East County Observer 3.4.21

E A ST COUNTY

SEASON T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G UIDE TO THE ARTS AND SOCIETY

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SPRING 2021

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DIY DRINKS

Mixologists share their tips to elevate your cocktail game. PAGE 52

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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FREE THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 17

YOUR TOWN

More administrator candidates emerge Three major players among the county’s top prospects. PAGE 3A

Liz Ramos

MTC surgical addition a real dummy Meet Howie, the newest member of the surgical technology family at Manatee Technical College.

Joelle Prado (above), an instructor for the surgical technology program, asked her students to name the new “trauma man,” or surgical simulation mannequin.

To Prado’s surprise, her students stuck with the theme of names beginning with “H” and named the mannequin Howie. The program has two other mannequins named Helga and Herman.

THE BEAT GOES ON Myakka City woman finds a new heart and the love of her life.

SEE PAGE 8A

Jay Heater Brendan Lavell

Local hospital delivers again Reaching the pinnacle of any field is difficult enough, but sustaining that position is another thing entirely.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center achieved the feat when it was named a 2021 Best Maternity Hospital for the second year in a row by Newsweek and The Leapfrog Group. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is one of 217 hospitals to earn the honor in 36 states.

Chrissy Coney (above), a birth designer at the hospital’s Women’s Center, said she was honored to be part of the team that earned the recognition.

“We put a lot of hard work into safety, patient care and compassion,” Coney said.

Angela Horan, a heart transplant recipient, and Gary Bergstrom will be married March 20 at their Myakka City home.

A+E

The circus arts will prevail.

SEE PAGE 18A

The swing vote World’s greatest golfers say The Concession rocks their world.

SEE PAGE 21A

Ryan Kohn

With his win at The Concession Golf Club, Collin Morikawa became the second player to win a major championship and a WGC event before turning 25.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

More demand for county grant program More neighborhoods tap into Manatee County’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant program.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

T

he list of struggling plants is long: sabal palms, saw palmettos, oak trees, wax myrtles and beautyberries, among others.

They are being suffocated by invasive Brazilian pepper trees along Old Farm Road in Mote Ranch. These are some of the plants the Mote Ranch homeowners association is trying to save, with some help from the Manatee County Neighborhood Enhancement Grant program.

The county’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant program provides support to HOAs, community development districts, crime watch groups, nonprofits partnered with neighborhoods and other groups composed of residents and stakeholders from a specific neighborhood.

Debbie Deleon, the manager of the Manatee County Neighborhood Connections Division, likes to say that the program is a way to give back to people who pay taxes to the county and fees to their local HOAs. “We want a nice community in which to live,” Deleon said. “If we can give you some money because you are trying to do a project, and it is going to help the community look better and unite your peeps, your community, it’s a win-win

for everybody.”

The program receives $60,000 from the county budget each fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. Deleon hopes that figure will rise soon considering the program’s rise in popularity. This year’s fund has been depleted to about $12,000 in less than five months. The program is easily on track to use its entire allotment for the first time since it started in 2018.

Each neighborhood that applies is eligible to receive grants up to $10,000 if it is willing to match the grant dollar for dollar. Grants of $1,000 or less do not require any matching. Organizations applying for grants must gain neighborhood-level approval of their projects before applying for grants, Deleon said.

There is one caveat to the eligibility rule, Manatee County Neighborhood Services Coordinator Simone Peterson said. Gated communities can only receive grants for projects that are outside their gates or involve removal of invasive plant species, which can spread outside the gates through spores or pollinating animals if they are not removed.

“These grants are for the public good,” Peterson said. “So if [the public] has to go and get access to your neighborhood, then it kind of has this feeling of being shut out where it’s not really for the entire county.”

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

NEIGHBORHOOD ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM Started: 2018 Funds per year: $60,000 Fiscal year 2021 funds remaining: $12,000 Grants available: Up to $10,000

Brendan Lavell

Mote Ranch HOA Board Director Brenda Miller wants all of the foliage on Old Farm Road to look like this section behind her, which is free from invasive species to create an “old Florida” feel.

Grants can be provided for projects involving landscaping, community gardens, landmark restoration, neighborhood watch equipment, pedestrian safety programming and much more, in addition to removal of invasive plant species.

Mote Ranch will use its $10,000 grant to remove 50 to 60 invasive trees and bushes, primarily Brazilian pepper trees, in March.

The invasive plants are located along a 1,740-foot stretch of Old Farm Road that ends at the intersection with Honore Road, said

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Mote Ranch HOA’s board director, Brenda Miller.

The HOA unanimously approved the project in October 2020. Before the organization could apply for a grant, however, it had to make sure all aspects of the project were in place. Miller said that meant getting quotes from landscaping companies and approval from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, among other tasks. The total cost came out to about $21,000, of which the HOA will pay about $11,000, thanks to the grant.

Miller said it’s worth it to remove the invasive species that are overwhelming the native sabal palms, wax myrtles, saw palmettos and so on. She wants to see Old Farm Road become an embodiment of “old Florida” nature.

“The point is to finally finish Old Farm Road and make it look as majestic as it does on the other side,” Miller said. “We’re blessed to have Manatee step up and give us a grant. We’re taking advantage of it.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Focus on administrator search SCOTT HOPES

File photo

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Dom DiMaio says he is not interested in working for Manatee County in an interim role and would only accept the administrator job on a permanent basis.

Commissioners consider three main candidates.

BRENDAN LAVELL | STAFF WRITER

W

ith attorney and former Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines withdrawing from consideration to be Manatee County’s interim administrator,

Manatee County commissioners have until March 23 to fill the role.

But while commissioners talked about Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Dom DiMaio, Mana-

A previous Florida Commission on Ethics ruling from a similar situation would clear the way for Scott Hopes to remain on the school board while serving as interim administrator, if he gets the job. However, Hopes said he would leave the board if the Manatee County Commission wanted.

If he does get the interim job, Hopes said the commissioners should go forward with their plan to conduct a national search even if they love the job he’s doing.

“I know everybody in that search is going to be compared to my performance,” Hopes said.

“They’re either going to be able to demonstrate that they’ve had greater success in a similar situation than I have had in the previous six months or 12 months, or not. I like competing. I am all for competition. The whole objective is to ensure that the taxpayers get the best value for their money.

Whatever that is.”

Hopes said the job he’s done as part of the Manatee County School Board and his extensive business administration background are reasons he is the best candidate for the interim position. That experience includes his time working on the executive team for Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, where he managed a $15 billion budget. He said he knows how to bring “basic business management fundamentals to the county government bureaucracy.”

He also said the new commission needs someone who understands the commissioners’ “side of the fence” and acts in their best

ABOUT SCOTT HOPES Current job: Manatee County School Board member since 2017 Administrative/political experience: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Office of Health Policy director; Florida Planning, Accounting and Ledger Management trustee/board member; DaVita Kidney Care East Coast Operations senior vice president; University of South Florida System trustee/board member; Ernst & Young Health Care Planning and Operations senior consultant Education: Doctorate in business administration, University of South Florida; master’s in public health/ epidemiology and biostatistics, University of South Florida; bachelor’s in natural sciences and biology, University of South Florida Residence: Whitfield Estates

interest, rather than controlling the information they have to steer them to the decision the administrator wants to make.

tee County School Board member Scott Hopes and former Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills as being prime candidates for the job, DiMaio said he only would be interested in the permanent job. The other two would be interested in the permanent job as well.

Here is a look at the three.

ABOUT DOM DIMAIO Current job: President/CEO of Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance since 2019 Administrative/political experience: Synovus Bank Division CEO; Firstrust Bank senior vice president; Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation board member; State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota Board of Trustees member Education: Master’s in business administration/finance and tax, Widener University; bachelor’s in business administration/marketing, Widener University Residence: Lakewood Ranch DOM DIMAIO

Dom DiMaio said he only wants the permanent position. He said he enjoys working for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and wouldn’t want to leave it for a temporary gig, As much as he loves his current job, DiMaio said part of the reason the permanent administrator job appeals to him is because he misses executive leadership and more intensive problem-solving.

He likes the idea of working with county directors to find solutions for infrastructure issues caused by development and growth.

DiMaio said the county needs a change in direction and that he could use his banking acumen and decades of experience in executive leadership to move the county forward. For example, he suggested the county could use more of its reserves to fund its most pressing projects.

“I’m a problem-solver,” DiMaio said. “I’ve been through two downturns. I know turnaround management. I know how to handle situations when things are going in the wrong direction.

I ran a several-billion-dollar division of a public company.”

ABOUT RICK MILLS Current job: Retired Administrative/political experience: Manatee County School District superintendent; Minneapolis Public Schools CEO; Chicago Public Schools chief of schools; U.S. Army armor/cavalry officer Education: Master’s in business management, Webster University; master’s in national security, Naval Postgraduate School Residence: Bradenton

RICK MILLS

Rick Mills is retired, but he was formerly the superintendent of the Manatee County School District. Although he has enjoyed retirement, he misses working.

If he earns the interim job, Mills said he wants to get a feel for working with the Manatee County commissioners over his first few months before deciding if he is interested in the permanent job.

Likewise, he thinks they should get a feel for working with him.

“I once heard from a sales guy in the auto industry [that] you don't go buy a brand new model when it comes out,” Mills said.

“You wait and see how well it runs and works before you go buy one.

We've seen that before. You put an interim in there; you like the results and outcomes and what's going on; you find out that that's not something that you need down the road.

“That's a natural occurrence that happens all the time. And they've made a commitment to

doing a national search. But if they evaluate it after the time frame they're looking at, and it's working really well, and things are going well for the county, it's quite possible they might decide not to do it.”

Mills said he is the best candidate for the interim job because of his leadership experience in the military and government as well as his 16 years of experience in public education. He said he is an outcome-oriented person with a history of producing results based on strategic plans and budgets. He pointed specifically to the improvements he said the Manatee County School District made financially and academically while he was superintendent from 2013 to 2015.

Mills said he would be a transparent and direct administrator who would prioritize regaining public trust. He said his salary is a nonfactor in his interest.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

District celebrates champions

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osh Hunsader, a Braden River High School student, stood among his fellow band members March 1 and played a solo on his saxophone as the band began to play “We Are the Champions.”

As the rendition of the classic song continued, the school’s choir started singing, but the words were different than what people would normally hear.

The choir changed the lyrics to reflection appreciation for the more than 6,000 School District of Manatee County employees who have worked every day to support one another and the district’s nearly 50,000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The performance was a part of the district’s kickoff to its Champions of Education, a two-week celebration that started March 1 to show appreciation for all district employees.

“To be a champion, you’re a fighter, you’re a protector, and when we go back, and we reflect on the year on the year behind us, that’s exactly how I would describe each and every one of you because you did more than just educate our students this year,” said Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County.

Faith Bench, a former Braden River Middle School math teacher and 2020 Educator of the Year who now serves the district as a curriculum specialist, thanked the teachers and staff for their

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dedication to the students throughout the year. She reflected on the school year as a teacher, district administrator and mother of a son, Bradyn, who is now in middle school.

