Over 10 years ago, Commissioner George Kruse (above) weighed about 270 pounds. Then, he started running. He not only lost weight, he competed in ultramarathons, triathlons and Iron Man competitions.
On April 12, Kruse participated in the first 5K of the threepart Run Manatee 5K Series at Tom Bennett Park. He’s encouraging residents to join him for the next two scheduled at Coquina Beach on July 12 and Rye Preserve Nov. 22. Between the pre-run yoga class and a live band, Kruse said the event was a “great time.” The 5K sold out at 350 runners, but even more people attended the before and after parties. The Bradenton Kiwanis Club received a check for $1,259.50, which was 10% of the registration fees.
Lakewood Ranch residents
Giuliana Fritzler, 4, and Olivia Cromwell, 6, have a lot of hobbies, but especially enjoy their time playing outside at Summerfield Community Park.
On April 13, Fritzler needed a friend. She wanted to try the seesaw for the first time. Cromwell, who said she enjoys the swings the most, was there to help, even though the seesaw isn’t her favorite thing. Fritzler and Cromwell (above) both came to the park with their grandmothers. Sarina Adamo is Cromwell’s grandmother and Donna Davia is Fritzler’s grandma.
“She has a big toy room but we like fresh air, right?” Davia said. After some fun on the seesaw, Cromwell went back to her favorite, the swings, while Fritzler had fun on her favorite, the slides.
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Vinnie Portell
Courtesy image
Madison Bierl
County streamlines efforts to bring in funding
Stephanie Garrison, ex-Apple recruiter and senior manager, is leading the department.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Out of 67 counties in Florida, only 16 have dedicated Government Relations departments, and Manatee County now is part of that group.
Stephanie Garrison, director of the newly formed Government Relations department, was hired in January.
Garrison formed her team by pulling in 45 current employees from five different departments — County Administration, Financial Management, Public Safety, Development Services and Natural Resources.
Prior to joining the county, Garrison worked at Apple for 14 years and served in multiple leadership roles.
After working for the county for more than three months, Garrison presented her plan to commissioners April 15 through the lens of the private sector. Each team in the department will serve a specific role to bring in funds from the state and federal governments.
“You can think of (Government Relations) like a sales and marketing team for the county, to use a simple example,” Garrison said. “But we’re not selling a product, we’re selling a vision.”
There are five teams operating under the umbrella of the new Government Relations department.
Grants a.k.a. “the sales team”
Legislative Affairs a.k.a. “the business development team”
Economic Development a.k.a. “the account management team”
Information Outreach and Records a.k.a. “the marketing team”
Administration a.k.a. “the strategy and enablement team” Garrison assured commissioners she wasn’t solving a problem, rather, she saw an opportunity to work in smarter ways and to streamline
processes.
Instead of working in silos, the five divisions are now aligned together, working toward the same goals to attract new funding, to build long-term legislative partnerships, expand the economy and promote “the Manatee County brand.”
In an Apple-esque vision statement, Garrison told commissioners “strategic grants fund big ideas.”
The grants team is responsible for prospecting and researching new grant opportunities. They also apply for grants and ensure compliance.
The department is currently managing $695 million in awards.
“Going forward, I’d love to see more grant funds,” Commissioner Tal Siddique said. “I’d be curious to
see what that looks like in the next year. If we get to a billion, that’s great.” Garrison replied, “We’re on our way.” She added, “We’re building a stronger Manatee County — where strategic grants fund big ideas, clear communication earns trust, economic development drives opportunity and strong legislative partnerships shape our future.
MINOR PUSHBACK
The only minor pushback to the new department’s services came from Commissioner Carol Felts.
ABOUT STEPHANIE GARRISON
Stephanie Garrison is not just a bigwig from Apple who opened hundreds of retail stores and hired thousands of employees; she’s also a local business owner in East County. Garrison, and her husband Rickard Garrison, took over the Playtri store in the West District at UTC in September 2023. Playtri is a bike shop and triathlon store.
Garrison’s resume said the store has generated $1.5 million in sales and has more than 6,000 customers. She noted the shop is 50% more profitable than it was under its previous ownership because of added technology and data capturing tools. Possibly of equal importance, both the Garrisons are triathletes. Rickard Garrison has run multiple half-Iron Man competitions, which cover 70.3 miles of terrain. Stephanie Garrison prefers short-course triathlons and marathons. But that’s not all Garrison can do. Here are three more talents the new Director of Public Relations possesses. She can speak four languages: English, Mandarin, Swedish and Spanish. She can cook. Garrison holds a “Grand Diplome” in Classical Culinary Arts from the International Culinary Center in New York City. And, she can play the piano.
to use, which platforms to leverage, who might (offer) good quotes (and) who might be a great speaker.”
IN OTHER COMMISSION NEWS
Commission Chair George Kruse presented a plan to address the Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency task force.
A press release from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis, dated Feb. 24, said the DOGE Task Force will use “publicly available county and municipal spending records to expose bloat within local governance.”
Kruse’s proposal was taken from Commissioner Christine Miller in Hillsborough County.
He said the proposal was discussed with the governor’s office and is a thoughtful and sensible alternative to DOGE “storming in” and demanding full access to all records between now and June 30. Instead, the proposal calls on citizens for assistance. A five-member advisory board will be formed for one year.
Members will be appointed by the commission and must have experience as an accountant, economist, finance professional, certified auditor, IT professional or human resources professional.
Kruse said outsiders are necessary because everybody thinks their kid is the best looking kid, so you need somebody to tell you the hard truth.
He noted that each year, there are three columns in the budget — what was spent last year, things staff wants to do to keep services, and “the niceties” — and the first column of what was spent last year is never questioned.
“I know this program gets a lot of ‘Oh, we’re going to lose this, or we’re going to lose that,’” Felts said.
“But I think that it could be very inspiring for us to just focus on what should be the government’s priorities and level of service that we owe our taxpayers. And sometimes, it’s not as fun or glamorous as having feel-good stuff. It’s more about providing them the basics.”
