we have a busy night and there’s a twominute delay for food, our guests tell us that they want us to be successful and are happy that we’re busy,” says Cardoz, “and for me, that’s the greatest achievement.” SRQ srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local | 81

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LEBANESE CULINARY MAGIC At this authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean eatery, a blend of exceptional dishes, attentive customer service and Middle Eastern spices wows diners. Laura Paquette

EVERY SO OFTEN, A RESTAURANT COMES ALONG AND REMINDS DINERS of why food is so integral to life.

They might realize this at a fine dining establishment with haute cuisine and a stunning view or at a gas station pit stop with mind-blowing tacos. For Sarasotans, visiting Al Forno Mediterranean Grill at University Town Center reacquaints guests with the magic of eating out. Al Forno, the brainchild of owner Ibrahim S., specializes in Lebanese and Mediterranean food. Ibrahim, a humble and straightforward man of Lebanese origin opened Al Forno in October of last year. In 2015, he moved from Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a high population of residents with Lebanese and Arabic heritage, to Sarasota. “I searched for authentic Lebanese food in the area, but it was missing,” says Ibrahim. “I wanted to introduce something that I could bring from home and share part of the culture with people,” he adds, recommending chicken shawarma, a popular wrap stuffed with tender grilled chicken, garlic sauce and pickles along with an appetizer of stuffed grape leaves and a side of tabouli salad. “We use local chickens, but season and marinate them with a mixture of spices from Lebanon,” Ibrahim says, “and some of the spices come from my village.” The shawarma spices linger on the tongue, encouraging guests to imagine that across the world in Lebanon, someone in Ibrahim’s village is savoring the same flavors.

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This page, left to right: Chicken shawarma, made with spices imported from Lebanon, fresh tabouli salad, warm stuffed grape leaves over lettuce and beff shawarma. Plan a Visit Al Forno Mediterranean Grill, 83 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota, alfornogrill. com.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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Never mind the time difference; it’s shawarma o’clock somewhere. The grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, onions and Mediterranean seasoning are soft and warm while the tabouli salad adds depth of texture. Where the grape leaves melt in the mouth, the tabouli salad with parsley, tomatoes, green onions, mint, olive oil, lemon juice and Lebanese spices packs tang and crunch. Al Forno’s version without the bulgar wheat often found in the dish intensifies the fresh vegetables and zesty herbs without a speck of brown on the parsley leaves.

“We make the smallest batches of tabouli throughout the day, ” says general manager Angel De La Torre. According to him, if tabouli sits too long, its quality decreases.

“You have to stay on top of making it all day,” he adds. In contrast with Ibrahim’s quiet passion, Angel’s enthusiasm for Al Forno shines through his eloquent descriptions of the restaurant’s team and mission.

Angel leads a team of chefs and other employees who go above and beyond to serve guests. “When we first opened,

This page, left to right: Beef shawarma over rice served hot, the Lebanese-inspired interior, a dedicated chef preparing the beef shawarma and kafta chicken and the tawook marinated with tawook spices.

about 85 percent of our customers were Middle Eastern,” he says, “but now we have people from all walks of life coming in and gravitating toward our personalities and what we put on the plate.” Angel runs down the lineup of his crew, which includes chefs Saad and Khaled. “You can feel the love and passion that Saad, a lifelong cook, puts into the food and presents so artistically” adds Angel, “and Khaled is like a scientist dedicated to getting the flavors right.” One of Khaled’s latest menu additions is kunafa, a sweet cheese pastry. “He’ll put something together and have us taste it like 300 times,” Angel says. “He’s always thinking about what else customers will fall in love with while showing them how important they are to us.”

From sourcing local ingredients like eggplant for the baba ghanouj to eliminating saturated fats, Al Forno’s staff channels their customer appreciation into the healthiness and caliber of the food they serve. “We make all of our falafel in-house by grinding the chickpeas with seasoning fresh on the spot,”

says Ibrahim, “and I don’t know another place around here that does that.” For Ibrahim, presenting dishes of the highest standard isn’t just a good business practice; it’s a tool for sharing a pillar of Lebanese culture with the community. “In Lebanon, the food is freshly made and homegrown, a concept that we’re trying to bring here by adding Lebanese spices to Florida-grown products,” he adds, understanding that culture and cuisine go together like hummus and pita.

“We have customers who eat here every day,” adds Angel, “and our goal is to be a household name and family restaurant where kids can come in, have a good time and feel the harmonious energy.” As parents and their children bond over lunch in an adjacent booth, it’s easy to predict that those grown children will return to Al Forno with their own families, eager to enrich their lives with the flavors and hospitality of Lebanon. SRQ

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SRQ MAGAZINE ANNUAL 2023

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SARASOTA + MANATEE FAMILIES, KIDS, EDUCATION AND CREATIVITY

TM

GUIDE TO SCHOOLS PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN SARASOTA + MANATEE COUNTIES EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL HERSHORIN SCHIFF COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL NEWGATE MONTESSORI SCHOOL THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SEA OF STRENGTHS ACADEMY ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (ECCS) was founded

in 1959 and opened its doors to 54 students in 1st through 4th grade with two Sisters of St. Benedict as teachers, Sister Helen and Sister Lucy. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School is the only Catholic elementary school in Venice and has served its parish and local Venice families with quality education for over 60 years. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School is home to 262 students in Pre-Kindergarten (3s and 4s) through 8th grade. Our school serves as a partnership with teachers, parents, families and feeder parishes in reinforcing morality, spirituality, and other Christian values in the faith-filled teaching process. We adhere to best instructional practices, current curriculum, latest technology, and hire quality teachers. Of our 35 teachers, 12 teachers have Master’s Degrees in their field of study or in Educational Leadership and 12 teachers hold certifications in ESE, ESOL, or Gifted. Our programs and curriculum are accredited by The Florida Catholic Conference and we follow the guidelines for the Florida State Standards. Epiphany follows a STREAM Curriculum which is an interdisciplinary, standards-based model that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Educational specialist teachers complement the classroom teacher in the areas of: music, spanish, technology, library, Art, and Physical Education. We offer a variety of athletic, artistic, and educational competitive teams and clubs. Community service is an integral part of our daily lives and we offer a number of outreach programs organized and completed by our students. We believe all students have the capacity to learn in an environment that fosters academic excellence through diversified instruction. Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School offers a safe and nurturing environment for our students.

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Schoo l ’s Mission Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School provides excellence in Catholic education which nurtures a loving relationship with God and builds a caring community that serves others. How are we living out this mission at Epiphany? We offer advanced math and spanish classes in our middle school which can lead to high school credit. Daily Religion class and weekly school-wide Mass. School-wide service or donation projects. National Junior Honor Society—open to 6-8th graders who meet the GPA requirement and the standard for service, leadership, citizenship, and character. Young Marines— is a national youth program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school graduation, focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL 316 SARASOTA ST. VENICE, FL 34285 ECSTIGERS.COM ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR ANDREA MITCHELL MITCHELL@ECSTIGERS.COM | 941-488-2215 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT LEAH MIHM MIHM@ECSTIGERS.COM | 941-615-0284

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Schools in Sarasota, FL. ICS offers pre-kindergarten through 8th grade students a Catholic Classical Education in a Christcentered environment forming one community of families, students and staff. We educate our students in a way that combines Catholic faith with academic excellence to have students become more aware of the transcendent realities of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Our Catholic identity is woven through the school culture, curriculum, content, and pedagogy.

The curriculum is content-rich while building on the previous

love of God. @incarnationcatholicschoo

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@ics_saints

HOOL SC

Incarnation Catholic School exists to provide an education of excellence while fostering within the community the mission of Jesus Christ for all to grow in faith, knowledge, and

T N CA HOL I IO

C

Schoo l ’s Mission

year’s knowledge for students to expand their thinking on traditional teachings with an emphasis on the development of Catholic values and teachings. Our classrooms are filled with students who love to learn, have a sense of wonder, and are self-motivated to apply their knowledge in abstract ways. ICS offers over 13 sports and more than 20 extracurriculars, which contribute to the positive social, spiritual and mental aspects of the participants and school community. Nestled in the heart of Sarasota with a park-like and secure campus surrounded by Incarnation parish, ICS is recognized for providing excellence in education and a vibrant Catholic school culture.

INCARNA T

ESTABLISHED IN 1961, INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (ICS) is one of the oldest and most established Catholic Private

• E s t.

