East County Observer 3.18.21

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

School employees take their best shot. PAGE 6A

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FREE THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 19

Time to push east?

Lack of land makes it likely Future Development Area Boundary line will be extended. PAGE 3A

YOUR TOWN

Courtesy photo

Leprechaun on the loose B.D. Gullett Elementary School students and staff were on the hunt to see if they could find a leprechaun roaming around the school March 11.

Todd Richardson, the school’s principal, dressed as a leprechaun, strapped on roller blades and skated around the school throughout the entire day to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Jay Heater

Sara Alvarez, an eduction and volunteer specialist for Manatee County, gently scrubs a headstone at the Rye historic cemetery.

Manatee won’t bury history Rye cemetery cleanup one of the activities during Manatee Heritage Days. SEE PAGE 8A

Graduation ceremony delayed

Brendan Lavell

Bestseller’s list Girl Scout Cookies are making the rounds in East County, and one local girl is off to a good start in hopes of earning her second top seller award.

Nine-year-old Summer Dekmar (above) was the top seller for Girl Scout Troop 476 in Myakka City two years ago when she sold 1,006 boxes. She has sold 280 boxes so far this year.

Her secret to selling so many cookies is simple.

“Smile and be cute,” Dekmar said.

File photo

Like 2020 Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Lindsey Hyer, this year’s graduates will be showing off their diplomas to family members sitting in the stands at LECOM Park.

Switch of venues pushes 2021 graduation to June.

SEE PAGE 2A

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Immerse yourself in ‘Safe House’ SEE PAGE 16A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

GRADUATION DATES Braden River High School: June 2 Lakewood Ranch High School: June 3 The Out-of-Door Academy: June 5

File photo

Shamar Beatty, a 2020 Lakewood Ranch High graduate, walks across the field at LECOM Park with his diploma.

The district once again has switched graduation ceremonies to LECOM Park due to the pandemic.

Venue change alters graduation School District of Manatee County high schools push back graduation dates after switch to LECOM Park.

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LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Trisha Pitchala, a Braden River High School senior, had been making plans for a trip to India as soon as she graduated.

Since Pitchala’s family moved from India to the U.S. in 2011, her family has tried to go back to India every two or three years. This year’s trip was supposed to begin at the end of May.

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Then Pitchala found out her graduation date was moved from May 22 to June 2.

She said the date change was disheartening.

“With graduation being moved to June for us, we have to hang onto high school a little bit longer, and it’s definitely put a dent into the summer and into our plans,” Pitchala said.

Although seniors are grateful to have graduation ceremonies, the

date change has caused issues with summer plans and problems for people who have made plans based on the originally scheduled graduation dates.

Willie Clark, the executive director of secondary education for the School District of Manatee County, said district leaders were working with the Bradenton Area Convention Center in February to plan graduation when they were notified the center would not be able to exceed 500 to 600 participants for graduation.

With some high schools, such as Lakewood Ranch High School, having graduating classes in excess of 600 students, the district had to change venues and decided to move to LECOM Park after the success of last year’s graduation ceremonies.

The original dates in May were unavailable, so the district moved the graduation dates to the first week of June. The School Board of Manatee County approved the date change March 9.

“I have a calendar in my room that’s like OK, one day closer to seeing Grandma and Grandpa,” Pitchala said. “Having that dent in my summer, it’s less I get to spend with them.”

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receive for graduation.

As of March 9, the school district said seniors will only receive two tickets for graduation due to COVID-19 limitations.

Clark said the district will work with LECOM Park to see if more tickets could be offered to seniors depending on how the pandemic progresses.

For some seniors, graduation will be the first time they see their classmates who have been at home for e-learning all year.

Ethan Spasciani, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, said most of his friends are e-learners, so he’s had to make new friends in class.

Having students at home for e-learning and others on campus full time has caused a disconnect between the senior class, but graduation will bring the class of 2021 back together, he said.

“It’ll be nice to see everyone coming together at the end of the year,” Spasciani said. “It’s kind of a last hurrah for us before we go off to college. It’s definitely going to be the most memorable part of our final year, seeing everyone together on the field, because we haven’t had that.”

The Out-of-Door Academy seniors can expect a closed, inperson ceremony limited to family members June 5.

“I’m looking forward to walking down, getting my diploma and my parents just being there because they’ve supported me, so I just want to make them happy,” said Ximena Barrales, an ODA senior.

“It means the world [to have a ceremony] because I was thinking I was going to get that and have to do a drive-by graduation.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

MOVE TO EXTEND DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY

The portion of Manatee County’s Future Development Area Boundary that is south of State Road 64 is located on Bourneside Boulevard. The land east of the line (pictured across the street) is protected from urban sprawl.

Myakka residents advise caution in building to the east of the boundary.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

W

ith less land available for residential development east of Interstate 75 in Manatee County, commissioners might soon be asked to push east the Future Development Area Boundary line, sometimes known as the urban boundary line.

The topic could come up after Lakewood Ranch Communities submitted an application at the March 11 Planning Commission meeting to amend the county’s Comprehensive Plan to allow development beyond the boundary line under limited circumstances.

Specifically, it would allow future applications for development on land adjacent and contiguous to the boundary line, which in East County is located at Bourneside Boulevard from State Road 64 south to University Parkway. It veers slightly westward north of S.R. 64 until it reaches the county’s northern border.

The line was established in 1989 and moved over the years before it reached its current location in 2006. It is designed to limit urban sprawl and preserve agriculture as the primary land use east of the line through 2040, according to the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

All new development of more than 0.2 dwelling units per gross acre east of the line is prohibited, with the exception of small commercial development supporting the agricultural community, limited development associated with mining operations, farm worker housing, residences in Myakka City, cluster development to protect open space or agricultural operations and plan amendments resulting from a change in the county’s Future Land Use Concept Map. The Planning Commission recommended approval of LWR Communities’ proposed amendment 4-1. The amendment is scheduled for evaluation by the Manatee County Commission at an April 15 land use meeting. Paul Rutledge and Bill Smock were absent, while Jedd Heap cast the lone dissenting vote.

“The county has not built out to the west of that line,” Heap said.

“Until then, it should be held.”

However, attorney Caleb Grimes, who represented LWR Communities at the Planning Commission meeting, said Lake-

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AREA BOUNDARY 75

62 301

75

64

70

wood Ranch is “virtually built out,” with the exceptions of Premier Sports Campus, land which is already tied to approved applications and a few pockets of space for commercial buildings.

Grimes said the application requires developers to cover the cost of infrastructure additions and improvements and meet 41 to ensure they specific criteria don’t place stress on existing and planned infrastructure within the boundary line.

Manatee County Planning Manager Lisa Barrett said the amendment would allow the county to continue development without leapfrogging over areas of undeveloped property. However, she also said development east of the line could be considered urban sprawl and that it could impact agricultural lands.

Barrett said county commissioners might need to consider costs the county could incur.

The boundary line runs through District 1, Commissioner James Satcher’s district, north of S.R. 64. Satcher is open to the idea of moving the line.

“It’s been 30 years,” Satcher said. “It might be time to take a look at that line and see if it still makes sense given where Manatee County is.”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said it’s critical development beyond the line does not negatively impact Manatee County’s infrastructure, financial or otherwise.

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh shared Whitmore’s concerns about infrastructure and suggested developers to the east of

PROPOSED EXPANSION

LINE IS DRAWN

Lakewood Ranch Communities has asked for an amendment to allow a development adjacent to the east of the Future Development Area Boundary line FDAB established: 1989 72 last moved: 2006 FDAB Amendment recommended by Planning Commission: March 11 Date amendment will be evaluated by Manatee County commissioners: April 15

the line would need to use their own utilities or add septic tanks.

“As a county, do we really want to add more developments in on septic tanks?” Baugh said.

Additionally, she said she appreciates the line ensures Manatee County has a large rural area to balance out the higherdensity parts of the county to the west, such as Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

In addition to other commissioners’ concerns about infrastructure and utilities, Commissioner George Kruse said people who live in Myakka City chose to live there in part because it is a rural, low-density area. He said he would rather see increased height and density close to existing infrastructure and employment centers, adding that further eastward development would clog county roads as people head west for work.

“We don’t want to push out

until we’re bumping into DeSoto [County],” Kruse said. “We don’t need coast-to-coast housing.

That’s not the intention. I’d rather incentivize people to stay away from that line and build closer to where I think we should be building in the first place.”

Myakka City resident Heidi Minihkeim moved there from the Finger Lakes region of New York about five years ago. She is one of the people who moved to Myakka City specifically because she enjoys the rural community and landscape.

“Every year, it’s getting scarier,” Minihkeim said. “They’re encroaching on us. And it’s frightening because we love Myakka, and we love what it is, but it is changing daily.”

Myakka City resident Carol Felts is concerned about a number of issues regarding possible development beyond the boundary line. For one, she said the county needs to maintain its agricultural area east of the line. She also believes development east of the line could add to existing county issues with water, sewer and roads.

“Sometimes, we don’t mind having dirt roads [in Myakka],” Felts said. “Because we had a promise. We had a land development code. We had an urban boundary line. And for someone to come up here and ask for more, all the time more, … Lakewood Ranch is not going to be the stellar community that you’ve made it to be if you can’t get to the beach.”

Medallion Home President and CEO Carlos Beruff said in addition to utilities, the county should consider whether it has the necessary roads to handle growth east of the line.

“We still have a lot of roads to be built within the urban service boundary, and expanded, that unfortunately have not been built as quickly as they should be built,” Beruff said. “It’s a myriad of things. Some of it is within the control of the county, and they haven’t been able to execute.

Some of it is the constraints the government has to work under because of the procurement requirements they have.”

Beruff said it’s inevitable Manatee County development will encroach on Myakka City after Lakewood Ranch and Parrish are built out.

“Twenty years from now?”

Beruff said. “Yeah, of course, because I don’t think people are going to stop coming to Florida.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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Impact fees are one-time fees charged to developers after the completion of construction projects to help cover the cost of increased stress placed on county infrastructure.

Planning Commission approves county’s 2020 impact fee study

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he Manatee County Planning Commission voted 6-1 on Thursday to recommend implementation of the county’s new impact fee study and amend the Land Development Code to recognize the study.

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residential impact fees in Manatee County’s Southeast Benefit District could rise as high as 36%-39% over the previous rate, depending on the size of the house. The southeast district generally extends as far north as the Manatee River and as far west as U.S. Route 301 and includes Lakewood Ranch.

For example, Tindale Oliver’s study recommended an impact fee on houses of 1,301 to 1,700 square feet in the southeast district to be $16,544, a 37% increase from the current rate of $12,078 (90% of the 2015 study). For houses, 2,201 square feet or more, the rate would be $21,543, which is 39% more than the current rate of $15,460 (also 90% of the 2015 study).

Impact fees aren’t just for houses. They are charged for nonresidential uses, such as day care centers, hospitals and auto care businesses. Tindale Oliver’s study included an increase as low as 11%, from $924 to $1,028, for every 1,000 square feet of a mini-warehouse built in the southeast district. It also included an increase as high as 603%, from $3,473 to $24,423, for every 1,000 square feet of a private university or junior college built in the district.

Commission member Bill Smock favored the study with caveats. He said he hopes that if developers, such as Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff, say they can build roads privately faster and cheaper, the county should include language that allows them to pay lower impact fees. He would like to see the same happen if the private sector starts building such facilities as fire stations and libraries.

Commissioner Paul Rutledge said the study wasn’t perfect, but he voted in favor of it because the

“There [are] too many moving parts going on right now in the county with fees and everything else.”

— Mike Rahn, planning commissioner

Manatee County impact fees could rise substantially if they are raised to the full extent allowed by the county’s most recent study.

