East County Observer 12.9.21

EAST COUNTY

Santa visits Main.

Observer

PAGE 19

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

VOLUME 24, NO. 4

Interchange effort nears its end

YOUR TOWN

Work crews should be gone by end of January.

PAGE 3

Scott Lockwood

Elks’ food truck rolls forward For Lakewood Ranch Elks members Tony DeVita and Leo Lozeau (above), spending the day at the special Stuff the Truck event at the lodge collecting food for children in need wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

The pair do so on a regular basis for the Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies program, which provides food for children ages 5-12. However, on Nov. 20, the Elks were making a special push to collect food that will be delivered by EFELT to 11 schools for approximately 500 children per week. “(The Elks) has been doing this for 11 years,” DeVita said.

“On Wednesdays, we get all the food ready. Then volunteers come in, package the food and deliver it to the schools on Fridays. I’ve been doing this for five years, and Leo has been doing it for seven years.”

The food is donated by Elks and nonmembers. DeVita said the Elks also gets grants to help with the effort.

Jay Heater

Markers on every hole at Palm Aire honor residents or sponsors, such as on No. 18. Board President Bernie Duggan stands next to a sign that honors Irv and Anna Mae Kean. The renovated Champions Course opened Dec. 1.

$2 million face-lift Palm Aire Country Club members celebrate reopening of their Champions Course. SEE PAGE 8

Liz Ramos

Students in sync at Braden River In his third performance of the night, Ezekiel Lopez (above), a sophomore at Braden River High School, had to lip sync “Bohemian Rhapsody” against 1KDU, a group of nine students.

Lopez, the eventual champion, and 1KDU were participating in the school’s annual lip sync battle Nov. 17 where they performed along with five other acts. The audience had voted Lopez and 1KDU into the top two, where they gave it their all while sharing a split stage to perform the Queen classic.

“I felt like the underdog because I was one person going up against a group of nine singing a song with at least five parts,” Lopez said. “It felt amazing (to win).”

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Check out the Cheeks.

INSIDE

Sound of music returns to Main Off since March 2020 due to the pandemic, Lakewood Ranch’s Music on Main is back. SEE PAGE 10 Mike Talerico and Annette Gueli enjoy the big Christmas tree at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The tree was lit just before Music on Main began Dec. 3.

Jay Heater

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

RANTS & RAVES As one tours Lakewood Ranch, it is truly a spectacle and a marvel of architecture, community buildings interwoven with retail businesses, hospitals, schools, sports complexes and all sorts of commercial space. What is truly still even more amazing is the inferior cell service in the No. 1 growing community in the USA! If driving down State Road 70 in Lakewood Ranch between Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Rosedale Country Club, service drops off. Then proceeding west on S.R. 70 going by Braden River High School, service drops off. Traveling north on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard past 44th Avenue Extension, there is no service at all. There are several other areas which share the same unfortunate coverage.

Now I am well aware that several people will say they have Verizon and have no problem at all, and that’s really great for them. I have AT&T, and I’m not switching, and I share these problems. Over the years I’ve read all the different excuses that have been published, and they are quite comical. As a matter of fact, I can drive east on 44th Avenue Extension and drive by a cellphone tower, and calls can be dropped as I drive by. So as we, the residents, watch the build-out of Lakewood Ranch, it is truly unbelievable that in this day and age we have a lack of cell service anywhere out here in Lakewood Ranch.

COMMUNITY MILESTONES RANTS & RAVES

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

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

798, or email us at RantsAndRaves@YourObserver.com.

Jay Heater

Acolyte Michael Downing stands next to the Rev. James Hedman, who gives a toast in honor of St. Mary Magdalene’s 25th anniversary Dec. 5 in Lakewood Ranch.

The church had a special celebration after Sunday services to mark the occasion.

After the grip of the pandemic, the church has been growing again and is up to about 240 parishioners. Hedman said they are restarting a fundraising campaign for building a new welcome center.

“I’ve been here 15 years, and this definitely is a deeply committed group of people who want to serve God,” Hedman said of the parishioners. “They take it seriously, but they have fun doing it.”

Executive Vice President John LaCivita marked 25 years with Willis Smith Construction on Dec. 2, and that date is now going to be celebrated every year.

President Dave Sessions declared a proclamation that said every Dec. 2 will be declared John LaCivita Day at Willis Smith.

LaCivita provides executive oversight of projects, such as the company’s high-profile Mote Science and Education Aquarium. He serves on the board and is a member of several regional nonprofits.

25 YEARS

ST. MARY MAGDALENE EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Rev. James Hedman toasted his church’s 25th anniversary Dec. 5 in front of a Ligustrum tree that was planted for the Lakewood Ranch church’s special occasion.

“It’s a testimony of the faithfulness of our parishioners,” he said.

Courtesy photo

Executive Vice President John LaCivita was honored for 25 years of service to Willis Smith.

THEY SAID IT!

nnn My rant is about the Observer not delivering to Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch. I used to live in Country Club, and I got my Observer every week. When I moved to Country Club East, I was told by the Observer that you do not deliver here. When I asked why, I was told when Country Club East was being built, it was too hard to work around the construction.

Well, we’re almost built out now, so that excuse is moot. Why don’t you deliver to Country Club East? That is my rant, thank you.

25 YEARS

Lakewood Ranch’s Steve Milbrod, who was enjoying the return of Music on Main on Dec. 3 with his daughter, Nikki, who lives in Orlando, was noting how much he enjoys going to the monthly concert series at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

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Let’s make Christmas special for these families.

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Jay Heater

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Cars make their way onto the new southbound on-ramp to Interstate 75 from eastbound State Road 70 on Dec. 3. The ramp opened to traffic Nov. 10.

I-75 interchange targeted for January completion Pandemic, weather slowed project from its expected summer 2020 finish.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

A

large road construction project at the State Road 70 and Interstate 75 interchange should be finished in January, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

For the past three years, crews from Spain-based Sacyr have been rebuilding and reshaping the interchange. FDOT spokesperson Andy Orrell said the project, which was originally scheduled to be completed last summer, should be wrapped up by the end of January.

“We’ve done well with this project,” Orrell said. “The problem is that trying to deal with this in the time of COVID has been trickier than we would have expected. We’ve had to deal with a lot of supply-side chain disruptions. We’ve had entire crews that have had to go down because of COVID concerns. We’ve also had a lot of weather issues as well.”

When it’s finished, the $80.8 million project will have widened to eight lanes a 6.75-mile stretch of I-75 from north of University Parkway to south of S.R. 64, reconstructed the S.R. 70/I-75 interchange by eliminating three of the four loop onramp configurations, widened I-75 entrance and exit ramps, replaced the bridge over S.R. 70, widened the bridge over the Braden River and resurfaced S.R. 70 between Tara Boulevard and 87th Street East. The project has also added sidewalks and 6½-foot buffered bike lanes along S.R. 70.

“We’re almost to the point where we’re starting to (begin) the end game for the project,” Orrell said. “In fact, we’re going to start doing the more minor things that you usually do at the end of a project, like fixing

PROGRESS REPORT An $80.8 million project to improve the State Road 70 and Interstate 75 interchange and widen a section of the interstate is coming to an end, expected in January. Here is a list of improvements that have been made or are in the process of being completed: n Widening of the interstate bridge over Braden River n Major signs, such as large overhead signs pointing to the interstate n Noise walls n New I-75 bridges over S.R. 70 n New I-75 bridges over Braden River n Stormwater ponds n I-75 northbound off-ramp and on-ramp n I-75 widening n Guardrail n I-75 southbound off-ramp and on-ramp n Final layer of asphalt and lane striping on I-75 n Minor signs, such as business logo signs at exit ramps n S.R. 70 median n S.R. 70 resurfacing and striping n S.R. 70 bicycle lane

sound wall errors, water retention, ponds, things of that nature. I’d be surprised if we didn’t get this thing done pretty quickly in the new year.”

I-75 has new interchanges with S.R. 70 at every corner except the northwest, which will remain a loop.

The new interchange will be a modified diamond, meaning the three nonloop ramps will diverge only slightly from the interstate. Loop ramps are inefficient for an interchange with major traffic, including plenty of trucks. The one remaining loop will double in size to make it more gradual, meaning it will be easier for trucks to use.

The largest change of late has been

Photos by Scott Lockwood

the reopening of the southbound on-ramp to 75 for drivers traveling eastbound on S.R. 70. After nearly five months of temporary turn lanes, there is now the southbound on-ramp for drivers coming from the west. Orrell said the new ramp opened on Nov. 10 and that FDOT doesn’t foresee any more road closures related to construction.

“That’s difficult to predict,” he said. “It just depends on how construction is going and what the needs are of the construction crews.”

Several area drivers said on social media that the modified diamond has been difficult to navigate, particularly on eastbound S.R. 70. To access I-75, drivers have to get into the right two lanes on S.R. 70, with the dividing curb being hard to see before the lane markings are finished.

“I hope they are planning on better signage,” Country Club East resident Wayne Lozier said. “Heading west on 70 getting on the southbound side of 75 is very confusing. If you miss the turnoff, it becomes very difficult to turn around.”

Lake Club resident Margie Mayer said the barrier that’s in place without sufficient signage doesn’t give drivers enough time to get over into the right lanes.

Area drivers have complained about this uneven curbing during construction, but it should be corrected with better signage to the interstate entrances by January, FDOT says.

“Living locally, I noticed it before I had to use it,” she said. “But for those encountering it for the first time, it’s easy to miss.”

Gale Gee, a University Park resident who has experience working in road construction, said the project has been a “terrible mess with terrible signage.”

“There are accidents here even with Florida Highway Patrol on site — sometimes daily,” Gee said. “I hope they plan to fix this. Switching the on-ramps going southbound was a disaster. People are crossing over three lanes to get on because now they realize they are on the wrong side, again due to signage.”

Lakewood Ranch resident Lisa Cushman echoed the thoughts of everyone who has passed through the area by saying she’s happy the project is nearly complete. She also offered some pointed words at fellow drivers who have created dangerous issues for workers and others alike.

“I appreciate the improvements,” Cushman said. “It’s going to be fantastic. It’s not the work that’s being done. It’s the drivers who don’t pay attention.”

Once construction wraps up, travelers on I-75 will still have to deal with construction in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. FDOT recently began construction on what will become a diverging diamond similar to the University Parkway interchange on the State Road 72 exit in Sarasota. Orrell said that work is also beginning on the I-75/U.S. 301 interchange in Ellenton but that finishing the work on S.R. 70 is priority.

“All of these are progressing very well,” Orrell said. “This is really the one that we’re putting the majority of our focus into. We are really excited about what it is going to do for traffic in that area and really helping the lives of the people who live in Lakewood Ranch and eastern Manatee County.”

Richard Delarosa of Sacyr Construction helps guide traffic coming from the east on S.R. 70 onto the southbound on-ramp for Interstate 75 on Dec. 3.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

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Jonathan Fleece, the president of Empath Health and Tidewell Hospice, was inspired after hearing humanitarian Alex Sheen talk about making and keeping promises during a Tidewell Foundation luncheon Nov. 30 in Lakewood Ranch.

