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contents TABLE OF
EXPLORE 13 Explore the new tenants of Downtown Wellen Park, from French and Mexican restaurants to health and wellness services. 22 At The Yard on Downtown Wellen’s Grand Lake, two shipping containers dish up ballpark franks and Philly cheesesteak egg rolls while a third hands guests the tap. 28 Meet the husband-and-wife teams behind two popular stops at Fresh Harvest Farmers Market.32 Our season preview shares a collection of can’t miss highlights for Wellen Park art lovers. 36 Wellen Park High School’s accelerated courses prepare students for the future. 40 This season brings football watching to Wellen Park.
Welcome to your new friend: Wellen Park Living. You’ll find stories about the people behind fun-loving experiences in the neighborhood and beyond, sips and forkfuls of scrumptious food and crafted beverages and ways to soak in the abundant outdoor adventures just around the corner.
MEET AGAVE BANDIDO
Lively Mexican Cuisine
TOGETHER 70 Check out photos from the Wellen Park Oktoberfest, Night of Worship and Spooktacular. 75 Bolt Coast Running is building a healthier Wellen Park—one day, one mile and one neighbor at a time. 78 Wellen Park’s Welcome Center Ambassador enjoys spreading the word about her vibrant community. 80 E-bikes and electronic scooters bring a ton of fun, along with safety guidelines. 82 Seventy-year-old Mary Ann Protz, who competed in the Wellen Park Half Marathon, is showing no signs of slowing down. 84 Gunnar Johnson’s soiree at the Harvest Community Garden shows how gardening can unite a community. 88 The Lawrence at Wellen Park offers luxury rental apartments in Venice. 90 A partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast and Wellen Park High School brings mentorship close to home. 95 Parting Shot
CALENDAR Take your pick of ongoing and newly added events this winter. Come to Downtown Wellen to enjoy a variety of local music, arts and family-friendly events including Wellen Wonderland, New Year’s Eve Concert and the Wellen Park Fine Arts Festival. Turn to page 61 for upcoming events and community meet-ups.
REAL RESIDENTS
Irene and Brian Cribbs
SPECIAL SECTION 44 Explore model homes from the Wellen Park builders. THIS PAGE Blake Campbell, Director of Operations for Agave Bandido, photo by Wes Roberts; Irene and Brian Cribbs of Wellen Park, photo by Wyatt Kostygan. COVER
CREDITS Enjoy a romantic evening along the Grand Lake in Wellen Park complete with sunset, photo by Wyatt Kostygan. W E L L E N PA R K L I V I N G | W I N T E R 2 0 2 6
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Season of Giving, Gatherings & Celebration Dear Wellen Park Community and Friends, As we welcome the final months of the year, there is a special energy that settles over Wellen Park. The days become a little cooler, our calendars fill with celebrations and traditions, and we find ourselves spending more time with friends, family and neighbors. Whether it’s holiday gatherings, date nights downtown, community events or cheering on our favorite football teams, this season reminds us why we love where we live. One of the things that makes Wellen Park so unique is the incredible variety of experiences available throughout the year. Whether you’re a resident, a frequent visitor or discovering our community for the first time, there is always something happening that brings people together. As we move into December, Downtown Wellen welcomes one of my favorite traditions of the year, Wellen Wonderland. From our annual tree-lighting ceremony and visits with Santa to live entertainment, festive activities and holiday shopping, this event captures the spirit of the season. Families can explore our expanded downtown district, visit local retailers, enjoy a meal at one of our restaurants and help decorate community Christmas trees that make the entire area feel magical. With the opening of Phase II, there is even more to experience this year, whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or simply creating cherished memories with loved ones. While our celebrations are certainly important, what makes Wellen Park truly special is our commitment to caring for one another. I have always believed that strong communities are built through service, generosity and a willingness to help those in need. That’s why many of our events support charitable causes that make a meaningful impact throughout our region. This holiday season, we are proud to once again partner with The Salvation Army through our Angel Tree program, located in the Welcome Center. Each year, this initiative helps fulfill Christmas wishes for more than 100 local children, ensuring they have a brighter holiday season. We are also excited to continue our beloved Cottages for Kids program in partnership with our homebuilders. These imaginative playhouses, complete with front porches, picket fences, flower boxes and other custom features, become a centerpiece of our Holiday Village. Last year even included a remarkable two-story cottage connected by a slide. After being displayed for families to enjoy downtown, each cottage was donated to deserving local families through The Salvation Army, creating lasting joy long after the holidays have passed. As we enter this season of gratitude, I hope each of us will look for opportunities to give back. Volunteer your time. Support a local charity. Help a neighbor. Donate food. Reach out to someone who may need encouragement. Small acts of kindness, multiplied throughout a community, create something truly extraordinary. At its heart, community is about showing up for one another. It is about building connections, sharing experiences and lending a helping hand when it matters most. That spirit is what makes Wellen Park exceptional, and it is something I am proud to see demonstrated every day. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for being part of this remarkable community. I wish you and your family a joyful holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year.
Warm regards, Rick Severance | President, Wellen Park 8
CEO / PRESIDENT EDITOR IN CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LISL LIANG EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
WES ROBERTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT
Ashley Grant ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Robinson Valverde SENIOR SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
Suzanne Munroe SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
Nichole Knutson Rob Wardlaw VP OF PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO
Wyatt Kostygan MANAGING EDITOR
Barbie Heit SENIOR EDITOR
Dylan Campbell CLIENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
Gabriella Alfonso SOCIAL MEDIA, MARKETING + EVENTS MANAGER
Lauren Sutter SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
Taylor Smith CONTRIBUTING SENIOR DESIGNER
Virginia Jankovsky CONTRIBUTING EDITORS, ARTISTS + INTERNS
Mallory Evans, Alex Alfaro, Sarah Emily Miano and Stephanie Churn Lubow PUBLISHED BY SRQ MEDIA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WELLEN PARK © 2026—ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
RECOGNIZING PUBLICATION SPONSOR MATTAMY HOMES FOR INQUIRIES REGARDING ADVERTISING, DISTRIBUTION OR STORIES, CONTACT US AT: WELLENPARK@SRQME.COM
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E XPLORE
New Connections
Find a plethora of new businesses in Downtown Wellen Park, from French and Mexican restaurants to health and wellness services. WORDS BY MALLORY EVANS AND STEPHANIE CHURN LUBOW
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA
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Downtown EXPLORE
In the heart of this rapidly growing community, Downtown Wellen’s business scene continues to expand with its Phase II project of mixed-use buildings. Strolling down Wellen Park Boulevard, you’ll find all of your retail, food, wellness and professional service needs right at your fingertips. From reimagined comfort food, French treats and Mexican cuisine to charming health and fitness facilities, learn all about the recently opened and upcoming developments in Wellen Park.
AGAVE BANDIDO WITH ROOTS IN PEMBROKE PINES, THIS LIVELY MEXICAN RESTAURANT was born out of an idea to share this cuisine with residential areas. “We wanted to bring a fun, high-energy restaurant to the suburbs,” says Mathew Baum, founder of Agave Bandido and president of Wolverine Management. “One genre, we felt, exudes this Mexican cuisine.” Agave Bandido now has four locations with a fifth forthcoming in Wellen Park. Its projected opening is early December, and the restaurant will host a friends and family event before it officially welcomes customers. Baum says people will notice the bright and vibrant mural art by Ruben Ubiera that is unique to Agave Bandido. Menu specialties will include classic tacos, burritos and quesadillas. All sauces are made in-house, and Baum says the churrasco is “phenomenal” with its signature chimichurri sauce. “People really enjoy our table-side guacamole; we can make it specific to the guest’s taste by making it with more or less spice,” he says. All Agave Bandido locations have a unique layout that incorporates Maya SpeakTiki, a small, hidden bar with an Aztec and Polynesian theme that can fit a maximum of 20 people. Customers can expect a Maya SpeakTiki at the Wellen Park location, too. Baum praises Wellen Park’s lively community and is excited to see this new location embrace the same energy as other Agave Bandido locations. “We hope to be ingrained in the community and participate in different events—the wine event held in November and at farmers markets,” he says. 19830 Wellen Park Blvd, Suite 6108, Venice, agavebandido.com 14
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CLUB PILATES AND BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA
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CLUB PILATES WITH A LONG-TIME PASSION FOR FITNESS AS A DISTANCE RUNNER AND TRIATHLETE, Peter Kilcullen decided to look at several fitness businesses to officially join the industry. After much research, he decided that Club Pilates was a good fit and joined up with Gary Keith to become the co-owners of several locations on the west coast of Florida. In September, they celebrated the arrival of another location: Downtown Wellen Park. “Club Pilates was really the first to bring Pilates mainstream and make it available to everyone,” Kilcullen says. The location’s September 17-20 soft opening marked the biggest soft opening for Club Pilates out of the other 11 studios. Kilcullen says Wellen Park has had a massive response to its new studio, and member classes began on September 21. “We offer seven different class formats and three levels,” he says. “Club Pilates’ focus has always been on classic Pilates.” Open seven days a week, this is only the second Club Pilates location that is positioned in a downtown, main street atmosphere. “You really get to choose your starting point,” Kilcullen says. “You know what you want to accomplish, and along with our certified instructors, we can progress you through that fitness at three different levels.” Kilcullen says he is ready to introduce Pilates to everyone at Wellen Park, and the excitement from the soft opening is only continuing to grow now that Club Pilates is officially open for business. “We’ve already had so many people come in who are excited to meet their neighbors in Wellen Park,” he says. “It’s really nice that Club Pilates can be that hub to get people together.” 19830 Wellen Park Blvd, Suite 6102, Venice, 941-375-4200 clubpilates.com/location/wellenpark
THIS SPREAD, CLOCKWISE Co-Owner Peter Kilcullen of the Club Pilates’ Wellen Park location, the b soft opening for the franchise. Right: Director of Operations Blake Campbell of Agave Bandido’s fifth location—bringing a high-energy eatery to the community.
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Downtown EXPLORE
OASIS EYE CARE IN 2005, DR. TRENT MCKINNEY AND HIS WIFE, CHRISTIE MCKINNEY, joined Oasis Eye Care under the direction of Dr. Richard Conroy. Once Dr. Conroy retired in 2012, the McKinneys succeeded him, and moved to their current Venice location in 2017. “We decided to make the move and have more of a street presence instead of a condo setting, so we moved to Tamiami Trail,” Christie says. Dr. McKinney found that dry eyes are a huge problem—misdiagnosed and undertreated—and created a med spa to perform more dry eye procedures. Not long after the couple brought in their first optometrist, they brought in a second and have continued to grow. “The dream has always been to grow and help in areas that are still underserved,” Christie says. “There aren’t any eye care providers in Wellen Park at this time, and we saw a need to be down there.” Oasis Eye Care held their first event at the Wellen Park Spooktacular on October 30 to promote the business, and the McKinney’s hope to open their second location by the end of this year. Christie says the practice’s mission is to always put patients first. Oasis offers general eye exams, dry eye exams, glaucoma screenings and astigmatism corrections, among other services. “Our goal is always to provide excellent quality care and make sure we’re taking care of the patient.” Wellen Park’s office will be a full-service eye care facility and will serve needs for all family members. Christie says Oasis Optical, the on-site eyewear and optical boutique department, is going to be “amazingly beautiful.” “We will offer a wide range of frames that will be available for clients ranging from kids to seniors,” she says. “We have some high-end frames like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Prada.” The beach-themed office will include a fish chandelier in the entrance to emulate the eye’s iris. Christie adds that the new practice will offer different hours from the Tamiami Trail location, with the Wellen Park office open from 10am–6pm Tuesday–Friday and 10am–4pm on Saturdays. “We love the Venice community and Wellen Park,” she says. “We don’t want to just be a business; we want to have a presence and we want to serve.” 19830 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 6105, Venice, veniceeyedoctors.com
THIS SPREAD, CLOCKWISE The McKinneys bring Oasis Eye Care to Wellen Park. Mattamy Homes offers single-family homes, top-notch amenities and 55+ living options across several Wellen Park communities.
