East County Observer 1.13.22

EAST COUNTY

RANCH NIGHTS PAGE 18

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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FREE • THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

VOLUME 24, NO. 9

YOUR TOWN

Photo by Liz Ramos

Jerry Ditty and Chris Mitchell

Elks thanked for vets support Chris Mitchell, the director of development and community engagement at Homes for Our Troops, presented Lakewood Ranch Elks Exalted Ruler Jerry Ditty with a certificate of appreciation Jan. 6.

The Elks, whose fundraising benefits veterans, among other groups, have been supporters of the Rosedale Golf Classic for the past four years. The golf tournament benefits the Home for Our Troops program.

Last year, the Lakewood Ranch Elks provided a $6,500 donation to Home for Our Troops.

“They’ve contributed a lot of money and helped a lot of our veterans,” Mitchell said.

Ditty said the Elks do as much as they can to help veterans.

“Our motto is, ‘So long as there are veterans, we will never forget them,’” Ditty said.

Baugh considers run for state House

TIME FOR HOGS AND KISSES

Vanessa Baugh considers resigning her commission post to run for the state House of Representatives.

PAGE 4

Manatee County Fair gives students chance to match critters, celebrate successes.

SEE PAGE 8

File photo

Liz Ramos

Fifth-grader Bryson Ruth is charged with showing Myakka City Elementary School’s 4-H chapter pig, Wilbur.

Scott Lockwood

Love of Corvettes on display An Indiana native, Lakewood Ranch resident Bobby Chestnut grew up with a love of auto racing and Corvettes.

Retired from racing — as a driver and crew member — Chestnut continues his career as an auto racing journalist and a car enthusiast. At a Jan. 5 car show at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, Chestnut showed off his blue 2004 Indy 500 Corvette that was used to drive military personnel on the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indianapolis 500. It was one of 30 made; he purchased it a year ago.

Chestnut also was showing a white 2004 Indy 500 Corvette that was used in the 2004 Indy 500 Festival Parade and again before the actual race. It was one of 22 made.

“I still use the blue one as a daily driver,” he said.

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says she might run for the Florida House of Representatives in November.

A+E

Landmarks take shape in 2022

Courtesy rendering

The Mote Science Education Aquarium will begin to take shape with vertical construction late in 2022.

Aquarium, library projects in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch set to go skyward in 2022. SEE PAGE 3

Get back ... to the Beatles. INSIDE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

RANTS & RAVES Having lived in Braden Woods since before I-75 was open, before Bradenton-Arcadia Road turned into the bustling S.R. 70, back when Lakewood Ranch was only cattle and sod farms, I know that growth comes at a cost. But some of that cost appears to be by design, or lack of design.

Exit 217 has had all but one loop removed, and being an engineer who travels that ramp a lot, I have to ask, why?

When the interstate entrances and exits were more divided, the traffic load was more evenly distributed, but that is a thing of the past. Back then you would occasionally wait through a traffic light cycle, but today we’re extremely lucky if we only wait through one.

Having north- and south-bound traffic coming from the east, sharing a single lane on S.R. 70, traffic is almost always backed up a mile to Braden Run, with cars sitting at a standstill in front of the fire station as well as the traffic light at Ranch Lake Boulevard. In the afternoons, that traffic backup is often past River Club Boulevard at Braden River Elementary, over 1 ¹/2 miles from the interstate.

Of course, we could join the SCAB’s (Selfish Careless Arrogant Boneheads) who zoom down the second lane and then recklessly force their way over, obviously thinking that their time is more important than everyone else’s. But no, we won’t lower ourselves to be that inconsiderate.

This is a total mess that could have been avoided with a little forethought in design. As the snowbirds flock south and Lakewood Ranch expands, entering the interstate at S.R. 70 from the east will soon become one of the worst traffic gridlocks in the area. Not sure if the intent was to have everyone pile onto north- and south-bound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard so they can enter at a more efficient location, but you can bet that is what will eventually happen.

Want to share what’s going great, tell about some nice service you received, mention a fellow resident going out of their way to help you or someone else, or even brag about what is wonderful about our community? You can do it in our new column, Rants & Raves, which will run on Page 2. Likewise for those things in our community that always have bugged you — such as that traffic light that only stays green for 15 seconds — you can get that out as well.

This is an open, anonymous community hub. There are two ways to submit your rant or rave: Leave a message with whatever you want to say on our voicemail at 366-3468, ext. 798, or email us at Rants AndRaves@YourObserver.com.

River Club’s Jim Stone was elected to the National Barber Hall of Fame in 2021.

A CUT ABOVE Jim Stone has lived in the River Club since 1991 and been a barber for 45 years, including in the Sarasota area since 1982. In December, he was named to the National Barber Hall of Fame.

the No. 1 overall spot among master-planned communities in the RCLCO real estate consulting firm’s end-of-year survey released Jan. 4.

Lakewood Ranch had claimed the No. 1 overall position in midyear sales, but The Villages announced 4,004 sales for 2021, 65% higher than last year’s pace.

Lakewood Ranch reported 2,574 sales, 25% higher than 2020’s 2,060 sales.

The top five was rounded out

by Summerlin of Las Vegas, Nevada (1,619); Cane Bay Plantation of Charleston, South Carolina (1,147); and Ontario Ranch of Ontario, California (1,070).

RCLCO has conducted the study since 1994.

NATIONALLY RANKED Although Lakewood Ranch retained its standing as the top-selling multigenerational community in the United States, The Villages regained

THEY SAID IT!

On Dec. 28, it was discovered that the Matthew Ryan Powers Memorial Field plaque at the Lakewood Ranch Little League Park had been vandalized (See story, Page 12). Powers, who died in an auto accident Sept. 15, 2018, had the field named in his honor on Sept. 10, 2019.

So far, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has no suspects. His father, Dan Powers, talked about those who ruined the plaque.

seasonal Christmas lighting. Other than the lighted tree next to Santa’s throne, Main Street was completely dark.

Only the Grove had a decent display of seasonal lighting. Why not have the palm trees lining Main Street decked out in lights?

It seems the Main Street management team has dropped the ball here. We don’t expect a UTC caliber display, but darkness? Surely it can’t be a matter of cost for this highly successful shopping and dining center. Why the Scrooge like attitude?

Dining outside on Main Street (Dec. 21), I was surprised about the lack of

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His grandfather, Raymond Andrew, and father, Kenneth Stone, are both members of the National Barber Hall of Fame as well.

Stone was an educator and platform artist for Zotos International hair care manufacturing company from 1984 to 2000. In that role, he taught classes all over the world, including Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia and England. In 1992 he was Zotos International’s “Educator of the Year.”

A past president of the National Association of Barber Schools, Stone now is a school evaluator for the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS), and continues to work as a barber at Bee Ridge Barber Shop in Sarasota.

For more on Stone, go to NationalBarberMuseum.org.

RANTS & RAVES

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COMMUNITY MILESTONES

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Construction of the Mote Science Education Aquarium will include tanks that will hold more than 1 million gallons of water.

Major projects take off in 2022 Willis Smith will begin vertical construction of library, aquarium late this year.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

n its 50th anniversary year of 2022, Willis Smith Construction of Lakewood Ranch will be building two projects likely to be considered East County landmarks for decades to

come.

Neither will be finished until 2023, but the vertical part of construction for both projects will attract plenty of attention this year.

“After the pandemic created a couple of slower years, it’s nice to look forward to building significant landmarks that will be in this community a long time,” said Dave Sessions, the CEO and president of Willis Smith.

The two projects — the $130 million Mote Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota and the $17.3 million East County library at Premier Park in Lakewood Ranch — are different in terms of scope and cost, but both offer significant upgrades to the community.

“Mote will be an iconic structure, and everyone will recognize it,” Sessions said of the aquarium. “The visual effect will draw people in.

“In Manatee County, the mindset (toward the library) is more toward being practical and getting the most

Architect Fawley Bryant designed an outside staircase that will give the new East County library a unique look.

for your money. Manatee County wants functional attractiveness without spending an extraordinary amount for a monument. Mote has different goals. You’re going to see it from I-75, the mall, across the lake. The additional dollars will pay for itself. People will drive by ...

‘Wow!’” Sessions said Fawley Bryant Architecture of Lakewood Ranch gave the “wow effect” to the East County library while sticking to a functional design.

“The library involved two years of planning with Fawley Bryant leading the way,” Sessions said. “The design took into account every detail, every space, every function. The results will be spectacular. It’s rectangular and cost-effective — four walls and a roof — but to Fawley Bryant’s credit, they get it.”

Sessions said Fawley Bryant designed a stairway on the outside of the building that leads to the roof and an observation and entertainment area. He said the stairway draws the eye to the front entrance of the building and makes it special.

The roof area is designed for events that will offer views of the park and the area’s lakes and wetlands.

“It identifies the entry point, like a welcome mat,” Sessions said of the stairway. “It breaks up a large rectangular building that is cost-effective.”

Both projects have broken ground and are concentrating on belowthe-ground and foundation work, with vertical construction planned

David Sessions, CEO and president of Willis Smith, said his company will go vertical in 2022 building Mote CEO and President Michael Crosby’s aquarium.

“After the pandemic created a couple of slower years, it’s nice to look forward to building significant landmarks that will be in this community a long time.”

Dave Sessions, CEO and president of Willis Smith Construction

for the fourth quarter this year.

At the aquarium site, the parking lot has been constructed and the necessary drainage is almost finished. Stormwater pipes have been stockpiled and crews are working on water and sewer lines. The process of adding 30 feet of fill below the aquarium’s future foundation has just begun (the site previously was a small lake). Foundation work will begin in the third quarter this year.

Sessions said the foundation work needs to be “phenomenal” because of all the water tanks and the weight of the 1 million gallons of water the building will hold.

Dan Bebak, Mote’s vice president of aquarium, education and outreach, said the process of integrating the large water tanks into the structure of the building is fascinating.

“You are not going to pour a pad, then put in a tank,” Bebak said. “The big tanks are integral into the engineering of the project, and the pilings. The tanks (and the water) are so massive and so heavy. Some of them are on the second floor and the third floor. This has been a fun game with the structural engineers, and it’s all going to be happening at the same time.”

Vertical construction will begin in the fourth quarter, marking an important time for Mote Marine.

“We have raised over $90 million,” said Michael Moore, Mote’s special adviser to the office of the president.

“We have been quiet for a long period, but we are going to start making announcements. We are looking at each month making headway. People are going to see it going up, and they will want to jump on board.”

Moore said 84% of the funds raised to this point have come from new donors to Mote Marine, and he calls that an exciting development. Those who want to track the construction progress can go to MoteOceansForAll.org/progress/ and check out the web cams recording the action.

Bebak said all of the building plans

FUTURE LANDMARKS EAST MANATEE LIBRARY Where: 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch Cost: $17.3 million Size: Two stories; 50,000 square feet Builder: Willis Smith Construction Architect: Fawley Bryant Architecture Groundbreaking: Dec. 15, 2021 Expected completion: Mid- to late 2023 (opening late 2023) MOTE SCIENCE EDUCATION AQUARIUM Where: Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota Cost: $130 million Size: Four stories; 110,000 square feet Builder: Willis Smith Construction Architect: TVSDesign (Tampa) Groundbreaking: Nov. 13, 2020 Expected completion: late 2023 (opening early 2024)

for the aquarium are completed and have been submitted to Sarasota County for approval.

