East County Observer 12.17.20

E A ST COUNTY

Health Matters DECEMBER 2020

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

STEP UP YOUR

MEAL GAME

No need to sacrifice health for flavor this holiday season.

SEE PAGE 2

INSIDE HEARING REIMAGINED

Local nonprofit implants new cochlear system.

•

EAST COUNTY

Observer

PAGE 6

BETTER CARE

Merger brings affordable health care.

PAGE 7

PICTURE OF HEALTH

Stay fit using habits that you enjoy.

PAGE 10

FREE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

VOLUME 23, NO. 6

YOUR TOWN

Nate’s construction on schedule Pandemic hasn’t altered animal rescue’s September completion date. PAGE 3

Liz Ramos

Burro will ring in new year Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy received an early Christmas gift this year when Sarasota’s Amanda and Eddie Lopez donated Teddy, a burro, to the nonprofit.

“Everyone loves him,” said Rebecca Blitz, the executive director of SMART. “He makes you know he’s present. He brings a happy energy.”

Teddy (above with Blitz) is the nonprofit’s first burro and will be a companion for Magic, a 26-year-old blind horse. To help Magic know where Teddy is, Blitz plans to braid small silver bells into Teddy’s mane.

MAIN MESSAGE

‘I DO’

Greenbrook couple takes wedding vows in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

SEE PAGE 10

Liz Ramos

After months of tackling obstacles as a result of the pandemic, Greenbrook’s Crystal Avery and Marty Satz married during a ceremony on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Brendan Lavell

Masks for tots The Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club donated kid-sized masks to the Children’s Guardian Fund at a drivethru charity collection to serve 90 children who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Children’s Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Kaminsky (above) said the drive-thru was a new concept for the organization and was used to help limit contact because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Loving Stitches Ministry from Our Lady of the Angels also participated, donating blankets and duffel bags.

A+E

Artistic response to pandemic challenge.

SEE PAGE 12

Future commission clashes loom Battle for power likely as commission enters the new year.

SEE PAGE 4

Brendan Lavell

Commissioner George Kruse, who raised the motion to reconsider a vote to terminate Administrator Cheri Coryea, says he still wants to take the county in new directions.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

School board to determine superintendent’s future Board has until Dec. 30 to extend Saunders’ contract.

CONTRACT TIMELINE

June 27, 2018: Cynthia Saunders became interim superintendent Feb. 12, 2019: Cynthia Saunders became the official superintendent Dec. 31, 2020: Deadline for the School Board of Manatee County to decide whether to extend Cynthia Saunders’ contract June 30, 2021: Contract ($196,000 per year) expires

STAFF WRITER

C

ynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, has been spending her days focused on how to ensure the safety of the district’s almost 50,000 students while striving to provide an excellent education.

In the week before winter break, which starts Dec. 18, Saunders is focused on how to have schools prepared for more students to be on campus next semester and how to close the achievement gap for students who have fallen behind as a result of the pandemic.

What she might not have expected is that she must wait until Dec. 17 to find out whether the School Board of Manatee County will extend her contract, which expires June 30, 2021.

As part of her contract, the school board has until Dec. 31 to decide whether to extend the contract. The board decided to have a special meeting at 5 p.m.

Dec. 17 to give the public time to provide comments on the superintendent’s performance.

Saunders officially became superintendent of the district Feb. 12, 2019, after serving as interim superintendent since June 27, 2018.

Some East County parents are

File photo

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, and Paul Sharff, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, talk about the new Mobile Learning Lab.

pleased with the work Saunders has done in the past two years, especially in regards to the pandemic.

“I’m happy about how flexible and accommodating they’ve been for the different ranges of thought on where [parents] want their children educated at the current time,” said Kaia Heath, a mother of a first grader at Tara Elementary School. “I’ve been impressed with the transparency as far as alerting us to when there’s a COVID-19 case, how many people have been affected promptly, giving us the facts and [keeping us informed].”

Patricia Juliano, a mother of two students at Braden River Middle School, said the superin-

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tendent has done a good job given the educational challenges the district has faced this year.

“From guiding Manatee County to full e-learning back in April to continuing to support our students and staff today, she has proven her commitment to Manatee County by establishing new partnerships with health care centers, STEM and art programs,” Juliano said.

Although COVID-19 has challenged everyone this year, Juliano said Saunders has been “truly committed” to keeping students safe.

When the pandemic began, parents were anxious in the transition to e-learning and even more so during the summer when

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the district was contemplating what to do at the beginning of the school year.

Bethany Lynch, a mother of a Lakewood Ranch High School student and a student at Braden River Middle School, said Saunders did well in communicating the plan for the year to parents and giving parents the option to choose between full-time e-learning, full-time on campus and a hybrid schedule.

“She has done a great job in the midst of all the chaos,” Lynch said. “I think it was important to get the kids back to school.

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Saunders, who has more than 30 years of experience in public education, said she’s in a place where she can retire if the board chooses not to extend her contract but that she feels “compelled that there is still work to be done here.”

“Due to the circumstances of the timing of the situation with the pandemic, I do think it would be beneficial to remain at least for the next two years, so we can get out of this thing stabilized, get the millage put in place,” she said. “[Then] I will feel comfortable with saying: ‘My work has been completed. I have done my best job I can for Manatee County.’ And it will be time for another person to step in and take the reins.”

If the board chooses not to extend the superintendent’s contract and pursue a national search for a superintendent, Saunders said she would not apply for the position.

“I’m a person of faith, and I believe the outcome will be as it’s intended to be,” Saunders said.

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LIZ RAMOS

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Rob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, says the pandemic has reduced on-site activity, which has been beneficial to construction.

PURR-FECT EXPANSION Next three months will see flurry of activity at the Lakewood Ranch animal rescue.

BY THE NUMBERS

$2.5M

Needed to reach the rescue’s funding goal of $10 million

2,175 1,675

Adoptions in 2019

Adoptions so far in

2020

¼ MILE

distance around the pond for volunteers to walk the dogs

100

Parking spots after construction

23,000

Square feet in the welcome and adoption center

3,974

training center

Square feet in

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

R

ob Oglesby, the development director for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, stood at the front of the rescue’s property on an empty dirt lot and looked toward the back of the property.

“You’ll be able to see the fountain in the lake from here,” he said, pointing down the pathway that leads to the 2-acre lake at the end of the property. “It’s so serene and quiet. It’s relaxing even with the construction going on.”

A front loader made its way across the 8-acre property from the lake to the beginning of the empty dirt lot and deposited a mound of dirt before returning to the lake.

Construction workers were hammering away on the new 4,355-square-foot intake building.

Although Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue has had to make adjustments to the animal adoption process and doesn’t have volunteers as a result of the pandemic,

Oglesby said that’s been a positive when it comes to construction on site because there aren’t as many people around.

Oglesby said the COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted construction. The project is on schedule for a September 2021 completion, with the intake building set to be finished at the end of March 2021.

The rescue is about $2.5 million away from reaching its $10 million fundraising goal.

Construction of the new 3,974-square-foot training facility, which will be open to the community, is expected to start in February.

“We’re trying to offer more ways of helping the public, so that animals stay in their homes,” Oglesby said.

The campus could be heaven for dogs and cats waiting to find their forever homes.

Volunteers will be able to take dogs for walks on the quartermile walking trail around the lake, which should be done by the end of December, while cats play outside in their “catios,” or cat patios.

4,355

intake building

Square feet in

8 17 120

Acres on the property Animal cottages after construction

Dogs the rescue can house after the project is complete

60

Cats the rescue can house after the project is complete Courtesy rendering

Dogs will be able to dive in and swim around the new pool.

Liz Ramos

TIMELINE

End of December: Finish 2-acre lake January 2021: Start on welcome center February 2021: Start building training center End of March 2021: Finish intake building September 2021: Complete project

When construction is complete, Nate’s will have 17 cottages that house six animals each, an increase from the current eight on campus. Oglesby said the rescue should be able to house 120 dogs on-site.

Dogs can also dive into and swim around the new boneshaped pool that will be installed on the site.

Nate’s will not only be a place for animals to indulge before they’re adopted but also a place for the community to enjoy.

“We’ve always wanted to help the community as much as we can, but we’ve never had the facilities to do so,” Oglesby said.

The old, 300-square-foot welcome center has already been razed in preparation to be replaced by a new 23,000-square-foot welcome and adoption center.

The center will house a veterinary clinic, parvo and maternity wards for animals, an education center, a community center and more. Work on the center will begin in January.

After the entire campus is complete, Oglesby said the rescue will be able to double its number of adoptions.

“On a normal Saturday before COVID-19, we would post pictures of animals on the website, and there’d be a line from all the way out of the welcome center into the parking lot of people waiting to adopt,” Oglesby said.

“When you see a family find their new family member and that smile on their face when they’re walking out of here, it just keeps you going. It’s a great experience.

We’ve lost that a bit for this year because everyone has a mask on, so you can’t see if they’re smiling. It’ll just be good to get back to normal hopefully in 2021.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

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YourObserver.com

sioner Vanessa Baugh said. “If you look back at last year and years before, you will see that almost every time staff brings forth an agenda item, it passes. You can always kind of get the sense of where the votes are coming from.

So for me, that is something that I think we need to look at, and the county commissioners need to start doing their jobs.”

On Dec. 10, Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to reconsider their Nov. 19 motion to give at least a 15-day notice before a vote could be taken to terminate Coryea’s contract.

That motion was raised by Commissioner George Kruse, who said he spent the three previous weeks talking with department heads, staff members and the public about Coryea.

Kruse also met with Coryea to discuss his vision for Manatee County, which he said includes lowering taxes, lessening regulations while increasing government efficiency, cleaning up government hiring practices and increasing private sector conservatism. Kruse said Coryea was completely on board to work with him on achieving that vision and that she doesn’t have an agenda.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore didn’t support the motion to consider firing Coryea. She said it doesn’t make sense to focus so much energy on firing and replacing an administrator who has received consistently positive performance evaluations while the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating such issues as unemployment and hunger.

