Skaters on a roll Professional and amateur athletes from around the world were circling Nathan Benderson Park on Saturday morning on skates. The Florida Inline Skating Marathon is the largest skate race in Florida. Skaters traveled from as far as Argentina to participate.
The Bradentucky Bombers have had members from their roller derby team participate in past years, but this year, Sarasota’s Erin Carter, aka Ms. Carter in the rink, Delia O’Grady, aka Chuck Tingle, and Shilynn Gamble, aka Tess Tickles (pictured above) left their skates at home and set up a tent instead.
“We want to hit people on skates, not just skate,” Carter said.
Touring with the top teacher
Stacy Freeman, a third grade teacher at McNeal and Manatee County’s Teacher of the Year, acted as a guide Nov. 6 around McNeal for Union County’s Mark Harrison, the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year.
Freeman (above with Harrison) said it was an honor having Harrison visit McNeal. She said he is an amazing person to represent Florida teachers.
“He was incredibly inspiring, both to staff and students,” Freeman said.
Harrison said he does his best to be an “ambassador of positivity.”
“We are here to highlight not just Stacy Freeman, but all the teachers here at this school, all the students and all the amazing things that they’re doing,” Harrison said.
Boathouse at Benderson steers toward reality
park’s conservancy announces its major fundraising campaign has begun as it races toward a
Lesley Dwyer
Madison Bierl
Plans for new LWR high school advance despite concerns
Some Manatee County commissioners argued Lorraine Road should be widened before adding more traffic to the area with a school.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Commissioner Jason Bearden
said there’s a lot of talk about “smart growth” among commissioners in Manatee County, but in his opinion, building a high school off Lorraine Road before finishing the recently defunded widening project on Lorraine Road is “dumb growth.”
“We cannot continue to just approve things blindly without a plan because our job is to develop infrastructure around these projects,” Bearden said to his fellow commissioners during the Nov. 4 commission meeting. “When those kids have a head-on collision because we’re not having this discussion, then that’s on you.”
The construction of a high school on the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard was already approved by a prior commission and the Manatee County School Board, so approving the site plan was placed on the meeting’s agenda under “presentations upon request.”
Commissioner George Kruse defined “presentations upon request” as “reserved for items that nobody in the public has commented on and nobody on the board asked significant enough questions about during briefings to warrant the assumption of a presentation.”
Not only was a presentation requested, a heated debate and three separate motions ensued. In the end, the site plan was approved in a 4-3 vote with Kruse and Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard and Tal Siddique in favor of the measure.
The not yet officially named “AAA High School” is set to start construction in 2026. The school will be open to freshmen and sophomores in 2027 and juniors and seniors in 2029. At
full capacity, the school will serve 2,500 students.
is the district commissioner for the Lakewood Ranch area, made the first motion to deny the site plan’s approval, but he only garnered two votes from Bearden and Commis sioner Carol Felts.
to an area that is growing too fast for the roads to handle, and all three voted against approval.
much traffic the high school will contribute to the surrounding roads and how overcapacity Lakewood Ranch High School is now.
morning dropoffs will bring 1,275 cars in and out of the school. With after school activities and early dis missals, that number drops to about 800 cars for afternoon pickups.
manager with Stantec, the firm that designed the site plan, noted that the dismissal time will be between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., which is outside of peak rush hour.
points from Rangeland Parkway, Post Boulevard and 59th Avenue East. While the property borders Lorraine Road, there will not be an access point from Lorraine Road.
County and school district staff are collaborating to look ahead at how the surrounding intersections will be affected and will share the costs of improvements.
Director of Public Works Chad Butzow said signalizing the intersection at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard is already included in the county’s current capital improvement plan.
While the overall Lorraine Road project was removed from the CIP, he said the intersection at Lorraine
higher now.
However, he pointed to the development that’s underway east of Lorraine Road as the bigger issue to be solved by a new high school.
The district has also been put in a tough spot by Schools of Hope, legislation that allows charter schools to operate in public schools that have unused space. The district is then responsible to feed and transport those students at no cost to the charter schools.
Pendley noted that it will be more expensive to build the additional two classroom buildings later, but the
the decision to a date uncertain, but the county’s land use attorney, Sarah Schenk, said the decision could only be delayed until Nov. 6 because of a 45-day time limit per Florida statute. Siddique brought in a secondary issue to traffic — shared use of the school’s facilities, such as the outdoor tennis and basketball courts.
“I don’t want to be unreasonable,” he said, “But the fact is, we just can’t keep pumping hundreds of millions into parks and facilities and other things that our residents want out there, so I think there’s a need for a partnership there, and I’d like to see
AAA HIGH SCHOOL
AAA High School will be built on 85 acres for approximately $200 million in the southwest corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 for enrollment in 2027. By the time construction is fully complete in 2029, the school will accommodate 2,500 stu-
7,300-square-foot
that reflected here somehow.” McCann then asked the school board to withdraw its application so more discussions could be had first.
Chad Choate, chair of the Manatee County School Board, said he liked Siddique’s suggestion and thought an arrangement could be worked out at a later date, but the district was in “crunch time” to start building. He noted that most students will be accessing the school from Rangeland Parkway. And Pendley noted that the newly rezoned maps have students only traveling from the east side of Lorraine Road, so any currently enrolled students are already driving past the site on Rangeland to get to Lakewood Ranch High School. “I really do appreciate the thinking about safety, especially our students’ safety,” Choate said. “But I don’t believe we can delay this anymore than it’s already been delayed. It’s been sitting here for over a month now and the 45 days are almost up.” Rahn made the final motion that ultimately approved the site plan.
The fundraising oars have hit the water
With the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy ready to break ground on its $65 million boathouse/events center, the fundraising effort is full-speed ahead.
JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR
In 2022, when Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously to commit $20 million in tourist tax funds toward the construction of a new boathouse and events center at Nathan Benderson Park, it appeared the project had moved from the fantasy stage to reality. Then three more years passed without so much as a place to hang a canoe.
On Nov. 5, representatives of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and Sarasota County gathered in the park’s finish tower to say that plenty had transpired during those three years to move the project forward ... and that now is the time to get excited.
“This is going to happen,” said Louis Kosiba, who is a Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy board member. “It is not a pipe dream.”
Kosiba gathered with Michael Taaffe, the Conservancy’s chairman of the board, Nathan Benderson Park COO Bruce C. Patneaude, and Sarasota County Tourism, Facilities and Programs Manager Shelby Hoffman
FACILITY FEATURES
PROJECT TIMELINE
January-March 2022: Johnson Consulting conducts Phase I of a feasibility study for an indoor sports complex and boathouse concept
May 2022: Findings of the feasibility study are presented to Board of County Commissioners, which unanimously voted to dedicate $20 million from the third additional onecent levy of Tourist Development Tax
October 2022: Findings of the feasibility study and a draft of the concept plan are presented to the Parks Advisory and Recreation Committee and the Tourist Development Council
July 2023: Fawley Bryant Architects completes Phase II of a feasibility study, consisting of schematic designs and the identification of desired building program requirements
to announce the major funding campaign for the project has begun.
The $65 million project, which is expected to break ground in July, will fill two major voids. Patneaude said having the boathouse will take Nathan Benderson Park to a higher echelon among the world’s top rowing facilities. While the park was praised by International Rowing Federation officials in 2017 when the event was held in Sarasota, Patneaude said having the boathouse moves it to an even higher level.
Nathan Benderson Park has been awarded the 2028 World Rowing Championships, which will take place a few months after the boathouse’s targeted finish in the first quarter of 2028.
The events center portion of the project will offer 100,000 square feet of hardcourt flooring and will provide an indoor space for major sporting events. The Sarasota County staff recommended the tax commitment to the project in 2022 after a feasibility student was completed by Johnson Consulting of Chicago.
The study estimated an initial economic impact of $20 million a year connected with the new facility and sports tourism.
“We are going to host almost every sporting event you can have here,” Taaffe said.
Taaffe, who is an attorney as well as a founding member and coach of Sarasota Crew, admitted that he once thought mostly of the park as a rowing site.
“The epiphany for me was Covid and seeing people walking, biking, roller blading and using the park as a place to get outdoors,” Taaffe said. “It changed things for me visually.
“We have five or six high schools in the area and no place to host a basketball tournament. This is going to have amazing features and it will be a destination park.”
Hoffman said that the last three years have been critical to the project even if the public might not have seen the progress. She said it was a time that Patneaude, who took over as COO in August 2022, has shown his expertise in managing the park’s finances, and in which the Conservancy board has shown its ability to lead the park forward.
“We have seen the progress the Conservancy has made,” Hoffman said. “It is a well-oiled machine and we know who is doing what. We also know the ease of working with their staff.”
Hoffman said the county has seen major improvements at the park in terms of reservations and in the response time in which the park staff responds to inquiries and questions. Once the boathouse and events center is finished, she said the Conservancy, which will need to expand its staff, will manage the events, with the county providing its resources for support.
“And the (Conservancy) board will provide the correct guidance to keep this ship moving in the right direction,” she said.
Taaffe said Patneaude has been a game-changer.
“Bruce has balanced the books and he makes sure events are profitable,” Taaffe said. “That a big thing, because now we can buy the equipment we need.”