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MATTAMY HOMES DESIGN STUDIO FOUNDED IN CANADA IN 1978, Mattamy Homes has upheld a vision to create thoughtfully designed homes and communities where people can truly enjoy the way they live. The company expanded to the U.S. in 2003, and today, it’s the largest family-owned homebuilder in North America. “Mattamy has a unique connection to Wellen Park, serving not only as a homebuilder but also as the community’s developer,” says Melanie Raub, President of Mattamy Homes Southwest Florida Division. Currently, Mattamy offers homes across five Wellen Park communities, with a sixth forthcoming. Raub says each community has something different to offer, allowing the company to serve a wide range of homebuyers while investing in the growth and future of Wellen Park. “At Mattamy, we believe buying a home should be more than a transaction,” she says. “It should be an exceptional experience from start to finish.” Mattamy offers attainable options for families and first-time buyers, as well as larger single-family homes and 55+ living options, Raub adds. “Buyers can choose from quick move-in homes or build a home and personalize it through our Design Studio,” she says. “Just as importantly, we actively guide homeowners throughout the buying, building and warranty process.” Raub says the company aims to contribute to making Wellen Park a special place to live by creating neighborhoods that encourage connection and give people more opportunities to find a home that fits their lifestyle. Mattamy is introducing new single-family homes at Lakespur and is preparing for Edgewater, its newest neighborhood, which will offer a more urban, walkable lifestyle with Downtown Wellen right around the corner. Further, Raub says the new Mattamy Homes Design Studio in Downtown Wellen, complete with a retail storefront, will promote an even greater presence in the heart of the community. “We look forward to being an active part of the events, energy and everyday life that make Downtown Wellen such a great gathering place. Whether someone is raising a family, working from home, relocating to Florida, enjoying life as a seasonal resident or looking forward to retirement, we want to offer a home and neighborhood where they can genuinely see themselves living.” 19835 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 7104, Venice, mattamyhomes.com
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Downtown EXPLORE
LA MAISON ORIGINALLY FROM MARSEILLE, FRANCE, Stephanie Brocardi-Albin grew up around restaurants, as both of her parents were chefs. She has held every restaurant position from dishwasher to cook and server and says creating La Maison in Wellen Park with her husband was a labor of love. “For us, food is love, and everything we make is made from scratch,” Albin says. “We wanted to do something that was true to my roots. We call it a modern take on French classical cooking.” Albin’s philosophy around food is that eating is about the senses. “The first part of your meal, you enjoy it with your eyes, and then it has to smell right,” she says. “When you eat, it has to be about texture—a whole experience.” Albin says she is very blessed with La Maison’s staff and how they’ve grown closer through the training process. She says oftentimes, restaurants are missing the component of a manager walking around and having a conversation with guests. This isn’t the case at La Maison, as Albin wants visitors to feel like they’re part of a family. “We want the store to tell a story—because of how we decorate it and how we want it to feel,” she says. The menu is entirely French-based, with items featuring Beef Bourguignon—a slow-cooked boneless short rib in a red wine, carrot and pearl onion sauce, accompanied by aligot potatoes—steak frites and escargot, among other dishes and desserts. Albin hopes this restaurant will help her grow more into Wellen Park, along with her other establishment, Sassy Tarts. “We hope that people come and they feel at home—that La Maison becomes part of a community feeling,” she says. “This is about building relationships and people wanting to come not just because they need to eat something, but because they know it’s going to be a comfortable place, meet people they know and have a great experience.” 19835 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 7101, Venice. 18
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THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT La Maison serves a variety of sweet and savory French dishes. Find eclairs, Napoleons, Lavazza coffee and more at Sassy Tarts, featuring owners Stephanie Brocardi-Albin and Darel Albin.
SASSY TARTS STEPHANIE BROCARDI-ALBIN’S SASSY TARTS WAS BORN OUT OF experiences in farmers markets in Englewood, Naples and Phillippi Creek, and now, it will have its own storefront in Wellen Park. “The store very much revolves around family, and Sassy Tarts is really the heart of our family, and it has helped us adapt to what life throws our way,” Albin says. This artisanal bakery has been in business since 2016—and in Englewood since 2019—and is co-owned by Albin and her husband. Over the years, they stopped focusing solely on the farmers markets and started dedicating more attention to their storefronts. Wellen Park’s store is divided into three spaces: the Sassy Tarts bakery—featuring French flair with eclairs, Napoleons, fresh-baked pastries and Lavazza coffee, with a build-your-own cupcake bar from Friday–Sunday—a bar portion and a dining room. “When you walk through the front doors, the inside is very much styled in a late 1930s, early 1940s, art deco form—a French brasserie,” Albin says. Albin and her family live in Wellen Park, and she says her family knows a fair amount of people in the community. She has been in the restaurant industry her whole life and is excited to bring a completely different business to the Wellen Park community with a bakery component. “The other strong component we can bring in from all of our conversations with people in Wellen Park is that they wanted a breakfast place,” she says. “You can sit down to a full breakfast or just sit down to a continental breakfast and a croissant. We’re also doing brunch seven days a week and dinner seven days a week.” 19835 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 7101, Venice.
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Downtown EXPLORE
EASY DOES IT COMFORT KITCHEN SPIROS STOGIANNIS MOVED TO WELLEN PARK IN 2023 and immediately sought connection with the community. He realized his experience in the food industry was just the answer, and is planning to open Easy Does It Comfort Kitchen next month. “This is the evolution of what I’ve been doing in Massachusetts since 2010,” Stogiannis says, referencing his Easy Pie restaurant that focuses on pizza. Easy Does it Comfort Kitchen’s menu, as Stogiannis describes it, will be a “salsa,” offering a variety of comfort food dishes with some Greek fusion. Stogiannis is planning to add Sunday brunch options and is already organizing theme nights, such as ’80s nights and ladies nights. “The whole creative process of designing the restaurant and building the menu, as well as the guests, that’s my favorite part,” he says. This boutique-sized, full-service restaurant will feature an outdoor bar and small patio. Stogiannis says he found a happy medium in the design process to appeal to all ages. “I have an awesome vision of what the restaurant will look like—old school but modern at the same time, bright colors, tall ceilings,” he says. “When you walk in, you’ll understand the name ‘Easy Does It.’” With a projected opening at the end of year, Stogiannis says he is very happy with the progress of his restaurant and is excited to host Christmas parties and other gatherings. “I want to add something to the community, and I want it to be a net positive to Wellen Park where everyone can enjoy the space, enjoy the food and meet other residents from the area,” he says. “As a collective, we’re working together to make downtown Wellen Park a happening area.” 19830 Wellen Park Blvd, Suite 6101, Venice, easydoesitcomfortkitchen.com
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THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT Easy Does it Comfort Kitchen delivers comfort food with a Greek fusion to Wellen Park; Tyler Holt, CEO and founder of AvSky Corporation.
AVSKY CORPORATION TYLER HOLT GRADUATED FROM LEMON BAY HIGH SCHOOL IN 2008, at the height of the financial crisis, with no particular plan and no particular interest in aviation. His father was in construction, and the economy was in freefall. While many of Holt’s friends were heading off to college, he decided to get a job instead—waiting tables, doing whatever came along. What came along, eventually, was an ad for a sales position at a small North Venice company called JetBlack Aviation. It sounded interesting to him, so he applied and got the job. That was 2011. Four years of cold-calling airplane owners later, Holt decided to go out on his own. He founded AvSky Jets in 2015, alone, without investors, without a client base and without any of the things a person is “supposed” to have before starting a company. “Honestly, it was kind of a stupid thing when I look back on it,” he says. “It was miserable for the first couple of years.” But he had a clear vision: to build a brokerage with a solid reputation in an industry that had almost none. Private aircraft sales were, at the time, essentially unregulated—no standards or guidelines and no way for a buyer to tell a professional from a scammer. “I wanted to create a company that would eventually have a really good reputation and prioritize trust and transparency,” he says. “And I feel like I’ve actually done it.” AvSky Corporation now encompasses several businesses. AvSky Jets brokers the purchase and sale of turbine aircraft—think of it, Holt says, as real estate for airplanes, mobile assets that move around the world. They close about 50 deals a year, 80 percent domestic. AvSky Charters, which Holt co-founded with Cameron Cary in 2024, brokers private flights the same way an insurance agent shops policies: they find the best operator for a given trip and coordinate all the logistics to make it simple for the client. Private aviation, Holt is happy to point out, is not primarily about celebrities. “Maybe 90 percent is just business owners needing to get from point A to point B—places commercial airlines don’t always serve—on schedules airlines can’t accommodate.” What his clients mostly want is reliability and someone they trust. Holt has lived in Wellen Park since September 2024, five minutes from the new office. He is 35, with three kids and a commute that has shrunk to almost nothing. “You go outside and there’s just so much life,” he says of Wellen Park. “Everyone’s happy, everyone’s nice.” For a kid from Englewood who coldcalled his way into aviation and built a global company from scratch, it sounds like exactly the right place to land. WPL 19835 Wellen Park Blvd, Unit 7206, Venice, 941-882-5391, avskyjets.com
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THIS SPREAD, LEFT TO RIGHT Residents queue for ballpark fare at PopDawgs in The Yard: the “loaded” all-beef hot dog; salted pretzel sticks with mustard dip for purists; sausage smothered in cheese and sauerkraut.
forkful EXPLORE
Gather at the Yard
At The Yard on Downtown Wellen’s Grand Lake, two shipping containers dish up ballpark franks and Philly cheesesteak egg rolls while a third hands guests the tap. WORDS BY SARAH EMILY MIANO WITH CROWD-PLEASING FOOD, CRAFT BEER AND MUSIC SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, The Yard brings friends and families together
in Downtown Wellen. Lakefront views, inviting outdoor seating and the sounds of music set the scene at The Yard, a gathering place in the heart of Downtown Wellen. Three creatively repurposed shipping containers serve up casual favorites, making it easy to settle in for a relaxed lunch, an afternoon with family or an evening with friends. PopDawgs, an Atlanta Braves outpost, brings ballpark flavor with its signature hot dogs, including a $5 option. Oak & Stone adds to the mix with two containers—one serving bites such as Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken tenders, pizza, and the other offering craft beer on tap.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA
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LEFT TO RIGHT Picnic in the park with PopDawgs fare; Oak & Stone Loaded Tap Container, PopDawgs, Oak & Stone Loaded Kitchen, Pizza from the Oak & Stone Loaded Taps, The Yard, 19775 Wellen Pk Blvd., Venice.
POPDAWGS THE ATLANTA BRAVES OPENED POPDAWGS ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2023, splashing the container in red, white and yellow and stocking it with hot dogs and popcorn. CoolToday Park, the team’s spring training home, sits mere minutes away. “The opportunity for the container is to be an extension of the ballpark,” says Henry Monaco, senior director of food and beverage for the Atlanta Braves Spring Training facility. Staff greet newcomers to Wellen Park and teach them about the nearby stadium, which hosts concerts and events all year. Braves logos stamp the staff uniforms and paper boats, and the stadium’s tiki bar schedule hangs outside; otherwise, the team keeps its branding low-key. Plenty of customers make the connection only at the counter. Come spring, PopDawgs gets a twin outside of CoolToday Park. “What you get at Downtown Wellen Park, you would be able to get at the food truck during the spring training games.” Monaco says. When PopDawgs opened, the Braves put a gourmet spin on ballpark fare, with prices to match. The team has since rethought that approach. “With the amount of growth that Wellen Park has seen, especially with younger families, we wanted to be able to capture that market,” Monaco says. The result: a lower-priced, revamped menu that rolled out for Oktoberfest, when PopDawgs adopted a “fresh, fast, $5 and under” approach that offers grab-and-go staples such as bottled water and sodas. PopDawgs swapped the Elm Hill frank in its best-selling hot dog, once $8, for an all-beef dog from Kayem, a change Monaco says extends to concessions at CoolToday Park. Customers asked for a plain bun in place of the pretzel roll, and they got one. Order it “loaded” with ketchup, mustard, relish and onions, the relish adding a pickly tang and the raw onion biting back against the salty beef. For more heat, the jalapeno cheddar sausage packs green chile and nubs of cheddar inside its casing; try it smothered in sauerkraut or blanketed in melted cheese. “Our hot dog is a ballpark dog, so we’re not really reinventing the wheel,” Monaco says. For bragging rights, he points to the gourmet popcorn: garlic Parm and cheddar cheese for savory cravings, cinnamon for a sweet tooth, alongside the buttery Triple Play. The former giant $12 pretzel has retired to make way for a pair of pretzel sticks dusted in garlic Parmesan or cinnamon sugar, or plain salt for purists. Before the year ends, nachos and hot baked cookies will join the board, chased by frozen coffee and lemonade and a blue raspberry slushy.
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forkful EXPLORE
BELOW, CLOCKWISE Oak & Stone Loaded Taps lets guests have their pick of local craft beer, national favorites and a handful of wines.
OAK & STONE CRAFT KITCHEN OAK & STONE’S WELLEN PARK RESTAURANT SITS JUST STEPS FROM THE YARD, its upstairs and downstairs patios overlooking the courtyard. The Sarasota-born chain, which opened its first location a decade ago, staffs both businesses from its own crew. “That area could be a continuation of our patio,” says Bill Milner, area leader for the Wellen Park location. “That’s how close the restaurant is.” Craft Kitchen squeezes a full kitchen into one box, comparable to a food truck. Two artisanal pizzas cover the basics: a classic pepperoni and a plain cheese. The Philly cheesesteak egg roll steals the show. Made in-house, the crispy wrapper is stuffed with shaved ribeye and onions so you can experience the whole sandwich with one hand. Pretzel bites make easy sharing, served with beer cheese that begs for a pint next door. The ahi tuna bowl makes the healthiest option, with pretzel-crusted tuna sashimi, its salty coat a crunchy complement to the tender fish, piled over baby spinach and quinoa with grilled pineapple, avocado and pickled red onion. Chicken fingers, served with French fries and ranch dip, keep younger diners content. Milner plans seasonal specials for the months ahead. Customers order and pay by phone, skipping the host stand and the full sit-down routine at the restaurant. “They can order food for the kids while they’re out there and running around,” Milner says.