“We know how to get the word out,” Garrison said. “We know which tools
Felts questioned if the department’s role as liaison for Community and Veterans Services would lead to a duplication of services. Garrison explained that the Community Veterans Services staff members are subject matter experts, but when they have a message to get out, they’ll use the Government Relations “machine” to send the message.
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Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison accompanied Manatee County commissioners to Tallahassee in March.
County roadwork projects ranked
Residents can contribute to the conversation at the next commission meeting May 6.
LESLEY DWYER | STAFF WRITER
Lena Road ranked No. 1 on a list of District 5 roadway priorities, while improvements to Creekwood Boulevard from State Road 70 to 73rd Street ranked No. 1 on a list of projects to shelve for five years.
The rankings came from Manatee County staff members, who are currently working on the Capital Improvement Plan’s annual update.
The Public Works department made a last minute addition to the April 15 commission meeting agenda, which offered 15 pages’ worth of information regarding projects that cover roadways, intersections, sidewalks and multiuse trails.
Commission Chair George Kruse said there wasn’t enough time to digest that amount of information and have a meaningful discussion on the spot.
Instead, commissioners will revisit the subject at their next meeting, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 6.
By then, commissioners will have received individual briefings and Public Works Director Chad Butzow said he should also have some funding information to add to the discussion. Residents can voice their opinions in person or over the phone. For more information, visit MyManatee.org/Services-And-Amenities/ Service-Listing/Service-Details/ View-Current-And-UpcomingMeeting-Agendas.
Staff positioned the Fort Hamer Bridge to be a major priority in the updated CIP.
The plan is to add a second span of bridge to parallel the current bridge to double its capacity from two lanes to four lanes.
Construction to widen Upper Manatee River Road to four lanes from the bridge to State Road 64 is underway and expected to be completed by fall 2027.
In October 2024, staff applied for a $61.6 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation. The county expects a response shortly as to whether the award will be granted. If awarded, the money will go
and Diane Carter
a roundabout.
toward construction costs. Staff still will have to find funding for land acquisitions.
The state funded $5.5 million for the study and design of the bridge.
The Project Development and Environmental Study is expected to be completed this summer. Then, the project can move on to the design phase.
Lena Road, from State Road 64 to State Road 70, landed in the No. 1 spot under District 5 priorities and in the No. 10 spot on the countywide list of 17 “Staff Specific Suggestions for Prioritizing Roadways.”
The project is still in the design phase. The CIP priorities include land acquisition, construction from 44th Avenue East to State Road 64 with a roundabout where Musgrave Ranch Road meets Brower Drive.
The plan is to upgrade the rural road to a two-lane urban divided roadway with an 18-foot wide median.
Lena Road and Lorraine Road were both added to a “deferred list” of projects during last summer’s budget review.
The completion dates were moved out to 2030, but Ogden Clark, Public Works’ communication coordinator, said they will be reviewed again this year to see if funding can be increased and the timelines can be moved up.
Widening the segment of Lorraine
“How
Road, between State Road 64 and 59th Avenue East, from two lanes to four is listed as the fifth priority for District 5.
The remaining three priority projects in District 5 are being constructed under agreements with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Lakewood Ranch’s parent company.
One is for a multiuse trail along Bourneside Boulevard between State Road 70 and State Road 64, and the other two projects are roundabouts.
The roundabout on Bourneside Boulevard and The Masters Avenue is set to begin construction over the next few months and is estimated to cost $3.45 million.
In all three cases, SMR agreed to design and build the projects. The county will then reimburse SMR through impact fee credits.
The roundabout where University Parkway meets Deer Drive and Legacy Boulevard will likely start construction by the end of the year or at the start of 2026.
With all the projects in East County and Parrish slated as priorities, District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique shared “a sentiment” on behalf of residents living in the western portion of the county.
“There’s a general sense of inequity between the investment that residents are seeing between east and west county,” he said. “How do I go back to an angry room full of residents and tell them the priority is East County when they don’t even want the development in the first place?”
Carol Felts and Bob McCann, commissioners in the most eastern parts of the county, agreed with Siddique’s sentiment.
However, Felts’ bigger concern is that road projects are moving targets. She said great ideas can become obsolete in six months.
Her example was that residents in District 1 complain regularly about
traffic on 60th Avenue East, yet there are discussions about putting hotels in the parking lot of the Ellenton Premium Outlets.
Any plan for 60th Avenue East would have to go back to the drawing board if hotels are approved.
“We don’t like the ‘M’ word. We don’t want to say a building moratorium,” Felts said. “But maybe we could have other types of moratoriums. We could have zoning moratoriums. We could have CIP moratoriums. There’s a lot of things we could do.”
For now, her plan is to go out and drive the roads before the next meeting.
Typically, neither commissioners nor residents want to hear that the county doesn’t have the funds to proceed with a project.
However, Thomas and Diane Carter are elated the county wants to shelve its plans for Creekwood Boulevard.
Butzow noted a removal from the CIP doesn’t mean the project will never get done.
Installing a roundabout at Creekwood Boulevard would have required the county to acquire land from the Carters, to which the couple claimed would have equated to a regulatory taking.
They’ve been fighting the project since its inception.
Diane Carter said their property includes a retention pond that controls flooding. Its removal would have also impacted bald eagles and wood storks on the property.
Thomas Carter expressed appreciation for Kruse and Commissioner Mike Rahn, who visited the couple’s property and served as advocates for them.
“I fought the county, and I won,” the captain happily sang to the tune of “I Fought the Law.”
EAST COUNTY PRIORITIES
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Dr. Christian Lorenzo brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Lakewood Ranch II office a
of
and experience in Cardiology.
Medical School: Universidad Central Del Este College of Medicine San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Residency: Internal Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota, FL
Fellowship: Cardiovascular Diseases Fellowship, Orlando Health, Orlando, FL; Cardio-Oncology Fellowship Rotation, University of Pennsylvania Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine; American Board of Cardiology
Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Students’ trip key to understanding civics
Braden River Middle students get a look at government during trip to Tallahassee.