Patneaude said he thought the park’s organizational structure previously could best be described as
July 2024: An update is provided to the Sarasota County Commission, including schematic designs, site plans and building highlights
November 2024: The Conservancy fine tunes the building program requirements and capabilities; and develops a request for proposal for full design and architectural services
May 2025: WJ Architects selected to serve as the project architect through the completion of construction
November 2025: Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy announces it has begun its major fundraising campaign for the boathouse/events center
Targeted completion: First quarter 2028
“fly by the seat of your pants.”
Taaffe said the project schematics are mostly finished but still need some finishing touches to better pinpoint a more exact budget for the project.
Kosiba will chair the fundraising drive.
“There will be naming rights,” he said. “But those can be sliced and diced. There will be so many rooms and facilities.” He said he will be telling possible sponsors about how they will be partnering with a sophisticated organization in the Conservancy, which will be doing business with programs such as Yale, Harvard and the University of Washington, which all utilize the park. Taaffe said the boathouse will attract even more major organizations now that they will have locker rooms, workout facilities, and a place to store their boats.
“I am sure there will be some boat bays with a name on it,” Kosiba said. He said the Conservancy might look into hiring a firm to assist with the fundraising effort.
“We are putting together our messaging,” said Kosiba, who lives in Lakewood Ranch. “We have a wonderful story to tell.”
Patneaude noted that the National Rowing Hall of Fame has inquired about making the boathouse its home.
Jay Heater
Conservancy Board member Louis Kosiba, Sarasota County’s Shelby Hoffman, Nathan Benderson Park COO Bruce C. Patneaude, and Board Chair Michael Taaffe announce Nov. 5 that the major fundraising campaign for the $65 million boathouse/events center has begun.
Courtesy images
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected
approximately $65 million.
new boathouse/events center at Nathan Benderson Park is expected to generate $20 million a year in economic impact.
New rezone maps posted
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The zones for Manatee’s elementary, middle and K-8 schools will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year, while high school rezoning begins 2027-28.
When Greenbrook resident Jaime Marco typed her address into the school search tool on the School District of Manatee County website, she found that if the current rezoning maps are approved, her zoned high school will be Lakewood Ranch High School. That would be instead of the yetto-be-built and unnamed High School AAA that is being built at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boule-
CHECK YOUR ZONE To see rezoning maps visit ManateeSchools.net/O/SDMC/Page/20262027-Residential-Attendance-Zones.
vard. This sparked some confusion for Marco, as she is 3 miles away from Lakewood Ranch High and only 1.2 miles from where the new school will be located.
“The
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
Madison Bierl
Braden River High School students such as Alanna Hall, Luna Martinez Juarez and Abigail Insley might not be having lunch together when the new school zones are adopted.
parents express concern about their children being split up from the friends they developed in elementary school and middle school once they are assigned a high school. She isn’t worried about that possibility.
“In the real world, you don’t need to be with the same people all the time,” Marco said. “It’s actually healthier for you to meet new people and have new experiences.”
The school district website was updated with its latest rezoning maps Nov. 3. A school district representative said it is still open to feedback with the possibility of more changes before the final approval.
The next round of public meetings to give parents an opportunity to voice opinions and concerns will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Nov. 17 at Braden River High School, 6:309 p.m. Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch High and 6:30-9 p.m. Nov. 20 at Parrish Community High.
The district is working under its Policy 5120.02, Rezoning of Designated Residential Attendance Zones, which was updated in October. It notes that the school board might consider revisions to the policy due to construction of new schools and or adding on to existing schools, or closing a school, in order to adapt.
In that policy, there are three exemptions for students to remain at their current school through the rezoning process:
n If a student is entering his or her final year at that school, he or she can choose to stay and not move to the newly assigned school.
n If a student in his or her final year at the current school has siblings currently at that school, they can choose to remain through that final year until the older sibling graduates.
n The third exemption states that no current elementary student who has been rezoned during his or her time at that school will be required to be rezoned again.
In all three of those exemptions, the district does not provide those students with transportation to and from school.
The district also has added two new provisions — the Legacy Provision and the Founders Provision — to the policy.
“We know this can be a very emotional, disruptive process,” said Derek Jensen, deputy superintendent of instructional services. “Our students love their schools and our families have all kinds of reasons for choosing the schools they choose for their families. In an effort to help kind of mitigate some of those factors as part of this process, we have this.”
The Legacy Provision is designed to offer students the opportunity to remain at their current school until the highest grade but they have to find their own transportation.
Heritage Harbour resident Adam Samblis has a son, Connor, who is currently zoned for and attends Parrish Community High School. With the new map, his new zone would be Braden River High School. Adam Samblis was happy to hear about the new provisions and said they
are “absolutely necessary,” not only for his son who wishes to stay at his school, but all of the students who want to do the same.
“It’s devastating to uproot a kid and just put them somewhere else, but I understand that we’ve got a lot of kids and we’re overcrowded,” Samblis said. “I get they have to make the change and it does sound like with those other provisions, they’re trying to accommodate for that. They’re smart enough to understand and they’ve listened to what a lot of parents think.”
The rezoning process will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year for all elementary, middle, and K-8 schools. New high school residential zones will not take effect until the 2027-28 school year.
The Founders Provision is designed to allow high school students an opportunity to start at their newly zoned school in the 2026-27 school year instead of one year later.
Like the other exemptions, the district does not provide transpor-
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TIMELINE
NOW THROUGH NOV. 30
The public can review the maps and submit their input online to be reviewed by the school district.
NOV. 17-20
Public rezoning meetings will take place at Braden River High School (Nov. 17), Lakewood Ranch High School (Nov. 19) and Parrish Community High School (Nov. 20) from 6:30-8 p.m.
DECEMBER 5
At the first board meeting of the month, the school board will be presented a recommendation for the final approval of the redistricting maps.
JANUARY 2026
Revised attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools are scheduled to be advertised in conjunction with the school choice window.
AUGUST 2026
tation for students.
Brian Kirchberg, a government teacher at Braden River High School, said he sees the rezoning process as something that simply needs to be done, just like taking medicine.
“It’s a pain in the butt because change is always difficult, but I don’t see any way around it, especially with all these new schools that are being built,” Kirchberg said. “You have to zone for them one way or the other. It’s something new, but in the end, hopefully it’ll be positive for all the kids who are affected.”
Where Kirchberg lives, his upcoming freshman daughter is currently zoned for Parrish but it would change to Lakewood Ranch High. Since he works at Braden River, his daughter will attend there through school choice.
Marco said it is incredible to see the amount of work and community involvement the school district is putting into the rezoning process.
“I will say that it’s impressive to see what they are doing to get this
Revised attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools, including Pre-K through 8 campuses, are scheduled to be implemented.
AUGUST 2027
Revised attendance boundaries for high schools are scheduled to be implemented
right,” Marco said. “If parents are not happy about it, all they have to do is literally show up and talk about it and share their thoughts. They want the voices of the teachers, of the families, of the students, and they welcome that. Don’t complain about something unless you’re willing to come forward, and talk about it. Now is the time to do that.”
HIGH SCHOOL ZONES
One of the biggest changes in the School District of Manatee County’s rezoning process is that all residents to the south of the Manatee River whose kids were attending Parrish Community will now be zoned for Braden River High.
Manatee River
Youth fishing volunteer hooks big award
Ed Van Stedum snags the Volunteer of the Year award at the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities’ Community Appreciation Awards.
When Ed Van Stedum showed up to this year’s Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament on Lake Uihlein at 6:30 a.m., he was sure he would be the first to arrive, but he was wrong.
Keith Pandeloglou, Paige Venuto and Danielle Bugel already were by the lake and they told him that coffee was on the way.
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“Their heart is in their job,” Van Stedum said of the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities team. “It blew me away they would be there so early and be so dedicated to the success of these events.”
Van Stedum organizes the fishing tournament each year for the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, one of over 60 clubs under the umbrella of LWRCA.
The appreciation goes both ways.
On Nov. 6, LWRCA hosted the Community Appreciation Awards: 25 Year Anniversary Edition at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
Van Stedum won the Leroy Smith Volunteer of the Year award.
Pandeloglou is the CEO of LWRCA and was the emcee for the evening. When it came time to award the Group/Club of the Year award, he called the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library a “powerhouse.”
That descriptor speaks to both the group’s fundraising prowess and the tenacity of its members.
Before raising more than $410,000 to stock the library’s shelves with books, the group had to first persuade commissioners to build a library.
President Sue Ann Miller said it took a strong two-year advocacy effort to get commissioners to vote
AWARD WINNERS
Rookie of the Year: Eric Konovalov
Lifestyle Director of the Year: Angie Gore (Lorraine Lakes)
Community Manager of the Year: Samara Williamson (The Lake Club)
LWRCA Group/Club of the Year: Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library
Leroy Smith Volunteer of the Year: Ed Van Stedum
President’s Circle: Trevor Kovatch and Janis Ballard
Don O’Leary Lifetime Achievement: Kelly Gilliland
6-1 in favor of the Lakewood Ranch Library in 2021.
Because LWRCA is celebrating its 25th anniversary, there was one special award created for this year’s ceremony — the Don O’Leary Lifetime Achievement Award.
“We named this award after Don O’Leary because he embodied everything that we stand for — service, integrity and a relentless commitment to building community,” Pandeloglou said.