She also disagrees with Baugh’s notion that county staff runs the government.

“Commissioner Baugh needs to do her homework,” Whitmore

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

5

“I’ll give it a year, and I’m almost positive we’re going to be in the right direction, and this (considering the termination of Administrator Cheri Coryea) is a nonissue.”

— Commissioner George Kruse

Above: Commissioner Carol Whitmore disagrees with Baugh’s notion that county staff runs the government.

Below: On Dec. 10, Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to reconsider their Nov. 19 motion to give at least a 15-day notice before a vote could be taken to terminate Administrator Cheri Coryea’s contract.

said. “Employees don’t have the power. The board sets policy, i.e., the Musgrave land deal. The employees followed up. … If there’s four votes, they do what we tell them. They always have. If they disagree, they’ll tell us their justification. But if it’s overruled, they always do what we tell them, or they wouldn’t be here.”

Baugh cited the county’s $32.5 million purchase for 161 acres adjacent to Lena Road Landfill, owned by Musgrave Real Estate Holdings, as an example. She said staff and commissioners agreed in 2018 to search for land to serve as the site of a new landfill when needed and that staff instead returned in 2020 and proposed to buy land for a transfer station.

“I think that the power, so to speak, is in the administration and that you are witnessing it almost every day with things that are happening,” Baugh said.

“They want things to continue to run the same as is. And we’ve got to take the power back and put it where it belongs, which is with the Manatee County Commission. Not staff and the administration. So they need to start following our lead and being held accountable.

“The people elect the county commissioners to represent them.

That’s our job. We are supposed to make sure that we are the ones that set up the agenda as to where the county government is going. … And I don’t think that we’ve done such a great job at that.”

Kruse, Baugh, Kevin Van Ostenbridge and James Satcher are the four commissioners who voted to consider the status of Coryea’s contract Nov. 19. Kruse noted at the time that if he had been asked to terminate her contract that day, he would’ve voted no because of a lack of information.

“At the time I voted for it to offer dialogue and give myself proper diligence,” Kruse said.

Kruse said as long as Coryea is committed to working with himself and the commission to carry out their plans, it makes more sense to work with her rather than spend up to a year or even longer searching for a new administrator, hiring one and bringing that person up to speed with the county.

“I’ll give it a year, and I’m almost positive we’re going to be in the right direction, and this is a nonissue,” Kruse said. “But a year from now, if we’re right where we are now, I’ll make that motion [to give her notice] myself and take that brunt of complaint that people have.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Thank You

Commission approves Legacy development

For Your Business!

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

M

anatee County commissioners on Dec. 10 unanimously approved a plan

by Legacy Golf Holdings LLC to build 48 homes on a 5.7-acre area on the Legacy Golf Club property in Lakewood Ranch.

Jon Whittemore, a partner in Legacy Golf Holdings, said the development would allow his company to produce income that will be put back into golf course improvements, securing the club’s financial future.

Legacy Golf Holdings Inc. purchased the golf course in November 2015 for $3.4 million and has spent another $2 million bringing it back to its original condition when it opened in 1997. Previous owners had allowed the course conditions to deteriorate.

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch attorney Caleb Grimes, who represented Legacy Golf Holdings before the commission, said SMR was hoping the commissioners would support the plan.

“Communities that are developed with golf courses within them gain a lot of their value and their reputation because they are on a golf course,” Grimes said.

“They command a higher price historically. And therefore, a successful golf course is very important to the homes that are on and around it.”

The units, not specified as to

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what design they might take, could accommodate from two to four households each, Grimes said. The wetlands surrounding the parcel will not be affected by the project. Grimes also said the units will not be visible from the Legacy Boulevard entrance to Country Club.

A few Country Club residents who live near Legacy voiced opposition to the project, most notably Michael Smith, a Country Club resident who represented a task force called Vision2020 that is composed of 100 Lakewood Ranch residents. The task force’s concerns about the project include its impact on traffic, height of the units and the units’ style and color.

Smith asked the commissioners to consider postponing the decision until a March 4 land use meeting. He said nearby residents were not given enough time to evaluate the project, noting most residents found out about the project one day before the county’s Planning Commission discussed it Nov. 19.

“I just wanted an open discussion,” Smith said. “We simply wanted to gather more information in an open and transparent [manner].”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said the information presented to them Dec. 10 was enough to make a decision that day rather than waiting until March.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Liz Ramos LRamos@YourObserver.com; Brendan Lavell BLavell@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; Carol Parker, CParker@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer HSayer@YourObserver.com

Heaven for horses

Photos by Jay Heater

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office horses enjoy retired life on the Ranch.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

S

“They will be more than well taken care of.

They are going to be doted on, spoiled. It’s very comforting.”

— Deputy Ben Kern

he was on her fifth call to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Perhaps those answering dismissed her earlier four attempts because Robin Ruhnke wasn’t calling for help.

She wanted to help them. She wanted to give a home to a retired horse.

“It is uncommon someone calls and asks for a mounted patrol horse,” said Deputy Ben Kern, who oversees the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol Unit. “When it comes time for our horses to retire, the No. 1 choice is to look for the best home, so we try to give our current members of our [mounted patrol] unit the chance to take the horse. After that, we reach out to other law enforcement contacts.”

If that is not successful, a ranch in Ocala takes mounted patrol unit horses.

All that was explained to Ruhnke, who had just moved to the Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch and had an empty barn.

“I like the police, and I like that

Matthew Marquez feeds Major and Valor, the two retired Sheriff’s Office horses, some carrots.

the horses worked for them,” Ruhnke said. “It is hard to keep a community safe.”

Kern, who knew his department was about seek a home for two retiring horses — 28-year-old Valor and 20-year-old Major — explained to Ruhnke the Sheriff’s Office never lets a horse go into the community.

“But I have 7.5 beautiful acres,” Ruhnke told them. “I can give them green fields the rest of their lives. They will be spoiled rotten.

They deserve it.”

Finding homes for horses after they have become old or unwanted has been a nationwide problem, mostly because horses can be expensive when it comes to feeding and care. Ruhnke’s offer was unusual.

Kern said the Sheriff’s Office decided to check out Ruhnke and her offer. They visited her home at the Polo Club and liked what they saw.

“They will be more than well taken care of,” Kern said. “They are going to be doted on, spoiled.

It’s very comforting.”

On Dec. 12, Valor and Major were grazing inside a corral on Ruhnke’s property.

Valor is a thoroughbred, donated to the Sheriff’s Office 17 years ago from Texas. He was known for being the horse who was ridden by deputies who were beginner riders. Kern said he is a calm horse who has a very mild manner. Over the years, he was sent to work the Super Bowl in Tampa (2003), to serve in Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (2005) and to handle crowd control at the Republican National Convention (2012).

“Valor was the first horse I rode here,” Kern said. “He was so relaxed, even in the big events. He can close his eyes and fall asleep with a rider on him. But I know he also has chased down many an individual.”

Despite being 16 and a half hands tall, considered large for most horses, he was the department’s smallest horse.

Above: Robin Ruhnke, feeding Valor a carrot, says the Sheriff’s Office retired horses will have green grass forever.

Top: Ruhnke says Major likes peppermint.

Her grandson, Matthew Marquez, has been taking care of Major.

Major, a Hanoverian thoroughbred at 17 hands, has impressive size, and Kern said he does better with skilled riders. Kern said he will slow down and let riders know if they are doing something incorrectly.

“But if you have to go into a trot, he is one of the strongest we have,” Kern said.

Ruhnke has a different view now that she has given them a home for the past two weeks.

“Major is like a puppy dog,” she said. “Valor is my teddy bear.”

The two Sheriff’s Office horses have joined CoCo Chanel, an Oldenburg mare she purchased to show.

It has been more than four decades since Ruhnke rode show horses, from the ages of 12 to 18 in Ridgefield, Conn. Years after moving to Florida and working as a nurse, she began to seek another home, possibly a ranch. Realtor Wanda Martinetto suggested Ruhnke check out a property in the Polo Club.

In September, Ruhnke, who had lived in Sarasota’s Deer Creek neighborhood for the past eight years, purchased the ranch.

“I love this place,” she said. “I had missed horses. I thought I was destined to have another horse.”

Her daughter, Sarasota’s Cara Ruhnke, suggested she call the Sheriff’s Office to find out whether they had any retiring horses. They did.

Ruhnke said the horses won’t do anything but walk the trails.

“They are my babies,” she said.

“They are everything I thought they would be.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

9

JAY HEATER

Amazing academic ability abounds 134,000-ton ship. She attempted to call the school during the drill, but eventually, she had to stow the phone or risk being thrown in the Carnival brig.

Fortunately, Madison was able to contact the school. She straightened out the mess and continued driving her A train down the academic tracks.

On Dec. 12, Madison graduated from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee a year and a half early with a degree in risk management and insurance.

She was presented the King O’Neal award for recording a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her college career. It also capped an academic career where she never got anything but an A, in any class, ever.

“Approximately 17 years ago, a little girl showed me her first kindergarten report card and said, ‘Look, I got a perfect report card,” said her father, Mark. “I smiled and replied, ‘That’s great.

Let’s see if you can make straight As all the way through high school.”

Mark said he was joking at the time, but Madison didn’t understand the humor. Through her years at Gilbert W. McNeal (K-5), R. Dan Nolan (6-8) and Lakewood Ranch High School (9-12), she went on an A roll.

“I have an innate need to be perfect,” Madison said. “I always

needed to strive for perfection.”

Now 21, she said anything less than an A wasn’t an option.

“It wasn’t an accident,” she said of her run of As. “I worked hard.”

Although both parents were rooting for her streak to continue, they also wouldn’t have minded if a B materialized.