OAK & STONE LOADED TAPS THE SECOND OAK & STONE CONTAINER, PAINTED BLACK-AND-YELLOW, turns the drinks list into a self-serve experience that dates to the very first Oak & Stone. A tap wall of 15 handles, a cousin of the signature beer wall inside, lets guests fill their own glasses with a tap guide on hand to walk rookies through the technique and the current lineup. Think Motorworks V Twin Vienna Lager or Palm City Oak & Stone Wicked Paradise. Late autumn brings seasonal selections of pumpkin-y flavors from Samuel Adams and Keel Farms Agrarian hard cider. Milner favors breweries from Southwest Florida and describes the list as a balance of local craft labels and national brands. The DIY taps have made for an excellent pairing with the Oak & Stone Craft Kitchen. Customers can grab a beer, then wander over for a pepperoni pizza or chicken fingers at their leisure. Weather permitting, Oak & Stone’s second container welcomes its new company in The Yard. WPL
Yappy Hour The Wellen Park Welcome Center rings in the new year with Yappy Hour, a monthly meetup for pups and their people around the Heritage Tree. Starting January 7, 2027, residents and visitors can bring their dogs on the first Thursday of every month, from 4 to 6pm, with all three containers open for dinner and drinks. Owners can compare breeds while four-legged guests work the crowd at leash length. A dog-themed photo spot gives every guest of honor a portrait, and a raffle sends one lucky pup home with a gift bag. The pet activities rotate monthly, so regulars can count on something new each visit. Odds favor at least one frank from a window called Pop Dawgs meeting a pair of highly hopeful eyes at knee level.
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market EXPLORE
THIS SPREAD, CLOCKWISE Sadie and Donnie Bodkin serve up sourdough donuts at the Fresh Harvest Farmers Market; kids waiting their turn at the Cowabunga pickup window; giant soft pretzels emerge from the Cowabunga oven; Brianna and Anthony Yousoufian bring the fruits of their labor from a farm in Arcadia.
SundayRising
At Fresh Harvest in Downtown Wellen, an Amish family’s sourdough doughnut recipe and a pasture poultry farm from Arcadia give Sunday shoppers two good reasons to queue. WORDS BY SARAH EMILY MIANO COME 9 O’CLOCK ON A SUNDAY MORNING, two lines are already forming at Fresh Harvest Farmers Market. A warm, buttery aroma drifts from a bakery on wheels, where doughnuts fry in beef tallow and cinnamon buns await the oven. Tables away, a wide menu board teases a farm’s offerings: duck eggs for the baking bowl, pasture-raised chicken for the roasting pan. Cowabunga Doughnut Co. belongs to Sadie and Donnie Bodkin, who bake from recipes passed down through Sadie’s late mother. DeSoto Food Forest is the work of Brianna and Anthony Yousoufian, who raise chickens and ducks on four acres in Arcadia. On market day, the Bodkins squeeze into their trailer with a crew of locals. Meanwhile, the Yousoufians arrive with products they’ve raised and processed themselves. Fresh Harvest gives shoppers a glimpse of the week’s work before most of Downtown Wellen has finished breakfast. 28
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Cowabunga Doughnut Co. MARKET-GOERS KNOW THE DRILL: order first, then scoot over to wait at the pickup window. Sadie and Donnie Bodkin mix, bake and fry everything on site. “It’s a whole bakery,” she says of the trailer. “Everything’s packed in there.” Donnie attends to the dough; Sadie rolls giant soft pretzels at a pace dictated by the queue. “I go as fast as I can, and even then, the oven’s packed, the line’s long, and it just is what it is,” she says. “People really are chill about it because it’s Sunday; they’re hanging out. They know it’s being made while they’re there.” The pretzels emerge from the window burnished and glossy, salted and buttered, with mustard or house cheese sauce. On the Thursday prior, Sadie makes about 500 cups of sauce at a time, mixing a roux with freshly grated cheddar and gouda. But Cowabunga’s bestseller is an all-beef hot dog wrapped in cheese and pretzel dough, a work in progress as Sadie auditions cheeses that bend without crumbling. The doughnuts follow her late mother’s sourdough method, with a boost of commercial yeast for a mobile kitchen. “She did not add yeast,” Sadie explains; Leah Peachey, who passed in 2019, gave her loaves hours to rise. The dough fries up large and airy in the tallow, with a crisp golden edge and a faint sourdough tang behind the sweetness. Some are topped with melted chocolate, others a pumpkin spice buttercream for fall. Leah’s vanilla glaze sets into a delicate shell that cracks with the first bite and melts on the tongue. The snickerdoodle gets a second coating after the glaze, so “you get all the creamy vanilla, butter plus the crunchy cinnamon sugar on the outside.” Many recipes hearken back to a drought in North Carolina. In the 1980s, Sadie’s father moved his dairy herd and eight children from an Amish settlement in western Kentucky to 400 acres near Union Grove. The following spring, no rain fell. “They decided, we’re going to bake,” Sadie recalls. “And see if we can save our farm.” The family converted the garage into an inspected home bakery and sold their goodies to local shops. Their farm survived. Two decades later, Sadie and her siblings began frying doughnuts at a mountain festival near Asheville with a KitchenAid mixer and two tabletop fryers. “We made a batch, and people lost their minds,” she says. That experiment grew into Peachey’s Baking Co., in Sarasota, where Sadie worked alongside brothers Nate and Sam for 18 years. In October 2025, she and Donnie launched Cowabunga, a name inspired by Donnie’s childhood love of the Ninja Turtles. Only afterward did they discover the word’s meaning: an exclamation of delight. Customers, she reports, now yell it after the first bite. Expansion, though, isn’t the plan. “We actually want to be out there at the markets, to be there ourselves,” Sadie says.
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market EXPLORE
Desoto Food Forest DESOTO FOOD FOREST SELLS OUT SO OFTEN that Brianna Yousoufian needed a smarter way to post what’s left. Her magnetic board now tracks about 76 items, up from seven, and she calls it “a dream come true.” Two items outpace the rest: pasture-raised, corn- and soy-free chicken breasts and grass-fed, grass-finished ground beef. Brianna and Anthony structure their days around a flock. Brianna jokes that farming counts as her retirement job. “I’m up early every day,” she says. “That’s what farming is.” She spent about eight years as a dolphin trainer in zoos and aquariums before chronic health issues prompted her to examine what animals actually eat. Anthony, a Miami native who worked in Bitcoin mining, settled in Arcadia first, when the property offered little more than dirt mixed with shell and rock. “He committed a cardinal sin,” she says, “and he went and bought two very exotic water buffalo.” As the buffalo grazed in rotation, chickens trailed behind them inside electric netting, and the two kinds of manure brought the grass back. A small food forest of fruit trees near the house gave the farm its name, which “is reflective of how we started, where we came from and where we want to go,” Brianna says. Today, about 100 ducks patrol the banana trees and moringa in the yard, pecking at grubs and bugs. “We don’t fertilize anything,” she says. “Our animals do it for us.” Desoto sells its birds and eggs as pasture-raised, a distinction that Brianna wants shoppers to understand. Cage-free, she explains, can still mean a crowded barn without access to 30
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sunlight; free-range often means a yard outside a coop that never moves. At Desoto, the birds live in mobile trailers and shift to fresh grass every two or three days. Their feed, a custom corn- and soy-free blend, travels down from a small family operation in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The work gets even more physical at processing time. Each month Brianna handles about 600 birds. “I have a three-day period where all I do is butcher, butcher, butcher,” she says. The birds airchill for 24 hours with no chlorine bath, which Brianna credits for “really, really crispy skin,” then go straight into packaging and the freezer. The meat offers a firmer bite and fuller chicken flavor than the usual supermarket bird. Everything at the market comes frozen, a food safety choice in Florida heat, though customers who preorder can collect fresh birds at the farm during processing days. The beef hails from Fort McCoy Ranch in Marion County, where a USDA-inspected facility processes and labels it for Desoto. “We tried hard to align ourselves with another partner that meets our values and ethics system,” she explains, “basically 100% transparency.” Raw A2 milk from neighbor Jenna Brucker’s Brucker Bunch dairy is sold as pet food only, per Florida law. The farm also supplies chicken to Clover Farms in Jacksonville and eggs to Jessica’s Organic Farm in Sarasota. This year’s goal: sell 6,000 chickens across Southwest Florida. “Every day when I wake up, I have absolutely no idea what the day will bring. I have to be flexible and go with it!” Brianna says. “And it’s been really successful.” WPL
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT Pasture-raised eggs from Desoto Food Forest; Corn and soy-free chicken, grassfed, grass-finished beef and A2 milk are just a few of Desoto’s offerings. Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, 19745 Wellen Pk Blvd, Venice, Sundays 9 am-1 pm, wellenpark.com. Cowabunga Doughnut Co., Instagram @cowabungadoughnutco. Desoto Food Forest, desotofoodforest.com.
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arts The Show Goes On EXPLORE
THIS SPREAD, LEFT TO RIGHT Conductor Troy Quinn has helped grow the Venice Symphony into a nationally acclaimed orchestra in his nine seasons as music director; Asolo Rep presents The Day the Circus Came to Town.
A collection of can’t miss highlights for Wellen Park art lovers. WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
FROM THE OUTSIDE, Wellen Park has it all. After all, there is a brand new high school that just opened its doors for the first time this fall, a bustling Downtown that is growing every day and a built-in network of trails to explore the natural side of the area. What Wellen Park residents also have, however, is unique access to a vast ecosystem of arts and cultural organizations that call the Suncoast home. From the southern tip of Sarasota County up past the Manatee River in Bradenton, here are some of the can’t miss highlights for arts lovers to check out this season.