“It is because of you that students across our district continue to learn and achieve great outcomes,” Bench said. “I have seen resilience, compassion, resourcefulness and most of all overwhelming love that we all have for our students. … If there was ever a year for teachers to rely on excuses, it might be this year, but over and over again, I go into classrooms, and I don’t hear excuses.

Instead, I see tremendous growth and change happening.”

The Manatee Education Foundation raised $86,000 for the celebration. Employees will be given food, giveaways, a certificate of recognition and more throughout the two weeks.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

5A

No luck with lottery system?

Manatee County commissioners say lottery system for vaccinations might need to be scraped or tweaked.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

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Manatee County commissioners want to change the county’s lottery system used to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

Commissioners who favored changes to the registration system said at the commission’s Feb. 23 regular meeting that the lottery had served its purpose by preventing the registration website from crashing and seniors from repeatedly taking time out of their days to try to get registered for a limited number of spots every time a new shipment of vaccine doses arrived.

However, they no longer believe the lottery is the most effective way to select people for vaccination.

Commissioner Reggie Bellamy first broached the idea. He wanted to switch to something resembling first come, first served. Other commissioners, such as James Satcher and Vanessa Baugh, supported exploring changes.

Satcher favored a system that would use registration numbers to take the first, say, 25,000 people to register and randomize them, essentially creating a series of mini-lotteries that account for the general time when people registered.

Baugh said Feb. 26 that she pre-

ferred a system that would simply start from the first registration number and move down the list from there, but she also liked Satcher’s idea.

Commissioner George Kruse said the lottery was instituted to make life easier for citizens who couldn’t get to a computer at certain times of day. At this point, he said, everyone who wanted to sign up should be registered. He suggested taking all the names in the pool and randomizing them now, so everyone knows where they are in line rather than enduring the agony of the unknown.

Kruse didn’t like the idea of switching to first come, first served because he said some people decided not to register immediately when the county switched to a lottery system in order to help prevent the registration website from crashing.

“We told them it doesn’t matter if you’re number 4,000 or 40,000, [that] you have the same chance,” Kruse said. “They might have taken a few extra days.

Maybe they didn’t get a babysitter for their kids. Maybe they said, ‘I’ll go when I’m downtown anyway, and I’ll hit that computer.’ Because we promised them there was no disadvantage. You were not in any worse spot if you signed up today or tomorrow or a month from now.”

WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING Sarasota: First-come, firstserved waitlist Hillsborough: Preregistration through Florida portal Pinellas: Preregistration through independent company portal Polk: First-come, firstserved waitlist Hardee: Preregistration through Florida portal DeSoto: Preregistration through Florida portal File photo

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge was never thrilled with the lottery system. However, he is wary of making a change now because he said the decision to go with a lottery amounted to a commitment to Manatee County citizens.

Baugh said a change will likely upset some people who were told the lottery would provide an even playing field for them no matter when they signed up. However, she also said some people will be unhappy no matter what decision the county makes.

As evidence, she pointed to the large number of angry emails she and her fellow commissioners receive from constituents upset by the lottery system.

After commissioners told Pub-

A health department worker gives a COVID-19 vaccination Feb. 17 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

lic Safety Director Jacob Saur to evaluate which of their suggestions would be technologically feasible at the Feb. 23 meeting, Baugh had a briefing last week with Public Safety Department representatives and Information Technology Services Director Paul Alexander. She said they don’t want to change the lottery system because they believe most of the people in the county’s standby pool will receive vaccinations by April.

Baugh said that based on what she learned in the briefing, vaccination appointments could “definitely” be organized by registration number, which indicates the

order in which people registered.

She is unsure if the system could be organized by date. Saur did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Baugh said changing the system is even more important amid reports that Gov. Ron DeSantis will lower the age requirement to 60 or 55 for people to get vaccines in March. Although she supports the idea of expanding the pool, she is concerned people who are still waiting to receive vaccinations after registering for the pool in the first few days after it opened Jan. 7 will have to wait even longer.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

File photo

Dr. Mona Jain Middle School seventh grader Emery Houston waits to enter the answer to an online quiz on a laptop. The school district hopes to provide a laptop for every student in the next five years.

A Chromebook on every desk The School District of Manatee County begins a 5-year plan to assure its students have the technology to succeed.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

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From Chromebooks to Promethean boards to desktops and tablets, students and teachers are using technology more than ever in the classroom and at home.

Facing that reality, the School

District of Manatee County is working toward having a device for each of its nearly 50,000 students.

By the end of April, the district will have about 32,000 Chromebooks, getting closer to its goal.

The goal is part of the district’s five-year technology plan, which

was approved by the School Board of Manatee County in December.

The district is in its early stages of implementing the plan.

Genelle Zoratti Yost, the deputy superintendent of instructional services, said it’s important each student has a device in the future, especially with the possibility

e-learning might become more utilized. For example, if a hurricane hit or students had surgery that would force them to be home for a few weeks, they could continue to log in from home and attend classes virtually.

Zoratti Yost said a positive that has arisen from the pandemic has been that teachers and staff members have adapted to using more technology in class.

“I want to believe that our instructors will continue to grow and that we can provide the training and the knowledge so they can implement technology as much as possible in their classrooms,” she said. “With all educators that’s going to vary to a degree depending on your content and your technology knowledge.”

Students from pre-K through senior year of high school have been learning how to navigate Schoology, the district’s online learning platform, and other online resources.

“Many of these children are so accustomed to technology,” Zoratti Yost said. “Sometimes they have the upper hand, if you will, and they’re teaching us at times, but even our 4-year-olds are capable of utilizing technology for instruction.”

Students already are able to access online textbooks to work on assignments in class and at home, but physical copies of the textbooks will continue to be available at the schools.

More teachers are asking students to submit their assignments online as well.

Zoratti Yost said the increase of integration of technology into the classroom won’t happen overnight, but the district hopes it will become more regular as teachers learn more and find engaging

ways to use it in their classrooms.

Teachers already have been able to start finding unique ways to use technology with the help of the Promethean boards or Samsung displays, which replace the typical chalkboard.

“The Promethean boards provide an opportunity to open the classroom to the world,” Zoratti Yost said. “You can take virtual field trips, you can speak with another school in the same county or across the nation. I think the sky’s the limit with Promethean boards as long as the teacher is educated on the many uses.”

Although students will have more access to technology, Zoratti Yost said it won’t distract or take away from the experience of interacting with teachers and classmates.

“That face-to-face communication and instruction is critical to the learning process,” she said.

“We would not want to take that away, and because many of us have different learning styles … we need to provide multimodality approaches within our classrooms.”

To offset the overuse of technology in the classroom, Zoratti Yost said teachers will need to focus on social emotional learning and find ways to bring students together for conversations and interaction within small or large groups.

“We know that those conversations are important to the learning process and the health and welfare of all of our students,” Zoratti Yost said. “It’s not just math, science and English language arts. We have to balance that with the social emotional content that looks at the whole child so we have well balanced individuals.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

EAST COUNTY

ABOUT THE COUPLE Who: Angela Horan and Gary Bergstrom Reside: Myakka City Ages: Angela is 42; Gary is 53.

Children: Three boys each (Angela’s are Deven, 21; Derek 21; and Aidan, 12; Gary’s are Jacob, 31; Corey, 23; and Logan, 17.)

Gary’s job: Director of sales for Trident Building Systems of Sarasota Wedding day: March 20

TIME FOR A BIGGER

BUCKET LIST Myakka City bride and groom should have a busy future after heart transplant expands their possibilities.

Jay Heater

Above: Gary Bergstrom and Angela Horan will be married at their Myakka City home March 20.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

t wasn’t the typical first date after Angela Horan and Gary Bergstrom met at Seasons 52 in Sarasota on March 17, 2015.

They had come together through the Plenty of Fish dating site, and unlike many who launch profiles, they were honest with each other about everything.

Almost everything.

Horan did leave out one important tidbit. She was wearing a control unit and battery pack that ran her left ventricular assist device.

Simply put, she had a mechanically controlled heartbeat.

“Nowhere on her profile did it say, ‘I am dying,’” Bergstrom said.

Likely, she figured, it was going to be more of a deal breaker than chain smoking or horrible breath.

Bergstrom was an action kind of guy who loved to ride motorcycles, hike up mountains and bungee jump. Horan had wires coming out of her that controlled her heartbeat. One dip in the hot tub, and zap, it would be all over.

He wasn’t sure why this woman intrigued him, but she did.

Through the course of dinner, he knew he wanted to see her again.

On the way home, he left the parking lot first, and she followed him in her car. She started checking her phone and promptly ran into the back end of Bergstrom’s car.

This surely would be it. But as Bergstrom approached the driver’s side window, he leaned over and kissed her.

On March 20, outside their Myakka City home, the two will be married.

Michelle Borrero of Precious Moments Events was at the home last week planning an event that will be attended by close to 300 people, many of whom have been inspired by the couple’s story.

“Gary and Angela are very humble and kind,” Borrero said.

“They have gone through a lot, and they are not sweating the small stuff.”

While Horan made a bucket list in 2015 of things she wanted to do

after that first date, Bergstrom was making plans. He never expected she wouldn’t be around for the long run.

He did, however, know there would be figurative mountains to climb.

Horan was on the waiting list for a new heart, and she was fading. Diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at 36, the very system that kept her heart beating also was damaging what was left of it.

“We would be sitting, having a conversation, and she would pass out,” Bergstrom said. “She would have no idea she had blacked out.

It was disheartening to experience each night.”

But he got her moving.

They went to Key West a few months after meeting, and she rode the mechanical bull at Cowboy Bill’s. Bergstrom stood up and moved in super slow motion to represent the bull’s speed that night. The operator asked her why she wanted to go so slow.

“I have wires coming out of me, and if one comes out, I will die,” she replied.

Later at Coyote Ugly, Bergstrom was looking around for her and eventually looked toward the bar.

Horan was dancing on it.

They went deep-sea fishing,

walked in the ocean (very carefully) and played pool at 8-Ball Lounge in Sarasota.

On Dec. 19, 2015, they received the news that a donor’s heart had been found after the death of a 50-year-old Homosassa woman, Laurie Kramer. Horan had surgery that day.

Although her body initially rejected the new heart, she slowly improved. In 2018, they went on a motorcycle trip through Europe, seeing Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco and France from the seat of a Harley-Davidson.

Horan had initially thought she would hold Bergstrom back, but they were doing everything together.

On the five-year anniversary of her heart transplant, Bergstrom proposed at their Myakka City home.

“Only an idiot wouldn’t say it’s time after everything we’ve been through,” Bergstrom said.

When the two get married, they will have a special guest. Doug Vose, an Alabama, N.Y., resident whose mom’s heart now beats in Horan, said he will have tears in his eyes as the two get married.

They won’t be tears of sadness.