While construction continues, Bebak said the aquarium is finalizing animal acquisitions. He said those need to be at the aquarium five to six months before the doors open. Fish need to get acclimated to the environment first.

Most of the aquarium’s executive positions are being held by those in similar roles at the current aquarium, so the hiring process is limited at this time. The aquarium is interviewing food and beverage partners and will finish that process in March.

Bebak said the project appears to be “relatively” on schedule, with solid planning for supplies that have limited supply chain issues and few weather challenges.

Sessions said his company’s longtime relationship with contractors in the area has limited any shortage of workers caused by the pandemic.

After living in East County for the past 36 years, Sessions said he still gets excited by the importance of such projects. The library project especially hits home for him.

“My kids went to the Braden River Library, and we just completed its expansion,” he said. “Having this library (in Lakewood Ranch) just made sense. And I don’t really call it a library. I call it a community center.

Libraries today are not about books.

They have meeting rooms and children’s centers and youth areas.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Embattled commish looks toward House Baugh tells commission she likely will resign by the end of 2022.

JAY HEATER AND SCOTT LOCKWOOD OBSERVER STAFF

I

n April 2018, Lakewood Ranch’s Vanessa Baugh announced she would run for the District 73 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

A few days later, though, she said family issues would stop her from that campaign and instead she would continue working as a Manatee County commissioner.

On Jan. 7, Baugh, now in her third term as county commissioner, said she again is considering a run for the Florida House of Representatives in the Nov. 8 election.

She hinted at such a move at a County Commission meeting Jan. 6.

She told her fellow commissioners she has had “about all of this board I want” and noted she might resign from the commission by the end of the year.

Baugh, a Republican, said the time is right for the run for the Legislature she wanted to make in 2018.

The Florida Legislature is finishing its redistricting maps, and Baugh said it is likely a new district representing the Lakewood Ranch area will be drawn. Tommy Gregory currently represents District 73, which includes much of East County, but proposed redistricting maps would cut the Lakewood Ranch area (in Manatee County) out of his district.

“I will highly consider it,” Baugh said of a run at the state House. “But it really depends on the redistricting maps.”

New redistricting maps are expected to be approved late in January. Both published (proposed) maps show the Lakewood Ranch area in

Manatee County as a new district.

Baugh said she could seek reelection to the commission if the redistricting maps don’t form a new district as expected. She plans to submit the paperwork to run for reelection to the commission.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high during Manatee County Commission meetings. During the Jan. 6 meeting, her fellow commissioners talked about removing Baugh from her role as a commission’s representative on the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization board. Commissioner Reggie Bellamy left the room, which prevented any vote from being taken on a possible motion; all board members must be in attendance for such an action.

“I will tell you that probably by the end of this year, I will be resigning,” Baugh said at the meeting. “I have bigger and better things to think about, as you all should. And hopefully, we’ll get past some of the childish ways that have been happening, and everybody can move forward for the betterment of the citizens of this county.”

Baugh is awaiting a hearing date with the Florida Commission on Ethics to examine her role in a popup COVID-19 vaccination clinic that was held last February at Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request in Lakewood Ranch. Baugh had limited the clinic to residents of two East County ZIP codes and also created a list of five names, including herself, she had sent to Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur to be included in the clinic.

In December, the Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause that Baugh might have abused her office to obtain “disproportionate” benefits.

Commissioner Misty Servia, who serves on the MPO with Baugh and Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, criticized Baugh at the Jan. 6 meeting.

File photo

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh says she might run for the Florida House of Representatives in November.

“I always tell you don’t take things up here personally because what we do up here is conduct business,” Servia said to Baugh about the possible action to remove her from the MPO board. “No one hates you. You’re not the victim, but you are in this position because of what you have done.

Ethics is knowing what you have the right to do and doing what is right.

You can sit there and cry, but there were lots of people crying when they couldn’t get the vaccine because of the problem that landed you in this position.

“This isn’t hatred. This is just facts.”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore also attacked Baugh at the meeting.

“I don’t think somebody that is at this stage should be in a leadership position,” Whitmore said. “I don’t hate Commissioner Baugh. I have major differences with how she’s legislated, how she’s been chair twice and we’ve replaced a county administrator both times, how she treats people here at the meetings and how

she treats fellow board members.”

Commissioner George Kruse supported Baugh and would not favor a move to kick her off the MPO board.

“Having a (MPO) chair with the level of experience and the level of respect that Commissioner Baugh has is in everybody’s best interest in Manatee County,” Kruse said.

Baugh thanked Kruse for his support and said, “I’ve been a good commissioner. I’ve worked hard for my constituents, and the hatred that I see on this board by some of you is very sad. You have badgered me all year to the point that I’m done, and you should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Baugh said the impending ethics charges or the move to remove her from the MPO have nothing to do with her saying she might resign from the commission.

“They all are assuming it’s because of the ethics charges, but it’s not,” she said. “I didn’t go into detail, but, yes, I am considering serving my constituents on the state level.”

EAST COUNTY

Who: Vanessa Baugh What: Announced she is considering a run for the Florida House of Representatives Party affiliation: Republican When: The election will be held Nov. 8 Lives: Lakewood Ranch Business: Owns Vanessa Fine Jewelry with her husband, Don Current position: In her third term as a Manatee County commissioner

Temple Beth Israel

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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SMR’s Taylor Ranch plans emerge SMR presents plans for 4,500 new homes on the former Taylor Ranch property south of State Road 64 and west of Bournside Boulevard.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD

The next phase of Lakewood Ranch will be a property known as Taylor Ranch, located on the east side of Bourneside Boulevard and south of State Road 64.

Schroeder Manatee Ranch-Taylor Ranch LLC, a subsidiary of SMR, has presented plans to Manatee County that include a maximum 4,500 residential units on 2,307 acres.

On Nov. 18, the Manatee County Commission unanimously approved an exception to the county’s Future Development Area Boundary (FDAB) line, which ends at Bourneside Boulevard, to accommodate the development.

Caleb Grimes, an attorney representing Lakewood Ranch Communities, said at an earlier county meeting that Lakewood Ranch has put in infrastructure that would allow future residential development.

“Frankly, it seems a shame to let that go to waste,” said Grimes, who noted that the infrastructure is in place to support more development.

Documents provided by SMR state that it will be requesting a limitation of development that will result in a density of 1.95 dwelling units per acre. Current county rules allow up to three dwelling units per acre.

“This will achieve project goals and provide a transition in development density and intensity from the suburban mixed-use development of Lakewood Ranch to the west, to the rural lands to the east and south,” SMR documents state.

Plans also call for 20 acres for a school and a communications tower on the site. A 10-foot-wide multiuse trail is constructed along the west side of Bourneside Boulevard and will become part of Manatee County’s Greenways Master Trail Plan. SMR documents show that a trail head is planned for the area near State Road 70 and Bourneside Boulevard that might include restrooms.

Future Development Area Boundary

STAFF WRITER

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East County resident Elizabeth Arnold waves a petition that she said had nearly 3,000 signatures from residents against the development at a Nov. 18 land use meeting.

The plan must go through two steps before it goes to the Manatee County Planning Commission. The first is a large-scale comprehensive plan map amendment that would allow residential development. The next is an application for rezone.

Lisa Barnott, SMR director of marketing and communications, said SMR would not comment on the project until those two steps are complete.

At the November land use meeting, residents in the area voiced strong opposition to the expansion, with many saying they moved east to get away from development. East County resident Elizabeth Arnold brought in a petition that she said had nearly 3,000 signatures from residents against the amendment.

“Exactly how is this compatible with a rural environment?” Arnold said. “It looks like Lakewood Ranch Main Street will be heading for County Road 675 and beyond.”

Myakka City resident Kathleen Strong said she liked Lakewood Ranch but wanted to keep the development from edging eastward.

“We do not just wish to keep the country country,” she said. “We wish

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64

70

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY The star marks an area that has been granted an exception to the Future Development Area Boundary by the Manatee County Commission. Permits have been filed for it to become a development of 4,500 homes.

to make the country more country.

I’m a country mouse. I like being 20 miles from the nearest shopping area.”

Dozens of letters expressing similar sentiments were also sent to the county.

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said that the development is considered a quasi-judicial matter at this point and that she could not offer further comment when reached by The East County Observer on Jan. 10.

Should the development be approved, it would add to the 9,309

MORE HOMES ON THE WAY

residential units that have been added to the area between State Road 64 and State Road 70, east of Lorraine Road and west of Bourneside Boulevard, according to SMR. Despite being outside of the FDAB line, the property falls within the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District. That means that the infrastructure needs would be provided by the district and not from Manatee County’s capital improvements program.

SMR purchased the land in 2019 for $13.5 million from Old Florida Investments Inc., a Palmetto company headed by R. Jay Taylor.

What: SMR-Taylor Ranch Development Location: 2,307 acres of land located south of State Road 64 and west Bournside Boulevard.

Residences: Plans call for 4,500 homes, or 1.95 homes per acre, if a rezone request is granted by Manatee County.

Extras: Schroeder-Manatee Ranch documents say that 20 acres will be set aside for a school and a communications tower to be constructed on the site.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

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SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

The development of a greenways/ trails master plan has been at the top of Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse’s agenda since he took office in 2020.

His vision is for a trail system that is likely to be built in eastern Manatee County and would connect to the Legacy Trail in Sarasota County, which is in the midst of expansions,

File photo

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse has said the development of a master trail system has been one of his top priorities since taking office.

and the Hillsborough Trail system to the north. At a special meeting Jan. 4, that hope moved one step closer to reality after his fellow commissioners unanimously voted to allocate $1.5 million toward developing that plan from the $78.3 million that Manatee County is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Jan. 4 meeting marked the first time commissioners were able to discuss possible plans for the funds, which go toward reimbursing the county for pandemic-related expenses. Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes said more than 200 possible projects were presented by county staff and members of the community. Any funds from the American Rescue Plan could not be

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

used toward any projects that are currently budgeted for by the county.

Commissioners zeroed in on the greenway trail system and a plan to convert the former Manatee County Jail in downtown Bradenton into transitional housing for homeless veterans. Hopes initially earmarked $250,000 for the development of a trail system but proposed moving the $1.5 million that was set aside for a generator at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, which serves as a special needs shelter during hurricane season, into the greenway plan.

“I’m not sure why we’re doing that,” Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said about putting a generator at the school. “I get it, and I know what it’s for, but at the same time, it’s a permanent fixture in a school. That’s not our responsibility.”

Kruse continued to push for more trail development. He said the county already has rights to land and wants to see the first couple of miles built as an example. Kruse noted that the first couple of miles of the Legacy Trail that were built in the Palmer Ranch area in central Sarasota County sparked enough interest to get the trail to stretch through the entire county — something he thinks could be replicated in Manatee County.

Manatee County has spent 25 years considering plans on what would be called the Gateway Trail. It would wind through much of Manatee County and stretch more than 20 miles. It would connect with Sarasota County’s Fruitville Road and Payne Park to the south and Hillsborough County to the north.