“I almost wanted her to get a B, so she could feel what it is to fail,” Mark said.

“B isn’t failing,” Madison said with a smile.

Although Madison doesn’t profess to have Einstein intelligence, she credits a “crazy memorization” ability and relentless note-taking for her success. She held up one of her notebooks, every line filled from front to back.

“I write a crazy amount of notes,” she said. “Oh, Lord! Who writes this much?”

Her note-taking now can take a vacation. She has no more classes.

Madison continues to work part time at the Publix in Lakewood Ranch on Market Street as a cashier. She picked up the job when she was 14.

She is studying to take her real estate license test and hopes to soon become a top producer in the Lakewood Ranch market.

She’s likely to ace that test, too.

Her mom, Tina, said she still

Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch’s Madison Abbacchi knows the grade she received in every class throughout school: A.

has lessons to learn about the working world. She noted her daughter is too easy to trick on April Fools Day. Consider her senior year (2017-18) when she was on another cruise, this time headed for the home port on a Monday. That particular Monday was scheduled as an off day for the School District of Manatee County students.

Mark told his daughter that while they were cruising, the school had canceled the off day because the students had so many days off for Hurricane Irma, which had hit in 2017. He said he had received a note that any students who didn’t show up that Monday would lose 10% of their semester grade.

Tina approached them to find her daughter crying and Mark laughing.

It took a while before Madison realized she had been duped.

“I’ve got to work on that,” Madison said.

Mark and Tina are confident in their daughter’s future success, and her preparation for it, but they know she will face challenges in life that don’t always hold the opportunity for an A. “Life isn’t perfect,” Mark said.

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

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ailing away from port on a Carnival cruise, Lakewood Ranch’s Madison Abbacchi, then 14, didn’t hit the pool, or the sun deck or even the buffet.

As always, her parents had purchased internet access on the ship, so she could check Focus, an online portal that allows students and their parents to access grades, progress reports and attendance.

Madison checked it every day, even on a cruise ship.

Madison, who admits she “worries about everything,” seemingly had no reason to worry. After all, she had recorded an A in every class since the school system had replaced S for satisfactory with the mark of excellence — the A — in third grade.

This was different, though.

She looked into the computer screen. There, in the box where her most recent assignment had been recorded, was a “0.”

Egads.

She had done the assignment, but somehow the instructor had lost it. Worse yet, she was at sea.

She grabbed a cellphone to straighten out the mess, but the passengers had been called for a muster drill in which they explain what to do in case of disaster. Madison was in the midst of a bigger disaster than anything associated with a

10

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

“It will be memorable. We’ll always remember that day (Dec. 14) as the day he proposed, and then it’s the day we both united.”

— Crystal Avery

Photos by Liz Ramos

Crystal Avery and Marty Satz, center, celebrate their marriage with their children.

Couple zigs and zags to marriage Festive Main Street setting perfect for Greenbrook couple to say wedding vows.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Although they knew their wedding ceremony wouldn’t go exactly as planned, Greenbrook’s Marty Satz and Crystal Avery realized it could be a bright spot during a difficult year.

Their bright spot came the morning of Dec. 14 in front of the huge, decorated tree on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

As people shopped on Main Street, and restaurant own-

ers prepared for the lunchtime crowd, Satz and Avery said,“I do.”

“It’s good that we’re able to still celebrate our marriage together, even through the pandemic,” Satz said. “The pandemic doesn’t make your life stop. It just makes you zig and zag a little bit, but you still get to reward yourself with marriage and love, and you just do it safely.”

It was a year ago that Satz got down on one knee in front of a decorated tree by Michaels at University Town Center and pro-

posed to Avery.

When it came time to pick a setting to take their vows, they thought the Main Street at Lakewood Ranch Christmas tree provided the perfect backdrop. It provided festive decorations and a quiet place to celebrate in front of their children.

“It will be memorable,” Avery said. “We’ll always remember that day (Dec. 14) as the day he proposed, and then it’s the day we both united.”

The couple met online 16 years ago. Satz was living in Florida, and Avery was in Indiana. Satz and Avery found it wasn’t the right time for them due to distance and where they were in their lives, with Satz ending his previous marriage and Avery taking care of her children.

In July 2019, Satz and Avery reconnected.

“It was kind of like we picked up where we left off,” Avery said.

“He’s my best friend.”

When Satz decided to move from Michigan to Lakewood Ranch in November 2019, the two moved in together.

“We started remembering everything about each other,” Satz said. “We were talking for hours on end each night, and speaking turned into FaceTiming. It was

the right time in my life for me to change and reposition myself geographically because I’d been in Florida for so long before.”

The pandemic caused a few obstacles, including not being able to have all the children and other family members attend the wedding.

They had originally planned to get married in April, but the pandemic caused them to push the wedding further into the year in hopes of being able to have everyone in the family together for the ceremony.

Satz said they decided they couldn’t keep pushing the wedding date back because the pandemic didn’t have an end in sight, and they didn’t want to wait to be married anymore.

Satz’s children, Hunter and Justin, who live in Michigan, were unable to attend the wedding, so they watched through a video call.

For their honeymoon, the newlyweds decided to go to St. Augustine for four days to tour the city and see the city’s historical monuments.

They said it will give them an opportunity to bond as newlyweds before having to return to the hustle and bustle of life.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Nygel Robinson performs on the FST stage in “Blue Suede Shoes.” He has spend quarantine working on a one-man cabaret: “I Love a Piano.”

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Photo courtesy of Mathew Holler

Challenge and response The pandemic forced Nygel D. Robinson to exit the stage.

He turned the downtime into a creative opportunity.

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ccording to Arnold J. Toynbee, history moves in a process of challenge and response. Those who rise to history’s challenges survive and thrive. Those who don’t become, well, history.

Any way you put it, the pandemic was an existential challenge to the theater community­— cabaret performers, especially.

These artists lead a nomadic existence. The multitalented Nygel D. Robinson is no exception.

He was part of the cast of “That’s Amoré!” at Florida Studio Theatre. After it closed Feb. 2, he flew up to Chicago to work with a band

and then zipped over to New York City for a piano gig at Joe’s Pub. By mid-March, Robinson was heading down to North Carolina to appear in another new show. It never opened, but Robinson got out of the Big Apple before the mayor imposed a lockdown March 20. Cities across America did the same, and live performance was dead from coast to coast. Robinson was stuck in his apartment in LaGrange, N.C. The nomad was grounded for nearly half a year.

He hadn’t seen it coming.

“If someone had told me on Jan. 1, 2020, ‘You’re going to spend five months at home this year,’ I would’ve laughed at him. There’s just no way.”

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The star of “I Love a Piano” is also working on a six-song EP, “Love: An Unusual Thing,” which has a single composer, lyricist, performer and producer: Nygel D. Robinson.

“The gimmick is that I produced it with a $50 microphone, Garage Band and an iPad,” he says. “This project proves that anyone, no matter what their socioeconomic status, can create and release their music to the world.”

Initially, it felt stifling. Robinson felt claustrophobic and frustrated. After a week or so, he decided to do something about it — with a series of long-distance collaborations.

“That choice was my only choice,” he laughed. “Collaborating over the internet was my last remaining option in this crazy, new, dystopian, pandemic world we live in.”

Robinson began with Brian Quijada, an actor/playwright associated with Actors Theatre in Louisville, Ky. The project: “Mexodus,” a musical about the lesser-known Underground Railroad of slaves escaping to Mexico.

“Brian and I work with a process I call ‘Frankensteining,’” Robinson said. “We stitch bits and pieces of things together until our creation comes to life.” Did lightning strike yet? “We should have a concept album by the end of the year,” he said. “New York Stage and Film has supported us every step of the way.”

As work on this phase of “Mexodus” was wrapping up, Robinson needed a new project. Fortunately, lightning struck twice.

When “That’s Amoré!” was in its final weeks, Robinson approached Richard Hopkins, FST’s producing artistic director, with an idea for his own original cabaret show. Hopkins offered to help Robinson develop it — and that was no small promise.

For a cabaret production, the gestation process involves long brainstorming sessions, intense research and hours of listening to work-in-progress. They shook hands­— and put a pin on the col-

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laboration until the time was ripe.

In the long hot summer, the time seemed ripe indeed.

Alexa Doggett (FST’s casting and hiring coordinator) and Catherine Randazzo (FST’s literary manager and associate artist) gave Robinson a call.

“They asked me: ‘Do you still want to work on your cabaret thing? We have the time to do it now. We figure you do too.’”

They figured right.

With the aid of the internet, Robinson, Randazzo and Sarah Durham, FST’s assistant to the managing director, got to work.

For the young performer, it was a whole new ballgame.

Robinson can act, sing, and play a trunk full of musical instruments from keyboard to standup bass. He’s got years of experience performing in other people’s shows. This time around, he’ll be creating his own show. How does he feel about that?

“Totally confident,” he said.

“I’m working with Catherine and Sarah at every step. They’ve been doing this a lot longer than I have, and I trust their instincts and ideas.”

“I Love a Piano” is the working title for Robinson’s one-man cabaret. He describes it as an adventure through time exploring the songs of piano-playing composers. (As you probably guessed, he’s the piano-player who’ll bring their songs to life.)

“I start with Irving Berlin and go to John Legend,” Robinson said.

“We’re including songs like ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing,’ ‘Georgia,’ ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’ and ‘Imagine,’ so it’s a wide range of genres.”

These hit tunes have been produced and overproduced. Robinson’s arrangements boil everything down to three performers.

Just a vocalist/pianist, bassist, and drummer. Period.

“I find beauty in simplicity,” he said. “When you take away the fluff, you can see how good a song really is. We get down to the essence — and that’s what truly moves the audience.”

When will his new show find an FST audience to move?

“Whenever it’s safe,” he says.