“I will be there to celebrate,” Vose said. “Every time that heart beats, that’s a big piece of my mom.”

Vose connected with Horan and Bergstrom because mutual friends of the two families had figured out where Kramer’s heart had gone. They all hit it off immediately, and Vose has since visited Horan and Bergstrom several times in Florida.

“Angela is a wonderful person,” Vose said. “It’s a hard thing, but I wanted to see who could go on.”

Vose said his mother was a giving person, who often volunteered for animal causes, such as saving trumpeter swans.

“It’s bittersweet,” Vose said.

“It’s hard to think that one person passing can mean another person can live, but it does.”

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com; Brendan Lavell, BLavell@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; Carol Parker, CParker@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio, PDiGregorio@YourObserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver. com; Chrissy Guevera, CGuevara@ YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Bob Lewis, BLewis@ YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver. com; Lori Downey, LDowney@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Kelly Florez, KFlorez@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator/ Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Allison Wampole Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver. com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Keisacker, LKeisacker@YourObserver. com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@YourObserver. com

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Gary Bergstrom says he always had faith that Angela Horan would come through her heart transplant surgery.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

9A

JAY HEATER

Will golf event eventually pay off?

D

uring the week prior to the World Golf Championships at The Concession, members of the club told me how they carried around a little square, rubber mat with them during their golf rounds.

When they had to hit a shot in the fairway, they dropped the mat to the ground and set the ball on it. That way, when they swung, they wouldn’t leave a divot.

Yes, when those NBC cameras flew over the course, The Concession Owner Bruce Cassidy Sr. and the membership wanted the course to look pristine.

It did.

Four days of golf on the world’s grandest stage — 47 of the top 50 ranked players in the world were present — have come and gone, and now, hopefully, it’s time to reap the rewards.

It couldn’t have gone better for The Concession as the players lined up to voice their approval.

They didn’t just like the place; they said they can’t wait to get back, even though the PGA Tour has no event scheduled for the area in the future.

Major champion Paul Azinger, NBC’s golf analyst for the broadcast, should be shipped a couple cases of Tropicana oranges, courtesy of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, for his commentary. Azinger, who has to be a tad biased because he is a Concession

Jay Heater

Only a few invited guests could attend the World Golf Championships at The Concession, so Manatee County is left hoping for another event for a full economic impact.

member, made the course seem like the Pebble Beach of the East.

Then the current pros rushed to agree with him.

Billy Horschel, who finished in a tie for second, said the greens reminded him of Augusta National, which hosts the Masters each year. Patrick Reed called the course “awesome,” and Rory McIlroy talked about everyone having better knowledge of the course when — not if — the PGA Tour returns.

Golf Channel analyst Mark Rolfing said he was mesmerized watching the world’s best chip to the very difficult green complexes. Jim “Bones” Mackay, the current analyst and former caddy for Phil Mickelson, added levity, saying The Concession had several places around the

course where you could lose a few strokes, and “a few places you could lose a limb.”

That was in reference to those alligator shots that showed up during the Golf Channel and NBC coverage.

Everything seemed perfect, except Manatee County residents have no idea when or if the PGA Tour ever will return.

That’s OK if you are Cassidy because The Concession is going to reap benefits in terms of new club members and homeowners from the past week. That’s a given. It definitely was worth all that new sand you put in the course’s bunkers and all those new flowers at The Concession’s entrance.

If you are a Manatee County resident, you might not be con-

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vinced the World Golf Championships has rattled your world.

Elliott Falcione, the executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, earmarked $250,000 of taxpayer money toward sponsoring the event. Bradenton, or Lakewood Ranch for that matter, had no signs on course and no commercials during the coverage.

Basically, it was money given to the PGA Tour to strengthen a relationship that has no guarantees but plenty of promise.

Still, it’s hard to see that promise. Cassidy said he doesn’t want an annual event, so that rules out most of the opportunities, unless he has changed his mind. Few other opportunities would seem to exist, unless the PGA Championships would be

an option in the next 10 years.

Sponsoring the event seemed a no-brainer because Manatee County Commissioners agreed with Falcione that the quartermillion dollars is money in the bank.

Now, though, would be a good time for Manatee County elected officials and staff members to practice transparency. Educate us as to the future payoff. In the coming weeks, if people around the world are checking out the Bradenton, Manatee County and Lakewood Ranch websites, let us know. If they are visiting our beaches and our other attractions, show us the statistics.

If the PGA Tour has plans for a return, enlighten us. Because, as well all know, no fans were allowed into his event, so our local businesses and restaurants only saw a minor gain from the 2021 event. We’re all hoping this wasn’t a one-and-done.

Please, county officials, keep us informed. That way we can all embrace the next similar opportunity, and the next, and the next.

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

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Books for Kids adds new chapter

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Lakewood Ranch’s Hilary Lipman was ready for her weekly Zoom call Feb. 11.

She logged in to see Elijah Betancourt, a second grader at James Tillman Elementary School, pop up on her screen for their mentoring session.

Betancourt sent screenshots of the book “Spider-Man’s Worst Enemies” to Lipman, so she could follow along as he read to her.

Lipman has been working with Betancourt on his reading skills since October 2020 through the Books for Kids mentoring program.

The mentoring program is one of the ways Books for Kids has shifted gears during the pandemic to continue supporting students in the School District of Manatee County.

The school district hasn’t been allowing visitors on campus, so

Books for Kids distributes hundreds of books during Soar.

Books for Kids volunteers haven’t been able to go into the classrooms to read and discuss books with students before distributing a book to each student.

“We miss desperately going into classrooms,” said Ted Lindenberg, the director of Books for Kids. “We miss that closeness. We miss the relationships.”

Before the pandemic, there were 150 volunteers going into 150 first, second and third grade classrooms across nine schools within the school district.

Lindenberg said the organization has found ways to compensate for not being able to physically be in the classrooms, including dropping off books outside the front doors of the schools, distributing books during SOAR in 4

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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dation for learning any subject,” Lipman said. “It’s something I’m passionate about, and it brings me a lot of joy. The biggest thing I miss about not being in person is the excitement on kids’ faces.”

Lipman has enjoyed getting to know an individual student better because she can spend more time with the student. She learns about the student’s family and what the student likes or dislikes.

Since Lipman has started working with Betancourt, she’s noticed he is wanting to challenge himself by trying to read more difficult books.

“He has a little more confidence in himself,” Lipman said.

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events and developing a mentoring program between Books for Kids and students in the district.

SOAR in 4 is a program that focuses on ensuring children have the opportunities and support needed to succeed in school.

Books for Kids has been distributing 3,000 books per month to 3,000 children.

Lindenberg said the organization started the virtual mentoring program to reach out individually to children.

More than 30 volunteers work with about 30 students one on one to assist with reinforcing vocabulary and common words as well as to listen to children read.

Lipman has been a volunteer for Books for Kids for the past two and a half years and would go to Ballard Elementary School to read and distribute books.

She wanted to be a part of the virtual mentoring program to give someone the “gift of reading.”

“It is such an important foun-

11A

THUR 11TH & 25TH

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch started the Books for Kids program in 2014 with a goal to raise reading levels of elementary school students by helping with reading comprehension and providing books to students, so they could develop their own libraries at home.

Now the program has about 150 volunteers who go into nine schools in the School District of Manatee County to read and distribute books to first, second and third graders.

Since its inception, Ted Lindenberg, who is the director of the program, said the program has distributed 74,000 books.

If you’re interested in volunteering, visit FLBooksForKids. org/Contact-Us to send an email through the website, or call 845-304-5793.

File photo

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

MARCH

ABOUT BOOKS FOR KIDS

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, works with Ted Lindenberg, the director of Books for Kids, to find ways for the program to continue to support students in the district.

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Jean and Myriam Dandonneau met in Paris 15 years ago.

The now-married couple have long-since bonded over their passion for food and wine, but they never dreamed they would own a restaurant — especially in the U.S. The idea first came to them while they were eating lunch with a friend in 2014.

“I’m tired of France,” Jean Dandonneau remembered his friend saying. “I pay taxes too much.

Would you be an investor with us?”

The Dandonneaus weren’t ready to invest in a restaurant, and their friend never pursued his plan. But the idea stuck with them. They visited Florida; fell in love with its weather, nature and architecture; moved to the state in June 2016; and attacked their goal without fear.

“It was a dream,” Jean Dandonneau said. “And we are workers.

So when we have an idea in mind, we give all the energy we have.”

Three months after their arrival, they teamed up with down-

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town Sarasota-based bistro C’est La Vie and started a franchise location at University Town Center. After a four-year partnership, the Dandonneaus split from C’est La Vie in October and rebranded as Mademoiselle Paris.

The Dandonneaus have made a few changes since setting out on their own. For one, they’ve increased their emphasis on dinner. That meant adding new dishes, such as risotto with scallops and boeuf bourguignon, a beef stew braised in red wine.

Speaking of wine, the Dandonneaus like to think they know it pretty well. When they sold their house in France, they also had to sell 700 bottles of wine.

“My heart was broken each time,” Jean Dandonneau said.

“Because I picked them one by one.”

Since rebranding as Mademoiselle Paris, they have refined their wine list. Most of their

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Aside from food and wine, the Dandonneaus pride themselves on creating a friendly environment. It starts with themselves and their employees.

“We try to do some things to bond with each other, to drink a little bit, to talk about each other,” Jean Dandonneau said. “Life is short. You [shouldn’t go] to work and say, ‘No, I don’t want to work with these people.’”

It helps they love the people of the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

“You have a very positive state of mind,” Jean Dandonneau said.

“Every day, people tell us this is wonderful, this is great. France can be a little grumpy sometimes.”

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Many of these changes have been made to bring more authenticity to the restaurant. They also employ two French chefs, Max Sabel and Arnaud Wallet, the latter of whom used to cook in Paris and has 22 years of experience.

However, some changes have been made to put a spin on classic French options. For example, they added a maple bacon croissant to appeal to Canada natives, among

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Liz Ramos

Country Club East’s Jeannine Abele, who is a tutor, and Michelle Desveaux McLean, the executive director of the Manatee Literacy Council, work with learners to develop their English speaking and reading skills.

Literacy nonprofit seeks volunteers With 68 people on the waiting list, the Manatee Literacy Council is searching for those willing to help.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Lakewood Ranch’s Maria Alvarez knew that in order to get a job, she would need to become more proficient in English.

Although she was a psychologist in her home country of Venezuela, Alvarez said she wouldn’t be able to get a job in the same field in the U.S. because of the language barrier.

Since she moved to Lakewood Ranch in September 2020, Alvarez has been working as a nanny and delivery driver. She’s thinking about pursuing a career in massage therapy.

Alvarez started researching classes to help her learn how to speak and read in English and

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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14A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ABOUT MANATEE LITERACY COUNCIL The Manatee Literacy Council, which was formed in 1978, is a volunteer-based nonprofit working toward increasing the level of functional literacy in adults in the county. The nonprofit’s volunteer tutors work with learners oneon-one to develop English and reading skills. Programs include conversation classes, workplace literacy classes, financial literacy and digital literacy.

discovered the Manatee Literacy Council, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the level of functional literacy in adults in Manatee County.

