East County Observer 2.4.21

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

Dog lessons with class.

PAGE 2B

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

•

FREE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 13

YOUR TOWN

Courtesy photo

Appreciation can be an art form Nurses including Braden River Middle School’s Laura Schuyler (above with eighth grader Amber DePasquale) have been at the forefront of preventing COVID-19 from spreading in schools.

DePasquale, the president of the school’s Builders Club, and other club members wanted to thank the school’s nurses for all they do by giving them decorated signs Jan. 27.

“They do so much for our school,” DePasquale said.

“Obviously, because of COVID-19, they put themselves at risk if a student thinks they might have it. They put themselves out there to make sure we’re all safe. It makes a difference.”

CAUTION NEEDED AFTER CHANGE

File photo

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse says his comment about blackmail wasn’t an accusation against Commissioner Carol Whitmore. He said he is not pursing any action against Whitmore, who denies trying to influence his vote.

No inquiry scheduled in county brouhaha

After a stretch of S.R. 70 in Lakewood Ranch was deemed not a school zone, drivers have yet to adjust to the change in speed limits at River Club Boulevard.

SEE PAGE 3A

County, state agencies say no formal complaints have been filed against Manatee County commissioners.

PAGE 5A Liz Ramos Courtesy photo

Immovable obstruction After hitting his drive at Tara Golf & Country Club’s 18th hole, Tara resident Tom Domery was walking up to his ball when an unexpected guest decided to join him in the fairway.

Domery said an alligator, which he estimated to be 10 feet long, emerged from a pond on one side of the hole and walked across the fairway before lying down about 15 yards in front of Domery’s ball. After Domery carefully worked around the alligator, it got up and walked to a pond on the other side of the hole.

“I’ve been golfing for 40 years in the Carolinas and Florida,” Domery said. “And I’ve never seen anything like that.”

A+E

An idea that pops Mixon Fruit Farms uses Broghies to give its employees hours during the pandemic.

PAGE 8A Jay Heater

Janet Mixon holds the Broghies and Dean Mixon holds the corn pellets that will be heated and pressurized to make the Broghies.

Chorus hits key notes virtually.

SEE PAGE 18A

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

A walk to remember The Mustang Memorial Walk at Lakewood Ranch High School is dedicated to the memory of students Matthew Powers and Chase Coyner.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

A

ll was quiet in the Lakewood Ranch High Sc h o o l co u r tya rd as Shayleen Coyner walked hand in hand with her husband, Scott, and her son Cory.

They were the first to walk on the new Mustang Memorial Walk on Jan. 27.

Robert Powers, walking next to his mother, Rebecca, followed along with his father, Dan, and sister, Katie, right behind them.

The two families gathered around the six green benches that surrounded a golden trumpet tree.

They quickly formed a group hug comforting one another as they thought about Chase Coyner and Matthew Powers, who died Sept. 15, 2018, in a car accident on State Road 64.

After two years of planning, the families completed their goal of creating a Mustang Memorial Walk in honor of their sons and other students of Lakewood Ranch High School who have died while attending the school.

“It kind of takes your breath

away,” Dan Powers said.

Rebecca Powers said the memorial walk is a way to build upon her son’s legacy.

“As a parent who’s lost a child, at least for me, one of the biggest fears you have is, ‘Will they be remembered?’” she said. “They didn’t have the opportunity to build their own legacy or leave a legacy. Something like this, it helps a little bit to know that they will be remembered.”

Before walking the path, Lakewood Ranch High Principal Dustin Dahlquist and Scott Coyner talked about what it took to get to the dedication.

“As we struggle with our own grief, we also realize that their fellow students were also grieving,” Coyner said to the crowd of people that included family members, students and school and district staff members.

Scott Coyner and Dan Powers came together and approached Dahlquist in April 2019 with the idea of a memorial for their sons.

They even had a rough drawing of what they imagined.

“I was amazed by the strength and courage and moved by the love they had for their sons,”

Liz Ramos

The families of Chase Coyner and Matthew Powers are the first to take the Mustang Memorial Walk during a ceremony Jan. 27 at Lakewood Ranch High School. The memorial is dedicated to students who have died while attending the school.

Dahlquist said. “We concluded that this walkway and bench would be the perfect way to honor their memories and those other students that have been taken from us much too soon.”

After further planning and getting approval from the School Board of Manatee County, the families and school administrators had to figure out exactly what they envisioned.

The granite rock imported from Europe has a plaque to remember all the “Forever Mustangs.”

Rebecca Powers read the inscription on the plaque while pausing to hold back her tears.

“Those we love don’t go away,” she read aloud. “They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.”

The Powers and Coyner families

stood around a green ribbon by the entrance to the walkway and watched as Robert Powers and Cory Coyner, who are now both freshmen at Lakewood Ranch High School, cut the ribbon.

Scott Coyner told those assembled that Chase and Cory Coyner were best friends, and Cory Coyner couldn’t wait to start at Lakewood Ranch High School and see the finalized memorial.

“He’s so excited to be able to spend time [at the memorial] and know who this is all for,” Scott Coyner said.

During the ribbon-cutting, the Marching Mustangs played the school’s alma mater.

The alma mater was the last song Matthew Powers, who was a clarinet player in the band, played with the band before his death.

Around 60 members of the

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Marching Mustangs volunteered to perform at the dedication. To honor their fellow band member, many of the marchers wore a Hawaiian shirt, which was a signature of Matthew Powers who would wear a Hawaiian shirt every Friday.

Members also volunteered to support Robert Powers, a member of the Marching Mustangs.

Come next year, Katie Powers will move on from Carlos E. Haile Middle School and become a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High School, where she too will join the Marching Mustangs.

“Every time I play, it feels like [Matthew Powers] is watching over me,” Katie Powers said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Modification of the school zone on S.R. 70 near Braden River Elementary School has caused confusion.

OR TWILIGHT ZONE? STAFF WRITER

B

raden Pines’ Virginia Beecher crosses State Road 70 to River Club Boulevard each school day to pick up her grandchildren at Braden River Elementary and Braden River Middle.

With the help of two crossing guards Jan. 27, Beecher took less than the 45 seconds allowed to make it across the highway onto River Club Boulevard at 4:10 p.m. when the signal had stopped traffic.

The concern for Beecher comes once the 45 seconds are over, when the light changes to green on S.R. 70, and cars begin to whiz past at varying speeds that can reach 60 mph or more.

Since the signs for the “school zone” have been removed and replaced by “school entrance” signs, many drivers have been confused as to whether they need to slow down while the yellow light flashes above the “school entrance” sign.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” Beecher said. “We see so many cars thinking it’s still the [20 mph] speed limit, and so they slam on their brakes, and everybody else is going 50. There’s going to be an accident.”

As of January, the school zone on S.R. 70 has been modified, which means cars no longer have to abide by the 20 mph speed limit previously put in place as a result of the school zone.

The school zone that starts after turning onto River Club Boulevard remains in place.

The change comes after the Manatee County Traffic Engineering staff requested the Florida Department of Transportation conduct a review of the school zone. The review was conducted early last year in consultation with FDOT, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the School Board of Manatee County.

The school zone used to require vehicles to slow down to 20 mph during the “30 minutes before, during and after the period of time when pupils are arriving at a regularly scheduled breakfast program or a regularly scheduled school session and leaving a regularly scheduled school session,” according to FDOT’s Speed Zoning manual for highways, roads and streets.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

STEPS FOR SAFETY

SCHOOL ZONE LIZ RAMOS

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SIGNS CURRENTLY IN PLACE ON SR 70 n No right turn sign: No right turn when the sign is lit n School entrance sign: Notifies drivers they are entering a school zone but does not require them to reduce speed n Yield to pedestrian sign: Requires drivers to wait for pedestrians n School crossing sign: Notifies drivers a school crossing is near

FDOT spokesperson Brian Rick said the Manatee County Traffic Engineering staff questioned the validity of the reduced speed school zone for several reasons including that it is not required in the FDOT Speed Zoning Manual. The staff also questioned the length of time the school zone flashers were affecting vehicle operations of S.R. 70 during peak times, and they suggested that the number of children crossing the road at the intersection didn’t make it appropriate for a school zone.

Rick said the decision was made to modify the school zone because the existing school zone

speed reduction was not required due to having a safe school crossing location at the intersection of S.R. 70, River Club Boulevard and Forest Run Drive.

“The signal provides a safe controlled crossing location and meets the requirements to do so,” Rick said. “Therefore, a school zone speed reduction is not necessary.”

Although vehicles are no longer required to slow down on S.R. 70, there are measures in place to promote safety.

A leading pedestrian interval, which prioritizes and promotes pedestrian movement and safety across the intersection, is in place. There is a “no right turn” blank out sign facing the northbound right turn lane to turn onto S.R. 70 as well as updated pedestrian crossing warning signs and a flashing school entrance warning sign that has a flashing light.

Crossing guards will remain at the intersection to help pedestrians cross the street safely. Pedestrians only cross with the crossing guard when a pedestrian walk signal is displayed.

Residents in the Braden Pines neighborhood, which is on Forest Run Drive, are concerned about drivers speeding through the intersection.

“For a couple hours, people can slow down to protect our kids,” Beecher said. “It’s not a great big

Photos by Liz Ramos

Braden Pines’ Virginia Beecher and her grandson, Hayden, walk across State Road 70 to get to and from Braden River Middle School almost every day. Beecher says it’s silly the school zone on the highway was modified.

Although cars no longer have to slow to 20 mph while driving near Braden River Elementary School and Braden River Middle School on State Road 70, there are safety measures still in place to allow people to cross the highway safely. n Crossing guards n Leading pedestrian interval, which is a signalization phase that prioritizes and promotes pedestrian movement and safety across the intersection n “No right turn” blank out sign facing the northbound right turn lane on S.R. 70 n “Pedestrian crossing” warning signs n Flashing “school entrance” warning signs

neighborhood, but still, they need to get to school.”

Laura Schuyler, a Braden Pines resident and mother of a Braden River Middle School student, said crossing S.R. 70 can feel like a real-life game of Frogger because cars go different speeds down the highway, and some zigzag through the lanes to try to pass other cars.

Alison Neville, a Braden Pines resident, said she wasn’t aware of the change and was confused when a car came rushing behind her while she was driving on S.R. 70 on Jan. 21.

Beth Carlton, a Braden Pines resident, said she and her neighbors fought hard to have the school zone with a speed limit put in place when her son was attending the school as S.R. 70 was made into a three-lane highway.

“Our kids’ safety should be the No. 1 priority in my personal opinion,” Carlton said. “I am glad to hear the crossing guards are still going to be there because our middle school kids go over on their own. I wouldn’t be comfortable with my kid crossing a sixlane highway.”

Many Braden Pines residents said they feel their neighborhood is often overlooked because of its size and where it’s located.

“We’ve always been the redheaded stepchildren over here in this neighborhood,” Carlton said. “We get kind of pushed aside because we’re not Lakewood Ranch, and we don’t have a homeowners association, which is how we like it, but we still have kids. We still feel we are members of the community. We pay our taxes just like everybody else.”

Braden Pines’ Leslie Silver said the school zone speed limit should be restored as East County continues to grow and more cars will drive down S.R. 70 at high speeds.