1961

•

INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2911 BEE RIDGE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34239 P: 941-924-8588 | F: 941-925-1248 INCARNATIONSCHOOL.EDU | INFO@INCARNATIONSCHOOL.EDU

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

HERSHORIN SCHIFF COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL

COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL (CDS) is a fully accredited early childhood and kindergarten - 8th grade inclusive and pluralistic Jewish day school that proudly celebrates students of all faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities. In less than eight years since incorporating as an independent entity, CDS has grown into a nationally recognized model of education, tripling in size to 325 students and welcoming families representing over 41 different nationalities. Built on the principles of inclusion, acceptance and tolerance, our goal is simple: to create a safe, small, nurturing learning community where students impact our world as compassionate scholars and global citizens. Community Day School is uniquely positioned to build bridges between different faiths, levels of observance and cultures — uniting cross-sections of our community that rarely have a space to come together. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our enrollment, variable tuition financial aid, and programming - we proudly welcome all. Our spacious new 8.8acre campus offers tremendous opportunity for educational growth

HERSHORIN SCHIFF COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL 14 MONTHS THROUGH 8TH GRADE 4335 WILKINSON ROAD | SARASOTA FLORIDA 34233 COMMUNITYDAY.ORG | 941-552-2770 E: ADMISSIONS@COMMUNITYDAY.ORG

and meaningful student experiences. Its central Sarasota location, expands our accessibility to families throughout the community.

It integrally supports our commitment to all students going outdoors for at least one hour per day in order to create an effective learning environment for the children. Our preschool embraces a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based educational approach while the Elementary and Middle schools employ a rigorous, student-centered, project-based curriculum. Community Day’s unique program features hands-on, experiential learning and deliberately small class sizes allowing students to pursue their natural interests by connecting learning to real life experiences. Once students graduate, they are well prepared for advanced placement curriculum and poised for future success. They know who they are and what they stand for; recognize their unique gifts and how to use them; dare to pose questions and seek solutions; live their beliefs and respect others; and think and reason for themselves.

Schoo l ’s Mission The mission of the Hershorin Schiff Community Day School is to impact the world by creating a community where children of all faiths demonstrate integrity, academic excellence, and a desire to improve the world. @CommunityDaySarasota

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@hscommunitydayschool

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

NEWGATE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

FOUNDED IN 1907 BY DR. MARIA MONTESSORI, the

Montessori Method highlights a child-centered education supported by neuroscience research that promotes the development of executive function and learning at every age. Known as the “gold standard” for early childhood education, current research also reveals the effectiveness of the Montessori Method throughout one’s lifetime, inspiring a practice of lifelong learning. NewGate provides many different programs to help ignite the minds of students and help them understand the world of professionalism at a very young age. NewGate is an established, triple-accredited school in a region that is becoming increasingly more international every year. A Montessori education creates an entrepreneurial culture.

Programs for NewGate’s Middle and High School students include annual internships, drama immersion weeks, research trips, and service learning. NewGate School works with students as unique individuals to ensure they develop their full potential.

ASHTON ROAD CAMPUS SERVES AGES 8 WEEKS TO GRADE 8 5237 ASHTON ROAD SARASOTA, 34233 | 941-922-4949 LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS SERVES GRADES 9-12 5481 COMMUNICATIONS PKWY LAKEWOOD RANCH | 941-222-0763

Global Campus STUDENTS 7-12TH GRADES. TEAMGLOBAL@NEWGATE.EDU. NewGate

School’s Global Campus is connecting motivated and compassionate learners around the world through online and experiential learning guided by Montessori principles and practice in connection with the campus community of NewGate Montessori School in Sarasota, Florida. This program is built around a community of families in several states and countries who are sincerely committed to giving their children a world-class education that nurtures their self-development, personal creativity, global awareness, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit. Global Campus is a terrific fit for students who have flourished in a Montessori school but have no Montessori middle or high school program in their community. It is also a good fit for students with an extracurricular passion that requires a more flexible schedule or for students who prefer to learn from their homes for health reasons.

Students proceed through an engaging and challenging course of studies with many opportunities for student directed inquiry in partnership and small groups. NewGate’s Global Campus offers everything Montessori education is famous for including authentic investment in relationships to oneself, amidst respectful and kind peers alongside inspiring and caring adults, in a nourishing and thoughtfully prepared environment.

EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY

ESTABLISHED IN 1924, THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY

is home to more than 800 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school offers an innovative program focused on educating the whole child in a caring, supportive community. Out-of-Door continually implements new programs and strategies to meet the emerging educational needs of the next generation. Through its evolution, ODA has honored the legacy of its visionary founders who established a school where important lessons would be learned “out-of-door,” or outside the classroom. Central to

that vision was a belief that education should integrate hands-on learning experiences, physical activity, and the arts. Two campuses boast space for visual and performing arts opportunities, as well as 12 interscholastic team sports.

More than 50 student-run clubs and activities, including cultural, arts, and service organizations are offered. The Out-of-Door Academy remains dedicated to its longstanding commitment to the development of self-confident, well-rounded graduates who become responsible, contributing members of the global society.

School’s Miss ion LOWER SCHOOL HISTORIC SIESTA KEY CAMPUS 444 REID STREET | SARASOTA 941-554-3439 | PRE-K – GRADE 5 MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL UIHLEIN CAMPUS IN LAKEWOOD RANCH 5950 DEER DRIVE | SARASOTA 941-554-5950 | GRADES 6-12

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The Out-of-Door Academy is an independent, college preparatory school with campuses in Siesta Key and Lakewood Ranch. Students in preschool - grade 12 achieve high academic goals and build character through a balanced program of academics, athletics, and the arts. Using a student-centered educational philosophy, ODA prepares students for college and for life. @theoutofdooracademy

@outofdoor

@oda_thunder

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

FOR OVER 60 YEARS, SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

has offered a distinctively Christian, academically rigorous education for students with the goal of raising future generations for Christ. At the heart of the SCS experience, you’ll find a team of caring, highly qualified, and passionate faculty and staff.

Dedicated to equipping each of our almost 600 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students with a love for Christ, a passion to learn, the courage to lead and a commitment to serve, our faculty teaches both in the classroom and by example. The love for Christ can be seen in all that we do. Our students enjoy daily prayer and devotions, weekly chapel, spiritual emphasis days and biblically-infused curriculum. Academic opportunities from the Scripps Spelling Bee to AP and dual enrolment classes through Southeastern University help fuel a passion to learn in our students.

The courage to lead is cultivated through a host of opportunities

like student council, National Honor Society, and FHSAA athletics.

The commitment to serve is developed as students strive to meet our 150 service hour graduation requirement and participate in service projects, worship team and community events.

Character development continues outside of the classroom through a host of extra-curricular offerings including Odyssey of the Mind, Mock Trial Team, National History Day, annual Chalk Festival, Art Show and more. Established in 1958, SCS has been infusing faith and igniting minds for over six decades.

Sarasota Christian School has been fully accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools since 1990. FCIS accreditation is the seal of educational excellence for families seeking an independent school education, placing SCS among the very best schools in the nation. Visit our beautiful 25-acre campus and see what an SCS education has to offer your student.

School’s Miss ion The mission of Sarasota Christian School is to equip students with a LOVE for Christ, the passion to LEARN, the courage to LEAD and a commitment to SERVE. @ SRQChristian

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@sarasotachristian

SARASOTA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 5415 BAHIA VISTA STREET | SARASOTA, FL 34232 941-371-6481 | SARASOTACHRISTIAN.ORG

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

SEA OF STRENGTHS ACADEMY

SEA OF STRENGTHS ACADEMY was founded in 2009 by two experienced teachers who had a very simple goal - to serve students that were not receiving the reading help they so desperately needed in school. These bright students had often lost interest in school, and felt that they would never learn to read. With proper teaching, using Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory phonics, these students did learn to read, and gained the self confidence needed to reach their goals in school and beyond. Sea Of Strengths Academy serves students in grades 2-12 with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Students participate in daily Orton-Gillingham instruction, which is also infused into all subject areas. This has a multiplying effect on the reading intervention and is possible because all teachers at Sea Of Strengths Academy receive specialized training from an accredited Orton-Gillingham fellow. Students also receive daily individualized math instruction.

Our program is multisensory, using plenty of manipulatives to

School ’s Miss ion The mission of Sea Of Strengths Academy is to help students with learning differences meet their full potential in school, by providing a high-quality, research-backed, multi-sensory curriculum taught by dedicated and compassionate teachers.

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demonstrate math concepts. Students move from the concrete to more abstract concepts, and are allowed to progress at their own pace. Other classes include writing, literature, social studies and science. We have a weekly social-emotional class and a quarterly specials rotation. Specials include acting, robotics, dance and taekwondo. Learning outside the classroom is also supported through frequent field trips and community service opportunities. Our high school program provides students with a number of options, including dual enrollment for college credit or career preparation programs. Through a blended program students attend in-person daily and receive instructional support for their online curriculum.