Kelly Gilliland, vice president of Horizon Mortgage Corp., was given the honor for embodying “that same spirit of gratitude, resilience and generosity every day.”
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Lesley Dwyer
Sue Ann Miller, Regina Negrycz and Sue Glass represent the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, which won the award for the Group/Club of the Year.
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Lakewood Ranch HONORS ITS VETERANS
The Tribute to Heroes Parade marches for the first time into November.
JAY HEATER
MANAGING EDITOR
The Tribute to Heroes Parade made its November debut on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, and the veterans who participated in a pre-parade meal at Town Hall would say it was a successful one.
Several of those veterans noted on Nov. 9 that such events are important so this country’s history can be told accurately.
That might have meant listening to the few remaining World War II veterans who served in the European or Pacific Theaters. It could have included stories about the Battle of Osan in South Korea or hearing what it was like for an Air Force pilot to fly along the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam War.
There were plenty of other stories, too, which are not so familiar.
Take for instance Ron Hovington, a 10-year military veteran who served four years in the Coast Guard and six years in the Air Force.
While everyone knows about those branches of the service, they might not be familiar with the organization that became Hovington’s main duty in the service — SAGE.
The Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system was an air defense system that utilized a series of radars and computers to track and intercept enemy or hostile aircraft. The system — developed by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory — went online in 1963 and was developed to guard from the threat of Soviet bombers.
Hovington, who was an E-6 (He called it a rank just before chief), was one of the soldiers who worked with computers and monitored the system in places such as the Topsham (Maine) Air Force Station that was closed in 1969 and the Charleston (Maine) Air Force Station, a radar station that was closed in 1980.
He also worked with SAGE on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
“You haven’t been on a ship until you have been off the coast of Greenland in November,” he said with a laugh.
The parade itself went smoothly down Lakewood Ranch Main Street with many veterans and other community groups participating. The parade always was held in May, usually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, until the move to the weekend before Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11.
the East County Observer’s Lori Ruth, Army Sgt. Bob Hambrecht, Army E-5 Specialist Dan Huttinger and Air Force Staff Sgt. Joe Zummo meet at the parade dinner organized by Ruth.
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Photos by Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch’s Sue Rider and Mary Hargraves are in the spirit at the start of the Tribute to Heroes Parade on Nov. 9 in Lakewood Ranch.
John Joly and Tom Rokosz of the Knights of Columbus lead their group in the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Ron Hovington, who was about to ride in the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch, served in the military 10 years, including four years in the Coast Guard and six years in the Air Force.
Air Force Vietnam veteran Chuck Slenker, Army Col. Gill Ruderman,
Tidewell Hospice Clowns Meredith Sweeney and John Finnegan of Lakewood Ranch and Betty Palsgrove of Palmetto provide a little comic relief during the Tribute to Heroes
Del Webb’s Kelly Naughton and Karen Nasello carry the banner for the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters during the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.
Major Dwight Thompson rides in the Tribute to Heroes Parade on Nov. 9 in a jeep owned by Parrish’s Dale Aylward.
Del Webb’s Herman Martinez, an Army Sergeant in Vietnam, throws little American flags to the crowd during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Lee Waters, who was a command pilot in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, appreciates the veterans’ meal provided before the Tribute to Heroes Parade each year.
Despite challenges, local parade marches forward
Iwill admit I liked the Tribute to Heroes Parade being held in May. Of course, since I moved to the area 10 years ago, that’s all I’ve known — until now.
Sure, the rains were a problem in May, and people complained that a parade on Memorial Day weekend should only focus on those who died in service to our country.
But, all-in-all, I thought it was a good fit.
So I was interested to see how Lakewood Ranch Communities would do after taking over the parade for the first time from Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and moving it to another spot on the calendar.
Being a bona fide parade critic, I want to start by saying that the hard work and organization done by Lakewood Ranch Communities’ Nicole Hackel and Grace Flowers stood out in the finished product.
The parade came off right on time and had a nice combination of entries — meaning not too many meaningless vehicles that only entered for advertising purposes and not a crazy number of jeeps or motorcycles from their respective clubs. Some of that is welcome, but too many can get old in a hurry.
Those who lined the streets thoroughly enjoyed the floats, along with all those parade participants who interacted with them by throwing candy, flags, beads or other little gems.
They would have enjoyed the bands, too, but Hackel said the Booker High Marching Band and a bagpipers’ group both canceled the day before the parade without giving a reason.
Everything was over in about an hour, which seemed just right. Oh, and the live music during the pre-party supplied by country singer Jesse Daniels was first class. He could be the warm-up entertainment every year as far as I am concerned.
It, indeed, was a success for Lakewood Ranch Communities, despite the many challenges the committee faced.
It certainly made sense moving a Tribute to Heroes parade to the weekend before Veterans Day, until you consider the competition. You have the gargantuan Santa’s Grand
Open Enrollment Period,
Arrival Parade, which was held the day before (Nov. 8) the Tribute to Heroes Parade (Nov. 9).
The parades target completely different themes — Santa’s Grand Arrival welcoming the holiday season and shopping, while the Tribute to Heroes is self-explanatory. The Santa’s Grand Arrival is a regional
event that attracts up to 20,000 visitors, while the Tribute to Heroes is a local event where a couple of thousand attendees would be cozy.
In the end, they are parade apples and oranges, so you would think one wouldn’t affect the other.
However, being a day apart, you have to consider families who attended the mass jam that is UTC on Saturday aren’t likely to pack the kids up for another parade on Sunday. They are worn out.
Then when you add all the other veterans’ events over the course of a week, you come to the realization that people’s calendars are full.
Further complicating matters for the local parade committee was a looming November rainstorm that, thankfully, held off until the last parade entries were finishing the route. Unfortunately, though, it is likely the pending storm kept people away from attending.
So thumbs up or thumbs down for future Tribute to Heroes parades in November?
This could be partially answered by the veterans themselves. This effort, by Hackel, Flowers, their committees and all the parade volunteers is for the community, but especially to honor our veterans and first responders. If the veterans and first responders don’t show any passion for the parade, it’s going to die.
Veterans’ VIP tents on Rodeo Drive near the parade route’s final strides were virtually empty. Thankfully, veterans did take advantage of the complimentary lunch provided at Town Hall by Remy’s, Ed’s Tavern, the Twisted Pit and the East County Observer
However, many of the veterans who have pumped energy into the event over the years are aging. It’s a must that younger veterans or first responders step forward to become involved in the event. Where are you?
These kinds of events take several
months of planning and work. I am sure Lakewood Ranch Communities is waiting for a sign that people in the community value the event. I look forward to the parade every year, and I feel a salute to our local veterans and first responders is important. But I am realistic, too. If local bands aren’t willing to participate or honor their commitment, it is another strike against going forward.
The parade committee also can help itself by cleaning up some weaknesses in this version of the Tribute to Heroes Parade. There was no sound system along Lakewood Main Street to alert those who attended to what was coming. An emcee handled those duties by the fountain, but that was the only place the announcements could be heard.
There was no piped-in patriotic music for the event, which stood out since the live bands didn’t show up. The pre-parade block party probably needs to be reworked to draw a better crowd. The parade route was empty 20 minutes before the first entry came down the street. You know that Lakewood Ranch Communities will analyze all these factors before making a decision if or when to host the next Tribute to Heroes Parade. If you have suggestions on how to make the parade better, or whether you like it in May or November, please send me an email at JHeater@YourObserver.com.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
Photos by Jay Heater
Del Webb’s Becky and Ralph Ciujan make use of the veterans’ seating area just before the rain begins to fall at the end of the Tribute to Heroes Parade.
Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch’s Paul Roy was a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy who was getting ready for the Tribute to Heroes Parade at the pre-parade veterans’ meal.
Support needed to sustain Manatee’s agriculture
Farm-City Week is a longstanding Kiwanis tradition (in November) that celebrates the partnership between rural and urban communities that keeps our food supply safe and plentiful.
Manatee County has been rooted in agriculture for more than a century, from beef and dairy cattle to tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, aquaculture, ornamental plants, and more. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Manatee County declined from 753 in 2017 to 692 in 2022, while total farmland increased from 192,630 to 219,316 acres.
Over the same period, the average farm size grew from 256 to 317 acres. Taken together, these shifts suggest consolidation, fewer but larger operations, indicating that agricultural land remains in active production even as the county grows and changes. That continuity reflects a community committed to sustaining the legacy of agriculture in Manatee County.
Agriculture faces many challenges, from rising production and labor costs, lower commodity prices, higher taxes, increased import competition, natural disasters, and persistent pests and diseases. Yet many producers continue through these headwinds to uphold the legacy of working lands. Manatee County is at a tipping point with more development ahead.
We as residents must make a deliberate effort to support local agriculture. As Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson notes, “Food security is a national security issue.” Manatee County is fortunate to have fresh commodities grown and raised here — so the question is simple — If you want fresh, local products, how will you support agriculture in our county and our state?
Supporting local doesn’t always look like a farm-stand purchase. Often it means knowing where producers send their goods. For example, Jones Potatoes grows for
Frito-Lay, so when you buy Lay’s potato chips, you’re supporting a local farm. Likewise, Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries doesn’t run a retail garden center, but you can support them by choosing their plants at Home Depot.