“It’s a feel-good show.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

TRIBUTES Lillian Janice Howle 1929-2020 Lillian Janice Howle, fondly known as “Miss Janice”, 91, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Family Owned.

Family Focused.

Eleanor (Robert) Lafler, James Caywood (Virginia), John Amsberry, and Eileen Muich; grandchildren, Ashleigh and Kelly Howle, and by many nieces, nephews, and friends. She is predeceased by her parents; siblings, Fern Heitz, Anna Schoolcraft, Catherine McElroy, Edna Sprenger, and Shirley Koppisch.

SERVICE: Saturday, December 19, 1PM Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church’s Little White Church (4826 McIntosh Rd. in Sarasota, Florida), followed by a celebration of life at 3:00pm at her home (625 Calle del Otono on Siesta Key).

DONATIONS: Anyone wishing to make a donation in Miss Janice’s honor can do so to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals – https:// childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/ donate.

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FAM I LY

Born on September 18, 1929 in Broken Bow, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Edward Caywood and Lillian McCaslin.

She graduated in 1947 from Sidney High School in Sidney, Nebraska. Janice moved to Sarasota in 1949. She married Arch Howle on October 21, 1950. She had a great love for children and became a babysitter.

So many people were interested in their children being in her care that she started her own daycare program, Howle’s Childcare, which she ran for over 40 years.

In a newspaper article, it was mentioned that she was “the woman who people like to say raised half of Siesta Key”. Janice was loving, caring, kind-hearted, selfless, and patient. She was a devout Christian and did the Lord’s work. She was formerly a parishioner of the Siesta Key Chapel and also taught Sunday School there for several years. She later became a parishioner of Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church. She volunteered at Phillippi Shores Elementary, where she worked with special needs children. She loved spending time with her family and friends, especially Ann “Miss Ann” Marsh, with whom she was dear friends for over 50 years. Her favorite place in the world was Siesta Key and she enjoyed taking walks along the beach.

Janice is survived by her two children, Gary (Stacey) and Gordon Howle; siblings,

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celebration of life.

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

HIGH

SPORTS

5

“I love making the team better any way I can.”

— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Tyler O’Donoghue SEE PAGE 17

One goal at a time Lakewood Ranch-area soccer players help build Parrish Community High’s new girls soccer program.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

2

Braden River High boys basketball junior Brandon Swann scored 26 points Dec. 10 in the Pirates’ 65-52 home win against Parrish Community High.

3

Royce Morris sank a hole-in-one Dec. 9 on the No. 7 hole at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Morris used a 4-hybrid on the 160-yard hole.

4

Braden River High girls basketball senior Cheyenne Stubbs scored 17 points Dec. 9 in the Pirates’ 64-45 road win against Brooks DeBartolo High.

5

Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball senior Jordan Brown scored 11 points Dec. 11 in the Mustangs’ 52-30 road win against Hardee High.

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IN THE BULL PEN Bulls players from the Lakewood Ranch area are: n Izzy Silverio, freshman defender n Natalie Greenhaw, freshman forward n Jordan Martinez, sophomore midfielder n Sophia Ranck, sophomore midfielder n Savannah Weeks, junior midfielder n Madelyn Portwood, junior midfielder n Krystal Parra, junior midfielder

Now in its second year, the program is starting to take shape. The Bulls (3-2-1) have no seniors and six juniors. The remaining 11 players are freshmen and sophomores.

Junior midfielder Krystal Parra, who also lives in East County, said she can feel the program improving, in large part because of the team’s new additions, including Portwood, Hayden Lepley (who leads the team with six goals as of Dec. 11) and fellow East County resident Izzy Silverio, a freshman.

Seven of the players live in the Lakewood Ranch area and now cross the Fort Hamer Bridge to attend school, in its second year.

Parrish Community is playing a mix of varsity and junior varsity teams this season. Even though

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the Bulls are not eligible for the postseason, they’re challenging themselves every chance they get. Parrish played Paternostro’s former team, Braden River (7-3), at home Dec. 10. The Bulls lost 4-2 but looked competitive, even scoring the first goal of the game

by Lepley.

Paternostro is happy with the team’s play but has her eyes on other aspects of the program as well.

“My whole philosophy is I’m not just coaching the game of soccer. I’m coaching life skills,” Paternostro said. “My expectations for the girls are for them to be disciplined and to be respectful to everyone: the other team, the referees, the other coaches. I want them to have good standing in the community. In my experience, players want to play for a team like that.”

Paternostro said the team has been a part of multiple charity events this season, including raising money for breast cancer awareness — the Bulls tie-dyed masks and sold them — and participating in canned food drives.

Silverio said those events are part of what has made the season so fun. The team has a group chat, titled “Goal diggers,” where everyone jokes with one another.

It’s fun to be a part of something where everyone has the same aspirations, she said.

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN

Izzy Silverio, Krystal Parra and Madelyn Portwood, East County residents, are important parts of the Bulls soccer team.

www.manasotaonline.com

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The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball freshman Ciniya Moore had 27 points, 11 rebounds and six steals Dec. 11 in the Thunder’s 51-46 road win against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal.

M

adelyn Portwood arrived at Parrish Community High School knowing no one.

The junior soccer player transferred prior to this season after playing two seasons at Lakewood Ranch High. Because Portwood was already attending Lakewood Ranch High when Parrish’s school zone was created, she was given the option to stay a Mustang. Her younger sister, Mary, however, did not have that luxury and was forced to attend Parrish. Portwood decided it would be easier for both of them to attend the same school, so she made the switch to Parrish.

“I didn’t know anyone at Parrish before I got here,” Portwood said. “It was a brand-new experience, but [my teammates] made it easy. Everyone was super welcoming. We all connected fast, and it’s showing on the field.”

When a program is in its infancy, friendships come fast.

Bulls Coach Nicole Paternostro came to Parrish from Braden River High two years ago when the school opened, jumping on the chance to build a team. Paternostro said she knew from talking to other coaches in similar situations that building a girls soccer program from the ground up would be a challenge.

Nothing had been established, including team meals and bus schedules, plus, at least for this season, pandemic restrictions.

Paternostro said once all that was in place, she could begin focusing on the soccer aspect as much as she had at other places.

16

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Former Mustang gives back to his community

I

am a believer in giving back to the sports that helped raise you.

I grew up around baseball, playing it from the time I could swing a bat. Baseball taught me patience. It taught me to think strategically. It taught me how to act when I won — and how act when I lost. It provided exercise, and it provided friendship. It was the biggest thing in my life for many years.

Eventually, when my playing days were over, I decided to help the next generation by becoming an umpire. It was not always fun — sports parents can be as foul-mouthed as sailors are said to be — but it was worth getting berated to watch kids learn the same lessons I did.

Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball alumnus Joshua Young is giving back to his community as well. Young, a 2019 graduate who attends Hampton University in Hampton, Va., has been home this fall after Hampton moved all classes online in the wake of the pandemic. He has taken advantage of his situation by getting into the coaching game.

Young has been working with Wave Basketball, a local AAU program, by coaching its eighth

grade team. Young said everything started around August, when the Wave’s Luis Morales asked him if he wanted to be involved. At first Young was a co-coach with fellow Mustangs alumnus Brady Roberts, but when Roberts went back to college, Young took the reins solo.

“My parents and friends had been telling me I should try coaching,” Young said. “I was not sure if I had the temperament for it. You need a lot of patience because communicating ideas to young players can be hard. I’ve liked it a lot, though.”

Young said the team won its first tournament under his tutelage last month at the Hard2Guard event in Clearwater, going 3-0-1. It felt good to win, he said, but it was more relief than elation. When you’re in the coach’s seat, everything takes on a different perspective, he said.

He feels a responsibility to help his players achieve everything they want.

Young was not satisfied with coaching just his team, though.

He decided to create a 45-minute video breaking down the basics of basketball. The video is designed for new players. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s a start,

and it’s free for anyone to watch online. The video features his AAU players.

Fortunately, he is getting advice from his own mentors.

When one of Young’s players had a personal issue, Young called Mustangs Coach Jeremy Schiller to get his advice on the situation.

Schiller said it was a fun moment for him, watching one of his former players follow the coaching path like he did.

Schiller is a full-time coach and teacher, but Young wants to follow a different path. He wants to be a doctor and is majoring in biology at Hampton.

That will always be his main passion, Young said, but coaching could absolutely remain something he does on the side. He has enjoyed it a lot more than he thought he would.

Young goes back to Hampton in January but said he will continue to help coach the Wave whenever he can. No matter where coaching takes him or how much his other career will allow him to do, Young has provided children with the same opportunity to learn the game that he had, and that’s awesome.

“I feel like I’m getting old,” Young said. “It feels like just

Courtesy photo

Lakewood Ranch alumnus Joshua Young wants to be a doctor but said he’s enjoying coaching on the side.

yesterday I was the one learning this stuff. I’ve enjoyed being on the other side of things.”

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

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YourObserver.com

Tyler O’Donoghue

When did you start playing basketball?

I started when I was in sixth grade. I started out playing football, but then my brother, [Kevin], introduced me to basketball. I made the switch.

What is the appeal to you?

I love playing in front of big crowds. That’s a little different this season with the pandemic and all, but normally, I love the big moments, the rivalry games.

I love watching my teammates’ reactions right after they score. I love making the team better any way I can.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

17

Get the Gift that Keeps on Zipping!

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

What has been your biggest challenge?

This season I have struggled with my shooting a bit. That will get going soon, though. I just have to play through it.

What is the best advice you have received?

Work hard, play hard. If you do that, good things will come to you.

Finish this sentence: “Tyler O’Donoghue is …”

Outgoing and a great leader.

What is your best skill?

I’m good at getting my teammates involved in the game. I love to drive the lane and then kick the ball out to a teammate for a 3-pointer. We have a lot of guys on this team that can shoot, so I like giving them a lot of chances.