Virtuosic Horn Playing at the Venice Symphony MUSIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR TROY QUINN has led the Venice Symphony for nine seasons. Since coming to south Sarasota County in 2018, Quinn has helped build the Symphony into a nationally recognized brand, growing in size and prominence with every year. Seasons often include guest performances by some of the world’s foremost musicians, at times traveled from around the globe to participate in a given program. In Strauss and Surprises!, Quinn turns to a musician that he regards as one of the industry’s foremost horn players—the Venice Symphony’s very own Joseph Lovinsky. “Joe went to Juilliard and the Curtis Institute of Music, he’s an incredible musician who has played all over the world and happens to be our principal horn player,” says Quinn. “What better way to feature our own incredible talent than showcasing a piece for them?” In Strauss and Surprises!, which Quinn refers to as a “New Year’s Eve concert on steroids”, Lovinsky will be featured as the soloist in a program that includes Strauss’s Die Fledermaus Overture, Emperor Waltz and Haydn’s Symphony no. 94 in G Major (Surprise). “We’re going to have some incredible surprises to go along with this thematic material. Strauss is played a lot in all of the Radetsky March and all of that wonderful high-level classical music, but we’re also intertwining the program with other, non-familiar pieces that showcase our soloist,” says Quinn. Part of what makes Lovinsky’s musicality so special is his emotional maturity as a player, relays Quinn. Possessing a dynamic range, Lovinsky’s ability shines in his deft handling of the material, a skill that only comes with experience. “Joe’s one of those rare players where he can play anything,” says Quinn. “He’s played for so long and on so many levels, in many different genres, from symphonies to brass quartets and quintets, that he brings another level of not just artistry, but emotional maturity. He’s a virtuosic horn player.” Venice Symphony, Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave Building 5, Venice, 941-218-3779, veniceperformingartscenter.com 32
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Asolo Rep Celebrates The Day The Circus Came to Town DATES AND NUMBERS DO NOT OFTEN HOLD AN
Catfish Moon at the Venice Theatre OF THE MYRIAD OF ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS that make Sarasota County Florida’s Cultural Coast, the Venice Theatre stands alone. The largest community theater, per capita, in the United States, is celebrating its 77th season this year with a slate full of richly entertaining productions. One such production is Laddy Sartin’s play, Catfish Moon, which comes to the Venice Theatre in January. Sartin’s play, which premiered in 1996, is a lighthearted tale of friendship and fishing, all set under the glow of a full moon. “It’s a sweet show set in North Carolina about some longtime friends who meet at their old fishing pier,” says Executive Director Kristofer Geddie. “It’s a heartwarming tale about friendship, aging and what it all means.” The play follows three middle-aged childhood friends, Curley, Gordon and Frog, as they spend an evening down at the dilapidated old fishing pier they grew up frequenting. This old pier is where the trio created formative memories—now some 30 years later, Curley, Gordon and Frog find themselves grappling with the pressures of middle age. Among those issues, marriage and infidelity: Frog is recently divorced from his ex-wife Betty, Curley’s younger sister, who Gordon has just started dating. “There’s divorce, heart ailments and the fact that mortality is becoming real to these characters while at their longtime hangout,” says Geddie. Like the characters, the setting of the pier is worn with time and showing its age. One of the challenges of the production, Geddie attests, is creating a set that reflects the passage of time, yet still is captivating to the audience. “Our director is going to have to find ways to keep it engaging when the show is set entirely on a pier.” Catfish Moon, Jan 15–Feb 7, Venice Theatre Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave W, Venice, venicetheatre.org
IMPORTANT CONTEXT in regards to planning Asolo Repertory Theatre’s season, but in the case of the 2026-27 artistic year, they certainly did. In 1927, Sarasota became home to The Greatest Show on Earth, John Ringling’s iconic circus, setting in motion a century defined by a legacy in the circus and the arts. “1927 was an extraordinary year in American history,” says Peter Rothstein, producing artistic director of Asolo Rep. “It was a cultural renaissance. The first American musical, Show Boat, premiered on Broadway, the invention of television happened in 1927, the first talking moving picture, The Jazz Singer premiered, Duke Ellington made his Cotton Club debut and Babe Ruth became the first major celebrity athlete.” Keeping that centennial in mind, the entire 2026–27 main stage season for Asolo Rep revolves around 1927. One such production is the world premiere of The Day the Circus Came to Town, developed in partnership with The Ringling and the Circus Arts Conservatory. Directed by Rothstein and created by him along with Carla Noack and David Darrow, The Day the Circus Came to Town, “lives somewhere between a documentary, a musical and a circus.” The show draws upon Sarasota’s rich—and living—history of the circus, incorporating actual circus artists such as aerialists and acrobats as well as stories from interviews with dozens of Sarasota-based circus performers, aged primarily from 75 to 100 years old. “Before I did those interviews, I realized that I had a lot to learn. To build trust, to show respect to their art form, I needed to better understand it and some of the realities of what it meant to live a life in the circus—I spent a year or so at The Ringling Museum, some time in Venice, time at the Showmen’s Museum,” says Rothstein. “The challenge is then taking all of these amazing stories from the interviews—of people escaping Nazi Germany, of people losing a parent in an accident—and trying to fit them into one, big evening. The songs that we created for the production emerged out of the overarching themes of these conversations.” The Day the Circus Came to Town will be narrated by a troubadour, an ode to the transient nature of the circus and its performers. Backed by a century’s worth of archival footage from The Ringling, the show aims to give a sense of both the grandeur and the grind of what life was like in the circus. “What does it mean to not have a home that’s four walls, but you’re sharing a train car with 22 other showgirls? How do you vote when you don’t have a mailing address?” says Rothstein. “It’s been deeply moving to hear about these folks who have dedicated their lives to bringing joy to people they’ve never met before, one city at a time.” The Day the Circus Came to Town, March 21–April 24, Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-351-8000, asolorep.org
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arts EXPLORE
BELOW, LEFT TO RIGHT Ringling College faculty member Eszter Sziksz brings her experimental printmaking practice to the Sarasota Art Museum; Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will debut its first-ever Shakespeare production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Unanswerable Questions THERE IS A DUTY THAT THE SARASOTA ART MUSEUM (SAM) has as the region’s contemporary art museum. It is to present some of the foremost modern and contemporary art to audiences in Sarasota, enriching the lives of those that walk through its gallery spaces with the works presented in them. At times that art can come from practitioners from all over the world. In other cases, that art can come from the museum’s backyard. Such is the case with SAM’s exhibition Eszter Sziksz: Seeking, I Don’t Know What I’m Looking For (And I Hope I Never Find It). Sziksz is an award-winning and internationally exhibited Hungarian-American artist, specializing in experimental printmaking, installation, sculpture and video. She is also a faculty member at the Ringling College of Art and Design. “We selected Eszter as a featured artist because we find the work she is creating to be incredibly interesting and quite timely,” says Virginia Shearer, Executive Director of SAM. “She is an experimental printmaker who is exploring the medium of printmaking and is always trying to do something that is different, that’s groundbreaking and stretches her own creative boundaries.” Sziksz’s work in Seeking came as a reaction to a particularly tumultuous time in her life. “Her friend was diagnosed with cancer. Eszter did what artists do, and in a tragic recognition of this life moment, made Seeking as a reaction to that,” says Shearer. “This installation I Don’t Know What I’m Looking For (And I Hope I Never Find It) is her wanting to support her friend, by creating an immersive environment all of us as visitors to navigate the space, but also navigate these big, unanswerable questions that will be printed onto strips of paper hanging from the ceiling.” This interactive installation is set to feature long, semi-translucent strips of wax paper that hang from the ceiling. Viewers will wade through the exhibit and, using magnifying glasses suspended throughout the space, read queries based on the writings of different philosophers embossed into the base of the strips of paper. “This sensory experience is further augmented by a soundscape she’s worked on with another artist, Douglas Tewksbury. There will be this sonic immersion within the drifting paper,” says Shearer. “I think that this will be a provocative and emotional experience for people.”Eszter Sziksz: Seeking, I Don’t Know What I’m Looking For (And I Hope I Never Find It), Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-309-4300, sarasotaartmuseum.org
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Rhapsodies of Rhythm and Shakespeare IN THE HEART OF THIS YEAR’S “RHAPSODIES OF RHYTHM” SEASON AT WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE (WBTT), founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs is featuring a “cutting-edge evolution for the company.” He’s referring to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the theater’s first-ever Shakespeare production. “It’s a good opportunity for an African American theater to be exposed to not only this type of theater but also to this show,” Jacobs says, as WBTT is known for celebrating R&B, jazz and pop music that showcases African American culture. Now, they’re expanding into comedy. Running from January 13–February 21, this classic play will be directed by Geoffrey Owens, a new director for WBTT from New York. Owens is known for his role as Elvin Tibideaux on The Cosby Show, as well as many endeavors on Broadway, in film and on TV.” Geoffrey specialized in Shakespeare at Yale University, so we’re very fortunate to have a seasoned director for this show,” Jacobs says. Jacobs says this two-act play will be an innovative performance with around 16 actors in the cast. The production is staged in an elemental setting with dazzling costumes and is full of illusion, mischief and enchantment. Aside from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jacobs says he’s excited about directing Stevie: A Stevie Wonder Revue in April and May to close the season. This new musical revue celebrates Stevie Wonder’s discography, featuring hits like Superstition, Sir Duke, Isn’t She Lovely and more. “I am so excited about celebrating this iconic singer, songwriter and musician as a part of our season, and for all of our fans and music lovers to remember how wonderful Stevie Wonder is,” Jacobs says. Throughout this season, Jacobs wants to highlight a theater culture that is worthy of celebration and acknowledgment—the same high-spirited, informational and celebratory work that WBTT has continued to promote since its 1999 founding. “It is essential that WBTT continues to do the work that we’re doing, because if we don’t celebrate our culture, who will?” he says. WPL Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-366-1505, info@westcoastblacktheatre.org
IMAGERY COURTESY OF SARASOTA ART MUSEUM | WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE.
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education EXPLORE
Advanced LEARNING
BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT A science instructor leads a class at Wellen Park High School. A high school student hard at work within one of the school’s university-level laboratory classrooms.
Wellen Park High School prepares students for the future with an extensive catalog of accelerated classes. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT
WHILE MANY KNOW WELLEN PARK HIGH SCHOOL (WPHS) as a brand-new, state-of-the-art campus with modern dining, athletic and performance spaces, few may realize it is also a magnet school, giving students from across the area access to a broad range of competitive academic opportunities regardless of their zoning.
SOAR Research Institute at WPHS The SOAR (Science, Observation, Analysis and Research) Institute is a rigorous STEM Research Magnet program designed to challenge and support motivated students. Structured as a school within a school, SOAR combines an enriched curriculum with hands-on research experiences designed to prepare students for STEM-focused college study and careers in high-demand fields. Students can explore marine biology, ecology, aquaponics, hydroponics, biotechnology and other areas of scientific inquiry. Specialized facilities, including BSL-2 laboratories and Marine Science Labs, provide access to research experiences uncommon at the high school level. Students also benefit from expert mentorship and opportunities to pursue internships, scholarships, competitions and conferences. “As a SOAR Research Institute, we offer university-level sci36
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ence experiences that are unmatched in South Sarasota County,” says Principal Mark Grossenbacher. “In fact, we are the only high school with a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) laboratory—a facility typically found at colleges and universities, particularly those serving pre-med and life sciences students.” According to SOAR Research and STEM Chair Courtney Coppola, the program is designed to teach students not only scientific concepts, but how to ask meaningful questions and investigate them. “Students are guided through a four-year program where they design and conduct independent research projects of increasing complexity,” she explains. “Modeled after our sister program at Sarasota High School, the MaST Research Institute, SOAR provides students with opportunities to conduct research that goes far beyond the traditional high school science fair project.” As students progress, their work can take on the scope PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA
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of a graduate-level thesis: identifying a research problem, developing an experimental design, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating findings. The program culminates in a senior defense-style symposium, where students present and defend their research before an audience. The experience also extends beyond the classroom, with opportunities to present at conferences and competitions, travel, pursue internships and compete for scholarships and other recognition. Coppola says the program’s research environment is equally distinctive. Students can train in microbiological research using a Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet, conduct tissue culture and ELISA-based studies, and explore genetics and molecular biology. “Students are not restricted to a single area of science,” Coppola says. “The philosophy is simple: if we can fund it and conduct it safely, our students can do it. SOAR allows young researchers to move beyond learning about science and begin experiencing what it means to actually do science.”
The internationally accredited program emphasizes research, critical thinking, analysis and evaluation, helping students examine complex topics from multiple perspectives while developing skills for college and beyond. This year at WPHS’s September 25 homecoming game, a bell ringing celebrated Oriana Gunderson, the school’s first student to earn a Cambridge AICE Diploma after passing her seventh Cambridge course. The achievement makes her eligible for a full-tuition Bright Futures Scholarship.
Cambridge AICE Program at WPHS
The Future at WPHS
Another challenging academic program offered at the school is the Cambridge AICE program, with more than 20 college-level courses taught by Cambridge-trained educators. Students who complete seven AICE courses over four years can earn the Cambridge AICE Diploma and may qualify for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, resulting in full-tuition at eligible Florida public universities. Dr. Tiffany Jennings, WPHS’s Cambridge AICE University Coordinator, believes the program is among the most student-friendly of the advanced-learning pathways. “With AP, the kids work all year long and then have to cram for a three-hour test at the end of the year,” she says. “With AICE, they make a small investment, but if they get the Bright Futures Scholarship, the dollar amount is unbelievable.”
The school’s STEM offerings extend beyond the laboratory as well. “Shortly after Christmas we’ll be housing baby goats and selling eggs at the farmers market, teaching about farm-to-table, small engine repair and veterinary science,” Grossenbacher says. For students interested in science, he sees these opportunities as a unique feature of WPHS. “If you’re into science and you don’t go to Wellen Park High School, you’re really missing out because we are funded differently. We have so many opportunities and options for kids.” Grossenbacher envisions the future as bright for the region. “Three years from now, if everyone completes the program, we could have 600 full tuition scholarships graduating from Wellen Park High School. A year ago, zero,” he says. “That’s significant and it’s a blessing for the community.” WPL
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BELOW Dr. Tiffany Jennings, WPHS’s Cambridge AICE University Coordinator.
Teaching Advanced Education For WPHS teachers, the value of advanced coursework goes beyond academic rigor. Autumn Backo has taught AICE for nine years and says she appreciates the program’s emphasis on thinking rather than memorization. “In my AICE English General Paper classroom, students discuss real-world issues, consider different perspectives and learn to confidently support their own ideas with evidence,” she says. “AICE is rigorous, but rigor doesn’t have to mean inaccessible. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students realize they are capable of college-level work.” Ileana Reich has taught AICE English Language for more than 10 years. She describes the course as a two-part experience focused on critical analysis and effective communication. “In a typical classroom experience, students take a rigorous text and analyze it to understand it, so they can write about its rhetoric and language features,” she says. “They also get to take all of the techniques they have learned while reading and analyzing, so they can create approximately 20 different genres that they may be tested on.” Tanya Pryer has taught AICE for nine years after previously teaching AP Psychology. Her course emphasizes research methodology, statistical evidence and real-world applications. “Students evaluate psychological studies by using concepts and criteria related to research components,” she says. “We explore explanations of human and animal behavior and connect real-world applications of the results found in statistical evidence. A typical class period includes a check on understanding, lecture, discussion and application.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA
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OUR roudl ySERVING PCOMMUNITY WITH HEART For Stephanie and Justin, owning First Class Furniture and Furniture & Decor Encore is about more than furniture. It’s about building businesses they’re proud of and serving the Southwest Florida community they call home. After purchasing First Class Furniture in Venice in early 2026, the couple transformed the showroom and thoughtfully curated its collections around the homes and lifestyles of Southwest Florida. They later purchased Furniture & Decor Encore, expanding their ability to serve the community with an even broader selection of styles and price points. Today, both stores offer everything needed to furnish a home, inside and out, including indoor and patio furniture, décor and unique finds. First Class Furniture offers a relaxed, refined coastal aesthetic with an emphasis on quality, comfort and timeless design, while Furniture & Decor Encore offers a diverse mix of new and pre-owned pieces for a wide range of styles and budgets.
Stephanie & Justin
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At the heart of both businesses is a simple philosophy: offer quality products, exceptional value and personal service while treating customers like neighbors. For Stephanie and Justin, local ownership means being genuinely invested in the community where they live, work and are building their future. Come in, look around and discover something beautiful.