Amber DePasquale, a mother of a student at Braden River Middle School, said she was slowing down to 20 mph after the modification because she saw the flashing yellow light above the “school entrance” sign, and a car honked at her.

Although she’s aware of the change now, she said she noticed other cars still slowing down Jan. 29 and almost saw two accidents as a result.

Tara’s Jeannie Griffis said she’s an advocate for children and safety, but she’s never seen a child near S.R. 70 when she has driven by. The school zone modification has made traffic flow “much better,” Griffis said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

For Your Special

Motorsports Park worker hit by race car, dies

Valentine

Daniel Stone, a 15-year employee at the Bradenton Motorsports Park, was killed Jan. 29 at the track when he was struck by a race car.

Stone, 56, was trying to guide the driver of a malfunctioning vehicle into the dirt pit at the end of the track when he was struck by the fast-moving vehicle, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.

The accident occurred during a sponsored drag-racing event.

Emergency personnel were already on scene for the event and attempted life-saving measures for approximately 30 minutes, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Stone died at the scene.

The National Hot Rod Association is conducting an investigation into the vehicle malfunction, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

A memorial for Stone was held Feb. 3 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.

funds for up to 12 months of assistance, through November 2021.

Manatee County officials urge those applying to get their paperwork in order now. Applicants will need to have registered with Manatee County’s online application portal, Neighborly.

More COVID-19 vaccinations scheduled Another 5,100 seniors were in the process of receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Manatee County from Feb. 3-5. at Tom Bennett Park in East County.

A Manatee County release said it has not opted into Florida’s new statewide registration system.

Therefore, signing up for Florida’s My Vaccine registration system will not result in receiving a vaccine in Manatee County.

Approximately 26,590 Manatee County residents have received a vaccination as of Jan. 31.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Business as usual Despite a commissioner being accused of manipulating votes, regular business continues.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

A

fter Commissioner at-large George Kruse said at a Jan. 26 County Commission meeting he thought fellow Commissioner Carol Whitmore was planning to use photos of him with another woman to “manipulate votes on this board,” county residents might have expected an official investigation.

Those residents might be disappointed.

Randy Warren, the public information officer for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, said the department would need a criminal complaint before starting any investigation.

State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office did not return repeated calls asking whether an investigation was in order.

Kerrie Stillman, the deputy executive director of the Florida Commission on Ethics, said the circumstances are out of the commission’s realm.

“If somebody believes that somebody has misused their official position in some way for a personal benefit, they could

seek to file a complaint with the commission,” Stillman said. “The state ethics laws relate to conflict of interest. And they all relate to someone’s official position versus their private interest.

“If the allegation is that someone corruptly used their official position or official resources in a manner that’s inconsistent with the proper performance of their public duties and did so to receive a personal benefit, then they could look at the Misuse of Public Position statute and decide whether or not they wish to make that allegation here with the commission.”

Kruse, who admitted he had an extramarital affair during the Jan. 26 commission meeting, said he is not pursing any sort of action against Whitmore. Whitmore, who denies the claim she was trying to manipulate votes, said the photos had been circulating through the community and were sent to her unsolicited. She has hired an attorney, Brett McIntosh, in the aftermath of the Jan. 26 meeting.

Kruse further said that his Jan. 26 comments were not intended as an accusation but rather an opinion to be considered within the context of his broader point about a “fundamental problem” in the culture of Manatee County government.

He said his comments about his affair and his comments about Manatee County government, which culminated with him raising a motion to give Administra-

tor Cheri Coryea 15 days’ notice of a vote to terminate her contract, were only “tangentially related.”

He said he wanted no speculation about whether his votes or actions were being compromised

by Whitmore’s knowledge of his affair.

“I’m not going to have anyone in this town ever, in these four years, ever think that I made a vote or passed a policy or did anything because somebody donated to my campaign, or someone’s holding something over my head, or somebody voted one way, so I’m going to vote their way the next time,” Kruse said. “That’s not how I do business.”

Even so, other commissioners wondered if law enforcement or a state agency might follow up with an investigation.

“Commissioner Kruse used the word blackmail,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said.

“And extorting a public official with the intent of altering votes is a very serious crime. I think law enforcement is going to investigate, regardless of my opinion.”

Board Chair Vanessa Baugh said she would expect some kind of investigation.

“I can’t imagine that something like that would be said, and nothing come from it,” Baugh said. “I mean, that would be ludicrous.

But at the same time, you’re innocent until proven guilty.”

Commissioner James Satcher said he didn’t have enough facts to offer his personal opinion, but he thought a law enforcement

File photo

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore firmly denied she had any intention of influencing Commissioner George Kruse’s vote because she knew about his affair.

agency might compile the facts.

“If someone were to look into the facts, who knows what they might find,” he said. “I would leave that up to law enforcement.”

The catalyst for Kruse’s Jan. 26 comments about both topics was a Jan. 22 meeting between Kruse and Whitmore about community land trusts and affordable housing. Although County Attorney William Clague said the meeting was legal, the manner in which it was organized and conducted upset other commissioners and many citizens.

The meeting was posted only on the county’s calendar, not on

the online list of county meetings.

News organizations and the other commissioners were not directly notified of the meeting. It started at 8 a.m., which meant citizens could not listen to the start of the meeting because the doors to the Manatee County Administration Building don’t unlock until 8 a.m.

Additionally, Kruse said he began to hear rumors the weekend of Jan. 23 that Whitmore was spreading information about his affair and that she used the Jan. 22 meeting to blackmail him and talk about votes. He wanted to curtail those rumors.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

More vaccine registration help for older adults

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Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur said registration for the COVID-19 vaccine has become a smoother process with the introduction of Manatee County’s standby pool and 311 call center.

Many seniors, however, have struggled to register because they struggle with technology. Manatee County is using its libraries and the Elder Helpline, which is operated by Manatee County Aging and Eligibility Services, to tackle the issue.

The county’s librarians suggested to the county’s staff that seniors are frequent visitors to libraries and could be reached through those venues, Saur said.

In addition to the technology at the sites, such as computer workstations and printers, having librarians available to help convinced the county to pursue libraries as one of the main avenues of senior outreach.

Manatee County Library Services Manager Elizabeth Partridge said each library has copies of the county’s vaccine screening and consent form, which must be brought to the appointment to receive a vaccination.

Librarians can direct seniors through the registration website and can answer questions about the screening and consent form.

The librarians also direct seniors who need additional help to the Elder Helpline at 742-5818.

Tracie Adams, who manages the county’s Aging and Eligibility Services, said the Elder

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Helpline is a 24/7 phone number that people aged 60 or older can call when they don’t know where else to go for help. It is set up to receive a voicemail from everyone who calls. Operators monitor the line from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and call back within an hour.

The Elder Helpline wasn’t originally planned for use as a lifeline to seniors struggling to register, Adams said.

“I said, ‘Look, let’s just help these people ourselves, anyone who calls us through our Elder Helpline,’” Adams said. “Rather than refer them to another number to call and frustrate them more.”

Elder Helpline operators have answered seniors’ registration questions, walked many of them through the registration process and emailed people links to get them to the registration website.

Adams said they’ve also mailed the screening and consent forms to people who don’t have printers and therefore can’t obtain it themselves.

Adams registered one man who is 99 years old. His daughter reached out to Adams to say her father needed help because of his hearing limitations.

“We figure out a way,” Adams said of anyone who might be in a similar situation. “It’s limited information that we need to register someone. So if there’s a concern that someone can’t communicate, we’re so used to that just in our regular day to day that we figure it out.”

If all else fails, Adams said someone could show up in the Aging and Eligibility Services lobby on the third floor of the Manatee County Administration Building, located at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, and a staff member will be happy to help.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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EAST COUNTY

WHAT IS A BROGHIE? From the company website: “A Broghie is a crunchy, breadplate-sized, round, disc-shaped, bread substitute with no fat, low carbs, no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, no sugar and only 20 calories.”

Broghie founders: Ken Tracey and Terry Brush Headquarters: Waterdown, Ontario How Broghies got their name: Ken Tracey has a daughter, Broghen, and Terry Brush has a daughter, Brogyn.

Company name: Garavogue, which is named after the Irish river How long a bag of Broghies stays fresh: At least four weeks Carbs per wafer: Four Weight Watchers points per wafer: One Calories per wafer: 19 Uses: As substitutes for bread, bagels, crackers, pie crust or tortilla chips Cost: $4.95 for a bag of 15; $2.75 for a bag of eight

A Broghie wafer shoots out as Dean Mixon keeps watch on his machines at Mixon Fruit Farms.

BROGHIES:

FRUIT OF THEIR LABOR JAY HEATER | MANAGING EDITOR

I

t wasn’t likely Mixon Fruit Farms had an oil drilling rig in the back of its Bradenton store, but the steady, rhythmic popping sure made it seem like owners Dean and Janet Mixon were

searching for black gold.

In this case, they might already have hit it, with their bounty coming in the form of Broghies.

Broghies are disc-shaped, low calorie, fat-free bread substitutes that are produced by taking corn or wheat pellets and putting them under enormous pressure and heat. Think popcorn that ends up in the shape of Frisbees.

The brainchild of a couple Ontario businesspeople, Broghies have caught fire in the U.S., which has created a problem for the founders. They needed a U.S. distributor.

Meanwhile, the Mixons had their own problems. Decreased sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic had forced them to reduce some of their employees’ hours.

They were looking for ways to give those hours back.

They didn’t expect Broghies would be the answer.

It was four years ago when the Mixons were attending the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association Conference in New Orleans. When they entered the convention center, they could hear a loud, rhythmic popping sound that pulled them toward it. They were introduced to the Broghie machine.

“We liked it because of the noise,” Janet Mixon said. “It was like entertainment.”

They purchased one of the $53,500 machines for Mixon Fruit Farms and began producing for their customers.

It didn’t take long for the Mixons to learn the production of Broghies would need a little finetuning.

“When we first did it, they were sailing all over, like Frisbees,”

Photos by Jay Heater

Mixon employee Teresa Cunningham bags and seals the Broghies to be shipped all over the U.S.

Janet Mixon said with a laugh.

Four years later, Broghie founders Ken Tracey and Terry Brush asked Dean Mixon if Mixon Fruit Farms would consider being their first U.S. distributor. In midJanuary, three more machines arrived at Mixon Fruit Farms.

Ever since, Broghie production is going almost nonstop during the day as the Mixons try to catch up with the U.S. orders.

On Jan. 30, the four machines were shooting out Broghie discs into a plastic catch basin. The store’s customers were drawn to the back of the store to check out the popping noise and to watch the production.

Teresa Cunningham, a Mixon employee for more than five years, was busy scooping up the discs and bagging them for shipment.

She said she is happy to gain hours working somewhat of an assembly line. She enjoys the task but said she has to stay alert with the wafers shooting out under great pressure and at 214 degrees.

“I almost got hit in the eye,” she said with a laugh.

Although getting use to one machine took some doing, Dean Mixon said aligning four of them takes some attention. He jokes that the machines throw different pitches, and he has machines that throw a fastball and a curve.