Students in this program also participate in small group OrtonGillingham phonics and daily individualized math instruction. We encourage you to visit our school and to learn why Sea Of Strengths Academy is the best school for students with dyslexia in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Call today to schedule a tour!

SEA OF STRENGTHS ACADEMY 7313 INTERNATIONAL PLACE | SUITE 90 LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34240 941-538-6822 SOSASCHOOL.COM @ seaofstrengths

@ SeaOfStrengths

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EXPLORE THE SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU | SPECIAL BRANDED CONTENT SECTION TO ROCKETKIDS SUMMER 2023

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (SMCS) in Sarasota

offers a challenging, faith-based academic experience to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. “In an effort to serve God and our community, students, staff and families work together to maintain high academic standards, develop Christ-centered relationships, and provide stewardship to Sarasota and the surrounding areas,” a spokesperson for SMCS says. “Students have consistently performed in the top 20 percent across the nation year after year.” The school follows a STREAM

curriculum (an interdisciplinary, standards-based model that integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics). Teachers design units of study that challenge and empower students, creating an environmentthatencouragesproblem-solving,collaboration, student-led inquiry and hands-on projects. A science lab, vegetable and prayer gardens, open fields and the Zazarino Center serve as dynamic learning spaces. The Catholic faith is woven into all subjects and grade levels, promoting a culture of innovation and ethical action.

Schoo l ’s Mission In partnership with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church, the mission of St. Martha Catholic School is to provide each student with diverse opportunities which develop strength in faith, and excellence in knowledge and learning. Students build character through their Christian service to the school, parish and world communities.

@StMarthaCatholicSchool

@StMarthaCS

@SMCS_SRQ

St. Martha Catholic School

ST. MARTHA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 4380 FRUITVILLE ROAD, SARASOTA 941-953-4181 | STMARTHASCHOOL.NET INFO@STMARTHASCHOOL.NET

SERVES GRADES PRE-K-8

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STORIES FROM OUR PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY

giving coast WRITING A NEW CHAPTER

NewGate School stepped up to lend a helping hand after Hurricane Ian’s path of destruction left neighbors without food, shelter or income for months. Barbie Heit IT SEEMED AS THOUGH CHRIS AND ERIN MANDELL HAD IT ALL. The New York transplants arrived in sunny Florida just a few years ago with their two little boys, Rowan, now age seven, and Asher, five, and worked to build their thriving antique-book dealing business, ElevenEleven Books–named for the November 11th date the couple first met–from their home in South Venice.

When threats of Hurricane Ian came, the couple decided to be safe and evacuate their rental home because it did not have hurricane-proof windows. They stayed with loved ones in West Palm Beach for three days. Knowing that their friend’s home in North Port was on higher ground than theirs, they moved their books there, thinking it would be safer. That turned out to be a bad decision. The North Port home was completely flooded and everything in it, including over 350 books (worth about $750,000.00) was gone.

Sadly, the couple lost priceless early business ledgers that were important historical items. A few were New Bedford, MA whaling ledgers, another archive was from the founding fathers of Los Angeles in the late 1800s, and even more were colonial American from the 1770s to the 1780s. Bookwise, they lost numerous 16th-century books, many bound in early animal skin (vellum). Also destroyed was a signed royal patent vellum manuscript from Queen Victoria with her large royal seal.

“Once we came back to town, everything changed,” says Chris. “We had worked hard to protect every book by putting them in plastic bins, wrapping them in plastic, and taking all the precautions to keep any bit of

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water out. We brought them into the strongest room that we could find. It had no windows but somehow, water found a way in and decimated about 80% of what we had . . antique books that are not replaceable. And that put a big stop sign in front of everything we do.”

With little help from insurance companies and no break in their rent from their landlord, Erin and Chris were feeling desperate. Luckily, help from their immediate community was soon to come.

Rowan and Asher are students at NewGate Montessori School in Sarasota. When head of school Tanya Ryskind and her team heard about the Mandell’s situation, they immediately stepped up to help. First, they worked with the family to make sure Rowan and Asher were able to stay in school for the remainder of the year. Next, parents and staff members contributed to a GoFundMe page to raise enough money to keep the family afloat with food and expenses.

“NewGate parents reached out and offered help to us in all forms,” shares Erin. “Staff members came to the house and helped us with groceries, childcare, and so much more. It was so heartwarming to see.”

Originally expecting to receive about $2,500 from the GoFundMe efforts, the Mandells were floored to see that their caring community at NewGate had raised almost $9,000.00, helping the family make ends meet and get them through the most difficult of times.

With plans to build back their business, the Mandells are optimistic about the future and eternally grateful to their NewGate family. SRQ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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giving coast

A GOOD HERO WORKS HERE By helping people to help themselves, Jessica Braemer is recognized as a good hero by her colleagues and community.

Barbie Heit

A GOOD HERO WORKS HERE! She’s selfless and passionate about helping families thrive, and she embodies all our core values. She is a true champion of moms, dads and children. Better Together is grateful to have Jessica Braemer on the team! Those are the words written about Jessica Braemer by her colleagues at Better Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people help themselves. Jessica is the Southwest Florida Partnerships Manager, serving the greater Sarasota region, including Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties. Along with her dedicated team, she helps parents who are going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with tools and a support system to thrive.

Originally from the state of Washington, Jessica’s passion for helping others came from her experience working with and serving military families during the Iraq war with her former Army husband who she married in 2007. Together, they had a daughter in 2009 and relocated to Florida. Shortly thereafter, they separated and divorced and it was then that Jessica says “the bottom fell all the way out” on her life. “Like many that fall on hard times, when the bottom falls out, you often have no one,” she shares. “Despite how I was raised, and knowing what was right and wrong, I found myself in a place of being alone, feeling completely hopeless, and for a short time (that felt like an eternity) I was separated from my family. I couldn’t escape the circumstances that surrounded us. But it was through that trial that I was given the gift of desperation and my comeback story began. The community and church 96 | srq magazine_ MAY/JUNE23 live local

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really loved me back to life. I rebuilt my life and found confidence, faith, purpose, drive and most importantly I had my daughter with me. I am certain, if I would’ve had something like Better Together ten years ago, it would’ve changed the trajectory of things in my life.” Now remarried, Jessica and her husband, who also happens to be her best friend, have four incredible kids, and they are hoping for more children to come. “My husband and I love sharing the Gospel with all we encounter, and both use our life experience and overcoming stories to serve those around us,” she says.

With a background in fundraising, event planning, and grant writing, Jessica came to Better Together in April 2021. When she joined the team, they had six church partners in Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). They now have 31 church partners. In just a few short years, Better Together has served over 367 children across Sarasota and Manatee counties. Jessica leads the network of faith partners in recruiting, screening and training volunteers, and coordinates with community partners to help local families. In her short time with the organization, Jessica has been a champion of women, children and families in our community, empowering them with resources and tools to stay together. “One outreach we did that really touched my heart was taking Thanksgiving meals to families in need just before the holiday.” she says. “For many families, just getting through the day-to-day is difficult and the parents we serve don’t have the means to put a Thanksgiving meal on the table. This effort brought tremendous blessings to the families served, helping make the holiday extra special.”

During the holidays, her team collected and distributed Christmas gifts for 106 children across the region. “There is something so special happening (and growing) where we get to see the community, government, churches, law enforcement, and families come together and be the church to change the standard. Not just in the judicial system, but in helping keep children out of foster care, families together, and ultimately restore hope and wholeness to the family unit,” she adds.

A recent success story that Jessica is happy to share involves a time when she volunteered at the Women’s Recovery Pod at the Sarasota County Jail. Through her partnership with Better Together, she was able to come alongside the reentry navigator team, the public defender, the state attorney, and ultimately a local mom, Sierra, who was incarcerated and pregnant and needed care for her newborn child when he was born so he would not enter the foster care system. Before Sierra’s son was even born, Better Together secured a host family that would welcome him into their home and provide care until his mom was able to enter a Christ-centered 12-month residential program with him. The family hosted Jasper for three or four weeks, providing a loving, safe home for his first few weeks of life while Sierra waited anxiously and excitedly to be reunited with him. The host family stayed in touch with her throughout this time, sharing updates and photos of Jasper while building a lasting friendship. Sierra was eventually released from jail and reunited with her son in the residential program.

When asked about advice she would give to young people, Jessica has a lot to say. “Find community. Figure out how you are uniquely created. Everyone was created for a unique purpose on this earth that only you are meant to do.

Find mentors and people that you can learn from. Use your life experience (even the not-so-great on-paper stuff) as fuel for motivation and healing for this world. Be a person with strong integrity. Pursue the passion that stirs in you and keeps you up at night! Dare to dream and when you dream . . . dream big. There is a yes out there somewhere and don’t stop until you find it. The sky’s the limit, so enjoy the pursuit of life, faith, love, family, and happiness!”