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season Game Day at Wellen Park EXPLORE
THIS SPREAD, CLOCKWISE Coal-fired pizza and draft beer make for an ideal game day at Bocca Lupo; Ozy’s Tavern features a 60-tap beer wall; Oak & Stone’s downstairs bar is adjacent to the restaurant’s tap wall and has four flatscreen TVs; Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and Wicked Paradise IPA at Oak & Stone.
Where to watch football in Wellen Park this fall. WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
AS SUMMER FADES AWAY AND AUTUMN ROLLS IN, we begin to embrace all that fall has to offer. For some it’s apple orchards or
pumpkin picking. Hay rides, with a cool breeze in the air, or even a pumpkin spiced latte. For many, however, fall means one thing: football. The most popular sport in the country by a landslide, NFL and college football brings people together, rooting on their alma mater or home city, with friendly rivalries and passionate fans. The business owners of Wellen Park understand that. No matter if you’re a die hard Cheese Head, a sworn member of Bills Mafia or a Buckeye through and through, Wellen Park has got you covered. From tiki bars to tap rooms, here are some of the best places in the area to watch your team this fall.
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SUPERIOR POOLS TOMAHAWK TIKI BAR AND GRILL “We have the most unique backdrop in the country,” says Henry Monaco, senior director of food and beverage at the Atlanta Braves. “I don’t know of any other ball parks that you can go into any time of year, for free, and get yourself lunch and a drink and listen to music or partake in trivia or bingo. We’ve been here going on seven years and pride ourselves on having developed a connection with the area.” The Tomahawk Tiki Bar and Grill is located inside CoolToday Park, the Spring Training home of the Atlanta Braves. With six flatscreen TVs, the outdoor Tiki Bar is perched above the left field line. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, 12pm-8pm, the Tomahawk Tiki Bar and Grill features plenty of patio seating for groups and has a daily happy hour from 12pm-5pm with $10 starters, $4 drafts and $5 well cocktails. The kitchen sink nachos, with your choice of ground beef or diced chicken, guacamole, sour cream, beer cheese and all the fixings remain a popular pick and the rum punch, with white and coconut rum, orange and pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine is a fan favorite. On tap, the Tomahawk keeps things relatively simple, with staples such as Miller Lite, Bud Light and LandShark Lager while rotating in a few craft options such as the Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale and Florida Avenue LUMI Hazy IPA, one of the sponsors of the bar’s weekly bingo nights.
BOCCA LUPO COAL FIRED PIZZA
Public Places to Watch OAK AND STONE–WELLEN PARK Like Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Oak and Stone Wellen Park is the archetype of what a sports bar should be—the two story restaurant features a tap wall with 52 different taps, televisions at virtually every corner and the full NFL and college football packages to make Oak and Stone a true game day destination. “We have four different TVs at the downstairs bar, five TVs throughout the dining room, two TVs on each patio and one for the upstairs deck,” says General Manager Danielle Kurschner. “Whenever we start mapping out our TVs for the day, two of our bartenders will get together with the opening manager and go, ‘OK, this is going to be the best matchup for this time slot, this game is local.’ Our staff takes very impressive notes on our clientele, where they like to sit and what games they like to have on.” The restaurant chain recently went through a mini rebrand, adding “Craft Kitchen” to the bottom of its name and featuring an increased emphasis on its food offerings. Oak and Stone is well known for its thin-crust, 36-hour fermented artisan pizzas, with a signature thin crust. Popular flavors include sweet heat and winger. classic football food includes wings as well as scrumptious starters such as the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and the bacon-wrapped Jalapeno poppers. PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA
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Pizza. Beer. Football. Add in some chicken wings and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a successful gameday. At Bocca Lupo Coal Fired Pizza in Wellen Park, that gameplan is taken to the umpteenth level. Ten 75-inch televisions line the old-school pizza parlor, making finding your game a cinch on Saturdays or Sundays. The coal-fired ovens burn at around 1000 degrees, popping out sizzling pizzas in a matter of minutes, churning out standbys such as the cheese or classic white pie to specialities like the hot honey pepperoni and Philly cheesesteak—white cheese sauce topped with shaved beef, green peppers, onions and provolone cheese. “We take it very seriously,” says owner Mark Costanzo. “We use Grande cheese, a very creamy, whole milk mozzarella and we have to proof our dough for 36 hours before we use it.” Those same coal fired ovens are what bakes Bocca Luppo’s signature wings as well. “They start like most wings do, in the fryer,” says Coseanzo. “Then we sauce them and put them into the oven right next to the coals—the sauce caramelizes on the wings and it’s almost impossible to duplicate this flavor any other way. My favorite sauce is our bourbon sriracha.”
OZY’S TAVERN Ozy’s Tavern founder Beau Oz can admit something. “Sports are the center of American culture and something that brings everybody together,” says the 34-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran. While Ozy’s Tavern is an ideal place to watch a football game for a number of reasons this fall, it is so much more than
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season EXPLORE
your typical sports bar. The restaurant, which opened in October 2025, is a craft beer paradise, with a 60tap beer wall of hand picked drafts picked by Oz himself, who earned his level 1 Cicerone license—equivalent to a low-level sommelier but for beer instead of wine—prior to opening Ozy’s Tavern. “We created our entire menu to complement each type of beer that might be on the tap wall, from your sours to your blondes to your darker beers. We have mini mugs where we can give you samples of our different beers and provide you with beers that augment each meal,” says Oz. “If someone says, ‘Oh I can’t believe you only have Coors Light in bottles and not on draft,’ I’ll tell them, ‘Give me one second.’ Try this, this or this beer, one of them you’ll like just as much as Coors Light if not more.” NFL Sundays bring platters, with shareable finger foods like egg rolls, steak crostinis and hand battered cheese curds. Standbys include sports themed dishes such as “The Mick”, named after Mickey Mantle, a fried chicken, waffle, bacon and egg loaded tower or the Philly Schmidt, a cheesesteak named after Philadelphia Phillies legend Mike Schmidt. Gamedays bring a fully loaded experience, with fan sections and tables available for reservation. “We label the bottom of each TV with the teams that are playing that day and what time the game is on. If you were a table of three Philadelphia Eagles fans, for example, we would put your table in that area, so that you would be sitting around other Eagles fans,” says Oz. “We check our crowd and accommodate accordingly.”
BELOW Artisan-crafted pizzas at Oak & Stone.
sandwiches and weekly specials,” says Mitch Martinez, bar supervisor and front of house manager at the Tiki Bar. “We have three draft beers on tap and we try to make them local craft beers. The idea is that most people we have here probably aren’t from Florida, so we try to give them a way to experience things around the area that they might miss otherwise.” A full cocktail menu with rotating seasonal specials is also par for the course and popular shareables perfect for gameday snacking include the Boomin’ Shrimp, Bavarian pretzel sticks with jalapeno queso and gluten-free flatbreads. “We’ve done about 25 different food specials in the past three months,” says Martinez. “It gives people something new and exciting to look forward to each week.”
PALMERA HULL BAR The HULL Bar, located within Palmera’s new amenity campus, provides the ideal spot to spend an afternoon rooting for your team. A resort-style setup, with a wraparound bar adjacent to the pool area, the HULL Bar is nautically themed, replete with flatscreen TVs perfect for catching the game. “Sunday vibes at the HULL Bar are awesome,” says Patrick Goeser, club manager at Palmera. “The residents come in early afternoon and take a dip in the pool, get some sun and one of our servers will bring them a nice cocktail while they hang out. At the HULL Bar, our chef puts together specials every week that are unique and different. We also do a large lifestyle event every month. We definitely have some Green Bay fans here, a strong showing of Buffalo Bills fans and a good representation of New York Jets and Giants fans in our community as well.”
THE BRIGHT BAR
Resident and Member Places WELLEN PARK GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB With seven flatscreen TVs and happy hour running all day on Sundays, the Tiki Bar, adjacent to Wellen Park Golf and Country Club’s pool, makes for the perfect place for members to catch a game this fall. “We offer American-fusion cuisine here from classic burgers to smash burgers to salads, a couple of different fish 42
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At Brightmore, Wellen Park’s vibrant 55+ neighborhood, the expansive clubhouse’s Bright Bar is the place to be for a weekend of football watching. The tiki bar, which features a slew of flatscreen TVs, open spaces for seating and coverage from the shade, is designed to have a personal touch. “I strive to exceed the customer’s expectation,” says Jordanna Gholami, food and beverage director of Brightmore. “These people live here and treat the Bright Bar as their neighborhood bar—this is a customer that I’m going to see over and over again. People want to be acknowledged, remembered and have a relationship with the staff.” Gholami, a veteran of the hospitality industry, trains her staff at the Bright Bar to do just that. The Bright Bar features a rotating list of food and drink specials, and staff on hand will create just about any drink customers ask for. With plenty of seating, fans of all teams have the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the game at their neighborhood bar. “We try to bring the community together as a whole, and create that sense of camaraderie,” says Anthony Reyes, lifestyle director. “We’ll have live entertainment and we want our residents to enjoy their time at the clubhouse.” WPL PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA
11/4/26 12:49 PM
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11/4/26 11:18 AM
WELLEN PARK NEIGHBORHOODS MAP
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EXPLORE THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK NEIGHBORHOODS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR PARTNER BUILDERS
WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
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ACACIA
PALMERA
BAYPORT II
WESTLAKE
BROOKLYN
OAKBEND
CRAB CREEK
PALMERA
DELMAR II
LAKESPUR
DREAM II
PALMERA
EGRET V
PALMERA
GASPARILLA II
EVERLY
MAINSTAY II
WESTLAKE
MALLEE
ESPLANADE
MARIA
WELLEN PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
MERIGOLD
BRIGHTMORE
MONTEREY II
WESTLAKE
PALERMO
ESPLANADE
PEARSON
ASHCOMBE
PELICAN
SUNSTONE LAKESIDE
POSITANO II
EVERLY
RED ROCK
SUNSTONE LAKESIDE
SANCTUARY
PALMERA
SANDCASTLE II
BOCA ROYALE
SOLSTICE III
EVERLY
ST. LUCIA
WESTLAKE
THE COVE
OAKBEND
TIDELAND
PALMERA
TYBEE
LAKESPUR
WELLINGTON
EVERLY
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
ACACIA AT PALMERA
MATTAMY HOMES
LUXURY CONDO
1,904 SF PRICED FROM
LOW $400s
2 Bedrooms • Spacious, open-concept living 2.5 Bathrooms
2-Car Garage
• Private entry and 2 car garage • Stunning resort-style amenities • Includes a versatile flex room that easily adapts to suit your needs
12744 Jade Empress Lp, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.353.2607 | MattamyHomes.com/Palmera
BAYPORT II AT WESTLAKE
HOMES BY WESTBAY
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,460 SF
PRICED FROM
COMING SOON 4 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 19156 Sweet Pepper Circle, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.384.0195 | HomesbyWestBay.com
• Open-concept kitchen, dining area, and grand room with 12’ ceilings flow seamlessly to the covered lanai • First-floor owner’s retreat features a spa-like bath and generously sized walk-in closet • Main story includes dedicated dining or flex space with large bonus room on second floor
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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BROOKLYN AT OAKBEND
ICI HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,282 SF PRICED FROM
MID
$800s
4 Bedrooms
3.5 Bathrooms
• Full custom homebuilder • Deluxe kitchen with open entertainment living area • 8’ doors throughout entire home
3-Car Garage
• 2-story bowed bay window in living room
12300 Falling Leaf Pl, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.244.5486 info@ICIHomes.com | ICIHomes.com | MODELS NOW OPEN!
• Engineered hardwood throughout all main living areas
CRAB CREEK AT PALMERA
DAVID WEEKLEY HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,327 SF PRICED FROM
MID $800s
4 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 18166 Foxtail Loop, Venice, FL, 34293 | 941.335.5756
• Gourmet kitchen featuring a large island, abundant cabinetry and easy flow to family and dining areas • Resort-style outdoor living with a pool and outdoor kitchen, perfect for entertaining family and friends • Private Owner’s Retreat with a spa-inspired bath and oversized walk-in closet with closet system • Flexible layout with three secondary bedrooms, a private study and three-car garage
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
DELMAR II AT LAKESPUR
MATTAMY HOMES
CONDOMINIUM
1,341 SF
PRICED FROM
HIGH
$200s
2 Bedrooms • 4 new model homes open daily 2 Bathrooms
1-Car Attached Garage 17330 Moonflower Drive, Venice, FL 34293 941.352.4062 | MattamyHomes.com/Lakespur
DREAM II AT PALMERA
• Expansive kitchen with generous island and adjacent great room • Low-maintenance, lock and leave lifestyle • Fun-filled amenities open for all residents to enjoy • Covered/screened lanai included
NEAL COMMUNITIES
SINGLE-FAMILY
1,860 SF PRICED FROM
$400s 3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
• The floor plan includes a beautiful open kitchen with corner pantry, center island with plenty of counterspace and a dining area
2-Car Garage
• The master bedroom includes two closets, dual vanity sinks and a walk-in shower
18332 Foxtail Lp, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.369.9842 | NealCommunities.com
• A separate den, utility room and 2 additional bedrooms and second bath complete the home
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
EGRET VAT PALMERA
ICI HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,163 SF
PRICED FROM
$900s 4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 18477 Foxtail Loop, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.340.1251 info@icihomes.com | ICIHomes.com | PHASE II ALMOST SOLD OUT!