Braden River Middle School students had the opportunity April 7-9 to trade classroom coursework for a real world civics experience as they traveled to Tallahassee.
From hearing the echoes of legislators’ voices inside the State Capitol to sitting in the seats of senators, their lessons were vivid.
Jacqueline Llamas and Michele McClellan teach civics at Braden River Middle School. Seventh and eighth grade students learn about the branches of government, how the government works and basics about county, state and federal government.
But Llamas and McClellan wanted to take their lessons outside the classroom.
So the road trip was planned to Tallahassee with stops at the 22-story State Capitol to visit the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Historic Capitol and Knott Building. They also visited the Florida Supreme Court.
Side visits took them to Big Bend Farm, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory and Wakulla Springs.
Forty-four students made the trip along with three faculty members and three parent chaperones.
After arriving in Tallahassee, one of their first lessons was about the Florida Supreme Court.
In February, they learned about Gideon v. Wainwright in their class “Landmark Supreme Court Cases.” The visit helped bring the discussion to life.
Clarence Earl Gideon was accused of breaking and entering into a Florida pool hall. He was denied a lawyer and represented himself. The case established that everyone has the right to an attorney, even when they cannot afford one.
“Obviously, in class, it was important, but it was just an assignment,” seventh grader Simona Mazzucco said. “Now that we were there, we saw this whole process.”
In the Senate, the students proposed their own bills.
They proposed and did a mock session for two bills. One involved the use of electric bikes on roads and the other was having Chick-fil-A as a lunch option. Neither passed.
“It was fun because you got to see everybody else’s perspective on things and vote for things,” seventh grader Mikenna Yermak said. “There were these buttons that said ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”
Mazzucco talked about the ceiling’s design in the Capitol building that projected voices so there was no need for a microphone.
“It puts it more into perspective for the kids, the students and for me.” Llamas said.
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Braden River Middle School students got to visit the Supreme Court and learned more about Gideon v. Wainwright, a 1963 landmark Supreme Court case they learned about in class.
Traffic calming requests streamlined
The traffic department receives about 800 service requests a year, many seeking solutions for neighborhood roads.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Manatee County is taking steps to streamline its process when residents ask for help slowing down drivers in their neighborhoods.
“These are public roads,” said Traffic Engineering Manager Vishal Kakkad. “But we want those who are traveling through your streets to behave, to follow the laws, the speed limits and make sure (drivers are not cutting) through traffic.”
Kakkad’s department receives about 800 service requests a year. He said a “vast majority” are for traffic calming solutions.
The county’s current one-page, five-step protocol to deal with such requests was adopted in August 2002.
Staff is seeking the commission’s approval to modernize the process to be more efficient on the county’s side and more user friendly on the public’s side.
If approved by commissioners May 6, an 18-page manual will guide residents and homeowner associations through the request process using step-by-step instructions and providing the necessary forms.
A petition form will be included because 67% of homeowners along the route have to approve the installation of a traffic control device.
Renters can’t sign the petition.
As of now, staff performs data collection for every request, even when they instinctively know the request will not produce the data needed to get to the next step.
Staff wants to include an additional step (Step 2) that includes the following preliminary criteria that will eliminate unnecessary data col-
lection.
The posted speed limit has to be 30 mph or less.
Thoroughfares and “loop streets,” which connect to the same street or cul-de-sac, are not eligible.
The street has to be a “through street” that connects two larger streets, unless the road leads to a public area, such as a park or school.
The section of road must be longer than 1,000 feet with no sharp curves or stop signs.
The sooner staff knows a street doesn’t fit the criteria, the sooner they can start working with residents on alternative solutions, such as temporarily installing a speed feedback sign to alert drivers when they’re traveling over the speed limit.
Some roads don’t have posted speed limits. By state statute, the speed limit defaults to 30 miles per hour, but staff can install a sign.
SOLUTIONS AND FUNDING
Outside of drivers taking it upon themselves to slow down, Kakkad said there are two main ways to force drivers to slow down — make them go around something or over something.
If a road does make it to the end of the process, either a mini-roundabout or speed hump will be recommended.
Stop signs are not an option because the Federal Highway Administration does not allow them to be used for speed control.
Even if the criteria is met, there’s still no guarantee that a device will be implemented because the process also requires funding and the commission’s approval.
The average speed hump costs about $17,000, but a mini-roundabout can cost anywhere between $150,000 to $500,000.
Ogden Clark, Public Works’ communication coordinator, noted that mini-roundabouts are different from the modern roundabouts popping up
HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST
Renters and individuals can’t make a request for a traffic calming device. The request has to come from at least four impacted homeowners or a homeowners association.
Written request should be sent to Public Works Traffic Engineering at 2101 47th Terrace E. Bradenton, FL 34203 or emailed to PublicWorks@MyManatee. org. The process can also be initiated through the county’s 3-1-1 call center, but a written request will still need to be submitted.
on major roadways in East County.
Mini-roundabouts are generally built within the existing rightof-way to reduce the need for land acquisition, and they have “fully mountable center islands,” which means an emergency vehicle can drive over it.
The Traffic Operations Division sets aside between $100,000 to $250,000 of dedicated funding to fulfill traffic calming requests each year.
Mini-roundabouts fall under the “low-cost safety improvement” category, so they’re funded through the Traffic Engineering Division.
Clark said the program’s capacity is limited to, give or take, 10 projects a year.
DATA COLLECTION
When collecting data, staff need to answer three questions: How many cars are sharing the road? How far over the speed limit are motorists driving, and does the road have sidewalks?
The new protocol will use a point system that grades each request according to the results. To move to
the next step of collecting petitions, the road needs to receive at least six points.
A road with no sidewalks gets one point immediately. Speed and volume balance each other out.
A quiet road that doesn’t see much traffic can still qualify if motorists are regularly exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour.