SRQ Jessica Braemer was honored as one of SRQ Magazine’s good heroes in March 2023.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

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In

MAY 2023 EDITION

Conversation

IN CONVERSATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. INTERVIEW BY WES ROBERTS EDITED BY BARBIE HEIT

LET’S START OFF WITH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELVES AND WHAT YOU DO. BRONWYN BEIGHTOL: I’ve been with United Way for 15 years, but I’ve been working in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years now, and I’ve had the privilege of focusing mostly on early education in that work.

From the United Way Suncoast standpoint, we believe that everybody deserves equitable access to opportunities to create the lives they imagine. We act on that belief by partnering with businesses, nonprofits, media, government, and our community to focus on early education. PHILIP TAVILL: We are an early childhood comprehensive provider and family strengthening program serving Sarasota County.

BRONWYN BEIGHTOL, CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER UNITED WAY SUNCOAST

HOW DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION CONNECT WITH CHILDREN IN OUR REGION AND WHAT ARE THE SPACES OR ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH YOUR INFLUENCE IS FOCUSED. BEIGHTOL: I’d like to think that we intersect with children and families in most of the ways that children and families live their lives. So from a partnering perspective, we’re involved with the nonprofits in our community, bringing alignment, collaboration, and strategic focus in particular areas. If we’re talking about early education, in just the past few years, we’ve started focusing on our Quality Child Care Initiative, which is making sure that there are quality childcare opportunities for families that we refer to as ALICE– Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed– basically in our community, more

than half who are working hard every single day trying to make ends meet, and realizing that the cost of childcare can cost as much as a year’s worth of tuition at USF. The Quality Child Care Initiative is making sure that our childcare centers have what they need to provide services for our families.

And that can be anywhere from educational materials, to professional development support, to behavioral health support, and to making sure that our centers have the materials that they need to be successful. One quick story that came to light even moreso after this latest hurricane, is that a center can’t function, can’t operate if it doesn’t have the necessary equipment or safety protocols in place. So we had a center that lost a fence and lost some of their outside toys and they couldn’t open up without having that available. You

PHILIP TAVILL, PRESIDENT AND CEO CHILDREN FIRST

would think if the inside is okay, everything’s going to be alright.

It’s not. So we worked with our Early Learning Coalition, which is another wonderful partnership.

This was in DeSoto County, and we made sure that they had what they needed and got that sorted out so that they could get opened up as soon as possible, and serve our communities and families.

Because again, families needed to go to work. And our children still needed to be in an early educational environment, for more reasons than just families going to work. TAVILL: We have multiple sites throughout the county from North Port to Newtown. And our connection with children is really year-round.

Infant and toddler care, beginning with services to pregnant moms, taking babies into our care at six weeks of age, and working

ENGAGING READERS THROUGH STORYTELLING.

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SRQ MAGAZIN E SUPP ORTING FA M IL IES : : M AY /J U N E 2 0 2 3

with them in our really beautiful state-of-the-art early childhood education centers until they’re four or five and they go off to kindergarten, or as they like to call it the big school. We have multiple locations because we want to make sure that barriers to service are as limited as possible.

So being in neighborhoods where our families live makes it much more convenient for them to be able to have their kids come see us. And then the other thing that really helps is our family strengthening programming, which typically runs in the evenings after the school day. And when families come back, whether it’s budgeting classes, how to become a better parent, or nurturing dads, they’re really coming back to their second home. They’re coming back to where their kids spend their day.

So it behooves us to be really well located based on where our families live.

AFTER HURRICANE IAN THERE WERE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF DAMAGE, INCLUDING DELAYS IN OPENING SCHOOLS. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE EFFECTS OF THE STORM ON THE FAMILIES YOU SERVE? BEIGHTOL: On top of several years of a pandemic, you have this hurricane that comes up, and now you’re struggling to open schools.

So families needing places to be and children needing to get their education, that didn’t go on as long as we thought it was going to have to go on. Thankfully we were able to come to a solution.

Superintendent Asplen, at the time, really came up with some strategies that made sure that they were able to open the schools one by one and get our children back in as soon as possible. But when children can’t go to school, families don’t have access to getting to their job, and businesses suffer. So our community as a whole struggles with that, but most importantly, our children are losing valuable, necessary, critical information, at an early stage in particular, to

be able to be successful in work and life later on. And that’s important for us to note.

TAVILL The initial impact was really around the kind of damage that many of our families sustained, as well as our staff. As you can imagine with our multiple locations, we have a significant number of staff members in South County who were just dreadfully impacted by the storm. We had to assess damage to our facilities to make sure that there weren’t structural issues and we were able to do that pretty quickly. And then we came back into service really very promptly. Our challenge really was around the staff that was so severely impacted. And one of the ways that we really kicked into gear, was we had donors who provided us with funding for gas gift cards, for grocery cards so that people could just have the essentials. The other way, which isn’t so tangible, and this was critical, is we deployed our early childhood mental health staff members who are available not just to children and families, but also to our staff, and really tried to, in a sense, triage what are the needs based on the trauma that we’re seeing, and how do we address that both internally with our resources, as well as through referral. As an adult in the storm, it sounds like there’s a freight train barreling through for 10 hours. That’s how one of my staff members put it in North Port.

But imagine you’re three and you experienced that, and you can’t really articulate the stress that causes you. So we’ve had what I’ll call the lingering effects from that hurricane, just tremendous impact.

CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE FINANCIAL IMPACT? TAVILL: We had a staff member who came out in the morning and her car had floated away. It was that much water and her house was basically surrounded by water. There was another staff member, a woman who’s

IN CO NV E R S AT I O N been with us for many years.

Her husband, an electrician, was not going to leave her and their children home alone. And his employer said, “You don’t show up to work, you’re out of a job.” So he lost his job, in essence, because of his commitment to protecting his family. Now he’s subsequently, thankfully found better work. In addition, their generator died.

And when you have medication in the fridge that has to be kept cold, it becomes life-threatening.

And we were very fortunate we were able to get them a generator, somebody who had a generator donated it to them because their power was back on. We had a family of five who had been displaced because of flooding and terrible water damage, and they lived in a staff member’s home for two months.

HAVING DEALT WITH THE PANDEMIC FOR SO LONG, DO YOU THINK THERE WAS SOME MEASURE OF EMPATHY EXHAUSTION BY THE TIME THE HURRICANE HAPPENED? BEIGHTOL: The volunteers were in the same boat as the folks they were trying to help. That was some of it. During the pandemic, Sarasota’s average rent for a two bedroom apartment increased by $500 a month. So you have folks who are losing their homes during this tragedy and struggling to even find another place to live. You had rents that were going up and evictions that were happening, all of that at the same time as this hurricane came to be.

So families were just struggling all the way around. So, this is my surmise, I think you had fewer helpers because the helpers were trying to figure themselves out as well. TAVILL: I would agree.

Bronwyn, what you described about maybe fatigue from the pandemic, the storm coming, and rents going up, we have described this confluence of factors as the imperfect storm. And it is really that description that we use in terms of addressing the fact that we are

having such a hard time finding people for open positions. It’s really tough. I drove down to South County the day after the storm because there was staff we couldn’t reach.

There was no cell service. And so I drove to their homes because we needed to make sure that they were at least physically sound. And it was scary to drive, I had to take a lot of alternate routes. BEIGHTOL: Something we thought we’d never have to say is we were researching and looking for donations of fungicide for people’s homes because of the mold from the flooding. There were just so many things that kept coming up that weren’t the norm, but to get people back to work, to get people to where they had that sense of self and safety, to make sure that food was available. And then we had, thanks to the Patterson Foundation, gift cards, and things like that available, and food available. And you just don’t think about what that means, and what that takes out of a household budget when all of your linens, everything in your home has been impacted by water and flooding coming into your home, and you have no real way, or the money in your budget to be able to take care of that. So that alone impacts everything in your life.

That impacts whether you’re going to work, whether you can feed your children in the morning, whether your children are in school, and your mental health and wellbeing.