Sheen, the founder of the nonprofit Because I Said I Would, shared his story of losing his father, who always kept any promises he made. His father’s death from cancer inspired him to create small cards that said “Because I Said I Would,” in which people would write a promise either to themselves, their friends, their family or their community in hopes of making the world a better place through positivity and acts of kindness.

“You see too often in life people say things like ‘I’ll get to it’ or ‘tomorrow,’” Sheen said to the dozens of donors who attended the luncheon at Grove. “Well, the last thing my father taught me is one day there will be no tomorrow, and the promises we make, we keep, and those that we choose to dishonor is what defines us and our character.”

After hearing Sheen’s story, Fleece promised the crowd that Tidewell Hospice will continue to make a difference.

Fleece said Tidewell Hospice served more than 50,000 people last year and will do so again in 2022.

“The Tidewell Foundation and Tidewell Hospice, all of our organizations, we’re here to provide care, hope and inspiration, so today’s message is consistent with our purpose and mission,” Fleece said.

Sheen shared some of the promises he made, such as volunteering for a different nonprofit each week of the year, buying 100 tickets to

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ABOUT TIDEWELL FOUNDATION Tidewell Foundation was created in June 2020 to support Tidewell Hospice and healthcare companies within the Stratum Health System.

Funding from Tidewell Foundation sustains and grows programs and services that Tidewell Hospice and its affiliates provide including grief services, hospice, home health, elder care services, medical services, HIV and AIDS treatments, sexual wellness care, and music, pet and art therapies.

Last year, more than $4 million was invested from Tidewell Foundation into health programs and charity care.

Alex Sheen, a humanitarian and founder of Because I Said I Would, talks about the impact his promise cards has had on people’s lives.

Disneyland for children diagnosed with cancer and their families, and walking 10 days across Ohio to represent the 10 years Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight were held captive in Ohio.

“I believe that when you have a strong why, you can be strong,” Sheen said. “You can put one foot in front of the other. You can do what you said would be done.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

5

Monopole tower approved for Lakewood Ranch Commissioners unanimously approve a 150-foot monopole tower at Lorraine Road and S.R. 64.

SCOTT LOCKWOOD STAFF WRITER

T

BETTER RECEPTION ON THE WAY

MORE RETAIL COMING TO RANCH

A new 150-foot monopole tower will be built inside the HideAway Storage property on the corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road in eastern Manatee County. It will be for AT&T but will have room for four different carriers.

This map highlights where Casto plans to build a 53,056-square-foot retail center that will be located 500 feet west of the northwest corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road.

AT&T. This includes dropped calls, no service and test data.”

The tower will be located in the middle of the property on the southeast corner of the intersection. It will be buffered by buildings that are at least 12 feet high, landscaping along the sides of the property and forest to the south.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said people complained about a 20-foot buffer around a cell tower before it was built in Holmes Beach in 2009 but that she hasn’t heard a single complaint after residents realized the benefit of the tower.

“I tell people to look for the cell towers, and they don’t know where it is because nobody tends to look up,”

she said. “These poles are for public safety. How many of you have landlines at home? This is all about public safety so we can look at the future.”

County Planner Dorothy Rainey said the tower will allow adequate service and coverage for cellular and radio communication systems in an area that has recently been approved for more than 4,500 residential units. Wright agreed.

“This is going to have a big impact on the ability to receive services in that area,” Wright said.

Construction on the tower should begin early in 2022.

In other action, commissioners unanimously approved a general development plan for 53,056 square

feet of commercial retail development on 5.29 acres of land located 500 feet west of the northwest corner of the intersection of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road.

The development by Casto will be located next to a 7-Eleven that is under construction on the corner of the intersection. Linda Stewart with Morris Engineering and Consulting said that access to the property will be via S.R. 64 and will share a connection point that is under construction at the convenience store.

Casto’s Dan Moyer, who was in attendance at the meeting, said he could not comment on the exact plans for the retail development at this time.

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hose who have AT&T cell service in eastern Manatee County could be seeing more bars for stronger service on their cellphone.

At a land use meeting Dec. 2, the Manatee County Commission voted 6-0 (with Commissioner Vanessa Baugh absent) to allow a 150-foot monopole tower to be built on the Hide-Away Storage property on the corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road.

Jeff Wright, an attorney representing CitySwitch, said the tower will be part of the national AT&T/ First Net federal partnership that will provide a dedicated communications network for first responders.

AT&T was awarded the contract to run the network in 2017.

“The first responders network is basically a premium network for public safety during emergencies,” Wright said. “It provides better coverage and reception for essential services and quicker emergency response — particularly radio and cellular provision.”

The tower will have a 10-foot antenna on the top. Wright said there will be room for as many as four carriers to share space on the tower.

“There is room for co-location of other users,” he said. “The real reason that we’re looking for this is because coverage is needed in this area. There’s certainly a coverage gap. The purpose of the proposed towers is to improve wireless coverage in this growing area of Manatee County, including existing neighborhoods and future developments.

It’s been identified in this area as needing to improve coverage based on customer complaints blocked by

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

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After months of being shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Daybreak Adult Day Center of Lakewood Ranch was filled with talking and laughter Dec. 1.

Some clients sat in a circle playing a game. Every time a client was tossed a ball, they had to name a country that wasn’t previously mentioned.

Meanwhile, another group of clients sat quietly catching up with one another after spending months apart.

Parrish’s Dorothy Prileau, a Daybreak client, couldn’t wait until the center opened again. During the pandemic, she spent her days reading, watching TV and talking on the phone to her friend Barbara Roberge, who also is a Daybreak client.

“I missed my friends here, especially Barbara,” Prileau said. “We would stay in touch by phone, but it’s not the same as sitting with her once a week.”

Prileau said she was “happy, happy and more happy” to be back at Daybreak.

Daybreak Adult Day Center, which is the only licensed adult day care center in Manatee County, opened for the first time Dec. 1 since March 20, 2020, when the center closed as the pandemic began.

“I woke up this morning, and I just said, ‘I can’t believe this day is finally here,’” said Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, which provides Daybreak Adult Day Center. “It’s just been such a long time coming.”

Meals on Wheels Plus tried to open the day center in September, but the delta variant of COVID-19 was spreading, so the nonprofit post-

ABOUT DAYBREAK ADULT DAY CENTER Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee’s Daybreak Adult Day Center provides a safe and secure environment for older adults who live at home with a loved one but cannot be left alone while the caregiver works or attends to other responsibilities.

Daybreak Adult Day Center is the only licensed adult day center in Manatee County.

The day center provides social, recreational and therapeutic activities for clients.

Some of the activities include fitness and flexibility, games, music, arts and crafts, bingo and journaling.

The day center is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

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poned the reopening.

Another factor that went into the center not opening until Dec. 1 was the requirement of clients to come to the center.

Every client needs to get permission from a doctor to attend the day center and a tuberculosis shot, and they need to sign a COVID-19 waiver.

Kim Mullins, the nurse at Daybreak, also has to meet with each client.

Now that the facility is open, Meals on Wheels Plus staff members are taking extra health and safety precautions at the center including the

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Beauty is our Business Liz Ramos

addition of hands-free hand sanitizer, towel and soap dispensers, temperature checks before clients who are transported to the center get on the bus and air purifiers.

All volunteers and staff members of Daybreak Adult Day Center have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Phillips said walking into Daybreak and seeing the clients having fun and enjoying themselves felt as though the center never closed.

“It was like this is where we left off,” Phillips said. “I call this a happy place, and I think the clients that come here feel it’s a happy place.

Even before COVID, it just always felt like an atmosphere of fun.”

Prileau said she can’t wait to begin arts and crafts again. She still has some of the items she created during arts and crafts on display in her house, including a spoon rest in her kitchen, a doll made of wooden pieces sitting on her family room table and an outline of a seahorse filled with seashells.

“I never thought of myself as being an artsy person,” Prileau said. “I’m more of a musical person. I like singing. It was good seeing the fruits of my labor. It’s pretty special.”

Toni Muirhead, a Daybreak volunteer, said the center is an underutilized gem.

“It’s the camaraderie,” Muirhead said. “The people I volunteer with I

become friends with. People are so caring here.”

Although Daybreak Adult Day Center opened with only about 10 clients, Phillips said the staff has received dozens of calls inquiring about the center, and staff has been giving tours of the center. The center is licensed to have 100 clients, and there is one staff member for every six clients.

“It’s such a critical program to offer not just for the loved ones who come but for the caregivers,” Phillips said.

“It’s such an important program to give (caregivers) a break and to know their loved ones are well taken care of, they’re having fun when they come here, and they’re also getting nutrition because they get the same meal we offer to our home clients.”

Phillips said Daybreak opening is a sign the nonprofit is returning to normal and pre-pandemic times.

“I do feel things are opening up, which is why this is a great time to open Daybreak,” Phillips said.

The next step for the nonprofit is to begin Friendship Dining again.

Friendship Dining, which was suspended due to COVID-19, gives people who are at least 60 years old an opportunity to gather for a meal to enjoy companionship, activities and a nutritious meal.

Daybreak Adult Day Center staff members Gene Chilton, Jerry Gironda, Maribeth Phillips, Mari Holland, Kim Mullins and Ava Ehde are excited to reopen Daybreak Adult Day Center after more than a year of being closed due to COVID-19.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

EAST COUNTY

PALM AIRE GOLF GOES MODERN

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher —East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Scott Lockwood, SLockwood@YourObserver.com; Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

Architect Michael Benkusky’s subtle redesign has Palm Aire residents excited about the Champions course.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

S

uzanne Gile, the director of membership and marketing at Palm Aire Country Club, was noting that no one had played the club’s Champions Course from the day a $2 million renovation project began April 26 to the Dec. 1 grand reopening of the historic layout.

No one?

“Well, we have found some golf balls out there now and then,” she said with a laugh.

Indeed, the Palm Aire Country Club members have been trying to contain their excitement as Architect Michael Benkusky put the finishing touches on the renovation.

Richard Stehle, a 36-year member of the country club, said it was taboo to hit shots on the course before the grand reopening, but he did tour the course.

“It looks great, pristine,” Stehle said. “I live on No. 8, and I have watched the renovation. It’s always been a wonderful course, but it was ready for a renovation. I’m glad everyone was willing to get behind this. It’s wonderful.”

So what’s his favorite hole on the renovated course?

“No. 8, of course,” he said.

Board member Ed Kornberger called the finished product fantastic.

“It is like a brand new course that was built on old bones,” he said. “(Architect Michael Benkusky) maintained the architectural integrity. It’s like looking at a person who had the perfect face-lift. You recognize the person, but there are nuances that make it better.”

Joe Rassett, the Palm Aire County Club’s general manager, said he couldn’t be happier with the renovation. He said Benkusky modernized the course for today’s game.

“We say here, ‘What it can be tomorrow?’ Today is tomorrow.

This is a historic day for us. A glorious day.”

Board President Bernie Duggan said the course is the same yet different. For instance, he noted the fairway bunker on No. 18 was slightly moved, but it seems to be more in play now. Three of the four members of Duggan’s group hit tee shots into the bunker to verify his statement.