GASPARILLA II AT EVERLY
• Full custom homebuilder • 75’ homesites available • Modern elevation with pool and spa • 12’ ceiling, impact glass windows, 10’ sliding glass doors • Outdoor open-air cabana – almost 900 sq ft of outdoor living!
HOMES BY WESTBAY
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,618 SF
PRICED FROM
$859,990 4-5 Bedrooms
4-5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 11536 Gleaming Terrace, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.271.7993 | HomesbyWestBay.com
• Soaring 12’ ceilings in foyer, grand room, and kitchen • Gourmet kitchen includes large center island, butler’s pantry, and walk-in pantry • Seamless indoor-outdoor living with open-concept plan and expansive sliding glass doors to covered lanai • Options include 5th bedroom, gas fireplace, tray ceilings, and wet bar in bonus room
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
MAINSTAY II AT WESTLAKE
LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,200 SF PRICED FROM
HIGH
$1MIL+
3 Bedrooms • Custom Luxury Single-story Home
3.5 Bathrooms
• Designed to offer the perfect blend of indoor & outdoor living 3-Car Garage
• Elegant finishes and finely crafted details throughout
11710 Blissby Street, Venice, FL 34293 | Debra Thomas | 941.344.2775
• Local Custom Home Builder with 45+ years of experience
MALLEE AT ESPLANADE
JOHN CANNON HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,827 SF PRICED FROM
$2MIL+ 4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
• Sophisticated contemporary-transitional architecture with 3,827 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space • Four-bedroom, four-bath floor plan with a spacious three-car garage • Luxurious primary suite featuring separate his-and-hers walk-in closets & spa-inspired bath • Gourmet kitchen with a large center island and walk-in pantry, plus an expansive great room, dining room, study, and bonus room • Private casita and resort-style outdoor living area with an expansive lanai, pool, sun shelf and spa
26206 Malpasso Drive, Englewood FL 34293 | 941.213.5460 | JohnCannonHomes.com
COMING SOON — OPENING IN 2027
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
MARIA ATWELLEN PARK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB LENNAR HOMES SINGLE-FAMILY
2,247 SF PRICED FROM
UPPER
$500s
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
2-Car Garage 17121 Jadestone Court, Venice, Florida 34293 | 941.740.6524 | Lennar.com
MERIGOLD AT BRIGHTMORE
• Open floorplan with inviting & well-lit kitchen • Covered lanai that allows for enjoyable outdoor experiences • Secondary suite next to the versatile den that can be used office space or a home gym • The owner’s suite is at the rear of the house, ensuring privacy and tranquility
MATTAMY HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY | 55+
1,991 SF
PRICED FROM
MID
$500s
2 Bedrooms • Spacious Open-Concept Design 2 Bathrooms
• Expansive Covered Lanai for Indoor-Outdoor Living • Versatile Flex Room for Work or Hobbies
2-Car Garage
• Spa-Inspired Owner’s Suite
11410 Myakka Blue Drive, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.655.9325 | BrightmoreFL.com *Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
MONTEREY II AT WESTLAKE SINGLE-FAMILY
4,189 SF
PRICED FROM
$1,386,990 4 Bedrooms
5.5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
NEAL SIGNATURE HOMES
• Two of the bedrooms are guest suites with ensuite bath and walk-in closet, allowing you to host family and friends for an extended visit • The gourmet kitchen is the perfect environment for creating family meals, complete with wall oven, over-sized island and a scullery • The loft area is a customizable space, allowing you to create an area reflecting your own personal tastes
11433 Brightly Drive, Venice, FL | 941.326.4570 | NealSignatureHomes.com
PALERMO AT ESPLANADE
TAYLOR MORRISON
SINGLE-FAMILY
2,833 SF PRICED FROM
$717,999 3 Bedrooms +FlexRoom
3.5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 26112 Asparano Avenue, Englewood, FL, 34223 | 941.870.2231 EsplanadeTeamFL@taylormorrison.com
• Open-concept design with grand foyer, expansive gathering room, formal and casual dining areas, a designer kitchen, and a stunning lanai • Luxurious primary suite tucked away for privacy, featuring a spa-inspired bath and oversized walk-in closet • Flexible living spaces including two private guest suites with en-suite bathrooms and a flex room ideal for a home office, fitness space, or hobby room
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
PEARSON ATATASHCOMBE ASHCOMBE
D.R. HORTON HOMES
TOWNHOME
1,463 1,464 SF PRICED FROM
UPPER
$200s
3 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms
1-Car Garage 10735 Tiger Lily Drive, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.205.9603 manateesarasota@drhorton.com
• Low-maintenance living • Featuring a community pool and covered clubhouse • Affordable and approachable entry point into Wellen Park • Stylish, functional and supports a variety of lifestyles • Stainless steel appliances • Smart home package • All-concrete block construction on both floors • Near Wellen Park High School, Downtown Wellen Park and Gulf Coast beaches
PELICAN AT SUNSTONE
MATTAMY HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
1,787 SF
PRICED FROM
LOW
$400s
2 Bedrooms
2.5 Bathrooms
2-Car Garage
• Spacious Open-Concept Living • Versatile Flex Room for Work or Hobbies • Private Owner’s Suite with Huge Walk-In Closet • Exceptional Storage Throughout the Home
18150 Wellspring Court, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.759.6191 | MattamyHomes.com/Sunstone *Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
POSITANO II AT EVERLY
NEAL SIGNATURE HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
2,562 SF PRICED FROM
$700s
3 Bedrooms
• Enjoy welcoming family and guests alike through a stylish Italian arched entryway or open courtyard walkway
2.5 Bathrooms
• A walk-in pantry and large countertop island is included, and a private powder room for guests is quietly tucked down the hall
3-Car Garage 11433 Brightly Drive, Venice, FL | 941.258.9002 | NealSignatureHomes.com
RED ROCK AT SUNSTONE LAKESIDE
• Many flexible options are available for this home, including options for a fourth bedroom, a wine room, expanded utility room, and private access to the lanai from the master bedroom
MATTAMY HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,057 SF PRICED FROM
LOW
$700s
4 Bedrooms
3.5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
• Large Game Room & Versatile Flex Space • Luxurious Owner’s Suite with Dual Walk-In Closets • Expansive Covered Lanai for Entertaining • 3-Car Tandem Garage for Extra Storage
11915 Starbright Path, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.352.9503 | MattamyHomes.com/Sunstone-Lakeside *Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
SANCTUARYAT PALMERA
M/I HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
2,291– 4,661 SF
PRICED FROM
MID
$600s
3-5 Bedrooms
2.5-5 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 17652 Cane Avenue, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.207.8139 salesfortmyers@mihomes.com
SANDCASTLE II AT BOCA ROYALE
• Tailored to Your Vision Curated floor plans, designer finishes, & distinctive personalization opportunities allow you to create a home that is uniquely yours • Exceptional Community Amenities Enjoy exclusive amenities designed to complement a beautiful lifestyle, offering carefully designed spaces for recreation, relaxation, and social connection • Expansive Homesites in a New Phase Now building in a newly released phase that offer more outdoor living space, and an exceptional setting for your dream home
NEAL COMMUNITIES
VILLA
1,848 SF PRICED FROM
$300s 3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2-Car Garage 10628 Sarazen Way, Englewood, FL 34223 | 941.214.9760 | NealCommunities.com
• A large island and plenty of counter space can be found in the well-appointed kitchen, overlooking the spacious great room and dining area • The master bedroom features an oversized walk-in closet, dual sinks and separate water closet • A scenic outdoor lanai completes this floor plan
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
SOLSTICE III ATEVERLY SINGLE-FAMILY
• Custom residence offering refined luxury at every turn • Expansive outdoor living area designed for comfort and relaxation • Meticulous craftsmanship and sophisticated finishes throughout • Respected Local Custom Homebuilder with 45+ years of expertise
3,600 SF PRICED FROM
HIGH
LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES
$1MIL+
3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 11710 Blissby Street, Venice, FL 34293 | Debra Thomas | 941.217.1448
ST. LUCIA ATWESTLAKE
ICI HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,201 SF
PRICED FROM
$900s
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
• Fully custom homebuilder • Deluxe kitchen with upgraded luxury appliance package • 12’ ceiling, impact glass windows, expansive open floor plan, with club room • Contemporary Exterior with grand courtyard entry • Outdoor open-air-cabana and kitchen entertainment center
18477 Foxtail Loop, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.384.0754 | info@icihomes.com | ICIHomes.com
MODEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION / PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICING COMING SOON *Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
THE COVE AT OAKBEND
TOLL BROTHERS
SINGLE-FAMILY
2,257+ SF PRICED FROM
$500s
3-4 Bedrooms
2-3 & 1/2 Bathrooms
2.5-Car Garage 12324 Falling Leaf Pl, Venice, FL 34293 | 941.395.0359 | TollBrothers.com
TIDELAND AT PALMERA
• Schedule your visit today to learn more about Quick Move-In and Build to Order Homes available now • Open floor plan integrates kitchen, casual dining area, great room, and covered patio • Elegant primary bedroom enhanced by tray ceiling, walk-in closet, and serene bath • Flex room and secondary bedrooms offer versatile living and entertaining space
HOMES BY TOWNE
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,426 SF PRICED FROM
$939,900 3-4 Bedrooms Den | Bonus Room
• Spacious kitchen with oversized island & walk-though pantry • Open concept great room and dining room with views of outdoor living area
4 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
• Second floor bonus room & bedroom suite with walk-in closet
941.353.2698 | HomesByTowne.com
• Owners suite features walk-in closet & dual bathroom vanities
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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THE MODEL HOMES OF WELLEN PARK | WINTER 2026 | GUIDE TO BUILDERS
TYBEE AT LAKESPUR
PULTE HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
2,615 SF
PRICED FROM
$492,990 5 Bedrooms • 2-floor single-family home with 5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, and 3 Car Garage • Spacious kitchen and openconcept gathering room
3 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage 17470 Luminous Ave, Venice, Florida 34293 | 941.292.7331 | Pulte.com/Lakespur
WELLINGTON AT EVERLY
• Owner’s suite featuring a spacious bathroom with a dualsink vanity and walk-in closet
JOHN CANNON HOMES
SINGLE-FAMILY
3,503 SF PRICED FROM
HIGH
$1MIL+
3 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
3-Car Garage
• Elevated, customized contemporary-transitional architectural design • Luxurious primary suite, two walk-in closets, soaking tub, walk-in shower & private water closet • State-of-the-art gourmet kitchen for cooking & entertaining with walk-in disappearing pantry • Expansive great room with designer ceiling details, plus a private study • Resort-style pool and outdoor living area featuring an elevated deck and kitchen
11481 Brightly Drive, Venice FL 34293 | 941.213.5460 | JohnCannonHomes.com
NOW OPEN!
*Brochure photos are for representation purposes only and may not exactly refl ect the offerings of this home. Prices subject to change without notice.
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CofEvents ALENDAR December 31 | Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a free outdoor concert in Downtown Wellen Park featuring Crossfire Creek! From 7:00–10:00pm, enjoy an evening of live music, dancing and great company as we close out the year together. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and kick off your New Year’s Eve festivities with friends, family and a fun-filled night under the stars. For the most up-to-date event schedule, visit wellenpark.com/events.