Once you know where county products end up, choosing local gets easier. And if you want handson farm experiences, the Manatee County UF/IFAS Food Systems Directory lists places open to the public, from petting zoos and flower-picking fields to seasonal festivals and guided educational tours, so you can immerse your family in local agriculture.
Agricultural youth programs give students hands-on skills, leadership experience, and real paths into ag careers. In Manatee County, there are 24 4-H clubs and 14 FFA chapters offering projects across animal science, horticulture, and more. Even if you don’t have school-aged children, you can help by buying an animal or plant at the Manatee County Fair, attending a plant sale hosted by a local horticulture program, or volunteering. These programs need sustained support if we expect the next generation to carry the work forward. According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, only 6.6% of Florida farmers are under age 34, clear evidence that investing in 4-H and FFA is essential to preserving Manatee County’s agricultural legacy.
Supporting local isn’t only about buying products or backing ag education. In Florida, farms pay an annual Tangible Personal Property tax on equipment, tractors, harvesters, and more for as long as they own it. A $25,000 statewide exemption helps, and taxes decline as gear depreciates, but the bill returns every year until the equipment is sold, moved, or exempted. The average cost of a one row crop tractor is roughly $150,000, for just one piece of equipment. Much of this equipment is crop specific and hard to resell to other producers, a form of functional obsolescence that limits recoverable value. Unwarranted taxation drives food costs and causes even thinner margins, which is why supporting propos-
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als, such as this 2026 Florida ballot initiative, to reduce or eliminate TPP on farm machinery is another powerful way to sustain agriculture for both small and large operations.
Farm-City Week is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that Manatee County’s future still grows from its fields and upholds a longstanding legacy. The question for residents is simple. Will we choose habits and policies that keep local agriculture thriving? Our county is growing and changing, and our agricultural producers are adapting, too. As residents, we can help ensure this legacy not only continues but thrives for generations.
Read labels and choose local, drive a few extra minutes to a produce stand, and support a 4-H or FFA student. Agriculture anchors our county, our state, and our nation. The industry has risen to the occasion time after time. Now it’s our turn to step up for the people who feed us.
JANYEL TAYLOR
BOARD MEMBER ON THE MANATEE COUNTY FARM BUREAU AND THE FLORIDA NURSERY, GROWERS AND LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
Observer editor way off base
Are you oblivious?
We moved here more than five years ago to escape the insanity of over taxation. In less than that time, our property taxes and HOA fees now are on par with what we escaped.
If you and your colleagues think that taxes — coupled with Florida Power and Light’s insane rate increase on residents while holding back less expensive constant duty, on-demand gas powered energy versus Chinese solar panels, inverters and batteries at eight times the expense — makes sense, then you are part of the problem.
It’s apparent that clueless liberals continue to run the lame stream media.
TODD STACK LAKEWOOD RANCH
SMR President-CEO Rex Jensen gets whatever he wants
It’s good to be The King, even if it’s only of Manatee County.
What happens if a regular county resident has to wait for traffic to pass the street intersection where he or she works, and during the evening rush hour has to cross traffic to make a left turn and it might be a long wait for traffic to clear?
The answer is nothing ever happens. That’s his or her life, although they do have the option of changing jobs, which one of Manatee County Board of County Commission members would tell that individual.
However, if you are The King, you can have your county build a roundabout at that intersection or you yourself can just build a roundabout so you might get home quicker.
Is there supposed to be a new proposed roundabout for The King (Rex Jensen) at Lorraine Road and Covenant Way?
Guess what, this is where the headquarters of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch is located. SMR probably is the most powerful and influential land developer in the county.
Wow, what a surprise.
MARTY COHN
LAKEWOOD RANCH
(EDITOR’S NOTE: THERE IS NO ROUNDABOUT PLANNED FOR THE INTERSECTION OF LORRAINE ROAD AND CONVENANT WAY)
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
Have something to tell us? Send your letters to Jay Heater at JHeater@YourObserver.com.
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The Art of Waterfront Living at Wild Blue
Lakewood Ranch’s premier waterfront community offers exceptional resort-style living with stunning single-family homes by the region’s most sought-after builders. In response to phenomenal demand, Wild Blue at Waterside has released new premium homesites.
The spectacular 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, opening Fall 2026, will feature resort pools, dining, putting course, golf simulator, cinema, and fitness center. Residents are already enjoying Midway Sports Park, now open with tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.
Secure your place in Sarasota’s most distinctive waterfront address.
Bit by the dragon
The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park’s nonprofit conservancy.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Rickard Jensen proudly admits he’s been “bit by the dragon.”
ABOUT THE NONPROFIT
For information about the Nathan Benderson Park Veterans Dragon Boating Program, visit NathanBendersonPark. org/Paddling/.
Mission statement: To allow veterans of all abilities to paddle together, build comradeship and support their mental and physical well-being.
from being the first to arrive at every practice to prepare the boats.
During the week, Jensen arrives at Nathan Benderson Park around 1 p.m. for a 5 p.m. practice. On Saturdays, he’s at the park before 5 a.m.
In 2023, his dedication to the team was recognized by the Manatee County Veterans Council when he was named “Veteran of the Year.”
Jensen formed the team in 2021 with just five veterans. Currently, the team has about 25 veteran members who range in age from their late 30s to their early 80s.
Both men and women, disabled and not, make up the team.
“We don’t care what branch or what age,” Jensen said. “If you’re a veteran, you’re family. We’re all one group.”
Part of his impetus to form the team was the suicide rate among veterans in 2021 was 22 deaths per day. Jensen had found peace on the water that he wanted to share with others.
The team is coming off a recent, and Jensen says unexpected, victory at the Lake Hernando Dragon Boat Festival on Nov. 1. After coming in second place during the first two races, the team won the final race and took home a gold medal.
Aloisi, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, described dragon boating as “the ultimate team sport.” He said most of their races are won or lost by fractions of a second. Similar to any military mission, if the team isn’t working together, the mission won’t be successful.
Familiarity is one reason Jensen and other veterans get bit by the dragon. Synchronized paddling is akin to military marching. Each individual has to stay in step with the whole.
Jensen took great care in designing the team jerseys so every branch of the military is represented. It furthers the team’s camaraderie, but does not stop the good-hearted ribbing between different branches because that’s part of the fun.
The program comes with a few costs for veterans. Dragon Boat 101 is an introductory course that teaches the basics of paddling during four practices. The course normally costs $99 per person but veterans pay $89.
After the introduction, veterans pay $55 a month to participate in the program. The program covers the cost of equipment and entry fees for races. The team participates in about six dragon boat races a year.
Jensen is always seeking sponsors to help cover the costs. He’s turned his personal truck into an advertisement on wheels for the team.
The retired U.S. Army first sergeant drives from Holmes Beach to Nathan Benderson Park three times a week in a truck that has been outfitted to look like a dragon boat. Jensen is the organizer of the Veterans Dragon Boat Team, which operates under the nonprofit umbrella of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy.
“It keeps me active,” Jensen said.
When he fell, his left leg got caught in a rung on the ladder and broke in five places.
After 20 years, he still walks with crutches, but that doesn’t stop him
“I’ve also got a lot of veteran friends here, and that’s important to have because military life is completely different (than civilian life).” Jensen served 21 years in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam. However, about 10 years after he was discharged, he became disabled from a fall off a ladder while cleaning his gutters.
“We weren’t expected to win anything,” Lakewood Ranch’s John Aloisi said. “But we came together as a team.”
The team was composed of seven men and three women. Jensen said they were up against several all male teams, so it was a feat to win. Somehow, they found their “gusto” at the last moment.
Sponsors can put their name on the truck for $1,000 through the Red, White and Blue Sponsorship Program. The truck doubles as a parade float about five times a year. In 2024, the truck won a $5,000 prize for taking first place in the category of “Best Decorated Vehicle” at the UTC Holiday Parade. Jensen said much smaller donations are happily accepted, too, but the $1,000 sponsorship includes advertising for a year, a chance to paddle with the team and a team jersey. Currently, Jensen is raising money to buy the team an event tent.
“Promoting the veteran team and promoting the sport is something I enjoy,” he said. “Maybe some other veterans will get the same feeling.”
Courtesy image
Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
Lesley Dwyer
John Aloisi, Julia Janowich and Rickard Jensen are members of the veterans’ dragon boat team at Nathan Benderson Park.
Vibrant Senior Living Coming Soon to Lakewood Ranch!
Emerson Lakes Is Now Accepting Reservations.
The first phase of construction is now underway. This includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.
Everyday Resort Living
Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect:
• Multiple dining venues
• Outdoor pool with a walk-up bar
• State-of-the-art fitness center
• Pickleball and bocce ball courts
• Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden
• Firepits
Predictable Costs, Exceptional Value
Our community’s smart financial structure will provide peace of mind and security by streamlining most bills into a simple monthly payment. Your Monthly Service Package covers:
• Utilities, maintenance, and property taxes
• Cable TV, internet, and landline phone
A Community You Can Trust
• Use of fitness center, pool, and dozens of other amenities
Emerson Lakes℠ is a part of Erickson Senior Living,® one of the largest senior living providers in the nation. Here, you’ll enjoy a maintenance-free, independent lifestyle backed by over 40 years of trusted experience.