They were playing in a scramble event for the grand reopening.

Photos by Jay Heater

Palm Aire Country Club board member Vicki DeHaai, board President Bernie Duggan and Vice President Marilyn Keyes cut the ribbon to open the course.

IF YOU GO REOPENING OF THE CHAMPIONS COURSE AT PALM AIRE COUNTRY CLUB Renovation architect: Michael Benkusky Renovation began: April 26 Reopened: Dec. 1 Cost: $2 million Original opening: 1957 (then known as DeSoto Lakes Golf Club) Original architect: Dick Wilson

“There is a lot of good stuff,” he said. “I took my shoes off and walked in the fairway.”

The very first shot on the course was struck by Chris Dibble, a club member for 36 years. Most of those playing in the scramble were gathered around her and several cameras were clicking.

“It was nerve-wracking,” she said with a laugh.

One of the people watching was Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, who said it was an important day for Palm Aire Country Club.

“This club already was well known,” Baugh said. “This course will bring in new members.”

She said Lakewood Ranch has many beautiful courses but that Palm Aire Country Club has set the standard following its renovation.

Benkusky said he was pleased with the final product of a project that was right on time despite supply chain issues. His tweaks to the original design included “runway” tee areas to accommodate eight different tee markers that allows golfers of every skill level to be able to enjoy their day on the course. Two of those runway tee areas are approximately 100 yards long.

More than 15 acres of crushed shell was used to upgrade cart paths along with giving several areas around the

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course a cleaner look.

Greens, fairways and bunkers all were upgraded and in some cases even moved or added. The practice areas were improved and expanded, and new technology was added to help the golfers plan their shots.

Benkusky said he was working with a brilliant layout and that “we didn’t want to mess it up.”

Holes No. 4 and 5 were lengthened, and Benkusky said the string of Nos. 3, 4 and 5 is the toughest part of the course.

The course opened in 1957 as DeSoto Lakes Golf Club. It hosted a PGA Tour event in 1960, which was won by golfing legend Sam Snead.

Among the greats playing in that tournament were Billy Casper, Doug Sanders, Arnold Palmer, Ken Venturi and Gary Player.

It was known then as “The Green Monster” because Architect Dick Wilson also had designed “The Blue Monster” at Doral in Miami.

Above: Palm Aire resident Bill Wachter reacts after rolling in a long putt.

Below: Palm Aire residents Dick Whalen, Geary Richard, John Borys and Nadine Borys begin their first hole of the shotgun tournament that opened the Champions Course.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

SIDE OF RANCH

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

9

JAY HEATER

Hospital honored for selfless service P addy Juliano and Natalie Kelly are registered nurses who have been around death.

But they never had to worry about bringing it home to their family before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like every employee at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, they have been mentally and emotionally exhausted since March 2020.

Even so, they showed up at work for every shift — often extra shifts — to play an important role in the health of their community.

They were just two members of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center team that was honored Dec. 8 by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, which selected the entire hospital staff as its Humanitarian of the Year. The award was announced during a ceremony at the Grove that also was used to announce the community fund’s grant recipients.

It was the first time the award didn’t go to an individual.

“Obviously, it is very humbling,” said Andy Guz, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO. “It’s an honor. We have 700-plus employees and 500-plus on our medical staff. Every one of them deserves this award individually. It’s been nearly two years of this.”

Guz talked about starting the pandemic and facing the unknown.

The staff quickly learned when the science emerged about COVID-19 and how to best treat it.

He said one of the first things that rocked his staff was the vulnerability of hospitals across the nation because personal protective equipment was in shorter supply than needed. Being that was the best way to keep his staff safe, Guz immediately started searching and ordering more personal protective equipment.

The entire hospital industry had to conduct business in a different manner. Ideas came from every-

Photos by Jay Heater

Registered Nurse Natalie Kelly says she has had to deal with “pure exhaustion” since the pandemic began, and she is thrilled the hospital is being honored.

Registered Nurse Paddy Juliano says her fellow workers wish they could have done even more.

where.

Shortly after the pandemic began, Guz attended a Saturday meeting when one of the staff suggested putting baby monitors in rooms so those entering and exiting the rooms wouldn’t have to keep putting on and taking off personal protective equipment. It would make a difference in using less PPE. “I went right to Target and bought 12 baby monitors ... every one they had,” said Guz, who bought more in the following days because they worked so well. “We had to be a flexible organization to deal with this.”

Saying the pandemic effected everyone in some shape or form, Guz said he wanted the community to understand that most people in the general public had some kind of escape from the pandemic. Even if it was just going to work, they could focus on something else.

The health care workers had the

stress and anxiety of dealing with the pandemic at work, then had to deal with it at home with their families.

“You could see that manifesting itself in people,” he said. “Their faces showed constant exhaustion.”

Kelly was one of those employees.

“It was not only the work capacity,” she said. “It wasn’t just how my patients were sick. It was personally worrying about my kids, and how they were doing with online learning. I would get off work and teach them lessons. I was working 24/7. It was pure exhaustion. I was terrified how it might affect me or my husband. I was seeing people my age (in their 30s) die in front of me.”

Juliano said every time she walked through her door at home, she was thinking about the pandemic and how it might affect her family.

“I would take my clothes off in the garage because I was worried about bringing it home to my family,” she said. “That was my biggest fear.”

Juliano, a former New York firefighter, said it haunted her to see patients like her in their 50s dying of COVID-19. She would look into their faces and feel helpless.

“We only could do so much for people,” she said. “It wasn’t enough.”

She said her coworkers felt the same way, and they all were exhausted. Then members of the community would bring a free meal or would donate personal protection equipment. It would give the staff a burst of energy to be embraced.

“In a good way, the community came together,” she said. “That helped us out so much at a time we wondered why there was so much death. Would it ever end?”

Juliano said one of the toughest things for the workers was seeing family members unable to say

goodbye to their loved ones who died due to COVID-19. Both Juliano and Kelly said they wondered if they could continue working in the health profession.

“We lost a lot of great nurses,” Juliano said. “I felt very empathetic toward them. I told myself ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ But I have to do this. It’s my calling.”

Kelly said she thought about getting out because of the trauma.

“I witnessed just horrible things,” she said. “It stays with you, and changes you. I know I am a lot more grateful to be alive. I think about being able to be on a treadmill and having my (healthy) lungs.”

Juliano said she will be left with the image of her coworkers’ eyes, visible above the masks.

“You’re looking at their eyes all day long,” she said. “You see the fear, the empathy we have toward each other.”

A 31-year-old man came into the hospital with COVID-19 and died from the disease. Kelly said the vision of his face will never go away for her.

Neither spent any time mentioning all the people they saved or helped.

It’s just what they do, and why the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund gave the hospital as a whole the honor.

“I am tremendously proud of our adaption to how we took care of our patients,” Guz said. “We showed our culture and our character here.”

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

FAM I LY

Photos by Jay Heater

Jackie McLanahan, Kelce (a Cairn Terrier) and Jeff McLanahan of Country Meadows say the music is always great at Music on Main.

Music on Main again the place to be Patrons say they missed the networking, camaraderie offered at Main Street event.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

David Fink, the president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, was ecstatic Main Street at Lakewood Ranch had chosen his group to be the benefiting nonprofit at Music on Main’s return in November.

Fink said being selected can mean as much as $5,000 to a nonprofit, which has its volunteers man the beer taps during the event, which draws thousands of people each month when it is held.

Music on Main hasn’t been held since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Nov. 5 return appeared to be a windfall for the

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community fund.

“We were asked if we would be willing to move back a month (to Dec. 3),” Fink said.

Of course, Fink said no problem.

The Nov. 5 return had a problem. It rained. The event was canceled.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities would have been the benefitting nonprofit, but its financial boost was washed out.

Meanwhile, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund enjoyed tremendous weather and a huge crowd for the Dec. 3 return.

“Someone was shining a light on the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund,” Fink said.

Besides the financial importance, Fink said Music on Main also is priceless in terms of name recognition.

“This is a meaningful fundraiser,” he said. “And this is community. It is what Lakewood Ranch is all about,

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

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Briana Lutzi of Midnight Mama entertains the crowd at Music on Main.

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Riggio also said he was anxious to see if Music on Main would add anything to its lineup now that it is back.

Mike and Debbie Dyer of Fairfield would be happy with the same lineup.

“We come to almost every one,” Mike Dyer said of Music on Main.

“We were disappointed when it rained out the first one. We always meet friends here.”

They had come early to set up chairs so they could sit in the street and watch the band, Midnight Mama.

“The biggest thing is getting a parking place,” Mike Dyer said.

Debbie Dyer added it doesn’t matter what band is playing, the camaraderie always is there.

“It’s just nice being outside and talking to people,” she said.

Country Meadows’ Jackie and Jeff McLanahan were sitting nearby.

They echoed the previous comments that it was great getting out and seeing people at the event.

“It’s a community thing,” Jeff McLanahan said. “And the music always is great.”

Cool Today’s Terrill Carlson said it is always a pleasure to work in a booth at Music on Main.

“Everyone’s in good spirits,” he said. “I wish they had more of them.”

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Name recognition has been huge for the Grace Community Church of Lakewood Ranch at Music on Main. Connor Morehart, the outreach director at Grace Community Church, said the church has hosted a children’s area, with activities and inflatables (by Let’s Jump of Sarasota) for the past six years.

“It’s about having fun in a community setting,” Morehart said. “Our purpose has been to show the community that there is someone next door who cares about you.”

Morehart and his Grace Community Church volunteers were disappointed the return was delayed until December, but they were thrilled to see a huge crowd during the return.

“It’s been a long time (missing Music on Main),” Morehart said.

“I know our volunteers want to be involved.”

Music on Main always has been important for the businesses at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Main Street Trattoria owner Sergio Di Sarro was busy slicing ribeyes about an hour before Music on Main’s 6 p.m. start to prepare for the rush of patrons.

“Finally,” Di Sarro said about Music on Main’s return. “We are ready.”

Di Sarro just bought Main Street Trattoria, so he wanted to experience the Music on Main event to see how he best could serve those who attend.

This time, he was serving pizza on the street, but he said he might tweak his offerings after he gets feedback from the public.

Bradley and Rebecca Gustafson, who have started the Manatee Ball Hockey League, were experiencing their first Music on Main as vendors.

They decided to have a booth during the event because they had seen firsthand what it could mean to small businesses.

“We live in Lakewood Ranch and Music on Main always has been the place to go,” Rebecca Gustafson said.

Her husband said they were bummed when the return in November was canceled. They couldn’t wait to get exposure from the event.

Del Tierra’s Joe Riggio stopped to get some information about their new league.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

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W

hen most think of a kissing booth, they imagine two people.

At Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy’s open house, one of the nonprofit’s horses, chickens or goats will be waiting for a smooch.

The kissing booth is one of the activities available at the Lollipop Lane Open House on Dec. 11. Other activities include a cakewalk, writing letters to Santa, ornament making, face painting and wagon rides.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus also will make an appearance.