Data collection is the county’s responsibility, but collecting signatures for the petition is the requestor’s responsibility.
Whether a traffic calming device is being installed or removed from a neighborhood, 67% of the affected homeowners must approve the change.
Once the signatures are collected, staff can present the plan to commissioners for approval. If funding is available, a temporary device will be installed for 90 days.
If the community still supports the traffic calming measure, a permanent device will be installed. Commissioners will vote to approve or deny staff’s request to update the procedures at the next county commission meeting May 6.
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The Manatee County Commission will make its final decision about streamlining traffic calming requests May 6.
A royal salute to Operation Cowboy
Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions honors Operation Cowboy on its final day of the season.
JAY HEATER
EDITOR
MANAGING
The movement is called the courvet, where a horse jumps forward from the levade position.
Not familiar with it?
No worries. These are terms that horse people know.
But if you do want to know more, your perfect opportunity is April 26 at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.
It’s closing day of the season at Herrmann’s, the family that brought the rare Lipizzans to the United States from Europe in 1962. Generation after generation of the Herrmann family continues to ride the majestic horses and show the form that made them legendary in Europe.
OPERATION COWBOY
The April 26 show will have a different focus other than closing day.
The 80th anniversary of Operation Cowboy is April 28 (1945) and Herrmann’s owner Rebecca McCullough and her daughter, Sydney, wanted to honor that history.
Among the battlefield moves that will be on display will be the levade and the courvet.
The levade, in simple terms, is when the horse rears up on its back legs, tucking in its front legs in an almost standing straight up position.
The position was important to allow the rider to survey the battlefield, but it was also dangerous because a misstep or loss of balance by the horse could lead it to fall over backward, crushing the rider beneath it.
Now, take the levade, and raise the difficulty, and the danger, by getting the horse to move from the levade by
launching itself forward off its two back legs — a courvet. The loss of control by the rider is stunning and complete trust has to be given to the horse in such a situation.
It is an extremely dangerous movement, and one that was last seen at Herrmann’s Lipizzan Stallions performed by Gabby Herrmann, the family matriarch who ran the family business from 2004 following the death of her father Col. Ottomar Herrmann Jr., until her death at age 66 in 2021.
Gabby Herrmann had prompted her stallion to do the courvet in shows until a few years before her death when age stopped her from doing the dangerous move.
But only a week before closing day, the move was being executed in the practice arena — by 16-year-old
Sydney McCullough, Gabby’s granddaughter and Rebecca McCullough’s daughter.
Sydney has been working with Achilles, who has been a longtime show horse for Herrmann’s, but also one who was a bit wild in his younger years. Sydney never liked riding when Achilles would act up.
As Achilles has aged, Sydney said he has adopted a much calmer personality, which has made him her favorite and “go-to” horse. Although
“The Lipizzans have performed for dignitaries, royalty, and military leaders. Now these horses perform for you.” — Herrmann’s website
Rebecca McCullough said 19 is a bit old to be teaching an old horse new tricks, Achilles seems very willing to please Sydney by trying new maneuvers.
So those who attend the season finale are likely to see not only the levade, but the courvet as well.
PATRIOTIC SHOW
Rebecca McCullough said the overall show itself will be a much more patriotic show than is her ranch’s typical offering.
“It’s going to be everything USA,” she said.
Two different riding routines have been added for the grand finale, which will focus on Operation Cowboy and the stallions’ uncanny ability to perform war maneuvers.
Lipizzan stallions were uniquely built to perform such maneuvers. They could do movements such as the levade repeatedly because of
their heavier bone structure. Lipizzans generally weigh about 1,000 pounds and are about 15 hands tall on average.
Among the movements, will be Rebecca and Sydney riding with lances, hitting the targets, which are quintains (practice aides in jousting).
Rebecca McCullough said the Lipizzans were valuable in battle because they were so aggressive.
She also is hoping for a nice sendoff after another season of trying to advance the family business following the death of her mother.
The family’s website notes, “We are now in our fifth generation of Herrmann riders. The Lipizzans have performed for dignitaries, royalty and military leaders. Now these horses perform for you.”
While some slow performance seasons have threatened the ranch over the years, positive strides have taken place as well. Rebecca McCullough
IF YOU GO
What: Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzans closing day of the season special performance
When: 10 a.m., April 26
Where: 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City
The salute: The show will honor the 80th anniversary of Operation Cowboy, which was executed April 28, 1945, in which almost 400 Lipizzans were saved by a collaboration of U.S. and Allied prisoners of war from the advancing Soviet army in the closing days of World War II
Who: Riders are owner Rebecca McCullough and her daughter Sydney, along with Donna Sagonowsky; horses are the famous Royal Lipizzan Stallions Cost: Adults $22; seniors (60 and older) 18; veterans and active military $15; children 10 and younger admitted free
said she is moving into breeding her fine line of horses, especially since Lipizzans have become more popular in the U.S. to use as show horses.
She said that popularity could also move Lipizzans from being considered “endangered.”
“We’ve made it to the point where we don’t have to import horses from Europe, with more of them being used in dressage,” Rebecca McCullough said. The European breed gained fame since it was developed in the Habsburg Empire in the 16th century. Due to its importance of being used as a war horse, the Lipizzans were almost wiped out during World War I and World War II. The rescue of 400 Lipizzans (Operation Cowboy) by American troops, with help from Allied prisoners of war, in 1945 was captured in the Disney movie “Miracle of the White Stallions” in 1963.
Gen. George S. Patton approved the mission in the Czechoslovakian village of Hostau, (now Hostouň, Czech Republic) to save the horses from the advancing Soviet army, which would have used the horses for food.
Jay Heater
Sydney McCullough goes high with Achilles under the watchful eye of Rebecca McCullough in preparation for the Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions’ season finale April 26.
A wonderland worth supporting
Nik and Erendira Wallenda and the Circus Arts Conservatory donate $125,000 from ‘Wonderland: Illuminate.’