“The best way of getting cars off the roads is to have trails for people,” Kruse said.

Commissioners also approved $15 million in funding to design and convert the former county jail into transitional housing for homeless veterans. Kruse said that wouldn’t be nearly enough money, while Hopes said he was confident that the county could receive money from outside sources to supplement the project.

“This could possibly result in a fairly sizable federal match,” Hopes said. “This is the biggest project of its kind that’s going on in the U.S. right now.”

Kruse has also been pushing for public broadband internet access after seeing Manatee County resi-

Manatee County is receiving $78.3 million as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Some of the community projects and their cost, which will be spread out over two fiscal years, are as follows:

$1.5 million

Development of greenways/ trails master plan system

$1 million

Parks and preserves — playgrounds

$15 million

Veterans/homeless project

$4 million

Parrish sewer expansions

$4 million

Public broadband access

dents struggle for access during the early stages of the pandemic. Hopes said the cost of access, which will likely start at county parks, was initially $7 million. The figure dropped to $4 million after a meeting with engineers, allowing the other $3 million to be used for public safety.

“We’re going to get this community covered with broadband,” Hopes said.

Commissioners also floated several ideas for projects that would benefit their individual districts. Commissioner Reggie Bellamy wanted to see a pedestrian bridge built in Palmetto, while Commissioner Misty Servia was in favor of updating the sewer system in Tallevast area.

Baugh said that the commissioners need to prioritize their needs. Kruse wanted to see the county schedule a strategic meeting for more discussions on the funds.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

EAST COUNTY

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com

Layla Lockhart trains her chicken, Rocket, to rest in her hand while she holds her for an extended period.

Rose D’Haiti, a Myakka City Elementary School fifth-grader, helps students prepare their plants for the fair. D’Haiti hopes she can show a chicken in the fair next year.

A fair amount of pride FFA and 4-H students hope their training leads to blue ribbons.

IF YOU GO MANATEE COUNTY FAIR n Where: Manatee County Fairgrounds, 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto n When: 5-10 p.m.

Jan. 14, 15, 19, 21 and 22; noon to 10 p.m.

Jan. 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22; noon to 7 p.m.

Jan. 23. n Admission: $10 for adults (ages 13 and up); $6 for children (ages 6 to 12); $9 for seniors (ages 55 and up); $6 for military; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Parking is $10.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

P

eople might not be able to recognize Cason Dooley, a Myakka City Elementary School fourth-grader, when he enters the arena at the Manatee County Fair.

He’s planning to dress as a bag of Oreo cookies to match his heifer, Sarah, who will be dressed as a glass of milk for the costume contest.

“My heifer is black and white, so it’s like milk with Oreos in it,” Dooley said with a smile.

Dooley, along with 20 other Myakka City Elementary students, will be showing animals or plants at the Manatee County Fair, which is open Jan. 13-23 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. At least seven Myakka City Elementary School students will be participating in the fair for the first time this year.

Every morning, the new barn at Myakka City Elementary is filled with students caring for their chickens, pigs, plants and more.

Layla Lockhart, a fourth-grader, will come to the barn and feed her chicken, Rocket, before spending time training her.

“She’s cute,” Lockhart said of her chicken. “It’s cute when she puts her head all the way behind her neck.”

Lockhart held Rocket in her hands and waited for fourth-grader Heather Stewart to count down from three and start a timer. When Stewart finished her countdown, Lockhart placed Rocket on a table and watched to see if she would move.

Rocket stood still for about 30 seconds before taking a step.

Rocket’s record for standing still is a minute and 15 seconds.

Lockhart has been training Rocket to stand still for as long as possible so the fair judges will be able to view her from different angles.

This is the first time Lockhart will be participating in the Manatee County Fair.

“I chose to show a chicken because it’s probably the easiest animal for my first year,” Lockhart said. “Training is going well. She doesn’t get dis-

Courtesy photo

Mya Stewart, a Myakka City Elementary School fourth-grader, will show her rabbit, Barry Manilow, at the Manatee County Fair.

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Cason Dooley, a Myakka City Elementary School fourth-grader, says his heifer, Sarah, can be stubborn but sweet.

tracted much. She’s been sweet, and she doesn’t do any harm. It’s easy to take care of her.”

Bryson Ruth, a fifth-grader, is nervous but excited to show the schools’ 4-H chapter pig, Wilbur, at the fair.

Ruth has never cared for a pig before or participated in the fair. He said it’s been overwhelming trying to learn how to care for Wilbur and train the pink-and-black pig to walk calmly so he can impress the judges.

Ruth has often heard Wilbur screaming because he wants food.

A few times, Ruth has had to chase Wilbur around the barn.

“One time when he was running away from me, he took a turn so sharp that he almost fell over,” Ruth said.

Ruth said Wilbur is smart — so smart, in fact, that he has to be tied up because he’s figured out how to push the lock up and down until it opens the wash rack when Ruth tries to keep him stationary so he can clean him.

Fourth-grader Mya Stewart is used to caring for horses at home, so when she decided to take on a rabbit as a project for the fair, she had to make some adjustments.

She had to learn about what hay would be best for her rabbit, Barry Manilow. She learned how often to feed him and to give him water, and she took lessons to learn about caring for a smaller animal. She’s had to put Barry Manilow on a diet because he was gaining too much weight.

Stewart loves being able to share all she’s learned with her friends.

“It’s fun to learn something new,” she said.

Although Lily Lockhart is an eighth-grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, she goes to Myakka City Elementary every morning to care for her chicken, Betty.

“When I first started to work with Becky, she was more scared of me,” Lily Lockhart said. “She ran whenev-

er I would try to pick her up, but now I think being around all the kids here at the barn, she’s gotten more used to people. It’s easier to pick her up.”

Lily Lockhart has wanted to participate in the 4-H and FFA portion of the fair since she was 8 years old and saw her friends showing animals and plants, but it wasn’t until this year that she had the time in her schedule to sign up. With her younger sisters Grace and Layla Lockhart being members of Myakka City Elementary’s 4-H chapter, it was easy for her to get involved as well.

Besides showing Becky at the fair, Lily Lockhart also has two gold dust croton plants and a black magic ti plant to show at the fair.

“For the winter, it’s been hard to keep the plants alive,” she said. “You just have to work through it.”

Lily goes to the barn every morning to take care of Becky. She also checks the pH levels on her plants and checks for bugs.

Dooley cares for his chickens and heifer, Sarah, at home but still comes to the barn every day to help other students with their projects, using his experience from participating in last year’s fair.

“It’s good that I can help out since there’s stuff they don’t know,” Dooley said.

Dooley has learned to train his chickens so they are calm around other people after being disqualified at a competition because his chicken bit a judge.

Dooley will show his heifer and chickens at the fair this year. Sarah can be sweet but also stubborn, he said.

“Sometimes she would just sit there, and one time it took four people just to get her to move one step,” Dooley said. “One time she fell asleep in the middle of me walking her.”

Thursday, Jan. 13: Rabbit show; steer show Friday, Jan. 14: Rabbit showmanship; steer showmanship Saturday, Jan. 15: Steer sale; corn dog eating contest; plant show and sale Sunday, Jan. 16: Spaghetti eating contest; dairy showmanship Monday: Jan. 17: Dairy fitting and grooming contest; poultry showmanship show; cheerleading competition Tuesday, Jan. 18: Dairy show; veterans tribute ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 19: Voices of Classic Soul concert Thursday, Jan. 20: Goat show; swine show Friday, Jan. 21: Swine showmanship; Manatee County Fair baby pageant; whip popping contest Saturday, Jan. 22: Swine sale; donut eating contest Sunday, Jan. 23: Dog show

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

9

JAY HEATER

East County’s Royal Lipizzans still showing off

I

t’s the mornings, in the barn, when Rebecca and Sydney McCullough miss her the most.

Gabby Herrmann, the matriarch of Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions who died last March, would join her daughter and granddaughter there each day to care for the horses.

Gabby, who had run the family business since 2004, would exchange small talk with them, but it was more a work environment than a gab fest.

Sydney, who is 13 now, said there was some girl talk, but mostly it was about family time together working toward a goal.

That goal is to keep the Royal Lipizzan Stallion breed alive at a time when numbers are shrinking. In 2012, just over 1,700 Lipizzans were registered in the U.S. About 11,000 were registered throughout the world.

Austria’s Col. Ottomar Herrmann Jr., moved to Myakka City in 1962, bringing a selection of Royal Lipizzan Stallions with him. Since that time, the Herrmann family has offered shows to the public to showcase the breed’s talent of performing “above the ground.”

When Gabby Herrmann died, the responsibility passed to Rebecca McCullough, who oddly enough had ditched the family ranch as a teen because running such a business was not her cup of tea. At 30, and after a divorce, McCullough returned because she was “born to ride.”

Even so, she never considered running the entire operation, which suddenly has become a reality.

“Putting everything together, it’s been a lot,” McCullough said. “It’s been overwhelming. Now I have to do the advertising ... the promoting. It’s been a massive learning curve. She did all that.”

Gabby Herrmann also did the books. McCullough sat down and went through those books.

“It was a little bit of a shock,” she said. “It is not cheap to run this place.”

McCullough looked at the numbers

Photos by Jay Heater

Rebecca McCullough and Zak, a Royal Lipizzan Stallion, put their best foot forward as they try to keep the ranch alive in Myakka City.

and wondered if she could make it.

“I think everyone has those doubts,” she said. “You reach that point ... How in the world?”

But when she felt completely stressed, the Myakka City community stepped forward. Local residents supported Herrmann’s Lipizzan Stallions with monetary donations to help with feeding and care of the horses.

“We received a lot of support from the people who come out here,” McCullough said. “There was a lot of help right after mom died.”

It gave her a chance to figure things out and put together a course of action.

She also talked to her daughter, Sydney. Did Sydney want the ranch to be her future?

“Sydney wants to take over and

do it,” said Rebecca McCullough, who works two 12-hour shifts each week as a medical technologist at the ER at Fruitville. “So she has stepped up her game.”

Besides doing more to care for the horses, Sydney is increasing the difficulty of her tricks on horseback so she can continue to become a greater part of the show. Her mom now has to do all the announcing, which Gabby Herrmann did right up until her death, as well as riding through most of the show.

Rebecca McCullough released a rider she had last year, which left her with just herself and her daughter.

In the fall, she hired Angela West to work in the barn, but it turned out she was a talented rider so she has added her to the show. She also called her cousin, Julie Herrmann,

who rode in the show years ago, to help. Julie Herrmann now is performing in the show as well.

Those shows runs Thursdays and Fridays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 and the ranch is located 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City. The 90-minute shows run through April 30.

While the crowds have been encouraging, Rebecca McCullough said she needed to find some other sources of income. She now is offering an “Adopt a Stallion” program for $200 a month. People have signed up and they groom, walk and spend as much time as they want with “their” stallion. Only one person is assigned to a stallion. Before anyone is assigned to a stallion, he or she must go through an interview process. There is no riding involved in the program.

“There are so many people who tell me they adopt an animal at the zoo and you can’t touch them,” she said. “Here you can.”