Rebecca Blitz, the executive director of SMART, said the open house will give people an opportunity to learn about the nonprofit and the new events and programs SMART plans to offer in 2022.

“I’m looking forward to letting people know we’re in the community,” Blitz said. “This is an opportunity to get volunteers because we need them. We’re completely driven by volunteers. They are the backbone of what we do. We also want to let the community know we’re here for them.”

SMART held an open house in May that about 150 people attended.

Blitz said several people signed up to become volunteers. The nonprofit needs 30 to 40 volunteers each day to support riders during lessons and help around the barn.

“I would say a majority of the people that came (to the open house) didn’t know we existed, and we have been here for 35 years,” Blitz said.

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“It’s fun because they get to meet new friends. We’re excited to have families come and join the fun that we get to do every day, especially during the holiday season.”

— Rebecca Blitz, the executive director of SMART

Blitz said SMART is planning to start a book club, a dining club and an art club. SMART also will have yoga classes.

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Mrs. Claus, also known as Stacey Volpe, the development assistant for SMART, visits Magic in the barn at SMART.

SMART HOLIDAY HORSE CAMP When: Dec. 22-24, Dec. 27-31 or Jan. 3-7 Where: SMART, 4640 County Road 675, Bradenton Cost: $225 for Dec. 22-24; $325 for Dec. 27-31 or Jan. 3-7 Ages: 8 years old and older Register: Visit SmartRiders. org/events/winter-camp.

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not have disabilities as well.

Blitz said SMART decided to transition to being more inclusive because the horses need to be utilized all the time, and the nonprofit “didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

“What we were finding is a brother

or sister would be sitting there wanting to ride, and (the parents) didn’t have a place for them to go,” Blitz said. “We had horses here that also needed to be exercised. We thought this is a great opportunity for them to participate as well.”

SMART offers private and group lessons in Western and English riding as well as trail rides, which Blitz said are great team builders.

For the first time, SMART is offering a winter horse camp Dec. 22-24, Dec. 27-31 and Jan. 3-7 for children who are at least 8 years old. Participants will be riding every day while learning about how to groom horses, muck stalls, put on a saddle and bridle, and more.

“It’s basically everything you need to know about a horse,” Blitz said.

“It’s fun because they get to meet new friends. We’re excited to have families come and join the fun that we get to do every day, especially during the holiday season.”

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akewood Ranch’s Dawn Zielinski joined 280 women Nov. 14 in Lakewood Ranch to cycle 40 miles or more.

The ride wasn’t her usual trek with the Lakewood Ranch-based Village Idiots bike club. She was riding with a purpose.

Zielinski, who is the president of Village Idiots, and women from across the state were riding in the Women on Wheels’ annual charity ride to benefit Selah Freedom, a Sarasota nonprofit working to end sex trafficking in Florida.

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Sarasota’s Ann Drummond and East County’s Dawn Zielinski and Andrea Sacchetti cross the finish line during the Women on Wheels’ annual charity ride.

Cyclists from around the state participate in the Women on Wheels annual charity ride. They rode either 40 miles or 62 miles throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties to raise money Selah Freedom.

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HIGH

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“It’s a great feeling to see yourself and your team get better over the course of a season.”

5

TITLE RUN Lakewood Ranch High’s Ranson Coons works late into the night for a state championship run.

1

Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior Drew Clark had a goal and an assist Nov. 30 in the Mustangs’ 2-0 road win against Braden River High.

Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch senior wrestler Ranson Coons says he’s been working on his cardio every night for an hour in preparation for this season.

RYAN KOHN

IF YOU GO

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Cardinal Mooney High senior girls basketball player Natalie Mercadante, a Lakewood Ranch resident, had 9 points and seven rebounds Dec. 1 in the Cougars’ 67-54 home win against Booker High.

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Braden River High boys basketball sophomore Marcus Schade had 16 points and eight rebounds Dec. 1 in the Pirates’ 59-53 road win against Sarasota.

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David Tomasso and Andy Weidenbach (133) won the Men’s Golf Association 2021 Uihlein Cup (best ball format), held Dec. 4-5 at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Cypress Links and King’s Dunes courses.

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Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball sophomore Victoria Carneglia scored 10 points Dec. 3 in the Mustangs’ 45-37 road win against Lemon Bay High.

HOCKEY ROLLS ON RANCH PAGE 16

very night about 10, Ranson Coons runs across the Fort Hamer Bridge.

Coons, a senior wrestler at Lakewood Ranch High, then sprints up a hill near the bridge, turns around and goes back to the start, repeating his cycle. He does it until 11 p.m., when he heads home to sleep. He can’t afford to miss a day because when everything is on the line, he wants to be ready.

The workout is by Coons’ design, part of his plan to walk away from the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A State Championship meet in March with a gold medal.

Coons finished sixth last year in the 170-pound division, even though he was not able to finish his last two matches because of an ankle injury.

Despite the injury, Coons said he was happy with how he performed.

His technique is solid, and he said he was mentally prepared to face any opponent. He said he felt he was behind, though, in cardio. So now he runs across the Fort Hamer Bridge.

Coons began wrestling when he was 5 because his family thought it would keep him active. He liked it then, but he also made time for other sports, such as football and basketball. Eventually, he put wrestling aside entirely. As a freshman in high school, Coons made the football team, but he came to dislike the experience and left the team. Then he failed to make the basketball team.

He said not participating in a sport was never an option and that being inactive would have led him to play more video games than he already was doing and that would create lazy habits.

So Coons turned back to his first sport: wrestling. This time around, the experience on the mat was different. He had enjoyed it before, he said, but now he saw the sport as something important. He saw what he could be if he applied himself.

Coons later would rejoin the football team for his sophomore and junior seasons but did not play as a senior, choosing instead to keep preparing for wrestling.

“I choose my own destiny in this sport,” he said. “How far I go, how good I get — that’s all up to me.

That’s what I love about it.”

Last season, Coons became the first Mustangs wrestler to record 100 pins in his career. He’s steadily improved and said this will be his best season yet.

BRADENTON BATTLE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT When: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17 (Pool duals format) and 9:30 a.m. Dec. 18 (individual format) Where: Bradenton Christian School Why: The event is a chance to see the top high school wrestlers in the region, including Lakewood Ranch High senior Ranson Coons Teams in attendance: Lakewood Ranch High, Riverview High, Bradenton Christian, Bayshore High, North Port High, Tampa Prep, Lemon Bay High, Admiral Farragut High, Deltona High, Palm Bay High Admission: $7 per day or $12 for both days

Courtesy photo

Ranson Coons recorded his 100th pin, a Mustangs record, last year against Lex Strickland at the FHSAA Class 3A regional tournament.

“I choose my own destiny in this sport. How far I go, how good I get — that’s all up to me. That’s what I love about it.”

— Ranson Coons

Part of the difference came in Coons’ attitude. When he was younger, he would get so upset after each loss that he would cry. Coons said he hated to lose, and still does.

Since picking it back up, he has discovered the value of learning from losses. He moves forward now, taking the experience and bringing the lessons into his next match.

It’s exactly what Coons did at last year’s state tournament in the consolation semifinals, something he calls “the blood round.” At the state tournament, winning a consolation round match can be the difference between placing in the top eight, which means getting a medal, and going home with nothing.

Coons dropped into the consolation round as a freshman and sophomore and lost both times. Last season, Coons (42-9) lost an 8-3 decision to South Dade senior Josh Swan, the eventual state champion, and again fell into the consolation round. He faced Chiles High’s Hunter Brown, ranked No. 3 in the state, in

his first consolation match. He won by fall in 3:38.

Coons said the match is the best moment in his career thus far. Mustangs wrestling Coach Pat Ancil said he demonstrated his internal strength that day, and he expects even bigger things from him this season.

“He’s got all the tools,” Ancil said.

“For him, like for a lot of seniors, it becomes a mental game. Does he want to take that next step?

“He’s got the ability to do it. He’s one of the best pure athletes that I’ve seen in terms of wrestling. He has tremendous hips, and his balance is an asset. You combine his technique with his physical attributes and balance and leverage, and you have something. But it’s his path to choose.”

Ancil said earning a medal at the state meet has given Coons “a quiet confidence.” He said his senior didn’t take losing very well as a freshman but eventually learned to turn losses into a positive, learning experience.

Wrestling at 195 pounds this season, he said it’s all worked well. He went 5-0 at the 2021 Lemon Bay Duals, held Dec. 4 at Lemon Bay High. The Mustangs finished second out of 13 schools as a team. It was the team’s first event of the season.

Coons wants to continue wrestling in college. He took two trips to college clinics this offseason, one with the Mustangs to Ohio State and one on his own to Iowa.

He said another strong season will get him where he wants to be.

“Wrestling is a humbling sport,” Coons said. “Seeing how good those (college) wrestlers are was inspiring because there was always someone better than you. I’m hoping I can be there myself someday.”

16

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Having a ball with hockey N othing says hockey like a 75-degree December day.

No, really.

For the members of the Manatee Ball Hockey League, that’s the recipe for a perfect hour of exercise.

Fourteen members of the league showed up to play at Lakewood Ranch Park’s concrete rink Dec. 4.

The majority were wearing shorts and a league T-shirt designating their team — red or blue — plus a helmet and knee, shin and elbow pads, if desired.

As much as ice hockey fans love to laud the sport’s perfect fit for cold weather, ball hockey is best played in the sun, its rays cooking the concrete under the players’ sneakers. Other than the weather, the game looks like the game played on ice, just at four-on-four and with less contact.

In both, you will find in-shape adults pushing themselves to their limits.

“We have four subs today?” Jeff Kattrein said to his league mates before the Dec. 4 game. “That’s great. Guys, I might not throw up today.”

The league was started by Bradley Gustafson, a 33-year-old who played lots of ice hockey growing up and as a young man. He got the idea when his 4-year-old son, Lucas, complained about his ability to play ice hockey with his friends as easily as he does other sports, such as baseball and soccer. The closest ice rink is Ellenton Ice Complex.

That’s when Gustafson remembered the Lakewood Ranch Park ball hockey rink. The rink was provided to the park by the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of its Lightning Made Hockey program, which

seeks to grow hockey in Tampa and nearby cities. The Lightning used the rink for youth clinics a few times a year, but other than that, it had remained empty since it opened in August 2019.

Gustafson contacted the Lightning and Manatee County about using the rink as a home for a local league, and, well, the ball got rolling from there, with some assistance from USA Ball Hockey.

The MBHL ran a youth season first, which included age subdivisions. Gustafson said the inaugural season, which ended in October, had approximately 40 participants.

Then he and a few of the league’s youth coaches decided to start an adult league while the youth league is taking a break. There are 20 members of the adult league. Gustafson said he hopes both numbers grow in the second season. The next youth league starts in January with a registration deadline of Dec. 31.

Gustafson said he hopes both the adult and youth divisions grow the game in the Lakewood Ranch area while offering an easy way for newcomers to get started.

“Ice hockey is an expensive sport,” Gustafson said. “We wanted to give kids and parents a costeffective way to get out to a rink and play a game. In ball hockey, all you need is a stick and a ball. The barriers to entry are so much lower.”