PLANNING COMMISSION DECISIONS

What: Recognition of Manatee County’s new impact fee study Vote: 6-1 to recommend approval; Mike Rahn dissented What: Rezone 38.95 acres near S.R. 64 and Uihlein Road from general agriculture and neighborhood commercial medium to planned development residential Vote: 6-0 to recommend approval; Bill Smock absent What: Rezone 1.54 acres near the northeast corner of S.R. 70 and County Road 675 in Myakka City from general agriculture to neighborhood commercial small Vote: 4-1 to recommend approval; Jedd Heap dissented; Paul Rutledge and Bill Smock absent

county needs to have a new study in place. He hoped the Manatee County Commission would dive into some of the specifics of the study and modify the proposed

fee schedule in a way that makes it as fair as possible.

Commissioner Mike Rahn cast the dissenting vote. Although he supported parts of the study, he

said the county should wait to raise impact fees.

“There [are] too many moving parts going on right now in the county with fees and everything else,” Rahn said. “With everything that’s going on, with COVID and everything else like that, I just don’t think it’s appropriate at this time.”

Neal Communities President and CEO Pat Neal said the Tindale Oliver study is flawed. Specifically, he said the study overestimates the amount of stress new residents put on county roads. He estimated the new impact fees will raise the average price of one of his new homes by $21,000.

Benderson Development Director of Development Ted Mathis said some of the increases advised by the study were too high. He asked if Manatee County was trying to discourage construction of certain facilities by raising impact fees 100% to 200% or more in certain categories. He said he likes gradual increases in impact fees because they give developers a sense of predictability.

The impact fee study will be presented to Manatee County commissioners April 15.

Other items discussed at Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting include:

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

MOORE PROPERTY REZONE

The Manatee County Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval to rezone 38.95 acres near the southwest corner of State Road 64 and Uihlein Road from general agriculture and neighborhood commercial medium to planned development residential. Bill Smock was absent for the vote.

Neal Communities plans to construct a 172-unit single-family subdivision on the site with a limit of 4.5 units per acre.

Manatee County commissioners will vote on the rezone April 1.

MANATEE RANCHES REZONE

The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend approval to rezone 1.54 acres near the northeast corner of State Road 70 and County Road 675 in Myakka City from general agriculture to neighborhood commercial small.

Bill Smock was absent for the vote, while Jedd Heap dissented.

A roundabout is being planned at the intersection but has not been funded. ZNS Engineering Planning Director Rachel Layton said there is not yet an intended use for the property, though she said there are few commercial businesses to serve the community within a 5-mile radius.

Myakka resident Carol Felts said the community doesn’t need any more commercial businesses.

She also said the community has fought against the project before and will do so again. Manatee County commissioners unanimously denied a request to rezone the property from general agriculture to planned development commercial in March 2020.

Manatee County commissioners will vote on the rezone April 1.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Vaccines a relief for educators

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The School District of Manatee County works with community partners to get its employees vaccinated.

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LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

W

hen President Joe Biden announced March 3 that all educators were eligible to be vaccinated, Jeremiah Bowman, a music teacher at Braden River High School, jumped at the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bowman looked at Walmart’s website and was able to schedule an appointment for March 11.

“It’s incredible,” Bowman said.

“I’m thankful our president made vaccinating teachers a goal. It’s incredibly important.”

Thousands of other School District of Manatee County employees have had the opportunity to get vaccinated, whether through the district or going to a pharmacy, since DeSantis said educators who are at least 50 years old could be vaccinated and later expanded eligibility to all educators.

In partnership with MCR Health, the Florida Department of Health Manatee and state officials, the district will have had 5,100 vaccines made available to its employees to date.

More than 900 employees who are at least 50 years old signed up to get vaccinated at the MCR Health Clinic located at Manatee Elementary School and Southeast High School.

The district also provided 1,000 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations to employees who are at least 50 years old March 13 and 14 at Braden River High School.

MCR Health then provided access to 3,000 Moderna vaccinations for employees of any age

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March 15 and 17.

In February, about 200 of the more than 300 employees who are at least 65 years old were vaccinated through the MCR Health partnership.

“We are extremely thankful to MCR Health, the Florida Department of Health Manatee and to state officials for helping us make these vaccination opportunities available to our employees,” said Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the district. “All vaccinations are voluntary, but we know our employees have been looking forward to the extra level of protection and relief these vaccinations can provide.”

John Frank, a vocational teacher at Braden River High School who was vaccinated in February, said getting vaccinated helps alleviate any fear and anxiety teachers might have as schools move forward.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

7A

File photos

Registered nurse Debbie Bottiger prepares a COVID-19 vaccine for a School District of Manatee County employee. The district has worked with community partners to provide more than 5,100 vaccines to its more than 6,000 employees.

Miriam Ortiz, a paraprofessional at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, receives the COVID-19 vaccine to protect herself and her husband, Rich Berger, who is high risk.

numbers told us we were all kind of taking a little bit of a risk, but we also decided we’re going to trust our protocols,” Frank said.

“Once you get the vaccination,

I think you’re a lot more at ease.

We’re all feeling a little bit more comfortable we have the vaccine.

We’re also glad we opened up even though we didn’t have the vaccine.”

Toni Schroer, the assistant principal at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, went to Manatee Elementary School on March 8 to get vaccinated. He said he was thankful.

“It was wonderful,” Schroer said.

Schroer said getting vaccinated means freedom. Schroer, who loves to travel, can’t wait to visit family out of the state and not feel vulnerable.

She’s also hopeful schools can return to some sense of normalcy next year, and perhaps she won’t have to wear a face mask when the new school year begins in August.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

EAST COUNTY

A TASK SET IN STONE

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

Friedrich Hayek

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

Volunteers once again tackle Rye Historic Cemetery cleanup.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

M

ichelle Leahy, a Manatee County volunteer specialist for Parks and Natural Resources, wasn’t doing some kind of ritualistic dance before she started cleaning gravestones March 12 at the Rye historical burial grounds.

It sure looked like it, though, as she was twisting and turning, her hands running over her arms, face and neck.

She had walked through a spider web.

Obviously, the graveyard, on the Rye Settlement Trail in Rye Preserve, doesn’t get a lot of visitors.

Despite the icky encounter with the spider web, Leahy was thrilled to be back at the cemetery. She had started the Rye Cemetery Preservation and Beautification project four years ago as part of Manatee Heritage Days, which runs the entire month of March.

Last year’s cemetery preservation event was the last Heritage Days event before COVID-19 shut everything down.

Being able to run the program for a fifth consecutive year — even if everyone had to wear a mask — was a victory in itself for Leahy.

Only three volunteers showed up to join Leahy and Sara Alvarez, an eduction and volunteer specialist for Manatee County, but the cemetery work would be completed, even if it took a little longer. Usually about a dozen volunteers participate.

“Despite the number, the impact will be the same,” Alvarez said.

Parrish’s Linda Wiedemmyer, who comes every year to volunteer with the project, was one of the three volunteers. She knew just what to do when arriving; she grabbed a bottle of the soft cleaning solution Leahy had mixed and began spraying a headstone. She then gently rubbed off the lichens and fungi that make the lettering on the headstones harder to read.

“This is great for the people

Photos by Jay Heater

Above: Parrish’s Linda Wiedemmyer volunteers every year to help preserve the historic cemetary.

Left: Manatee County staff members and volunteers begin the walk back to the Rye historic cemetery.

doing it, and it’s great for preserving history,” Wiedemmyer said.

“It’s wonderful people will try to preserve it and keep it from falling into ruin.”

The cemetery dates back to the 1800s, and several of the 13 graves were children.

Although the event is a work detail, it also serves as a historical tour. Leahy is passionate about the area’s history, and she doubles as a tour guide during the event. She explained how access to medicine was limited in the 1800s, which meant children would succumb to disease.

The group met on Rye Wilderness Trail where the Rye Settlement Trail begins. A short, pretty hike of about a quarter mile leads back to the cemetery.

Leahy began talking about the area’s history as the group walked to the site.

Wiedemmyer went off the path and picked some weeds. Leahy explained it was Caesar’s weed, an invasive species that chokes

out other vegetation. It was named because it is shaped like Caesar’s shield.

After shedding the spider and its web, Leahy took photos of all the headstones and footstones.

She noted that for the area, it was common for families to use both head and foot stones to honor family members who had died.

She explained the photos are to record before and after condition of the stones. She then passed out the solution.

“I think we will get a lot done today,” she said.

Besides Wiedemmyer, the other volunteers were East County’s Laurel Audet and Sarasota’s Lisa Ulrich. The event is sponsored by the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Manatee Heritage Days is in its 42nd year and is supported by the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Department of Historical Resources.

“The fact we could do this [during the pandemic] is a sign of resiliency,” Leahy said.

MANATEE HERITAGE DAYS

East County events during Manatee Heritage Days MARCH 1-31 — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy Jigg’s Landing Heritage Foods at Jigg’s Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Jigg’s Landing Outpost will offer special menu items, such as sour orange pie, swamp cabbage and smoked mullet dip. Call 727-4181, or visit JiggsLanding.com for more information.

MARCH 20 AND 27 — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jiggs Landing Open House, 6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton. The historic Jiggs Landing Fish Camp cabin, a replica of cabins built by Jiggs Metcalf in the 1940s, will be open for visits. Docents from the Old Braden River Historical Society will talk about the history of Jiggs Landing, the Braden River and Evers Reservoir. Call 727-4181, or visit JiggsLanding.com for more information about the free event.

MARCH 24 — 10-11 a.m., Rye Pioneer History Walking Tour, Rye Preserve, 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Bradenton. Meet at the Rye Pavilion and get a taste of the wilderness just outside the city on this naturalist-guided walking tour of Rye Preserve.

Learn about the history of the town of Rye, a booming settlement-turned-ghost town along the banks of the Manatee River. Visit the Rye family cemetery, and tour the Rye Nature Center on this historical nature walk. The free program is suitable for all ages. The terrain is sandy and uneven; closed-toe shoes are required. Email sarah.denison@MyManatee.org for reservations.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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9A

JAY HEATER

Pandemic planted seeds for Wicked Awesome idea

F

or most of her life, Country Meadows’ Michelle Noel had sold it all, at least in a corporate set-

ting.

Yes, she once was a Bible salesperson. She sold lawn and garden products, stationery and hardware items, such as hinges.

Then there was wild birdseed.

She was making pretty good scratch, too, from the wild birdseed business, when COVID-19 hit in March 2020. Then her job flew away.

It wasn’t like wild birdseed stopped being a hot item. It was just companies selling that birdseed reevaluated the way they did business. Anyone who knows Noel understands why she would excel at selling. She has an upbeat personality and a smile that seems to transfer to those she meets.

But she also was a road warrior, a salesperson who would visit your business and attend to your needs personally. COVID-19 sent businesses into longrange communications. Her company figured someone else could do her job from an office.

Noel was terminated in June.

She was 57 at the time and, after a few months of unsuccessful searching, unsure of her next job.

“I’ve had similar circumstanc-

es in my life [as being downsized], gone through a lot of mergers,” she said. “But it always had been easy to get a job, usually in two to four weeks. With COVID, it was like, who knows?

There was a significant loss of opportunity.”

In August, Noel decided to go another direction. She thought that with her savings, she could start a business. But what kind?

It definitely needed to be something that would make her smile.

“I was at a point in life, my youngest daughter, [Julia], was 17,” Noel said. “I started to realize I was about to become an empty nester. What would I do all day home alone? I was at a crossroads.”

She drove around the area, and an idea hit her.

“Why is there such a lack of ice cream?” she thought to herself. “Why hasn’t someone done it?”

The idea for Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium was born.

In January, Noel opened her business at 4122 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., in the strip mall with Skyline Chili. She opened with the pandemic still putting people out of business. She opened with the thought she was filling a need. She opened with hope.

Born in Framingham, Mass.,

IF YOU GO

What: Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium Where: 4122 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch Owner: Michelle Noel Hours: 2-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday Phone: 345-4755

and living most of her life in Derry, N.H., Noel has plenty of fond memories of family outings to an ice cream stand, enjoying a cone in the parking lot. It was a way of life.