EMERGING FROM THIS DIFFICULT TIME, WHAT ARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS ABOUT HELPING KIDS ACHIEVE THEIR BEST? TAVILL: I think of a number of things. One is that, and this is my gift of stating the obvious, is the use of virtual platforms. Our family strengthening programs that we call the Families First Institute, that all pivoted to virtual very quickly. So how do we take what have been in-person courses, nurturing dads, class, budgeting, all those courses that we offer, and how do we pivot to virtual, and try to lose as little as possible to the 2D effect? And

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS Bronwyn Beightol, Chief Impact Officer, United Way Suncoast As Chief Impact Officer for United Way Suncoast, serving Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Hillsborough and Pinellas, Bronwyn Beightol provides vision, thought leadership, direction and oversight for United Way Suncoast. In September 2022, Beightol’s Chief Impact Officer duties expanded to include oversight of United Way Suncoast’s community impact work throughout its five-county footprint, including education, financial stability and support services. Now in her 16th year with United Way, Beightol took over the organization’s regional efforts in early learning and youth success in early 2022. Under her leadership, United Way Suncoast rebranded its regional early learning approach as United We Learn and amplified its commitment to quality childcare and literacy.

Beightol’s work has enhanced the organization, placing 22 funded paraprofessionals in classrooms across the region. She and her team have strengthened United Way Suncoast’s Quality Childcare Initiative to include 45 schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

Many of the new advances involve replicating the initiatives Beightol helped cra in Manatee County, including the award-winning Big Plan and Campaign for Grade-Level Reading efforts.

A resident of Manatee County for more than 15 years, Bronwyn has spent more than two decades in the social-impact sector leading innovative, community-level change initiatives to advance the common good. In the public sector, Bronwyn had a more than 10-year career working in publishing with Sterling Southeast, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New York Times locally at the Herald-Tribune.

is what’s come out of it really positive. While we have some in-person courses going, we’re continuing with that virtual platform. And people have become so accustomed to it, and we’ve become increasingly better at the delivery of the services to make sure that what we want to convey gets conveyed. It’s really an effective tool that allows us to reach people who otherwise might have scheduling or transportation issues. I think one of the other things, and this is really major for us, is that we’ve been in an environment where the general public, so to speak, has increasing awareness of mental health issues with very young children. So when I started this work 27 years ago, if you’d talk about a three-year-old with depression, somebody would say, “What are you talking about?

Three-year-olds run around, they’re happy. They’re this, that, and the other.” I believe that the exacerbation from isolation during Covid, the resulting behaviors from that isolation, the resulting behaviors from the toxic stressors that families underwent, and how that spills over from the parent to the child, have really elevated in our community the importance of very early intervention. And it’s always been in our books, but people knowing about it and saying this is important and a hugely positive outcome from what has been a tragedy.

BEIGHTOL: It’s just building upon the idea of the knowledge that we have, and more people have this knowledge now, that 80% of a child’s brain is developed before they’re four years old, 90% by the time they’re five. That’s huge.

And if our children are struggling with access to early education, and early learning, we all know that now, and we know that we need to come together around solutions for that. So for one, with United Way Suncoast, we have always been a convenor and a collaborator. So during the pandemic, and after this particular

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disaster, we gathered the community together just like we always do.

This time we had two important tools in our toolkit. One is we created the State of the Housing Crisis Dashboard, which has really all the information you will need right now to be able to understand the crisis that we’re in as a community, with finding houses for people to live, rent affordable, and how that impacts all of our community members in so many different ways.

You can combine that with the Tampa Bay Regional Competitiveness Report. And the second part of that is we also did a State of Early Learning Dashboard, which helps our community members understand where we are in this community, in this early learning crisis. When there are only six locations for early learning for every thousand families in our community, that’s a crisis.

When early learning costs as much as college tuition in a year, that’s a crisis. When you can’t find quality childcare and educators who will come in and are able to stay and we’re not paying them enough to keep them in that role and now we’re struggling to find new leaders– that’s a crisis. So in terms of how United Way addresses those, we like to educate the community, and we like to learn together with the community on best next steps.

We’ve watched the trends, we’ve paid attention to the data, and we know, so we started our Quality Child Care Initiative about three years ago, focused on that early learning and investing there.

We also worked to get paraprofessionals, bilingual and bi-literate, in the classrooms. Pacing and making sure that there are professional development opportunities for our early learning professionals is something that we started as well just a few years ago. So lots of ways, and of course, what we call our ALICE work, working with families in particular zip codes to make sure that chronically under-resourced and underserved communities have equitable access to the things that we need. And that involves, again, early childhood.

WHAT DOES A TRULY SUCCESSFUL EARLY CHILDHOOD ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE LOOK LIKE AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST? TAVILL: Let’s say Grandma or Grandpa from 60 years ago when they had their little 2, 3, 4 year old, were put into a Children First classroom today, and we showed them a chart called the HighScope Curriculum, a nationally utilized, well-researched, valid and reliable curriculum tool, and they saw for infants and toddlers, 43 key developmental indicators, and for preschoolers, I think it’s 56 or 57 within domains. The simplest ones to understand are things like gross motor skills, and fine motor skills because those are very good ways of determining a child’s development and determining whether you have to have an intervention. But then you get into things like reasoning. How does a two-year-old reason?

Well actually very effectively, and it can be deduced in a way that is measurable and teachable. So I think that grandparents landing and looking at these HighScope key developmental indicators might have their minds blown a little bit to say, wow, this is a very precise, very measurable activity that determines really effectively how a child’s developing. And the other piece that I think that I would just layer on is that in our work, we use that to create highly individualized to the child approaches. So it’s much less of a “All 18 of you will be doing this now.” And it’s, “Five of you are in small group instruction, and some of you were in a large group,” and then there’s somebody that you’re working with one-on-one.

BEIGHTOL: It used to be the idea that we just make sure that our children are safe so that we can go to work, or so that we can do this or that. Or maybe we didn’t know that it was so important to develop a child’s brain with intention from the time they were young. I think they’d be shocked to learn that a child needs to know so

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ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS Philip Tavill, President and CEO, Children First Philip Tavill has been President & CEO of Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive Head Start provider, since 1996. Since obtaining a baccalaureate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1989, Mr. Tavill has worked in the human services field both in direct service and management capacities. He returned to Sarasota in 1990 and was appointed Executive Director of the Loveland Center in 1991. At Case Western Reserve University, he earned a Master of Nonprofit Organizations from the Weatherhead School of Management and Master of Science in Social Administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.

In 2022, Mr. Tavill received the Mandel School Alumni Association Nonprofit Leadership Award.

Most recently, he was recognized with the Billy J. McCain, Sr. Excellence in Community Service Award from the National Head Start Association Region IV District and the Sargent Shriver Community Service Award from the Florida Head Start Association for his impact in elevating excellence across the Head Start community.

much more now just to be ready for school. It might even be shocking to understand that if a child doesn’t know how to tie their shoes, the kindergarten teacher has to spend a lot of time making sure that children can tie their shoes rather than focusing on their academic success. So things like that that we wouldn’t maybe have had on our radar. I think it also means that as a society, we’ve started to understand that right now we’re not really raising children, we’re raising adults.

We’re raising adults for the next generation, the next workforce.

And you’ve got to start early, and you’ve got to be consistent, and it has to be high quality. TAVILL: I do want to tag on that we really value the importance of play. Play is learning, it’s sharing with others. It’s checking impulse control.

But it’s play, it’s fantastic. My office opens onto the playground, and I love the shrieks, and they’re running full speed, and they’re throwing the ball because it is rigorous. But we recognize very clearly the importance of that unstructured playtime.

PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT THE FUNDING FOR BOTH OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS. WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? AND WHEN PEOPLE GIVE AND DONATE, WHAT ARE THEY GETTING IN RETURN? BEIGHTOL: With the United Way Suncoast, our funding comes from a number of places, and a number of sources.

We do workforce campaigns, so a lot of the companies in the area provide that philanthropic opportunity for their team members.

It’s a wonderful thing to see because I like to call it an everyday philanthropist. So you can be a large-scale change-maker in the community with whatever you’re able to afford in terms of giving. We also have private, what we call the Tocqueville donors, that are highlevel donors in the community.

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We get some grants as well from a number of different places. So we have a number of funding sources.

And what that funding source really gets you is, I refer to it a little bit in the idea of the everyday philanthropist, you get a force multiplier with what United Way Suncoast does. So we bring partners together with intention around specific community challenges and aspirations, and we provide solutions together. Solutions that for us are focused on both systemic change and lasting impact. So that’s a high-level view of United Way Suncoast. TAVILL: For us, funding is a little bit unique. As a head start, early head start grantee, many of those programs, it’s 99% of their funding. For us, it’s about 60% of our funding. So it’s a really good solid base. Something important to know is that for every local dollar, including United Way, including Sarasota County, and most importantly philanthropists, every dollar is securing four federal dollars. It’s an unbelievable match. It’s hard to find that. And when you ask what folks are getting, I’ll give you the broad answer. They’re getting an extraordinarily high-quality, early childhood, early care in early childhood experience for those children who are most vulnerable in our community. It in a sense is allowing those kids to come into kindergarten and be on par with their peers, where otherwise they wouldn’t. It’s also, and this is a less visible aspect of what we do, is providing tremendous support to families with the goal of those families becoming increasingly self-sufficient and independent. And we measure that. So when we take a parent into our parent training program, something we’ve formalized over the last few years, and they’re not making a lot of money, and clearly, there’s been an increase in wages, but they suddenly get a job where they’re making $22 an hour because of the work that we’ve put in with them, their entire world changes. I mean, it’s a remarkable shift. And that, to a great extent, is because of our investment in

helping one, our parents be their children’s first teachers, and two, helping them recognize that they can dream and we can help them realize those dreams. BEIGHTOL: I want to add, too, the human capital. People invest their money, but they also invest their time and their energy.