So now they’re here, and people like Austin Edgar are able to hop into a game and learn. Edgar, 32, only started playing the game of hockey when he was 28. He’s still learning, he said, especially ball hockey. This season is his first time taking the, uh, concrete. He’s having a lot of fun, he said, even though the game plays differently.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Above: Joseph Constantin puts a shot on net during a Manatee Ball Hockey League game.

Left: Bradley Gustafson looks for an open teammate during a Dec. 4 Manatee Ball Hockey League game. Gustafson started the league, which also has a youth division, because his son wanted an opportunity to play hockey with his friends.

No body contact means defenders play offensive players differently, focusing on stealing pucks away and intercepting passes. It’s also different when on the attack because players aren’t able to move as smoothly, so there are not many opportunities to juke out a defender. There’s an emphasis on shot accuracy — something Edgar showed off when he scored a topshelf goal to the left corner.

“That one felt good,” Edgar said with a smile. “I’ll be thinking about that one for a while.”

Then you have guys like Bill Stubblebine, 50, who has “played hockey longer than these guys (Gustafson and Edgar) have been alive.” He’s seen it all in his time, including fights, breakaway goals and diving saves. More than any of those things, Stubblebine said, he likes this group because it brings with it the opportunity to teach.

Both Stubblebine and Edgar are coaches in the youth division, and

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from our chat, he came back to shout “hockey is life!” His message was met with approval from the players still hanging around the rink. That is what it’s all about.

People who love hockey don’t love any other sport nearly as much.

Many members of the MBHL fall into that group and want to pass that passion onto whoever is open to receiving it.

People interested in playing in the MBHL adult division or registering their child for the youth division can visit MBHL.org or email ManateeBallHockeyLeague@gmail.com.

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

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Stubblebine said watching players fall in love with the sport is the most rewarding experience he can have. During last year’s youth season, he said, there were three girls who had never played the sport before. One game, all three of them scored. The sight almost brought a tear to his eye.

When the Dec. 4 game ended with Team Blue taking an 8-3 victory, neither Kattrein nor anyone else had thrown up, though plenty were drenched in sweat after three 18-minute periods. At the final buzzer, the teams tapped gloves like hockey players do. The MBHL has a no-tolerance policy on fighting of any kind, but Gustafson said it has never come close to enforcing it.

The people in the league are there for a good time, to enjoy a beautiful sport together, and that’s all. It’s the same respect for the game and for each other that they teach in the youth division.

As Stubblebine was walking away

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Kevin O’Donoghue is a sophomore on The Out-of-Door Academy boys basketball team. Thunder Head Coach B.J. Ivey said O’Donoghue, who is 6-foot-3, has been the team’s steadiest player through three games, helping the team to a 2-1 record, which includes 13 points and 11 rebounds Dec. 3 in the team’s 4727 win against Sarasota Christian.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started when I was in second grade. When I was young I played every sport — baseball and soccer and all that. When I tried basketball, it just felt different. I loved it more than anything else. A year later my brother (Tyler O’Donoghue, a 2021 ODA grad) started playing with me, and that was super fun as well.

What is the appeal to you?

The thing I love most is winning with my team. It’s a great feeling to see yourself and your team get better over the course of a season.

What is your best skill?

My best skill right now is my shooting. It’s something that I’ve worked on recently. Before the season started, I would come to the gym before school and shoot on the shooting machine, getting up as many shots as I could.

What is your favorite memory?

I would say all of last year, getting to play a high school season with my brother before he graduated. It was just fun to be on the court with him again. We also won a game in our district tournament (61-44 over Cardinal Mooney High).

What are your goals this season?

I think as a team we want to win more games than we lose. That would be a good step for us. I also want to win a few games in the district tournament, maybe even reach the championship game.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kevin O’Donoghue

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.

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Brenna Wilhom, Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman, Rachel Benderson and Jacob Benderson enjoy the closing moments of Hanukkah at The Green.

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rafts, stories, games and even hulahoopers were all part of the inaugural Hanukkah at The Green event on a picturesque Saturday afternoon at University Town Center.

Temple Emanu-El partnered with Hershorin Schiff Community Day School and UTC for the event. Besides celebrating Hanukkah, the focus of the event was a toy drive to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman from Temple Emanu-El said the event had a nice turnout. Several vendors, including Barnes & Noble and Five-0 Donuts, were among UTC merchants donating their time for the event.

“We wanted to come together to have a public Hanukkah celebration,” Glickman said. “One of the commandments of Hanukkah is to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah and to spread the light, so having this outside in a public space where both Jewish people and non-Jewish can all come together and enjoy this beautiful day.”

As competitive hula-hooper Claire OpalLevine wowed the crowd with her performance, Glickman was able to smile and reflect on the day.

“We had no idea what to expect,” she said. “We were wondering if people would come because we’ve never done this before. It’s been overwhelming in a very wonderful way.”

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Photos by Scott Lockwood

Above: Hanukkah Harry (Ryan Ackerman) and Judah Maccabee (Robert Stroud) drew a crowd everywhere they went during the celebration.

Left: Claire Opal-Levine swings a pair of hoops to the delight of the crowd.

Gabrielle and Amy Meese get into the spirit at Hanukkah on The Green.

Above: Lakewood Ranch resident Andrew Bunin plays a disc game with his 4 year-old son, Jacob.

Left: Lena, Leo, Maya and Ashley Lluberes, all of Lakewood Ranch, paint pieces that will eventually become a menorah.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Greenbrook’s Erin Viaud, 2, is all smiles when visiting Santa for the first time in Lakewood Ranch.

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19

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

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house and a bike for Christmas.

Brandon Johnson, who is Landon Johnson’s father, and Jeff Zych, who is Avery Zych’s father, both were thrilled to see their children jumping up and down to see Santa.

“It’s exciting because he actually gets (Christmas) now,” Brandon Johnson said. “I love it. He was helping with all the decorations and the tree.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Jeff Zych said seeing his daughter invested in the holidays gave him chills.

“She’s very into the Christmas spirit this year,” Jeff Zych said.

Sarasota’s Kaitlyn Milakeve, 2, gets into the holiday spirit with her parents, Jessica and Brian Milakeve. They were seeing Santa for the first time this year.

369377-1

reenbrook’s Sarah Viaud was nervous that her 2-year-old daughter, Erin, would cry when she sat on Santa’s lap for the first time Dec. 2.

But when Erin Viaud sat on Santa’s lap, she was all smiles.

“It was great,” Sarah Viaud said.

“She wasn’t scared at all.”

Country Club’s Sarah Montemarano, who is Sarah Viaud’s mother and Erin Viaud’s grandmother, said that watching Erin Viaud meet Santa allowed her to relive the joys of meeting Santa for Christmas all over again.

Families lined up in front of the Christmas tree on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch so their children could share with Santa what they wanted for Christmas and to take a few photos.

Lakewood Ranch’s Landon Johnson was so excited to meet Santa that he hopped on one foot right up to Santa, who was sitting in a big red chair.

Johnson, 4, joined his friend Avery Zych, 3, to see Santa.

Zych told Santa she wants a doll-

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Guidance clerk soars on wings of a Dove After unusual introduction to Lakewood Ranch High, Kari Keech-Babcock provides sweet service to school’s community.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

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hen Greenbrook’s Kari Keech-Babcock came to Lakewood Ranch High four years ago for an interview, she was asked a puzzling question.

If you could be any Dove chocolate, which would you be?

It was a tough and unexpected question coming from Jeannie Galindo, the assistant principal at Lakewood Ranch High, who had a jar of Dove chocolates sitting on her desk.

Keech-Babcock wasn’t sure what to say, but after some careful thought, she provided her answer. “‘I would be a caramel dark chocolate because,’ I said, ‘I’m soft on the inside, but I’m strong enough on the outside,’” Keech-Babcock said with a laugh. “I said I’d either be that one or milk chocolate because I’m sweet all the way through.”

Keech-Babcock had never felt so relaxed during an interview and felt at home right away.

For the past four years, she’s called Lakewood Ranch High School her home base as a student services clerk and has dedicated her time to getting to know students and their families as one of the first faces someone sees when they walk into the main office of the school.

Her positive attitude, hard work and dedication to the faculty, staff and students, as well as their families are just some of the reasons KeechBabcock was named a finalist for the School District of Manatee County’s 2022 Excellence in Education Awards

AWARD FINALIST

KARI KEECH-BABCOCK What: Finalist for School District of Manatee County’s 2022 Excellence in Education Awards Support Employee of the Year Residence: Greenbrook School: Lakewood Ranch High School Position: Guidance clerk Family: Son Noah Babcock and husband Jordan Babcock Favorite animal: Elephant Video games she’s currently playing: Sea of Thieves, Back for Blood and Don’t Starve Favorite video games: World of Warcraft

Support Employee of the Year.

“I am so honored and humble,” Keech-Babcock said. “I don’t look at what I do as above and beyond. I think of it as helping people. It feels nice to be recognized, but it’s a team.

I’m the way I am because of the people I’m around. I feel like it’s important to be yourself around people.”

Lakewood Ranch High Principal Dustin Dahlquist described KeechBabcock as welcoming, positive, patient and caring.

“She is dedicated to making Lakewood Ranch High School a better place each day,” Dahlquist said. “Kari is willing to step in to assist anywhere she is needed on campus. She embraces her role through excellent customer service.”

Keech-Babcock moved to Manatee County four years ago from Winnipeg, Canada, with her husband, Jordan Babcock. She had been working as the registrar at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She loved working with the students and their families while seeing students’ dreams come to fruition and grow.

Since then, Keech-Babcock has

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Kari Keech-Babcock, a guidance clerk at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named a finalist for School District of Manatee County’s Support Employee of the Year.

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our school. We know that the first impression can be long lasting and sometimes the only impression.

When Kari meets them at the front door, they have to walk away with only positive thoughts.”

This year, Keech-Babcock has turned her love of video games into a coaching position as the school’s e-sports team coach.

She said some people are surprised by her love for video games, especially when they find out she met her husband through World of Warcraft.

Keech-Babcock describes herself as a bit of a nerd. Her family likes to attend comic-cons. She also loves all things “Harry Potter,” “Captain Marvel” and “Star Wars.”

Keech-Babcock enjoys sitting in the background listening as her students work together in competitions and building relationships.

“I like to see them reach their full potential,” Keech-Babcock said. “I (couldn’t) care less if we win any games. I want to see them as human beings do better, be better. To see them make those connections is by far the most fulfilling.”

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worn many hats at Lakewood Ranch High including attendance clerk, guidance clerk and working at the front desk.

“I love my families and my kiddos, as I call them,” she said. “I absolutely love building relationships and getting to see people be who they are. I think it’s important when somebody comes into a building that they feel at home, so I like to learn people’s names and get to know them. It’s gotten to the point where now I know people’s family members.”

No matter her position on staff, Galindo said Keech-Babcock always is consistent.

“I know who I can count on,” Galindo said. “She will be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

She’ll be kind, loving, caring, efficient, the same every day in all the right ways.”

As one of the first faces people see when coming to Lakewood Ranch High School, Dahlquist said, KeechBabcock leaves a lasting impression.