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What is your favorite memory?

The first real basketball game I played, with i9 Sports. My brother told me, “Hey, everything is going to be OK.” I get in the game, and I finish with 10 points. My brother said, “Where did you learn all that stuff?” And I told him I learned it from him.

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Tyler O’Donoghue is a senior on The Out-of-Door Academy boys basketball team. O’Donoghue, who is 6-foot-6, had 23 points and 15 rebounds Dec. 11 in the Thunder’s 74-69 road win against Saint Stephen’s Episcopal.

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DECEMBER 17, 2020

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Couple’s obsession shines bright Summerfield couple has been adding to their holiday light display for 17 years.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

A

Sanghttya’s LNiciset Nau

Photos by Liz Ramos

Patti Papiano says her husband, Ray, has become obsessed with adding decorations to their light display each year. They have more than 40 light-up fixtures and 50 strands of lights in their display.

FUN FACTS

Ray and Patti Papiano’s display at 6326 Yellowtop Drive, Summerfield 40 Light-up decorations 30 Extension cords needed 45-50 Hours to set up the display 17 Years the Papianos have been decorating their home 50 Light strands used

to know that my house is that to people now.”

Children in the neighborhood would write letters to Santa and drop them off in the metal mailbox in the front yard.

After the first year, family members, friends and neighbors started giving Christmas light fixtures they found to Ray Papiano as gifts.

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Patti and Ray Papiano have been adding to their light display since they began in 2004. This year will be the last Ray Papiano goes all-out for the display.

“It just kind of snowballed,” Ray Papiano said.

Patti Papiano said, “We can look at [each item] and tell who exactly it’s from.”

The Papiano family comes together every year the Friday after Thanksgiving to light the display for the first time.

Now, 16 years later, the Papianos’ front yard is filled with light-up dogs, a raccoon, flamingos, owls, trees, bears, reindeer, a panda, snowmen, a crocodile and a nutcracker. Lights hang from the gutters, the garage and the fence. An inflatable helicopter with Santa in the driver’s seat

He’s Making a List & Checking it Twice 342039-1

sign hangs from the door of the Papiano home in Summerfield saying “OCD.” The sign doesn’t stand for what most people would think though. Instead, “OCD” is his acronym for Obsessive Christmas Disorder.

Patti Papiano said the sign couldn’t be more true as the couple stood in their front yard at 6326 Yellowtop Drive, which was filled with more than 40 light-up animals, Santas, inflatables and other Christmas decorations.

“He thinks about this all year round,” Patti Papiano said of her husband, Ray. “He starts planning it in September. He takes the week of Thanksgiving off to put the stuff outside. He’ll do all the prep work in the garage weeks ahead of time.”

Ray Papiano spends 45-50 hours setting up the display and fixing any decorations that aren’t working.

His obsession began when he and his wife moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2004.

Before living in Lakewood Ranch, the couple resided in Connecticut, where he felt it was too cold to spend time setting up intricate light displays, and any decorations that were set up had to be taken down after the ground thawed.

Now he likes having a fun display for his four grandchildren to enjoy when they came to visit.

Little did the Papianos know, their house would become a goto holiday light display home for families throughout East County.

“When I was a kid, we went riding to find decorated houses, and I would be in awe of all of that,” Patti Papiano said. “It’s weird

DATE: November 13, 2020 9:16 AM

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waits for lift off. There are two mailboxes for letters to Santa. A countdown to Christmas reminds kids how many days they have left until Santa comes to visit.

Ray Papiano’s favorite is the flamingos flying in the sleigh.

“I like doing some of the things that are normal stuff from stores, but I like different things,” he said. “[The flamingos] are something different with a Florida style.”

The Papianos’ house will be darker next year because Ray Papiano has decided this year would be his last for going allout on Christmas decorations. At the age of 64, the number of hours and amount of work that goes into the display has become too much.

“I still love doing it, but it’s just a lot of work,” he said. “I’ll probably have withdrawals next year.”

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Ray Papiano’s favorite aspect of his display is the flamingos flying Santa’s sleigh.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

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akewood Ranch’s Rod and Roxanne Leezer haven’t been able to go to many car shows this year due to the pandemic, so they jumped at the chance to go to the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge’s second annual Car and Truck Show on Dec. 12.

“I like the more vintage cars from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s,” said Rod Leezer, who owns a 1940 Packard and a 1948 Plymouth Coupe.

The show gave car owners an opportunity to show off their vehicles.

“It’s fun to get out and meet people while seeing other great cars,” Lakewood Ranch’s Dave Similo said.

Similo had a lime green 1937 Ford in the Elks’ show. It took him seven years to do the more than 23 modifications to the car, which he calls the Instigator. He finished it in 2007.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

21

Photos by Liz Ramos

Rosedale’s Bob Scott looks under the hood of a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. “I like that it’s almost the way it came out of the factory,” Scott says. “It’s great they preserved it.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Lisa and Raymond Lamp take a look at all the cars before deciding which one to select as Best in Show and People’s Choice. Lisa Lamp hopes her red Corvette will win either category.

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Lakewood Ranch’s Roxanne and Rod Leezer look at a vintage car.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

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GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL Runs 6:30-9 p.m. daily at the former Stein Mart location in the West District at University Town Center, 119 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is hosting the 12th annual Gingerbread Festival. More than 200 gingerbread houses will be on display.

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FRIDAY, DEC. 18

BOOK SIGNING Runs from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Mall of University Town Center in front of Macy’s, 110 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Daredevil Nik Wallenda will be signing his new book “Facing Fear,” a guide to overcoming fears.” For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19

REC DAY AT THE PARK Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Families are invited to experience Nathan Benderson Park during Rec Day. Participants will have the opportunity to try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoes, fishing and more.

Fees are $10 per person for ages 7-18 and free for their parents and siblings ages 1-6. The fee is $10 for adults without children.

Freshwater fishing licenses are required for any participants age 16 and older. Meet at the base of the finish tower. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

LEARN TO FISH Begins at 10 a.m. at James Patton Park, 5725 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Learn to Fish Saturdays is presented in partnership with the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club. Those who attend will learn the art of casting, being a good angler and knot tying. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. Meet at the pavilion. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

BEST BET FRIDAY, DEC. 18

FIESTA! FRIDAYS Runs from 5:30-9 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. SANCA presents Fiesta Fridays with the Dive Bombers and Derek Lersch Band. The event includes food and drink for sale along with exhibitors. Tickets are limited to 1,500 people and may be purchased through the park’s website at NathanBendersonPark.org. Tickets are $10 each for ages 15 and up and free for those 14 and under. Parking is free.

BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICK Runs from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 E. State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch. The Knights of Columbus hosts Breakfast with St. Nicholas. Children ages 1-9 are invited to attend with their parents for breakfast, caroling and a visit with St. Nicholas.

Anyone attending is asked to RSVP by Dec. 14 with names and ages of children with an email to mcangemi@tampabay.rr.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

23

Family Owned & Operated

Making Outdoor a

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

POLO Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 30th season at the Sarasota Polo Club runs every Sunday through April 25, 2021. Besides worldclass polo, the event includes halftime Clydesdale wagon rides for the kids, food and beverages, tailgating and divot stomping.

General admission is $15 per adult with children 12 and under free. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. For ticket packages and information, go to SarasotaPolo.com. Gates open at 10 a.m.

MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch runs every Sunday through April 25, 2021. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, diary products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles among other items. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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GENEROSITY / jen • uh • ros • i • tee / noun the warmth that emanates from the light within OUR COLLEAGUES IN CARE NAME

Carol Masio

R E L AT I O N S H I P QUOTE

Target Graphics

We donate because we believe in Tidewell.

The ability to die with dignity is so important.

Carol and Target Graphics have been supporting Tidewell Hospice since the late 1980s. With a personal connection to Tidewell and a firm belief in our mission, Carol has established herself as a loyal partner, sponsoring events like the annual Signature Luncheon, the Turkey Trot, and more.

By starting with relationships, the Tidewell Foundation is redefining care. It’s how the Tidewell family has done it for 40 years.

Brighten lives today CareRedefined.org

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THE TIDEWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES

24

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13021 Sorrento Way Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4474607 $920,000

BRADENTON 12758 Sorrento Way Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4484172 $625,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12709 Stone Ridge Place Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4483186 $575,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8220 Waterview Boulevard Mary Pat Pihl 941-932-3065 A4484344 $553,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13462 Purple Finch Circle Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4484528 $525,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4653 Royal Dornoch Cir Sue Cosgrove-Lee & Chris Baylis 941-400-9068 A4468380 $520,000

BRADENTON 904 65th Street NW Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4484340 $519,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7653 Portstewart Drive David D'Angelo & Mike Bruno, PA 941-587-7268 A4485106 $500,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7936 Hampton Court Lori Bollinger & Beth Ann Boyer 941-524-7034 A4476286 $483,500

PALMETTO 1317 50th Avenue Drive W Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4484149 $479,900

UNIVERSITY PARK 6668 Saint James Crossing Beth Ann Boyer 941-780-6606 A4481768 $475,000

BRADENTON 4430 Baltry Court Debbie Judge 941-544-6054 A4483671 $400,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7625 Windward Cove Judy Nimz & William Nimz 941-374-0196 A4484350 $400,000

BRADENTON 6885 Willowshire Way Jim McElhinney 941-773-1199 A4482705 $369,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7742 Whitebridge Glen Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4483726 $334,900

UNIVERSITY PARK 7623 Whitebridge Glen Nancy Phillips & Beth Ann Boyer 941-400-6078 A4483450 $330,000

SARASOTA 5368 Eliseo Street Terri Thacker 941-376-1955 A4481423 $319,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 10163 Glenmore Avenue Nicole Ryskamp 941-807-1766 A4484174 $310,000