“The knuckleballer is that one on the end,” he said.

He explained the positioning of the plates is key, so the wafers are shot out in different directions and distributed evenly in the catch area.

“It’s a learning process, and we’ve only been doing it a week,” he said. “To have all four going, and to have them bagged and sealed, … we’ve got to get all our employees to learn how to do it. It will get them more hours.”

It appears the popping sound will be a daily feature inside Mixon Fruit Farms.

“We have individuals ordering cases (12 bags of 15 wafers in a bag to a case), and we had a restaurant in Tampa just order 10 cases,” Janet Mixon said. “[The pandemic] has been a hard time for everyone. We’re keeping our employees busy.”

Janet Mixon said the best thing about the Broghies is that she loves the product.

“They are like a rice cake but better,” she said.

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9A

JAY HEATER

Major mind helps economic minor B

ecause I am going to be talking about economics today, I need to preface this column with a little information about my education.

I do, indeed, hold an economics minor from the University of Arizona.

This should be taken lightly.

Less than a grain of salt.

My last semester of college, I had an idiot head of the journalism department who decided a couple of my classes that had transferred from my junior college were no longer acceptable, even though they had been approved three years earlier.

So I was loaded up with 21 units at a time and thought I could skate through my educational grand finale.

One of the classes I had to take was an economics theory class, which those of you who have dipped your toe into the world of economics know can vary widely depending on the professor. This is not an exact science. Compare it to picking the winner of Sunday’s Super Bowl. The reasoning can be all right, and you can be dead wrong.

The difference between a college economics class and the Super Bowl is that nobody ever finds out if you were right in college.

Because I never planned to be another Milton Friedman, I gave

the class all the effort it deserved and left a month early during my final semester to take a journalism job in the San Francisco Bay Area. My economics professor agreed to give me a final exam early and called me at my new job to deliver my final grade.

“I gave you a D,” he said firmly.

“Merry Christmas.”

Unfortunately, we live in a world where we all need a little economic savvy if we expect to end up in the black. I found the trick in keeping informed is not understanding economics myself but understanding the ramblings of those who do.

Fortunately, for 22 consecutive years, the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. has given us Hank Fishkind. He now works as the founder of Fishkind Litigation Services, but around Lakewood Ranch he is known as the guy who has served as the Stewardship District’s district manager and the financial manager for Lakewood Ranch’s original community development districts when SchroederManatee Ranch started them more than two decades ago.

Although he has served on the Governor’s Economic Advisory Board, I think my biggest compliment would be saying that this is a guy Rex Jensen, the CEO and president of SMR, listens to.

That’s good enough for me.

So each year when the Bradenton Area Economic Development event rolls around, as it did Jan. 28, I make sure I listen to what Fishkind has to say. I admit I don’t have a firm grasp of the entire presentation, but usually, I can get a couple of valuable nuggets out of it.

Making things easier on me, Fishkind is a guy who can “dumb down” his presentation. Thanks so much.

So here is my own interpretation of the two key jewels he passed along to Manatee County’s top business minds.

One, embrace the continued population explosion expected in Manatee County. People are going to continue to move to Manatee County, and many will be working from home. As he put it, “Why work from home in Syracuse when you can work from home in Bradenton?”

He said the influx of all those people will continue to strengthen Manatee County’s economy.

Two, realize the weakening of the office and retail markets (the shift to online shopping will continue), and get creative in repurposing those spaces that have been abandoned already or will be. Space for the warehouse and distribution market will be in demand. Also, finding ways to transform spaces into affordable workplace housing is going to

File photo

Economist Hank Fishkind worked for the Bradenton Area Economic Corp. for 22 years.

be vital to the continued growth of the region. He said changing regulations to help the transformation is important as well.

So there you have it, a D student’s take on a brilliant economic mind’s presentation.

Merry Christmas.

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

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Although the plan for a proposed animal shelter on a new site is included in Manatee County’s Capital Improvement Plan with an estimated completion date of August 2023, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh wants the County Commission to consider renovating or rebuilding at the current site to save money.

For the current plan to be scrubbed, four commissioners would need to vote to take the project off the Capital Improvement Plan. Baugh said she believes the current 1.53-acre site

is big enough to continue to host a county shelter.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore, however, said the current location is next to a cemetery and that expansion is not possible.

Whitmore said the commissioners should stick to the plan already approved. She noted the plan has been approved in the budget for three consecutive years.

Manatee County Animal Services Chief Sarah Brown said the shelter’s current capacity is about 80 dogs and 56 cats. The shelter has managed to stay below 100 dogs since April but has held as many as 190 animals in the past because of the county’s no-kill policy.

Baugh said the overcrowding issue should be part of a larger conversation about how the county should approach its role as a shelter. She thinks the county should do everything it can to send more of its animals to pri-

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

“The ultimate answer for our shelter should not be to have animals in there that stay for the rest of their lives. Every animal deserves a happy home.”

— Vanessa Baugh

vate shelters.

“This is not supposed to be a permanent home that we have,” Baugh said. “We are supposed to be trying to get animals adopted.

They don’t have much of a life [at the county shelter]. And some of them have been there for quite a while. The ultimate answer for our shelter should not be to have animals in there that stay for the rest of their lives. Every animal deserves a happy home.”

Other commissioners weren’t sure if that is a feasible strategy.

Whitmore said most shelters don’t take specific breeds, such as pit bulls, or large dogs. Baugh acknowledged this but said the county can find a shelter that will if it tries hard enough.

Commissioner George Kruse raised other concerns about building on the site of the existing animal shelter. He said the facility’s location in Palmetto is far from the center of the county.

Kruse said this makes the shelter less accessible for many prospective adopters. He also wondered what would happen after the old shelter is demolished but before the new one is built, if it were constructed on the same site.

He said demolition of the current structure could get expensive.

“Demo costs aren’t always

The Manatee County animal shelter has a capacity of about 80 dogs and 56 cats. The shelter has only been slightly above capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic but has reached as many as 190 dogs in the past.

DJ was taken ito the Manatee County animal shelter Nov. 17. He is about 14 months old.

cheap, especially with older buildings,” Kruse said. “The advantage of building brand new is that it is always more efficient.

You don’t have the demo costs.

And you can build one while

you’re still utilizing the other.”

Kruse said he might think differently if someone said the county could rebuild a facility on the existing site for substantially less money than building a new one on property owned by the county, though he doubted that would be the case. Baugh, however, toured the current shelter with a builder who suggested it could could rebuilt for approximately $1 million.

The proposed shelter listed on the Capital Improvement Plan would be located on property owned by Manatee County south of State Road 64, across the street from Carlos E. Haile Middle School and School House Drive. The budgeted cost is $10 million, $8 million of which would come from infrastructure sales tax revenues.

The other $2 million would come from funds raised by Animal Network Inc., a local nonprofit

Virtual

dedicated to offering spay/neuter clinics, microchipping, educational programming and support to other animal rescue organizations. Animal Network President Pam Freni said the organization has raised about $350,000 since April 2019.

To raise the rest of the money by the organization’s goal, the end of 2022, Freni said she is counting on the COVID-19 pandemic to be contained over the next several months, so Animal Network can start holding fundraising events in person and meet with potential big-money donors face to face.

“We don’t have a situation where we can go and speak with [possible donors] safely, which makes it very difficult to get someone excited,” Freni said.

County Administrator Cheri Coryea said it is likely discussion of a new animal shelter will come up at commission work sessions later this month.

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ay Osborn has owned Pamaro Shop Furniture for nearly 45 years.

He’s been in the business long enough to remember when Lakewood Ranch didn’t exist, so he knows how quickly the area is growing.

He plans to capitalize.

Pamaro Shop Furniture is moving its warehouse and office to Technology Terrace in Lakewood Ranch, so the local business can more easily deliver its products to East County customers. Pamaro has a store in University Park and two in Sarasota.

Pamaro’s current warehouse and office, which have been in operation for about 10 years, is located near Washington Boulevard in Sarasota, about three miles from downtown. The new warehouse will be 21,600 square feet, including space for showing customers open-box merchandise, cancellations and returns.

The office will be 4,000 square feet. There will be no showroom at the new facility.

Osborn expects Manatee County will give the green light for construction within the

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The “Pamaro” in Pamaro Shop Furniture is an acronym. Each set of two letters represents a different name from the business’ founders, the John family: “Pa” stands for Paul, “Ma” stands for Margaret and “Ro” stands for Robin. Margaret John was current Pamaro Owner Ray Osborn’s maternal aunt. Paul was her husband, and Robin was their son.

next month or two. The facility will cost around $2 million to build, Osborn said, and will be constructed by Sarasotabased Charlie’s Construction Co. Osborn hopes the building will be finished by the end of 2021.

“We’re just waiting for it to get done to go out where all the action is,” Osborn said. “Lakewood Ranch, I mean, it’s unbelievable what they’re doing out there. …

If you go out to Lakewood Ranch, you can drive forever.”

Osborn decided to move his company’s warehouse and office from Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch about two years ago because he wants to follow the population growth. Pamaro used to do a lot of business on the barrier islands, but the customer base is shifting east.

Changing tastes also factor into Pamaro’s shifting customer base.

For example, Osborn thinks many

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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Brendan Lavell

Pamaro Shop Furniture Owner Ray Osborn and employee David Wright stand in the company’s current warehouse in Sarasota. Osborn is moving the warehouse to Lakewood Ranch to be closer to the area’s population growth.

proximity to Interstate 75. The new warehouse will be less than 5 miles from the interstate, which allows delivery trucks to more easily reach customers as far north as Sun City and as far south as Boca Grande.

Pamaro was started by Osborn’s aunt, Margaret John, in 1950.

Osborn bought the store in 1976, when he was 33. Originally, the store sold only wicker products made of rattan, a round and solid vine species often used in wicker weaves. Today, Osborn said the store mostly sells casual furniture, often with a floral design.

“I’ll work until I’m 80, and then I’m gone,” Osborn said, before changing his tune. “But I don’t have a plan. I kind of like what I do.”

COMING SOON What: Pamaro Shop Furniture warehouse Where: 10705 Technology Terrace, Lakewood Ranch Current location: 5465 University Parkway, University Park Contact: Call 953-6144.

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people in downtown Sarasota, especially in the city’s high rises, now prefer modern furniture.

Osborn said his company’s style of furniture is suited to the homes in Lakewood Ranch and similar communities. He said he would take pride in serving a community that is aesthetically pleasing and well planned, which he believes Lakewood Ranch is.

He cited Lakewood Ranch’s ofttouted status as one of the bestselling master-planned communities in the country.

“I’m glad to be a part of it,” Osborn said. “There’s lots of beautiful warehouse property out there. It’s a wonderful place to live now.”

Another advantage of Technology Terrace’s location is its

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Shelly Glenn is the new chief development and community partnership officer for the Florida Cancer Specialists. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to bring several passions together,” Glenn says of her new position.

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PASSION REWARDED Country Club’s Shelly Glenn is promoted to chief development and community partnership officer for Florida Cancer Specialists.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

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hen Country Club’s Shelly Glenn was a child growing up in northern New Jersey, she watched as her father, Stephen Halperin, make a condolence call after his friend had died from a blood cancer.