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Hugo’s Sunset Cruise
BY: TIDEWELL HOSPICE
We’ve all experienced how smells, sounds, and tastes can cause memories to come flooding back, making us feel transported to another time or place. Memories lift our spirits and cause us to forget reality - even if just for a few minutes. For Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.
Patty, a social worker on Hugo’s care team, heard him reminisce about how much he loved boating. Given our region’s proximity to the coast, Patty wondered if it would be possible to get Hugo out for one last boat trip. She spoke with Hugo’s daughter, Donna, who agreed that he would be thrilled with the opportunity.
This is where our generous community shines, because funds from the Tidewell Foundation’s “Wishes and Humanitarian Fund” made it possible for Hugo to make the trip that would allow him to enjoy a sunset cruise with Donna. Care Van Transport ensured he was safely delivered to and from the dock where the Oasis Tiki Boat waited. Having been on the water for most of his life, it was a joyous occasion for Hugo. As he relished the salty spray of the sea
and the rhythmic rock of the boat with Donna at his side, Hugo’s pain and feelings of uncertainty about the future subsided.
“We couldn’t have imagined this,” Donna said during the cruise as Hugo shook a tambourine while wearing a festive tropical lei and turquoise sunglasses. His utter delight was evident to everyone on board that afternoon.
Through its philanthropic support of Tidewell Hospice and the not-for-profit Empath Health affiliate organizations in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties, the Tidewell Foundation brightens the lives of patients, their families, and those who are grieving. Compassionate care is elevated through a variety of enriching programs and services, which include coordinating special wishes. Music, art, and pet therapies are additional options for patients and families as they cope with the barrage of emotions the end-of-life journey brings.
Learn more about the Tidwell Foundation and how you can help make wishes come true when you visit our website: www. TidewellFoundation.org or call 941-552-7546.
IT’S READ EVERYWHERE
WITH THE OBSERVER: Dawn and Sean Reilly show their East County Observer in front of the Parthenon, on the Athenian Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
A Century Old Story
A story that began over 100 years ago and is still being written today. Once a beloved landmark, now an enduring icon reborn. Mira Mar is the future of luxury living in Sarasota, grounded in the grandeur of its past, and offering an unparalleled residential experience in the heart of downtown.
One of Sarasota’s few remaining flagships of the great Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s, it is with great pride that we restore the Mira Mar to its rightful place as a gleaming icon of Sarasota.
Rising elegantly above South Palm Avenue, the revived and resplendent Mira Mar presents a limited collection of 70 estate-style residences across two 18-story towers. Each home is designed to the highest standards, with sweeping views, refined interiors, and private access to best-in-class amenities.
Mira Mar is more than a residence — it’s a return to grace.
SFWMD grants splash down in Manatee
The Southwest Florida Water Management District presented $3,000 to Lakewood Ranch High School and $2,500 to Bashaw Elementary School.
Co-Host Sponsors:
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Gold Sponsors:
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
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Titanium Sponsors:
Galen College of Nursing | Kerkering, Barberio & Company
Lennar | Lakewood Ranch GYN | Suncoast Marine Group Wessel Construction
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Affiliated Products, Inc. | Affordable Attorney, Gerling Law Group
Freedom Financial Wealth & Tax | Maids of Sarasota | Pam and Steve Schlueter
UPS STORE - Lakewood Ranch Market St | Ursula Heitman WBRC Architects Engineers Thanks
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Baron Financial Group | Blue Collar Roofing | Cardinal Mooney Catholic High
Caroline Strickland | Edward Jones | Gold Coast Eagle Distributing | Mark Golub
In knee-deep water on an April morning, Lakewood Ranch High students scooped creatures from the estuary near the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.
As they raised their nets, the students saw shrimp, crabs, seahorses and jellyfish.
“We collected the species in tanks,” said Virginia Frisbie, who graduated from Lakewood Ranch High in May. “It was a great study on estuary biodiversity as we could see in real time the proportions of different creatures that lived in the bay.”
Frisbie is the founder and past president of the Environmental Club at Lakewood Ranch High and she appreciates grants that allowed her club to take those important field trips.
A $3,000 Southwest Florida Water Management District grant that was awarded this month will allow current members of the Environmental Club to do similar field work, such as dip-netting, in the future.
“It makes it a lot easier to understand and a lot more real, seeing the processes that are happening in the natural world around us,” Frisbie said.
The SFWMD has awarded “Splash” grants to four local School District of Manatee County schools. In East County, besides Lakewood Ranch High’s grant, Bashaw Elementary School received $2,500.
The grant program, which operates within the SFWMD’s 16-county region, aims to inspire students to become “protectors of water resources” through exploratory activities.
“A grant made the entire thing possible,” Frisbie said. “We were a first-year club and it wouldn’t have been feasible for us to collect enough dues to make the trip to Mote.”
To be eligible for a grant, schools must be K-12 public or charter institutions within the SFWMD’s boundaries, with grant projects specifically focused on freshwater or estuary studies rather than broader environmental topics. Recipients are chosen through a lottery system.
SFWMD GRANT PROGRAM
Divided among 52 educators within the Southwest Florida Water Management District, $113,138 in grants were given through the Splash! school grant program. The program has awarded grants since 1997. The District works to “protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public’s water needs are met.” For more information, visit WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.
mindful of their water use,” said Katherine Squitieri, lead communications coordinator for the SFWMD. Squitieri said last year the program’s participating schools reported an average 30% increase in water education topic comprehension based on pre- and post-test results.
“I just want to stress the importance of volunteering and education, along with getting outside to see the world that you live in,” Frisbie said. “The grant was a great way to do that.”
Tana Phelps, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, applied for the grant both last year and this year. Each time the grant awarded was $3,000.
Richard Smith, the stem lab and science teacher at Bashaw Elementary, is using the grant money in a different way. Rather than taking his kids on a field trip, he is putting together a 120-gallon, above-ground pond on campus.
The pond will feature viewing windows that allow students to make real time observations of aquatic ecosystems.
Grepling Family Trust |Heart Specialists of Sarasota | Ralph Hoenle/David White
JBW Employment Services | Midyett Team Keller Williams On the Water Ringling College of Art & Design | Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Sarasota Private Trust | Chuck Polis/Merrill Lynch | Tommasi Heindrun
“The overall goal of the grants is to inspire students to be protectors of water resources and to be more
“So many science concepts can be learned from something as simple as a pond,” Smith said.
During a field trip to Mote Marine Laboratory, students are given an opportunity to see sea creatures up close and explore whether a career in science is for them.
Photo courtesy Mote Marine Laboratory
“I’ve
loved the competitiveness of it, the grind, and always seeing (myself) getting better.”
Taryn Nguyen, a four-time district champion with Braden River girls’ golf, is headed to her final state tourney.
THE DRIVE TO BE A CHAMPION
There was no tee box to swing from when Taryn Nguyen first picked up a club. Greens were nowhere to be found. Bunkers were imaginary obstacles.
Her introductory arena proved to be the front yard of her grandparents’ Bradenton home. That didn’t turn out so well for nearby residents.
“My grandfather (Kerry Leitch) got me these birdie balls (limited flight practice balls) to hit,” Nguyen said. “I would hit in the yard, but when I started hitting my neighbor’s house, he started letting me go to the golf course.”
At 3 years old, she quickly became inseparable from the sport. By the time she was 4, Leitch reckoned she was ready for lessons, starting out at The River Club.
While golf is among her many childhood memories, it has endured more than the others. This sport is her past, present and future.
Nguyen will conclude her high school career with the Braden River High girls’ golf team Nov. 18 at the FHSAA Class 2A state championship, held at the Mission Resort and Club. She’s committed to NJCAA Division I’s Daytona State College, the 11-time national champion in women’s golf.
The senior, whose best finish at the state tournament is tied for 12th in 2023, is a four-time individual champion of District 2A-12, having completed the wire-to-wire feat Oct. 27. Despite an off day at the regional tournament — by her high standards — Nguyen tied for 12th and will compete at the state tournament for the fourth time.
“I take every tournament as it comes,” Nguyen said. “Thinking about the little techniques and trusting my swing when I get to the golf course is what, I think, gets me very consistent.”
She was named Girls Golfer of the Year at the 2023-24 Sarasota-Man-
atee High School Sports Awards. Last season, she finished T-14th statewide after taking top honors in region 2A-3.
None of that surprised Leitch, a retired world and Olympic figure skating coach, who always knew she had a “natural swing.” Back when he could play, he frequented the course himself on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Nguyen was around his house regularly as a child, and as her obsession with the game grew, he was a tireless advocate. No other family member of hers shared his genuine interest in the sport.
Getting into golf early, though, didn’t prepare Nguyen for the environment of a high school team. Support system aside, her competitive journey leading up to her freshman year had only ever been individual — just her, a club and the ball.
Nerves troubled Nguyen as a newcomer to high school golf. But James Straub, the Braden River girls’ golf and boys’ tennis coach, happily welcomed her and took notice of what she brought to the table.
“Extremely talented for somebody who was a freshman. The most talented freshman that I had seen, probably in either sport,” Straub said. “And she always had a very positive mental attitude. She was always willing to accept input.”
Success followed suit.