SARASOTA 2779 Ringwood Meadow 2 Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4473239 $279,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7710 Lake Vista Court 403 Stephen Strong 941-201-9662 A4482189 $254,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7710 Lake Vista Court 306 Beth Pheney 941-345-5636 A4436681 $250,000

BRADENTON 6611 Grand Estuary Trail 201 Laura Tracy-Clekis 941-915-4167 A4458519 $240,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7171 Boca Grove Place 202 Laura Navratil 941-806-7436 A4483665 $232,500

UNIVERSITY PARK 8235 72nd Street E Debbie Judge 941-544-6054 A4472042 $210,000

BRADENTON 7015 River Hammock Drive 104 Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4470206 $174,900

SARASOTA 3015 Quail Hollow 4 Amy Chapman 941-225-1500 A4482299 $147,500

BRADENTON 1423 56th Street W Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4470768 $116,000

SARASOTA 3515 Longmeadow 8 Amy Chapman 941-225-1500 A4483147 $115,000

SARASOTA 1520 Glen Oaks Drive E 244 Elisa Gersman 941-735-0595 A4484780 $103,000

BRADENTON 8504 71st Avenue Drive E Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4485050 $695,000

BRADENTON 5255 Castello Lane Linda Formella 941-720-6698 A4484167 $665,000

MSC MORTGAGE | MSC TITLE | MS&C COMMERCIAL NEW HOMES & CONDOMINIUMS

BRADENTON 5129 88th Street E Chris Baylis & Sue Cosgrove-Lee 941-735-4713 A4481186 $645,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 342304-1

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Gregg and Alexis Heckman, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8372 Catamaran Circle to David Weza and David Leier, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.95 million. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,160 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Timothy Granquist and Kelly Elizabeth Lauchert, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14507 Leopard Creek Place to Timothy Theodore O’Neill and Patti O’Neill, of Cincinnati, for $1.03 million. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,333 square feet of living area.

Rodney Williams and Sonia Nicholas Del Valle, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6923 Devon Cove to Shannon O’Neill and Dawn Capaldi, of Bethesda, Md., for $875,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,887 square feet of living area. It sold for $816,000 in 2018.

Rengan and Sujatha Krishnakumar, of Port Charlotte, sold their home at 14806 Secret Harbor Place to Bahtiar Hoxha and Cynthia Gordon, of Lakewood Ranch, for $824,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,166 square feet of living area.

Marsha Jane Stark, of Dana Point, Calif., sold the home at 15212 Castle Park Terrace to G. Geoffrey Dampeer, trustee, of Bradenton, for $735,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,627 square feet of living area.

Alyssa Angel, trustee, sold the home at 14419 Whitemoss Terrace to James and Monika Morgan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $499,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,202 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 2018.

COUNTRY CLUB

Michael and Carolyne Spears, of Gold Canyon, Ariz., sold their home at 6935 Brier Creek Court to William Fisher and Dale Barnett-Fisher, of Lakewood Ranch, for $870,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,780 square feet of living area.

Susan, trustee, and Joseph Parelman sold the home at 7021 Brier Creek Court to Valeriy and Irina Sabodash, of Lakewood Ranch, for $789,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,710 square feet of living area.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

25

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $1.95 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 30-DEC. 4

Southern Property Trust LLC sold the home at 6831 Dominion Lane to Naudain Street LLC for $710,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,533 square feet of living area. It sold for $666,800 in 2015.

Donald and Linda McMillan, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13951 Siena Loop to Celia and Clyde Clare, of Bradenton, for $564,900. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,666 square feet of living area. It sold for $450,000 in 2017.

Kevin and Cathy Kelly, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7308 Riviera Cove to Robert and Patti Schuitema, trustees, of Bradenton, for $448,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,400 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2015.

Leigh Ann Gallucci, trustee, of Cary, N.C., sold the home at 7624 Windward Cove to Igor and Tatyana Kashubskaya, of Renton, Wash., for $383,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,862 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2015.

Richard Criss Henderson and Richard Boynton, trustees, of Evanston, Ill., sold the home at 7208 Presidio Glen to Harry and Renea Kocharian, of Lakewood Ranch, for $345,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,787 square feet of living area. It sold for $293,000 in 2008.

Liz Ramos

This Country Club East home at 14507 Leopard Creek Place sold for $1.03 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,333 square feet of living area.

Thomas and Sharon Mandula, of Greenwood Village, Colo., sold their home at 12643 Sorrento Way to Charles and Patricia Mitchell, of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,685 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2019.

Keith and Amy King, of Lakewood Ranch, for $720,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,145 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 2019.

Tarynitup LLC sold the home at 14273 Sundial Place to Jonathan and Sarah Viaud, of Franklin Lakes, N.J., for $400,000. Built

GREENBROOK

Dorothy and Allison Hively, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13224 Brown Thrasher Pike to

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 26

In with the new

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

POMELLO PARK

Todd and Holly Davis, of Bradenton, sold their home at 19705 69th Ave. E. to John and Laura Pender, of Bradenton, for $824,300. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,257 square feet of living area.

Bayfront Sarasota

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AZARIO ESPLANADE

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 15422 Derna Terrace to Robert and Janet Morrone, of Lakewood Ranch, for $753,900. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,138 square feet of living area.

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 15418 Derna Terrace to Kristen Caroline Grigsby, of Bradenton, for $665,600. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,090 square feet of living area.

ESPLANADE

Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 13015 Malachite Drive to Elizabeth Oleski and Gregory Thomas Oleski, of Troy, Mich., for $740,000. Built in 2015, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 2,943 square feet of living area.

Gregory and Mary Maloley, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13034 Prima Drive to Paul and Peggy Jo Frank, of Bradenton, for $482,500. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,256 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,500 in 2015.

South Sarasota

NEW MODEL OPEN

MOVE-IN READY

Sandhill Lake | 941.234.0432 From the high $400,000s SandhillLakeSarasota.com

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

Downtown Sarasota

Mark Sarasota | 941.234.4323 $899,000 MarkSarasota.com

Bradenton Riverfront

Riverside Point | 941.201.8505 Home sites from $229,900 | Homes from the low $600,000s RiversidePointFlorida.com

MOVE-IN READY

Edgewater at Hidden Bay | 941.966.3600 From the high $400,000s EdgewaterHB.com

Osprey Bayfront

NEW PRICING, MOVE-IN READY

Northwest Bradenton

Palma Sola Bay Club | 941.216.7436 From the high $300,000s PalmaSolaBayClub.com

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota

Risdon on 5th | 941.365.1414 From the high $300,000s RisdonOn5th.com

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2020.

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Licensed Real Estate Broker

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Real estate FROM PAGE 25

in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,374 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2012.

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Rebecca Rine, of Bradenton, sold her home at 15269 Blue Fish Circle to Jhosua and Marisol Marlass, of Bradenton, for $375,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,073 square feet of living area. It sold for $285,000 in 2007.

VVC Rentals LLC sold the home at 14251 Cattle Egret Place to Helen Coward, of Bradenton, for $359,400. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,572 square feet of living area. It sold for $282,500 in 2014.

CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES

*Subject to availability

LANDSIDE

Paul Robert Fiset and Hannifer Mannan, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6387 Golden Eye Glen to Karl and Cynthia Oeler, of Bradenton, for $399,900. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,087 square feet of living area. It sold for $360,300 in 2006.

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Stephen and Vanessa Wasko, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6113 Ninth Ave. Circle NE to Gareth Davies, trustee, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,698 square feet of living area. It sold for $601,000 in 2019.

Christine Barry of Medford, Mass., sold her home at 5454 56th Court E. to James E. Dahm Revocable Trust for $650,000.

Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,736 square feet of living area. It sold for $599,000 in 2018.

SAVANNA

Jason and Melissa Perri, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14328 Carolina Sky Place to Steven and Josephine Vranick, of Bradenton, for $635,000. Built in 2019, it has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,899 square feet of living area. It sold for $468,000 in 2019.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Sean Robert Fleming and Martha Ann Fleming, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4741 Pinnacle Drive to Steven and Christine Carruthers, of Lakewood Ranch, for $610,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,588 square feet of living area. It sold for $483,000 in 2016.

WATERLEFE

Sea Forest Holdings Ltd. sold the home at 10026 Day Lily Court to Lawrence Keith Burkhardt and Mary Burkhardt, of Bradenton, for $589,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2016.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Tickets $35

A Very Merry Christmas

344623-1

MARSHALL’S LANDING

941.359.0099 | www.sarasotaballet.org

and a Happy New Year

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Open 7 Days a Week Until Christmas

329043-1

26

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, DEC. 17

|

27

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 17

7:14a

5:38p

Don’t worry,Dec. 18 Friday, 7:14a 5:39p High: 65 I T ’ S S M A R T S T R A N D. Low: 46 Saturday, Dec. 19 7:15a 5:39p Chance Only SmartStrand® can handle the 747 lbs of ice cream a family will eat in a carpet’s lifetime.

Sunday, Dec. 20 7:15a 5:40p of rain: 5% Other carpets use stain protection that has to be reapplied. But only SmartStrand’s stain resistance is built right into Monday, Dec. 21 7:16a 5:40p the fibers. So it never wears or washes out. Even after multiple cleanings. Even better, It’s on sale now!

To learn more about what makes SmartStrand® with DuPont™ Sorona® #1 in customer satisfaction, visit MohawkFlooring.com/SmartStrand.

FRIDAY, DEC. 18

High: 64 Low: 49 Chance of rain: 5%

7:16a

5:41p

Wednesday, Dec. 23

7:17a

5:41p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 19 High: 73 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 5%

This double rainbow over Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch was captured by Gordon Silver.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

Dec. 29 Full

Jan. 6 Last

Jan. 12 New

Jan. 20 First

RAINFALL Monday, Dec. 7

0

Tuesday, Dec. 8

0

SUNDAY, DEC. 20

Wednesday, Dec. 9

0

Thursday, Dec. 10

0

High: 75 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 20%

Friday, Dec. 11

0

Saturday, Dec. 12

0

Sunday, Dec. 13

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2020-21 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2021, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2020 56.14 in.