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New Year’s Eve Concert
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events CALENDAR
Wellen Wonderland
December 4 | Gather the whole family for an unforgettable holiday celebration in downtown Wellen Park. Santa himself will be on hand to greet children, listen to wish lists and pose for heartwarming photos that will become treasured memories. Throughout Wellen Wonderland enjoy enchanting live musical performances ranging from the American Sirens, a band performance and even a holiday themed Dueling Pianos! Join your neighbors and friends around the Christmas tree for a spectacular lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4th. There is even more to look forward to, including a Christmas village, Letters to Santa, The Glo Bike Ride at Downtown Welle Park and snow! Wellen Wonderland is where families come together to celebrate the spirit of the season. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events
13 -14 FEBRUARY
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Luminescence Festival
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JANUARY
January 8 | Celebrate the start of a new year at Wellen Park’s Luminescence Festival, an evening filled with light, reflection and connection. Personalize a luminary bag with your New Year’s wishes or in memory of a loved one, then place it along the lake to create a beautiful display of hope and remembrance. Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring projection art, live jazz and a spectacular drone show. For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events
February 13-14 | 10am-5pm
Discover the beauty of creativity at the Wellen Park Fine Arts Festival. Stroll through thoughtfully curated exhibits featuring stunning works from local and regional artists, including painting, photography, sculpture and more. Celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community through the power of visual art in a relaxed, scenic setting. Visit wellenpark.com/events
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Sun, 1st
Thu, 12th
Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 2nd
Zumba Class Running Group Night Market Dueling Pianos
Zumba Class Venice Theatre Classes Live Music
Fri, 13th Live Music
Tues, 3rd
Sat, 14th
Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Wine Festival
Wed, 4th Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 5th Zumba Class Running Group Live music
Fri, 6th Friday Night Concert
Sat, 7th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music Cars & Caffeine
Sun, 8th
Sun, 15th Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 16th Zumba Class Live Music
Tues, 17th Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Wed, 18th Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 19
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Zumba Class Running Group Live music
Mon, 9th
Fri, 20th
Zumba Class Live Music
Friday Night Concert
Tues, 10
Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Wed, 11th
Sun, 22nd
Fri, 27th
Farmer's Market Live Music Fine Arts Festival
Friday night concert
Mon, 23rd
Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Zumba Class Live Music
Tues, 24th Yoga Class Running Group Line Dancing Live Music
Wed, 25
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Live Music
Farmer's Market Live Music
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events CALENDAR NOVEMBER
Sat, 21st Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music Fine Arts Festival
Sat, 28th
Sun, 29th Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 30th Zumba Class Live Music
Thu, 26th Zumba Class Running Group Dueling Pianos Live Music: 6pm-9pm Sundays: 9am-1pm Farmer’s Market: 9am-1pm Fitness Classes: Times Vary Toddler Storytime: 10am Line Dancing: 6pm Venice Theatre: Times Vary
Live Music
Visit Wellenpark.com/events for more information Events and times are subject to change*
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Tues, 1st
Sat, 12th
Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Wed, 2nd Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 3rd Zumba Class Running Group Live Music
Fri, 4th No Filter Concert Wellen Wonderland
Sat, 5th Dueling Pianos Glow Bike Ride Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Cars and Caffeine Wellen Wonderland
Sun, 6
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Mon, 7th Zumba Class Live Music
Tues, 8
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Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Wed, 9th Chanukah Concert
Thu, 10th Zumba Class Running Group Night Market Dueling Pianos
Fri, 11th Friday Night Concert
Sun, 13th Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 14th Zumba Class Live Music
Tues, 15th Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Wed, 16th Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 17th Zumba Class Running Group Live Music
Fri, 18th Friday Night Concert
Sat, 19th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Sun, 20th Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 21st Zumba Class Live Music
events CALENDAR DECEMBER
Tues, 22nd
Sun, 27th
Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Farmer's Market Live Music
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Mon, 28th
Live Music
Zumba Class Live Music
Thu, 24th
Tues, 29th
Zumba Class Running Group Live Music
Yoga Class Running Group Line Dancing Live Music
Wed, 23
Fri, 25th Live Music
Sat, 26th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Live Music: 6pm-9pm Sundays: 9am-1pm Farmer’s Market: 9am-1pm Fitness Classes: Times Vary
Wed, 30th Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 31st Zumba Class Running Group Cross Fire Creek NYE Concert
Toddler Storytime: 10am Line Dancing: 6pm Venice Theatre: Times Vary
Visit Wellenpark.com/events for more information
Events and times are subject to change*
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Fri, 1st
Tues, 12th
Friday Night Concert
Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Sat, 2nd Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music Cars and Caffeine
Wed, 13th
Sun, 3rd Farmer's Market Live Music
Zumba Class Running Group Night Market Dueling Pianos
Mon, 4th
Fri, 15th
Zumba Class Live Music
Friday Night Concert
Tues, 5
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Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Wed, 6th Live Music
Thu, 7th Zumba Class Running Group Live Music
Fri, 8th Luminescence Festival
Sat, 9th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Sun, 10
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Toddler Storytime Live Music
Thu, 14th
Sat, 16th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Sun, 17
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Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 18th Zumba Class Live Music
events CALENDAR JANUARY
Sat, 23rd
Wed, 27th
Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Toddler Storytime Live Music
Sun, 24
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Farmer's Market Live Music
Mon, 25th Zumba Class Live Music
Tues, 26
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Tues, 19
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Yoga Class Running Group Live Music
Yoga Class Running Group Line Dancing Live Music
Thu, 28th Zumba Class Running Group Dueling pianos
Fri, 29th Friday Night Concert
Sat, 30th Yoga Class Cycling Group Running Group Walking Group Live Music
Sun, 31st Farmer's Market Live Music
Wed, 20
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Live Music
Thu, 21st
Farmer's Market Live Music
Zumba Class Running Group Live Music
Mon, 11th
Fri, 22nd
Zumba Class Live Music
Friday Night Concert
Live Music: 6pm-9pm Sundays: 9am-1pm Farmer’s Market: 9am-1pm Fitness Classes: Times Vary
Toddler Storytime: 10am Line Dancing: 6pm Venice Theatre: Times Vary
Visit Wellenpark.com/events for more information
Events and times are subject to change*
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clicks COMMUNITY
WELLEN PARK OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 3, 2026
Wellen Park’s Third Annual Oktoberfest celebration took place on October 3 from 12pm-6pm. This family-friendly event had a traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere with German dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hoisting competition and of course, plenty of beer, brats and other traditional eats!
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NIGHT OF WORSHIP OCTOBER 23, 2026
As the cool October air breezed through the evening, friends and family brought lawn chairs and gathered in Downtown Wellen Park for the annual Night of Worship Concert. An uplifting evening full of life, love and connection, the Night of Worship Concert brought exciting musical acts that were fun for the whole family, making for another classic Downtown Wellen Park experience.
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WELLEN PARK SPOOKTACULAR OCTOBER 30, 2026
Wellen Park hosted a magical fall celebration for the whole family. DJ Dax and Funky Bonez provided live music white attendees showed off their creativity in a costume contest. Little ghosts and goblins enjoyed trick or treating through Downtown Wellen Park and pariicipated in pumpkin painting and games, while families explored vendor booths, enjoyed photo opportunities and more. A spooky good time was had by all.
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TOGETHER THIS PAGE All levels and paces are welcome at Bolt Coast Running.
Let’sGo!
Bolt Coast Running is building a healthier Wellen Park—one day, one mile and one neighbor at a time. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT BOLT COAST RUNNING, a free community club in Downtown Wellen Park. No RSVP needed,
no membership fee and no pace requirement. Routes stay short and friendly, covering one, two or three miles. The club gathers on the turf near Solis Hall at 19745 Wellen Park Boulevard on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6:00 and 6:30pm as well as Saturdays at 7:30am. Members participate in different ways—some run or jog, while others walk and chat along the route. Participants range from complete beginners to seasoned athletes, but everyone begins together.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA
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sports EXPLORE
THE CLUB BEGAN IN APRIL 2025 when Kevin Haley, a running enthusiast, noticed a lack of running community in Wellen Park. He set out to create an inclusive, open environment rather than a competitive team or exclusive group. To this day, Haley ensures that new walkers always have someone to walk alongside. Originally named the Wellen Park Run Club, it was later renamed Bolt Coast Running, drawing inspiration from the energetic lightning common to Southwest Florida. Robert Roach assists Kevin with setup, encouragement, training advice and general support. Roach often ends sessions with his signature phrase: “Have a phenomenal day and make it the greatest day of your life! Let’s Go!” “This club feels different from other groups in the area,” says Roach. “People know each other. Members treat one another like a small family. The club stays close on purpose, so people know your name.” This year, Roach is competing in three full-distance Ironman triathlons—each consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run—alongside four 100-mile ultramarathons. He introduces members to endurance sports by offering practical guidance on starting, training, nutrition and mental resilience. Inspired by his support, three Bolt Coast Running athletes are registered for IRONMAN Florida in Panama City Beach in November. One member 76
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BELOW Kevin Haley (left) and Robert Roach encourage regular daily activity for optimal fitness at any age. To learn more, follow @boltcoastrunning on Instagram.
only learned to swim in May, while another recently learned to ride a bicycle. They will line up alongside experienced racers. Haley and Roach also tackle ultramarathons exceeding 100 miles together. Both founders strongly believe that daily physical movement is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Their “no days off” philosophy emphasizes regular activity rather than extreme training—a simple walk around the lake, a swim, a short weightlifting session or playing pickleball with family—it all counts. They share that human bodies are not built for constant inactivity. Regular movement is a vital health investment: active muscles function as a metabolic engine that helps regulate blood sugar, protects joints and preserves functional strength. Additionally, weight-bearing activities like walking, running and lifting weights promote bone density, while frequent, moderate cardiovascular exertion keeps the heart and blood vessels resilient and reduces stiffness. Haley and Roach say a community becomes what it practices in public. “Wellen Park is a bubble in Florida—truly unique—and it already has the lake, the trails and the downtown lawn. Kevin built the invitation. The members made it a family,” says Roach. “Bolt Coast Running is the standing invitation to use those spaces—together.” WPL PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA.
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residents TOGETHER
THIS PAGE Wellen Park residents Irene Cribbs and her husband Brian.
WarmWelcome Wellen Park’s Welcome Center Ambassador enjoys spreading the word about her vibrant community. WORDS BY MALLORY EVANS
FOR WELLEN PARK’S NEW WELCOME CENTER AMBASSADOR, Irene Cribbs, her job description aligns with her title: to welcome. Since moving to the area in October 2023, she and her husband, Brian, are now in their third home in Wellen Park and have found that same inviting sense of community themselves. “My husband and I had thought about moving for many years prior, but once our kids went to college, we started exploring Florida,” Cribbs says. “We looked from Naples to Venice and fell upon Wellen Park; it had everything we were looking for.” Cribbs says she and Brian—Michigan natives—always knew they wanted to be somewhere warm once they were empty nesters. After looking along the Gulf side for a few years, they fell in love with the idea of a master planned community at Wellen Park. “After our first visit, we knew this is where we wanted to be,” she says. 78
The process of buying and selling their first Wellen Park home was smooth. Cribbs shares they had a great Realtor® and were fortunate to find the perfect buyers who loved their home as much as they did. “Friends and family find it hard to believe that we swapped houses with the buyers while our new home was under construction,” Cribbs says. “Their home was in Wellen Park, so fortunately, we didn’t have to move far. This was the perfect scenario.” Cribbs worked in real estate for over 16 years and accepted a job at Agility Physical Therapy when she first arrived in Wellen Park—while Brian decided to continue his real estate career in Florida. When a position at the Welcome Center opened up, Cribbs knew it would be the right fit for her. “I like the whole experience of sharing with people about Wellen Park and all the things it has to
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offer,” she says. Cribbs works with people who want to learn more about master plan communities, their price points and what each community has to offer. She also conducts presentations explaining all of the events in Wellen Park. On her days off, Cribbs says she and her husband enjoy going to the farmers market and restaurants in downtown Wellen Park, as well as attending concerts. The pair have three grown children—Brooke, Trevor and Jordyn. Along with soaking up family time, Cribbs and Brian enjoy walking, hiking, traveling and spending time with their two dogs, Oakley and Hendricks. “The wine festival has always been one of our favorite events in Wellen Park,” Cribbs says. “I also love the trails. One of our personal favorites is Oakheart Trail.” When people visit the Welcome Center, Cribbs hopes they feel a sense of community and that they recognize how thoughtfully planned everything is. WPL PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA
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Zipping Along
E-bikes and electric scooters bring a ton of fun when ridden safely. WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
SOCIETY HAS CHANGED. There was once the perfect image of a neighborhood, with children riding around the cul de sac on bicycles, chasing the streetlights to make it home before dark. That image of the idyllic community still exists, although in 2026, it looks a little different. Those bicycles and skateboards have given way to e-bikes and electric scooters, ushering in an entirely new mode of transportation. E-bikes and electric scooters present something of a double-edged sword. For as fast and fun as these vehicles can be, they are equally as dangerous. Pedal-assisted e-bikes can reach 20-28mph and electric scooters, which offer far less stability, typically travel at 15-20mph. Since these machines are electric, they accelerate far more rapidly than that of a self–propelled bicycle or scooter. Before you know it, you can be hurtling down the street
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riding TOGETHER
upwards of 20mph. That’s where Rick Severance’s concern lies. “I actually love the mode of transportation,” says Severance, President of Wellen Park. “Multi-modal transportation helps communities, whether that’s golf carts, e-bikes or other low-speed vehicles. It’s all about having awareness and safety around the mode of transportation so that we can use it as an asset. In Wellen Park, we have such a pedestrian-friendly downtown, that with the speed at which they go and their inability to slow down, scooters and e-bikes don’t work well in high traffic areas.” Severance attests that he’s seen “too many close calls” with e-bikes and electric scooters in Downtown Wellen Park to not do something about it. E-bikes and electric scooters have been restricted to only be used in Wellen Park’s paved pathways. Downtown Wellen Park is designed to be a pedestrian’s oasis, walkable and eclectic, with a mix of charming businesses and restaurants and open spaces. The risk of an out of control e-bike or scooter causing an accident, just is not worth the trouble. “The hard part is that we love that we’re so family friendly and people come and bring their kids—and in turn, the kids bring their electric scooters. We want to be that place where everybody can come, we just need people to use those vehicles on the trails and not in the commercial area for
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safety reasons,” says Severance. “That’s safety for our residents, our visitors and our children.” Safety, in general, around the use of e-bikes and electronic scooters is another concern. Under Florida State law, e-bikes and electronic scooters are treated the same as bicyclists. However, these vehicles don’t behave in the same manner. What Brittany Kammerer, public information officer of the North Port Police Department, says is that young children are put at extreme risk when handling these types of machines. “Our concern right now is not about taking away the fun or freedom that comes with riding an e-bike, but rather about making sure our youngest riders understand how quickly things can go wrong,” says Kammerer. “A significant concern we’re seeing with e-bike crashes is the number involving young children, particularly children who may not yet understand the rules of the road or how to safely operate a fast-moving bike or scooter. We’re also seeing riders without appropriate protective equipment, including helmets that may not be designed or rated for the type of device they’re riding.” E-bikes and electric scooters are undoubtedly fun, and perhaps, the way of the future. Severance and Kammerer just want to ensure that the future, particularly for the children of the community, is as safe as possible. WPL
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marathon TOGETHER
BELOW Mary Ann Protz won the female Masters division at the Wellen Park Half Marathon in March.