Nguyen won her first postseason tournament as a high schooler, shooting 80 (+8) at River Wilderness Country Club in Parrish for the 2022 district 2A-12 championship. She beat out two juniors, and handily so, with a six-stroke margin of victory.
There was obvious talent in her drives, chips and putts, but what opponents didn’t see was how she learned to cherish the team atmosphere. Straub still hasn’t forgotten the sounds of Nguyen and her teammates belting out tunes at the top of their lungs during practice.
After freshman jitters faded away, her concerns in more recent years have often centered around the men-
TARYN NGUYEN’S SENIOR SEASON SCORECARD
■ +9 on Nov. 5 at Heritage Isles GCC
■ +4 on Oct. 27 at Boca Royale GCC
■ -2 on Oct. 15 at Bradenton CC
■ +3 on Oct. 9 at Tara GCC
■ -1 on Sept. 25 at Lakewood National
GC
■ -1 on Sept. 24 at Tara GCC
■ E on Sept. 17 at Tara GCC
■ E on Sept. 16 at Serenoa GC
■ -3 on Sept. 11 at The Links at Greenfield Plantation GC
■ +1 on Sept. 2 at Lakewood Ranch CC
■ +1 on Aug. 27 at Tara GCC
■ E on Aug. 20 at River Strand GCC
tal side of the game. That can feel like waging war, at times, for young golfers. A few inches can mean the difference between making par or carding a costly double-bogey.
“Whenever I (have) had a bad hole, sometimes it just messes with my mental (state),” Nguyen said. “I get a little bit more into myself, like I’m sad. I also get angry. But it’s more like I get upset with myself, ‘Why did you do this? Why did you do that?’”
Private coach Jon Bullas — a Florida Atlantic men’s golf alumnus — has been instrumental in helping Nguyen win that ongoing battle. He’s been through those hoops before and has offered relatability in that regard ever since they started working together four years ago.
Their collaboration has improved Nguyen’s distance on every club. Once hitting around 200 yards with her driver as a freshman, she’s now sending the ball 230 or 240 at best. She used to work on hitting the ball 15 feet or just reaching the green with her irons, but now, she’s going for the pin whenever possible.
Straub, whose expertise lies more in tennis than in golf, has often looked to Nguyen for assistance.
“But she would do it even if I didn’t ask her to do it,” Straub said. “She was always willing to get along with everybody else, regardless of their level. They could be just a beginner and she was still standing there trying to make some suggestions.”
He can’t recall any former Pirate who won the district title four years in a row. He doesn’t know if there’s anyone from another program in district 2A-12 who’s done it before.
Consistency, though, transcends her performance. Whether it was Year 1 with Braden River, her final season now or even those beginner lessons inspired by Leitch, there’s been one true constant.
She is forever enamored with the sensations of the sport.
“I love the feeling of hitting a good, striking ball and making a good putt,” Nguyen said. “It just feels amazing.”
FAST BREAK
Sasha Pastujov, of Lakewood Ranch, has two goals and five assists through 11 games this season with the San Diego Gulls, who are the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. He was picked by the Ducks at No. 66 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, and in 2024-25, tallied 17 goals and 28 assists for the Gulls.
... The Out-of-Door Academy placed sixth in the FHSAA Class 1A girls’ swimming and diving state championship Nov. 8 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. Arabella Newport Derbyshire won bronze in the 100-meter butterfly in 55.77 — a personal best — while fellow junior Zoe Gruber clocked a personalbest 2:02.85 in the 200-yard individual medley, also finishing third. Gruber is a regional champion in the 200-yard medley relay, 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard individual medley. Newport Derbyshire is a regional champion in the 100yard butterfly and the 200-yard medley relay.
... Paced by juniors Colton Prater and Jacob Gomez, the Lakewood Ranch boys’ cross country team placed fourth at the Class 4A District 6 championship Nov. 8 at North Port High School. Prater placed 14th of 180 runners in the boys’ 5K race in 16:42.6, and was followed by Gomez, who placed 27th in 17:20.9. The girls’ team finished 11th with its best finish from junior Addison Shear (20:33.2) in 23rd place. ... In the 1A 6 district championship, ODA cross country placed third in both the boys’ and girls’ 5K races. Senior Kevin Gyurka ran a 16:42.8 — placing third individually — while eighth-grader Morgan White clocked a 20:48.0 to come in eighth to pace the girls. Felipe Baffico, an ODA graduate, placed second in the 200-yard butterfly (1:49.04.) for the Harvard swim team Nov. 7 against UMass Amherst.
Courtesy image Sasha Pastujov skates for Team USA. The 22-year-old, who was born in Lakewood Ranch, has seven points through 11 games with the San Diego Gulls this season.
JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER
Taryn Nguyen gets ready to tee off at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club on Nov. 5 in the regional tournament. She tied for 12th, which qualified her for a fourth-straight state tournament berth.
Photos by Jack Nelson
Taryn Nguyen hits a sand shot at Heritage
Still a premier venue
No destination is quite like Premier Sports Campus when it comes to local soccer.
Established in 2011, it has a sprawling reach — 23 fields across 140 acres of grass. The playing surface is pristine.
That constitutes an ideal layout for youth tournaments and camps alike. But the crown jewel is a 3,500-seat stadium, which has proved attractive to more than a few elite events.
From Nov. 3-9, the stadium hosted the American Conference college women’s soccer tournament for the third consecutive year. Memphis, the No. 3 team in the country, was among that group of participating NCAA Division I squads.
The Elite Clubs National League — a top-level amateur youth soccer program — will host a boys event there from Jan. 3-5, as well as two girls events from Jan. 10-12 and Feb. 27 through March 1. The Sarasota Paradise players will play their inaugural professional season beginning in March 2026 within the stadium’s confines.
U.S. Soccer, which forms the teams that represent the country in international competition, is the highest of the high in terms of domestic organizations for the sport. There was a time when it, too, sought out PSC.
“That stadium was built to host these high-end events at the youth level, because it attracted people to the area,” said Antonio Saviano, executive director of Florida Premier FC SWFL. “When we hosted U.S. Soccer, in what we used to call the U-17 International Friendlies, you couldn’t even walk in the stadium. It was packed.”
Saviano was at the forefront of the effort to build the stadium. He served as the general manager of PSC from 2013-2019 and stayed on through Manatee County’s purchase of the facility from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch in December
2017. Under his watch, the Nike International Friendlies were held on site every November from 20112019. That event regularly pitted the U-17 Men’s National Team against opponents across the globe.
Christian Pulisic even played at Premier in 2013 and 2014. He’s now the fifth all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
“There’s so much history on that grass,” Saviano said. “Some of these players are playing in England, they’re playing in Germany, they’re playing in Italy — all over the place,” Saviano said. “They came all through the Premier Sports Campus at one point.”
Turkey and the Netherlands came all the way to Lakewood Ranch in 2019 to compete. A year prior, it was Brazil, Portugal and Turkey which made the trek.
But the Nike-sponsored event, first held in 2001, didn’t survive the COVID-19 pandemic. It hasn’t been staged since its 2020 cancellation.
Aside from a U-20 Women’s National Team pre-qualifying training camp in January 2020, U.S. Soccer has been absent from Premier.
“It’s a little bit strange,” Saviano said. “I remember when I was with SMR — the company that built that place — we even had multiple meetings about trying to actually have U.S. Soccer here as an anchor.”
A concerted effort to centralize operations is a major reason for its disappearance locally. The organization broke ground on the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, on April 8, 2024.
Designed to house all 27 national teams, the new headquarters boasts 12 outdoor fields and 200 acres of facilities. It’s scheduled to open in April 2026, and as the first national training center for the organization, could dramatically change how team schedules are built.
U.S. Soccer is headed in a direc-
tion where a return to Lakewood Ranch appears less likely. Sending national teams to Florida just won’t make as much sense with a stateof-the-art facility in Georgia.
“U.S. Soccer has also evolved a lot in the last year … so I think it’s a complex reason why it kind of moved away from Premier,” said Marcus Walfridson, the CEO and founder of the Sarasota Paradise.
“We know our job is to bring more professional soccer here. Then the county is working on bringing more tournaments, so it’s a good balance from that perspective.”
Not only is there high demand surrounding the stadium, but there’s a premium associated with it. Manatee County has different price tiers for prospective users, divided by nonprofits and forprofits. Noncounty teams hoping to rent the space are also considered differently.
Florida Premier FC SWFL — a semi-professional team — has yet
to use the stadium, though Saviano said talks with the county are ongoing. It’s budget simply isn’t big enough to make Premier a full-time home.
That being said, U.S. Soccer’s financial resources dwarf those of any local club or program. And if national soccer officials are worried about Premier’s facility quality, that really shouldn’t be a concern.
The Paradise front office is making nearly $400,000 in upgrades to the stadium ahead of its first professional season with the intention of improving the game-day experience.
Walfridson said that includes a video board, air-conditioned tents, field-side seats, seats with mobile seat-backs and a container suite.
Still, the Nike International Friendlies remained in Lakewood Ranch for nine years despite no locker rooms and only a couple thousand seats. Infrastructure isn’t what attracted prestigious competition.
“It’s the playing surface. The fields are immaculate,” Saviano said. “That’s a laser-level facility. There is no crown over the fields — it’s completely flat, because it has an underground system where it drains the water every time it rains.” The means are there for U.S. Soccer to eventually make a return to Lakewood Ranch. Whether it actually will depends more on how it views the other venues at its disposal.