JAY HEATER | MANAGING EDITOR
Nik and Erendira Wallenda, both world renowned aerialists, had their feet firmly planted on the ground at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch, even though it was obvious they were floating on Cloud 9.
They had come to the rescue April 16 to present a check for $125,000 to Rob Oglesby, the board president and development director for Nate’s. The check will be a nice boost to the rescue’s $16 million Journey Home capital campaign that has funded a renovation five years in the making.
The donation came courtesy of the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory, who collaborated on the holiday spectacle “Wonderland: Illuminate,” which was presented during the holiday season under the Big Top at University Town Center. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue was selected as the show’s charity partner. Nik and Erendira Wallenda made it obvious they love the show’s decision to support Nate’s. The couple toured the facility, which will be fully operational this summer, hugging dogs all along the way.
“Every time we pull in here, it is amazing,” Nik Wallenda said. “This is premier ... I’ve never seen anything like this. It looks like an amusement park.”
The highlight of the rescue will be the 23,000-square-foot Welcome and Adoption Center, which will house a veterinary clinic, an education center, a maternity ward, a parvo ward, event space, a restaurant, an apartment for students on a veterinary externship and seven catios.
“Getting behind an organization that does everything with excellence is easy to do.”
— Nik Wallenda
The expansion will double dog capacity to approximately 100 dogs, and will create a kitty city.
The Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory came to Nate’s last year to donate $108,377.09 from the Wonderland show. Nik Wallenda said he hopes that donation increases every year.
“This is what we want to get behind,” Nik Wallenda said.
He explained the care and attention to detail that he puts into every one of his shows and presentations for both audience enjoyment and for the safety of those involved. Likewise, he said he can tell the care that goes into every facet of Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.
“We know that Nate is (the late) Nathan Benderson, and we know everything the Bendersons do is done with excellence,” Nik Wallenda said. “Everything is done right.
“Getting behind an organization that does everything with excellence is easy to do.”
Oglesby is ecstatic that not only have the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory embraced the effort, but that Wonderland has been such a success.
“A donation like this is huge,”
Oglesby said. “Mostly we live off $75, $100 and $500 donations, and that is fine. It all works.
“But this ... ”
Oglesby said when someone with the fame of the Wallendas makes a big donation, it even has a carryover effect as news spreads out of state and attracts support from around the country.
“We saw a little blip last year,” Oglesby said of nationwide donations after the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory made their donation.
Nik Wallenda said having vets on staff and in-house care will make a big difference.
“Because of it, I think you will see rescues and adoptions increase,” he said.
He said those people in the area who pause before adopting because of the high cost of pet medical care will be more likely to go forward if the rescue can offer lower cost care to those who adopt.
Pedro Reis, the co-founder of the Circus Arts Conservatory, said his organization is firmly behind Nate’s, which has 12 employees (five part time) and more than 900 volunteers.
“This is an absolutely worthwhile not-for-profit,” he said before the check presentation to Nate’s. “The feedback we get about Nate’s is 100% positive.”
He said the donation to Nate’s made sense as a way for the Circus Arts Conservatory to give back to the community.
After the check presentation, Oglesby continued to give tours of
the facility to all those present.
Erendira Wallenda continued to scoop up dogs, giving her husband a look as to say, “Let’s bring just one more home.”
With six dogs already, Nik Wallenda said, “not today.”
“This is a challenge (walking through the campus), because we love dogs,” Nik Wallenda said.
Oglesby might not have sent a dog home with the Wallendas on April 16, but there’s always next year. The new holiday show at UTC under the Big Top will be “Wonderland: Believe.”
You can believe the Wallendas will be back in 2026.
“This is our passion,” Nik Wallenda said about helping Nate’s.
MORE PROGRESS AT NATE’S
The first on-site spay/neuter surgeries were performed at Nate’s in April. While the new public veterinary clinic is still under construction, the newly hired veterinarian and medical director, Sharon Pindar, can’t wait to get started.
The training center was transformed into a temporary surgical site.
The milestone points toward the fact that animals can be spayed and neutered on-site at Nate’s, getting cleared for adoption faster and making room for others in need.
Nate’s will be able to diagnose, treat, and recover animals with top-tier equipment and expert staff right on campus.
The community will be able to access veterinary care right at Nate’s.
As the new veterinary clinic nears completion, naming opportunities are now available. From the X-ray Room and Dental Suite to the Cat Recovery Room and Surgical Suite, each space will play a vital role in lifesaving care. Select naming rights support the Angel Fund, a lifeline for pets and families facing medical emergencies they can’t afford. For more information about Journey Home naming opportunities and Angel Fund donations, contact Director of Development Rob Oglesby at Rob@HonorAnimalRescue.org or by calling 538-6206.
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Erendira and Nik Wallenda present a check for $125,000 to Nate’s Honor Director of Development Rob Oglesby, along with Dolly Jacobs, Jennifer Mitchell and Pedro Reis of the Circus Arts Conservatory.
Do you think Nik Wallenda loves dogs?
Tell the mosquito men they can buzz my house
So a helicopter kept buzzing my Lakewood Ranch area house one night, and I was sure that an escaped convict was loose in my neighborhood.
I called the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to find out whether this convict was armed and dangerous.
“No, we don’t have any helicopters in your area,” I was told.
So what the heck?
It wasn’t medical because the helicopter kept coming back.
It certainly wasn’t a news station doing a traffic report.
I definitely was bugged.
And that, my friends, was the explanation.
The Manatee County Mosquito Control District was spraying my area from above. Geez, do they have to be flying that low?
As it turned out, yes, they do.
It won’t be long before our drier season gives way to more seasonal storms, which makes for perfect mosquito breeding conditions. Without our Mosquito Control District’s intervention, we might feel like we are living in Indonesia.
“As our rainfall increases, the levels of mosquito breeding is going to rise,” said Christopher Lesser, director of the Manatee County Mosquito Control District. “You are going to see more fog trucks and helicopters.”