“It was the first time I saw my dad cry,” Glenn said. “You think of your dad as being this big guy,

… strong, … and everything like that.”

That moment sparked Glenn’s passion for health care.

Her fear of needles and blood kept her from becoming a nurse or doctor, but she knew she wanted to be involved in the health care industry in some way.

Now, at 58, Glenn is serving her community as the new chief development and community partnership officer for the Florida Cancer Specialists.

“It’s important people understand as a nonclinician, I look at things from common sense and basic awareness,” Glenn said. “I’m not a physician, I’m not a rocket scientist, but I care about my community. I want to help those that live here. I want to make sure I’m the individual who doesn’t block but connects our community to all of those experts.”

Florida Cancer Specialists works to provide cancer treatment and offers its patients

ABOUT SHELLY

access to clinical trials. FCS is one of the largest medical oncology and hematology practices in the country.

Glenn works out of the offices in Lakewood Ranch, her home for eight years.

As the chief development and community partnership officer, which is a new position for the Florida Cancer Specialists, Glenn is tasked with strengthening patient advocacy and community partnerships, overseeing growth initiatives and bringing Florida Cancer Specialists to the forefront of community oncology.

“Over the years, Shelly has helped nurture key relationships with many other cancer-related groups, as well as a variety of community-based organizations,” said Nathan Walcker, the CEO of Florida Cancer Specialists. “Her expertise in bringing people and organizations together will serve her well in this new position.”

Glenn will also oversee referral base management, physician recruitment and the FCS Foundation.

“During her tenure at FCS, Shelly has developed an outstanding referral management program, which has boosted new patient growth annually,” said Dr. Lucio Gordan, FCS president and a managing physician. “Additionally, as a founding board member of the FCS Foundation, she has helped increase patient grants significantly. Even in this very challenging year, the foundation has distributed $1.4 million to needy cancer patients undergoing treatment in Florida. We are pleased that she will continue to provide leadership in both of these areas.”

Glenn said her position is more crucial than ever as the COVID-19

SHELLY GLENN Age: 58 Lives: Country Club Family: Husband Jack Glenn Resume: Shelly Glenn has been with the Florida Cancer Specialists since 2012. Glenn has a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Lehigh University and a Global Leadership designation from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

She serves on the board of directors of the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Suncoast Chapter, American Cancer Society’s CEOs Against Cancer and other organizations.

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FCS Foundation board members Cory Person, Tom Uhler, Shelly Glenn, Michael Diaz, John Shwiner and Maen Hussein work together to raise money to assist people undergoing cancer treatment.

ABOUT FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS Florida Cancer Specialists is one of the largest medical oncology and hematology practices in the country.

FCS offers patients access to clinical trials and works to provide treatment in patients’ communities.

FCS provides a “full range of cancer services with a demonstrated focus on delivering quality and value through patientcentered, coordinated care,” according to the organization’s website. FCS has 35 locations throughout Florida, including Lakewood Ranch.

pandemic persists, and people are hesitant to go to the doctor or get themselves screened for cancer.

She wants to assure the community that it is safe and important to be screened.

One of her first goals is to increase awareness of some key advocacy initiatives, which include getting more people screened for cancer. Another goal is helping local employers educate their employees on how to reduce risk factors and what resources are available to them.

She also intends to grow the number of patients FCS serves.

Besides the challenges the pandemic poses, Glenn said another challenge will be informing people they could get high quality care in their community rather than traveling to another health care provider or academic center.

Glenn has been with Florida Cancer Specialists since 2012, previously serving as the chief sales and marketing officer. She also has worked for many nonprofits in the area.

“It’s about doing what’s right for the greater good,” Glenn said.

“Each one of us, I think, wants to give back and wants to contribute, whether that’s through work or volunteerism.”

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Members of Women of WaterCrest collect underwear and socks to donate to Mothers Helping Mothers for the group’s Thanksgiving Project.

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in the community as a result of the pandemic.

In the new year, BittmannNeville said the group has decided to start meeting in person once again while following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that include wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing.

Speaker said the group is “chomping at the bit” to be able to go on field trips again. They are hoping to go to Historic Spanish Point by the end of March.

As for the group’s desire to support nonprofits, Bittmann-Neville foresees the group collecting donations for Mothers Helping Mothers again, but Speaker hopes the group can help other nonprofits as well.

thE FArmErS' MArKET FOr thE ENtirE LWr rEGiON Courtesy photos

Jari Searns, a member of the Women of WaterCrest, raises money for Mothers Helping Mothers by selling her paintings.

Searns, a WaterCrest resident and member of the social group, remembered she left some of her oil paintings in New York, where she owns a summer home.

She decided to have them shipped to WaterCrest, which had just become her permanent home, so she could sell them. All the proceeds would then go to Mothers Helping Mothers.

In December 2020, Searns and fellow club member Cheryl Speaker went to Mothers Helping Mothers to deliver 60 toys the club collected from residents, along with $800 Searns received for her six paintings.

“I’ve never sold a piece previously,” Searns said. “I’ve been painting for years, and I give it away to friends, I give it to relatives. I give it as presents. I had no idea that it was worth that much.”

The Women of WaterCrest, which was established in 2019 and has more than 50 members, has been collecting donations for Mothers Helping Mothers since the group’s inception.

The organization brings women in the WaterCrest community together to develop friendships.

They go on field trips and host other social events.

Although the pandemic forced the group to start meeting virtually, members didn’t want to stop supporting Mothers Helping Mothers during the holiday season.

During the holidays, the group collected 614 pairs of underwear and socks for children during its Thanksgiving Project.

When Speaker dropped the clothing off, she found out the nonprofit was also collecting toys for the holidays. Speaker brought the idea to the group, and the members jumped on the chance to help again.

The group donated more than 60 toys to Mothers Helping Mothers during its Holiday Toy Project.

“It was so heartwarming,” said Nyda Bittmann-Neville, the chair of Women of WaterCrest. “We felt just wonderful about how big the heart was of our community.”

Members of the group want to continue to help Mothers Helping Mothers in 2021, especially after the nonprofit saw a greater need

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Chorus continues Zoom rehearsals The singing group has gone digital in the hopes of returning together after the pandemic.

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t’s a slightly tired sentiment but a real one: It’s hard to make friends in a pandemic.

That is why Ken Rear, the president of the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, feels fortunate.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and technical hurdles, Rear meets with many of his chorus friends each week for an evening rehearsal over Zoom.

Although they aren’t able to meet together and sing loud and proud as they used to, the group cherishes the meetings as a way to warm up their voices, sing new songs and keep in touch with one another.

“We only missed probably two weeks of rehearsal in March,” Rear said. “Since then, we have not missed one rehearsal.”

It’s a time for camaraderie that Rear deeply values. His involvement with a capella singing started 40 years ago, when he was wandering through a shopping mall with his wife in Langley, British Columbia. Suddenly, he said, he heard the most beautiful harmony singing he had ever heard.

“Lo and behold, there was a group of guys in white shirts, red and white stripe vests with strap holders,” he said. “Just like you see in the movies.”

He has been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society ever since; he said he’s going 40 years strong. Although most people he knew in those days had an instrument and could carry a tune, Rear said that he always felt his voice was too deep to sing the folk melodies that were popular.

With a capella, he found his groove.

“I found a spot where I could actually see and make a difference,” Rear said. “Instead of trying to sing a melody, I sang harmony. It was perfectly suited for my voice and for what I wanted to do.”

He joined the chapter in British Columbia and then the Sarasota Chorus of the Keys chapter when he moved to Florida in 2008. He took some time away and picked

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The Chorus of the Keys has been performing on Zoom since the start of the pandemic.

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What: Chorus of the Keys weekly meetings When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays on Zoom Call: 321-6014 Website: ChorusOfTheKeys. org

it back up in 2018.

The Sarasota chapter has a long history of activity. It was chartered in 1948, 10 years after its parent group, the Barbershop Harmony Society, started in 1938.

It’s a competitive organization that aims to win singing contests, but Rear said he also loves its structure and how it enables members to get better at the art form.

“It’s designed to allow people to improve their hobbies,” he said. “It’s a hobby that people get infected with the bug and become very passionate about it.”

The group had around 45 members including snowbirds upon Rear’s return to the group in 2018 and would perform at local venues, such as assisted living facilities. It’s been a fluid membership list for years with members always coming and going but with a handful of longtime members who have stayed for years.

The group performs an annual show in February, which was good timing because pandemic-related shutdowns began just a month later. The group had been ready to tackle district competitions in Orlando but instead turned to a new challenge: reorganizing the group’s structure to practice singing together in large groups on Zoom.

Figuring out Zoom technology

and uniting the many members was quite a challenge going into the initiative, but Rear said he felt it was worth it to keep his friends performing.

“We’re a group of a bunch of older guys, but there’s a lot of musical experience in this group,” Rear said. “I said, ‘We can’t stop because if we do, we’ll lose them.’”

Around 20 to 25 members now log on each week and go through new songs and old favorites. It was a difficult challenge at first, though, to find a way to rehearse together with an online service that only lets one person speak at a time.

The key, as it turned out, is the mute button. Although it might seem against the spirit of harmony singing, the way Chorus of the Key has found to rehearse each Tuesday night is to have one member lead off practice tunes and methods and then have the other members sing to themselves on their respective muted Zoom calls.

It’s a different approach but a consistent one where Rear’s members have assembled week in and week out for months.

Rear was recently given an award for his efforts organizing the weekly meetups in December, something that flabbergasted and honored the chapter leader. It’s been a labor of love for the chapter leader, and he said he’s just glad his members feel the same way.

“I am so gratified that all of these guys stuck with us,” Rear said.

“We found out I think over these last months that they weren’t coming just from the music. They were coming for the camaraderie because that’s what this society is all about. It’s about family.”

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FEBRUARY 4, 2021

HIGH

SPORTS

5

“There are girls I’m playing who want the same scholarships I want. I like fighting for that.”

— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Ciniya Moore SEE PAGE 23A

CAN YOU FEEL A DRAFT? Former Braden River High football star Ryan Neuzil is preparing for the NFL Draft.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

1

Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball junior Andres Junge had 21 points and five rebounds Jan. 29 in the Mustangs’ 65-42 home win against Braden River High.

2

Cardinal Mooney High girls basketball sophomore and Lakewood Ranch resident Olivia Davis had 10 points and six rebounds Jan. 26 in the Cougars’ 50-31 road win against Southeast High.

3

Mike Flesch sank a hole-in-one Jan. 29 on the No. 2 hole of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Cypress Links course. Flesch used a 7-iron on the 152-yard hole.

4

Eric Dull sank a hole-in-one Jan. 23 on the No. 4 hole of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Dull used a 6-iron on the 140-yard hole.

5

Marie Diamond (29) won the Nine Hole Women’s Golf Association “5 Club Wild” event Jan. 28 at Palm Aire Country Club’s Lakes course.

PLAYOFF READY PAGE 22A

R

yan Neuzil, a Braden River High alumnus and Appalachian State offensive guard, was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team for his work this season.

He wasn’t thrilled about it.