“She maintains her professionalism at all times no matter the situation,” Dahlquist said. “Kari is often the first person anyone meets at

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

SARASOTA 4645 Ainsley Place 7 Beds 6 Baths 4,272 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4514309 $22,000,000

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 112 Mangrove Avenue 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,577 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4502423 $4,150,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,095,000

SARASOTA 500 S Palm Avenue 101 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,830 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4517329 $3,000,000

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

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 2719 Gulf Drive 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,119 Sq. Ft. Melinda Alvarez 941-704-0633 A4506596 $1,549,900

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

UNIVERSITY PARK 7003 Lancaster Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,439 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4515333 $1,299,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 231 64th Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,206 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4518052 $1,100,000

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SARASOTA 7294 Cloister Drive 7 2 Beds 2 Baths 941 Sq. Ft. Maurice Menager & Lin Dunn 941-809-2154 A4518614 $200,000

BRADENTON 8499 Lindrick Lane 6 Beds 8/4 Baths 15,223 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4475594 $10,850,000

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

Country Club home topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Taber Chadwick and Celeste Dockery, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7031 Portmarnock Place to William Keith Wilson and Claudia Marie Wilson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3.45 million.

Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, six-and-twohalf baths, a pool and 9,880 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB

Charles Riggs, trustee, of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, sold the home at 12552 Highfield Circle to Shannon and Susan O’Callaghan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.63 million.

Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 7,221 square feet of living area.

It sold for $2,325,000 in 2014.

Meghan Lockwood, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7003 Woodmore Terrace to Walter and Marcia Andersen, of Lakewood Ranch, for $445,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,544 square feet of living area. It sold for $199,400 in 2002.

THE LAKE CLUB

Shannon and Susan O’Callaghan, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16264 Daysailor Trail to Mark and Vijaya Camillo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.95 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,619 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.14 million in 2018.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

William and Paula Johns, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 5322 Swift River Court to Christopher and Dayna Grella, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,804 square feet of living area. It sold for $693,500 in 2020.

EDGEWATER

Linda Dukor, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 8009 Waterview Blvd. to Erin Madison, of Riverside, California, for $866,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,356 square feet of living area.

Nicholas and Anna Hroncich, of Paramus, New Jersey, sold their home at 6520 Windjammer Place to William Surette, of Lakewood Ranch, for $738,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,122 square feet of living area.

WATERBURY GRAPEFRUIT

Don Waldhalm and Trina Michele Waldhalm, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 22221 60th Ave. E. to Danielle DeStefano, of Bradenton, for $849,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths and 2,845 square feet of living area.

GREENBROOK

David and Crystal Rowe, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14703 Sundial Place to Sean and Jennifer McMahon, of Bradenton, for $815,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,158 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2007.

SAVANNA

Jerry and Dorothy Simmons, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 13651 American Prairie Place to Gregory and Lorraine Brown, trustees, of Bradenton, for $799,900.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,987 square feet of living area. It sold for $475,000 in 2017.

23

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 22-26

RIVERDALE REVISED

Morris and Sharon Emigh, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4719 Spinnaker Drive to Chih Ming Huang and Cho Mya Mon Win, of Bradenton, for $780,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,193 square feet of living area. It sold for $387,500 in 2003.

COUNTRY MEADOWS

Mary Jill Stenberg, trustee, of Manistee, Michigan, sold the home at 417 Country Meadows Way to Alexander and Megan Quesenberry, of Bradenton, for $720,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,547 square feet of living area. It sold for $485,000 in 2019.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

OP SPE TPA1 LLC sold the home at 7824 Haven Harbour Way to Anthony Martin, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, for $642,400. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,351 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in August.

Irene Kelley, of Bradenton, sold her home at 9044 Willowbrook Circle to Kevin Eric Pack and Cheryl Pack, of Bradenton, for $522,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,228 square feet of living area. It sold for $345,000 in 2017.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Randall and Caroline Sudbrock, of Camdenton, Missouri, sold their Unit 711 condominium at 5827 Wake Forest Run to The Linda Jean Vedane Revocable Trust for $590,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2017.

Liz Ramos

This Country Club home at 7031 Portmarnock Place sold for $3.45 million. It has three bedrooms, six-and-two-half baths, a pool and 9,880 square feet of living area.

Michael Jones, of Sarasota, sold his home at 15542 Trinity Fall Way to Zeljko and Nicole Gvozdenovic, of Bradenton, for $506,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $302,100 in 2016.

Diane Waldon, of Myakka City, sold their home at 7565 Ridgelake Circle to Kevin Geisler, of Bradenton, for $532,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,226 square feet of living area. It sold for $396,800 in 2019.

Paul and Hope Ann Thomas, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15219 Peaceful Bull Place to Amber Maltby, of Bradenton, for $405,000.

Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,328 square feet of living area. It sold for $248,000 in 2016.

Lorie Thompson Masters, of Vero Beach, sold the home at 7585 Ridgelake Circle to Felippo Falso, trustee, of Bradenton, for $459,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,872 square feet of living area. It sold for $384,700 in 2018.

RIDGE AT CROSSING CREEK

Nathan Amos Waldon and Jessica

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 24

CREEKWOOD

Robert Ashley, of Parrish, sold his home at 4705 78th Court E. to Ion Renita, of Sarasota, for $575,500.

Built in 1996, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,944 square feet of living area. It sold for $336,500 in February.

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Marilyn Staudaher, of Fairfax, Virginia, sold her home at 7507 52nd Terrace E. to Douglas and Crystal Thibault, of Bradenton, for $532,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,568 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,000 in 1995.

Salvatore and Donna Yannizzi, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7318 52nd Drive E. to Stephen and Marissa Jaumot, of Bradenton, for $440,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,730 square feet of living area. It sold for $232,500 in 2015.

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Diana Maria Wolff and Theodore Carl Wolff III sold their home at 4624 73rd St. E. to James and Sandra Leavitt, of Bradenton, for $439,500. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,602 square feet of living area. It sold for $129,900 in 2011.

SARACINA AT ESPLANADE

Carmen Hroncich, of Bradenton, sold his Unit 106 condominium at 13515 Messina Loop to Wendi and Michael Hanson, of Ontario, Canada, for $565,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,146 square feet of living area. It sold for $295,000 in 2016.

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DEL TIERRA

Andrew Martin Katz and Christine Katz, of St. Michaels, Maryland, sold their home at 15514 Trinity Fall Way to Charles and Carol Avellino, of Bradenton, for $535,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,358 square feet of living area. It sold for $387,400 in 2018.

Alfred and Kathy Rey, of Clifton, Tennessee, sold their home at 15524 High Bell Place to Richard and Bonnie Vogt, of Cincinnati, for $530,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,366 square feet of living area. It sold for $302,900 in 2015.

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WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA Prices as of November 2021.

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357344-1

ADAM HUGHES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Country Club home tops sales at $3.45 million

|

24

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

AC1 DIRECT PRICING NO HASSLES NO HEADACHES NO HIDDEN FEES GUARANTEED!

FREE $IN5S0TAN0T *

THERMOSTAT* Plus

DUCT SANITIZING* Plus

REP.B12-3A1-2T02E1 EX

FIRST YEAR LABOR* Plus

FIRST YEAR MAINTENANCE* (A $895 VALUE)

2 TON

was

2.5 TON

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

4690

$

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4190

$

5290

4790

was

4 TON

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14 SEER HEAT PUMP

5890

$

5390

$

4990

$

5590

$

5 TON

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6190

$

5690

$

*LOANS PROVIDED BY ENERBANK USA, MEMBER FDIC (1245 BRICKYARD RD, SUITE 600, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106) ON APPROVED CREDIT, FOR A LIMITED TIME. 6.99% FIXED APR. MINIMUM LOAN AMOUNTS APPLY. INTEREST STARTS ACCRUING WHEN FUNDS ARE DISBURSED. INTEREST WAIVED IF REPAID IN 365 DAYS. REPAYMENT TERMS VARY FROM 24 TO 72 MONTHS. ACTUAL LOAN TERM MAY BE SHORTER IF LESS THAN THE FULL APPROVED AMOUNT OF CREDIT IS USED. FIRST MONTHLY LOAN PAYMENT DUE 365 DAYS AFTER FUNDS ARE DISBURSED.

MALLORY PARK

Craig Rothberg and Kelly Merritt, of Minneapolis, sold their home at 11930 Seabrook Ave. to Daryl and Kristin Nelson, of Orion, Illinois, for $425,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,916 square feet of living area. It sold for $306,600 in 2018.

John and Stephanie Cz, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6222 99th St. E. to Lucy Meyo, of Sarasota, for $496,000. Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,811 square feet of living area. It sold for $232,000 in 2014.

MILL CREEK

CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES

Frederick and Jacqueline Clark, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6193 Ninth Ave. Circle NE to Builders Lots LLC for $420,000. Built in 1987, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,918 square feet of living area. It sold for $295,000 in 2012.

ONLINE See more transactions

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www.callac1.com

Noah Frantz and Melissa Michelle Frantz, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 1521 condominium at 5614 Palmer Circle to Leonard Dzamba, of Bradenton, for $456,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,462 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2020.

Natasha Alexandra Maiorano, of Sarasota, sold her home at 3303 Chestertown Loop to Kathleen and James Osterberg, of Lakewood Ranch, for $405,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 1,629 square feet of living area. It sold for $274,900 in 2019.

James and Carmen Collins, of Midlothian, Virginia, sold their home at 7311 Arrowhead Run to Erik and Natalya Shestopal, of Reno, Nevada, for $490,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,993 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2017.

NO PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS!*

SERVICING HILLSBOROUG� PINELlAS, BRADENTON AND SARASOTA COUNTIES *See AC1 for complete details. Some restrictions apply. CAC1820105

Efrain Velazquez and Sandra Janneth Velazquez, of Easton, Maryland sold their home at 6895 Willowshire Way to Michael Arthur Crane, of Bradenton, for $525,000.

Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,628 square feet of living area. It sold for $273,300 in 2014.

RIVERWALK

ALL PACKAGES INCLUDE INSTALLATION, TAXES AND PERMITS*

941-777-4221 813-819-0777

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Theresa Brooks, trustee, of Myakka City, sold the home at 802 133rd St. E. to Daniel and Paula Tanis, of Parrish, for $495,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,908 square feet of living area. It sold for $135,000 in 1992.

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,061 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2019.

VERANDA AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

BRADEN WOODS

5090

$

FROM PAGE 23

Deborah Osborne and James William Kendrick II, trustees, sold the home at 6516 Virginia Crossing to Darrell and Judith Brunson, of University Park, for $510,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,881 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2015.