TAVILL: One more thing that I feel is so important to become more aware of is that when we look at a kindergarten teacher in our public schools, or private schools, we have an expectation that they’re going to do really good work with those brandnew kindergartners. And that from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, there’ll be very significant development of those kids. In Sarasota County schools, I think that the beginning salary for kindergarten teachers is about $55,000 a year. My question is that when you have a bachelor’s degree as an early childhood educator, why is it that our community is not bringing forth the resources to pay that individual $55,000 a year when 90% of brain development is occurring?

There’s no do-over. It’s a one-shot deal. And one answer that I get is, well, it’s so expensive because the ratios are so much lower. So there might be 18 or 20 kindergarten kids.

Well, there’s going to be 18 preschoolers, and we’re going to have three staff members, a lead teacher with a bachelor’s, an assistant teacher, and a classroom aid. And what I would propose is that the three of them and the work that they are doing allow for the kindergarten teacher’s success allowing for them to be reading on grade level at third grade, which is an excellent predictor of high school graduation.

And so one of the messages we have a constant drumbeat is we need support for these folks who say, “I am committed to early childhood education, and I need to be able to make a living at it.” When rents have gone up so much, when there’s inflationary pressure, I think it’s an obligation to our children via the vehicle of our deeply committed teachers. SRQ

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GivingCoast

SRQ MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE2023 :: PHILANTHROPY BRANDED CONTENT SECTION :: DONOR GUIDE TO GIVING

SARASOTA+MANATEE

GUIDETO GIVING YOUR GUIDE TO GIVING OPPORTUNITIES BOOSTS THE

IMPACT FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN OUR REGION. BECOME A PART OF THE LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC STORY BY FULFILLING THEIR GIVING BACK WISH LISTS.

ART CENTER SARASOTA BLAZE OF HOPE CAT DEPOT CHILDREN FIRST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY FLORIDA CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT100 SRQ RESILIENT RETREAT THE SARASOTA BALLET SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS UNITED WAY SUNCOAST YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

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Art Center Sarasota

Our WishList Provide Scholarships for youth and adult art education.

Advocate for young people by underwriting Youth Art Saturday programs.

Sponsor Artist Talks and Panel Discussions for deeper understandings of art and social issues.

Become a Member and be part of the ACS community.

Contribute to our Endowment and make a lasting impact on the future of art and art education.

WE NEED ART NOW MORE THAN EVER. Through visual arts we learn more about ourselves and the

people around us. The arts act as a creative outlet for self expression, mental health wellness, and social engagement. ACS Youth Programs provide unique opportunities for kids to express themselves while building confidence and self esteem. Whether it is Summer Art Camp, Free Youth Saturdays, Slice of Art field trips or special activities like The Mural Project, teen mentoring or volunteering, we are commi ed to providing a safe place for children to explore their creativity, interact with others and experience acceptance from teachers and peers alike. ACS Adult Programs provide continued learning and enrichment. Our classes and exhibitions awaken the imagination, relieve stress, and provide meaningful connection with art enthusiasts.

Become a patron of the visual arts and support our community. To learn more, visit artsarasota.org or call 941.365.2032 for more information.

ART CENTER SARASOTA | 707 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34236 | 941.365.2032 | ARTSARASOTA.ORG | INFO@ARTSARASOTA.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/ARTCENTERSARASOTA | INSTAGRAM.COM/ARTCENTERSARASOTA SRQ M AG A ZI N E | M AY /JUNE 2 0 2 3 :: G I VI NG COA ST — DO NO R'S G UI DE TO G I V ING

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Blaze of Hope

DONOR'S GUIDE TO GIVING

Our WishList We are always seeking donations to continue providing financial assistance to families. We are thrilled to have partnered with the Flanzer matching program to match donations made via our website, making it possible to help even more families.

BLAZE OF HOPE IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE to families

with children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. Blaze of Hope was founded by Lisa Moore, whose son Blaze was diagnosed with liver cancer at seven months old. Blaze passed away at thirteen months old, but her experience inspired her to create Blaze of Hope to help other families going through similar struggles. In 2022, Blaze of Hope introduced several new fundraising initiatives that helped raise money and increase awareness of the cause. Our fundraising events are one of our most significant initiatives throughout the year, providing crucial support for our programs. Our monthly partnership with Blaze Pizza at UTC has been an enjoyable way to engage with our community and raise funds, with 20% of proceeds donated to our organization. This year we hosted our first annual golf tournament at Legacy Golf Club and also partnered with the City of Sarasota for an annual Walk for Childhood Cancer, where the Ringling Bridge was lit yellow, and hundreds of people walked across the bridge to honor those affected by cancer. Blaze of Hope hosts our annual Stuff a Bus Toy Drive during the holiday season. This event truly represents our mission to bring hope and joy to families in need, and we are proud to continue this tradition every year. Blaze of Hope’s priority is our financial assistance program. We understand that medical bills and expenses can pile up quickly when you have a child in the hospital, so we help families with everyday bills such as car payments, rent & utilities. Our goal is to help families focus on their child's health and well-being without worrying about the financial burden of their child's illness. At Blaze of Hope, we believe that even the smallest bit of joy and hope can make a difference in the lives of families. Our mission is to provide support and resources to help families cope during this difficult time. We want families to know that they are not alone and that we are here to help them through this challenging journey.

It's time for an official Blaze of Hope headquarters.

We desperately need a building or office space for Blaze of Hope as we have outgrown our living rooms because, with your help, we continue to grow.

We also need an army of volunteers.

Our volunteers donate their time by raising awareness and building community through our numerous events, partnerships, and fundraisers. Be blessed!

BLAZE OF HOPE | 941.232.4568 | BLAZEOFHOPE.ORG | @BLAZEOFHOPE | BLAZEOFHOPESRQ@GMAIL.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BLAZEOFHOPE

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Cat Depot

CAT DEPOT'S MISSION IS TO SAVE LIVES, find loving homes, and provide resources and education

needed to improve the destiny of homeless cats. Cat Depot, a limited-admission, free-roaming adoption, rescue, and education center, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned, and injured felines locally, regionally, and nationally. This year marks Cat Depot’s 20th year in supporting the cats and the people who love them in the Manasota area. Since opening in 2003, Cat Depot has found homes for nearly 20,000 cats and ki ens. RESCUE: Cat Depot works daily to rescue abandoned, abused, injured, relinquished, and free-roaming community/ feral cats and ki ens. In 2022, Cat Depot assisted with local and national rescues due to both natural and manmade disasters. ADOPTION: Our goal is to find a good match and loving home for every cat who enters Cat Depot. Over 1,180 cats and ki ens found forever homes in 2022 through Cat Depot’s adoption program. HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAM: Cat Depot provides the community with educational activities that promote awareness and knowledge of cat behavior and care through public workshops, lectures, printed materials, and an online resource library. Last year, 185+ community-based programs were offered to community members of all ages. CAT CARE CLINIC: In an effort to care for sick and injured cats and their distressed owners, Cat Depot’s Cat Care Clinic operates an affordable onsite care clinic. Reduced prices have helped people and their pets in not only Sarasota County but the surrounding areas. Over 4,200 cats and ki ens receive treatment each year in the Cat Care Clinic. COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: The Community Food Bank provides much need food and supplies to colony caretakers and income-qualified pet parents. In 2022, Cat Depot's Food Bank fed over 9,120 cats and ki ens in the Manasota area.

Our WishList Wet & Dry Cat Food (all types) to be distributed to 9,000+ cats and kittens through the Community Food Bank.

KMR Ki en Formula and Royal Canin Mother & Baby Cat Wet Food are needed to care for the 600+ kittens we will assist this year.

Shelter Medical Funding to benefit the health and well-being of the cats entrusted to our care.

Veterinary Assistance Funding to assist pet parents with medical care for feline family members.

Volunteers are needed to provide assistance as well as Fosters to provide safe havens for cats and kittens not able to reside in the shelter.