“The Sun Belt hasn’t been kind to me, as far as awards go,” Neuzil said. “I mean, I’m on the third team there, but I’m a second team All-American (as named

by Sporting News), and I’m one of [Pro Football Focus’] top 100 players in the country, No. 85?

“But recognition is always nice.”

Neuzil, who graduated from Braden River in 2016, arrived at Appalachian State as a tight end.

He redshirted his first season, and while not playing, he bulked up.

Mountaineers coaches quickly saw Neuzil’s potential on the offensive line skyrocket, so he made the switch.

It paid off. Starting with his sophomore season, Neuzil started every game for the Mountaineers.

Now the 6-foot-3, 290-pound guard — who also played some center this season — has a shot to enter the NFL. Neuzil said most projections have him being selected on the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft, which comprises rounds four through seven. The difference in rounds mean a big difference in pay, but no projections get round-specific.

In the meantime, Neuzil is doing everything he can to maximize his stock. He’s been in Lakewood Ranch since Appalachian State’s 56-28 win Dec. 21

Photos courtesy Appalachian State Athletics

Appalachian State offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil, a Braden River High alumnus, is projected to go late in the 2021 NFL Draft.

NEUZIL’S CAREER Ryan Neuzil made 44 starts for Appalachian State over four seasons, making five of them as a freshman before becoming entrenched as the starting left guard as a sophomore. During his four years, the Mountaineers never ranked lower than 22nd nationally in rushing yards per game, and ranked sixth nationally (264.9) in 2020. The Mountaineers were also never lower than 40th nationally in sacks allowed per game.

over North Texas in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, S.C. Each day, he works out at Lakewood Main Street’s Athletic Edge, first working on his agility, then taking a break before lifting weights in the afternoon. Even when preparing for the NFL, the main idea is no different than it was in high school. Neuzil said he needs to get bigger, stronger and faster.

Once Appalachian State announces its plans for a pro day, where scouts gather to watch a program’s prospects, Neuzil said

he will tailor his exercise to match the pro day workout, ensuring he’s comfortable with what the scouts want to see from him.

There is no NFL Combine this season, canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so Neuzil’s pro day will be more important than usual.

Neuzil said his versatility will be a plus. He’s willing to move wherever teams want him to play, and getting some snaps at center this season allowed him to taste the differences in the position.

Center is more mentally challenging, he said, because centers carry more pre-snap responsibility, such as calling out the Mike (middle) linebacker. Neuzil said he views his football IQ as his best skill, so although playing center was different for him, he rose to the challenge. The game didn’t speed up, he said, and he felt comfortable. Getting that on tape will be beneficial.

Neuzil said he’s talked with a few former Mountaineers about the NFL experience, but none more so than Kendall Lamm, an offensive tackle with the Cleveland Browns. Neuzil said Lamm told him no matter where he lands, the first thing he has to do is dive into the playbook. Lamm’s seen guys get cut for not knowing what to do in practice, Neuzil said, and Neuzil does not want that to be him.

While excited for the future, Neuzil has been reflecting on his career at Appalachian State. He’s thankful he made the choice to attend the school. If he’d made a different choice for college, he might have stayed at tight end, and who knows where he would be now.

“The school was amazing for me,” Neuzil said. “We were able to accomplish a lot while I was there.

Four conference championships, undefeated in bowl games, beat two Power 5 teams (North Carolina and South Carolina), took a top 10 team to overtime (Penn State).

It’s been awesome to be a part of it. Hopefully, that can continue at the next level.”

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Better days ahead for Mustangs soccer F

inally, the Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer team is back to normal — almost.

After starting the season 5-0 and earning a No. 2 spot in MaxPreps’ national ranking, the Mustangs were hit with a string of bad luck. Coach Vito Bavaro said the team was forced to sideline several starters on a rotating basis for myriad reasons, including contact tracing for COVID-19.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to field phone calls like this during games,” Bavaro said. “‘Is so-and-so playing?’ Yes. ‘Well, get him off the field. He’s in a class that needs to be contact traced.’ It’s hard to come up with a game plan when you don’t know who’s going to be playing, even the day of the game.”

Bavaro said that at one point, around Jan. 1, the team was able to field just 14 of its 22 players thanks not only to contact tracing but also family vacations and the typical run of injuries each team suffers. Many of the team’s midseason ailments affected key players, Bavaro said. As a result, the team went into a tailspin, losing five games in a row. The Mustangs always play a difficult schedule, and this season has been no exception, so there were no easy games to soften the roster losses.

Now, finally, the Mustangs are

starting to look like themselves again. Lakewood Ranch defeated Manatee High 4-0 on Jan. 19 and then beat Braden River High by the same score Jan. 25 before tying 2-2 with perennial stalwart Wiregrass Ranch High, No. 55 nationally in MaxPreps’ ranking, on Jan. 28.

Bavaro said the team still has a few players awaiting clearance to return, but the bulk of the team’s starting lineup is back.

Thanks to the pandemic, the soccer playoffs have reverted to the system from two years ago, which means the two teams that reach each district final will advance to the regional tournaments. Last season, the winners of each district advanced, but the runners-up were not guaranteed anything, instead relying on a ranking system that took into account wins, strength of schedule and other statistics. It helped the Mustangs last season after they lost in the district tournament, but Bavaro said the old system is a welcome sight this year.

Of course, the Mustangs (8-61) will still need to get to the district title game. Bavaro said he’s happy with how the team has played the past three games, especially considering the roster turmoil. Bavaro said soccer, compared to other sports, is especially reliant on chemistry and feel. It’s difficult for one

Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch High senior Timothy Sheredy (7) has four goals on the season.

player to completely take over a game. Lakewood Ranch has never had that player, Bavaro said.

They instead rely on a system, one that requires knowledge of where everyone else will be at a given time. Without the experience of playing together, it’s difficult to get that knowledge.

The Mustangs are getting there, and just in time.

“We’re playing well now — we just need to start finishing a bit better,” Bavaro said. “Once we

do, we should be tough to beat.”

The Class 7A District 8 tournament begins Feb. 3, with the district title game scheduled for Feb. 10.

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

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Ciniya Moore is a freshman guard on The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team. She had 15 points and 18 rebounds Jan. 29 in the Thunder’s 35-33 win against Venice High.

When did you start playing basketball?

I started in fourth grade. My first team was the Sarasota Queens travel team.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the competitive feeling. I know a lot of these players want the same thing as me. I’m competing for everything, even college. There are girls I’m playing who want the same scholarships I want. I like fighting for that.

What is your best skill?

I would say my scoring ability. I can drive to the basket or shoot it if my driving is having an off night.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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What are your goals this season?

As a team, I want us to make it to regionals and beat Saint Stephen’s Episcopal. They’re our rivals, and we can never seem to beat them. I’d like to change that.

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What has been your biggest challenge?

My defense and rebounding.

Sometimes I think I should conserve my energy on defense, so I can put everything I have into my offensive game, but that doesn’t always work.

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What is your favorite memory?

Three years ago, I hit the gamewinning shot in a home game with the Queens. I wasn’t that good at basketball back then.

That moment boosted my confidence. It made me feel better about myself.

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James Miller of Hillcroft and Ramon and Toto Collardin of Whiskey Pond race for the ball during the Jan. 31 match.

Sarasota’s Olivia Pundy, as Dorothy holds Willie, who is dressed as the Tin Man, while Lily plays the Cowardly Lion and Sarasota’s Kate Daoust plays the Scarecrow. They won Best in Show.

DOG AND PONY SHOW O

— JAY HEATER

Above: Brent Hamill unleashes a shot on goal for Whiskey Pond.

Left: East County’s Lisa and Robert Rudnik brought Lola to the show.

Susan Giroux, the vice president of the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, shows off Pudding, a 5-year-old Jack Russell terrier who is up for adoption.

WE’RE GAMEDAY READY! ARE YOU?

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wner James Miller would never let the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch go to the dogs.

Except for Jan. 31.

Dottie DeCarlo, the owner of Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, held the Woofminster Dog Show at halftime of the polo match.

The show, which was held for the third consecutive year, was a competition in which dogs wore their most fun costumes. It’s all done to raise funds and awareness for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s going to be chaos,” DeCarlo said with a laugh.

Indeed, dog owners had their hands full funneling their best friends to the stage to be judged at halftime.

“This is the best venue for dog lovers,” said Susan Giroux, the vice president of the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

Giroux noted that most in the crowd were animal lovers and therefore interested in the Humane Society’s mission.

“Let’s just all get through this,” Miller said of hosting events during the pandemic. “I think we’ve weathered the worst.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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ill Creek’s Victoria Hooker watched her 2-year-old mini Australian shepherd, Maggie, run across the dog walk with ease during the Doggy Bootcamp Agility Class on Jan. 30. “[The boot camp] is a nice change of pace for the dogs,” Hooker said.

Maggie ran through a tube, jumped over a bar and made her way through giant rings while participating in the class at Bob Gardner Community Park. The class is intended to improve a dog’s confidence and agility.

“It’s spurred us into trying agility competitions,” said Hooker, who has never done any type of agility training with Maggie before the class.

Mallory Park’s Charlene Carbone said she liked that the park offered activities for dogs of all sizes and abilities.

Carbone’s dog, Ming, is a small pug, so rather than jumping through the giant red rings that couldn’t be adjusted, she had Ming jump over a bar that was low to the ground.

“It’s good exercise for Ming and an opportunity to get her out to socialize and meet other dogs,” Carbone said.

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Mallory Park’s Charlene Carbone helps her pug, Ming, go through a ring. Carbone says she likes that the park provides activities for dogs of all sizes and abilities.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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3B

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

FEBRUARY THURSDAY 25TH

MARCH THURSDAY 11TH

YOU ARE INVITED Please join Christopher Sforzo, M.D., Christopher Dillingham, M.D., Charles Stewart, M.D. and Philip Meinhardt, M.D. for an open forum discussion on the latest technologies available in Regenerative Above: Esplanade’s Cheryl Dobbs guides her dog, Pepe, across the dog walk. “He’s doing great,” Dobbs says.

Left: Country Club’s Steve Furry tells his dog, Deja, to jump over the bar. Furry says he didn’t know the dog park existed at Bob Gardner Community Park until he signed up for the Doggy Bootcamp Agility Class.

Medicine including PRP and Stem Cell Therapies.

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WHEN & WHERE

Thursday, February 25, 2020, and Thursday, March 11, 2020 Registration begins at 4:15 p.m. Seminar is 4:30pm - 5:30pm at the office of Sforzo I Dillingham I Stewart Orthopedics 5831 Bee Ridge Rd., Suite 300, Sarasota, Florida 34233

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WHAT

Board-Certified, Fellowship Trained Doctors Sforzo, Dillingham, Stewart, and Meinhardt look forward to answering your questions and sharing their knowledge and clinical experiences to

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help you make the best treatment choices.

RSVP Please RSVP by emailing Theresa at tgetzen@sforzodillingham.com or calling 941.378.5100.

Please note, forums do fill quickly.

PHILIP MEINHARDT, M.D.

Arbor Grande’s Tammy Triplett encourages her dog, Maisel, to go through the tube. Triplett says the other dogs and owners could sometimes be distractions for Maisel.