She also said the ranch used to offer riding lessons, which stopped about 10 years ago. They have begun again. Classic horsemanship riding lessons are offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $80 per hour for a private lesson. It’s $50 an hour for two or more. To ride a stallion (the ranch also has four rescue horses that aren’t Lipizzans) you must be 18 and over and you must be an intermediate rider.

Rebecca McCullough noted that, as always, volunteers and donations are much appreciated at the ranch.

She has increased the maintenance work on the property, created a new area for mares and has renovated the inside area of the barn.

In the future, another area of income could be breeding. She has been approached by Lipizzan groups wanting to preserve the breed who would buy foals. She said the most she would breed would be one or two a year.

For now, she concentrates on providing different material in each show with her choreography.

Sydney McCullough says she hopes to run the ranch one day and she is considering a career as a veterinarian to help keep down costs.

“I always was worried I wouldn’t be able to talk during the show, but I have been talking a lot,” she said with a laugh. “People say they like how much information they are getting.”

The ranch has 19 horses, including the four rescue horses. All 15 Royal Lipizzans were born on the ranch.

The hardest part for McCullough has been finding people to ride in the show.

“These are living, breathing, thinking things,” she said of the stallions. “If you can’t work with that ... we can’t use you.”

Will Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions make it?

McCullough said it must.

“This is our home,” she said.

Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Proposed Tara bridge removed from traffic plan Commissioners adopt Traffic Circulation Plan that includes the removal of a proposed bridge over the Braden River.

TRAFFIC PLANS Manatee County adopted its long-range Traffic Circulation Plan on Jan. 6. The plan is built on traffic projections through the year 2045. The plan includes the following: n Removing a Tara Boulevard extension to Honore Avenue that included a bridge over the Braden River n Removal of a proposed middle section of road on Mulhollen Road in Parrish n A proposed four-lane Spencer-Parrish/Dickey Road in Northeast Manatee County n A proposed Rye Road extension in Manatee County n The proposed addition of GCV Boulevard in the Gamble Creek area of eastern Manatee County.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

A

fter five Manatee County commissioners said last May that they opposed building a bridge over the Braden River with a Tara Boulevard extension, administrator Scott Hopes was asked to remove the project from the county’s thoroughfare plan.

That became official Jan. 6 when commissioners voted 5-2 to eliminate the bridge as part of final adoption of the county’s long-range Traffic Circulation Plan at a land use meeting. Commissioners Misty Servia and Carol Whitmore voted against the plan changes.

The Traffic Circulation Plan is part of Manatee County’s Comprehensive Plan. It explains how the county plans to provide infrastructure for future growth and is built on traffic projections in the county until the year 2045. The traffic plan was transmitted to the state Oct. 21 and given final approval Jan. 6.

In May, commissioners said the plan for the bridge no longer made sense.

As a result, all of Tara Boulevard from Honore Avenue to State Road 70 was removed from the plan. Plans calling for a bridge connecting the Tara Boulevard and Honore Avenue over the Braden River that would have been built south of Linger Lodge Road have been eliminated.

“This road will now be designated as a local road, and there will be no further plans to build a Tara bridge,” said Clarke Davis, the Manatee County deputy director of traffic management.

Tara resident Cathy Woolley said a bridge on Tara Boulevard “would have been a bridge to nowhere.”

“It wasn’t a wise choice for the county,” she said. “We’re also hap-

File photo

Tara residents Peyton Phillips and Darby Connor stand at the corner of Tara Boulevard and Tara Preserve. Manatee County commissioners prevented Tara Boulevard from becoming a major connecting road by a 5-2 vote.

py that Tara Boulevard will not be a thoroughfare road and that some of the circulation (of traffic) will be removed.”

Tara Community Development District 1 Chair Darby Connor said seeing the bridge plan go away brought a sense of relief.

“We have a two-lane section of road through here on Tara Boulevard that’s very dangerous to travel,” Connor said. “Taking that bridge away will keep the traffic down tremendously.”

Connor called the removal of the plan for a bridge another victory for improving safety on Tara Boulevard.

Manatee County addressed resident concerns about speeders on the 2-mile segment of Tara Boulevard between Linger Lodge Road and S.R. 70 by installing three temporary speed tables on both lanes. Connor said the county will add permanent tables in February.

“They’ve made a huge difference in slowing the traffic down,” he said.

A center section of Mulholland Road in Parrish, which was a gap from west of Gamble Creek to Twin Rivers Trail, was also removed from the plan. Plans initially showed that Mulholland Road would connect Fort Hamer Road and Rye Road.

Future plans also call for a fourlane extension of Rye Road from County Road 675 to State Road 62.

“These are areas that are developing or are poised to develop over the next five to 10 years,” Davis said.

“It’ll impact how we negotiate with some of those developers as they go forward.”

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said it was prudent for the county to keep the current plans for four-lane roads because the cost to narrow a road is more expensive than widening a road.

“We’re doing a lot of long-range planning here, and once we essentially relinquish that, there’s a lot of value in that environment,” he said.

“If we pass it up now, we could find ourselves down the road wanting to four-lane that, and it would cost future taxpayers substantially.”

In other business, the commission unanimously approved the rezoning of the 110-acre Premier Park from general agriculture to planned development public interest. The site will be the home of the East Manatee County Library, which broke ground Dec. 15.

Deputy County Administrator Charlie Bishop said the rezone gives the county the approval to build whatever they need on the property, which includes the library that’s scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023, an aquatic center that is slated for 2024, pickleball courts, maintenance facilities and more.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Plaque honoring Powers vandalized Attempts will be made to repair the plaque at Matthew Ryan Powers Memorial Field.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD

FAM I LY

STAFF WRITER

Once a month, Dan Powers makes a trip to the dumpsters behind the Lakewood Ranch Little League complex to recycle cardboard.

Besides doing his part to help the environment, there is a more important facet to his visits. Each time he goes to the park, he pays a visit to a plaque honoring the memory of his son Matthew Powers, a former Lakewood Ranch Little League player who was killed in a car accident on his way to the Lakewood Ranch homecoming dance on Sept. 15, 2018.

Field 1 at the comCourtesy photo plex was named after Close-up of the damage Matthew, and the to the plaque honoring plaque, along with the memory of Matsigns bearing his thew Ryan Powers at the name, were dediLakewood Ranch Little cated in the opening League Complex day ceremony for the 2020 season in February of that year. Ever since, it’s been a place where Dan Powers and the rest of his family feel like they can be close to Matthew.

“His face is on that plaque, and whenever relatives come to town, that’s one of the places that they always wanted to see,” Dan Powers said. “We have nieces and nephews coming to town in the summer, and they want to actually go play baseball on Matthew’s field.”

Baseball players and parents looking to get some practice time on the field made a disturbing discovery

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over the holidays. The plaque, now less than 2 years old, was heavily vandalized, and the image of Powers’ face — which the players of one team touched for luck before every game last spring — was scratched out.

“This is just people being people,” Powers said. “We don’t have any say in it because technically, we’re not the victims. The county is the victim because it is county property. We’re hoping somebody comes forward while there’s still a chance to make it right before this escalates or evolves any more.”

Powers said the plaque has been removed by the Manatee County Parks Department and will be sent away to see if it can be repaired or must be replaced. Either way, a plaque will return to its rightful spot — even if the $1,600 cost for the bronze plaque needs to be raised.

“They’ve (Lakewood Ranch Little League) already had hundreds of people offering donations to fund the replacement of it,” Powers said.

“There have also been some businesses and organizations offering to fund the entire cost of the replacement.”

Because the damage was done to a memorial monument, those who committed the act of vandalism could be charged with a third-degree felony.

MATTHEW POWERS FIELD On Sept. 10, 2019, Manatee County commissioners renamed Field 1 at Lakewood Ranch Park the Matthew Ryan Powers Memorial Field in honor of Lakewood Ranch Little League player Matthew Powers, who died Sept. 15, 2018, in a vehicle accident at the intersection of State Road 64 and Pope Road.

Powers was honored with a large bronze plaque near the field’s backstop. Another sign with Powers’ name was placed under the scoreboard and another is on a fence on the field.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

13

Passion projects become reality Middle school students get a chance to create their own products on iInnovate Day. LIZ RAMOS

Photo by Liz Ramos

W

hen Alex Berndt and Ryan Beck arrived at The Outof-Door Academy on Dec. 17, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into.

All they knew was that they were going to be asked to invent something.

Berndt, a seventh-grader, and Beck, an eighth-grader, partnered for the middle school’s iInnovate Day, in which they were given a task to create something with little to no guidance in the category they chose.

“We don’t allow kids a lot of time to follow their passions,” said Julie Bianchi, the head of the middle school. “This is one way of having a mini passion project and having them be autonomous in the direction of their work.”

Each group had to brainstorm at least 20 ideas in its category before choosing one.

“The first four or five are easy,” Bianchi said. “But the last five are really hard. Sometimes those are the best ideas because we don’t always drill deep enough to get to those.”

The groups created a product they could later present to ODA leadership in a similar way to the show “Shark Tank,” in which entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of potential partners.

Berndt and Beck knew they wanted to do something with clothing but weren’t sure exactly what they could do. They wandered the cam-

ODA eighth-grader Ryan Beck shows off the jewelry he helped create.

pus waiting for inspiration to strike when they looked at the trees in the back of the campus.

They decided to make jewelry like necklaces and bracelets out of twigs, branches and other outdoor items.

Seventh-graders Tom Bergerat and Wilkes Borden worked with eighthgraders Bella Rojas and Mackey Kamiek to create a TV show, “Tom’s Magical Hat.” They built a website to look like a streaming service in order to show a description of each of the show’s 10 episodes.

Bergerat loved being able to work in a group and collaborate to figure out ideas for each episode.

In the same classroom, sixthgrader Starlla Jackson and eighthgrader Jason Luedeke created a jingle for a Charmin commercial.

“We had to write down options, and we were just naming objects that came to our mind,” Jackson said. “We thought that toilet paper would be a fun one to do.”

All the groups looked forward to sharing their final products with ODA leadership and trustees.

“It was great to see the kids presenting new ideas and using the landscape of entrepreneurship to collaboratively develop an idea,” said Teena Humphrey, a member of the ODA board of trustees. “It was inspiring.”

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oe Barbera unfolded a quilt and laid it across his lap.

He admired the different squares, each with an American theme. Some squares had red and blue hearts or the American flag.

Others had fireworks and patriotic pups.

“I thought it was a beautiful quilt,” said Barbera, a World War II veteran and resident at Cypress Springs’ Gracious Retirement Living. “Whoever made it, it must have taken them several weeks.”

Barbera keeps the quilt laid out at the foot of his bed on top of his comforter.

Jerry Hufford, president of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch, surprised Barbera as well as veterans Ed Willett, Chip Tominelli and Charles Simmons with the quilts Dec. 24.

The Association of Veterans and Military Supporters is a group of 292 Del Webb residents working to raise money to support veterans in the area. The organization was started by a group of veterans living in the community in 2017.

The group usually raises money through dances and other fundraising events, but Hufford said it decided to branch out and find other ways to support local veterans.

That’s where Del Webb’s Carol Moran became involved.