2020 0.65 in.

2019 47.72 in.

2019 0.43 in.

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

91 Hole puncher 92 Opposite of “feral” 93 Grief (... middle three letters) 98 Guide for Dora the Explorer 99 Watered-down 100 Plane or pliers 101 Olympian queen 103 Fire engine feature 105 SOS product 108 “Sicario” star del Toro 111 Birds on Minnesota state quarters 112 Church section 113 Stop equivocating (... middle four letters) 115 Chick with big eyes 116 ___ sorry for 117 Lake by Lake Ontario 118 Causing the creeps 119 Emerson’s (53-Across’s “middle” term) 120 Tree creatures in (36-Across’s “middle” term) 121 Use your thumb and (76-Across’s “middle” term) 122 PSAT co.

INSIDE INFORMATION by Victor Barocas; Edited by David Steinberg

26 Radio component 27 Keep up 28 Infuriates 30 Make chuckle 31 Equestrian’s strap 32 Not merely treat 33 Some undergarments 34 Genre influenced by punk 36 Be constantly reminded about (... middle five letters) 44 Cleveland hoopsters, for short 46 Singer DiFranco 47 Commits a major offense?

48 Org. whose logo contains a flower

49 Frozen treat brand 50 Added to the recipient list 51 That, in Santiago 52 Send forth 53 Hamburger now in the United States? (... middle four letters) 59 Canonized person 60 Twisted dramatic device 61 Eldest Musketeer 62 Grand ___ Dam 63 Earth Day mo.

66 Giants great Mel 67 Alternative to Outlook 68 Came out on top 69 Like an unmatched sock

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

©2020 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Sewn edge 4 Poet in the (23-Across’s “middle” term) 8 Country in the (113-Across’s “middle” term) 12 Bone in the (93-Across’s “middle” term) 17 Japanese city near Kobe 20 Foul smell 21 “I do too” 22 Craving attention 23 Spring cleaning event (note this answer’s middle four letters) 25 Irritated state

*DuPont™ Sorona® contains 37% renewably sourced ingredients by weight. The DuPont Oval logo, DuPont,™ Renewably sourced™ and Sorona® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates and are licensed to Mohawk.

70 Commend 72 Animal known for its dark fur 73 Goldsmith’s measure 75 River of Orleans 76 Typos and the like (... middle six letters) 81 Possesses 82 One of 2,297 for Hank Aaron (Abbr.)

84 Collectible ‘90s disks 85 Quail imitator in Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6” 86 Fairy queen 87 The ‘rents, perhaps

DOWN 1 Razorbacks, for example 2 Jacob’s brother 3 Vehicle that stops in a red zone?

4 Officer under a cap’n 5 Mouthwash bottle org.

6 Part for a player 7 Soak 8 “Insecure” actress 9 Yosemite employees 10 French for “friend” 11 Earns in the end 12 Brightest star of Scorpius 13 Alfred E. ___ 14 Disarmingly beautiful statue?

15 Mid-month date 16 Harp ancestor 18 Duchess Middleton 19 For a second time 24 A, to Angela Merkel 29 Felt remorse 33 O’Rourke from Texas 34Vaping device 35Nutmeg relative

37Uninhabited 38Word after “public” or “mortal” 39 Take the bus, say 40 Chilly temps 41Great MLB hits 42 Said what one thought 43 Like a biblical calf 45 Big rig 50 $100 bill, in old slang 52 ___ de cologne 54 Came up 55 Macho man in movies 56 Author Calvino 57 Part of CEO 58 ISP that Verizon purchased 59 Echolocation system 62 Granny Smith centers 63 Self-composure 64 Hawkish 65 Colorful sushi option 67 Needle-nosed fish 68 Shake back and forth 71 Form W-9 org.

72 Backbone 73 Been aware of 74 Moderate pace 77 Apple tablet 78 Much-debated insurance program, familiarly 79 Tomato type 80 Flow gradually 82 Order by preference 83 Word from Scrooge 87 Has it in mind 88 Statistician’s material 89 Gets moving?

90 Resting on 94 Wailed loudly 95 Delights 96 Kind of butter in cosmetics 97 Be aware of 102 Sacred ceremony 103 How downloads always seem 104 Hawkeye State 105 Heist target 106 “I’m an ___ book” 107 “Crud!”

108 Oven sound 109 Not eliminated 110 Poems of praise 114 Optima automaker

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“H’F GKORZHSBP OKBHUEHSX REK HJKZ YI BHAHSX Z GKSRCOP. GZS PYC HFZXHSK REZR? NEZR ZS ZGEHKAKFKSR.” – YBHAHZ JK EZAHBBZSJ “PYA LCH KOHG KAZ HOFON KNOCU DO / ‘LCAEO XZ YHSP EONFOE ZY DCUO DO / DYNO GOZONDXHOG ZY CLMXOFO DP JXHCS TYCS.”

– MOSOH NOGGP Puzzle Two Clue: S equals L

Sarasota

SAVE ON EVERY SPECIES, COLOR AND STYLE!

Puzzle One Clue: I equals F

HARDWOOD

342483-1

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY

© 2020 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2020 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-17-20

28

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

Holiday Worship Guide Look for area services, programs and events to celebrate this joyous time of the year.

Faith Lutheran Church ELCA Christmas Eve Services

BLUE CHRISTMAS If you have experienced a loss and this is a hard Christmas for you, you are invited to this special service for encouragement, comfort, hope and peace.

7pm Sunday, December 20

CHRISTMAS EVE Join us for a worship service under a canopy of stars! We’ll gather outside to sing our favorite Christmas songs, celebrate Jesus’s birth, and cap the night off by singing Silent Night by candlelight. Kids are welcome! Bring a chair and a blanket.

Candlelight Communion | 6:00 & 8:00 p.m.

345731

7pm & 9:41pm Thursday, December 24

All are Welcome

GRACE CHURCH, SARASOTA CAMPUS

347183

7750 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238 | 941.924.4664

Weekly Outdoor & Online Worship Sundays at 9:41am 8521 Vamo Road, Sarasota, FL 34231 egracechurch.com 941.966.3306 Facebook @SarasotaGrace YouTube @GraceChurch941

Celebrate with us

CHRISTMAS

45 MINUTE PERFORMANCE WITH LIVE ANIMALS AND FREE REFRESHMENTS

DEC. 10-13 2020 7:30 PM

WWW.MYTAB.CHURCH

4141 DESOTO ROAD. SARASOTA 34235

SIESTA KEY CHAPEL PRESBYTERIAN USA

Christmas Eve Services In-Person & Live Stream

Siesta Key Beach Service 12/23 @ 5 pm

Masks required

Casual and contemporary Christmas service. Sing Christmas carols & listen to the Christmas story. Bring a chair or blanket.

Christmas Eve Online Worship 12/24 @ 7 pm via our website, YouTube & Facebook

Traditional Christmas Eve worship with lessons, carols and candlelighting.

347179

Christmas Eve In-Person Services 3 pm in the Sanctuary

Meditative service in the Sanctuary. Website registration required.

Christmas Isn’t Canceled!

5, 7, & 9 pm in the Courtyard

It’s Under the Stars ** It’s in the Sanctuary 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

A night under the stars with carol singing, candlelighting and a message. Bring a chair.

Social distancing protocols will be in place and mask wearing will be observed.

Saint James

December 24th | Please wear your mask.

346469

United Methodist Church 2049 N. Honore Ave, Sarasota FL 34235 941-377-6180 www.saintjamesumc.org

Come! God’s Son Is Born for All!

See the Christmas schedule and register to worship at ConcordiaSarasota.org See there also our worship videos and Facebook updates.

Concordia Lutheran Church

2185 Wood Street

ConcordiaSarasota.org

347564

(Along School Avenue, North of Sarasota High School) 346637

Church of the Palms 3224 Bee Ridge Road Sarasota FL 34239

347306

WWW.CHURCHOFTHEPALMS.ORG

CLASSIFIEDS

Thursday, December 17, 2020

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in The East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

The Observer Classifieds Holiday Early Deadlines for Dec 24th and Dec 31st

Homes For Sale

Dec 24th: Classifieds & Service Directory deadline East County Observer & Longboat Observer December 17th, Noon Sarasota / Siesta Key Observer December 18th, Noon Dec 31st: Classifieds & Service Directory deadline East County Observer and Longboat Observer December 18th, Noon Sarasota / Siesta Key Observer December 21st, Noon

LV9431

INFO & RATES: 941-955-4888 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: classified@yourobserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I’m certainly relishing the idea of living a century. Can you imagine that? What an achievement.”

Olivia de Havilland Puzzle Two Solution: “You can bend but never break me / ‘Cause it only serves to make me / More determined to achieve my final goal.”

– Helen Reddy

347317

The Observer Classified Dept. will CLOSE Dec. 23rd at 4pm for the holidays. We will reopen Mon., Jan. 4 at 8:30am.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS! Items Under $200 For Sale

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 2013/2014 FORD Focus Alloy Rio. Good condition $125. 941-879-7105, Call no texts.

CAMPING QUEEN Air Mattress, Pump. Plus Two Coleman's Sleeping Bags. $45. (941) 350-8068.

CAROUSEL TABLE 2'X2' WITH GLASS TOP. Was 2000, now $200. (941) 359-8460.

Health/Fitness/Beauty ELEGANT BEAUTY LOUNGE The newest premier nail and lash lounge.

Offering Nails, organic pedicures, waxing, spray tanning, lash extentions, jewelry and more!

Call or Text: 941-357-2618 5108 15th Street East Suite 109 Bradenton, FL 34203

Merchandise Wanted

Storage

classifieds.yourobserver.com

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

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

CLUB STYLE chairs, oversized, Drexel, pale red. $100 for pair. 941-355-9057.