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Lakewood Ranch’s Connie Farmer trains her golden retriever, Bella, during the Doggy Bootcamp Agility Class.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

COMMUNITY

BEST BET

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

SATURDAY, FEB. 6- SUNDAY, FEB. 7

CASUAL CORNHOLE Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is hosting an eight-session casual cornhole league through March 11 for those 18 and up. The fee of $25 covers all eight sessions. For more information or to register, go to MyLWR.com or call 7271505.

SUNCOAST WORLD LONG DRIVE CHALLENGE Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Come watch some of the world’s longest hitters see how far they can hit a golf ball.

Admission is free. Anyone who wants to compete in the amateur competition Saturday morning must be an Amateur Long Drive member by signing up at AmateurLongDrive. com. There is a $100 signup fee, and entry fee to the tournament is $100. The Saturday amateur competition acts as a qualifier for the national championships. The open division competition is held on Sunday. For more information, go to XtremeLongDrive.com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 5

LONG DRIVE TOURNEY Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Extreme Long Drive Q Series will be contested at Premier. Professional and amateur long-drive golfers will see who can hit the ball the farthest in various age groups. The event acts as a qualifier for 2021 World Championship on Sept. 11-19 at Cog Hill Country Club in Chicago. The event is free to attend. Any golfer can enter the competition for $50. For more information, go to XtremeLongDrive.com.

FIELD BOCCE Begins at 10 a.m. at the Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offers this form of bocce every Friday through Feb. 26. The cost is $45 for Lakewood Ranch residents and $55 for nonresidents. The league is for those 18 and up. Go to MyLWR.com for more information or to sign up.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

INTRO TO HORSES Begins at 10 a.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club. The Sarasota Polo Club is sponsoring the Intro to Horses program that will include one-hour sessions Saturdays through Feb. 6. The program is designed for children ages 8-12.

The $20 fee includes all four sessions. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

KIDS YOGA Begins at 10 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts yoga for kids, free for Lakewood Ranch residents ages 5-11 and $10 for nonresidents. For information, call 7271505, or go to MyLWR.com.

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Presented in partnership with Florida Studio Theatre.

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“Sam & Lizzie” Play Readings Saturday, February 13th @ 5pm & 7:30pm • Hermitage Beach (Manasota Key) Written by Hermitage Fellow Emily Kaczmarek.

Sam and Lizzie have their first playdate on 9/11, creating an imaginary, fanciful queendom in order to make sense of the day.

Presented in collaboration with Urbanite Theatre.

“Blank Slate: Pushing Boundaries” Friday, February 19th @ 5pm • Hermitage Beach (Manasota Key) Performer, musician, and comedian Morgan Bassichis and multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, and performer Richard Kennedy will offer insight into their craft.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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TEEN YOGA Begins at 11 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts yoga for teens, free for Lakewood Ranch residents ages 13-18 and $10 for nonresidents. For information, call 7271505, or go to MyLWR.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 7

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

Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For information, call 727-1505, or go to MyLWR.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL DISCUSSION Begins at 2 p.m. virtually. The Environmental Discussions Group of Manatee County hosts its virtual presentation of “Climate Change Threats, Clean Energy Solutions and Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition.” The guest speaker is Susan Glickman, the Florida director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Those attending must register by Feb. 4. To register, send an email to ResourceWisdom@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 13

BEARADISE FUNDRAISER Runs from 3:30-7 p.m. at Bearadise Ranch Bear Preserve, 6908

245th St. E., Myakka City. The Bear Hugs and Kisses fundraiser will include educational bear presentations, music provided by a DJ, dinner, dancing and an auction. Tickets are $50. For information and tickets, call 3222462, or email BigBearPines10@ aol.com.

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

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

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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

SUNDAY, FEB. 14

BARRE IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free barre workout at Bob Gardner Park, hosted by Barre3. Bring your own mat and water bottle.

Mats must be placed 6 feet apart.

All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines.

For information or to register, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

POLO Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The 30th season at the Sarasota Polo Club runs every Sunday through April 25. Besides world class polo, the event includes food and beverages, tailgating and divot stomping. General admission is $15 per adult with children 12 and under free. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. For ticket packages and information, go to SarasotaPolo.com. Gates open at 10 a.m.

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park.

The event is hosted by The Yoga Shack. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

SUPER SUNDAY 5K Begins at 8 a.m., with staggered starting times afterward through noon, at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Sarasota Super Sunday 5K will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palmetto. Entry fee is $25 until Feb. 1 and $30 from Feb. 2-6. Those 18 and under can enter for $10. A virtual race also is available. No race day registration will be taken. For more information about age groups and awards or to register, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

TUESDAY, FEB. 9

WALKING GROUP Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Take a casual walk around Bob Gardner Park with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities parks team. The group is for those 18 and up and is free for

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

NEIGHBORS NOTES

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SARASOTA-MANATEE PRESENTS

ANNUAL AUTHOR LECTURE SERIES Monday, February 8 – Thursday, February 11

File photo

Charlotte de Jesus and Jennifer Mumford enjoy “Vegas Comes to the Ranch” Jan. 15. Funds from the event provide Sisterhood for Good grants.

Sisters open grant process Sisterhood for Good Inc. of Lakewood Ranch has announced it has begun accepting applications for its 2021 grants program.

In 2020, Sisterhood for Good presented 23 grants totaling $31,930. The nonprofit has awarded more than $87,000 in grants and scholarships to 61 qualified local nonprofits since 2013.

“Our recent Vegas casino event was a sold-out success,” said Roxanne Sima, the Sisterhood for Good grants chair. “That means we are hopefully able to award grants as generously as we did last year.

“It’s been a difficult year in fundraising everywhere. So in order to best serve more of the community this year, we would like to ask applicants not to exceed a

Fiction Susan Jane Gilman • Rachel Barenbaum Meg Waite Clayton • Lynda Cohen Loigman

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request of more than $3,500 per organization.”

Those who would like to apply for a grant should visit SisterhoodForGood.org to review grant requirements and complete the online application. The deadline to apply is April 30.

Sisterhood for Good doesn’t provide grants to support capital campaigns, operational funding, event fundraisers or sponsorships, lobbying of any kind, or endowments.

Sisterhood for Good provides grants to support local nonprofits in the following arenas: women’s and children’s issues, animal welfare, veteran’s causes, arts and education, and health and homelessness.

Applicants must reside in Sarasota or Manatee County.

For more information, call Angela Massaro-Fain at 730-7900.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Logan Wilson, a deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, was named Deputy of the Month for January in honor of his role in the aftermath of a shooting at the Walmart at State Road 64 East.

On Sept. 22, multiple deputies responded to the Walmart at 6225 S.R. 64 E. after a report of at least one person being shot. In an attempted robbery, the store manager was shot in the leg.

Wilson entered in the store as the suspects fled the scene. He rendered aid to the manager, applying a makeshift tourniquet to his leg. The manager was transported to the hospital, where he made a recovery.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office release said Wilson was honored “for his quick response and actions that possibly saved the manager’s life.”

Local students earn degrees, honors East County’s Megan Stevens (master’s in health systems) and Courtney Astore (master’s in bioinformatics) earned degrees at Georgia Tech. … East County’s Carly Toscano (cum laude, bachelor’s in forensic science), Sergio Agustin (cum laude with a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations), Tori Liles (highest honors, master’s in curriculum and instruction) and Lakewood Ranch’s Nina Vannucci (magna cum laude, bachelor’s in music performance) earned degrees at the University of Tampa.

East County’s Madison Mirandilla was named to the dean’s list

at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. …

East County’s Julia Rodriguez of Sarasota was named to Kennesaw State (Ga.) University’s dean’s list. … East County’s Belle Babcock and Jonah DuchesneShaw were named to the dean’s list at Montclair State University (N.J.). … Lakewood Ranch’s Zongfan Li was named to the dean’s list at Hofstra University (N.Y.). … Lakewood Ranch’s Nathan Marshall has been named to the dean’s list at Bryant University (Smithfield, R.I.). … East County’s Russell Benkaim was named to the dean’s list at the University of Utah. … Lakewood Ranch’s Marco La Schiazza and Mady Lawrence were named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, Pa.). … East County’s Megan Balsbaugh and RuthAnn Mezzullo were named to the dean’s list at Bob Jones University (Greenville, S.C.). … East County’s Allison Balsbaugh and Darrell Franklin were named to the president’s list at Bob Jones University. …

Jessica Maillo De Armas of Lakewood Ranch was named to the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences dean’s list. … East County’s Hunter Stroble was named to the dean’s list at Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, Tenn.) … East County’s Kaitlyn James was named to the honor’s list at Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa). … East County’s John Rivera was named to the honor roll at the University of Mississippi. … East County’s Victoria Arias was named to the dean’s list at Berry College (Rome, Ga.).

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The Observer’s

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

BRADENTON 8499 Lindrick Lane Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4475594 $10,850,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16318 Foremast Place Ian Addy, PA & Barbara A Milian, P.A. 941-961-8850 A4488248 $2,140,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 15212 Linn Park Terrace Bibi-Ann Allard PA & Kevin Moran, PA 941-685-0422 A4450793 $1,499,000

PARRISH 11720 Rive Isle Run Paul Oakes 941-312-1455 A4486302 $1,325,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7047 Stanhope Place Daniela Soiman 941-779-4797 A4483380 $999,000

SARASOTA 6613 Taeda Drive Monica Verinder 941-704-4040 A4482270 $815,000

SARASOTA 8985 Rocky Lake Court Jackie Griese 941-718-0045 N6112451 $810,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 17556 Colebrook Circle Jonnie Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4488420 $800,000

SARASOTA 8446 Cypress Hollow Drive Dana Westmark & Donald Geikie 941-356-5091 A4487469 $799,000

BRADENTON 5404 Tidewater Preserve Boulevard Mark Boehmig & Noel Morton 941-807-6936 A4485714 $775,000

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

ST PETERSBURG 1325 Snell Isle Boulevard NE 311 Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4484483 $635,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4653 Royal Dornoch Cir Sue Cosgrove-Lee & Chris Baylis 941-400-9068 A4468380 $500,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6668 Saint James Crossing Beth Ann Boyer 941-780-6606 A4481768 $500,000

SARASOTA Gator Creek Boulevard Brian Wood 941-928-8408 A4454934 $499,000

SARASOTA 86 Arbor Oaks Drive Susan Katanic 941-400-0601 A4476578 $475,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7936 Hampton Court Lori Bollinger & Beth Ann Boyer 941-524-7034 A4476286 $468,500

BRADENTON 8623 Stone Harbour Loop Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4488826 $429,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7827 Heritage Classic Court Heidi Cox 941-685-1529 A4489221 $415,000

SARASOTA 4812 Lakescene Place Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4486070 $325,000

SARASOTA 11604 Garessio Lane Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4488930 $319,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7065 Woodmore Terrace Heather Sniffen 941-720-1526 A4486776 $317,000

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

BRADENTON 13711 Messina Loop 204 Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4479434 $265,000

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

BRADENTON 204 3rd Street W 204 Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4462765 $227,500

BRADENTON 1319 57th Street W Leslie Emery & Aaron Corr 941-400-9710 A4484388 $155,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6713 Stone River Road 104 Pam Goodwin & Fran DeDona 941-812-0754 A4488400 $145,000

BRADENTON 2305 Canal Drive F6 Debbie Vogler & Cheryl Roberts 941-705-3328 A4483371 $55,000

348838-1

SARASOTA 8263 Archers Court Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4483993 $3,999,999

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16006 Foremast Place Barbara Najmy 941-705-1158 A4488300 $3,875,000

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

BRADENTON 5106 Lorraine Road Jody Shinn 941-705-5704 A4477774 $3,600,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Robert and Marilyn Buzzard, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16104 Foremast Place to Earl Stratton and Deborah Callahan Stratton, of Bradenton, for $2.3 million. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,916 square feet of living area.