Lesser will begin to hear complaints from people like me, who freak out when they figure a helicopter pilot is making like Arnold Schwarzenegger in “True Lies.”
“Mosquito Control is in place to protect the public health and the human quality of life,” Lesser said. You would think that I certainly would know better.
Think of me as the human version of the TIKI BiteFighter Torch.
If I am in your backyard, you are safe. All 86,000 mosquitoes will be pointing their proboscis at my skin, keeping everyone else in the neighborhood safe.
Yes, their complex system of six needle-like parts — stylets — will be piercing my skin, locating blood vessels and sucking the blood away.
Your skin stays smooth, while I end up with more bumps than a BMX course.
“Nobody wants to have a barbecue and be swatting mosquitoes,”
Lesser said. “So typically, our helicopters are spraying at 150 feet at 100 miles per hour. Spraying generally starts at sunset and goes until midnight. That is peak mosquito activity.”
Now when the helicopters swoop into my neighborhood, I just shut up.
“Thank you, Mr. Lesser.”
Of course, there is more at stake than just a day’s worth of bumps and itches.
Lesser notes that dengue disease continues to set records throughout the world, and here in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that in 2024, more than 13 million cases of dengue were reported in North America, Central America, South America and throughout the Caribbean.
Travelers to all those areas have increased the small outbreaks in the continental U.S.
The best way to prevent dengue, which is a viral infection that causes individuals to develop mild to severe illness, including fever, is by avoiding mosquito bites.
Lesser said Manatee County had seven documented cases of dengue in November and December that were traced to a small area in Bradenton just south of 59th Street near the Manatee River. It is likely that someone traveling outside the
country brought the disease here, and the mosquitoes spread it.
“The disease can be aggressive for a couple of weeks, but it is unusual for it to be deadly,” Lesser said.
Lesser said Sarasota County had seven cases of West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, in 2023.
So perhaps we can show a little patience when those helicopters and trucks come through our neighborhoods.
Of course, not everyone is going to remain calm.
“No matter what, we are going to get blamed for things,” Lesser said.
“We had a lady call and tell me I was responsible for the chemtrails at 35,000 feet.
“But the chemicals we spray are the same as what is used in pediatrician’s medicine to control head lice in children. In fact, the medicine used on children is 1,000 times stronger. The dose they use can be compared to what we are spraying
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on a football field.”
He noted that the United States Environmental Protection Agency does an exhaustive evaluation of products that are used to control mosquitoes.
Earlier in April, the Florida Mosquito Control Association announced that this is expected to be an intense mosquito season as it prepared to host its annual “Fly-in” exercises in Lee County. Stateof-the-art aircraft and drones are tested for their ability to control mosquito populations.
The FMCA noted Florida is “home to more than 80 species of mosquitoes, many of which can carry diseases that are harmful or even deadly for humans and animals, such as dengue virus, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide each year.”
The release said “the Fly-In highlights the important role of aviation in public health and is just one piece of Florida’s comprehensive
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In 2024, Florida experienced 1,010 travel-related and 91 local cases of dengue virus, which spread to various regions of the state, according to the release.
So Mr. Lesser, you have permission to double mosquito bomb my yard at midnight.
If I get the urge to complain, I will squash it like a bug.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
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Christopher Lesser, director of the Manatee County Mosquito Control District, said his department goes to extraordinary lengths to protect the safety of the public.
Kids get hooked on fishing
The Anglers Club of Lakewood Ranch and Community Activities host a youth fishing clinic May 3.
JAY HEATER MANAGING
t was back in 2015 when Sarasota’s Brenda Root sent sons Michael and Jared to the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Both Brenda and her husband, Dale, remembered the impact it had on their boys.
“They still talk about it,” Brenda Root said. “It gives kids a love of fishing. It helped them feel that they could do it.”
After Dale Root retired, he started looking around for ways to give back to his community.
One way was to be a Boy Scout volunteer, even though his four kids were all adults.
He also wanted to do something else. So a year ago, the Roots were visiting the Lakewood Ranch Block Party and Club Day when Brenda saw the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club table.
“That’s what you need,” she told her husband.
A year later, Dale Root is talking about how the youth clinic on May 3 at the Summerfield Park Pavilion in Lakewood Ranch will help the club members share their love of fishing with kids.
Almost 100 kids have signed up for the clinic, so anyone whose kids want to attend should act quickly. The club will hold the number of participants to about 120 so they all can get some individual attention from the 12 to 15 volunteers who will be working the event.
The kids will take turns attending four stations that will teach them various aspects of fishing. When the kids sign off on all four stations, they will receive a free Zebco rod and reel courtesy of Fish Florida.
Root said there are several reasons the club offers the clinic. Here are five:
“It can get kids hooked on an activity that can last a lifetime.” Dale Root said. “You can do it from the time you are real little to when you are a super senior.” He also noted that those with physical challenges have more opportunities now that fishing equipment is available for those with special needs. He also said more awareness has led to docks and piers being more wheelchair accessible.
“We try to teach them the basic nuts and bolts,” Dale Root said.
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
He said the club members will teach knot tying and the basics of casting, and will talk about different types of tackle and bait. Brenda Root said some lessons can be as simple as how to carry a fishing pole.
“We want the kids to learn that fishing is a way to take advantage of your environment,” Root said. “It is a chance to get kids away from the cell phones.” He said he often hears parents say that fishing is a way to get their boys outside. And the clinic always has been attended by a lot of girls, too.
“Fishing is an opportunity to make friends,” Root said. He said he is a good example of that now that he has retired and has joined the fishing club. He has reconnected with former friends who fish and he has met new friends in the club. He said he says active with his friends in the club, and through helping the Boy Scouts.
“We want to teach fishing basics to kids whose parents might not know anything about it,” he said. It’s a good opportunity for parents who might feel challenged when it comes to fishing to let their kids learn from the experts.