She wanted to replicate that feeling in Lakewood Ranch, where she has lived the past seven years.

“Ice cream is a fun, happy event,” she said. “People are in a good mood. Then you have all the kids. It’s something easy where you can go in and get out.”

When you visit Wicked Awesome (Noel said “wicked awesome” is a saying heard on a regular basis in New England), you immediately understand the fun part. The decor is kind of a mix between “Winnie the Pooh”

Jay Heater

Country Meadows’ Michelle Noel has gone from jobless due to the pandemic to the owner of Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium in Lakewood Ranch.

and Disneyland: Bright colors pop all over.

Noel said she wanted her ice cream shop to reflect her personality. It does.

“I had to decide what I wanted,” she said. “I wanted whimsy.”

One thing she didn’t want was a glass case showing off her 36 flavors. Her New England experience was eating the ice cream in the parking lot, being handed a cone through the window. Her friends and family convinced her she was wrong. She now understands here in Florida, people want to look at the ice cream.

What they will see is intriguing. Her flavors include Boston Tea Party, Vermont Maple Walnut, New Hampshire Wicked “Scorcha,” Maine Moose Tracks, Connecticut Mocha Chip and Rocky Rhode Island.

She went to East County ice cream maker Lickity Splits, owned by Matt Eastman, and has her ice cream custom made for her shop. She demands the cream in her ice cream.

It’s been a sweet landing after the pandemic crushed her career. Dismayed a year ago, she is now ultra optimistic.

“In COVID, you just don’t know what is possible,” she said.

Actions Speak Louder Than Awards

But we won’t argue if U.S. News & World Report ranks Sarasota Memorial Hospital as one of only 37 “standout” hospitals among the nearly 5,000 assessed in this year’s “Best Hospitals” study, scoring a perfect 10 in all surgical procedures and chronic conditions evaluated—including heart and lung care, cancer treatment, vascular repair and orthopedic surgery.

After all, we’re too busy helping patients get back to better, back to their families and back to their lives.

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To learn more, visit smh.com

2020 - 21

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

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Caution, merge ahead

For Your Occupational Health and Worker’s Compensation Needs, Consider an Urgent Care Clinic

Open 7 Days a Week

East Manatee, Myakka firefighters already preparing for merger expected Oct. 1.

Our Services Occupational medicine services DOT and employment physicals DOT and non-DOT drug screening Workers’ Comp injuries Drug screens Breathalyzer Hepatitis B Vaccine (adults) Tdap/Td PPD (TB Skin Test) Flu Shots

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W

For more information on workers’ compensation services, please contact Practice Manager Cara Aliotta at 941-745-5999 or cara.aliotta@uhsinc.com.

manateeurgentcare.com Member of Manatee Physician Alliance For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website.

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hen smoke appears s o m ewh e re in Lakewood Ranch, part of the East Manatee Fire Rescue District, it often is cause for concern.

When a plume of smoke appears in the Myakka City Fire Control District, it could be just another day on the farm, East Manatee Fire Chief Lee Whitehurst said.

“If it’s Farmer Jones burning?”

Whitehurst said. “That’s OK.” There are fewer than 200 days until the two fire districts are scheduled to finalize a merger that will see the Myakka City Fire Control District dissolve and become part of East Manatee.

The two districts are waiting for a bill that would help finalize the merger to make its way through the state Legislature, but they’re not waiting to begin preparing.

Since November 2020, the districts have been exchanging some firefighters to ensure they’re ready to work in parts of the county they’ve never worked before. Three Myakka City firefighters, Ray Sullivan, Trevor Garofalo and Ben Guth, currently

TIMELINE

East Manatee Fire Rescue is expected to absorb Myakka City Fire Control Oct. 1 AUG. 18, 2020: Myakka City residents approve merger via referendum AUG. 25, 2020: Manatee County commissioners approve merger NOVEMBER 2020: East Manatee and Myakka City fire districts begin preparing for merger MARCH 1, 2021: Bill approving merger is introduced in Florida Legislature OCT. 1, 2021: Merger becomes official, pending final approval from Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis

are working with East Manatee, Myakka City Fire Chief Danny Cacchiotti said.

Those three not only lead their regular shifts but also are now helping East Manatee firefighters, who have rotated to Myakka City during this learning process, understand the differences that come with being a firefighter in a

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10A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

11A

“Certain gates you don’t open.

There’s more than cattle running around out here.

There’s a lot of circus folks, too. You don’t want to let the rhinoceros out.”

— Lee Whitehurst

Brendan Lavell

Robert Turner, Ben Guth, Trevor Garofalo, Ray Sullivan and J.T. Bacigalupi are Myakka City Fire Control District firefighters who will be working Oct. 1 for East Manatee Fire Rescue if the merger is approved by the state legislature.

rural area.

“It’s certain bridges you don’t cross,” Whitehurst said. “Certain gates you don’t open. There’s more than cattle running around out here. There’s a lot of circus folks, too. You don’t want to let the rhinoceros out.”

There are other differences the

East Manatee firefighters need to know besides simply learning the ins and outs of Myakka City, such as which driveways can fit a fire engine. For one, the types of fires are generally different. Myakka City firefighters usually tend to brush fires, hay fires, tractor fires, barn fires and house fires

instead of a fire in a large store like Walmart or in a five-story building.

“It’s growing in every direction,” Garofalo said of a brush fire. “Where maybe a house fire, it’s contained to one room, and you have many resources on it. So that aspect can kind of play with

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your mind a little bit.”

The two districts will continue this part of the process until legislation makes the merger official. The bill was evaluated by the state’s Local Administration & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on March 16.

If and when Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the legislation, a Manatee County ordinance would make the merger official, effective Oct. 1.

This would then clear the Myakka City Fire Control District to transfer all its assets, such as personnel, buildings, equipment and anything else the district owns, to the East Manatee fire district.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Courtesy photo

Isabella Pasquale and JT Wright, members of Braden River High School’s TSA team, work to complete an architectural model.

353627-1

TSA effort A-OK EXPERTISE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Dr. Mona Jain Middle School had a team of three students working on a mechanical engineering project for the regional and state Technology Student Association competitions.

Two of the team members were

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Even though the students couldn’t be in the same room and faced other challenges along the way, they placed second at the state conference Feb. 22-27.

“They were all extremely bright, dedicated students,” said Michelle Roberts, a TSA adviser at Mona Jain. “Every time I would go online, they would be there

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YourObserver.com

MEDAL HAUL

Although TSA teams faced new challenges and had to adjust to COVID-19 changes, East County TSA teams were successful at the state competition.

DR. MONA JAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL n Third place in Most Outstanding School in the State for middle schools n Two first-place wins n Four second-place wins n Five third-place wins R. DAN NOLAN MIDDLE SCHOOL n Seventh place in Most Outstanding School in the State for middle schools n Two first-place wins n Two second-place wins n One third-place win BRADEN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL n Second place in Most Outstanding School in the State for high schools n Nine first-place wins n Four second-place wins n Five third-place wins

regionals and state, especially with how this virtual thing is working, so I’m hoping things will go smoother as far as technical issues,” said Brittany Dunfee, an adviser at Braden River Middle School. “You hope for the best and plan for the worst. I think the students are ready to give it their all.”

Due to some TSA meetings having to be virtual as well as the competitions, the TSA programs lost students. Not all teams were able to meet in person. If they met in person, they had to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and School District of Manatee County health and safety protocols.

Dunfee said her team of 10 consisted of nine eighth graders and one seventh grader. Normally, the team has about 40 students.

working, and they would have their virtual whiteboard up where they drew designs, and they were talking about measurements and just trying to get four pieces of the Rube Goldberg machine to fit together.”

TSA teams at Mona Jain, Braden River Middle and R. Dan Nolan middle schools and Braden River High School faced several challenges this year as a result of changes made due to COVID-19, but the teams found success at state and are looking forward to nationals.

Many students placed in the top three in several categories.

Mona Jain Middle School placed third overall in state for middle schools, a higher placement than last year’s fourth place.

John Frank, a TSA adviser at Braden River High School, said his students are dedicated to the club and that they take competitions seriously.

This year was the first in eight years the high school didn’t place first overall in the state. The team placed second.

Frank said students couldn’t enter as many categories as they have in the past because one of the advisers was on medical leave and because they had to work virtually.

“The kids worked on what they could, and I think the quality of work that we turned in was almost more exceptional than we’ve turned in the past historically,” Frank said.

All the teams missed out on the opportunity to compete at nationals last year due to the competition being canceled because of the pandemic.

“I think we learned a lot through

Dunfee’s focused on recruiting and teaching sixth graders to help build the team for next year.

Todd Anderson, an adviser for Nolan’s team, said having only 18 students on the team was helpful because it was his first year of being an adviser, and he would have been overwhelmed with more students.

“My big challenge was pulling this off at all,” Anderson said.

“Not knowing anything, I have spent a lot of time studying how TSA works, and it’s a great organization.”

For many students, TSA brought a sense of normalcy to their unprecedented school year.

Even though they might not have been able to meet in person, it gave them an opportunity to connect with friends and classmates virtually.

“One thing that we noticed as advisers was the kids enjoyed when we got on Teams, and we opened it up and just let them turn on their cameras and let them talk and interact with one another,” Roberts said.

Dunfee said TSA gave her students a sense of connectedness, belonging and responsibility.

Participating in a virtual competition was difficult for the students because they had to navigate different virtual platforms and event schedules.

Dunfee’s students experienced internet, audio and video issues as they were competing.

Roberts said TSA had strict rules on written exams. She said a student’s cat jumped on his keyboard in the middle of taking his written exam, and he was kicked out of the exam. He ended

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

13A

up placing fourth in his event as a result.

“He was disappointed that he wasn’t one of the top three because of his exam, but he is going to get to go to nationals, so he’s excited about that part,” Roberts said.

Advisers are hopeful for their teams to be able to return to some sense of normalcy next school year.

Dunfee said Braden River Middle School will have its TSA class once again, and Roberts said Mona Jain will start offering a TSA class. The class will give students a dedicated time to focus on their projects rather than just meeting before or after school and on weekends.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high school theater programs struggle to stay afloat financially during pandemic.

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raden River High School’s cast of “Little Shop of Horrors” was in the middle of rehearsal last March when Director Ricardo Robinson-Shinall was told they wouldn’t be returning to school due to COVID-19.

Luckily, he was given a year extension for the rights of “Little Shop of Horrors,” and his students will be able to perform the show live and virtually in April.

The problem for the school’s theater department, along with several other high school theater departments including Lakewood Ranch High School, is funding.

Robinson-Shinall and Roxane Caravan, the director at Lakewood Ranch High School, both said the schools’ theater programs don’t receive funding from the schools or the district and must depend on revenue from their performances and fundraising efforts.

“It’s important that people understand that just because it exists in a high school setting doesn’t mean it’s truly funded at the level in which it needs to be funded,” Robinson-Shinall said.

A virtual showcase at Braden

IF YOU GO

Braden River High School’s performance of “Little Shop of Horrors” When: 7 p.m. April 22-24 Where: Braden River High School, 6545 E. S.R. 70, Bradenton Admission: $10 for adults; $7 for School District of Manatee employees and students; free for children 5 years old and younger Tickets: Visit OnTheStage.com/ braden-river-high-school Details: See Braden River High School’s spring musical, “Little Stop of Horrors,” in person or virtually. Limited tickets will be sold, and masks will be required for inperson audiences.

River High School in February and a lip sync battle (only attended by participating students) at Lakewood Ranch High School also in February were the first performances the schools have been able to do since schools closed in March 2020.

The students in the programs also haven’t been able to raise funds due to COVID-19 limitations.

“We’ve always had to go out and raise our own money and do our own thing,” Robinson-Shinall said. “But it was much easier for us to do that because our easiest way of making money was to showcase what we’re doing and put the kids on stage and let them do their thing. Because that was

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engaged throughout the year because they couldn’t perform in class.