The Manatee Literacy Council has volunteers who work with learners one on one or in a group to develop their skills in speaking and reading in English, prepare learners for the U.S. citizenship test and more.

The nonprofit also offers conservation and workplace literacy classes. The council is developing

programs for digital and financial literacy with the hopes of starting them in the summer and fall.

Michelle Desveaux McLean, the executive director of the Manatee Literacy Council, said the nonprofit is always in need of more tutors, especially since the pandemic began and several tutors decided to stop volunteering because they didn’t feel comfortable tutoring online.

There are currently 68 people on the council’s waitlist to become learners.

Country Club East’s Jeannine Abele started tutoring a small group of Manatee County residents a year ago and was able to meet twice with her group in person before being forced to move to virtual meetings.

“It was a huge change, especially for the learners,” Abele said.

Desveaux McLean said that in the past month she’s started to see volunteers return to the nonprofit as they’ve adjusted to communicating with others virtually.

Although Desveaux McLean can’t wait for tutors and learners to be able to meet in person again, she said the nonprofit will continue to provide online class-

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es because it alleviates issues including transportation and child care for learners.

Alvarez said the conversation classes she participates in every week help her feel connected to others during the pandemic while growing her confidence in speaking to others.

In the conversation classes, participants will go over specific topics, such as banking and irregular nouns.

As a tutor, Abele said being a part of the program is a learning experience for her as much as it is for her learners.

Abele has grown an appreciation for English, and while she teaches her learners English, they help her learn Spanish.

“You learn so much about the language,” Abele said. “You learn so much about other people from other cultures and their challenges. I feel like I’m much more empathetic now to folks coming into our country trying to learn English now that I see how hard it is.”

Being a tutor doesn’t come without its challenges, though, Abele said.

“You’re trying to understand

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

what their needs are and prepare the right kind of lessons for them to help meet their needs and to maximize that time you have together,” she said. “It’s challenging to come up with new, unique creative ways to teach. You want to see your learners smiling and having fun in class. To see them building confidence is rewarding.”

Tutors often develop relationships with their learners.

“When they come and ask you for help on things totally outside the class, you know you have a relationship there that they value and you value as a tutor,” Abele said.

Desveaux McLean and Abele both said it’s rewarding to see the growth their learners make while in the programs.

“I’ll never forget the look on people’s faces when they are so empowered to take charge of their own life, whether it’s being able to read a book to a grandchild or pass the citizenship test or get that new job,” Desveaux McLean said.

15A

BECOME A LEARNER Learn more: Go to Manatee-Literacy. org.

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Training: All volunteers must go through a training session.

Teaching experience: None required

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Oh, the places you can go Give yourself a spring break by staying in East County.

Tucker and dad Winston Ritchey enjoy the obstacle courses at TreeUmph!

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

S

pring break could look different for many L a k e wo o d Ranch families as a result of the pandemic.

Some are still wary about flying or traveling to other states and are opting to stay close to home.

River Club’s Patricia Juliano usually travels with her family to

File photos

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New York to visit family, but her husband, Frank, is still nervous.

“This spring break, we are going to do a staycation,” Juliano said. “We’re kind of bummed about that, but we are still a little wary about getting on a plane without the COVID-19 vaccine. I’m vaccinated, but my husband is not. I’m hoping he can get vaccinated by early summer, so we can travel then.”

Instead, the Julianos and their two children, Isabella and Nicolas, will go to DEFY, a Bradenton trampoline park, and to Siesta Key for a beach day. The farthest the family will travel is to Orlando to go to Walt Disney World.

“I feel for my kids this year because they really wanted to go on a ski trip,” Juliano said. “I kind of wanted to go, too.

Park City, Utah, or Jackson Hole, Wyo., would have been awesome. Maybe next year.”

One of the family’s favorite memories of past spring breaks in New York is seeing the St. Patrick’s Day parades, but they’re hoping to make up for it this year by going to McGrath’s Irish Ale House on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s a perfect place to wear our green and have a pint or two of Guinness March 17,” Juliano said. “We’re definitely looking forward to that.”

For those wanting to stay in East County, here are some options for fun during spring break.

RANCH NITE WEDNESDAY When: 5-8 p.m. March 17 Where: Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota Cost: Free Details: Enjoy playing games including cornhole while listening to music. Grab dinner from the different food trucks available.

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Greenbrook’s Matt and Lisa Buck chow down on food from Cigar City Smokers during their first Ranch Nite Wednesdays. The food trucks at the event provide multiple options for people to indulge.

NATHAN BENDERSON PARK ULTIMATE CAMP When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Meet under the Benderson finish tower.

Cost: Full day, $200 per child; half-day, $100 per child Ages: 6-14 Details: Children will have fun fishing, paddleboarding, sailing, canoeing, rowing, doing archery and more.

For more information: NathanBendersonPark.org/ programming/camps

EvErY Sunday FrOm 10am tO 2pm aT thE LAkEWOOd rAnch MEdiCAL CEnTEr 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

JUMPIN FUN INFLATA PARK When: 3:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 3:30-9 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays Where: Jumpin Fun Inflata Park, 7321 Trade Court, Sarasota Cost: $14.95-$22.95 for people older than 5 years old; $9.95 for children 5 years old and younger Details: Enjoy 15 interactive elements covering 15,000 square feet in the largest inflatable adventure park in the country.

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16A

THE FISH HOLE AT LAKEWOOD RANCH When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

PREMIER ESCAPE ADVENTURES When: 1-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays; 1-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; closed Mondays Where: 7369 52nd Place E., Bradenton Cost: $30 per person Details: Try to escape a themed room with a story by finding clues and solving puzzles. You only have 60 minutes to escape.

More information: PremierEscapeAdventures.com

Saturdays Where: Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, 10725 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch Cost: $9.79 per person Details: Try to get a hole in one on an 18-hole miniature golf course.

More information: TheFishHole. com TREEUMPH! ADVENTURE COURSE When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; closed Wednesdays Where: TreeUmph! Adventure Course, 21805 E. S.R. 70, Bradenton Cost: $55.95 for climbers 12 years old and older; $37.95 for ages 9-11; $25.95 for ages 7 and 8 Details: Make your way through five courses with gravity-defying obstacles.

More information: TreeUmph. com

17A

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CARE Esthetics

Lakewood Ranch Dental is proud to announce it will now be offering all-natural facial rejuvenation procedures to treat facial aging. Both Dr. Michael Kanter and Dr. Richard Miron will be part of a nationally recognized new trend that favors natural facial esthetics under the name CARE Esthetics which is short for Center for Advanced Rejuvenation and Esthetics.

DEFY When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays Where: 7385 52nd Place E., suite 29, Bradenton Cost: $14.49-$23.99 for people 7 years old and older; $10.99$17.99 for children 6 and under Details: Defy gravity in the indoor recreation park that includes obstacle courses, a zip line, trampolines and trapeze.

More information: Defy.com

“We are so pleased we can bring these very novel techniques to reverse facial aging right here in Lakewood Ranch.” stated Dr Richard Miron. “Men and woman can now feel safe when they are trying to look their best.”

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Savanna’s Mariella and Maya Mayrina have fun playing miniature golf at The Fish Hole on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

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18A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Circus arts Conservatory highlights nationwide talent for benefit show.

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he pandemic has rolled on into 2021 and has continued to affect local arts and performance groups, and the Circus Arts Conservatory is no exception.

The planned Big Top 2021 season was canceled in January, but CEO Pedro Reis and visiting performer Darren Trull still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

A circus benefit show called “Prevail!” will run March 5-7 at the Sailor Circus Arena on Bahia Vista Street and return the following weekend for a total of 10 performances.

Reis has spearheaded countless shows in his career and said “Prevail!” came together through conversations with staff and Trull, an aerial-strap performer who lives in Canada. He started talking to Reis about training students while staying with his parents in Sarasota, but the conversation evolved into a new show.

Coach Miguel Vargas and Trull assembled a series of performers from across the country and throughout the world, many of whom have performed with Cirque du Soleil.

Circus Arts Conservatory Managing Director Jennifer Mitchell said the venue was also a big draw. The 10 performers will put on a show from the Sailor Circus Arena, with standard social distancing rules in place that include masks and limited seating capac-

Courtesy photos

Joseph Bauer Jr. will return as ringmaster for the show.

ity. The show will be streamed for digital viewers starting March 12.

“From a performance angle, there [are] very few operating services putting performances on,” Mitchell said. “With so many artists around the world looking for these kinds of spaces, we’re lucky here in Sarasota.”

The lineup includes a mix of ground and aerial acts performing solo and as duos. Alanna Baker, who toured with the “OVO” production, will put on an aerial lyra hoop show. Oli Poitras plans to scale a Chinese pole and execute

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IF YOU GO CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY’S ‘PREVAIL!’ When: In person March 5-7; online March 12-14 Where: Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Tickets: $20-$50; digital streaming $25 Info: CircusArts.org

dazzling moves, while duo MarieLee Gilbert and Philippe Bélanger will put on a show with their unicycle act. Sarasota figure Joseph

Bauer Jr. is the show’s ringmaster.

“Since the industry shut down, everyone’s been building their own personalized acts,” Trull said. “So a lot of these will be some of the first places that [the performers] test them out with an audience.”

More than just a collection of acts, Reis, Vargas and Trull have paid attention to each act’s pacing and energy with hopes of taking audiences through a beginning, a middle and an end.

“It’s not rocket science; it’s a feeling,” he said. “You just feel it, and you place the energy in the right place.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

19A

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Surviving child abuse

S H OWS T H I S W E E K E N D !

T H E C I R C U S A R TS CO N S E RVATO RY P R E S E N TS

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

E

ast County’s Cindy Spray said the signs were there, if only people had looked a little closer.

Growing up poor in the 1960s in Indiana and Arkansas, Spray had a terrifying childhood as the victim of an abusive father.

One of 11 children living in the household, she remained silent for years — from the age of 6 until she was 14 — hoping her father’s abuse was mostly concentrated on her and not her siblings. But at 14, she found out her father was abusing her younger sister as well.

When she went to school the day after her discovery, she talked to the principal, who notified the child welfare office. Eventually, her father was arrested and removed from the home.

Spray had a wish that someone would have noticed the signs of her abuse earlier and that could have saved her siblings and herself some anguish.

To that end, Spray has written “Crying Without Tears,” her first book published in February by Two Penny Publishing of Tarpon Springs.

She notes: “Listen to what kids are saying with their eyes because some can’t speak out. I wanted to bring awareness that this still exists in our world today.”

Although the subject matter is difficult, Spray said she had to tell the bad, so readers could appreciate the good.

Spray, the Manatee County Republican board state committeewoman, had spoken on child abuse issues for years but had only toyed with the idea of writing a book. She would scribble down notes and throw them into a drawer.