Homes For Sale

LIKE NEW stainless steel above stove microwave $100. Like new GE stainless steel oven. $100.

941-536-5739.

Beach Front Home: 4BED-5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000 University Pool/Spa 4BED-3BATH $425,000 55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED2BATH $424,000 2.5 Acres: 4BED/3BATH, 3CAR GAR. Luxury kitchen, barn, horses. $645,000

OFFICE CHAIR executive 2 way support high back. $135. 941-776-0034.

Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift. $530,000.

Autos For Sale

Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo $399,000

TOYOTA SIENNA XLE 2006 Wheelchair van. Low miles, nav, BDE loaded, leather, sunroof. Nice condition. $9,900. 941-536-5739.

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars. 941-270-4400.

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

Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Adult Care Services ©2020 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

Sell Your Item for Free! $200 or less classifieds.yourobserver.com

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY

LAMPS – rubbed bronze, 3 way switch, 1 floor lamp with matching table lamp. Shades included.

Like new. $25 each or 2 for $45. 516-528-5876.

OFFICE NOW OPEN AT: 7915 US 301 N STE 201 Ellenton, FL Ashorerealtyllc.com 941-417-7777 Call today for a free market analysis.

Want Some Mad Money?

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

JEANS, 3 pairs, size 34 or 32 waist with holes. $25.

941-741-9727.

Rosemarie Lunardelli Broker/Owner Rosemarie.ashorerealtyllc@gmail.com 732-489-3676

Offering 10% off to first time guests, 20% for those who bring a friend, and 15% for seniors.

CHERRY JEWELRY chest: $40 Lingerie chest cream $50. End table, modern glass top $30.

608-438-4441.

FARMSTYLE TABLE 29 x 48, oak top, white base.

4 sturdy chairs. Solid wood, oak seats, white frame. $199. 941-351-3166.

This week’s Sudoku answers Wishing you a Happy Healthy Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year!

Sarasota: Built in 2010 4BED-2.5BATH Lakeview Lanai $335,000 Phillipi Gardens: $209,000

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

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

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

2020

Auto Transport

Caregiver/ care coordinator available for AM shift or night shift. Call Diane: 941-448-5486.

Cleaning

Pools

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services. Experienced, Dependable and ready to begin! Residential.

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady. Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential. Commercial.

New Construction. 941-400-2866.

Hauling NO CONTACT Junk Removal Just point for junk to disappear.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? (800) 465-5865 or 1800gotjunk.com

INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH

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

Call 941-726-2677

Personal Services

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Painting/Wallpapering

CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

NOW IN PARRISH! 12 years of personal service in Bradenton Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota.

SPECIAL RATES FOR FIRST 30 CUSTOMERS! Book your slot for Jan 2021 GET OUR BEST RATES FOR WEEKLY POOL SERVICE CALL PAUL – BLISSFUL POOLS 941-705-0400

30

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

|

COMPUTER

DOORS

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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

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

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

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

Pegatronics.com 346969

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com 345999

941-735-3362

CLOCK REPAIR

CONSTRUCTION

HEALTH

THE BEST This Doctor is Among

Christo’s Clock Repair 4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.”

Visit our showroom

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

(941) 650-7758

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

bschule88@gmail.com

346001

941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

345978

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

“Medical Breakthrough Technology for bulging, herniated and degenerative disc ...

No Pain, No Drugs, No Injections, No Surgery” Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

GET YOUR NAME

WORKS FOR YOU

LV10370

OUT THERE!

CALL 955-4888

LV10321

Advertise your business

in The Observer Service Directory Call 941-955-4888 to advertise

DOORS

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a

FREE CONSULTATION

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

HOME SERVICES

DOORS

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

• Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

941.628.8579 347733

www.ezslider.com

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

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

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

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

Residential

941-705-5468

GRAB BARS

235

$

FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE S

Commercial

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

347741

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

941.966.0333

DrGrabBars.com LIFETIME GUARANTEE Licensed • Bonded • Insured COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

WORKS FOR YOU Call 955-4888 to reserve your space

READY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Starting at only

85

$

Reach 126,000 readers each week with your ad in the Service Directory!

/mo.

XNLV19005

Three sizes to choose from

PUBLISHES: Every Thursday | DEADLINE: Friday the week prior Call 941-955-4888 or email klogan@yourobserver.com

347740

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Call us today!

346484

SERVICE DIRECTORY

to reserve your space

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades

DIRECTORY

Owner / Operator Insured

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

SERVICE

Dustin Yoder

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

347739

ALUMINUM

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

LV10321

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

31

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

|

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

PAINTING

THE GRAB BAR GUY

BOB DAVIS: 754-366-9768

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

Owner Supervises Every Job

PET SERVICES

LAWN CARE

Cindy Wells 941-928-2168

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

347744

346973

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Building & Roofing Contractor

Call for appointment

Located off of SR 70 E. 1 mile North on Verna Bethany Rd. 7804 Barr Road Myakka City, FL 34251

www.bissonroofing.com

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Country Canine Makeovers Dog grooMing

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

941 - 748 - 7400

346415

AvitarpaintingLLC@gmail.com

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

347745

954-1878

Call John 941.377.2940

Bisson Roofing Inc.

SPECIALIZING IN:

347742

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

ROOFING

• Interior Painting • Drywall Texture • Drywall/Popcorn Repair • Wallpaper Removal • Exterior Painting • Pressure Cleaning

GLENN KROECKER

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

POWER WASHING

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936 346417

SCREENING

941-739-5102

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

345961

MOVERS

WINDOWS

Houses, Pool Cage & Decks, Fences, Driveways & Walks Irrigation, Fertilizer, Rust & Battery Stain Removal

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BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

Local And Long Distance Movers Residential Moves Commercial Moves Pack, Crate & Wrap

Warranties

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6 160

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Doors and more!

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

...will move anything from a couch to a household

941-704-4278

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

Manufacture and workmanship

David McCarthy Moving • • • •

941-345-5264

346000

346002

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

347746

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

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

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

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|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020

941.587.4359 | 941.229.4000

#1 Team at Michael Saunders & Company in 2019 SOLD IN 41 DAYS FOR 97% OF LIST PRICE

E

7257 GREYSTONE ST LWR COUNTRY CLUB REPRESENTED SELLERS | $1,522,500

ven though 2020 has been a crazy year, it has also shown us the value in home. Home is where we have come together this year with loved ones more than ever before. We’re blessed to have helped you find your way home this year, and look forward to welcoming you home in the New Year.

NEW LISTING

Have safe and happy holidays, and may they be filled with joy and love!

Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano UNDER CONTRACT

7427 GREYSTONE ST LWR COUNTRY CLUB 5BR | 4.5BA | 4,055 SQFT | $1,495,000 NEW LISTING

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

12312 NEWCASTLE PL LWR COUNTRY CLUB 3BR | 3BA | 3,346 SQFT | $1,150,000 NEW LISTING

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

7225 ASHLAND GLEN LWR COUNTRY CLUB 3BR | 4.5BA | 4,061 SQFT | $1,095,000 UNDER CONTRACT

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

10509 FIRESTONE DR RIVER CLUB 4BR | 3.5BA | 3,811 SQFT | $845,000

13311 MATANZAS PL LWR COUNTRY CLUB 3BR | 3.5BA | 3,430 SQFT | $1,025,000 PRICE REDUCTION

3D TOUR AVAILABLE

16018 KNIGHTSWOOD PL COUNTRY CLUB EAST 3BR | 3BA | 2,340 SQFT | $735,000

7304 SAINT GEORGES WAY UNIVERSITY PARK CC 2BR | 2.5BA | 2,243 SQFT | $495,000

Licensed Real Estate Professionals

StacyHaas@michaelsaunders.com GloriaBracciano@michaelsaunders.com StacyHaas.com | GloriaBracciano.com

#1 TEAM | #1 BROKER

8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

328300-1

32

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

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XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

www.yourobserver.com/detwilers-weekly-flyer

HOLIDAY TREAT! $

2 FOR 6

303978-1

The Culver’s® Double Deluxe Butterburger®

Valid Only At: Culver’s of Bradenton 5750 Ranch Lake Blvd.

Bradenton, FL 34202 941-756-4000

Expires 2/28/21 Reproductions of this coupon are not accepted.

Shown: The Culver’s® Double Deluxe Butterburger ®. Based on purchase at regular menu price. Please no substitutions. Not valid with any other offer.

Value 1/200 cent. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Valid only at Culver’s® of Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch.

Store 544-12/20

DISCOVER ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF BECOMING AN INSIDER.

JOIN OUR ADVANCE ACCESS PROGRAM. You’ll instantly become a member of the Lakewood Ranch family, where you can meet your future neighbors and acclimate to life in the community.

6 RE ASONS YO U ’ L L LOV E B E I N G A N A DVA N C E ACC E SS ME MBE R .

Membership delivers the full Lakewood Ranch experience, plus:

Priority move-in

Pre-move-in wellness guidance

VIP access to beauty salon and barbershop

Dining privileges

Invitations to monthly social gatherings

Moving assistance program

Advance Access is a great plan, so why not get on the list today?

For more information, call 941-315-9503.

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858 11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM 343393-1

Get to know THE SHERIDAN AT LAKEWOOD RANCH.

Senior Lifestyle offers luxury assisted living and award-winning memory care at The Sheridan at Lakewood Ranch, part of the next generation of senior living communities. Offering management expertise, exceptional care, upscale comforts and a convenient, desirable location, Lakewood Ranch is a first choice in senior living.

ALIGN YOUR FUTURE WITH YOUR PLAN FOR EASY LIVING. Advance Access at Lakewood Ranch gives you priority access to our premium lifestyle. For all the benefits of membership, join now by calling

941-315-9503.

11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

343388-1

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858