An avid quilter, Moran, who also is a member of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters,

Courtesy photo

Cypress Springs’ Gracious Retirement Living’s Joe Barbera thanks Jerry Hufford, the president of Del Webb’s Association of Veterans and Military Supporters, for a patriotic quilt.

decided to use patriotic-colored fabric to make quilts for veterans.

“I enjoy making quilts and donating them to various charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” Moran said. “It’s a hobby that keeps me busy.”

Hufford came up with the idea of giving something special to local veterans after the Patriot Guard Riders conducted a ceremony for his father-in-law, Korean War veteran Frank Quillin, before he died last year.

“I saw that, and I said, ‘We have to start trying to help those veterans that are in retirement homes in Lakewood Ranch,’” Hufford said.

Hufford reached out to Linda Britt-Smith, the activity coordinator at Cypress Springs, and began a partnership with the retirement facility.

“It was pretty heartwarming to see these guys and be able to shake their hand,” Hufford said. “We’re going to start working with them more as a start.”

ABOUT THE GROUP A group of veterans living in Del Webb started the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters in 2017 to support local veterans.

Since then, the group has expanded to 292 Del Webb residents working to raise money to support veterans and the military.

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JANUARY 13, 2022

— Mustang wrestler Logan Wright SEE PAGE 17

HIGH

SPORTS

“Even though the matches are individual, it’s like we’re working together.”

5

1

Lakewood Ranch High senior boys basketball guard Andres Junge scored 19 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer with six seconds left, Jan. 6 in the Mustangs’ 58-55 win against Seminole High.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Above: ODA senior Zi Burns drives past Tampa Prep freshman Ava Fratello.

Left: ODA senior Aaliyaa Genat brings the ball up the court against Tampa Prep. Genat is averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

THUNDER STORM COMING E

ODA girls basketball learns from losses as much as wins.

IF YOU GO

2

Lakewood Ranch High senior girls basketball guard Hannah Pruszinske scored 11 points Jan. 7 in the Mustangs’ 43-27 road win against Manatee High.

3

The Lakewood Ranch High wrestling team finished second at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A District 7 duals meet, losing to Manatee High 36-33. The Mustangs will advance to the regional duals tournament Jan. 13 at Manatee.

4

Chris Edwards sank a hole-in-one Jan. 8 on the No. 24 hole at University Park Country Club. Edwards used a 4-hybrid on the 165-yard hole.

5

Harry See sank a holein-one Jan. 6 on the No. 8 hole at University Park Country Club. See used a 7-iron on the 177-yard hole.

What: The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball (62) vs. Sarasota Christian (6-5) When: 7 p.m.

Jan. 14 Where: The Out-of-Door Academy Rankings: ODA is ranked 15th in Class 3A

by MaxPreps; Sarasota Christian is ranked 19th in Class 2A Thunder player to watch: Senior point guard Zi Burns, the team’s leading scorer at 17 points per game Blazers player to watch: Senior Payton Scholl, who leads the Blazers with 14.8 points per game

RYAN KOHN

SPORTS EDITOR

ven after a loss, this year’s girls basketball team at The Outof-Door Academy never feels defeated.

The Thunder (6-2) played a contentious home game against Tampa Prep (7-6) Jan. 6, playing from behind for most of the second half but always keeping it close enough to strike. The Thunder eventually took a 41-40 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Tampa Prep switched to a full-court press and ODA was unable to adjust.

Tampa Prep won 50-46.

After the game, the mood on the Thunder bench was not one of dejection but of resolve. Thunder Head Coach Tim Garrett urged his team to learn lessons from the game. The Thunder didn’t lose because they were less talented; they lost because they weren’t quite ready to take the next step in their evolution.

“We’re trying to create leadership,” Garrett said. “So the players are going to look at the film. We’re going to let them analyze it. They’re going to come up with reasons why we lost this game, the things we could have done — should have done — to get a win. That gives us a backbone.

When it’s time to practice, they’ll know exactly what they need to do.”

The loss aside, the Thunder’s approach to leading and learning has been effective. The program is off to a strong start. ODA won the championship game of the annual Chick-Fil-A Classic event, hosted

by Bradenton Christian, for the first time in its history on Dec. 31. ODA, a Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A program, beat Class 6A program George Jenkins High (6-7) 50-48 in the title game thanks in part to 16 points from senior point guard Zi Burns, who was subsequently named the tournament MVP. She’s averaging 17 points and seven assists per game.

“I’m just directing people and getting them in the right spots,” Burns said of her improvement this season.

“I’m doing a better job of that and of looking for others when I can. I’m trying to be a more vocal leader.”

Garrett, who is in his first season as head coach after previously coaching the boys team, said the Thunder is doing a strong job of playing situational basketball. ODA is not going to play the same leading by six in the fourth quarter as it is trailing by six in the first quarter. Knowing when to be aggressive and when to make the conservative play is part of learning how

LONELY GOALIE PAGE 16

ODA’s Lilli Morris (34), Kennedy Garrett, Aaliyaa Genat and Zi Burns line up to execute an in-bounds play against Tampa Prep. The Thunder has gone 6-2 this season, including a win in the Chick-Fil-A Classic.

to win, something the Thunder is rapidly doing. The team’s commitment to getting better has helped it overcome its biggest flaw: lack of size.

Garrett has only eight players on the varsity roster and several times this year has gone into a game with fewer available. The team won the ChickFil-A Classic with six players. Fatigue is an issue, and so are matchups. The team has to play smart basketball.

If the Thunder doesn’t have enough guards to cover a particularly athletic team, it could be an issue in the future. That is why the team has to learn to play as smart as it can.

So far, the players have earned an “A” in that department, according to Garrett. Burns is the team’s offensive engine, but she gets help scoring.

ODA senior Aaliyaa Genat and junior Kennedy Garrett, Tim Garrett’s daughter, added 14 points each in the Chick-Fil-A Classic championship win. Genat averages 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while Kennedy Garrett averages nine points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

The Thunder coach said his daughter’s effectiveness in a supporting scoring role has surprised even him.

“She’s a presence on the inside,” Tim Garrett said of his daughter, who is 6 feet tall. “She’s been making some baskets that we didn’t think she could make (entering this season). She still needs to gain a little consistency, but she’s a presence. She’s a presence on the boards, too. It takes pressure off our guards because they don’t have to come in and rebound as much.”

The rest of the regular season should provide opportunities for ODA to work on the little things.

After the Thunder’s home game against Sarasota Christian (6-5) on Jan. 14, it has just two other games against a team with a winning record (as of Jan. 7). That’s a home-andhome series with Lemon Bay High (8-7) on Jan. 20 and Jan. 24. A game against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal (6-6) on Jan. 24 could also be a learning opportunity; Falcons senior guard Jamie Springstead, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, is one of the top offensive players in the area.

Burns said his team will be ready for whatever the rest of the schedule — and beyond — throws at it.

“That tournament (the ChickFil-A Classic) helped get our confidence up,” Burns said. “We went up against better teams, really good teams, and we kept with them. We’re communicating now. When we run plays, we don’t just stand there in our spots; we adjust. We’re figuring out how we like to play. We believe we’re good enough to keep doing that and to keep winning.”

16

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Mustang defense is eye-opening

T

Lakewood Ranch senior captain Drew Clark (24) scores a goal against Choctawhatchee High. Clark was called the team’s lockdown defender by Coach Vito Bavaro.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch head Coach Vito Bavaro says freshman defender Cody Conway (9) is a “machine” and one of the team’s key pieces.

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore goalkeeper Noah Rueping holds the ball against Choctawhatchee High.

Rueping didn’t have much work to do against the Indians, but he stayed focused anyway.

end and flows up.”

The team’s defenders and goalkeepers combine to give the Mustangs a strength most teams will find difficult to beat. Only three Lakewood Ranch games have been decided by one goal or less this season, including a 0-0 tie against Riverview High (9-0-2) on Dec. 2. But in typical Mustangs fashion, the team is ending the regular season with challenging games to prep for the postseason.

The run begins Jan. 13, when Lakewood Ranch hosts Tampa Jesuit (12-1-1). The Mustangs also have to prep for a road game against Cypress Creek High (6-3-2) on Jan. 18 and a home game against Mitchell High (11-3-3) on Dec. 20. Bavaro said he’s curious to see how his team does with its passing in those contests.

Bavaro said in the games since the team’s holiday break, its passing has been slightly off. If the Mustangs get that fixed in the next few games, Bavaro said, they will be in good shape.

Bavaro considers his squad a contender for a deep run in the playoffs and said there’s no magical secret to postseason success. It’s the same

stuff that works in the regular season, only with less margin for error.

The one thing that can make up for mistakes, Bavaro said, is a team’s “want-to.” If a team wants to win badly enough, it can.

“We want to go into the postseason healthy and in control,” Bavaro said. “That’s all you can do.

At a certain point (in the playoffs), everyone is just as good as you.

Sometimes it comes down to trick plays, corner kicks and free kicks.

They’re going to be one- or twogoal games, and they’re going to come down to a few possessions.

You have to want to win those.”

The Mustangs are ranked fourth in Florida and second in Class 7A to Spruce Creek High (15-1-1) by MaxPreps as of Jan. 8. Other than perhaps the 2016-2017 team, which reached the state championship game but lost 1-0 to Cypress Bay High, this is the most complete Lakewood Ranch squad I can remember in my time covering East County.

I do know that Clark and his teammates can knock just about anyone off the ball, and I know that defense wins championships.

The team is explosive offensively, such as when Tyson Robare sent a howitzer from the left side of the field to the top right corner of the net against the Indians. It was a nodoubt-about-it shot and one that thoroughly impressed Bavaro.

More goals like that, more goals from speedy forward Felipe DeSouza, and more goals prevented by the team’s fearsome foursome is a winning formula.

As long as the goalkeepers can stay awake back there.

Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

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of the team’s top players since his freshman season. Bavaro said Clark is the team’s apex defender this season, cleaning up everything on the back end with no mistakes.

Clark is flanked by freshman Cody Conway, who Bavaro called “a machine,” and junior Gabriel Hodge, who missed last season with a leg injury but is back and playing well in 2021-2022. In front of them is junior Matthew Iacobelli, who acts as a “stopper” or fifth midfielder, slowing down the rush and giving everyone else the time to get in proper position. Since Clark is so strong, it allows the Mustangs to be aggressive when they transition to offense. Clark even has eight goals this season.

“Our defense always serves our offense,” Bavaro said. “That’s what we want to do. It starts in the back

372329-1

he Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team’s defense is so good, the team’s goaltenders can get a little bored.

On Saturday, it was sophomore Noah Rueping in net as the Mustangs (12-0-1) took on the visiting Choctawhatchee High Indians (3-10). Rueping splits time with senior Josh McManis, and both goalkeepers are allowing less than one goal per game.

Against the Indians, Rueping spent more time jogging to midfield to celebrate goals with his teammates than making saves. The Mustangs won 5-0 and never came all that close to allowing a goal, controlling play from the jump.

Rueping said after the game that spending most of the game at the top of the box watching his teammates play keep-away can make it hard to focus on his own job. Fighting the urge to zone out is one of the most important parts of being a Mustangs goalkeeper. If Rueping’s focus had slipped on Saturday and he had allowed a goal to the Indians, it wouldn’t have mattered much.

But if it happened in a one- or twogoal game against a good opponent?