14 SEER HEAT PUMP

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Real estate

VIRGINIA WATER

3.5 TON

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14 SEER HEAT PUMP

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$

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

|

Sandra Bevan sold her home at 7019 Owls Nest Terrace to Peixoto Investments LLC for $465,000.

at YourObserver.com

PROVIDING INFINITE POSSIBILITIES FOR

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FRIDAY, DEC. 10 AND SATURDAY, DEC. 11

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS Begins at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 1 at The Mall at UTC, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Holiday Movies Under the Stars, presented by First Watch, shows “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on Dec. 10 and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on Dec. 11. The free movies are shown in an open-air theater. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

SUNDAY, DEC. 12

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. The Market at Lakewood Ranch will run yearround every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products and more. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SARASOTA POLO SEASON THE 2022

BEST BET

Beginning Sunday, December 19th, 2021 FRIDAY, DEC. 10 th TO SUNDAY, DEC. 12through Sunday, April 24 , 2022 HOLIDAY EVENTS AT UTC Begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the East Grand Entrance to The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Also runs 6-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. The studio company of the Sarasota Ballet performs excerpts from “The Nutcracker” on Friday followed by a performance from local dance company Stage Door Studios.

On Saturday, kids enjoy a free Santa’s Workshop, craft activities, a DJ, facepainting and a fireworks show. On Sunday, the mall hosts a synthetic ice skating day. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

THE SARASOTA POLO CLUB

SUNDAY POLO

SUNDAY POLO

SUNDA

Every Sunday at 1 pm beginning December 19th 2021 through April 24th 2022

Join thousands of fans for exciting polo action,Sunday opening parade, national Every at 1live pm beginning anthem, theme weeks, half-time entertainment, food, drinks and divot-stomping.

De

Join thousands of fans for exciting p theme weeks, half-time enter Join thousands of fans for exciting polo action, opening parade, anthem, live national

Every Sunday at 1 pm beginning December 19th 2021 through April 24th 2022

anthem, theme weeks, half-time entertainment, food, drinks and divot-stomping.

SUNSET POLO HAPPY HOUR

Every Thursday at 5:30 pm beginning March 17th 2022 through April 21st 2022

SUNSET POLO HAPPY HOUR SUNSET POLO HAPPY HO The most unique after-work party in Lakewood Ranch. Enjoy food, drinks and polo against a backdrop of a breathtaking sunset.

Jay Heater

THURSDAY, DEC. 16

JINGLE RUN 5K Begins at 6 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The annual Jingle Run 5K run draws huge crowds, including 1,900 in 2019. (The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic.) The post-race party includes food and adult beverages. Age group awards will be presented for 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19 and then five-

Beginning Sunday, December 19th, 2021 through Sunday, April 24th, 2022

THE SARASOTA POLO CLUB

RANCH NITE WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6-9 p.m. at 1561 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. Ranch Nite Wednesdays is a free event that includes food trucks, live music, a market, an outdoor bar and a cornhole league. It runs every week through May. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 17

SARASOTA POLO SEASON

THE SARASOTA POLO CLUB

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15

SANTA ON MAIN Runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. Meet Santa as he strolls along Lakewood Main Street and sets up shop under the big Christmas tree. Enjoy the festive light displays, and take photos of Santa and your kids. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

YOUR CALENDAR

COMMUNITY

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 Beginning Sunday, December2519th, through Sunday, April 24th, 202

Every Thursday at 5:30 pm beginning March 17th 2022 throug

year categories 80-plus. The EverytoThursday at run 5:30 pm beginning March 17th 2022 through FOR AprilTICKETS 21st 2022 AND MORE INFORMATION POLO IS A VISIT COMMUNITY SPORT LIKE NO OTHER. The most unique after-work party in Lakewood Ranch.

SAR ASOTAPOLO.COM benefits the Lakewood Ranch MediThe most unique after-work party in Lakewood Ranch.SAREnjoy food, ASOTA POLO CLUB | 8201 POLO CLUB L ANE | L AKEWOOD R ANCH, FL 34240 cal Center Foundation and Health drinks polo against a backdrop WE sunset.

ARE PLEASED TOand WELCOME YOU TO THE of a breathtaking andForpolo against a backdrop of a breathtaking Careers’ scholarshipdrinks program. more information or to register, go 2022 SARASOTA POLO SEASON. to TheJingle5K.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 19

FOR TICKETS AND MORE VISIT SAR ASOTAP

POLO SEASON OPENS FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo VISIT SAR ASOTAPOLO.COM Club, Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. TheSAR ASOTA POLO CLUB | 8201 POLO CLUB L ANE | L AKEWOOD R ANCH, FL 34240 SAR ASOTA POLO CLUB | 8201 POLO CLUB L ANE 2021-22 Sarasota Polo Club season begins and runs every Sunday through April 24. Gates open at 10 a.m. Enjoy polo, the opening parade, halftime entertainment, divot stomping, food, drinks and more. For information and tickets (which begin SARASOTA POLO CLUB I 8201 POLO CLUB LANE I LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL 34240 at $15), go to SarasotaPolo.com.

FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION VISIT SARASOTAPOLO.COM

XNLV20467 369652-1

YourObserver.com

SARASOTA POLO SEA

THE 2022

sponsored content

Understanding

VEIN DISEASE

By Adam N. Phillips, D.O, Board Certified General Surgeon & Vein Specialist VEIN DISEASE: UNDERDIAGNOSED & UNDERTREATED

Our circulatory system keeps our body and its tissues healthy, but when that system goes awry, we develop a series of diseases, including vein disease and all its symptoms. Based on the latest scientific data, vein disease in the U.S. is underdiagnosed and undertreated, and it affects more than 40 million Americans.

Unfortunately, less than one-half of one percent of Americans seek treatment and fewer than half a million ever receive treatment for vein disease.

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY?

The short answer is malfunctioning valves inside the veins.

When blood circulates inside the body, the heart pumps blood down the leg. To get the blood back up to the heart,

however, the body relies on a combination of valves and muscle contractions to push blood upward. Healthy valves within the veins act as backflow prevention device in the legs to keep the blood from flowing backward and pooling in the legs. Faulty veins don’t close completely, resulting in varicose veins, swelling, heaviness, itching, and a whole host of other life-changing symptoms.

Minimally invasive treatments have a 99% success rate with far less risk and side effects.

ARE YOU AT RISK FOR VEIN DISEASE?

Most likely, if you have any of these high-risk factors – a family history, obesity, prolonged sitting or standing, multiple pregnancies, you’re older than 40 and/or you smoke or once did. Women are affected with vein disease more than men; however, men don’t escape this dangerous disease.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF VEIN DISEASE?

More common symptoms that develop over time include pain, heaviness, fatigue, aching, itching, restless legs, burning, and cramping. Physical findings are large areas of spider veins, varicose veins, leg swelling, discoloration, skin thickening, and ulcers.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?

Luckily, treatment is in your favor. FDA-approved, minimally invasive treatments have a 99% success rate with far less risk and fewer side effects when compared to the now-antiquated vein stripping techniques of the past. At Florida Lakes Vein Center, all treatments are performed in the office. There is no downtime, and normal activities can be resumed as soon as you leave our office.

Call and Mention the Observer for a FREE Vein Screening. 941.866.8989

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Florida Lakes Vein Center offers appointments in Lakewood Ranch Tuesdays & Thursdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

26

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, DEC. 9 High: 79 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 9%

FRIDAY, DEC. 10 High: 81 Low: 66 Chance of rain: 9%

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 9 7:09a 5:36p Friday, Dec. 10

7:09a

5:36p

Saturday, Dec. 11

7:10a

5:36p

Sunday, Dec. 12

7:11a

5:36p

Monday, Dec. 13

7:11a

5:37p

Tuesday, Dec. 14

7:12a

5:37p

Wednesday, Dec. 15

7:12a

5:37p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 11 High: 81 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 9%

SUNDAY, DEC. 12 High: 74 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 33% Barrie Wilkie captured this photo of a sunrise over a lake at Lakewood National Golf Club.

Jan. 2 New

Jan. 9 First

Jan. 17 Full

Jan. 25 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Nov. 29

0

Tuesday, Nov. 30

0

Wednesday, Dec. 1

0

Thursday, Dec. 2

0

Friday, Dec. 3

0

Saturday, Dec. 4

0

Sunday, Dec. 5

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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

YEAR TO DATE: 2021 45.79 in.

2020 47.16 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2021 0.00 in.

2020 0.44 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC KARASTAN, MOHAWK, AIRO, SMARTSTRAND, ALL PET 941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

celebrity cipher

IN THE MIDDLE OF by Gary Larson. Edited by Amanda Rafkin quinceanera, e.g.

57 “Piece of cake!”

58 Dart 60 Partiality 61 Thrift store caveat 64 Novelist Jesmyn 65 Toothbrush brand 66 McDonald’s fixtures DOWN 67 Sound from a leaky 1 Denver winter hours faucet (Abbr.)

68 Follower of an Afrocen2 Post-E.R. place, maybe tric religion 3 Respectful title 69 Employee with a Civic 4 Gives temporarily duty, perhaps?

5 Pot growers?

70 Line spoken to the 6 Legendary person audience 7 “Certainly,” for short 71 “Farewell, you pesky 8 Rats with red eyes little insect!”?

9 Deodorant type 75 Evil spirits 10 Furniture giant 76 Philly’s NFL team 11 Big commotion about a 78 “If I Only Had a Heart” ‘70s dance fad? singer 12 Last letter in Canada? 79 Digging plants with 13 Picked from a lineup, fronds? briefly 80 Altoids and others 14 Culturally forbidden 81 Famous ___ cookies 15 “This is a tough call” 82 Yellow flag tosser 16 Barrier around a 83 Places to park barbecue area?

85 Event with lightning, 17 Moisturizer ingredient often 18 Seats for kitties, 86 Share with, like a story sometimes 89 “I’ve finally got it!”

24 Phone notifications 90 Puts another way 29 Hilary of “Fatale” 92 Blue cartoon char31 Fanatical enthusiast acters 32 Paged 94 Trivial 33 Builds on 97 Took without asking 34 Shoestrings 100 Large-scale 36 Psychedelic drug 101 Choose to join 38 Some TomboyX gar102 Home with multiple ments layers?

39 Like Old Mother Hub- 103 Part of a train track bard’s cupboard 104 Ragout or maafe, e.g.

41 Video game inspired by 106 Stink to high heaven pentomino puzzles 107 Guitar accessory 43 Jazz pianist Art 110 Japanese honorific 44 Take in 112 Kin, for short 46 Santa’s reindeer, e.g. 113 Siri runs on it 47 Rival 114 Catan resource 49 Cause to stir 115 Petty criticism 52 Small change?

53 “Solve for x” subject 55 Seijin no Hi or 119 Based on theoretical deduction 120 Paper towel layer 121 Stitched together 122 The ___ the limit 123 When a night light goes out?

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

35 Bird often depicted 1 Placed in the wrong spot with Athena 37 Creme-filled cookie 8 Bone-dry 38 Comfy spot to eat 12 Pasta that’s often breakfast baked 39 Tycoon 16 Chum 40 Observe Ramadan 19 Word before “fair” or 42 1990s commerce pact “museum” 45 Overhaul an almanac?

20 Thor’s brother 48 Beneath 21 Dutch cheese 50 Pencil filler 22 Arroz ___ cubana 51 Test results that might 23 Look for guidance in earn college credits the works of Aesop?