Besides the lip sync battle, Lakewood Ranch students did workshops with theater professionals.

Besides its virtual showcase, Braden River students held virtual breakout sessions for students on campus to interact with e-learners and has started rehearsals for “Little Shop of Horrors.” “‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is two years of planning, so it’s kind of nice to see it actually coming together, and it’s going to be out there for the world to see,” Robinson-Shinall said. “I am most excited about just showcasing the talent of the students and allowing them to have a voice and be seen and be on stage.”

Daniel Pena leads a group in choreography during rehearsal.

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taken away from us, it has cut significantly into our income.”

Along with raising funds with “Little Shop of Horrors,” Robinson-Shinall and his students are going to businesses to see if they would be willing to make financial donations or provide materials to build sets.

Robinson-Shinall said the school spends about $7,000 to perform the spring musical, which he said is on the lower side of production costs. Braden River uses the revenue from the musical to pay for the next year’s musical.

The Lakewood Ranch theater program depends on its annual summer theater camp to provide funds for productions throughout the year, including the spring musical that can cost between $20,000 and $25,000.

Caravan said providing costumes, building sets and hiring a choreographer, a music director, a technical director and others to help with the production adds up.

Caravan had to cancel last year’s and this year’s camps due to the pandemic.

Due to the loss of revenue from not being able to have the summer camp or put on any public performances until the school’s virtual cabaret show March 5, Caravan expects next year’s theater program to be like a startup program.

“Not having income that supports directly into our program, it’s going to annihilate our program,” Caravan said. “I’m pretty much planning that there’s going to be a lot of starting over next year. Hopefully, there’s some angels out there who are going to want to see these arts programs flourish again in the schools.”

Caravan and Robinson-Shinall have had to come up with creative ways to keep their students

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f you need an escape from the dystopian reality of the present, Brendan Ragan’s immersive “Safe House” offers an interlude of dystopian fiction at Urbanite Theatre. It’s a 40-minute immersive play, limited to socially distanced audiences of four. There are no live actors, except for the audience. You’re not passively watching this play; you’re in it. Ragan is both the director and playwright, and that’s the heart of his concept.

In the play’s conceit, you stumble into a “safe house” designed by a programmer who’s on the run from the clutches of the Quandry Corp. This corporate behemoth shares a business model with Dave Eggers’ “The Circle” and, for that matter, 90% of the multinational entities in cyberpunk fiction. Its business model is a mashup of Facebook, Google and the phone company.

It offers free service in exchange for mining your data and manipulating you (which real-world corporations do anyway).

Fletcher (Chris Hayhurst) is the play’s hero (or villain). He designed Quandry’s system architecture but crashed the system when a) the corporate overlords turned it to evil; or b)

IF YOU GO BRENDAN RAGAN’S ‘SAFE HOUSE’ When: Through April 4 Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota Tickets: $25 Info: Call 321-1397, or visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

he fell into a paranoiac delusion.

Ava (Krystal Millie Valdes) is the play’s other hero (or villain).

Quandry possibly kidnapped her when it found out Ava was collaborating with Fletcher to unplug its corporate brain. Either that or she’s helping the corporation find and neutralize Fletcher. Or all or none of the above.

To find out the truth, you navigate the twists and turns of the titular safe house. Fletcher has fled but pops up periodically on various screens to guide you.

Ava pops up, too. Their contradictory advice helps you navigate the breadcrumbs of clues (or misinformation) they’ve left behind. But one or both might be unreliable narrators. Finding the truth is more than ratiocination; it’s really a question of character.

Who do you choose to believe — if anybody? Depending on your

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over work for a video game.

(A very big part, but that’s a story for another day.) But I still wasn’t entirely prepared for the “Safe House” thrill ride.

So, confession time.

As a critic, I’m not used to the immersive experience. I’m engaged — both intellectually and emotionally. I’m thinking about plot, character arcs and motivation. I care about the characters. But if Hamlet dies, it’s not my fault. If Jimmy Stewart falls off Mount Rushmore, that’s on him. I’m just sitting back watching the stage or screen, taking notes and eating popcorn.

But in this immersive experience, the fate of the play’s characters does depend on me. If the wrong character dies, it is my fault. How do you deal with it?

They don’t teach you that in critic school.

“Safe House” provides an immersive experience.

The choices are up to the audience.

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choice, there are two possible endings.

Hayhurst and Valdes put in nuanced performances. They’re hard to read by design. They don’t telegraph either heroism or villainy and keep you guessing until the end.

Shaun Greenspan’s video clips create a duality of bright corporate coldness and a fugitive’s dark, chaotic world. And they nicely hint at an unblinking eye of constant digital surveillance.

The “Safe House” environment has the look of a grungy warehouse space. Kudos to Ryan Finzelber for the claustrophobic, multilayered set design. Romantic, it’s not. It’s dimly lit and packed with boxes of computer chips and hard drives.

It looks like the castoffs of a dying civilization, not the shiny seeds of a bright future. Sean Ragan’s creepy sound design also adds to the miasmic milieu.

Brendan Ragan has written a tight script. The experience is fairly linear until the end. Then it’s all up to you. At the climax, you get the equivalent of doors No. 1 and 2. Video gamers will know the experience well. Conventional theatergoers? Not so much. My advice?

Stay alert, keep your head in the game, and take your time.

The clock isn’t really ticking.

The clues are hidden in plain sight if you patiently look for them. If you’re part of a group, even better. Four heads are better than one. But be warned.

“Safe House” is probably the most unconventional theater the Urbanite has ever staged. Agatha Christie it isn’t.

I knew that going in. I had even read the script. Back in the 1990s, I even did some voice-

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How to build your resilience

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he past year has hardly been a stroll through the park. It’s quite difficult to grasp the many degrees of suffering that millions of people worldwide have experienced.

That suffering has been physical, emotional and economic — a roller coaster through the human condition. Now, at least in this country, when we are seemingly swimming in vaccine and venturing out into something approximating a new normal, we’re faced with recollections and analyses of what has occurred.

And the word “resilience”

The first thing I learned is that resilience, literally defined as the art of bouncing back, is not something we have in our DNA. You aren’t born with it. It’s not an aspect of being a glass halffull kind of person. It’s a quality developed over time.

My first stop in learning more about this quality was with Daniel Goleman, an author and sometimes professor who is perhaps best known for his breakthrough work on emotional intelligence back in the 1990s.

In a Harvard Business Review article, Goleman posits that building resilience is a matter of retraining the brain. As he explains it, when something

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MORE RESEARCH

On my quest for getting a handle on resilience, I spotted a webinar available through Stanford University. I signed up. And so did 3,000 other people, indicative of the high level of interest in this subject as our lecturer Antoine de Morrees, with a doctorate in neurological sciences at Stanford, told us in the introduction.

Morrees likened the capacity to recover from stressors as a sort of physical process, yet it’s a process that takes place in the brain, which the brain doesn’t normally do.

The pandemic has been a constant flow of stressful elements.

And no one really is taught how to deal with stress. In our mind, we end up ruminating about all of the stress, which prevents bouncing back or resilience.

Morrees also advocates a type of rewiring of the brain to enhance a quicker recovery and indeed create new neural pathways to help us restore balance.

He advocates disconnecting the rumination through a meditation practice that creates a comfort-

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

19A

ing place in the brain.

The more you imagine or meditate to the comfort zone or happy place, the faster you create a neural pathway to disconnect the rumination that continues the stress and prevents resilience. In the webinar, all 3,000 of us were led to our happy place, and it was very comforting — and a lot healthier than a bag of chips.

MINDFULNESS

Other research has examined mindfulness as a method to rewire the brain and enhance resiliency. In a study supervised

by Jon Kabat-Zinn through the University of Massachusetts, employees at a biotech company that reported high levels of employee stress were taught mindfulness techniques and meditated using them 30 minutes a day for eight weeks.

At the core of mindfulness is training the brain to register anything happening in the present moment without reacting to it. Goleman offers these simple instructions: ■ Find a quiet, private place where you can be undistracted for a few minutes.

■ Sit comfortably, with your back straight, but relaxed.

■ Focus your awareness on your breath, staying attentive to the sensations of the inhalation and exhalation.

■ Do not judge your breathing or try to change it in any way.

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upsets us, our fight-or-flight response hijacks our executive centers in the brain.

When they get hijacked, there are a long list of possible responses. For example, you lose your perspective on a situation.

There is little acceptance of reality. You might feel like a victim.

We struggle to find comfort or to restore a sense of balance. And, according to Goleman and many other scientists studying this, resilience is really about how quickly we recover — or bounce back — from this hijacking. It is all about retraining the brain.

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Coastal breaks ground on headquarters Company President Dr. Arthur Valadie said the Lakewood Ranch building is scheduled for completion in April 2022.

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Coastal Orthopedics President Dr. Arthur Valadie didn’t know how to handle his company’s March 9 groundbreaking at its new headquarters in Lakewood Ranch.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been to a groundbreaking before,” Valadie said at the ceremony. “I assumed you just showed up, and there was food and golden shovels, and everyone had a good time.”

So that’s what he planned for Tuesday’s groundbreaking: food and golden shovels.

The event commemorated the 88,000-square-foot facility being built on a 17-acre parcel of land near the southwest corner of State Road 64 and Lena Road.

“It’s a celebration for all the people who have worked to bring this to fruition,” Valadie said.

“We’ve been working on site work for a while, and we’re starting to see some progress. You see the big equipment. You see all the people here. So yeah, it’s definitely real now.”

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said it was a wise business decision to build the facility in the center of the county.

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BUILDING BEGINS What: Coastal Orthopedics groundbreaking Where: Near southwest corner of State Road 64 and Lena Road, about a half-mile east of I-75 When: March 9 Completion: April 2022 Parcel: 17 acres Size: 88,000 square feet

“We don’t have a lot of health care in this area,” Whitmore said.

“We don’t have a full service like you’re going to offer. So this just made sense. And I’m glad you made the investment because it cost, I know, a lot of money, what you’re doing.”

Valadie said the construction will begin going vertical as early as June, and he expects the building to be completed by April 2022.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore was invited to speak

by Coastal Orthopedics President Dr. Arthur Valadie before the groundbreaking.

She says Coastal Orthopedics was wise to build a facility in East County.

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— Country Club’s Ed Furtado SEE PAGE 23A

ODA hires former NFL player Jon Haskins, who played for the Chargers and Eagles, will be the Thunder’s head football coach.

JON HASKINS’ RESUME

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

F

1

Lakewood Ranch High sophomore outfielder Cassidy McLellan went 2-3 with a triple, three RBIs and two stolen bases March 13 in the Mustangs’ 13-3 road win against Gainesville High.

2

Lakewood Ranch High senior pole vaulter Eli Newman won the event (15 feet, 0.25 inches) March 11 at the IMG Academy Pole Vault Invitational.

3

ODA junior baseball pitcher Carter Dierdorf threw four innings, allowing one run with seven strikeouts, in the Thunder’s 15-1 home win against Bradenton Christian.

4

Frank and Suzanne Donino and George and Marti Piccirilli (52) won Flight 1 of the Couples March Event (fourperson scramble) March 14 at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Cypress Links course.

5

Barbara Somma, Barbara Wetzel, Eileen Cantarella and Linda Federici (247) won the 36hole Ladies Golf Association Four Member event March 13 at University Park Country Club.

or Jon Haskins, who was hired March 10 to be The Out-of-Door Academy’s new head football coach, life has been, as the iconic saying goes, like a box of chocolates.

He never knew what to expect.

How could he, when he was seemingly on the move all the time? After his three-year pro career saw him play for three teams, Haskins continued the trend, never settling into one place. Looking back, Haskins said, he was always meant to get into coaching, but he didn’t know it for a long time.