But in January 2020, she was telling a friend her story when she was asked to be a speaker at the Bradenton Women’s Christian Connection. After her speech, those in attendance urged her to

Prevail

A CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS BENEFIT SHOW

Jay Heater

ABOUT THE AUTHOR CINDY SPRAY Book: “Crying Without Tears” Publisher: Two Penny Publishing Lives: East County Husband: Dave Spray Find the book: Available online at sites including Google Books and Amazon.

Cindy Spray’s first book details her survival from nine years of child abuse.

write a book. Her daughter, Renee Crowder Oldsmar, urged her as well, saying a book just meant putting her stories into chapters.

She submitted her manuscript to Two Penny Publishing in December.

“This is a story of atrocities and the sacrifices I made,” said Spray, who is retired after a career with PepsiCo. “For those [being abused], I hope to change their life. Some can’t tell the story, but I can be their voice. I have the strength to tell the story of sexual abuse and physical abuse.”

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MARCH 4, 2021

5

1

Lakewood Ranch High girls track and field junior Aurora Melzer finished second out of 29 runners in the 3,200-meter run (11:10.50) Feb. 27 at the Ram Invitational at Riverview High.

2

Lakewood Ranch High softball sophomore Cassidy McLellan went 3-3 with a double, a triple and three RBIs Feb. 25 in the Mustangs’ 11-1 home win against Canterbury High.

3

Sam Sciturro, Pat Summerlee, Richard Rose and Susan Rose (27) won the Step-A-Side Scramble (nine holes) Feb. 25 at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s King’s Dunes course.

4

The Out-of-Door Academy junior baseball player Logan Tribble went 2-3 with a triple and a stolen base Feb. 26 in the Thunder’s 1-0 home win against Evangelical Christian.

5

Lakewood Ranch High girls lacrosse sophomore Jaelyn Broske scored seven goals Feb. 26 in the Mustangs’ 17-5 home win against Bloomingdale High.

— Billy Horschel

LOVE AT FIRST GLANCE

Ryan Kohn

Collin Morikawa visualizes his birdie putt on the No. 12 hole at The Concession Golf Club. Morikawa won the tournament at 18 under par. He worked with The Concession member Paul Azinger before the tournament on his chipping.

PGA Tour golfers say they hope for a return to The Concession in the future.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

N

ow that the PGA Tour’s World Golf Championships at The Concession is over, with Collin Morikawa winning at 18 under par, the question turns to what’s next for The Concession Golf Club’s future with the Tour.

Prior to the event, PGA Tour Executive Vice President-International Ty Votaw said one of the biggest keys to The Concession landing another high-profile tournament — perhaps even a major championship — would be the reaction of the players. If they continue to sing the course’s praises after the tournament ends, he said, that’s a positive sign.

The true staying power of the course in players’ minds won’t be known for a while. According to PGA Tour officials, that and a variety of other factors, such as previously scheduled events and the flow of the tour, make forecasting the next tournament to

TOP FIVE

World Golf Championships at The Concession final leaderboard 1. Collin Morikawa, 18 under par (70-64-67-69—270) T2. Viktor Hovland, 15 under par (71-69-66-67—273) T2. Brooks Koepka, 15 under par (67-66-70-70—273) T2. Billy Horschel, 15 under par (67-67-69-70—273) 5. Scottie Scheffler, 14 under par (69-70-67-68—274)

come to the club difficult. However, a look at comments made during the tournament can reveal their general feelings on The Concession, and the comments were overwhelmingly positive.

After the second round, Billy Horschel favorably compared the course to Augusta National Golf Club, the site of the Master’s Tournament.

“These greens are almost like Augusta,” Horschel said. “In the sense that you’ve got to be smart of where you’re trying to put the ball on the green, or on the proper side of the hole, to have a chance to at least make birdie [and] hope-

fully make an easy par if you don’t make birdie.”

Horschel, who finished tied for second at 15 under par, said he liked that the course forced him to think about where he might miss as much as it forces him to think about where he wants to go. On Sunday, Horschel again professed his reverence for the course when asked if he’d like to see another event at The Concession.

“I’ve always been a big fan of a course that, as I say, you can’t fake it,” Horschel said. “Maybe you can fake it one or two days, but you can’t fake it for four days.

And this is one of those courses.”

Patrick Reed, the controversial golfer who entered the Workday Championship as the defending champion, was an instant fan.

“This place is awesome,” Reed said Feb. 23. “The golf course is in perfect shape, and this golf course — from the tee — looks really wide, but you have to have command on the golf ball. The wind will blow. You’ll get some of those crosswinds. Whether it’s water edges or bunkers, [it] seems to tighten it up. It’s one of those that you have to stay aggressive SEE PGA, PAGE 23A

Thursdays at 5:30 pm | March 18th through April 22nd Sarasota Polo Club Admission is FREE courtesy of North South Wealth Management

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“I’ve always been a big fan of a course that, as I say, you can’t fake it. Maybe you can fake it one or two days, but you can’t fake it for four days.”

22A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Mustangs make their mark in college softball and Kinney confirmed that to be true. The Mustangs’ practices are similar to what she’s doing at UConn, she said. They are both high intensity and put a focus on getting in as many reps as possible.

“I felt 100% prepared to step on the field the first day I got here,” Kinney said. “[Goelz] helped me feel comfortable in this environment.”

Goelz’s ability to prepare his athletes for the next level shows in other former Mustangs’ results, too.

At Clemson University, freshman catcher/outfielder McKenzie “Pie” Clark has started all eight of the Tigers’ games.

Clark is hitting .357 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and five RBIs. She is also leading the team with four steals on four attempts.

At Florida, freshman first baseman/outfielder Avery Goelz, one of T.J. Goelz’s daughters, has started seven of the No. 6-ranked Gators’ eight games. She’s hitting .273 with two doubles and three RBIs. Infielder Taylor Woodring, a freshman at East Carolina University, has earned seven at-bats in seven games and has three hits and an RBI.

Freshman pitcher Claire Davidson has made four appearances for Duke University, including two starts. Although Davidson’s results have been up and down — she holds a 5.60 ERA, but two of her appearances have been scoreless — the fact that she’s earning time on the mound for the 8-1 Blue Devils is a good sign for her future.

And although her team’s season has not yet begun, James Madison junior outfielder Logan Newton hit .348 with 18 RBIs in a pandemic-shortened 19 game season in 2020. The Dukes will be expecting big things from Newton again in 2021.

The Mustangs have produced so many NCAA Division I players over the past four years that I don’t have the space to mention them all. That should tell you all you need to know about the program T.J. Goelz is running.

Kinney said she talks to many of her former Mustangs teammates almost every day and keeps up with Lakewood Ranch — which is currently 5-0 and ranked second in the country

by MaxPreps, again — when she can. Kinney said she has full confidence in her former teammates to have success at the elite level.

She’s not done working on her

Photo courtesy UConn Athletics

Former Lakewood Ranch softball player Payton Kinney, now at the University of Connecticut, was named the Big East Pitcher of the Week and the league’s Freshman of the Week on Feb. 22.

own game, though.

“This is only the beginning,” Kinney said. “I’m not taking anything for granted. I need to keep working my butt off to reach the highest level possible.”

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

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T

hanks to the glut of softball talent that has graduated from the high school ranks in East County over the years, it was a matter of if, not when, that talent would make a significant mark at the next level.

Not even Payton Kinney thought it would happen this fast, though.

Kinney is a freshman pitcher at the University of Connecticut after graduating from Lakewood Ranch High last spring. On Feb. 22, Kinney was named the Big East Pitcher of the Week — and Freshman of the Week — after making four dazzling appearances in her first weekend of collegiate action. Kinney threw 27 innings over those four appearances (three starts), scattering 16 hits and allowing just two earned runs while racking up 26 strikeouts.

Kinney received the honors with her typical humble attitude.

“I am honored to even be competing for such awards, considering everything going on in the world,” Kinney said. “And I wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates. I am proud of myself and my team.”

Lakewood Ranch Head Coach T.J. Goelz likes to say he runs his program like a college program,

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

23A

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PLAY THE BEST! Ryan Kohn

Concession General Manager Brian Weimann joked that the only thing that would have made the weekend better was a bit more wind on the back nine on Sunday.

“The event is going great,” Weimann said. “We are extremely happy.”

Weimann said that as much fun as he had in person, he had equal amounts of fun watching the tournament on TV. It didn’t matter if the coverage was showcasing an eagle or a double bogey, he said — it all looked fantastic.

Morikawa, who became just the second player to win a major championship and a WGC event before turning 25 (Tiger Woods), said he worked with honorary Concession member Paul Azinger before the tournament on his chipping, and that helped him have shorter putts than a lot of his competitors.

Patrick Reed says he thought the course at The Concession was awesome and forced players to have total command of their golf shots.

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but at the same time have to have full control of your golf ball.”

Rory McIlroy also said he would love to come back for another event.

“I think this course has been well received this week,” McIlroy said. “Maybe there were a couple of greens that are a little severe, a couple of pin placements over the weekend that were maybe a touch severe, but I think, when we come back again, that the guys who set the golf course up will know that.”

Others who said they would like to see a return to the course include Brooks Koepka, Louis Oosthuizen and Viktor Hovland.

Positive feelings were not exclusive to the players. Meghan Costello, the Workday Championship’s tournament director, said she had a great experience working with The Concession and local organizations despite the shortened time to plan the event. Costello said the tournament made a few tweaks during the week, such as parking lot shuttle locations and how players crossed from the driving range to the putting green, but otherwise went exactly how she planned.

“It’s always challenging coming to a new site and starting fresh,” Costello said. “Getting volunteers, trying to do operational layouts, that sort of thing. But the team here has been awesome to work with. We’ve had a lot of phone calls. They’re probably sick of me.”

Costello said she would be thrilled to plan another tournament at the club. Now that she has an idea of where everything should go, she said, it should be an easier process.

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URGE FLORIDA LAWMAKERS OPPOSEofHBthe 35youAND SB 402tothat affect them Public notices inform TO citizens changes A CONVENIENT GAS STATION,

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GREEK FEST TO GO When: 4-8 p.m. March 5; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 6; noon to 6 p.m. March 7 Where: St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 North Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota Details: Due to the pandemic, St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church has decided to adjust its annual Greek Glendi to only offer meals to-go. Order traditional, homemade Greek food to-go at Greek Fest To-Go. Meals can be pre-ordered.

How to order: Visit StBarbaraFestival.org.

Photos by Liz Ramos

TASTE OF GREECE TO-GO St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church offers traditional Greek foods March 5-7 at Greek Fest To-Go.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

F

or Palmetto’s Popi Ameres, making Greek food in large batches is second nature.

Ameres has been cooking since she was 12 years old, developing her own recipes and feeding people throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough counties at her restaurants, Popi’s Place.