That’s a different story.

“Always keeping both eyes on the ball is, for me, something I do to prevent that,” Rueping said. “Some goalkeepers will start jogging back and forth on their end of the field, but I prefer to just watch. Focusing is something we practice. Goalies actually have extra practices to work on the mental side of the game as well as ball stopping and other things. We put in a lot of time. But it’s worth it to play in front of this defense. It’s brilliant. It’s a dream come true, to be honest.”

Through 13 games, Lakewood Ranch has allowed just six goals.

The keepers are unquestionably a part of that success, said Mustangs head Coach Vito Bavaro. So is the quartet of defensive players in front of them. That group is anchored by senior captain Drew Clark, one

A Patient Focused, Multi-Specialty Group l National Expertise l Multiple Locations

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

What is the appeal of wrestling to you?

We’re all a family. Every time we go to the mat we are putting our all into it. Even though the matches are individual, it’s like we’re working together. I think that is what motivates me. It gives me a rush.

What is your best skill?

My best skill is my ability to take a beating. No matter how big my opponent is, no matter how skilled he is, I am always able to hold my own. I will let him crank on my arm or crank on my hand, and I’ll keep pushing. He can’t move me. I won’t ever stop.

What have you been working to improve?

I have been working on my shots. I am trying to diversify my moves and become the best wrestler I can be.

What are your goals?

I want to be Lakewood Ranch’s firstever state champion wrestler. That is my only goal.

What is your favorite food?

I love chicken wings. Buffalo sauce, hot sauce – anything spicy is good.

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My favorite movie is “Jurassic Park III.” I’m a big dinosaur person. I have always been interested in how the meteor wiped them out and how they evolved and all that.

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When did you start wrestling?

I started wrestling my freshman year. Coach (Pat) Ancil was my substitute teacher, and he recruited me to the team. I had never played sports before then, but something about his pitch convinced me to try it. I liked that he wanted me to be there. I was nervous at my first practice. I had anxiety. Afterward, it was like my whole world opened up.

immediately grabbed the kid and did a hip toss. I got a pin in less than 40 seconds, I think. That’s still my favorite because I got up and looked at everyone’s faces, and they were astonished at what I just did.

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My favorite memory is my first-ever event. It was at Palmetto High. I had two matches that day. When I went to the table to check in, my heart was pounding. I stepped onto the mat for my first match, and I

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Logan Wright is a junior wrestler at Lakewood Ranch High. Wright is 11-2 on the season and went 3-0 at the Mustangs’ Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A District 7 duals meet, held Jan. 8 at Manatee High. The Mustangs finished second as a team, losing to Manatee, 36-33.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

FULL SERVICE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Logan Wright

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Classifieds 27 Games 26 Real Estate 23 Weather 26

JANUARY 13, 2022

YOUR NEIGHBORS Dana Arcos, of Lakewood Ranch, enjoys a night at Waterside Place with her 6-month-old son, Sawyer.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD Photos by Scott Lockwood

STAFF WRITER

L Ranch builds tradition Ranch Nite Wednesday attendees dance to the music of Sarasota-based Jah Movement.

Ranch Nite Wednesdays have been a hit at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch since moving to the new development.

Above: Lakewood Ranch’s Mark Ford and Jane Ebury look over the selection of mini donuts from the Siesta Pops Mini Donuts food truck.

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Josh Burch, of Lakewood Ranch, takes a spin on the dance floor with his 2-year-old daughter, Collins.

Chris Pilcher and Michael Becker, both of Lakewood Ranch, fire off their shots in a game of cornhole.

akewood Ranch’s Chris DeCosta and his son, Austin, waited in line for a monster-sized order of nachos from a vendor during Ranch Nite Wednesdays Jan. 5.

The weekly event, filled with food trucks, live music, cornhole and drinks, has become a tradition for them. They often go to Ranch Nites, which now takes place at Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch after moving from its previous home at the Sarasota Polo Club, for Philly cheesesteaks, barbecue and nachos.

“This is great, and we are so excited to have this here,” DeCosta said as Austin balanced the nacho mountain in his hands. “We usually don’t miss this.”

All of the food trucks had long lines, especially the Siesta Pops Mini Donuts truck, which offered both sweet treats and a chance to play in the bubbles produced by a machine at the front of the truck. The food lineup is usually not the same from week to week, giving diners like the DeCostas something new each visit.

Jah Movement delighted the crowd with a blend of reggae and popular tunes. The band was a big reason that Wade and Tunisha Thomas came out for Ranch Nite. The couple moved to Lakewood Ranch in September from Orange County, New York, and was taking in Ranch Nite for a second time.

“This is amazing,” Wade Thomas said. “We will definitely be back for more of these. We love it.”

Ranch Nite takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Lakewood Ranch’s Louise Grigg, Wade Thomas and Tunisa Thomas take in the music and sights of Ranch Nite Wednesday.

YourObserver.com

PLAYS AT THE LIBRARY Begins at 11 a.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. The Friends of the Braden River Library presents a program by the Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild Play Readers that includes four 10-minute plays written by Frank Motz. The hourlong event is free. Secure a seat by registering online at ManateeLibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events.

SUNDAY. JAN. 16

POLO Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 2021-22 Sarasota Polo Club season runs every Sunday through April 24. Gates open at 10 a.m. Enjoy polo, the opening parade, halftime entertainment, divot stomping, food, drinks and more. For more information and tickets (which begin at $15), go to SarasotaPolo.com.

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch will run year-round every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music.

For more information, go to www.

MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19

RANCH NIGHT WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1561 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. Ranch Night Wednesdays is a free event that includes food trucks, live music, a market, an outdoor bar and a cornhole league.

It runs every week through May. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, JAN. 22

REC DAY Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Participants can try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoes, fishing and more. For more information, go to www.NathanBendersonPark.org.

The fee is $10 per person or $5 for

BEST BET FRIDAY, JAN. 14 TO SUNDAY, JAN. 16

BIG BOUNCE AMERICA Begins at 1 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Big Bounce America Tour comes to Nathan Benderson Park with its “World’s Largest Bounce House.” Play times are set in three-hour blocks and scheduled in four different age groups, from toddlers ($19) through adults ($39).

For all times and ticket prices, go to TheBigBounceAmerica.com. The event includes a 13,000-square-foot bounce house, a customized sports arena, a 900-foot-long obstacle course and a space-themed wonderland.

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SCOTTISH PARTY Begins at 5 p.m. at Palm Aire Country Club, 5601 Country Club Way, Sarasota. The St. Andrew Society of Sarasota celebrates the 262nd birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns with an event that benefits the St. Andrew Scottish Society Scholarship Fund. The event includes bagpipers, haggis and kilts, along with entertainment by Brendan Nolan and Palm Aire’s Dancing Sisters. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $70 (includes dinner) for St. Andrew Society of Sarasota members and $80 for nonmembers. For tickets or information, go to StAndrewSocietySarasota. com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Temple Beth Sholom invites you to a

HAVDALAH OPEN HOUSE New & Prospective TBS Members please join us January 29, 2022, at 6:00 PM at a private outdoor venue; details will be provided upon registration RSVP Susan Cahn info@templebethsholomfl.org

Photos by Liz Ramos

Bradenton’s Jean and Tim Kirkpatrick dance to “Tennessee Whiskey.”

*Kosher refreshments provided, Must be fully vaccinated to attend*

Lakewood Ranch’s Violette Kaszubski and Lisa Buck dance together in front of the stage as the Derek Lersch Band performs.

akewood Ranch’s Debbie and Dave Best slow-danced as the Derek Lersch Band played “Tennessee Whiskey.”

The smiling couple was among dozens of other couples dancing in front of a sea of lawn chairs during Music on Main at Lakewood Ranch Jan. 7.

“It’s always a great time,” Debbie Best said. “It feels normal, happy and celebratory.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Marla Brunner, who is 9 years old, had fun dancing in front of the stage.

“It’s fun to see people you know,” Brunner said. “It’s like a big family.

Everybody gets together for a fun time.”

Greenbrook’s Ashley Budde and her children, 7-year-old Annabelle Budde and 8-year-old Henry Budde, saw a movie at Lakewood Ranch Cinema and grabbed a bite to eat on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch before enjoying all Music on Main had to offer. It was their first time attending the event, which provides live music and a variety of vendors every first Friday of the month.

“It’s a fun atmosphere with great music,” Ashley Budde said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Above: Lakewood Ranch’s Rochelle Honig and Judy Anastasia enjoy being outside on a cool night listening to live music.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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BRADENTON 8415 Broadstone Court 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,189 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4515827 $4,395,000

HOLMES BEACH 4003 5th Avenue 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,200 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4514159 $1,585,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3010 Grand Bay Boulevard 445 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,143 Sq. Ft. Mel & Jan Goldsmith 941-356-6673 A4520071 $1,495,000

BRADENTON 10012 Kingfisher Road E 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,473 Sq. Ft. Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Maureen Horn 941-799-1943 A4516775 $1,295,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7003 Lancaster Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,439 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4515333 $1,269,000

ARCADIA 10807 NW Lily County Line Road 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,517 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4508800 $1,350,000

SARASOTA 2203 Hillview Street Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4518090 $1,250,000

LONGBOAT KEY 741 Fox Street 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,390 Sq. Ft. Cindy Fischer & Mark J Baron 941-465-1124 A4520104 $1,195,000

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BRADENTON 348 Snapdragon Loop 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,469 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4519347 $795,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6108 Stillwater Court 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,039 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4521116 $775,000

PARRISH 3321 Lakeside Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,735 Sq. Ft. Jay Brock, III 941-218-3226 A4521290 $650,000

SARASOTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 15B 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,320 Sq. Ft. Tracy Jones 941-376-3405 A4518516 $470,000

BRADENTON 920 Tidewater Shores Loop 306 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,232 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4519374 $439,990

SARASOTA /PINECRAFT 3137 Homasassa Road 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,496 Sq. Ft. Camille Schwabe 941-894-4771 A4521309 $399,000

BRADENTON 2616 47th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,452 Sq. Ft. Joseph McDonald 941-375-9646 A4519750 $375,000

SARASOTA 7814 Ontario Street Circle 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,533 Sq. Ft. James Jablonski 941-812-5819 A4521299 $350,000

SARASOTA 3639 S Lockwood Ridge Road 2 Beds 1 Baths 1,186 Sq. Ft. Valarie Wadsworth 941-780-3858 A4518154 $349,777

SARASOTA 5230 Hyland Hills Avenue 1326 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,684 Sq. Ft. Anja Deichmann 941-284-7987 A4521331 $300,000

PALMETTO 2211 6th Street W 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,011 Sq. Ft. Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4520763 $1,970,000

SARASOTA 3501 Founders Club Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,836 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4497661 $1,700,000

LONGBOAT KEY 647 Marbury Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,651 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4503569 $1,599,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 370913-1

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. John Rogers and Karen Scollick sold their home at 8016 Bounty Lane to Steven and Lori Valentino, of Bradenton, for $2 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,844 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $750,000 in 2010.

SHOREVIEW

John and Kathryn Vanvliet, trustees, of Rockingham, Virginia, sold the home at 7937 Grande Shores Drive to Mark and Margaret Scharmer, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.5 million.

Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,822 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $724,800 in 2018.

POMELLO PARK

Alan Poulton and Freda Jo Lodge, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6510 200th St. E. to Victor Khlevnoy and Olga Dontsova, of Bradenton, for $1,485,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 4,131 square feet of living area.

ESPLANADE

Abigail Claire Corbett and Bradford Remington, of Lone Tree, Colorado, sold their home at 13707 Palazzo Terrace to Gerald Anthony Faraino, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1.45 million.

Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,726 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.2 million in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Neal Signature Homes LLC sold the home at 16627 Collingtree Crossing to John Ehli and Nicholas Fiegoli, of Westport, Connecticut, for $1,384,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,611 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.17 million in 2015.

Bonnie Allen and Henry James Kyle, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7040 Whittlebury Trail to Robin Hoag and Catherine Bruder, of Bradenton, for $1.1 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,653 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $500,000 in 2019.

COUNTRY CLUB

Robert Hofmann, of Siesta Key, sold the home at 7217 Greystone St. to Thomas Glenn Crisp and Holly Crisp, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.3 million. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,861 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $850,000 in 2013.

Joseph and Kimberly Kleckauskas, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7407 Lake Forest Glen to Kathleen Lyden, of Lakewood Ranch, for $769,000.

Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,177 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $535,000 in 2006.

Nicusor Marius Pauna and Elena Iulia Pauna, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7748 US Open Loop to Tamera and Charles Roulund, of Lakewood Ranch, for $655,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,089 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $390,000 in 2020.

HAMPTON GREEN

FURA EHF sold the home at 6408 Saunton Place to Kimberly and Terrence Huebner, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,510 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $818,000 in 2009.

WATERLEFE

Robert and Barbara Carr, of Bradenton, sold their home at 609 Sand

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

DEC. 27-31

Crane Court to Roger and Janet Waye, of Bradenton, for $925,000.

Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,835 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $565,000 in 2019.

James and Janet Davis, of Bradenton, sold their home at 10812 Winding Stream Way to William Austin White and Suzanne Olive White, of Bradenton, for $840,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,589 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $500,000 in 2014.

George and Carol Simmons, trustees, of Palmetto, sold the home at 1060 Restoration Terrace to James Hamilton II, of Bradenton, for $800,000.

Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,588 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $485,000 in 2015.

UNIVERSITY PARK

William Andrews, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7002 Langley Place to Lyle and Mary Marlowe, of University Park, for $896,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,662 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $392,000 in 2000.

SAVANNA

Brandon Edward Luce and Sarah Diane Beasley Luce, of Bradenton, sold their home at 3520 Savanna Palms Court to Sara and Jason Mendez, of Lakewood Ranch, for $895,000. Built in 2018, it has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,899 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $510,000 in 2018.

Alexis Lopez and Wendy Ivette Lopez, of Clermont, sold their home at 13619 Saw Palm Creek Trail to David Hamvas and Krista Joy Hamvas, of Bradenton, for $735,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 3,021 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $432,000 in 2019.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Paul and Lisa Valentine, of Bowmansville, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 11811 Petunia Terrace to Pieter Roozen and Roger Kwok, of Ft. Myers, for $825,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,776 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $439,000 in 2019.

Audrey Kooistra and Michael Kalfsbeck, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12502 Goldenrod Ave. to Russell John Clarke and Laura Christine Clarke, of Bradenton, for $580,000.

Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,203 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $399,000 in 2018.

Courtesy photo

This Shoreview home at 7937 Grande Shores Drive sold for $1.5 million.

It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,822 square feet of living area.

PALM AIRE AT SARASOTA

John Douglas Hauser, George Stephen Richardson and Thomas Richardson, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6749 W. Country Club Lane to Terry and Amy Fearby, of Sarasota, for $655,400. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $440,000 in 2005.

ASHLEY TRACE AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

Park, sold the home at 7914 Ashley Circle to Daniel Sexton Jr., of University Park, for $650,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,252 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $380,000 in 2020.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Kennedy and Jodi Esteban, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4208 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Bradley Ellis,

Victoria Murciano and Eliau Rock Murciano, trustees, of University

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 24

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

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POLO RUN

Andrew Thomas Sullivan, of Bradenton, sold his home at 17919 Polo Trail to Robert and Courtney De Pol, of Cape Coral, for $780,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $461,000 in 2019.

Downtown St. Petersburg

CLUBSIDE AT COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Michael Allen Hill and Dawn Christine Hill, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 9-D condominium at 7408 Divot Loop to Jon and Carolyn Olson, of Houston, for $699,000.

Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,332 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $358,500 in 2019.

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com

MOVE IN FALL 2022

MOTE RANCH

Jeffrey Zhang and Xiaorong Liu, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6104 Stillwater Court to Thelma and Francisco Merino, of Eastvale, California, for $680,000.

Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,625 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $421,000 in 2018.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Timothy Ewing Phillips and Susan Marie Phillips, of Lancaster, South Carolina, sold their Unit 2821 condominium at 6041 Wake Forest Run to Julie Maureen Watkins, of Ontario, Canada, for $675,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $375,000 in 2019.

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

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REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $2 million

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Real estate FROM PAGE 23

of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,560 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $240,000 in 2016.

THE MOORINGS AT EDGEWATER

Robert Spurgeon, trustee, of Oviedo, sold the Unit 202 condominium at 6511 Moorings Point Circle to Janet Nicolson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $643,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,963 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $506,300 in 2004.

DEL WEBB

William and Bonnie Ottaviani sold their home at 17231 Corinna Place to Edward and Maria Delaney, of Bradenton, for $635,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,832 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $448,200 in 2018.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Vincent and Teresa Foderingham sold their home at 10641 Glencorse Terrace to Frederick Spence, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,077 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $421,600 in 2014.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Larry and Erin West, of Palmetto, sold their home at 5001 Lake Overlook Ave. to Beverly Woolery, trustee, of Bradenton, for $615,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths and 2,271 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $320,500 in 2014.

NOTTING HILL

Islensk-Erlenda EHF sold the home at 7122 Kensington Court to Linda Blackwell, of Columbus, Ohio, for $600,000. Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,801 square feet of living area.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Regenail Thomas, of Bradenton, sold his home at 12822 Kite Drive to Zillow Homes Property Trust for $596,900.

Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,517 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $425,000 in 2017.

Dino and Jennifer Rustin, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 12203 Aster Ave. to Gabriel Vargas and Alyna Acosta, of Tinley Park, Illinois, for $530,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,250 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $310,000 in 2016.

CARRIAGE RUN AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

Natalie Mahler, of Denver, sold her home at 7452 Sea Island Lane to Amalfi Holding LLC for $580,000.

Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,995 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $430,000 in 2020.

Barbara Levin, trustee, of Denver, sold the home at 7319 Meeting St. to Dawn Freeman, of Bradenton, for $415,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,621 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $293,200 in 2016.

CENTRAL PARK

Suzette Pinto and Jeffrey O’Bryant, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12138 Longview Lake Circle to Cristin Leigh Rieskamp and Joshua Donald Rieskamp, of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,136 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $380,000 in 2019.

Zillow Homes Property Trust sold the home at 12134 Longview Lake Circle to Wesley and Shelly Henry, of Lakewood Ranch, for $471,900. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,136 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $466,800 in 2021.

RIVER PLACE

John and Carey Ambrozic, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7119 67th Terrace E. to Robyn Roett, of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,371 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $86,600 in 2012.

two bedrooms, two baths and 1,336 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 2019.

HARMONY

Dipesh DeRay, of Bradenton, sold his home at 5228 Bentgrass Way to Heather Perry, of Bradenton, for $573,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,460 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $370,300 in 2015.

TARA

Michael Lanza, trustee, of Wappingers Falls, New York, sold the home at 6393 Rookery Circle to Jonathan Shaw, of Kalispell, Montana, for $497,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,227 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $330,000 in 2014.

James Leo Clark III, of Osprey, sold his home at 5531 Pleasantview Court to Jeffrey and Leslie Dixon, of Bradenton, for $420,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 1,739 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $282,200 in 2020.

SUMMERFIELD

Opendoor Property Trust I sold the home at 11875 Hollyhock Drive to Lawrence and Linda Cleary and Julie Cleary and Jay Paul Cleary, of Lakewood Ranch, for $495,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,015 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $478,300 in 2021.

Jennifer Lynn Densmore, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11709 Brookside Drive to Frank and Yaneidy Swanson, of Bradenton, for $415,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,784 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $277,400 in 2018.

Bryan and Tori Carr, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12504 Tall Pines Way to Marash and Mira Dedvukaj, of Bradenton, for $489,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,962 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $175,000 in 2009.

GREENBROOK

Daniel Hansen, of Sarasota, sold his home at 6222 Warbler Lane to Marissa Atkins, of Lakewood Ranch, for $565,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,404 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $355,000 in 2016.

CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE

Ronald Bledsoe sold the home at 4945 Creekside Trail to Saimy Sainz Rodriguez and Yefrey Martinez, of Sarasota, for $479,900. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,154 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $274,000 in 2014.

ROSEDALE GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB

James and Bonita Wright, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 8718 52nd Drive E. to Michael and Kim Bertash, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,836 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $260,000 in 2011.

ARBOR RESERVE

Jessica Bucholz, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4718 Arbor Gate Drive to Tuyet Van Thi Huynh and Son Do, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for $465,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,711 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $250,000 in 2018.

SABAL HARBOUR

Christina and Juan Cruz sold their home at 4920 Breakwater Drive to Shannon Leigh Risacher, of Indianapolis, for $500,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,499 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $249,000 in 2017.

MOTE RANCH

Gladys Ann Grad, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 5750 Carriage Drive to Nikola Stepanovic, of Sarasota, for $445,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,807 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $138,900 in 1995.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Pavel Dolejs and Milan Zilka, of Czech Republic, sold their home at 428 Grand Preserve Cove to A1 System LLC for $430,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,680 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $367,000 in 2008.

Kelly Wilson Case and Susan Ann Case, of Adrian, Michigan, sold their home at 6764 Willowshire Way to Matthew and Rita Cowell, of Birmingham, Alabama, for $407,000.

Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,545 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $235,800 in 2016.

BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE

Ryan Craver, of Brooklyn, New York, sold his Unit 202 condominium at 13605 Messina Loop to Alla Susid, of Roseville, California, for $417,000.

Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $218,900 in 2017.

SAVANNAH PRESERVE AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

Barry Bauer, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the Unit 7958 condominium at 7958 Tybee Court to Deena Morgan Spencer, of Sarasota, for $405,000.

Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,557 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $261,900 in 2008.

VERANDA AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Erin O’Hara sold her Unit 1113 condominium at 5557 Palmer Circle to Frederick Remington and Donna Patrick Remington, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 2019, it has

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Gorgeous Residences. Grand Lifestyle.

2021 PARADE OF HOMES WINNER OF BEST OVERALL COMMUNITY

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WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, JAN. 13 High: 71 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 13%

FRIDAY, JAN. 14 High: 71 Low: 47 Chance of rain: 3%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 13 7:21a 5:55p Friday, Jan. 14

7:20a

5:56p

Saturday, Jan. 15

7:20a

5:57p

Sunday, Jan. 16

7:20a

5:58p

Monday, Jan. 17

7:20a

5:59p

Tuesday, Jan. 18

7:20a

5:59p

Wednesday, Jan. 19

7:20a

6:00p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JAN. 15 High: 72 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 5%

SUNDAY, JAN. 16 High: 66 Low: 45 Chance of rain: 54% Bonnie Ottaviani captured this rainbow just before sunset in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.