Since starting in 2002 as a graduate assistant at Duke University while getting his master’s degree in humanities, Haskins has worked for a number of universities, including Florida, South Florida and Stanford, his alma mater. Haskins said friends have called him the “Forrest Gump of football” because his journey has been winding, and he’s gotten to know people in all corners of the sport because of it.

But all journeys end, or at least slow down. When he was attempting to find his purpose in life, Haskins thought about the people who had impacted his life the most. They were his coaches.

The 1994 Riverview High graduate played under high school Coach John Sprague, where he learned about football and life.

He then was a four-year starter at linebacker at Stanford, first under Bill Walsh, then Tyrone Willingham. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, where he learned under June Jones and Mike Reilly, then signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was guided by Ray Rhodes and Andy Reid.

Even when Haskins’ NFL days were over, he was among good

Photo courtesy Stanford Photo

New ODA Head Coach Jon Haskins was the director of player development at Stanford, his alma mater, from 2008-2010.

coaches. His time with the XFL’s San Francisco Demons was spent with Jim Skipper, a longtime running backs coach in the NFL. “Why not do what they do?”

Haskins said. “It has been an interesting path to get there. I have had a lot of different experiences.”

Haskins had been looking for a way to come back to the Sarasota-Bradenton area, and ODA gave him the opportunity.

He said his first conversation about the job was not with ODA Athletic Director Kippie Crouch, but ODA Boys Basketball Head Coach B.J. Ivey, who Haskins said is a long-time friend. Ivey mentioned the opening to Haskins and eventually he spoke to the administration.

Haskins’ first head coaching job was also his only job at the high school level. He was the coach of Reno High in Reno, Nev., in 2019. Haskins led the team to a 7-3 regular season record but was fired by the school before the

playoffs. The school did not give a reason for Haskins’ firing, though Haskins said there was conflict between him and the school’s administration.

“The best way to sum it up is it wasn’t a great fit,” Haskins said.

“I’m not thrilled that it didn’t work out, but we had some successes. We just weren’t in alignment, and that’s OK. I’m old enough to where I realize sometimes people get divorced. Not everything works out.”

Haskins said the experience at Reno led him to asking ODA more questions about the school and how things would be run. It also led to him realizing that some schematic things that work in college don’t work at the high school level and vice versa. Even though it didn’t end how he wanted, the experience was valuable and will stick with him as something he can build on.

Crouch said ODA looked into Haskins’ year at Reno High and they are not concerned about the

1998-2000 NFL player with San Diego Chargers (twice) and the Philadelphia Eagles 2000-2001 XFL player with San Francisco Demons 2002-2005 Graduate assistant, Duke University 2005-2006 Arena 2 general manager of the Sarasota Asylum 2006-2007 Technical adviser, The Sports Studio 2007-2010 Player development, Stanford University 2011-2012 Director of player personnel, University of Nevada 2012-2013 Director of player personnel, University of Florida 2013-2015 Founder/managing partner, IEO recruiting 2015-2016 Director of player personnel, University of South Florida 2016-2017 Quality control coach, University of Texas-El Paso 2019 Head coach, Reno High (Nev.) 2021 Head coach, The Outof-Door Academy

disagreements that occurred. She said Haskins will be able to run the program he wants at ODA. Crouch also said ODA is not concerned about Haskins’ record of not staying in one place too long.

Crouch said Haskins had wanted to return to the Sarasota area for a while, and now that he’s here, she doesn’t see him leaving.

In fact, Crouch said, the school made stability a top priority during their coaching search. If ODA — which has now had four different head coaches since 2017 — did not believe Haskins was committed to the school, Crouch said, the school would not have hired him.

“We were looking for that magical person who has a love of the sport, the kids and the school,” Crouch said. “I believe Jon is that guy.”

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“I love the challenge of it. You’re competing against the course, and you’re competing against yourself.”

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Elite dedication on display at Benderson Park

W

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hen a triathlon comes to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, it offers spectators great entertainment.

You can watch the entire swim. You can watch as the competitors transition onto their bikes and then are gone in a flash. You can even watch most of the run portion, following the athletes as they cross the park’s bridges and as they approach the final stretch.

Due to the pandemic, there were not many spectators at the park March 13-14 for the Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon Elite Cup. I wish there had been.

Those athletes often collapse in a heap after crossing the finish line because they have pushed heir bodies to the limit.

The event featured some of the best triathletes in the world traversing a 750-meter swim, a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run. There were also junior and youth divisions with modified race distances.

While watching these athletes, I asked myself, how does one become a top triathlete? How does one develop the mental fortitude necessary to push a human body to those limits?

What I discovered is the people winning these events are often just as remarkable in other areas of their life.

Gina Sereno, 25, won the elite women’s division by finishing in 55 minutes, 49 seconds.

That was 12 seconds faster than second-place Sandra Dodet of France. Sereno, who is from Madison, Wis., was in 16th place after the swim but made up time on her bike and completely dominated in the run (16:40).

She was the only competitor to run the course in less than 17 minutes.

Sereno said she never competed in triathlons as a kid. She did run, though, and earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan. After she graduated, she was approached by Team USA’s Collegiate Recruitment Program about trying it. Three years later, Sereno’s SarasotaBradenton Triathlon was her first elite triathlon win — the first of many, she hopes.

Although impressive, Sereno’s athletic ability might not be the most impressive thing about her. No, that would be her brain.

When not training to be an elite athlete, Sereno works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. She is assigned to NASA’s Psyche mission, which involves getting a spacecraft to land on a metal asteroid, so it can be researched.

It’s a challenge that requires a lot of work and a lot of time.

However, Sereno said triathlon practice has become like brushing her teeth. No one asks busy people how they find time to brush their teeth, she said, because it’s implied that brush-

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Gina Sereno, who works for NASA’s Psyche mission, won the women’s elite division of the 2021 Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon in 55:49.

ing one’s teeth is a requirement, not a choice. Sereno has made practice a requirement in her life.

“I think you just have to want to do it,” Sereno said. “You’re not going to snap your fingers and be really good. You have to be motivated to work at it.”

It shows a level of dedication that I’ve never had. Triathletes must have that dedication. Just ask men’s elite winner Kevin McDowell, of Geneva, Ill. McDowell won the men’s race in 49:15, 19 seconds better than second-place Matthew Sharpe of Canada.

Unlike Sereno, McDowell did run triathlons as a kid, but his

career hit the pause button in 2011 after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. McDowell took six months off from training to complete chemotherapy.

He beat the disease, and one year after his diagnosis, McDowell was back competing at a high level, finishing 23rd at the 2012 Edmonton ITU World Cup. For a first race back, that is extremely impressive.

McDowell said his journey to the top has had as many downs as ups. He took the 2013 season off to let his body recover, for instance. It simply had been through too much in a short amount of time. But through it

Kevin McDowell, who had a Hodgkin lymphoma, won the men’s elite division of the 2021 Sarasota-Bradenton Triathlon in 49:15.

all, he persevered.

Now, a decade after being declared cancer-free, McDowell is a U.S. Olympic hopeful.

“I’m thankful for everything I have been given,” McDowell said.

These are the types of people that compete in (and win) triathlons. Me? It sure is cool to watch.

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

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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We are open for private & semi-private lessons at home & community pools!

Country Club’s Ed Furtado, 63, is a retired lawyer who moved to Lakewood Ranch three years ago from Warwick, R.I. Furtado sank a hole-in-one March 11 on the No. 2 hole of the club’s Cypress Links course. Furtado used a 5-hybrid on the 165-yard hole. It is Furtado’s fourth career hole-in-one.

When did you start playing?

I started a little late. I was 14.

I played hockey and baseball.

Those were the sports my father, [Ed Furtado Sr.], introduced me to first. He didn’t play golf, but some kids in our neighborhood in Providence, R.I., did. Us kids learned the game together. It was cool.

Are you as enthusiastic about the sport as you once were?

I think my wife, [Regina Cantwell], would tell you I’m obsessed. I got obsessed early on in the process, when I was 16.

In the winter, when there was no snow on the ground, but it was still cold, I would go out by myself to play golf.

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

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cannot get a good look at the green because of the angle. You can see the flag, but it’s tough to see the hole. I saw the ball disappear, but I didn’t know if it went in or not. It turns out it did.

What is the best advice you have received?

Work hard at whatever you choose to pursue. That has a lot to do with success. It’s funny how the people that work hard also seem to have better luck. It’s a good life lesson.

Finish this sentence: “Ed Furtado is …”

Outgoing. I think people around here would say I’m chatty. So I think that’s what people would say, “He never shuts up!”

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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YOUR NEIGHBORS Lots of options at art festival S

teve and Linda Gooen moved to Indigo in Lakewood Ranch in December 2020, and they said they still are unpacking.

That became a slight problem as they were browsing at the Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival on March 13 to see if anything caught their eye to go into their new home.

It made it difficult to figure out which art would match the setting. And they had plenty of choices at Saturday’s festival.

Also having a lot of choices were Jenie and Stephen Einstein, who just moved from New Jersey and said they were in-

trigued by the colorful displays at the Belisario Artist stand. Canadians Judy and Gord Atkins, frequent travelers to the area who moved into Country Club East in December 2020, were drawn to the photo prints of famous sites from around the world, many of which they have seen in person.

Artists from Florida and beyond traveled to Lakewood Ranch for the festival March 13 and 14. They displayed bronze sculptures, abstract paintings, photo prints, carved wood and more.

— BRENDAN LAVELL

Stephen and Jenie Einstein moved to Esplanade from New Jersey in January. At the Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival, they were drawn in by the vibrant colors at the Belisario Artist exhibit.

Indigo residents Steve and Linda Gooen stand behind Sandhill crane art created by Ben Foster Bronze Sculpture. The sticker price for the sculpture was $14,500.

Photos by Brendan Lavell

St. Petersburg resident Jose Vizcarra admires a Chinese brush painting created by Wisconsinbased artist Charlotte Fung Miller. Vizcarra was also an artist at the festival.

941-229-6245 352415-1

Above: Country Club resident Debbie Pickett and her son, Jim Stark, hold 10-year-old silky terrier Bojangles, also known as “Bobo.” Pickett says she was interested in the festival because she used to study art.

Right: Judy Atkins moved to Country Club East in December 2020. The Canadian snowbird says she was intrigued by the “color and crispness” of these photo prints from all around the world. Atkins is a frequent traveler who has seen many of these sights.

A Meal Makes A Difference.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

donation delivers A Meal MakesYour A Difference.

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Difference. healthy meals Patrons enjoy Meal Makes Yourto donation delivers homebound Your donation delivers heart healthy meals Your donation delivers Sarasotans in need. market’s return heart meals heart healthy meals to healthy homebound toto homebound homebound Sarasotans in need.

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Joe Morrison, the owner of Sun City Center-based jewelry vendor Rockman Studio, is used to displaying his merchandise often in the Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch areas. In 2020, he didn’t do a single event from March to October.

“All we did was make jewelry,” Morrison said of he and his wife, Irene, during the sevenmonth hiatus.

Morrison said the local arts and craft scene is starting to pick up again. University Town Center’s Outdoor Spring Market, which started March 13, is the latest example.

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Reserve at Crossing Creek residents Lorraine and Ken Salazar hold 1-year-old rescue dog Molly while doing some shopping.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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Above: Lakewood Ranch residents Crystal and Matt Camden were most intrigued by the Easter wreaths and other handmade crafts. They say they love supporting local business and the local community.

Left: West Bradenton’s Sam VanDyk stands with his decorative Cyprus driftwood. He started using driftwood to create homemade crafts two years ago.

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Above: Carolina Landings resident Gloriann Bronson and Palmer Ranch resident Lil Pugliese look at cacti. The market was one of the first public events they’ve attended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Right: Sarasota residents Jeanette Cole and Mylah Cole, 6, look at key fobs from the Ally Binky Shop.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

D R O A R

AT

NEIGHBORS NOTES

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Courtesy photo

Ed Eachus of Ed Eachus & Associates Tower and Post Clocks of Douglasville, Ga., repaired the Electric Time clock on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch on March 12.