An award-winning cook and member of the St. Barbara Greek

Orthodox Church, Ameres will use her experience to feed people who come to the church’s Greek Fest To-Go on March 5-7.

Food has been a large draw for people who attend the church’s annual Greek Glendi, but due to the pandemic, the church decided to replace this year’s Greek Glendi with Greek Fest To-Go. Marilyn Blazakis, the president of the St. Barbara Philoptochos, said volunteers will miss the thousands of people who come to the church to see dance demon-

strations, listen to live music, tour the church and enjoy Greek food.

Although this year will be different, Blazakis said volunteers look forward to the challenge of adjusting to a drive-thru event.

People can pre-order classic Greek foods including lamb shanks, moussaka, pastitsio, gyro sandwiches, spanakopita, Greek salad and a variety of Greek pastries. Some of the pastries include baklava and koulourakia.

Here is a look at some of the staples of the festival: PASTITSIO

Pastitsio, or as many church members describe it “Greek lasagna,” is a traditional meal for such holidays as Christmas and Easter.

As Ameres made a tray of pastitsio at the church Feb. 25, she mixed noodles, meat sauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, Parmesan cheese and bechamel sauce in a bowl.

She grabbed the mixture by a few handfuls and placed it in a tray. Then came more meat sauce with dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg followed by more noodles.

Nothing was measured because there was no need.

“I can tell if it doesn’t taste good just by looking at it,” Ameres said.

She grabbed a few more handfuls of noodles and put them on top of the two previous layers.

Afterward, she grabbed a big bowl of bechamel sauce, scooped

it onto the noodles and used a spatula to spread it across the top.

To top it all off, Ameres sprinkled on Parmesan cheese.

Ameres popped the pastitsio into the oven to bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

LAMB SHANKS

Denise Chimbo, the chair of Greek Fest To-Go, said lamb is more traditional in Greece than beef and will be on many families’ tables for Easter dinner.

“They’re to die for,” Chimbo said.

Ameres said there are multiple ways to cook lamb, whether it’s on a spit, in the oven with potatoes or on skewers.

For Greek Fest To-Go, Ameres plans to serve lamb shanks with rice and green beans.

In the kitchen Feb. 25, Ameres cut celery, onions and carrots and put them in a large pot. She drizzled olive oil on the vegetables before adding salt and pepper to the pot.

She added lamb stock to the pot as well as garlic, oregano and tomato puree.

She brought all the ingredients to a boil before pouring them on top of the lamb shanks sitting in a tray. Ameres covered the tray in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and placed it in the oven at 275 degrees to slow cook for three and a half hours.

Above: Popi Ameres grabs handfuls of noodles to place them in a tray to make pastitsio.

Left: Popi Ameres will make Greek salads as an option for people to purchase during Greek Fest To-Go.

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n a normal year, the ballroom would have been packed.

That didn’t distract people from enjoying one of the most significant events on the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s calendar.

Some attendees said they were grateful to be there at all.

“Just being in front of a live audience is such a treat,” said Bryan Boudreaux, the senior vice president and marketing director for The Bank of Tampa.

About 125 people attended the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance 2021 annual membership luncheon at Grove, down from more than 300 last year. Those who were there dined, conversed and listened to key speakers including alliance CEO and President Dom DiMaio and incoming board Chair Amanda Parrish.

The luncheon also provided an opportunity to recognize new board members: Sarasota Magazine Community Engagement Chair Julia Heide; Benderson Development Communications Chair Julie Fanning; Axiom Strategic Consulting Programming co-Chair Devin Dash; Kerkering, Barberio & Co. Young Leaders Alliance Chair Colleen Bankuty; Willis Smith Construction’s David Otterness; and Gulfside Bank’s Ron Beck.

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Above: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Chair Amanda Parrish receives a gavel from previous Chair Lisa Kirkland. “That is very large,” Parrish said with a laugh. Parrish called Kirkland her role model.

Below: Esposito Law Group Business Development Director Virgil Mills and Florida Southern Roofing Business Development Director Cindi Bass. Mills said his favorite part of networking events is passing on knowledge to others.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

3B

TERRACE PROGRAM 1

5 - 8 March 2021

Purvis Gray senior audit managers Bert Martinez and Tiffany Mangold and Raymond James Vice President of Wealth Management Michael Vejins. Purvis Gray is joining the Business Alliance.

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Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Dom DiMaio opened the luncheon with a speech. “All of you are coming together to lift our region to the next level,” he said.

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Asolo Rep’s Terrace Stage Call 941.359.0099 or Visit www.SarasotaBallet.org This is a live, in-person, socially distanced program. Face masks will be required for all audience members.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

YOUR HOME DESERVES HUNTER DOUGLAS

COMMUNITY SATURDAY, MARCH 6

FASHION SHOW Begins at 6 p.m. at the Mall at University Town Center’s Grand Court, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. This National Pediatric Cancer Foundation fashion show and silent auction fundraiser aims to make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Besides the fashion show, food will be catered by Season’s 52 and the event includes a cocktail reception as well. Tickets for the show are $100. For more information or tickets, go to MallAtUTC.com.

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

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

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 7

‘SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY’ Begins at 4 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing Outpost, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The Players Centre for Performing Arts presents “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters on March 6 and 7 at Jiggs Landing Outpost. Masks

are required at the outdoor event, and temperature checks will be conducted. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12.50 for students under 24. For tickets or more information, go to ThePlayers.org, or call 365-2494.

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

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

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. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

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4B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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BEST BET FRIDAY, MARCH 5 TO SUNDAY, MARCH 7

GREEK FESTIVAL FOOD Runs from 4-8 p.m. March 5, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 6 and noon to 6 p.m. March 7 at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota.

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church makes changes to its annual Greek festival by making it “Greek Fest To-Go.” Order some of your favorite Greek dishes, including lamb shanks, pastitsio and moussaka.

Select a time to pick your order up at the church. For more information, go to StBarbaraFestival.org.

ENVIRONMENTAL TALK Begins at 2 p.m. virtually. The Environmental Discussions Group of Manatee County will host its virtual presentation of “Florida Wetlands, Policy and How To Protect Our Wetlands” with guest speaker Abbey Tyrna, the water resources extension agent for the University of Florida. To register for the Zoom program, send an email to ResourceWisdom@ gmail.com.

Mark A. Dreyer, DPM Board Certified, Podiatric Surgeon Dr. Mark Dreyer brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Beneva Professional Center and the Lakewood Ranch I offices a wealth of knowledge and experience in Podiatry.

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

Take a casual walk around Bob Gardner Park with the Lakewood

RANCH 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.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 9

5B

WELCOMES

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

Liz Ramos

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Ranch Community Activities parks team. The group is for those 18 and up. It is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For information, call 727-1505, or go to MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10

Popi Ameres pours a mixture of vegetables, seasoning, tomato puree and lamb stock over the lamb legs before baking it for a few hours.

|

Lakewood Ranch I

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We donate because we believe in Tidewell.

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6B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Toothpick challenge ramps up pressure

B

radenton 7-year-old Amanda Hakes watched as her toothpick bridge was put on a crusher to see how much weight it could hold.

“I hope it can hold lots,” Hakes said.

Elementary through high school students put their handmade bridges to the test Feb. 27 during the 32nd annual Toothpick Bridge Challenge at the Mall at University Town Center.

The contest had 210 bridges entered with some holding more than 40 pounds, others cracked under the pressure of less than six pounds.

— LIZ RAMOS

Photos by Liz Ramos

Bradenton’s Amanda Hakes, 7, can’t wait to see how many pounds her arch bridge will hold. This year’s challenge was her first.

Volunteer Mike Elfers removes Sarasota High School sophomore Om Patel’s bridge from the crusher. It held 40 pounds of pressure.

Matthew Wiley and Jayden Raymond, freshmen at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, love seeing how different bridges do under pressure.

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Wendy Kuhns, an engineering teacher at Sarasota High School, and Staci LaPorte, a math teacher at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, celebrate after Kuhns’ bridge held 25 pounds before breaking.

Om Patel, a sophomore at Sarasota High School, watches in amazement as his bridge holds more than 40 pounds of pressure. He was expecting his bridge to break after 20 pounds.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

7B

Welcome to an Unforgettable Dining Experience For Reservations

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Happy Hour 4:30pm - 6pm

Live - Alan (Mr. Piano Man) Souza Tues - Sat

Lakewood Ranch’s Kathy Junkins (back) brings her friends Fran and Jeff Wiser, who are visiting from Pennsylvania, to the play.

akewood Ranch’s Kathy Junkins sat at Jiggs Landing on Feb. 27 chatting with friends, Fran and Jeff Wiser, while they waited for The Players Centre of Performing Arts to begin its performance of “Spoon River Anthology.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing my favorite actors who are friends I haven’t seen in a year,” Junkins said.

East County’s Nancy Stasiewicz said with her love of theater and with the play happening so close to home, she and her husband, Duane, didn’t want to pass up the opportunity.

“How can you beat being outside with live theater?” Stasiewicz said.

Cinda Goeken uses a fan to bring sass and drama to her acting as Lydia Puckett.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

LOCALLY KNOWN. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. SINCE 1976.

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

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8103 Lone Tree Glen Judy Wright 941-232-8041 A4491333 $875,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 10119 Cherry Hills Avenue Circle Nicole Ryskamp 941-807-1766 A4490951 $844,500

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

SARASOTA 2203 Hillview Street Tim Koons-McGee & Judy Wright, PA 941-320-7073 A4490682 $800,000

BRADENTON 5404 Tidewater Preserve Boulevard Mark Boehmig & Noel Morton 941-807-6936 A4485714 $795,000

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

BRADENTON 8723 54th Avenue E Debbie Judge & Jennifer Horvat, LLC 941-544-6054 A4490521 $550,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 11006 Bullrush Terrace Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4489931 $515,000

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

SARASOTA 2390 Palm Terrace Kristina Rain 941-320-2639 A4491242 $490,000

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 10243 Silverado Circle Gloria Totti-Cervoni 941-544-7746 A4491062 $459,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 6407 Saunton Place Bernadette Caswell 941-320-8265 A4491538 $435,000

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6360 Watercrest Way 303 Ryndie Brusco 941-809-6913 A4490375 $419,000

SARASOTA 1921 Monte Carlo Drive 202 Stacy Hanan 941-266-0529 A4479968 $399,000

SARASOTA 3523 Trebor Lane Connie Lyke Brown 941-302-1214 A4488191 $399,000

SARASOTA 6726 S Lockwood Ridge Road Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4488186 $389,000

BRADENTON 4814 26th Street W Barbara Dumbaugh & Victoria Lear 941-951-6660 A4457795 $350,000

BRADENTON 3612 2nd Drive NE Stephanie Okuley 941-773-2677 A4491235 $349,999

ENGLEWOOD 1098 Humboldt Street Ana Varone 941-504-8083 A4486869 $323,000

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

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

SARASOTA 10 Country View Drive Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4484653 $239,900

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

BRADENTON 1213 12th Avenue W Jennifer Thompson 941-928-0790 A4487931 $225,000

BRADENTON 3314 Vivienda Boulevard Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4488348 $185,000

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

BRADENTON 6510 200th Street E Leslie Emery & Aaron Corr 941-400-9710 A4489175 $1,875,000

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8B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Country Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. David Kehr, of St. Paul, Minn., sold the home at 7520 Greystone St. to Richard and Candace Seaman, of Avon, Conn., for $1.38 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,207 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2015.