Feb. 8 First

Feb. 16 Full

Feb. 23 Last

March 2 New

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 3

0.03

Tuesday, Jan. 4

0

Wednesday, Jan. 5

0

Thursday, Jan. 6

0

Friday, Jan. 7

0

Saturday, Jan. 8

0

Sunday, Jan. 9

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 0.03 in.

2021 0.34 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 0.03 in.

2021 0.34 in.

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crossword

celebrity cipher

SIDE ORDER by Drew Schmenner. Edited by David Steinberg genre 120 Alley group 121 Swarming insects 122 Like a scrubbed launch 123 Excellent, informally 124 Epic story 125 Terrible ___ (toddlers’ phase)

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8 Ctrl+V, on a PC 9 Ravens’ home?

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43 Anticipate logistically 24 Adorable 107 Corp. image squad “Aquarius” 81 Certain goat’s wool 44 One may have time for 25 “Gimme five!”

110 Country estate 57 Scientist Newton 82 Thanksgiving dessert many hobbies 26 Tire patterns 83 “A League of ___ Own” 113 Skilled enough 45 Ark constructor 28 One of 1,093 for Edison 60 Like a bass’s voice 115 Somewhat (1992 film) 46 Gem that’s often red 30 ___ Goldberg machine 63 Dressed to the ___ 85 Cause of a swelled head 117 Model maker’s wood 52 X game (... includes let32 Places in med. dramas 64 “Stan & Ollie” co-star 118 For grown-ups 67 De Armas of “No Time 86 Hairpiece ters 7-9 in 74-Across) 33 Characterized by 119 Hard-boiled movie 87 Be of use 53 Tree with fronds 35 How stereotypical teens to Die”

55 Earn after taxes 58 Apple assistant 59 Apt name for a smarty 60 Make it clear what’s allowed, and a hint to filling in four answers in this puzzle 61 How many applicants are selected?

62 “Interested in comin’?”

64 San ___, Puerto Rico 65 Fairy tale baddie 66 Flinch 69 Zits and such 72 Embrace 74 Mariner’s headwear 75 Add-on 76 Drive-___ window 77 Battery terminal 81 50+ years, for Harold and Maude 82 Chunky salsa (... includes letters 4-7 in 95-Across) 84 “Yo!” 85 Scraped (by) 87 “Cathy” cry 88 Compete 89 Whichever 90 Musical group in a gym 91 Lecturer’s pause fillers 93 Stretching, as one’s neck 94 Split second 96 One of 31 in enero 97 Win in 52-Down 101 Afternoon TV dramas 102 Lower leg bone 104 Must 106 ___ ‘N Slide 108 Longtime SCOTUS monogram 109 Word after “midnight” or “critical” 110 Movers’ vehicle 111 Promise at the altar 112 Carry laboriously 114 “No way, ref!”

116 Airport org. with wands

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“MTSW C RVH XCHA, PO ZRMNW VJJCJDHW SRVTLWH. C ZVA NCXW, ‘OMD PVXW V ABCTVN SMFH IFMP ASFVJSR, VTH ZW’NN JVNX.’”

– BVJ KWTVJVF

“XT ZCRPU ZP LC NWKCALW TC RABW FXHU. ZP WXSP NC DHSP NWHT FPKJPBN DHJP ZWPU ZP XKP RPTTPE AF HUTHEP.”

– RXKV O. IDHLP

“E’UK ZWDZNX GKKP ZV VSK EPVKYXKHVECP CT HCBIJVKYX ZPM DSZVKUKY VSKN HZP YKUCWJVECPERK.” – OKTT GKRCX © 2022 NEA, Inc.

Puzzle Three Clue: B equals M

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue: O equals J

Sarasota

KITCHENS, BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS & MORE

Puzzle One Clue: T equals F

HARDWOOD

sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-13-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Homes for Sale

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis..

I AM bringing forth my Land Patent benefits, if interested see www.foxboro-consulting.com, Publications, L.P. 1 or L.P. 2.

STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

CLAIRE’S PRODUCE AND PLANTS 7275 N. Lockwood Ridge REOPENED

auto

LOT OF Paperback books same author Danielle Steel. Some hardcover. Entire collection for only $75, 941-404-9271

Announcements

More plants than produce!

Desert Roses, Orchids, hanging baskets, herbs and more.

Friday 12p.m.-6p.m., Saturday 10a.m.-5p.m.

Sunday 12p.m.-4p.m.

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

NEW HOME 3 Bedrooms/3 baths, plus study or dining room, 3 car garage. Fully furnished, water view in the back. $5500 month/deposit for each.

6 months rent required at least.

Located in Lorraine subdivision.

713-459-5892

home services

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Homes for Rent 941-251-7916, Ext 1

Single Male wants to buy home for sale by owner. Deposit and terms negotiable and according to the owner.

Contact Tom 678-755-3804 tomlarsen559@gmail.com

YourObserver.com/RedPages

real estate

Beach’ N Rides Electric Bike Shop eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want. Leave traffic and parking problems behind!

13 models available.

Daily and weekly rentals available We also repair other Brands Open 10 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays 12208 Cortez Road, Cortez, FL

BUY & SELL HERE!

MATTRESS TWIN, Brand New, Foam, Firm/Plush Still in Orignal Pkg, $125 941-920-2494

CALL 941-955-4888

Sporting Goods

KING-SIZE "MY Pillow" mattress topper (3") Only used 2 weeks. $175. jas1028@verizon.net

MANY MISCELLANEOUS items including collectables and furniture pieces. $50 each.

941-800-4476

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

Real Estate Wanted

Adult Care Services PERSONAL CARE GIVER- Private care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

Affordable hourly rates, available weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

* Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

This week’s Crossword answers

Advertise your business Advertise Observer or service inyour the business or service in the Observer

RED RED PAGES PAGES CALL TODAY CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 941-955-4888 Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Once I had kids, my whole attitude changed. I was like, ‘You make a spinal cord from scratch, and we’ll talk.’”

Pat Benatar Puzzle Two Solution: “As women we go through so much pain. We have to live this perfect life when we are messed up inside.”

Mary J. Blige Puzzle Three Solution: “I’ve always been at the intersection of computers and whatever they can revolutionize.”

Jeff Bezos

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2022 Universal Uclick

RED PAGES. MADE FOR WHERE YOU LIVE. HERE! TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

©2022 NEA, Inc.

HUSQVARNA 129L weed whacker used once $110 cash, hedgeshears40 volt new battery $50 cash (941)776-3417

GARAGE SALE

You’re only cheating yourself.

GOLF PULL cart by Bag Boy, like new, $60 941-377-5687

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and collectors plates. Personal and confidential. Please call Marc: 941-321-0707.

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

peekers’ place

stuff

Merchandise Wanted

1/2" SCALE Miniature Farm Barn w/elec. weather vanes.

Wall/free standing. $50.

RED SKELTON framed lithograph. $100.

941/776-0034

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

Call for coming soon listings.

RIVERS EDGE Community Garage Sale Saturday, January 15, 8am-2pm.

Corner of Lingerlodge Rd. and 66 th Avenue East.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000

Autos Wanted

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Friday, January 14, and Saturday January 15, 9am-2pm.

Fairfield Community on State Rd 70

Items Under $200

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000

Announcements

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

Adult Care Services

We’ll We’llSWEEP SWEEPyou youoff offyour yourfeet! feet!

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Clock Repair

Furniture Repair

Christo’s Clock Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.” 371085

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

370579

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

Computer

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

SELL YOUR CAR!

Ron Chapman Home Service Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

Auto Service

Handyman

Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

YoderAluminum.comHardware Repair

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

371087

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

941-504-0903

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Concrete 5-Star Rated

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

CRACK REPAIR

#1 in IR REPA Crack 5%

Beauty

9 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

372501

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME 370552

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS

371064

HoHoBuysCars.com

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

BUZ CORP D/B/A

CONCRETE FUSION

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670

University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

Doors

AMANDA

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Sliding Glass Door Repair

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

370573

Aluminum

371088

|

370619

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

Home Services

Cleaning

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

RED PAGES

371083

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle?

• Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

Take a simple test to see if your vent is clogged. Unhook your dryer vent & compare drying time.

Residential

372506

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

CALL 941-955-4888

IRRIGATION (941) 725-8100 REPAIR edsrainmakerirrigation@gmail.com MAINTENANCE Insured

Doors

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Custom Granite Services, llc

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

372503

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

941-400-4912

372510

www.ezslider.com

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR

Find anything in the RED PAGES 941-955-4888

SEARCH the RED PAGES for GREAT DEALS To place an ad

Call 941-955-4888

372508

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

Showcase your products or services.

Call us today! 941.628.8579

Commercial

Irrigation

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

Doors

941-705-5468

370583

28

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Painting

GRAB BARS

FREE ESTIMATES - Call Joel, Owner 30 Years Exp. Cell 619-405-7650 Home/Office 941-758-4840

INCLUDES 2 MOEN STAINLESS STEEL ANTI SLIP CONCEALED SCREW GRAB BARS (16” & 24”)

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

371093

235

$ 235

Building & Roofing Contractor

Homes - Driveways - Sidewalks - Tile & Shingle Roofs - Pool Cages & Decks

Power Washing

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH TO S. VENICE

372751 364556

941.966.0333

Pressure Washing

Pressure Washing

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

DRGRABBARS.COM

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Screening

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

• Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

AFTER

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

370575

$

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

941-544-1066

BEFORE

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

GLENN KROECKER

Rescreening & Repairs

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

370623

372511

Licensed & Insured

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974 370584

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

372516

371089

29

Roofing

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

370621

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

|

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

Windows

GARDENS BY ALLISON

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Eldridge Re-Screen

Design • Garden Beds Landscape • Courtyards Clean-Up • Makeovers Weeds • Trimming

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

Lawn Care

Licensed

“No Job Too Small”

For

Insured

941-270-1561

370622

372512

941.400.0431

Bisson Roofing Inc.

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

Owner Supervises Every Job

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

ws

140

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880 372515

372514

941-739-5102

STANDARD WINDOWS

5

941 - 748 - 7400

5002 LENA RD, UNIT 107, BRADENTON, 34211 WWW.SMALLENGINEREPAIRS.US

25

UP TO

$

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

SPECIAL 00

Roofing

SALES & REPAIRS - MOWERS, GENERATORS, TRIMMERS, PRESSURE WASHERS, CHAIN SAWS, BLOWERS, ENGINES

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 W (941) eani t e s n ng s a S u n u n w r o i s n e Wind k S o merly

www.bissonroofing.com

CREATE BUZZ!

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

372517

No Job is too Small!

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

Res./Com.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2022

Over

Total Sales Volume 2021 We don’t take breaks, we break records.

Our best-in-class advisors have allowed us to shatter our previous record — up 50% year over year — confirming our position as the Florida Gulf Coast luxury leader.

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

370650-1

30