That’s something PSC can’t hope to control.
Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
Donovan Plakyda
The success continues for the Lakewood Ranch High boys’ golf program as the Mustangs won their fourth consecutive Region 3 title Nov. 4 in Lutz. Donovan Plakyda, a junior, finished tied for fourth overall and carded a team-best 73 at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club to pace Lakewood Ranch to a team score of 307, which was three strokes better than Sarasota. Plakyda, who earlier won the district championship, is the East County Athlete of the Week.
When and why did you start playing golf?
I started golfing when I was in eighth grade and I played baseball competitively. I’ve always been on the shorter side, so I knew baseball time was coming (to an end), and I’d always go out golfing with my dad (Jack Plakyda). Once my love for baseball fell through, I just picked up golf. I’ve loved the competitiveness of it, the grind and always seeing (myself) getting better.
What were your goals entering your junior season with Lakewood Ranch?
I honestly just wanted to be on the starting five. I wanted to play in every tournament, and then I started playing well in every single tournament. My goal went from making the starting five to being the No. 1 seed and the person that everyone on the team could rely on.
You’ve dropped 14 strokes since your freshman season, what was the process?
That just goes along with my work ethic. I’ve always seen the potential in (myself). My (swing) coach, John Hulbert, has always told me that he’s seen the potential. Whenever we can, we’re working on my game. My workout trainer, Tyler Hosey, has made me mentally and physically stronger. Seeing my potential and what I could become helped with my confidence.
If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to JNelson@YourObserver.com.
What’s been the focus for you in practice?
Being more accurate with my irons and giving myself birdie putts and chances.
What do you hope to get out of the state tournament (at Howeyin-the-Hills) on Nov. 11-12?
For the team, I want to do the best I can for them, and for individual, I want to be in that top-five range.
When you’re not golfing, how do you like to spend your free time?
If I’m not golfing, I’m either working out or studying for the SAT.
What’s a piece of wisdom you once heard that you’ve never forgotten?
Something my dad always taught me is to be mentally strong — the mental game is most of the battle.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? Japan, because I know the golf there’s beautiful.
What’s your favorite movie? “Top Gun.” My dad was a pilot, so I’ve always grown up around planes and stuff.
Finish this sentence. Donovan Plakyda is ... Always willing to put in the work. I’m always driven. I’ve always got a goal, and once I’m on a goal, I stick to it.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Parade thrills delivered under the wire
Nokomis’ Paul Voloshen had an interesting volunteer job at the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
While high-wire artist Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana Wallenda, attempted a new feat — a crisscross lighting of UTC’s holiday lights high above the crowd of thousands — Voloshen was told just to hold tight along with about 10 other volunteers doing the same job.
Voloshen’s rope was tied into the network of wires that the Wallenda siblings were walking. On a calm November evening, Voloshen’s task was easy.
“I wasn’t worried,” Voloshen said.
Still, the Wallendas were 180 feet up, and Nik had to step over Lijana where the two wires crossed. Adding
drama to the moment, it was Lijana’s first performance in Sarasota since she fell 40 feet and was seriously injured during a 2017 rehearsal for a human pyramid trick.
The trick went perfectly. So what was Voloshen’s award?
“I wanted to be part of history,” he said.
An estimated crowd of some 20,000 enjoyed another chapter of the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade. The event started with a tribute to veterans, followed by the Wallendas, and then the parade.
A 15-minute fireworks show thrilled the crowd after the parade ended, and then the We The Kings rock group capped the night with a concert.
— JAY HEATER
A
Sarasota.
Ho ho ho. A Santa helium balloon towers over the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade route Nov. 8 at UTC.
Cha Cha Buettner and Mike Stanford added to the fun of the parade. Stanford says he loves the parade because Nik Wallenda “is the best.”
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Alex Cottalorda meets Woody and Buzz Lightyear at the Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 at UTC.
Lakewood Ranch’s Greg and Christina Gordon are ready for the parade with Danny, 4, and Leila, 7, who had their glow sticks ready.
Nik Wallenda concentrates on each step as he walks the high wire above the 2025 Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade crowd at UTC on Nov. 8. He completed a crisscross stunt with his sister, Lijana Wallenda.
VOTED SARASOTA’S TOP IMPLANT & AESTHETIC DENTISTS
Bingo crowd was A-1
With the ticket she purchased for entry into Designer Bag Bingo on Nov. 6 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, Brigid Saah received six bingo cards that she could spread out over nine bingo games during the Sisterhood for Good fundraiser.
Saah had her eyes on the $2,500 Fendi bag that was the prize for the second game.
She decided to use all six of her bingo cards on that one game.
Smart choice.
Saah walked away with one of the most valued purses of the night.
As lucky as Saah was, Sisterhood for Good and area nonprofits were the big winners. Founder Angela Massaro-Fain decided to move the event to the Grove in Lakewood Ranch with the hope of more than doubling the attendance.
That gamble worked as well as using all six bingo cards on one game. Designer Bag Bingo was a sellout at 293 players.
The event, which fuels Sisterhood for Good’s annual grants program, also was certain to bag the organization more members, as well.
JAY HEATER
Brigid Saah used all six of her bingo cards on one game, and hit the jackpot to win the Fendi purse.
Photos by Jay Heater
Sisterhood for Good’s Kathy Collums, Allison Imre Perkowski and Linda Emery share a laugh before they get down to the actual bingo.
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Celebrity Bingo caller Summer Smith-Pope gets together with Sisterhood for Good founder Angela Massaro-Fain before the Designer Bag Bingo numbers start being called.
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Mary McLain creates unique Christmas decor. The tree she’s holding was made out of pasta shells.
Seventh grader Madelyn Sutton adds to a collaborative painting.
Evan Prince, a second grader at Freedom Elementary, poses next to his masterpiece, “Warm Colored Sky.”
Creative collaboration
When a student artist walks through the doors of the Manatee River Artists Guild at Waterlefe’s annual art and craft show and sale, they’re made to feel like acclaimed artists.
They’re immediately greeted and escorted to their artwork for a photograph.
“They light up,” guild member Bev Godwin said.
For 20 years, students and Waterlefe Golf & River Club residents have come together to display and sell their arts and crafts to benefit Freedom Elementary School and Carlos E. Haile Middle School.
This year, president Laura Bryg asked Waterlefe’s Kathy Fiora to bring the start of a painting to the show. It would be up to the kids to finish it.
Fiora painted a boat. Freedom Elementary’s Evan Prince added some waves to the water underneath it, and Haile Middle’s Aniston Brockway-Macek added a yellow glow overhead in the sky.
Each student was asked to sign their name on the back of the canvas.
By the end of the day, 17 young artists made their mark on the piece.
— LESLEY DWYER
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Custom made by Ringling College graduate Scott Nuss, this ambrosia maple electric guitar is a one-of-a-kind raffle item.
Waterlefe’s Susan Proper says “Tadasana” is her favorite piece of personal artwork on display. Those are her footprints in the sand.
PET PICS
Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/Contests/Pet-Pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!
COMMUNITY
THURSDAY, NOV. 13 THROUGH
SUNDAY, NOV. 16
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING
Runs from 3-6 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Southern Kick (Friday), Side Too (Saturday), and A Pirate Over 50 (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday shows are $5; the others are free. For information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 14
MOVIE IN THE PARK
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. “Wicked” is the featured film in the free, family friendly event that is presented by Grace Community Church.
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Begins at 6 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The Sights and Sounds free arts series present the Asolo Rep on Tour production of Shakespeare 45. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.
SATURDAY. NOV. 15
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The Emily Frost Duo performs for those strolling the Waterside Place streets. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace.com.
FALL ART SHOW AND SALE
Runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch hosts its 23rd annual Fall Art Show and Sale. The art and gifts show features original works from local artists and artisans. Admission is free. For more information, go to CAALR.com.
JAZZ CONCERT
Begins at 4 p.m. at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch. The Orion Trio will perform with Scotty Wright doing vocals. Admission is $15 at
BEST BET
SATURDAY, NOV. 15 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 16
SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR
Runs each day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City. The 21st annual Sarasota Medieval Fair returns with jousting, music and medieval merriment, running every Saturday and Sunday in November. Visitors step into history with jousting tournaments, artisan markets, live performances and family friendly activities. Among the events are human combat chess, washing well wenches, the New Riders of the Golden Age jousting and the Knightwings Birds of Prey. For more information, go to SarasotaMedievalFair.com.
the door. Call 753-9365 for more information.
SUNDAY, NOV. 16
FARMERS MARKET
Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch offers seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, and other items. For information, visit MyLWR.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19
RANCH NITE WEDNESDAYS
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place. Join the crowd at Waterside Place enjoying the food trucks and live music or playing in the cornhole league during Ranch Nite Wednesdays. For information, go to MyLWR.com.
YOUR CALENDAR
LAKEWOOD RANCH
Approx.
Madison Bierl
Cape Coral’s John Svidroniv IV paints himself green as a goblin for the Sarasota Medieval Fair,.