CAT DEPOT | 2542 17TH ST, SARASOTA, FL 34234 | 941.366.2404 | INFO@CATDEPOT.ORG | CATDEPOT.ORG | @CATDEPOT

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Children First

Our WishList Support the social, emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive development of our children through our comprehensive services.

Create building blocks and help infants and toddlers gain a Head Start.

Sustain school readiness and help prepare children for Kindergarten.

RANKED IN THE TOP ONE PERCENT OF OVER 1,800 HEAD START PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE,

Children First’s mission is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being.

AS SARASOTA COUNTY’S EXCLUSIVE PROVIDER OF HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVICES, our agency offers high-quality, comprehensive services to hundreds of at-risk children and families each year at multiple locations across North Port, Sarasota, and Venice.

FOR 62 YEARS, CHILDREN FIRST HAS BEEN PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

and family strengthening services to pregnant women, children ages birth to five, and their families. As a Head Start Program of Excellence, Children First is one of nine agencies in the United States to receive this coveted designation, and one of just two to be named four consecutive times.

THE EDUCATION, CARE, AND COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES WE OFFER ensure a healthy and strong foundation for success. Through Children First, children receive nutritious meals, an array of services to support their overall health, and the social, emotional, and cognitive skills needed to enter Kindergarten on track. EVERY FAMILY WORKS WITH A FAMILY ADVOCATE to set and meet financial, educational, and occupational goals. Advocates provide the encouragement and resources families need to move out of poverty. We support parents as the primary educator for their child and aim to assist parents in learning new skills as they work to accomplish goals and achieve self-sufficiency. AN INVESTMENT IN CHILDREN AT THEIR EARLIEST AGE will pay social, educational, and economic dividends over the course of a child’s lifetime, now, and for generations to come.

We are grateful for your philanthropy that provides what every child and family deserve - access to the services they need to thrive and opportunities for success.

Enhance family strengthening services for parents and caregivers through support of our award-winning Families First Institute and Parent Training Program.

Endowment support creating a lasting impact, today, and for many generations to come.

Invest in the tools children and families need to achieve their full potential by joining ourChangemakerCollective.

CHILDREN FIRST | 1723 N. ORANGE AVENUE, SARASOTA, FL 34234 | 941. 953.3877 | INFO@CHILDRENFIRST.NET | CHILDRENFIRST.NET | @CHILDRENFIRSTHEADSTART SRQ M AG A ZI N E | M AY /JUNE 2 0 2 3 :: G I VI NG COA ST — DO NO R'S G UI DE TO G I V ING

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The Sarasota Ballet

Our WishList Donate Make a donation to The Sarasota Ballet.

Your generous gift provides direct and immediate support to our mission, bringing world-class performances and accessible arts education to our community.

With a mission to enrich lives, captivate emotions, and strengthen the community through the art of dance, The Sarasota Ballet has become one of the nation’s most exciting dance companies.

Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb, the company’s expanded repertoire includes works by world-renowned choreographers of the past and present day, including Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Dame Nine e de Valois, Twyla Tharp, Jessica Lang, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, and Ma hew Bourne. The Sarasota Ballet serves an annual audience of over 18,000 individuals.

In addition to a robust performance season, The Sarasota Ballet operates a pre-professional Conservatory; a Ballet School; and maintains a community engagement platform, Dance For All, with six core programs, which offer over 80 community activities and engage thousands of individuals annually. Here at The Sarasota Ballet, we believe that the art of dance is for everyone to enjoy.

Volunteer The Sarasota Ballet is always looking for volunteers!

Volunteer opportunities include assisting in the Box Office, ushering during performances, and serving as a mentor for students in our community programs. Please contact us for more information and different ways to get involved.

Consider a Planned Gi Legacy or planned gifts make a significant difference in The Sarasota Ballet’s future. Planned gifts create a lasting impact on our organization for generations to come, supporting performance, education, and community programs.

THE SARASOTA BALLET | 5555 N TAMIAMI TRAIL SARASOTA, FL 34243 | 941.359.0099 | LSTROMAN@SARASOTABALLET.ORG | SARASOTABALLET.ORG | @SARASOTABALLET

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Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at SMH Outpatient Cancer Pavilion

Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion at SMH

Our WishList SMH-Venice Patient Tower Expansion

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation FOR OVER 45 YEARS, SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION and our supporters have

worked together with Sarasota Memorial Health Care System to ensure a healthy future for our community. Gi s to the Healthcare Foundation provide critical resources in the following areas: Patient Care –maintaining the highest standards in patient care is the cornerstone of our health system; Education – continuing education guarantees healthcare providers stay current on the latest medical advances and certifications; Technology – access to leading-edge technology benefits patients and produces be er outcomes; Research – ongoing clinical research is integral in offering lifesaving and life-improving advances; and Facilities – state-of-the-art facilities are fundamental to the delivery of quality care and medical services. Two major healthcare initiatives the Healthcare Foundation is raising support for are: BRINGING HOPE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES FACING CANCER. We are generating support for the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute so that cancer patients can receive comprehensive care close to home. Phases 1 and 2 are complete; outpatient radiation oncology and inpatient and surgical oncology facilities are open. Phase 3 planning is well under way for the Outpatient Pavilion on the SMH-Sarasota campus. The new pavilion will offer the full spectrum of outpatient cancer services and is planned to open in 2025. SUPPORTING THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. The Healthcare Foundation is raising community support for the Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion at SMH. When complete in late 2023, the new facility will enhance, expand and centralize care for people of all ages affected by mental and behavioral health challenges.

As our community grows, our health system is growing with it. The generosity of our donors plays a vital role in ensuring SMH has the critical resources needed to continue delivering world-class care.

Other projects include raising support for a new 102-bed patient tower under construction at SMH-Venice, and plans for a new hospital in North Port and medical campus in Wellen Park.

Plans also are under way for a new Research and Education Institute at SMH-Sarasota. In addition to enhancing SMH’s nationally recognized patient care, the facility will help recruit and retain physicians, medical residents and clinical staff.

Together we strengthen healthcare.

SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | 1515 S OSPREY AVE #4, SARASOTA, FL 34239 | 941.917.1286 | SMHF.ORG 1515 S. OSPREY AVE., SUITE B4 | SARASOTA, FL 34239 | 941.917.1286 | SMHF.ORG | HEALTHCAREFOUNDATION@SMH.COM

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Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation formerly Van Wezel Foundation

Our WishList

Underwrite Schooltime Performances Sponsor a Teaching Artist Support a Bilingual Family Engagement Night

THE SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING A VIBRANT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, advancing education, and enriching our community by inspiring

minds through the power of the arts. An exciting next chapter is unfolding as we lead, in partnership with the City of Sarasota, the creation and operation of a new performing arts center at the heart of The Bay Park. Envisioned as an accessible home for all, the center will nurture excellence in artists, inspire wonder in audiences, and spark curiosity in learners. Through a public process, a task force of city- and Foundation-appointed members are leading deliberations to select the design firm to realize our aspirations of an iconic center, which will be a symbol of the future of arts and culture for generations to come.

IT WILL INCLUDE: A 2,200-SEAT MAIN STAGE with center aisle(s), a 300-seat flexible performance space, education and lifelong learning spaces, multiple outdoor public performance spaces, and technology that will allow performances to be simulcast into the park. The center will also be an economic driver for the community, creating 5,000+ jobs over five to seven years, and driving year-round tourism and commerce to local businesses.

Support the planning and design for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center

SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION (FORMERLY VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION) | SARASOTAPERFORMINGARTSFOUNDATION.ORG JULIE SCHWARTZ | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | JSCHWARTZ@SARASOTAPERFORMINGARTSFOUNDATION.ORG

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Our WishList Be A Donor Support our efforts to enhance early learning, elevate educators and empower parents so more children arrive on the first day of Kindergarten ready to learn.

United Way Suncoast UNITED WAY SUNCOAST SEVERS THE CONSTRAINTS THAT PREVENT FAMILIES FROM THRIVING. We dismantle

the barriers to human prosperity, uniting our community along the way. When we provide pathways to early learning, financial stability and youth success, we li up families as they cultivate a future beyond their economic and educational barriers. We provide choices. We provide opportunities. We create space to grow for Asset-Limit, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families. These hard-working parents and children stand just one unexpected expense from dire circumstances. ALICE families compose more than 43 percent of all households in our region, and we’re working to create equity for them and all the community members in our five-county footprint, including DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. We’re operating and funding services and programs to help people create the life they envision for themselves and fuel their Freedom To Rise.

Be A Giver Donate books and supplies to our selected Title 1 Schools in the area so more students will read on level by the end of third grade.

Be A Leader Help initiate a workplace campaign at your place of employment so the collective power of your colleagues can boost our efforts to help those facing eviction because of the housing crisis.