IF YOU GO
What: Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar
When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. sessions, May 3
Where: Summerfield Park pavilion, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
Who: The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Cost: Free More information: Visit LWRCA.org.
Jay Heater
Dale Root, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, stands with a Zebco rod and reel that will be given to kids who attend the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar on May 3 at Summerfield Park.
‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ offers unique challenge
Serious drama was a different kind of challenge for the Ovation School of Musical Theatre students.
Fourteen-year-old Lara Zoppe of Lakewood Ranch has been learning how to sing, act and dance for 11 years.
At 3, she became a student at Ovation School of Musical Theatre and has since taken just about every class it has to offer. She has learned various technical skills, such as how to perform on stage as well as how to socialize and work as a team.
Zoppe used all those lessons in portraying Eurydice in “Hadestown: Teen Edition” that played at the East County theater for two weeks in April, with the show closing on April 19. She said she loved landing the role — Ovation used two separate casts during the run so more of its students could be included — because she always had connected with the character. Eurydice joins Hades in exchange for basic necessities and later regrets her decision in giving up her freedom and a chance at love. Ovation School of Musical Theatre was established in 2013 and is owned and operated by Matt and Michelle McCord. So both Zoppe and the the-
Madison Bierl
Lara Zoppe played Eurydice in “Hadestown: Teen Edition” alongside Sawyer Girgis, who plays Orpheus at the Ovation School of Musical Theatre. Zoppe is 14 years old and has been a student at Ovation since she was 3.
ater have grown up together.
“They are like my second parents,” Zoppe said of the McCords. “They have taught me everything I know about theater and about life, and they’re such good figures to have in my life.”
Michelle McCord said it has been an exciting journey to watch Zoppe grow her talents over the years.
“I’m her vocal coach and her ballet teacher, so we have really produced her,” Michelle McCord said. “It’s just glorious to watch that.”
Michelle McCord called
“Hadestown: Teen Edition,” a powerful, exciting and emotional show. She said it was a rare piece for the
theater because it was a serious drama. She said the theater’s growth has allowed it to develop a trust with its students, allowing the shows to do scenes that involve love, anger, fear and panic.
“Instead of pizazz and jazz, we are going into really deep emotions,” Michelle McCord said.
The Ovation School of Musical Theatre utilizes a black box theatre. Matt McCord said it as not as elaborate as other theaters, but added they have quality equipment when it comes to lighting and sound.
“Essentially, storytelling is storytelling,” Matt McCord said. “If the story is good and it’s presented well,
CAMPS
Ovation Weekly Camps (OvationFla.com)
June 2-6: “Wicked” (ages 6-11)
June 9-13: “Sing 2” (ages 6-11)
June 16-20: “Descendants”
June 23-27: “Moana 2” (ages 6-11)
June 30-July 3: “The Little Mermaid” (ages 3-6)
July 7-11: “The Greatest Showman” (ages 6-11)
July 14-18: “Wicked” (ages 11-teen)
July 21-25: “Hamilton” (ages 10-teen)
July 28-August 1: “Dance Camp” (ages 7-adult)
Summer Stock Camps
June 2-13: “Shrek The Musical Jr.” (ages 11-teen)
June 16-July 13: “A Chorus Line” (ages 12-teen)
you don’t always have to have the trappings of an elaborate setting.”
With the double casting of “Hadestown: Teen Edition,” 18-year-old Micaela Ramirez-Walsh played Eurydice as part of the “Diamond cast.” Like Zoppe, she had long wanted to play the role.
“Michelle’s direction is so real, and the atmosphere she creates with her shows, especially this one ... it’s magical. You’re immersed in it; you’re there,” Ramirez-Walsh said. “It feels
like I’m her, like I’m Eurydice, when I step onto that stage.” Ramirez-Walsh graduated from Manatee School for the Arts in 2024. She recently performed in her first professional theater job with American Stage Theatre Company in the bilingual musical titled “Familia de Flamingos” as Leo. She did two shows per day five days a week from Feb. 3 to March 28.
Other students embraced their roles, as well.
Gabriella Cruz, 18, has been a student at Ovation for eight years. She plays Persephone in the Diamond cast for Hadestown. She said she loves the role as it brings a new warmth that she never experienced in other roles she has played.
Cruz, who lives in Lakewood Ranch, has taken ballet classes for seven years and said that McCord’s classes specifically were the core for all of the skills she has learned.
“It set the base for dance for me,” Cruz said. “It gave me strength, it gave me flexibility and it gave me everything I need.”
With all her experience as a student, she has also become a member of the Ovation faculty. She currently teaches tap, lyrical and musical theater classes.
Ella Aleksandrowski, 18, is homeschooled and has been attending Ovation for a year.
“The space is so welcoming and lovely, especially for homeschooled students,” Aleksandrowski said.
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All the buzz about bees
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Braden River Elementary students offer honey of a presentation.
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
When honey bees sting a person, their stingers are embedded in the skin while ripping away part of the bee’s abdomen, resulting in the death of the bee.
It was just one of the interesting facts learned by first grade students at Braden River Elementary and showcased at the Innovation Expo held April 10. The students present their projects twice a year during the expo to their fellow students. Then they do the same presentation for parents during an evening expo.
“Stingers get stuck and it pulls out their guts. That’s what they were writing,” said Tina Stancil, the assistant principal at Braden River Elementary. “Oh my gosh, they’re so into it.”
Student Skyla Perez thought it was cool that bees breathe out of their butts and Alex Gnesin told other students that boy bees are lazy.
Stancil said that each grade level has two or three project based learning subjects that they implement throughout the school year.
Stancil said that some subjects have been used before and others are new to keep things relevant and current.
The pre-kindergarten students’ project was “Veggies, Rocks and Flowers, Oh My!” They planted a garden outside of the school with flowers and vegetables. There is also a rock garden as well as decorations made by the students.
The kindergarten project was titled “Growing Our Love of Reading.” The students read decodable books which focus on certain types of words, for example “sh” words or “th” words, in order to strengthen their phonic skills.