SHOREVIEW

Christopher Hopkins and Julie Soule, of Prior Lake, Minn., sold their home at 7864 Grande Shores Drive to Peter Ross, of Sarasota, for $1.23 million. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,413 square feet of living area. It sold for $999,500 in 2018.

UPPER MANATEE RIVER ROAD

Kathy Wolfe, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12310 Upper Manatee River Road to Pulte Home Co. LLC for $1.2 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,142 square feet of living area.

Kenneth Harold Griffin, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12420 Upper Manatee River Road to Pulte Home Co. LLC for $1.2 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,469 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

SD TLC Holdings LLC sold the home at 16904 Verona Place to Joseph and Suzanne DeLuca, of Phoenixville, Pa., for $992,300.

Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,429 square feet of living area.

ESPLANADE

Neil and Gail Nahmias, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4714 Benito Court to Michael and Roxzene Hunter, of Sarasota, for $905,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,869 square feet of living area. It sold for $779,200 in 2018.

Anthony and Elizabeth Reynolds, trustees, sold the home at 4743 Cabreo Court to Thomas and Christine Hynes, of New Canaan, Conn., for $830,000.

Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,126 square feet of living area. It sold for $724,100 in 2017.

Ronald and Vicki Vitkun, of Titusville, sold their home at 5206 Castello Lane to Stephen and Genie Einstein, of Westfield, N.J., for $675,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, threeand-three-half baths, a pool and 2,247 square feet of living area. It sold for $534,700 in 2014.

Don and Due Anderson, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at

9B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

FEB. 15-19

13916 Messina Loop to Brian and Lisa Mastay, of Lakewood Ranch, for $489,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,838 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,200 in 2017.

Richard and Amy Alter, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5219 Napoli Run to Tracy Hardman and Laura Gersten, of Bradenton, for $469,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two-anda-half baths and 2,087 square feet of living area. It sold for $494,400 in 2014.

Chowki and Julie Nesser, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5106 Savona Run to Yefim and Marina Estrin, of Newton Center, Mass., for $402,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,700 square feet of living area. It sold for $301,400 in 2014.

HARBOUR WALK

Douglas Lee Duell and Anne Marie Duell sold their home at 548 Mast Drive to Jeffrey Minor, trustee, of Sylvania, Ohio, for $845,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,703 square feet of living area. It sold for $690,000 in 2016.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Neal Signature Homes LLC sold the home at 16733 Collingtree Crossing to Eric Smith Hagman and Mary Skomsky Hagman, of McMurray, Pa., for $800,000.

Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,830 square feet of living area.

Robert and Joan Majoros, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14716 Castle Park Terrace to Kenneth Lee and Charmaine Hughes Lee, of Bradenton, for $710,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,713 square feet of living area. It sold for $632,000 in 2016.

POMELLO PARK

Paul and Gayle Sullivan, of Ocala, sold their home at 22803 67th Ave. E. to Kevin Eugene King Jr., of Bradenton, for $800,000.

Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,499 square feet of living area.

It sold for $360,000 in 2008.

Liz Ramos

This Country Club home at 7520 Greystone St., sold for $1.38 million. It has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,207 square feet of living area.

1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,187 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2010.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Michael and Ursula Camp, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4744 Royal Dornoch Circle to Mark and Jennifer Guevin, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $522,100 in 2015.

Kurt and Kristi Harriman, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 9311 Firethorn Place to Sebastian and Marta Ilka, of Bradenton, for $515,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,790 square feet of living area. It sold for $399,900 in 2002.

Robert Lee Brown and Alicia Brown, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9812 Sweetwater Ave. to Jonas and Ruta Bobelis, of Bradenton, for $460,000. Built in

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Douglas Edward Martin and Donna Gail Martin sold their

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 10B

In with the new

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

MOVE-IN READY

Bayfront Sarasota

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota | 941.702.2300 From the $3,700,000s TheResidencesSarasota.com

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Robert Delosh, of Lakewood Ranch, sold his home at 10020 Cherry Hills Ave. Circle to Timothy Robertson and Kyle Ann Robertson, trustees, of Gainesville, Ga., for $799,900.

Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $580,000 in 2018.

Linda and Don Sprague, of Bradenton, sold their home at 10210 Marbella Drive to Daniel and Meredith Higgins, of East Marion, N.Y., for $435,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,016 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2019.

NEW MODEL OPEN

South Sarasota

Sandhill Lake | 941.234.0432 From the high $500,000s SandhillLakeSarasota.com

WATERFRONT HOMES & HOMESITES

SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 From the $2,000,000’s Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

MOVE-IN READY

Downtown Sarasota

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

Bradenton Riverfront

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

NOW SELLING NEW PHASE

Northwest Bradenton

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

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

348878-1

ADAM HUGHES

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Country Club home tops local sales at $1.4 million

|

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

Licensed Real Estate Broker

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

PRIMARY CARE

Real estate

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

FROM PAGE 9B

home at 22475 Panther Loop to Andrew and Kaitlyn Kamp, of Bradenton, for $580,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,141 square feet of living area.

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POLO RUN

John and Margaret Cormier, of Bradenton, sold their home at 18103 Polo Trail to Richard Gordon Krejci and Penny Louise Krejci, of Lakewood Ranch, for $520,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It sold for $450,000 in 2019.

RIVER POINT

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Alan an Arlene Schwambach, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13019 Magpie Place to Frederic Boete and Frederique Guette, of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 3,561 square feet of living area.

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Kenan and Anne Danaher, of Hebron, Conn., sold their home at 3618 Fourth Ave. NE to Kevin Thompson and David Thompson, trustees, of Bradenton, for $499,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2019.

Jeffrey and Tracy Frees, of Hortonville, Wis., sold their home at 157 41st Circle E. to Kevin Edward Just and Janice Lynn Wilson, of Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,964 square feet of living area. It sold for $320,000 in 2017.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Mark and Erin Vannucci, of Sarasota, sold their home at 12019 Goldenrod Ave. to Miguel

Angel Loayza Pessagno and Emily Katherine Loayza, of Bradenton, for $487,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,478 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,000 in 2019.

RIVERWALK RIDGE CYPRESS BANKS

James and Christine Augustine, of Stillwater, Minn., sold their home at 6835 Honeysuckle Trail to Petra Maria Abels and Udo Abels, of Clearwater, for $480,700. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,326 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2020.

BROOKSIDE ESTATES

Annette and Richard Zang, of Bradenton, sold their home at 730 129th St. NE to Tammy Lynn Murphy and Robert Murphy Jr., of Bradenton, for $470,000.

Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,170 square feet of living area. It sold for $361,600 in 2017.

WATERLEFE

Robert and Catherine Stead, of Newfoundland, sold their home at 9476 Portside Terrace to John and Deborah Lauber, of Bradenton, for $445,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,175 square feet of living area. It sold for $296,000 in 2009.

MOTE RANCH

Irina Danilova, of Bradenton, sold her home at 6552 Copper Ridge Trail to Don and Linda Sprague, of Bradenton, for $439,900. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,162 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,000 in 2015.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

11B

Ticket to Tokyo

U

nlike a year ago when the U.S. Olympic Team Rowing Trials at Nathan Benderson Park was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kara Kohler was healthy.

Well, at least she was healthy until after she had won a spot on the U.S. Olympic rowing team by dominating in the finals of the U.S. Olympic Trials women’s single scull competition Feb. 26 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

“I feel slightly ill,” a smiling Kohler said 20 minutes after the race. “It’s the nerves and the excitement.”

A year ago, Kohler was recovering from mononucleosis that she had contracted a month before the trials were scheduled. On Feb. 26, though, Clayton, Calif.’s Kohler was at her best, winning in 7:23.37.

Four other classes — men’s single and double sculls, women’s double sculls and women’s lightweight double sculls — were contested, but the winners must now move to the final Olympic qualification regatta on May 15-17 in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The women’s lightweight doubles winners had a Sarasota connection: Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford had been training with the Sarasota Crew since 2019.

— JAY HEATER

Photos by Jay Heater

Clayton, Calif.’s Kara Kohler celebrates at Nathan Benderson Park after she wins the U.S. Olympic trials’ women’s single sculls competition to earn a berth to the Tokyo Olympics.

Above: Fans and rowers from the Sarasota Crew support Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford from the bank.

Left: Michelle Sechser and Molly Reckford, who have been training with the Sarasota Crew, moved a step closer to an Olympic berth with a win in women’s lightweight doubles.

JOIN US FOR OUR SPRING SEMESTER MARCH 8-APRIL 30 Stay Curious. Stay Connected.

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

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OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available

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Ringling College Museum Campus • 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota www.OLLIatRinglingCollege.org • 941-309-5111

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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE a division of Ringling College Continuing Studies

12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

High: 72 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 6%

FRIDAY, MARCH 5 High: 76 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 5%

6:51a 6:33p

Friday, March 5

6:50a

6:33p

Saturday, March 6

6:49a

6:34p

Sunday, March 7

6:48a

6:34p

Monday, March 8

6:47a

6:35p

Tuesday, March 9

6:46a

6:36p

Wednesday, March 10

6:45a

6:36p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

March 21 First

High: 70 Low: 55 Chance of rain: 69%

Don DiNunzio captured this photo of a sunset from his backyard in Greenfield Plantation.

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, March 4

March 28 Full

April 4 Last

April 11 New

RAINFALL Monday, Feb. 22

0

Tuesday, Feb. 23

0.14

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Wednesday, Feb. 24

0

Thursday, Feb. 25

0

High: 72 Low: 52 Chance of rain: 5%

Friday, Feb. 26

0

Saturday, Feb. 27

0

Sunday, Feb. 28

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 2.89 in.

2021 0.00 in.

2020 2.84 in.

2020 0.00 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 349208-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

NO COMMENT by David Steinberg; Edited by David Steinberg

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Banana ___ (UC Santa Cruz mascot) 5 Tiny terrors 9 Green space in Paris 13 Painter Frida 18 Remove from office 19 Grim 20 Where Nebraska’s largest zoo is 22 From the top 23 *Educated (hint: look down after this answer’s sixth letter) 26 Swanky hotel offering 27 Pumpkin ___ 28 Shed tears

941.748.4679 | Venice

29 Brooklyn ___, N.Y. 30 Not behind the times 32 Fearful 34 Take hold of 36 Orcas, octopuses and such 39 Unfreeze 40 More reserved 42 Perlman of “Cheers” 44 Make, as money 45 Genetic messenger 46 *Infringe on a copyright, say (... eighth letter) 49 Utterly destroys 51 Prefix for some music genres 52 107-Down and others

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com 109 Unchallenging courses 111 Remote control brand 112 Group of computational fields, informally 114 El ___ (Castilian knight) 115 Factory 117 Avoiding journalists’ questions, or what each starred answer is doing?