Main Street’s back on the right time

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The Electric Time Co. clock in front of McGrath’s Irish Ale House at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch read the correct 11:45 a.m. time March 15 — on all four of its faces.

That hasn’t been the case the past few years, and no one has been more aware of it than the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch.

Rotary President Laura Adcock said her organization began a drive almost a year ago to find out what needed to be done to fix the clock, a present from Rotary International to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch in 2004. With money raised by Rotary and a contribution from Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, Ed Eachus of Douglasville, Ga., was hired to repair the clock (the cost was

approximately $4,000), which he did March 12.

Eachus said he opened the clock and heard “noises you don’t normally hear.”

He said the clock’s electronic components were the biggest issue.

Adcock said it was important to the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch to get it done during its 20th anniversary year. The local Rotary celebrates its anniversary April 20.

She said the clock currently is valued at $20,000. The Electric Time Co. is located in Medfield, Mass.

Local students earn honors East County’s East County’s Quonnisha Orr earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in health care administration from Valdosta State University (Ga.). … Tabitha White has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions. … East County’s Jennifer Merritt earned a Master of Business Administration in health care management from Western Governors University in Tallahassee. … Lakewood Ranch’s Antonio Colacci received a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the University of New Hampshire.

East County’s Sophia Nora Scardino was named to the Dean’s List at Caldwell University (N.J.). … East County’s Mattie Kaplan was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Rhode Island. … East County’s Jillian Santiago was named to the Dean’s List at James Madison University.

TOGETHER / tə • ge • thər / adverb the harmony that plays when lives converge OUR COLLEAGUES IN CARE NAME QUOTE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Dozens of people gathered at Botanic Waterside to celebrate the grand opening of the new apartment complex.

Zabeth Huffhines, the property manager of Botanic Waterside, said the area will be a hot spot.

“Having housing here with this beautiful park area, restaurants and shops, … everyone wants to be a part of it,” Huffhines said.

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Ribbon-cutting held at Botanic Waterside Victoria Penxa sat outside the leasing office of Botanic Waterside sipping some wine and enjoying the weather during the apartment complex’s grand opening March 12.

Penxa moved in a month ago after seeing all the 320-unit complex had to offer and loving the fact that its location, at 1450 Pine S. Warbler Place, was adjacent to the Waterside Place development.

“I’m excited for the water taxis, the sushi and everything else,” Penxa said about Waterside Place, which should see businesses begin opening at the end of May. “It seems like there’s going to be a little bit of everything.

I might not have to leave except

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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… East County’s Kendyl Brahler, Bethany Burns, Gabriella Desautels, Mary Epps, Vanessa Masucci, Alejandro Miranda and Elena Munzell and Lakewood Ranch’s Leah Daniels, Taylor Jenkins, Samantha Milazzo and Giana Newsome earned Dean’s List recognition at the University of Tampa. … East County’s Eric MacKowski was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Hartford (Conn.). … Lakewood Ranch’s A.J. Stein was named to the Dean’s List at Ohio University. … East County’s Lauren Parent, Julian Robledo, Brandon Judy and Avery Clague were named to the Dean’s List at the Florida Institute of Technology.

East County’s Romagnoly Charles was selected for the Tallahassee Community College Honors Program.

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COMMUNITY THURSDAY, MARCH 18

NETWORKING AND BLOOD DONATIONS Runs from 3-6 p.m. at SunCoast Blood Centers, 3025 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Suite 111, Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance is holding a networking event combined with an optional blood donation to the SunCoast Blood Center. The event is free for both members and nonmembers. The event includes light appetizers from Pineapple Kitchen and drinks from Loaded Cannon. Donations are not required. For more information, go to LWRBA.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

LEARN TO FISH Begins at 10 a.m. at Summerfield Park, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities in partnership with the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club offers a clinic that teaches the art of casting, knot-tying and tips on being a good angler. The cost is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for others. The event is open to all ages. Go to MyLWR.com for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

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.

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; children 12 and under are 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 Florida. 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, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

RANCH NIGHT Runs from 4-8 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch.

Ranch Night features a food truck rally with more than 10 trucks, live music, family-friendly yard games, an outdoor bar and cornhole (preregister at MVPSportsAndSocial.com). For more information about the free event, go to MyLWR.com.

BINGO Begins at 10 a.m. at the Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts Community

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

7B

Your NEW Outdoor Kitchen is HERE!

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YOUTH FISHING TOURNAMENT Runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Uihlein, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. (directly behind Lakewood Ranch Town Hall). The tournament is presented by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club. The tournament is for ages 5-17. The fee is $10. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

*excluding online retailers *must bring competitors ad

SUNDAY, MARCH 28

BIG TRUCK DAY Runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota.

Big Truck Day will be conducted in a drive-thru format due to the pandemic. The Easter Bunny will also be on site distributing goodie bags. Preregistration is required.

Entry to the event is at Cattlemen Road and World Champion Drive, near the playground. The event, hosted by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, is free.

To register, go to SCGov.net/ parks, or call 861-7275. Registration will close by Friday, March 19 or when capacity is reached.

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Bingo every Wednesday through March 17. Bingo is for those 18 and up and costs $25 for Lakewood Ranch residents and $35 for nonresidents. Bingo will be held under the pavilion. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

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JIGGS LANDING OPEN HOUSE Runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the historic Jiggs Landing Fish Camp, 6106 63rd Street E., Bradenton. Manatee County is hosting the Jiggs Landing Open House as part of its Heritage Days celebration in March. Docents from the Old Braden River Historical Society will talk about the history of Jiggs Landing, the Braden River and Evers Reservoir. The historic cabin will be open with a docent outside, social distancing and windows open.

Each person will be able to tour the cabin alone or in the same party. The event is free.

Go to Jiggs.Landing.com for more information.

8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

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

SARASOTA 7727 Donald Ross Road W Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4493537 $2,100,000

BRADENTON 6510 200th Street E Leslie Emery & Aaron Corr 941-400-9710 A4489175 $1,750,000

BRADENTON 20504 65th Avenue E Aaron Corr & Leslie Emery 941-840-2346 A4489635 $1,699,000

NOKOMIS/NORTH VENICE 115 Sunset Drive Tina Von Kessel & Brigitte Von Kessel 941-266-2848 A4492715 $1,250,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7209 Greystone Street Gloria Bracciano & Stacy Haas 941-229-4000 A4490535 $1,050,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14628 Secret Harbor Place Stacy Haas & Gloria Bracciano 941-587-4359 A4488171 $845,000

MYAKK A CITY 5731 Wauchula Road Chris Baylis & Sue Cosgrove-Lee 941-735-4713 A4492487 $725,000

ELLENTON 2704 72nd Avenue E Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4440184 $695,000

BRADENTON 6120 Cessna Run Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4493139 $689,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 14510 Leopard Creek Place Heather Sniffen 941-720-1526 A4492950 $625,000

PALMETTO Rosslyn Drive Elizabeth Gardini 941-356-0096 A4444981 $599,000

SARASOTA 4642 Meadowview Circle Sonya Kis 941-228-1831 A4493185 $550,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16405 Hillside Circle JJ Williams 941-412-6355 A4493483 $549,000

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

PARRISH 1622 Channelside Place Holly Winkle 941-907-9595 A4472654 $495,000

BRADENTON 221 21st Street W Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4474894 $449,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12013 Thornhill Court Laura Tracy-Clekis 941-915-4167 A4493084 $429,900

MYAKK A CITY 30348 Singletary Road Chris Baylis & Sue Cosgrove-Lee 941-735-4713 A4446682 $400,000

SARASOTA 7610 Fairway Woods Drive 205 Mackenzie Longueuil & Pat Mudgett 941-961-4023 A4492740 $345,000

SARASOTA Quarter Horse Road Stephanie Okuley 941-773-2677 A4478870 $279,999

NORTH FORT MYERS 3460 N Key Drive 218 Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4493260 $249,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 5904 Garden Lakes Majestic Jim McElhinney 941-773-1199 A4493720 $245,000

NOKOMIS/NORTH VENICE 337 Dante Drive 337 Peggy Wellman & Robert Moffatt 941-374-0811 A4493199 $234,900

BRADENTON 204 3rd Street W 204 Patty Brooks 941-545-1194 A4462765 $217,000

MYAKK A CITY 39605 Taylor Road Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4477286 $170,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8911 Manor Loop 207 Natalia Armonda 941-373-5743 A4485429 $160,000

OSPREY 51 Mac Ewen Drive 10 Victoria Beckham & Deborah Beacham 941-544-6734 A4472469 $109,000

SARASOTA 2755 Coconut Bay Lane 128 Jennifer Horvat 313-729-6339 A4486770 $102,000

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

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

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

SARASOTA 10862 Leafwing Drive Brian Wood 941-928-8408 A4471346 $3,199,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Pomello Park topped all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Christopher and Carla Burns, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7630 209th St. E. to Jeffery Kints, of Bradenton, for $3.7 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,025 square feet of living area.

MILL CREEK ROAD

Robert Fore and Jamison Dean Jolicoeur, of Lakeland, sold their home at 1220 Mill Creek Road to Colin Robert MacNeil and Sara Agnes Kenney, of Bradenton, for $2.3 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths and 2,804 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

Jared and Aimee Hermann, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16013 Clearlake Ave. to Todd and Allison Birdsall, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.63 million. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, five-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,497 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.5 million in 2008.

CONCESSION

Frank Peavey Jr., trustee, of Oviedo, sold the home at 8480 Lindrick Lane to Paul and Cynthia Gatchell, of Bradenton, for $1.6 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,907 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.51 million in 2020.

COUNTRY CLUB

Mary Ann and David Fuller sold their home at 12710 Deacons Place to William and Suleika McCormick, of Bradenton, for $1.35 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.58 million in 2006.

Todd and Allison Birdsall, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6512 The Masters Ave. to Christopher and Diane Marsh, of Lakewood Ranch, for $775,000.

Built in 1999, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,469 square feet of living area.

It sold for $669,000 in 2015.

Jason and Stephanie Broussard, of Colorado Springs, Colo., sold their home at 7930 Royal Birkdale Circle to Jeremy and Katherine Beckman, of Lakewood Ranch, for $685,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,276 square feet of living area. It sold for $595,000 in 2017.

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MARCH 1-5

Jack Norman and Mary Rinaldi, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13982 Siena Loop to John Thomas Harkey and Judith Townsend Harkey, of Lakewood Ranch, for $579,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,502 square feet of living area. It sold for $587,100 in 2004.

9B

REAL ESTATE

Pomello Park home tops sales at $3.7 million

|

ESPLANADE

Donald and Naiema Frieson, of Huntersville, N.C., sold their home at 4732 Benito Court to Gregory and Joan Miller, of Quincy, Ill., for $1.2 million.

Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,591 square feet of living area. It sold for $820,700 in 2017.

Kenneth and Annamarie Wenk, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5255 Castello Lane to Kevin Donegan and Denise KavafesDonegan, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,581 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,900 in 2012.

Daryl and Karen Worobow, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13104 Prima Drive to David Lee Grossman, of Bradenton, for $516,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,247 square feet of living area. It sold for $422,400 in 2015.

HARBOUR WALK

Shiloh and Kimberly Simons, of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., sold their home at 552 Fore Drive to Jimmy and Teresa Davis, of Bradenton, for $1.17 million. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,101 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2009.

Michael Cook and Holly Barnum-Cook, of Palm City, sold their home at 537 Mast Drive to James and Alice Neal, of Bradenton, for $1.03 million. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,110 square feet of living area. It sold for $643,000 in 2013.

Gregory Watson and Patricia Diane Watson, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 552 Mast Drive to Arthur Jacklin Long and Gail Frances Long, of Bradenton, for $800,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,598 square feet of living area. It sold for $676,800 in 2015.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Charles Alfred Hansen III and Robin Holder Hansen, trustees, of Ellenton, sold the home at 14515 Leopard Creek Place to Steven and Deborah Askin, of Lakewood Ranch, for $985,000.

Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,007 square feet of living area.

It sold for $621,000 in 2012.

A. Thomas Stoffels and Jane Tully Arnoldi, of Brevard, N.C., sold their home at 16018 Knightswood Place to Samuel and Lorites Poots, of Bradenton, for $730,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,312 square feet of living area.

Liz Ramos

This Pomello Park home at 7630 209th St. E. sold for $3.7 million. It has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,025 square feet of living area.

Michael and Jacquelyn Rainier, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14717 Castle Park Terrace to Michael Freedman, trustee, of Sarasota, for $722,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,465 square feet of living area.

Kathleen Karloff, of Osprey, sold her home at 16426 Hillside Circle to Wolfgang and Ulrike Wistorf, of Bradenton, for $580,000. Built in 2019, it has

three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,204 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2019.

Mark and Monica Trepicone, of Medina, Ohio, sold their home at 7103 Westhill Court to Timothy Lee Stewart, of Bradenton, for $375,000. Built in 2013, it has SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

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WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA 348880-1 Prices as of February 2021.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

10B

only

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

The

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Real estate

OPHTHALMOLOGY PRACTICE

FROM PAGE 9B

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Colleen Richard and Steven Carlson sold their home at 9704 Portside Terrace to Edward and Teresa Govekar, of Bradenton, for $334,000. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,765 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,600 in 2016.

Albert and Dolores Toland, of Pelham, N.H., sold their home at 1234 Tidewater Court to Ryan Iesberts, of Bradenton, for $615,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,034 square feet of living area. It sold for $497,000 in 2017.

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Kevin and Tabitha Abrams sold their home at 6720 205th St. E. to James Doyle Jr., trustee, of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,890 square feet of living area. It sold for $194,400 in 2017.

Cecil Pruitt Jr., of Chantilly, Va., and Gayle Marguerite PruittOreto and Michael Oreto, of Bradenton, sold their home at 1024 Kestrel Court to Ashraf and Gihan Atalla, of Monmouth Junction, N.J., for $740,000.

Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,789 square feet of living area. It sold for $411,600 in 2012.

Murray Friedberg, M.D.

Roger and Linda Michaelsen, of Parrish, sold their home at 701 Misty Pond Court to Dennis and Lana Meskill, of Bradenton, for $338,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,602 square feet of living area. It sold for $181,700 in 2000.

Erika Sayers, of Ontario, sold her home at 10716 Winding Stream Way to Richard Karl Schmidt and Jean Louise Schmidt, of Bradenton, for $725,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,109 square feet of living area. It sold for $461,600 in 2001.

John and Lena Tamburello, of Bradenton, sold their home at 22235 Panther Loop to Steven Thomas Palmer and Jayme Chantell Harris, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,870 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2015.

ARBOR GRANDE

Robert Rempert and Kathryn Epler sold her home at 2914 Starwood Court to Aaron and Emily Fingerhut, of Lakewood Ranch, for $622,500. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,634 square feet of living area. It sold for $547,300 in 2018.

DEL WEBB

Brian and Dana Miller, of Dallas, sold their home at 16743 Blackwater Terrace to Gary and Theresa Syvertsen, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,488 square feet of living area.

It sold for $492,800 in 2019.

Make Hawthorne Village Part of your Healthcare Plan!

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Pulte Home Corp. sold the home at 18006 Eastbrook Terrace to Jeffrey and Marisa Radley, of Bradenton, for $524,800. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,132 square feet of living area.

Jay McMurren and Urmilla Devi McMurren, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 17109 Kenton Terrace to Thom and Ruth Roberts, of Bradenton, for $374,900. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,820 square feet of living area. It sold for $304,800 in 2016.

POLO RUN

Jaymes Floyd Bernhardt and Jessica Lynn Bernhardt, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17924 Polo Trail to Gary Joseph Condon and Teresa Kay Condon, of Versailles, Ohio, for $590,000.

Built in 2019, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,043 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2019.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Gary and Pamela Bartlett, of Bradenton, sold their home at 207 166th St. NE to Andrew Laroche, of Bradenton, for $582,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three baths and

|

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

11B

Save 10% On Your

3,092 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2014.

g n ! i g r p n i S Sw

GREENBROOK

Brian and Carolyn Kelly, of Cumming, Ga., sold their home at 14508 Sundial Place to Bruce and Karen Bradley, of Lakewood Ranch, for $555,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,122 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 2010.

Aaron Wooldridge sold his home at 6252 Macaw Glen to Daniel and Pamela Kixmiller, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $300,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,554 square feet of living area.

Janet Theimer, of Bradenton, sold her home at 14242 Tree Swallow Way to Jeannine Inda, of Anna Maria, for $300,000.

Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $232,000 in 2019.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 High: 83 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 17%

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 High: 73 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 8%

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 High: 76 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 15%

Bruce Silverman took this photo of a Christmas cactus in bloom in Rosedale.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 18

7:36a 7:40p

Friday, March 19

7:35a

7:41p

Saturday, March 20

7:34a

7:41p

Sunday, March 21

7:32a

7:42p

Monday, March 22

7:31a

7:42p

Tuesday, March 23

7:30a

7:43p

Wednesday, March 24

7:29a

7:44p

MOON PHASES

April 4 Last

April 11 New

April 20 First

April 26 Full

RAINFALL Monday, March 8

0

Tuesday, March 9

0

SUNDAY, MARCH 21

Wednesday, March 10

0

Thursday, March 11

0

High: 76 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 20%

Friday, March 12

0

Saturday, March 13

0

Sunday, March 14

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021 3.27 in.

2021 0.38 in.

2020 2.84 in.

2020

0 in.

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CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

AD CREEP by Steve Mossberg; Edited by David Steinberg

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

102 Tiny, cutesily 103 Traveler’s stopover 104 Finally decide on a home?

109 Taylor-Joy of “The Queen’s Gambit” 110 “Think again!”

111 Assortment 112 Moving wheels?

116 TikTok’s has a music note 117 Word after “end” or “time” 118 Took without asking 119 Finish lathering 120 ___ ex machina 121 CPR pros 122 Write an email, maybe 123 Haircuts that taper

46 Seeing the sights 47 “Don’t sweat it,” in a text 49 Part of WPM 50 Ignite, with “to” 52 “... available ___ request” 53 Blend 54 5:4 or 3:2 57 On or about 58 Kind of acid that kills ants 60 Vishnu, for one 61 “The Matrix” role 62 Joke 63 Shark part that sticks up 64 “Ich bin ___ Berliner” 65 In that case 66 Grp. with a phonetic alphabet 67 Read, as an e-ticket DOWN 1 Staple root in Nigerian food 68 Neighbors of Argentinians 72 You wouldn’t need this 2 World Cup shout clue if you had it (Abbr.)

3 Allow 73 Clawfoot ___ 4 “Gangnam Style” genre 77 Word often confused with 5 Banish from the kitchen, “fewer” perhaps 78 LaBelle of disco stardom 6 Overly elaborate 79 Sour apple candy’s color 7 Cannabis brownies, for 80 Deck out instance 83 Show embarrassment 8 Mega- times 1,000,000 84 Sesame or canola 9 Polluted Asian sea 85 Make things happen 10 Where going downhill 87 Ride a wave with minimal isn’t bad or no gear 11 Contain, as laughter 89 Raison d’___ 12 Printer choice 90 Grim Reaper costume 13 “Que ___?” props 14 Service for a stressed 91 One may dilate a pupil partner 15 Major tennis tournament 93 Golfer’s posture ©2021 Universal Uclick ACROSS contest with music like 77 Links org. for Stacy Lewis 16 Like a smell you can’t miss 94 “Psst!” briefly 95 Fully grasp 17 Bit of help 1 “Sunny” egg parts “Don’t Stop Believin’”?

81 Chaplin of “The Comey 51 Japanese wrestling 19 Mani-pedi board material 96 Add up (to) 6 Greek cheese 30 Texting format initials Rule” 55 “___ we forget” 97 Irish beer named for its 27 State by Ky. 10 Send, like a package 82 Zoom or Disney+ 33 Singer Lavigne 56 “Closing Bell” network color 28 Resulted in 14 Part of a hedge 34 Great Lakes tribe 83 Drag show accessory 58 Borscht ingredient 98 How a Reuben is served 29 Price 18 A, in Hebrew school 35 Dark cloud, perhaps 86 Buzzing “facial hair” 59 Imitated 99 Enzyme suffix 19 Venerable villager 36 Like a somewhat rich 60 Trying to be a champion 88 H.S. diploma alternative 30 Sandbank 104 Uttered 31 Tree with a Japanese 20 Hawaiian coffee region dessert?

90 You may fold one while at provoking?

105 Finance expert Orman variety 21 Italian wine region 40 Did karaoke eating it 65 Just for laughs 106 Manitoba-to-Quebec 32 Lots and lots 22 Movement Tarana Burke 41 Soap ___ (TV drama) 92 Orthopedic prefix 69 Run on TV again direction 37 Building in a campus row started on MySpace 42 December visitor 93 Closed 70 Quakers 107 Pretentiously creative 38 Vehicle with a meter 23 “Schitt’s Creek” matri43 “Life Goes On” boy band 71 Ability to see past super- 95 Teaching staff’s swank 108 Branch of Islam 39 De Armas of “Knives Out” arch ficiality? ride?

44 Checking one’s work 43 Garment usually made of 113 “Your point being?”

24 Varieties 74 Telescope sight email 24/7, say 100 Shred 114 Put into play 25 Dad jokes and such 75 Leaning Tower’s city 48 Dim sum bun 101 ___ Kitchen (frozen food terry cloth 115 “___ Miserables” 45 Where to keep track of 26 Top prize at a karaoke 49 Anti-smoking spot, e.g., 76 Street’s edging brand) points

CELEBRITY CIPHER

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“OJTLJTP C ONU CE N UKXFW MP ITTKCES RNBKG MP JNYCES LPMXRKT MII LJT ICTKB, LJT MEKG LJCES LM BM ONU HTTW UOCESCES.”

– JNEH NNPME

“SFMN (SFD MWMNF) MN GTD WJED GV RDGRYD VGW BFGH RNOEFGJTJYONMN MN GV TG ZND BFJSNGDADW.” – NMLHZTU VWDZU Puzzle Two Clue: A equals V

Sarasota

SAVE ON SELECT COLORS & STYLE

Puzzle One Clue F equals M

CARPET

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

03-18-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

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STAINLESS STEEL box 18/12/10 w attached lid. $15.

Jeans w/ holes. 3 pairs for $20.

941-741-9727.

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales ANNUAL CREEKWOOD Community Wide Yard Sale.

Five neighborhoods to participate.

Saturday, March 20th, 8a.m.-1p.m.

SR70 & Creekwood Blvd.

Furniture, small appliances, clothing & toys.

WINDMILL Manor Community carport sale March 20th 8am- 2pm. 4920 Windmill Manor ave. Bradenton 34203.

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Sporting Goods

ESTATE/GARAGE SALE Saturday & Sunday March 20th & 21st 8:00am-3:00pm Rain or Shine.

313 147th St E Bradenton.

Tools, Appliances, Furniture and Household Items.

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.

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

2016 Mercedes Benz C 300 class with only 31,000 miles on it fully loaded, Swarovski crystals, Waterford crystal, 25c antique slot machine, clocks, patio furniture, beautiful apothecary cabinet, pair of twin beds, living room furniture, gorgeous dining room table and chairs, books, artwork, kitchenwares, garage-wares, and lots and lots of bric-and-brac.