David Litle, trustee, and Jill Litle, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6805 Chancery Place to Richard and Lisa Dieberardo, of Sparks Glencoe, Md., for $955,000.

Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,851 square feet of living area. It sold for $865,000 in 2011.

Eric and Margaret Ann Webb, trustees, sold the home at 7113 Victoria Circle to Steven and Linda Becker, of University Park, for $400,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,928 square feet of living area. It sold for $299,000 in 1997.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE

Robert Reichert, trustee, and Isa Reichert, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 8120 Championship Court to Jillian Ana Sindoni, of Lakewood Ranch, for $740,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,714 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2003.

James Molbreak, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7132 Presidio Glen to Bruce and Nancy Miller, of Lakewood Ranch, for $357,200. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,916 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2017.

DEL WEBB

Ronald and Lorraine Quackenbush sold their home at 7512 Viola Loop to Robert and Kathryn Ferullo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $735,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,823 square feet of living area. It sold for $574,500 in 2019.

Louis and Kathleen Cirrotta sold their home at 17112 Kenton Terrace to Larry and Andrea Seifferlein, of Harsens Island, Mich., for $370,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,348 square feet of living area. It sold for $331,800 in 2016.

Erik Schmakel and Phyllis Minehan, of Lakewood Ranch,

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

JAN. 18-22

sold their home at 17129 Kenton Terrace to Russell and Cynthia Spinelli, trustees, of Lemont, Ill., for $365,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,551 square feet of living area. It sold for $326,300 in 2016.

Diane and Steven Guetschow, of Venice, sold their home at 16633 Blackwater Terrace to Gregg Allen Havlick, of Bradenton, for $325,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,543 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,300 in 2017.

BRIDGEWATER

Hamed and Laila Abouzeid, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5618 Nectar Cove to Karl-Hugo Schlunk and Karl Christian Friedrich Schlunk, of Boyds, Md., for $730,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,824 square feet of living area. It sold for $599,000 in 2017.

LORRAINE ROAD

UNIVERSITY PARK

9B

Daniel and Deborah Fruchey, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5706 Lorraine Road to Avella Properties LLC for $675,000.

Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,171 square feet of living area.

HENLEY

Lynn Johnson, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7011 Lancaster Court to Drew Robert Solnoki and Jo Ann Solnoki, of Bradenton, for $667,400. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,279 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,800 in 2013.

James and Michelle Glower, of University Park, sold their home at 7035 Lancaster Court to Earl and Carole Pankonin, of Jeffersonville, Ind., for $612,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,514 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2015.

ISLES

Arthur Gill, of Sarasota, sold his home at 17692 Azul Drive to Richard and Nanelle Rosales, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $622,400 in 2020.

RIVER WIND

Eric Johansen and Carol Doeren sold their home at 974 River Wind Circle to Philip and Punthika Robinson, of Bradenton, for $610,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,899 square feet of living area. It sold for $550,000 in 2020.

Liz Ramos

This Lake Club home at 16104 Foremast Place sold for $2.3 million. It has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,916 square feet of living area.

Joseph, Mo., for $589,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,057 square feet of living area.

WATERCREST

John and Patricia Rozzano, and Ann Maureen Rozzano sold their Unit 401 condominium at 6350 Watercrest Way to James and Wanda Schmidt, of Bradenton, for $579,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2018.

EDGEWATER

Harold and Dianne Brin, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8220 Waterview Blvd. to Robert and Isa Reichert, of LakeSEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

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RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Douglas Chandler, of Owensville, Mo., sold his home at 16707 First Ave. E. to Timothy and Dianne Peterson, of Bradenton, for $605,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,096 square feet of living area. It sold for $384,000 in 2013.

Linda Markovits, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 201 condominium at 6474 Watercrest Way to Marvin Kadesh, of Lakewood Ranch, for $480,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2013.

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GREENBROOK

Christine and Steven Carruthers, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6627 Coopers Hawk Court to Mark and Tammy Kennon, of St.

348874-1

ADAM HUGHES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $2.3 million

|

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

Licensed Real Estate Broker

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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FROM PAGE 9B

wood Ranch, for $550,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,770 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,000 in 2003.

36TH AVENUE EAST

Richard Cardinale and Adrienne Raye Cardinale, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6824 36th Ave. E. to Richard Blake Nelson and Daisy Elisabeth Nelson, of Sarasota, for $525,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,718 square feet of living area.

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GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Andrew and Kaitlyn Kamp sold their home at 306 Ragdoll Run to Keith and Tina Stopko, of Bradenton, for $515,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,776 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2018.

SAVANNA

Joe George Schreiber and Jeffrey Alan Clune, of Winter Garden, sold their home at 14111 Florida Rosemary Drive to John Edward Rogan, of Bradenton, for $489,900. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,448 square feet of living area. It sold for $438,400 in 2018.

LORRAINE LAKES

Lennar Homes LLC sold the home at 5058 Seafoam Trail to Herbert Garrett Hermanson and Jing Bai, of Lakewood Ranch, for

ENCLAVE AT COUNTRY MEADOWS

Jennifer Fabbro Rodgers and Daniel Harold Gordon Rodgers, of Bradenton, sold their home at 1054 145th St. Circle NE to George Joseph Bailey and Rebecca Williams Bailey, of Bradenton, for $486,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 2016.

WATERLEFE

James and Shirley Boisdenghien sold their home at 9826 Discovery Terrace to David Inman and Laurie Strauss-Inman, of Bradenton, for $485,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,870 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2017.

COUNTRY MEADOWS

Raymond and Angele Olsen, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14719 Second Ave. Circle NE to William and Joyce Talbot, of Pilesgrove, N.J., for $467,000.

Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,905 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2016.

18TH AVENUE EAST

Maple Ridge Investment LLC sold the home at 5807 18th Ave. E. to Countryside Academy for Children LLC for $420,000. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths and 1,768 square feet of living area. It sold for $332,000 in 2007.

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Ballantyne Blando Purugganan and Genevieve Lane, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7723 Ridgelake Circle to Rhonda Leigh Griffiths, of Bradenton, for $415,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,904 square feet of living area. It sold for $321,600 in 2017.

LAGOON AT TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Elizabeth Menkes, of Bradenton, sold her Unit D condominium at 1123 Riverscape St. to Paul Cassell, of Bradenton, for $410,000.

Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,332 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2015.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Charles Sardo and Shannon Hodge-Kesgiropouios, of Bradenton, sold their home at 264 Dahlia Court to Jan Wright Lohstreter and Thomas Lohstreter, of Bradenton, for $406,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,230 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,500 in 2018.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Greg McMillan sold his home at 9115 Kingsbury Place to Owatonna Properties LLC for $385,000.

Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,252 square feet of living area. It sold for $292,900 in 2008.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Luis and Luz Corcuera, of Bradenton, sold their home at 152 Wandering Wetlands Circle to Denise Kathleen Steffel and Eric

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

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Kathryn Savage and Lillie Brock, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 4518 Dover St. Circle E. to Jaden Burcin Savi, of Bradenton, for $375,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,320 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,000 in 2019.

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Lawrence Aungst Jr. and Gerald Lee Aungst, of Bradenton, sold their home at 535 Planters Manor Way to Frank and Cynthia Castelvecchi, of Bradenton, for $372,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,149 square feet of living area. It sold for $218,500 in 2009.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Feb. 4

7:14a 6:14p

Don’t worry, High: 67

7:13a

6:14p

7:13a

6:15p

7:12a

6:16p

7:12a

6:17p

Tuesday, Feb. 9

7:11a

6:17p

Wednesday, Feb. 10

7:10a

6:18p

Friday, Feb. 5 Low: 50 Saturday, Feb. 6 Chance Only SmartStrand® can handle the 747 lbs of ice cream a family will eat in a carpet’s lifetime.

Sunday, Feb. 7 of rain: 4% Other carpets use stain protection that has to be reapplied. But only SmartStrand’s stain resistance is built right into Monday, Feb. 8 I T ’ S S M A R T S T R A N D.

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FRIDAY, FEB. 5

High: 74 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 22%

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

Feb. 19 First

High: 74 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 46%

Sherry Packard captured this hawk in the Summerfield neighborhood of Lakewood Ranch.

Feb. 27 Full

March 5 Last

March 13 New

RAINFALL Monday, Jan. 25

0

Tuesday, Jan. 26

0

SUNDAY, FEB. 7

Wednesday, Jan. 27

0

High: 71 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 68%

Friday, Jan. 29

0

Saturday, Jan. 30

0

Sunday, Jan. 31

0

Thursday, Jan. 28

0.07

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021

1.19 in.

2021 0.49 in.

2020 1.50 in.

2020 0.97 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 349204-1

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SPLIT SCREEN by Zhouqin Burnikel; Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 European bathroom fixture 6 Improvise 11 American $ (Abbr.)

14 Bumpy amphibian 18 Stick that may be forest green 20 1970 hit with the words “you’ve got me on my knees” 21 Luau bowlful 22 Major fashion magazine 23 Film set worker (first 5 letters in this answer + last 2) 25 Reveals 27 Prefix meaning “billion” 28 Black Friday’s mo.

29 Ralph Lauren cologne in a dark bottle (first 3 + last 4) 30 Game show host 33 ”We should do that!”

36 Peony stalk 37 Crystals added to a certain swimming place 39 Singer Gallagher 41 Post-op regimen 45 Dot-___ (online businesses) 46 Metaphorical flop (first 3 + last 1) 51 ___-Locka, Florida 52 Tram load 53 Cosmetics mogul Lauder

54 My Chemical Romance genre 56 Title for Patrick Stewart 57 Sample perfume bottles 60 Neighbor of Earth 62 It becomes another occupation when its first letter is removed 64 Remove from power 65 Stubborn equine 66 Pumpernickel grain 68 Pizza portion 69 Orange juice choice 70 Classified spot (first 3 + last 1) 72 London art museum

40 Cow’s sound 42 Section for a nurse (first 2 + last 4) 43 Per unit 44 Ballet rail 47 Modest 48 Jennifer of “The L Word” 49 Made a selection 50 Neither’s partner 55 Soft shade 58 Sooner State oil city 59 Spain, to the Spanish 61 Gasp, say 63 It can precede “glass” ... or be found near a glass 65 ”Me?!”

66 Trust in 67 Root in some African stews 69 Pennsylvania’s ___ Mountains 70 Stranded driver’s light 71 Foamy pick-me-up 73 Pond flower DOWN 76 Lab vessel 1 Loop in discreetly 78 Watson’s tech company 2 Tax-deferred plan, briefly 79 ”My guess is ...”