Bornto Run
70-year-old Mary Ann Protz, who competed in the Wellen Park Half Marathon, is showing no signs of slowing down. WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
MARY ANN PROTZ DID NOT START RUNNING UNTIL SHE WAS 30 YEARS OLD. Now 70, she can’t seem to stop. Protz, who hails from a small town in Pennsylvania, moved to St. Petersburg from Saratoga Springs in 1990. Protz began running in 1986, when while working in Ohio, she ran one mile as part of a corporate challenge. Although she didn’t realize it then, that was the start of a lifelong passion. “We did a 10K relay challenge and before that, I had never run a mile in my life,” says Protz, who won the female Masters division at the 2026 Wellen Park Half Marathon in March. “I started to train, first in the dark because I didn’t want anyone to see me—I wasn’t a runner—and by the time the corporate challenge came around a few months later, I ran a 6:10 mile for my leg of the race.” Slowly, but surely Protz’s love for the sport began to increase. A career physical therapist, she gravitated toward the activity that would keep her active. The hobby 82
quickly became a passion—she began running 5Ks, then 15Ks and then half-marathons as well as different types of triathlons. After joining a running club, she was talked into running marathons, the next step in her distance journey. “One of the girls was set to run the Boston Marathon in the spring and said, ‘Why don’t you join me?’” recalls Protz. Protz had previously tried the marathon distance in the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1998, at age 42, but walked the last six miles. With a reinvigorated training program, she competed in the first ever Clearwater Marathon in 2000. The marathons began to stack up, as well as Protz’s accolades. In 2004, she ran the Boston Marathon in just 2:57:58, finishing as the second overall Masters (over 40) and second overall American woman. In 2005, Protz fully hit her stride, setting personal records (PR’s) in the 5K, 10K, 15K, half-marathon and marathon at age 48 and 49. For context, her PR of
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2:48:40 at the 2005 St. George Marathon in Utah—a course infamous for its hills in the second half—has a 6:26 mile pace. Protz’s journey, however, is also one of resilience. In 2011, she started to experience severe hip pain. After a slew of doctor’s visits, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A hysterectomy removed a 12 centimeter tumor, and the ensuing chemotherapy kept Protz out of commission for all of 2012. The next year, she launched her comeback, racing in the 2013 Disney World Marathon. Protz finished with a time of 3:38:46—a far cry from her PR in St. George—but the time wasn’t the goal. Running the entire marathon was. “I just wanted to know that I could do it,” says Protz. “When I finished, one of my friends told me, ‘I have to take your picture. You should see yourself smiling.’ It’s not like I started walking after so many miles or didn’t feel good. That was a big accomplishment for me.” For Protz, running has never been about winning a given race, but rather the endless pursuit to push herself to be the best version of herself that she can be. There will always be someone quicker, she says, but if she can give a race her very best effort, then she’s satisfied. There have been other obstacles through the years—a broken foot in 2024, followed by a torn hamstring sidelined her for 18 months—but a careful training program, including running on an underwater treadmill, has kept her on the road. Running, for Protz, is her source of mental clarity. “I feel like when you’re running you are just relaxed and free. Yes, it’s hard sometimes and when you race, it’s hard,” says Protz. “But you can be out there with nothing else—I never take my phone with me—you can think about whatever you want. It’s the time that is undisturbed.” At 70 years old, Protz acknowledges that she probably can’t keep running forever. But as someone who still logs 60-70 mile weeks, she’s sure going to try. WPL IMAGE COURTESY OF WELLEN PARK.
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gardens EXPLORE
BELOW The Harvest Community Garden–a two-acre, residentonly garden–brings residents of Wellen Park together.
Soiree
Growing
Gunnar Johnson’s soiree at the Harvest Community Garden shows how gardening can unite a community. WORDS BY MALLORY EVANS
IN AN EFFORT TO LEARN HOW TO GARDEN, Gunnar Johnson’s wife signed him up to be a member of Wellen Park’s Harvest Community Garden. A little over a year later, Johnson is now organizing soirees at the garden, along with growing his own broccoli, butternut squash and other produce. “Over time, I learned how to operate this small garden,” Johnson says. “It’s been really educational for me to figure out how things grow.” Johnson’s first soiree, held on September 12, was in a collaboration with garden manager Jeremy Waters to celebrate the beauty and success of the two-acre resident-only garden. “For me, throwing an event is like a form of art,” Johnson says. “I saw a need to get the community together based on people asking a lot of questions and wanting to know how things operate.” With a theme of spring planting, the event brought the community together for croquet games, wine and tea pairings and homemade hors d’oeuvres. Johnson says the turnout was bigger than expected; around 30 guests attended, with kids and parents from various communities across Wellen Park. “I wanted the event to feel special—something that was as beautiful as the garden,” he says. 84
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK LABERGE, COURTESY OF WELLEN PARK.
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gardens EXPLORE
BELOW The Harvest Community Garden offers plots for residents to grow flowers, vegetables and fruits. 11444 Playmore Rd., Venice
The Harvest Community Garden was created in 2024 and offers 85 raised irrigated garden plots for residents to grow flowers, vegetables and fruits. Johnson describes it as a beautiful, wellkept space with a pavilion, covered picnic areas and an herb garden. “With the larger gardens, it depends on who owns them and what they want to grow,” he says, referring to the larger garden spaces throughout the complex. Every member receives one event they can organize with their garden membership. Johnson says the soirees could become a tradition, and he hopes to host another this fall to emphasize fall harvest. Establishing a community at the Harvest Community Garden allows members to exchange products they grow. For example, people may take some of Johnson’s butternut squash in exchange for some tomatoes. His vision for the space is to share the importance of gardening among Wellen Park’s different communities. “Gardening and planting in Florida is a lot of work, because things grow very quickly,” Johnson says. “Even in a small space, you have to learn how to take care of it and go through the trials and tribulations of being a gardener.” Those interested in renting a garden plot can visit wellenpark.com/community-garden. WPL
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN | SRQ MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK LABERGE, COURTESY OF WELLEN PARK.
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neighborhoods TOGETHER
The Lawrence
The Lawrence at Wellen Park, the best luxury rental apartments Venice has to offer. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT
EXPERIENCE ELEVATED APARTMENT LIVING AT THE LAWRENCE AT WELLEN PARK, a brand-new rental neighborhood offering one, two and three-bedroom apartments and townhomes. Thoughtfully designed with open-concept layouts, each residence combines modern style with everyday comfort, featuring gourmet kitchens with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and refined finishes throughout. Soaring nine- to ten-foot ceilings and abundant natural light create bright, inviting interiors. Wood-style flooring, spacious walk-in closets and in-home washers and dryers add convenience to daily life, while well-appointed kitchens provide an ideal setting for everything from casual breakfasts to entertaining guests. Select homes offer even more opportunities to relax with spa-inspired bathrooms featuring rain showerheads, soaking tubs and double-sink vanities. Screened-in patios and balconies provide a comfortable outdoor retreat where residents can unwind and enjoy the Florida sunshine. 88
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IMAGES COURTESY OF THE LAWRENCE.
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THIS SPREAD, LEFT TO RIGHT The Lawrence at Wellen Park Apartments is all about luxury and comfort. The newly constructed apartments and townhomes feature open-concept layouts, creating a welcoming space that’s perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet night at home.
“We’re incredibly excited to open another Davis Development community in Wellen Park. With The Lawrence, we wanted to build on what we’ve learned about this market while creating something that feels distinctly its own. Its location is exceptional, adjacent to Downtown Wellen and positioned along the lake, so the design really focused on complementing that setting and the lifestyle that already exists here,” says Carissa Brogdon, director of marketing and branding for Davis Development. “Throughout the interiors and amenities, our goal was to create spaces that feel elevated and intentional, but also genuinely useful in residents’ everyday lives. From the two-story fitness and wellness spaces to coworking, private offices, podcast rooms and social areas, every space was considered around how people live, work, entertain and recharge today. The result feels much more like a thoughtfully designed hospitality experience than a traditional apartment community, while still feeling comfortable enough to call home.” While some developers may approach amenities as a checklist, Davis Development takes a different stance. “We think about how residents will actually use a space and how it can make their everyday experience better. At The Lawrence, that meant creating an environment that feels elevated, highly functional and connected to the lifestyle that makes Wellen Park so special,” Brogdon says. WPL
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good heart TOGETHER
THIS PAGE Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast gives Wellen Park High School an opportunity to make mentoring part of its culture. To learn more visit: bbbssun.org
Mentoring Culture Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has formed a partnership with Wellen Park High School. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT
A NEW PARTNERSHIP IS BRINGING MENTORSHIP CLOSER TO HOME for students at Wellen Park High School (WPHS). Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast (BBBS), the local nonprofit that pairs adult volunteer mentors (Bigs) with young people (Littles) in one-to-one relationships, has opened an office on the school’s campus. The partnership gives students access to adults who can help them build confidence, discover possibilities, learn real-world skills and help them prepare for the future. Because WPHS is brand new, BBBS has a unique opportunity to make mentoring part of its culture from the beginning through one-toone mentoring, student leadership and workforce development opportunities. Mentor Manager Stacie Schoppman joined BBBS shortly before the current school year. She helps students connect with mentoring opportunities, supports the WPHS BIGS Club, facilitates leadership and workforce development programming and creates opportunities for students to mentor younger peers. “Wellen Park High School is giving us an incredible opportunity to build a culture of mentoring from the very beginning,” explains Schoppman. “We want students to see mentoring not simply as a program, but as something that is part of who we are as a school community—supporting one another, developing leadership and helping each other reach our full potential.” BBBS Vice President of Programs and Volunteer Experience, Jeanie Baik says, “As South Sarasota County continues to grow, we are seeing that growth reflected in the need for mentoring youth development opportunities. Our approach is to meet young people where they are and provide multiple pathways to help them thrive—from one-to-one mentoring and the new Wellen Park High School BIGs Club to workforce readiness opportunities through Beyond School Walls and our Resilient Youth Program. Having Stacie embedded at the school gives us an incredible opportunity to build a culture of mentoring, leadership and connection from the very beginning. 90
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good heart TOGETHER
Founded in Venice nearly 58 years ago, BBBS remains deeply connected to its roots. During fiscal year 2025-26, the organization served 162 youth in Venice and maintained school-based mentoring programs at Laurel Nokomis Elementary, Garden Elementary and Venice Middle School and High School. Its Resilient Youth Program also helps students develop mindfulness, positive coping strategies and emotional resilience. Principal Mark Grossenbacher has welcomed BBBS with enthusiasm. “Their partnership provides our students with meaningful, on-site mentorship opportunities while helping us build a culture that values connection, leadership and service,” he says. “Just as importantly, we see this as an opportunity to model the power of mentorship for our students so that, in time, they can become mentors and positive role models for others in our school and throughout the community. As we establish the culture and traditions of a brand-new high school, partnerships
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like this help us create an environment where students feel supported, empowered and inspired to make a difference in the lives of others.” BBBS also connects mentoring with workforce readiness through programs such as Beyond School Walls, which gives students exposure to careers and workplaces while building communication, leadership and professional skills. “Wellen Park is building more than homes and neighborhoods—it is building a community and young people are at the heart of that community,” says Kamala Martinez, President/CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. “Our goal is to help every young person understand that their future is full of possibilities.” The partnership between BBBS and Wellen Park extends beyond the high school. Wellen Park residents Nicola Duffin, Kathie McManus and Kelly Pankiw serve on its Venice Area Community Advisory Board, while the organization has also been a beneficiary of
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Cottages for Kids BBBS will once again partner with Wellen Park this December for its Cottages for Kids program, building brighter futures, one playhouse at a time. This heartwarming community initiative brings together Wellen Park home builders, local charities and sponsors to create special spaces where children can play, imagine and dream. Each participating home builder forms a team to design and build a one-of-a-kind playhouse. The finished cottages are displayed in Downtown Wellen Park during Wellen Wonderland, inviting residents and visitors to admire the creativity, learn about local families in need and support Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast. Several cottages are then donated to local families through participating nonprofit partners. More than playhouses, Cottages for Kids celebrates community engagement, teamwork and the power of giving back.
the Wellen Park Half Marathon and 5K for the past two years. Forty youth in Venice and more than 17 in North Port are currently waiting for a mentor. For BBBS, the opportunity is to grow the mentoring community alongside the schools, neighborhoods, businesses and families, because as a community grows, its greatest investment is in the young people who grow with it. WPL
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WELLEN PARK’S THIRD ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST This family-friendly event had a traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere with German Dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hoisting competition and of course, plenty of beer, brats and other traditional eats.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS | SRQ MEDIA.
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