For more Information call Ken at: 941-356-3318. antiquesandchatchkes.com

Estate Sales Conducted By: Antiques & Chatchkes

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

TWO BEAUTIFUL, like new, Lemond touring bicycles for sale; originally purchased at Village Bikes in Lakewood TWO BEAUTIFUL, like51 new, Ranch, FL.; 57 Cm and Cm Lemond touring bicycles for blue/white Nevada City with sale; seatoriginally post pyr purchased suspension,at Village Bikes in Lakewood Shimano pedals, 3 rd Eye Ranch, FL.; 57 Cm and 51 Cm handlebar mirror, wireless blue/white Nevada with cyclometers.

RecentCity tune-up. seat post suspension, Asking $800pyr each or both for Shimano pedals, 3 rd Eye $1500.

Call: 941-388-0604. handlebar mirror, wireless Cash or certified check only. cyclometers. Recent tune-up.

Asking $800 each or both for $1500. Call: 941-388-0604.

Cash or certified check only.

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

Call Paul:

917-751-6506.

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

6528 38th Lane East Sarasota, FL 34243 (Bradenton) (Rio Mar)

Numbers go out at 8am

RED PAGES

WORK FROM HOME:

Spring Estate Sale

March 19th-21st Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 9am to 6pm

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

Help Wanted

See pix at: estatesales.net Must Wear a Mask Sale conducted by: Palma Sola Sales.

Numbers given out at 8am.

jobs

Autos Service

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

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

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ....... 50¢ 15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Call: 941-955-4888 Online: yourobserver.com

CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

Condos/Apts. for Rent TOTALLY RENOVATED 3BD/2BA Condo- 7461 West Country Club Drive. Minutes from UTC mall, downtown, and the beaches. $2000/month, 1 month minimum. For more information, call Dave: 941-388-8285.

Homes for Sale

This week’s Crossword answers

3BR/2BA CENTRAL PARK home: State Of The Art Kitchen Lake views Private pool $520000 M Dunbar Lic Fla RE Broker, Homes Of Sarasota And Manatee LLC 941-744-6002

SELL YOUR STUFF

GARAGE

SALE

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.”

Hank Aaron Puzzle Two Solution: “This (the Irish) is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever.”

– Sigmund Freud

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 Universal Uclick

©2021 NEA, Inc.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less.

Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

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

Antique Oak dining room table with 6 chairs, 2 oak buffets, dressers, office chair, tier mirror and china cabinets, 2 antique clocks, Singer treadle machine, Enamel top table, hoosier style cabinet, card table sets, recliner, bookcase, computer table, mahogany tea cart, lamps, Victrola, 1956 TV, Dinette, collectables, patio set, Department 56, some kitchenware and tools.

You’re only cheating yourself.

Items Under $200

2206 42nd Street E Bradenton, FL 34208 (Located off of 26th Ave E past Mixons)

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.

peekers’ place

stuff

ESTATE SALE: Saturday, March 20th from 9:30am-3pm.

Merchandise Wanted

YourObserver.com/RedPages

real estate

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

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.

Paint the town RED!

RED PAGES

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Homes for Sale Luxurious 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2020 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $1,599,900 Everything Updated Sarasota's Phillipi Gardens 3/2/2 $359,900 55+ Beach and Boating: One story villa 2BED-2BATH $424,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, 1/CAR, Dock. $530,000. Owner/agent Private Boat Lift: beach access villa/condo Pet Friendly $399,000 Call for coming soon listings.

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

Call 941-726-2677.

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE!

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Adult Care Services

Auto Transport

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

CALL 941-955-4888

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

CALL 941-955-4888

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

YourObserver.com/RedPages

*Caregivers/Companions * CNA’s/HHA’s * Assistance with Daily Living

Cleaning

Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

Aluminum

Financial Services

Cleaning

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

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

941-955-4888

home services

14B

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

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

Clock Repair

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

HOUSECLEANER: VERY honest and reliable.

Guarantee quality work.

Have plenty of cleaning references to give upon interview. If interested and you have questions, Call: 660-362-2333.

SELL IT FAST! Place Your Ad Online YourObserver.com/RedPages

VIRTUAL TAXES by H&R block Computer to computer Includes phone interview Safe info questions clayton.prowls@tax.hrblock.com

Landscaping/ Lawn Services NATURAL GREEN Sod and Landscape Mowing, weed eating, mulching, palm-tree trimming, flowerbeds, fertilization and more.

832-403-5721.

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

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

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing.

Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

Construction

Christo’s Clock Repair 4630 5TH ST W BRADENTON

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.” 941-773-0875 • 941-932-5505

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner / Operator Insured

Visit our showroom

7262 55th Ave East, Bradenton, 34203

(941) 650-7758

Don Christo, Sr., Horologist

353815

bschule88@gmail.com

353817

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Dustin Yoder

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades 352400

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

Auto Service

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

Doors

SELL YOUR CAR!

Computer

Sliding Glass Door Repair

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

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

Handyman

Doors

ARCHIMEDES

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

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

941.628.8579 351628

30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE No Money Down Reliable On Time Every Time

SERVICES, LLC

✔ Concrete repair, tear-outs repairs ✔ Sidewalks, patios, and driveways ✔ Painting interior, exterior

✔ Pressure cleaning, mobile homes, cleaning gutters ✔ All forms of yard maintenance and Tree work ✔ Insured/Free Estimates

Owner Ron Willard . 941-580-7584 . ahsllc@fastservice.com

CREATE A LOT OF BUZZ!

Call us today!

www.ezslider.com

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

353368

HoHoBuysCars.com

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

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

352975

941.270.4400

5-Star Rated 352973

WE COME TO YOU

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

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

353638

FAST • EASY • SAFE

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Health

Lawn Care

Roofing

THE BEST This Doctor is Among

Bisson Roofing Inc. Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

941 - 748 - 7400

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

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

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

353818

941-739-5102

Faulkner’s 351320

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

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a 352524

FREE CONSULTATION

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

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

Painting & Pressure Cleaning

Driveways Deck Staining Roof Cleaning

www.bissonroofing.com

Owner Supervises Every Job

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

Painting

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

353372

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

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

Free Estimate 941-922-3996

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

352633

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

Screening

352977

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

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

Power Washing Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

Pressure Washing

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

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

Pressure Washing

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

941-705-5468

Commercial

353373

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

Home Services

Residential

15B

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

|

941-345-5264

353369

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

235

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

$

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

353371

941-544-1066

BEFORE

AFTER

(941) 345-5264 TILE REPAIR CRACKED

CALL: 941-545-6816

| scaperotta@aol.com

Removal and Replacement

Italian American Owned

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

Windows

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

941.966.0333 LIFETIME GUARANTEE

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

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

941-737-4483 www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

10 SAVINGS With this ad %

THE GRAB BAR GUY

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing wn as Sunrise Win o n k Sun y l r e d

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

DrGrabBars.com

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

Rescreening & Repairs

Eldridge Re-Screen

GLENN KROECKER

Licensed

954-1878

353370

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

Res./Com.

353816

GRAB BARS

352401

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

Warranties

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

“No Job Too Small”

Insured

10% OFF FOR MENTIONING THIS AD

941-270-1561

5

$

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Landscaping & Lawn

GARDENS BY ALLISON No Job is too Small!

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

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

353552

941.400.0431

120

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

352403

352976

Call John 941.377.2940

ows

SPECIAL 00

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

352639

WITH THE RED PAGES

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

Tile

Manufacture and workmanship

• Roofs • PoolCages Cages•• Decks Decks ••Driveways • Roofs • Pool Driveways • Deck/Paver Sealing • Gutter Cleaning • Deck/PaverAnd Sealing And Much More Much• More!

ROCK STARS found here.

Fill the job here where you can actually meet and greet your next employee.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

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

353374

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Doors and more!

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

WHERE SAR ASOTA’S DOWNTOWN MEETS THE BAYFRONT

Artist’s Rendering

Artist’s Rendering

Artist’s Rendering

S P E C I A L

Artist’s Rendering

I N C E N T I V E S

N O W

AVA I L A B L E

PRICED FROM THE $800,000s, this luxurious 18-story, 149 residence condominium has become the most anticipated new downtown address.

• • • • •

Artist’s Rendering

D E V E L O P E R

11 floorplans ranging from 1,600 to just under 2,500 sf 7 luxurious Penthouse residences, 2,500 to over 5,000 sf Expansive private terraces with glass balcony railings Panoramic vistas of Sarasota Bay and the Downtown Skyline Walkable Quay Sarasota lifestyle with endless dining, shopping & entertainment

Visit the new Sales Gallery located inside Premier Sotheby’s International Realty to learn about this exciting community.

941.220.0828 | Bayso.com 50 Central Ave, Suite 110, Sarasota, FL 34236 Located in the Plaza at Five Points | Complimentary Valet Parking

354126-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. This project has been filed in the State of Florida and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice. This is a limited time offer. Developer may withdraw offering at any time. Images and renderings are representation only. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

The Observer is the quintessential local paper, I enjoy reading the editorials each week. It is also a great business partner with Morton’s. Its readers are our customers.”

Todd Morton Morton’s Market mortonsmarket.com

Pick up your FREE copy of The Observer every Thursday.

For the nearest location: YourObserver.com/rack-locations

354128-1

16B

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

17

TH Anniversary

Celebration!

352107-1

Botox & Fillers Ultherapy Coolsculpting Laser Hair Removal

941-351-5700 Lakewood Ranch

FOR THEIR SAFETY

and your confidence.

We create a safe, enriching community where seniors can live well, know they’re safe, and maintain their dignity and sense of purpose. In today’s changed world, you can rest assured: •

• •

•

•

Everyone entering our community wears a face mask and is screened according to CDC guidelines Staff are screened at the beginning, middle and end of their shifts Every assisted living and memory care resident is monitored for temperature, oxygen saturation level and condition changes We work with national-level laboratories for staff and resident testing We welcome PCPs (primary care physicians) and medical specialists, as residents require, and transport residents to medical appointments

Senior Lifestyle communities are designated as high-priority recipients of the COVID-19 vaccines. Our residents and staff are among the first to receive them, bringing us soon to the day when family and friends can freely visit again.

Assisted Living | Memory Care | AL 12858 WWW.SENIORLIFESTYLE.COM

for masks, handwashing social masks, handwashing and and social distancing distancing because we’re determined because we’re determined to keep youto or keeploved you or your loved ones safe. Call your ones safe.

941-315-9503 to schedule a tour or to Call 262-888-7717 to schedule tour or get a copy of A Smoother WayaForward, to get a copy of The Complete a guide to community living. Guide to Senior Health and Wellness.

352209-1

Diligence. We Diligence.

Wefollow followCDC CDCguidelines guidelines for

Thrive in a community of friends Surrounded by the tranquil parks, lakes and nature reserves of Lakewood Ranch, every day at The Sheridan rewards residents with energy, activity, friendship and kindness. Upscale and comfortable, with a reputation second to none, our assisted living helps residents just enough to ensure they feel confident and independent. And our vibrant memory care setting is a tour-de-force in personalized, uplifting, attentive programming for those who have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The Sheridan has a vibe – and it’s irresistible!

Call 941-315-9503 to schedule a tour or to get a copy of A Smoother Way Forward, a guide to community living.

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

SENIOR LIFESTYLE IS HIGHEST RANKED IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION with Assisted Living/ Memory Care Communities Tied in 2020. For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

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

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

Cosmetic Dentistry

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• Digitally Guided Implant Surgery

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• Airway Ortho for Children and Adults

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• Bone Grafts and Sinus Lifts • Zirconia and Titanium Implants • Laser Assisted Surgery

• Botox, Fillers, PDO Threads, Microneedling • Laser Assisted Gum Tissue Treatment

• Crooked Teeth and Bite Correction • Receding Chin Correction • Smile Broadening • Non-Extraction of Permanent Teeth

(941) 999-3205 | SarasotaDentist.com 3951 Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 34231 352944-1

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

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

• Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide)

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Member of North American Association of Facial Orthotropics

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Member of the American Orthodontic Society

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Member of the International Association of Orthodontics

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

• 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

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

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