bserver O
EAST COUNTY
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
NEWS
Independent living coming to Ranch. PAGE 5A
WE REMEMBER | 9.11.01
OUR TOWN
FREE • Thursday, SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
SPORTS
puttin’ pink
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs claim victory at rivalry game. PAGE 11A
East County takes a swing against cancer. PAGE 4B
ALL IN THE FAMILY beauty and the feet
EDUCATION
By Pam Eubanks | Managing Editor
PONY UP Norman is the newest pony at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
+ East County to remember Sept. 11 East County residents are invited to commemorate the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, during a special remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 11, at Manatee Technical Institute’s east campus, 5520 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. GreyHawk Landing’s Garrett Lindgren, who worked as a New York City firefighter at the time of the attack, will be the keynote speaker.
+ Happy feet Summerfield resident Jody Hughes couldn’t resist sending in this picture of her 4-yearold twin sons, Nicholas and Christian, after friends encouraged her to do so. “(The photo) is unique because it caught them with ‘both of their feet off the ground in the air at the same time,’ showing their excitement toward school,” Hughes says. The children attend Sprouts Preschool at Harvest United Methodist Church.
+ Concert benefits Manasota B.U.D.S. As Wild Ginger takes the stage at 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at Lakewood Ranch Main Street’s Music on Main event, East County residents can rally for a cause. The evening’s proceeds from beer, wine and food sales will benefit Manasota B.U.D.S. (Bringing Up Down Syndrome).
SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 4A
EAST COUNTY — He is curious. He is easy-going, and he is a glutton for attention. Norman, an 11-year-old Haflinger pony, officially became the newest member of the family Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART). He joins 14 other horses and two ponies, including his mother, Carly, who has been with the therapeutic riding program for about seven years. “He moved right in like he was NEEDS at home,” SMART’s Volunteer ExAlthough ecutive Director Gail Clifton Norman fills said with a grin. a need for a Clifton received a call new riding from Norman’s old therapy pony, owner, Carol WalkSMART also er, about three is in need of months ago. a few loads “She called of shell to me and said help offset she wanted to flooding in sell Norman, the facility’s and she reparking area. ally wantBecause of ed him to the rain, come here,” C l i f t o n fields are said, noting too wet to Walker also use, forcing previously SMART to owned Carly, delay or canso she had seen cel classes, pictures of Norat times. man over the years. To help, “(Carol) thought it contact Gail would be the perfect Clifton at place for him. I said I’d gail@smartalways wanted to get riders.org. this phone call.” Coincidently, later that week a representative of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County also called to notify SMART about a small grant program for which the organization might qualify. “It came at the perfect time,” she said. “We don’t need more horses, but we did need another pony. We have so many younger kids, especially with au-
SEE NORMAN / PAGE 9A Norman seems right at home at SMART. Before arriving to the therapeutic riding facility, he was called, Moon Dust Magic, or Dusty, for short.
By Pam Eubanks | News Editor
Pinnacle finds forever home
The property gives The Pinnacle Academy room to expand in the future.
About Norman Breed: Haflinger Age: 11 Personality traits: Friendly, curious, attention-seeking, easy-going Career history: Previously a show pony. Competed in halter, under saddle (Western pleasure) and harness Favorite food: Anything edible
LAKEWOOD RANCH — Leaders of The Pinnacle Academy, an East County school for children with autism and related behavioral disabilities, have been on the hunt for a permanent facility. What they found is that home is actually where they’ve been all along. The school closed on a nearly six-acre parcel at 6215 Lorraine Road Aug. 20. The property includes the school’s existing multi-building campus, plus acreage that is currently home to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s Operations Department. The purchase price was $937,500. “It’s a big deal,” Pinnacle founder and Director Kirstina Ordetx said. “We are small-business owners. “We felt like our hands were tied in terms of (making improvements as renters),” she said. “We feel more comfortable with being able to put money into renovations and improving the property for ourselves and the community (now).” Pinnacle Academy has been at its Lorraine Road campus, former headquarters of Lake-
SEE PINNACLE / PAGE 2A
Pam Eubanks
The Pinnacle Academy’s facility used to be the headquarters for Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.
INDEX Calendar............ 10A Classifieds ........ 10B
Cops Corner..........9A Crossword............ 9B
Opinion.................8A Real Estate.......... 6B
Sports................ 11A Weather............... 9B
Vol. 13, No. 35 | Two sections YourObserver.com