Fair warning ... you will love Medieval fun
She
“I came because I
and
one place, and I’m always up for an excuse to bring a little sparkle to the battlefield,” Cordisco said. “I traveled for this because these kinds of events are my happy place — they blend art, storytelling, and heart, which is exactly what I love sharing with others. Every fair has its own soul, and this one had such warmth and humor that it was worth every mile.”
Cordisco won the day’s costume contest alongside Sarasota’s Nick Blair, who is no stranger to the fair. He was dressed as a Viking as well and said it is a “good bit of fun being a local.”
“The shows they have on the schedule are a must watch,” Blair said. “The vendors are very into the theme of what they are trying to sell. It’s a very fun time, all in all.”
The event is held every Saturday and Sunday in November. — MADISON BIERL
Photos by Madison Bierl Acrobellum, a colorful comedic acrobat show, includes people stacking and hilarious hijinks.
Tampa’s Ivan Blanco, Jimmy Luu, Alex Salce, Jackson Hornsby and Michael Tomas dress to impress at the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
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New Riders of the Golden Age perform theatrical medieval jousts at the Sarasota Medieval Fair on horseback.
Port Charlotte’s Evalene Abad, 6, gives her all to axe throwing, which makes her feel powerful and strong.
Clearwater’s Hannah Dragan made her cape from scratch to dress as Ella of Frell from the movie “Ella Enchanted.” Palmetto’s Isabella Johnson helped Dragan make her Benny book.
Reserve at Harbour Walk home tops sales at $4.03 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Reserve at Harbour Walk topped the week’s sales. Kami Pentecost, of Bradenton, sold her home at 676 Regatta Way to Jeb and Breanne Mulock, of Bradenton, for $4,025,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,560 square feet of living area.
WILD BLUE AT WATERSIDE
SDWB Waterside LLC sold the home at 8512 Sandpoint St. to William and Amy Morgan, of Sarasota, for $1.94 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,802 square feet of living area.
AZARIO ESPLANADE
Gregg Sturz and Mary Victoria Sturz, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14829 Montello Way to GalaFam LLC for $1.595 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,072 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.4 million in 2021.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Eugene and Sheila Seashore, trustees, of North Myrtle Beach, sold the home at 16628 Berwick Terrace to Mariano Arosemena and Gabriela Zurita, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.55 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,326 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.5 million in 2022.
Kristen Buchanan, of Grand Junction, Colorado, sold the home at 14611 Leopard Creek Place to Therese Murphy Firestone and William Curtis Firestone, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.325 million. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,206 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2019.
Kelly Charles Irwin and Denise Leeman Irwin, of Bradenton, sold their home at 16612 Collingtree Crossing to Charles and Sheryl Lamb, of Akron, Ohio, for $870,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,212 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2021.
Mitchell Clott and Cynthia Roberts sold their home at 14717 Leopard Creek Place to Robert and Tina Hannaford, of Lakewood Ranch, for $800,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,326 square feet of living area.
HIGHGATE
Heather Nalu, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 7211 Marston Court to John Francis Gallagher Jr. and Patricia Eileen Gallagher, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, for $1.325 million. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,821 square feet of living area. It sold for $782,000 in January.
RIVERDALE REVISED
Jeb Cote Mulock and Breanne Mulock sold their home at 4519 Blue Marlin Drive to William Dean Mixon and Janet Mixon, of Bradenton, for $1.259 million. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,556 square feet of living area. It sold for $775,000 in 2017.
COUNTRY CLUB
Gini Lizette Lovell Tepper, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 6835 Turnberry Isle Court to Steven Aron, of Lakewood Ranch, for $900,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, one-and-two-half baths, a pool and 2,829 square feet of living area. It sold for $510,000 in 2017.
POLO RUN
Steven and Pamela Lowery, of Parrish, sold their home at 17320 Polo Trail to Devin and Karina Blanton, of Bradenton, for $860,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms,
three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 2,779 square feet of living area. It sold for $573,000 in 2021.
CRESSWIND
Santo Ricciardi and Maria Lourdes Ricciardi sold their home at 4988 Fairhope Circle to Richard and Karen Lynn Gonlin, of Lakewood Ranch, for $790,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,302 square feet of living area. It sold for $899,900 in 2025.
KENWOOD PARK
Mervyn Hamburg, trustee, of Lewes, Delaware, sold the home at 8319 Abingdon Court to Shirley Barrack, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,200 square feet of living area. It sold for $699,900 in 2021.
MAGNOLIA HAMMOCK AT UNIVERSITY PLACE
John Zimmerman and Damaris Crespo-Zimmerman sold their home at 7704 Heyward Circle to William Patrick Schmeising and Amanda Ciraolo Schmeising, of Bradenton, for $750,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,540 square feet of living area. It sold for $607,000 in 2021.
GREENBROOK
Anthony and Roseanna Gula, of Sarasota, sold their home at 6610
Rosy Barb Court to Matthew Anzai and Sarah Thomas, of Lakewood Ranch, for $735,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,117 square feet of living area. It sold for $487,000 in 2013.
MILL CREEK
Steven and Roxie Brown, trustees, of Parrish, sold the home at 14526 17th Ave. E. to Isaac Bonilla and Camila Breyer Bonilla, of Bradenton, for $706,800. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,764 square feet of living area.
Mark and Kelly Riforgiat, of Parrish, sold their home at 13631 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Nicholas Terzian-Griffin and Taylor Ann Griffin, of Bradenton, for $484,400. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,768 square feet of living area. It sold for $179,300 in 1999.
GREYHAWK LANDING WEST
James D’Angelo and Margaret Sims, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 11918 Petunia Terrace to Randal and Myrna Paine, of Bradenton, for $700,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,513 square feet of living area. It sold for $574,900 in 2020.
Kenneth Haines and Lisa Barnard
Haines, trustees, sold the home at 12215 Goldenrod Ave. to Cornell Douglas Casey and Constance Carmel Casey, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 2,203 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2020.
DEL WEBB
Robert and Betty Peterson, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, sold their home at 6714 Alstead Circle to John and Lynda Favorite, of Bradenton, for $690,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,084 square feet of living area. It sold for $859,100 in 2023.
Clint Frederic Binder, of Reston, Virginia, sold his home at 17224 Corinna Place to Grace Andry-Lee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $631,100. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,000 square feet of living area. It sold for $453,200 in 2018.
EMERALD LANDING AT WATERSIDE
Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 7258 Kodiak Lane to William Reynolds and Maricela Reynolds, trustees, of Sarasota, for $675,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,759 square feet of living area.
RIVER CLUB SOUTH
Ronald and Lori Hamilton, of British Columbia, Canada, sold their home at 10022 Laurel Valley Ave. Circle to Patricia Meers, of Pittsburgh, for $665,000. Built in 1996,
Lesley Dwyer
This Wild Blue at Waterside home at 8512 Sandpoint St. sold for $1.94 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,802 square feet of living area.
GUN SHOW
it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,679 square feet of living area.
TARA Richard Heinrichs, trustee, sold the home at 6901 Chickasaw Bayou Road to Donald Patt and Patricia Patt, trustees, of Bradenton, for $665,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths, a pool and 2,398 square feet of living area. It sold for $408,000 in 2016.
Charles and Denise Smark, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6917 Pleasant Hill Road to Michael and Diane Hopkins, of Kings Park, New York, for $657,500. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,100 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 2018.
CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE
Howard Stanten and Erin Wright, of Dover, New Hampshire, sold their home at 5135 Creekside Trail to James and Ursula Faix, of Sarasota, for $560,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,130 square feet of living area. It sold for $615,000 in 2023.
HERITAGE HARBOUR
Amy and Timothy Smith, of Dubuque, Iowa, sold their home at 358 River Enclave Court to Scott and Tracie Sherman, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, for $555,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,840 square feet of living area. It sold for $530,000 in 2022.
Martha and C. Scott Moore, of Bradenton, sold their home at 324 Whispering Palms Lane to Ray and Frances Taylor, of Bradenton, for $525,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,402 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2015.
SAVANNA
Mark Schroeppel, of Riverview, sold the home at 13627 American Prairie
Place to Logan Chappuies, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,268 square feet of living area. It sold for $383,500 in 2019.
CENTRAL PARK
Nancy and Adam Studd sold their home at 4923 Mission Park Lane to Christian William Baskerville and Bethany Baskerville, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,702 square feet of living area. It sold for $357,500 in 2020.
OLD GROVE AT GREENFIELD PLANTATION
Gail Diane Sunray, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 10523 Old Grove Circle to Charles Parker and Lisa Taylor, of Baltimore, for $500,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,007 square feet of living area.
GREYHAWK LANDING
HPA Borrower 2017-1 ML LLC sold the home at 12342 Lavender Loop to Brendan and Alexander McCaffery, of Bradenton, for $495,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,821 square feet of living area. It sold for $414,500 in 2017.
WENTWORTH
Norma Wainright, trustee, of Redmond, Washington, sold the home at 7305 Saint Georges Way to Michael Gray and Daniela Soiman, of Bradenton, for $489,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,980 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2003.
ESPLANADE
Carin and Mark Korros, of St. Petersburg, sold their home at 5327 Vaccaro Court to Craig Pittinger, trustee, of Arnold, Maryland, for $475,000. Built in 2012, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,672 square feet of living area. It sold for $334,400 in 2019.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
BREAKABLES by Pam Klawitter, edited by Jared Goudsmit