121 Transmission repair chain 122 React to seeing your idol, perhaps 123 Waterfront platform 124 Red muppet 125 Second person?

126 TV star Leakes 127 Sleeve fillers 128 Bend, as a muscle

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

47 Actor unlikely to get a meaty role 48 Narcissist’s problem 50 Presidential office shape 53 Gloomy atmosphere 54 Wax-wrapped cheese 56 Discontinue 58 Sentry’s station 59 Champion gymnast Aly 60 Certain photography deg.

61 Summer drink endings 62 Canon line 64 “Little Birds” author 65 Empties (of) 66 Still competing 67 Long, long ___ 70 Beach bottle letters 72 Seafarer’s drink 75 “Don’t care if they do!”

76 Minnesota college near DOWN Carleton 1 Popular sink scrubber 78 Question following a 2 Fallen angel dramatic pause 3 Mark the start of 79 “The Thinker” sculptor 4 The Monkeemobile, e.g.

80 Boxer known as “The 5 Wasted some gas Greatest” 6 Extract, as diamonds 81 Envision 7 Word after “college” or 84 Tax experts, briefly “test” 85 Mystical glow 8 Make a teddy bear, say 86 Magic and Jazz 9 Breakfast item with a 87 Coalition S’Mores flavor 90 As well 10 Stockpile 92 Los Angeles, e.g.

11 Genre for MC Lyte 93 Tire features 12 Munch (on) 94 Scientific objective in 13 Buckwheat porridge 14 “Fighter” singer Christina 2020 95 “In other words ...”

15 Port-au-Prince natives 97 Ovum 16 Like a wild party 53 Vexation 83 Much-hated synonym for 17 I, on a clock 98 “My life’s a mess,” quaintly 55 Memphis-to-Chicago dir. “damp” 102 ___ roast 21 Out of bed 57 Powerful Apple computer 84 Venetian waterway 103 Fenway Park team 24 Boo-boo 60 *___ vice president (...

88 One of 10 “piggies” 105 Mary of “The Maltese 25 Animated ogre third letter) 89 Conference handouts Falcon” 31 Udder part 63 “Hold your horses, 91 *Widespread attention (... 33 “My Hero ___” (anime 107 Element in fluorescent horse!” sixth letter) lamps series) 64 Diva’s solo 96 Opposite of full, moon108 They may be on tap 34 Designer Versace 68 Swung wildly wise 35 Like an aspiring attorney’s 110 Seeded 69 Number before tres 99 Disappearing Asian sea studies 112 Mix 71 Alternative to speaking? 100 Rombauer who wrote 113 Those folks 37 “___ at last!”

73 Lead-in to “mater” “The Joy of Cooking” 115 Buddy 38 Tolkien’s tree creatures 74 Fish that are snaky 101 Kind of acid in proteins 40 Jrs., next year 116 Taoism’s ___-tzu 77 *Certain athlete (... sixth 102 Strictness 118 John or Jane in court 41 Big name in ketchup letter) 104 Fill to capacity 119 Transcript stat 43 Trailer hookup 80 Cash and stocks 106 Cut crystal feature 120 NFL whistle blower 46 Gibb brothers’ band 82 Natural ‘do 108 Jumper’s cord

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.

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Puzzle Two Clue: J equals V

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HUNDREDS OF COLORS AND STYLES ON SALE NOW!

Puzzle One Clue G equals F

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SUDOKU

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

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03-04-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Autos Wanted

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

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TREADMILL, SPIRIT Eagle Deluxe, Electronic timer, Auto Incline/Speed, & more.

Quality Machine. $200.

(757) 575-4782.

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

MAGIC BULLET 10 piece set with large blender and book.

Used once- $45.

941-747-7183.

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

Sporting Goods

TWO HOME GARAGE SALE March 5th and 6th, 8am-5pm.

5505 52nd Ave West Bradenton FL 34210.

Household goods, new clothing, microwave, ladders, conversion van, like new couch, tools, and more.

RED PAGES

Condos/Apts. for Rent

CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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.

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE! CALL 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Autos Wanted

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Garage/ Moving/ Estate Sales

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.

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

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

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

CALL 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

MADAM ALEXANDRA: 2 Dolls, $25 each. 2 Dolls for $30 each. 941-993-4064.

Autos Service

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.

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!

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

©2021 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

NEW COVER for Camaro or similar sized car. Cost 175, sell for $50. 941-961-3482.

Merchandise Wanted

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

auto

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

real estate

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

MOW OVER the competition!

RED PAGES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “When I went to college, my parents threw a going away party for me, according to the letter.”

Emo Philips Puzzle Two Solution: “What I really need is a woman who loves me for my money but doesn’t understand math.”

– Mike Birbiglia

This week’s Sudoku answers

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages ©2021 NEA, Inc.

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.

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE.

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Adult Care Services

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE!

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ....... 50¢

CALL 941-955-4888

home services

14B

YourObserver.com/RedPages

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

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

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

Aluminum

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

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

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.

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates.

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

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-362-4808 Email: redpages@ yourobserver.com Online: yourobserver. com/redpages

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

Cleaning

www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

Perfect Solutions For Seniors

Auto Transport

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Clock Repair

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

832-403-5721.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Landscaping/ Lawn Services

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.”

Dustin Yoder

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

352020

bschule88@gmail.com

352022

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Kitchen Renovations and Upgrades 352400

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

Auto Service

Computer

Doors

SELL YOUR CAR!

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

Sliding Glass Door Repair

HoHoBuysCars.com

Pegatronics.com 352975

941.270.4400

5-Star Rated 352973

WE COME TO YOU

941-735-3362

Doors

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

351628

ARCHIMEDES

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

Call us today!

www.ezslider.com

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

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

941.628.8579

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

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OBSERVER RED PAGES

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351800

FAST • EASY • SAFE

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

351514

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

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Health

Movers

Roofing

David McCarthy Moving

THE BEST This Doctor is Among

Bisson Roofing Inc.

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

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA

941-704-4278

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com

• • • •

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

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

941 - 748 - 7400

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Building & Roofing Contractor

RESIDENTIAL MOVES LONG DISTANCE MOVES VALUABLE MOVES INTERNATIONAL MOVES

Call 941.358.2224 today to schedule a 352524

941-909-2268 | www.lakewoodranchmovers.com

Home Services

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

351515

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

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

351516

Driveways Deck Staining Roof Cleaning

Free Estimate 941-922-3996

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

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

Pressure Washing

LIFETIME GUARANTEE

Pressure Washing

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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

352401

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

941-544-1066

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

BEFORE

AFTER

| scaperotta@aol.com

STANDARD WINDOWS

Italian American Owned

351517

352976

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

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

941-737-4483 www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

10% SAVINGS With this ad

Lawn Care

Rescreening & Repairs

SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS 941-739-5102

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

“No Job Too Small”

352639

120

$

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

Eldridge Re-Screen Licensed

ows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

25

UP TO

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

954-1878

Lic./Ins.

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

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

GLENN KROECKER

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

Windows Res./Com.

COVERAGE AREA: LAKEWOOD RANCH ƭƨ S. VENICE

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

CALL: 941-545-6816

Removal and Replacement

Power Washing

DrGrabBars.com

Call John 941.377.2940

(941) 345-5264 TILE REPAIR CRACKED

352977

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

941.966.0333

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

Tile

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

THE GRAB BAR GUY

352025

941-345-5264

Doors and more!

352021

235

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

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

Painting & Pressure Cleaning

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

CALL BEFORE YOU FALL

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$

351320

Faulkner’s

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

Commercial

Screening

Painting

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

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

941-705-5468

352633

Insured

10% OFF FOR MENTIONING THIS AD

941-270-1561

RIGHT ON TARGET Advertise your business, starting at only $85 per month.

OBSERVER RED PAGES

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

352403

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

351521

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

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

351518

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com

FREE CONSULTATION

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

351520

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

GRAB BARS

www.bissonroofing.com

Owner Supervises Every Job

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

Residential

RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

351519

352026

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

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

15B

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

|

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

THE BEST-SELLING LUXURY VILLAGE IN LAKEWOOD RANCH

EXCLUSIVE ADDRESS. EXTRAORDINARY LIFEST YLE.

Community of the Year 17 MODELS TO TOUR

The Lake Club just celebrated its most successful year ever, and now’s the time for you to discover the incredible lifestyle and gorgeous residences of this best-selling luxury village.

Genoa, the newest enclave by STOCK, has expanded to include four neighborhoods with more than 20 spacious floor plans from which to choose. And STOCK’s exclusive custom homebuilding division, Stock Custom Homes, is making its debut in The Lake Club with two exquisite estate homes under construction, joining the list of the area’s finest luxury homebuilders.

With a 20,000-square-foot Grande Clubhouse, spa & fitness, tennis, pickleball, fabulous dining, lifestyle director, concierge and more, The Lake Club offers the most coveted lifestyle of any village in Lakewood Ranch.

From the $700s to over $3 million THE LAKE CLUB INFORMATION CENTER: 8307 Lake Club Blvd., Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 | (941) 907-9088 | thelakeclublwr.com ANCHOR BUILDERS | ARTHUR RUTENBERG HOMES | STOCK CUSTOM HOMES | JOHN CANNON HOMES | LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES | STOCK LUXURY HOMES BROKER PARTICIPATION WELCOMED. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NOT AN OFFERING WHERE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

353023-1

16B

. . . t i a W But

S ’ E R THE !

E R MO

XNLV19038

Flip the page for more sales and specials!

SAVE $300!!

3 AREAS OF for

299!

$

SEE BACK FOR DETAILS.

OVER 500 FIVE STAR REVIEWS

320377-1 Following all CDC Guidelines to ensure the safety of our clients & staff

LWR 941-359-BTOX(2869) | SRQ 941-360-BTOX(2869) www.bowtiquemedspa.com 329948-1

Beauty is Our Business OFFERS GOOD AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

6277 Lake Osprey Drive Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 6118 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 MUST BOOK AND PREPAY. Must bring this ad in to receive offer. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. No exchanges or refunds. All sales final.

Limited availability. Se habla español.

Offers expire 3/18/2021.

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.

352208-1

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

Before

After

Dental Implant Surgery and Reconstruction

Before

After

Before

After

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

Cosmetic Dentistry

Orthotropic Orthodontics

• Digitally Guided Implant Surgery

• Conservative ‘No Prep’ Veneers

• Airway Ortho for Children and Adults

• On-Site Cat Scan

• Nonsurgical Facelifts

• PRP and PRF Blood Enhancers

• Bite Correction

• Orthotropic Ortho for Children and Adults

• Bruxism Treatment

• IV Sedation

• Lumineers®

• 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 352943-1

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