3 Three Gorges ___ (hydro80 Senior’s skin mark, power source in China) perhaps 4 Products for dark circles 81 Creepy 5 British conservatives 82 Sports section figures, 6 Bitter beverage informally 7 Repairs, as socks 85 Walk-___ (minor roles) 8 Disinfectant spray maker 9 It’s played after a Dodgers 86 ”21” singer 88 Frozen Four org. home win 92 Bond creator 10 Disallow 11 Hairstyle such as a beehive 93 Quick peek 95 Like some photos 12 Makes dirty 96 Shipped out 13 Fairway chunk 99 Broccoli bit 14 ”I need to know!”

101 Low-pH fluids 15 Gymnast Korbut 102 Discussion group 16 Baldwin of “SNL” 104 Simmons competitor 17 Receptionist’s place 105 Comedian Cheri 19 Pester constantly 107 Sports org. for Inbee Park 24 Discount shoe store 108 Moriarty or Brockovich 26 Super, slangily 109 Be bothered by 29 Sacred hymn 30|Dreamers Point’s theme 110 Game similar to bingo 113 ”In what way?” park 115 Noche’s opposite 31|Mandy of “This Is Us” 32|Doesn’t gain or lose (first 116 Downside 117 ___-out (weak excuse) 2 + last 2) 118 Prefix for “lateral” 34|State, in France 119 Food Network host Allen 35 Mah-jongg draws 38 Heads-up

Bonita” 97 Close tightly 98 Invite trouble 100 Big jump 103 Homemade cleanser 106 Rich deposits 107 Frosted, citrusy dessert (first 2 + last 1) 111 Bumped into 112 ”Ah, makes sense” 114 Immaculate 115 Edited version of a film, and a theme hint 120 Liquors that might be dry 121 Bear’s place 122 Opening lines 123 Little tyke 124 Talk show host Cohen 125 ___-mo 126 ”To repeat ...”

127 Lukewarm wx0

©2021 Universal Uclick

73 Mucho 74 Stretch the truth 75 Tranquil 76 Cheese on a Greek pizza 77 Samoa’s region 79 ___-bitty 80 Mutated genes 83 ”Mazel ___!”

84 Out of the country 87 Polynesian monarchy 89 Drenched 90 A, in Quebec 91 Fixes a damaged friendship (first 4 + last 2) 93 Croft of video games 94 ”Despacito” and “La Isla

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

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02-04-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

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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

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Merchandise Wanted 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.

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words ......................... $17.50 per week Each Add’l word ...........................................50¢ 15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week Call: 941-955-4888 | Fax: 941-362-4808 Email: redpages@yourobserver.com

Place your ad online: yourobserver.com/redpages FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

BEACH'N RIDES eBike Sales and Service We sell and repair Electric Bicycles from our Shop at 12208 Cortez Road, W., in Cortez, Florida.

(941) 251-7916. www.beachnrides.com

SELL IT FAST HERE! POST YOUR AD WITH EASE YourObserver.com/RedPages

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.

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE. YourObserver.com/RedPages

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

Help Wanted

Help Wanted CAKE DECORATORBaskin Robbins Earn $10 to $14 an hour, make your own hours, fun job, work on your own and chance to work on your creativity and make beautiful cakes with your own designs! https://apply.jobappnetwork.co m/dunkin-donuts-ssrm-qfrm

This week’s Crossword answers

LAUREL OAK C.C. Openings in F&B, Landscape, & Golf Course Maint.

Competitive wages 941-378-3608. or email: info@laureloak.com

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE! Advertise items less than $200 for FREE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.”

Bill Vaughan Puzzle Two Solution: “I wrote to the local news guy when I was 12 years old. I said, ‘What do I need to do to be you one day?’”

– David Muir

This week’s Sudoku answers

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

©2021 NEA, Inc.

OFFICE CHAIR, Executive 2 way high back, very nice. $125.

941-776-0034.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

You’re only cheating yourself.

LIKE NEW: 3 Pier 1 Barstools black lattice weave leather seats $75.

941-388-8608.

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

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

Autos Service

peekers’ place

stuff

LAMPS– come with shades, 3 way switch, 1 floor lamp with 1 matching table lamp. $25 each or 2 for $45.

516-528-5876.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

jobs

Items Under

BUY & SELL HERE!

auto

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.

The CRYSTAL CLEAR choice!

RED PAGES

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Help Wanted

Homes for Sale

WORK FROM HOME:

Beach Front Home: 4BED5BATH, 2CARGAR $3,999,000

Busy sales man seeks assistant ASAP. Make calls, set appts, typing Unlimited earnings.

Call Paul:

917-751-6506.

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE HERE! CALL 941-955-4888

Homes for Sale

55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED-2BATH $424,000 2.5 Acres: 4BED/3BATH, 3CAR GAR. Luxury kitchen, barn, horses. $645,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 3BED-3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift. $530,000.

Sarasota: Built in 2010 4BED2.5BATH Lakeview Lanai $335,000 Phillipi Gardens: INVESTORS 3BED-2BATH $209,000

Rosemarie Lunardelli Broker/Owner Ashorerealtyllc@outlook.com 732-489-3676 OFFICE NOW OPEN AT: 7915 US 301 N STE 201 Ellenton, FL Ashorerealtyllc.com 941-417-7777 Call today for a free market analysis.

NOW HIRING NEW AND EXPERIENCED AGENTS CALL THE OFFICE FOR AN INTERVIEW TIME

SELL YOUR

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

Call 941-726-2677

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Adult Care Services

Mobile Homes MOBILE HOME in N. Sarasota for sale. New A/C and carport. $14,90 OBO. Palmterracefl.com Call: 941-355-3411 or 941-355-5332.

University Pool/Spa 4BED3BATH $425,000

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

real estate

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

STUFF HERE!

941-955-4888

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

Aluminum

GARAGE SALE As low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

Moving Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions * CNA’s/HHA’s * Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

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

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

349956

941.270.4400

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.”

5-Star Rated

HoHoBuysCars.com

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

Doors

Computer

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

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Call us today!

941.628.8579

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

350825

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

FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATE S

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Construction

SELL MORE STUFF AT YOUR NEXT

GARAGE SALE CALL 941-955-4888

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades Visit our showroom

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

(941) 650-7758

bschule88@gmail.com

349958

349300

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.

4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

351217

Owner / Operator Insured

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Painting

Christo’s Clock Repair

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU

MOVING? UNIQUE PACKING/UNPACKING SERVICES. Hire the pros.

(941) 800-3700 www.weunpack4you.com

Clock Repair

SELL YOUR CAR! Dustin Yoder

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Auto Service

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

Cleaning

350451

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

home services

14B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Doors

Lawn Care

Eldridge Re-Screen

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

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

349299

349959

350453

Roofing

Movers

David McCarthy Moving

THE BEST

Bisson Roofing Inc.

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

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

941-704-4278

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com

• • • •

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

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

941 - 748 - 7400

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

349316

349960

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

No Pain, No Drugs, No Injections, No Surgery”

Owner Supervises Every Job

Building & Roofing Contractor

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

941-909-2268 | www.lakewoodranchmovers.com

349305

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

349308

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

Warranties

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

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

941.966.0333

(941) 345-5264 TILE REPAIR CRACKED

Windows

Advertise your business in the Red Pages.

Call 941-955-4888

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Res./Com.

Power Washing

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Pressure Washing

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

ON TARGET OBSERVER RED PAGES

Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad YourObserver.com/RedPages

BEFORE

AFTER

941-544-1066

5

$

350827

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

941-737-4483 www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

10 SAVINGS %

With this ad

120

$

SPECIAL 00

scaperotta@aol.com

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

ows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

See my ratings at:

Italian American Owned

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

25

STANDARD WINDOWS

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

350641

349306

954-1878

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

UP TO

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

GLENN KROECKER

Call John 941.377.2940

Pressure Washing

• Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways • Deck/Paver Sealing • And Much More

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

CALL: 941-545-6816

CREATE BUZZ!

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Tile

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

DrGrabBars.com

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

Free Estimate 941-922-3996

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

349957

$

Driveways Deck Staining Roof Cleaning

350828

GRAB BARS

351320

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

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

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

Painting & Pressure Cleaning

349326

Faulkner’s

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Screening

Painting

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

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

Commercial

350454

350478

Home Services

941-705-5468

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE RED PAGES

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888

349327

350452

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

349312

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a

FREE CONSULTATION

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

RESIDENTIAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES VALUABLE MOVES INTERNATIONAL MOVES

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

235

www.bissonroofing.com

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Residential

Insured

941-270-1561

941-739-5102

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

Health

“No Job Too Small”

10% OFF FOR MENTIONING THIS AD

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

This Doctor is Among

15B

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

Rescreening & Repairs

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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

|

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2021

WHAT’S IN OUR A bit of bold

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A cup of creativity A dollop of drive

A splash of strategy WhisK in A little weird

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Beauty is Our Business OFFERS GOOD AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

6277 Lake Osprey Drive Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 6118 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 MUST BOOK AND PREPAY. Must bring this ad in to receive offer.

Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. No exchanges or refunds. All sales final.

Limited availability. Se habla español.

Offers expire 2/28/2021.

Est. 1987

Cosmetics, Implants and Bite Reconstruction Actual Patients

Smile Makeovers and Veneers

Before

After

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After

Dental Implant Surgery and Reconstruction

Before

After

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On-Site Laboratory with Master Technicians to Customize and Control Results

Implant Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

• Digitally Guided Implant Surgery

• Conservative ‘No Prep’ Veneers

• On-Site Cat Scan

• Nonsurgical Facelifts

• PRP and PRF Blood Enhancers

• Bite Correction

• Sedation

• Bruxism Treatment

• Bone Grafts and Sinus Lifts

• Lumineers®

• Zirconia and Titanium Implants

• Sedation

(941) 999-3205 | SarasotaDentist.com 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231 348526-11

Our team at World Class Dentistry treats patients with a multitude of concerns which streamlines treatment and maintains quality control. The doctors along with their master dental technicians and on-site laboratory offer complete cosmetic and implant solutions.

We have been serving the Sarasota area since 1987. Call today for a consultation to begin your life-changing transformation.

Jill Morris, DMD • Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide) • Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics • Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction • Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Toxicology • Practicing dentistry for 33 years

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Member of American Dental Association

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Member of Florida Dental Association

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Member of West Coast Dental Association

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Member of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

Advanced Care and Dental Technology at One Location Stay Connected With Us

(941) 999-3205 | 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231

DISCOVER ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF BECOMING AN INSIDER.

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

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

Membership delivers the full Lakewood Ranch experience, plus:

Priority move-in

Pre-move-in wellness guidance

VIP access to beauty salon and barbershop

Dining privileges

Invitations to monthly social gatherings

Moving assistance program

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

For more information, call 941-315-9503.

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858 11705 Evening Walk Drive | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM 350445-1

Get to know THE SHERIDAN AT LAKEWOOD RANCH.

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

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

941-315-9503.

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

343388-1

Assisted Living | Memory Care | Assisted Living License #12858