25 What an IOU signifies 52 “The ___ of Amontillado” 26 Blouse or cami, e.g.

54 Blue Jays’ home 27 Lion’s home 56 Small sofas 28 Purple flowers 57 Seals’ rhyming prey 30 Special things 58 Dessert that often has 32 Big Mouth Billy ___ melon 34 TV host Jay 59 Buck’s mate

60 Sudden loud sound 61 Top-tier celebs 62 First-aid pro 63 Rough-and-ready nun?

69 Sucky appliance, for short?

72 Large collection 73 Person in a queue, maybe 74 Mature 77 Smokers’ receptacles 79 Pigmented eye part 80 High-ranking officer 84 Sit unused 85 ___, Crackle and Pop 86 “Let’s get a move on!”

87 Biblical garden 88 Benjamin of “Law & Order” 90 Seismology concern around a Nevada gam-

bling city?

91 Glossary items 93 “Get outta here!”

94 Bombards 95 Guitar maker Paul 96 Pet food brand 98 “I want my bone now!”

99 Punching tools 100 Poet and filmmaker Thylias 102 Bakery hybrids 105 Red wine grape 107 Toothpaste tube top 108 Dunderhead 109 Becomes putrid 111 Fashion group into vintage clothing?

116 OPEC’s concern 117 Bug biting a dog 118 Velma from “ScoobyDoo,” e.g.

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“X NPFS OXNVMKTSS! X’O DPXRD WP ZS XR OXNVMKTSS 20 ASMEI! X’NN ZS CSES IP NPRD, WCSA’NN ZS IXYT PG OS!”

– DXMRRXI MRWSWPTPKROHP

“CTP CYLKD NI DGI WTAYLCI KTD DT CVBI AU EGLD V DGVKM VH YVCGD IBIK DGTACG V DGVKM VD VH GTUIXIHH.” – LPNVYLX WGIHDIY E. KVNVDS “K PACYF OJXEF KE JWG OJSGGJ XEF OKEU XEF UGJ GEACUW JA LXT JWG NKYYO. K FAE’J EGGF DKYYKAEO AH FAYYXSO.”

– OKEGXF A’PAEEAS

Puzzle Three Clue: T equals Y

crossword

349249-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue H equals K

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue V equals W

CARPET

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-9-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

RED PAGES Homes for Sale

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

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

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

Announcements

CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL New Bright Rare Carousel with lights&Music; $125 (941) 462-5599 CHRISTMAS VILLAGE complete, porcelain, electric, $65. Dinette table, glass top, 45” $100 941358-9262

SELL STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

FIREWOOD FILL your pickup for $125. Call and leave a message.

(941) 776-1166 LADIES WESTERN Boots, leather, size 9, cream color, brown designer strap, worn twice, $65 941-747-7183

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

jobs Bus Driver

- Sign on Bonus Bus Driver is responsible for the operation of transporting children from school to the Clubs in the afternoons and designated summer field trips.

CDL-A DRIVERS: Hiring Events for Seasonal/Local Positions! $2,000 Sign on Bonus!

11/19; Chamber of Commerce 222 East Oak Street in Arcadia, FL 11/23; Oakley Groves Office 15455 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, FL. Walk-Ins Welcome from 10am-4pm.$1200-$1300/wk, Home Often, Great Health Benefits.

Must have 6 mos. tractor trailer exp. in last 3 years. Call for More Info. 877-938-9555

Autos Service

SHARK GENIUS steam pocket mop, like new, $45 941-807-8093

AVAILABLE FOR Personal Visits, Corporate Events, Personal Video Messages, Virtual Visits and Photos with Santa 954-336-1697

Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County

To apply: go to www.bgcmanatee.org

NEW EMPORIO Armani Men's watch in original sales box w/price tag. $175. Xmas 15" Elf. $25.

941-776-0034

Announcements

Help Wanted

PT Mon.-Fri. 16 hrs/week; starts at $16.00 per hour.

CDL with P & S endorsement.

NEW 2020 Toyota RAV4 and 2020 Toyota Highlander cloth mats set. $70 each. 941-224-1244

SNOW GLOBE large sarasota plays “ Here Comes the Sun”, $20. Lockbox, fireproof, 13”x 8” x 7” with key, $15. 941-741-9727

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

FAMILY SECURITY DRIVER 941-735-4732.

Ask for Eddie.

Many years experience with rock stars, wild teens, children, elderly, and foreign families.

Feel safe, Be safe 24/7 Licensed and Legal.

Autos Wanted

Real Estate Wanted

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

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

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

SELL IT NOW! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

CALL 386-447-9723

PalmCoastObserver.com/RedPages

home services

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

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

Owner/agent $530,000.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

real estate

2019, 2021 new Nissan Rogue cloth car mats sets.$70 each.

941-224-1253

SELL IT FAST HERE!

auto

stuff Items Under $200

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.

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

Call for coming soon listings.

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING EARLY DEADLINE The Deadline for classifi fie ed advertising in the December 23rd and 30th issues will be due on Friday, December 17th by 3:00pm

Merchandise Wanted

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

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

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

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

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

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

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

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 Advertise your business or service in the Observer

This week’s Crossword answers

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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

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

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

Adult Care Services

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

©2021 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

Auto Transport

peekers’ place

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

town RED! PaintPaint the the town RED!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I love Milwaukee! I’m going to be in Milwaukee 20 years! I’ll be here so long, they’ll be sick of me!”

Giannis Antetokounmpo Puzzle Two Solution: “God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.”

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Puzzle Three Solution: “I could stand in the street and sing and get enough to pay the bills. I don’t need millions of dollars.”

Sinead O’Connor

This week’s Sudoku answers

*Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

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

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

©2021 NEA, Inc.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Aluminum

Cleaning

Furniture Repair

Patio Furniture Repairs.com Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

368912

941-504-0903

Handyman

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

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Ron Chapman Home Service

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

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

SELL YOUR CAR!

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

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU 5-Star Rated 369154

HoHoBuysCars.com

cell: 941.250.1505 • FREE Estimates

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

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

369160

941.270.4400

Interior/Exterior Painting Dryer Vent Cleaning • Gutter Cleaning

Computer

Beauty

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Concrete

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

CRACK REPAIR

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME 368908

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS #1 in IR REPA c Cra k 5% 9 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

AMANDA 368213

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

BUZ CORP D/B/A

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

CONCRETE FUSION

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

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

Bicycles

369966

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

369064

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

369157

368919

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

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

Doors

Home Services

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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?

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

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

Residential

lawn & pest control, inc.

Any Treatment Dry Or Liquid New Customers Only

Family Owned and Operated

369503

• Commercial & Residential • Weed Control • Fungicide • Tree & Shrub Treatment • Fertilizing • Insecticide

Free

Weed & Crab grass Control

www.FGLAWN.com | 941-404-6601

$47

Also, Medicare and Company Group plans

New Customers Only

PER MONTH*

Email (SSETO@MYHST.COM) Call/Text 941-993-4137

Ticks, Fleas, Fire Ants, Chinch Bugs, Mole Crickets, Grubs, Sod Worms and more. PLUS - Fungus & Weeds and Premium Fertilizer.

www.setohealthgroup.com

Irrigation

*For average size lawn of 5000 sq. ft.

Larger lawns slightly more.

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

Licensed & Insured

Doors

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

IRRIGATION (941) 725-8100 REPAIR edsrainmakerirrigation@gmail.com MAINTENANCE Insured Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

Custom Granite Services, llc

Call us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

941-400-4912

368520

368517

369078

You Get NOW Protection!

166554

PROUD!

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR

368922

$10 off

You

368518

• Aetna, Cigna or United Health Care plans • Nationwide PPO networks • Wide range of deductibles • 1 year, 2 years or 3 years terms (fixed rate) • Effective any day of the year • AFFORDABLE and comprehensive

NO MORE TICKS, FLEAS OR WEEDS! e We Mak

Commercial

Individual and Family Health Insurance

Landscaping & Lawn AMI SUN - COLOR AD HOLIDAY PAGE 4x5 167079 11-24-21 EDS

941-705-5468 Insurance

368512

369258

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Power Washing

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Pressure Washing

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

29

Roofing Pressure Washing

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

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

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

• Deck/Paver And Much More

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Licensed & Insured

941-544-1066

AFTER

BEFORE

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

| scaperotta@aol.com

Italian American Owned

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

Rescreening & Repairs

369076

GLENN KROECKER

368914

Honesty, Integrity and Pride • Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346 368519

|

Screening

369162

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

368923

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

369086

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

Eldridge Re-Screen

941.400.0431

368521

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

Lawn Care

Licensed

“No Job Too Small”

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

369079

CREATE BUZZ!

Bisson Roofing Inc.

Painting

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

369166

Find anything in the RED PAGES | 941-955-4888

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins. Owner Supervises Every Job

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

25

ws

140

$

SPECIAL 00 5

$

941 - 748 - 7400

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

Lic./Ins.

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

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

For

STANDARD WINDOWS

368526

369163

941-739-5102

Warranties

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

Roofing

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

Manufacture and workmanship

Res./Com.

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

Windows

Insured

941-270-1561 SALES & REPAIRS - MOWERS, GENERATORS, TRIMMERS, PRESSURE WASHERS, CHAIN SAWS, BLOWERS, ENGINES

368513

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

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

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

www.bissonroofing.com

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

368514

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

THE

RESULTS OF THE CHARLES TOTONIS TEAM

...Serving All The Lakewood Ranch Communities

TR ACT UNDER CON IN 3 DAYS

D JUST LISTED AY 12-2 OPEN SUN

6715 QUILLBACK LANE - GREENBROOK VILLAGE 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 3 Car Garage Lee Wetherington Home with Lake Views List Price $989,900

UNDER CON

JUST SOLD

22504 69TH AVE EAST - LAKEWOOD RANCH 9.75 Acres, 6 Car Garage, Workshop Main Residence, Guest House, Pole Barn List Price $1,200,000 SOLD $1,220,000

TR ACT

10515 FIRESTONE DRIVE - RIVER CLUB 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, 3 Car Garage Incredible Private Lakefront Lot List Price $775,000 SOLD $825,000

TR ACT UNDER CON ING BUYER REPRESENT

JUST SOLD

7535 RIVER CLUB BLVD - RIVER CLUB 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, 3 Car Garage Pool, Spa, Endless Water Views List Price $975,000 SOLD $975,000

Charles TOTONIS

12703 DEL CORSO LOOP - ESPLANADE 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Den, Lazio Model Lanai with Fireplace & Outdoor Kitchen List Price $899,900

Joe HARRIS

8343 LUCERNE LOOP - LAKE CLUB

4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths, Bonus Room Large Lanai with Pool, Spa & Fire Pit 1.6M+ New Construction by Stock Homes

WISHING YOU A Happy Holiday Season AND A Prosperous New Year!

The Charles Totonis Team Sold 2020-2021 $75+ Million We Offer 48 Years of Combined Real Estate Experience Top 1% Nationwide Realtors

941.524.8299

CharlesTotonis@kw.com

941.539.0974

Keller Williams #1 Real Estate Company in the World

JoeHarris@kw.com

www.LakewoodRanchLuxuryProperties.com

369959-1

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