Be A Volunteer Share your time and talent and help us strengthen our community.

You can sign up for a variety of activities at volunteersuncoast.org.

UNITED WAY SUNCOAST | 4215 CONCEPT COURT | LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34211 | 941.748.1313 UNITEDWAYSUNCOAST.ORG | FACEBOOK.COM/UNITEDWAYSUNCOAST | TWITTER.COM/UWSUNCOAST LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/UNITED-WAY-OF-TAMPA-BAY

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YMCA of Southwest Florida

Our WishList Help Our Neighbors Rebuild and Recover By supporting YMCA’s Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts, you are providing the resources needed for families to rebuild their lives following the aftermath of the storm.

Join the Fight Against Hunger By supporting the Y's Fight Against Hunger, you are helping make accessible and available healthy food and meals to people through our outreach and mobile services into the most vulnerable communities.

Create Healthy Families and Communities By supporting YMCA Health Innovations programs, you are providing individuals access to life-changing programming that supports health and well-being, fights chronic disease and empowers people to lead healthier lives.

Nurture the Potential of Every Child By supporting YMCA Youth Development programs, you are providing children the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment that allows them to thrive.

Help Prevent Childhood Drowning By supporting swim lesson programs, you are providing children access to water safety programming that helps develop life-saving skills that reduce the potential for drowning.

YMCA

FOR 55 YEARS, YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA has been a leading nonprofit commi ed to

strengthening community by connecting all people to their potential, purpose and each other. YMCA of Southwest Florida operates eight YMCA facilities, two charter middle schools, four early learning academies and various camps and a er school programs across Southwest Florida from Manatee County to Bonita Springs. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, we ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities, relationships and resources necessary to learn, grow and thrive. YMCA programs and services are focused on our primary areas of impact that help people achieve their goals and strengthen communities. As an inclusive, causedriven organization, YMCA of Southwest Florida is commi ed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Giving back and providing support to our neighbors is the heartbeat of the Y. And meeting the emerging needs of our communities is where the Y is o en needed the most. The Y’s mission is to ensure life-changing programs, services and resources are available to all. In our communities, the Y has the presence and partnerships to not just promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. In partnering with the Y, you can feel confident your gi is making a positive impact.

YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA 701 CENTER ROAD VENICE, FL 34285 | YMCASWFL.ORG | GIVE@YMCASWFL.ORG

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Impact100SRQ

GIVING

IMPACT100 SRQ’S MISSION HAS SUCCESSFULLY ENDURED THROUGHOUT THE LAST 5 YEARS:

“Empowering women to collectively fund transformational grants to nonprofits in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.” They have proven year over year that Every Member Ma ers, and by the end of 2023, the women of Impact100 SRQ will have collectively funded 22 grants, donating $2.4 million to local nonprofits toward initiatives focused on making positive change in our community. The unique giving model for Impact100 SRQ is that 100% of each member’s $1000 annual donation goes toward grant funding, and they rely upon the generosity of individuals and businesses in the community to help support their mission. A contribution of any amount to Impact100 SRQ is greatly appreciated and goes toward chapter operating expenses, allowing Impact100 SRQ to remain a self-supported organization continuing to help those who need it most.

Impact100 SRQ’s Big Reveal Announces $763,000 to be Awarded to Local Nonprofits in 2023.

COMMUNICATIONS@IMPACT100SRQ.ORG | P.O. BOX 49887 SARASOTA, FL 34230 | IMPACT100SRQ.ORG PAM KANDZIORA | PRESIDENT, IMPACT100 SRQ | PAMK@IMPACT100SRQ.ORG

Resilient Retreat

Our WishList

WITH 70% OF AMERICANS HAVING EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF

A donation of any size will help Resilient Retreat continue its mission to empower survivors of trauma to thrive.

TRAUMA IN THEIR LIVES, new Sarasota non-profit Resilient Retreat

was born out of a strong need to provide a sense of community and resources for healing. Set on 84 acres of conservation land on Fruitville Road, the center provides free and fully confidential holistic day-long programs, virtual programs and multi-day, overnight, intensive retreats to survivors of abuse, first responders and helping professionals such as doctors, nurses and teachers.

The research-based, interdisciplinary programming includes support groups, neurofeedback, animal and equine therapy, yoga, meditation, mindfulness, time in nature, art and music therapies and much more. Additionally, the organization provides trainings on a wide variety of trauma-related topics for corporations, businesses, non-profits and non-governmental agencies on a sliding fee scale and operates a phone support “Kind Line” at 941-343-0039.

941.343.0039 | INFO@RESILIENTRETREAT.ORG RESILIENTRETREAT.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/RESILIENTRETREATSRQ

Consider hosting a meeting, wedding or special event with the non-profit’s recently created event rental counterpart, The Retreat Sarasota.

All rental proceeds directly go back to supporting Resilient Retreat’s mission, making The Retreat Sarasota ‘the venue that saves lives.’

Funds for curriculum supplies for participant workshops and support groups.

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Senior Friendship Centers THE POWER OF CONNECTION. In Sarasota County, more than 40,000 seniors, or about 23% of the population,

Our WishList One-time or monthly gi s

live alone. The mission of Senior Friendship Centers is to build vibrant communities by advancing wellness, connection, and enrichment throughout the journey of aging. We provide services such as home delivered meals, dining centers, caregiving resources, adult day services, exercise classes, lifelong learning, economic assistance, and socialization. Our vision for Southwest Florida is for people to feel supported and included at any age. Each of our communities will have a well-known hub and network of resources to help older adults not just survive but thrive! Seniors will be seen as vital contributors to community life and have connections that ensure they never need to “go it alone.”

Legacy gi s Event sponsors and corporate giving

SARASOTA | 1888 BROTHER GEENEN WAY, SARASOTA, FL VENICE | 2350 SCENIC DRIVE, VENICE, FL 941.955.2122 | FRIENDSHIPCENTERS.ORG

The Florida Center for Early Childhood Children Learn by Exploration, Activity and Play.

Unfortunately, delays, disabilities and mental health challenges can prevent children from reaching their full potential. That’s why The Florida Center for Early Childhood provides young children and their families with critical tools to L.E.A.P. ahead, like developmental therapies, mental health counseling, parental support, and early education. The demand for these services is great, as 1 in 6 children have a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. Over 4,000 children and families benefit from the agency’s programs annually, but there is still more need. The Florida Center’s prevention, intervention and early education programs are nationally recognized with an overall success rate of 98%, helping children to overcome challenges. This year’s L.E.A.P initiative is necessary to ensure children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency to face future hardship related to trauma, academics, and mental health that could that create added costs to society. You can help children and families L.E.A.P. ahead by donating today!

Our WishList Donations toward outdoor classrooms at our Sarasota and North Port campuses Scholarships to provide a child with wraparound therapy services & early education Financial support of indoor classroom supplies, therapy gear and L.E.A.P. equipment

4620 17TH STREET, SARASOTA 34235 | 6929 OUTREACH WAY, NORTH PORT 34287 | 941.371.8820 | THEFLORIDACENTER.ORG SRQ M AG A ZI N E | M AY /JUNE 2 0 2 3 :: G I VI NG COA ST — DO NO R'S G UI DE TO G I V ING

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The Community Foundation of Sarasota County BE THE ONE. For more than 40 years, the Community Foundation of

Sarasota County has been key to unlocking possibilities for all who call our area home. Creating lasting impact across generations starts with each of us and grows donor by donor, cause by cause. The Community Foundation supports the vital work of almost 700 nonprofits in our region, addressing challenges and creating opportunities for all. Each of us, together, can make a lasting difference. How will you Be The One?

Our WishList

DONOR'S GUIDE TO GIVING

Support a Cause: Support a Cause: Donate to trusted organizations to support causes you care about.

Begin your search at TheGivingPartner.org.

Volunteer for a Nonprofit: Reach out to help address critical needs. Search for volunteer opportunities on TheGivingPartner.org.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY | 2635 FRUITVILLE ROAD | SARASOTA, FL 34237 | 941.955.3000 | CFSARASOTA.ORG FACEBOOK: COMMUNITYFOUNDATIONSARASOTACOUNTY | INSTAGRAM: CFSARASOTA | TWITTER: CFSARASOTA YOUTUBE: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY | LINKEDIN: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY

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Build a Community Embracing All Voices and People: Foster a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion so everyone can achieve their full potential.

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parting shot

FLASHBACK TO THE 2008 SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL featuring the special guests from the cast and crew of Battle in Seattle, the closing night film at the festival. From left to right: Michelle Rodriguez, Martin Henderson, Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron.

Shot on location at The Resort at Longboat Key Club. SRQ

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG LITTEN.

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