The first graders learned all about
SHOWCASED SUBJECTS
Pre-K: “Veggies, Rocks and Flowers, Oh My!”
K: “Growing Our Love of Reading”
1st: “All A Buzz”
2nd: “Manatee Madness”
3rd: “Road Trip USA”
4th: “Entrepreneurship”
5th: “Energy Savers”
bees in their unit called “All A Buzz.”
“We found the students worried about bees after seeing some bees circling the trash cans,” said first grade teacher Tammy Peters. Peters said their driving question was “Why are bees important and how can we help bees?” They researched and wrote a book and also created a video as a class in full costumes about what they learned.
Second graders studied manatees and why they need protection through their project “Manatee Madness.” Third graders had a new unit this year titled “Road Trip USA” where they were divided into groups and researched different regions of the United States.
Fourth graders had “Entrepreneurship” as their project based learning unit. The fifth grade students studied “Energy Savers.”
Madison Bierl
Webb Brue, Griffin Wills, Sullivan Pippins, Parker Royce and Nolan Appel are in Tammy Peters’ first grade class. They learned all about bees and informed the public on ways to save them.
“I feel like we have a good chance to go far. We’re getting some of our guys back. ”
— Rhys Klein, Braden River senior pitcher. SEE PAGE 19A
FAST BREAK
The Lakewood Ranch boys track and field team won the District 4A-11 championship April 17 at Riverview Spoto High School while the girls team placed fifth out of nine teams. The boys team was led by firstplace finishes by Derek Robinson (9:58.20 in 3,200 meters), the 4x800 relay team (Zachariah Kersey, Colton Prater, Jonathan Leatt and Robinson in 8:24.30), Litton Gabrielson (2.74 meters in pole vault) and Liam St. John (51.83 meters in javelin). The girls team was led by first-place performances by Savannah Adams (2:21.83 in 800 meters) and the 4x800 relay team (Briana Taylor, Avery Stewart, Addison Shea and Adams in 10:02.59).
... The Braden River baseball team beat St. Petersburg Hollins 1-0 in nine innings on April 15 and then defeated Manatee 6-4 on April 17 to win the District 5A-10 championship. The Pirates will host Cape Coral Mariner beginning April 23 in a best-of-three series to open regional play.
... The Lakewood Ranch softball team needed just three innings to beat Braden River 18-0 on April 15. Maddison Anderson (2-for-3 with three runs, RBI) and Bella Toscano (2-for-3 with four RBIs) led the offense. Former Lakewood Ranch pitcher Colton Gordon has had a strong start to his season at Triple-A Sugar Land, a minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros. Gordon is 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA, and 18 strikeouts in 191/3 innings.
... The University of Washington dominated the Big Ten Women’s Rowing Regatta at Nathan Benderson Park on April 18-19. The Huskies won 11 of the 12 races in which they competed.
Nextlevelz, a football developmental program, is hosting a youth football tackling clinic and a coaches clinic beginning at 9 a.m. April 26 at 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. Cost of the clinic is $30 for players and $10 for coaches. Interested parties can register for the event at Nextlevelz.net/ TacklingCamp.
Five-hole playoff decides Suncoast Classic
VINNIE PORTELL SPORTS EDITOR
Neal Shipley didn’t try to hide his emotion when shots didn’t go his way during the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National.
So it was only fitting he erupted in a raucous celebration April 19 when he drained a near 40-foot putt to win the Korn Ferry Tour event in a five-hole playoff against Seungtaek Lee.
“Unfortunately, I have a tendency to let my anger out, sometimes in good ways, sometimes in bad ways, I’ll admit,” Shipley said. “I feel like that helps me. It’s like a release valve and you’re taking some pressure out. If you hold it in, you’re like a pipe that’s ready to burst at some point, and then it bursts in bad ways, so I’d rather let that air leak a little at a time, stay calm and move on.”
The LECOM Suncoast Classic became Shipley’s first professional win — one that he said was simply a matter of time. He earned $180,000 of the $1 million purse for his firstplace finish.
Shipley’s win came at what LECOM Suncoast Classic Tournament Director Justin Kristich called the highest-attended day in tournament history despite the schedule being shifted to end a day earlier due to Easter Sunday.
The atmosphere of the playoff — featuring one of the biggest names in the event on an 18th hole surrounded by grandstands — gave fans some extra bang for their buck, something this tournament has become known to provide.
“We’ve had that a few times now,” Kristich said. “Out of the seven years we’ve hosted this event, four have gone to playoffs, so it’s kind of something we just expect in the back of our heads. I don’t know if I want five hole playoffs in the future, but it was good overtime for the spectators. They really enjoyed it. And if you’re picking from a list of the 156 guys pre-tournament on who you want to win, (Shipley) is a guy who would be on top.”
The 2024 Ohio State grad made his mark on the world of golf last year on the sport’s biggest stage. He won the Low Amateur award at both the Masters Tournament (T53) and the U.S. Open (T26) before going on to play in eight more PGA Tour events.
This year didn’t get off to nearly as good of a start.
Shipley finished T-47 at the Valspar Championship — his only PGA Tour event this year — and had mixed results on the Korn Ferry Tour leading into the LECOM Suncoast Classic, missing the cut in five of seven events, but placing T15 or better in the other two.
Despite that slow start to 2025,
The 2024 Masters, U.S. Open Low Amateur winner notched his first pro victory in Lakewood Ranch.
“I
definitely got a little lucky that some guys slipped coming in, but I took advantage of the opportunity and I’m super happy about that.”
— Neal Shipley
Shipley said he wasn’t discouraged. “I figured it would come just based on the type of quality player I am, not to pump my own tires,” he said. “I know that I can compete with these guys out here. I knew that before coming here. It’s about having the right opportunity and having the stars align, and I had that happen this week. I think the important thing is that I was going to stay patient regardless of what happened this week and in prior weeks.”
Shipley came from behind during Saturday’s final round, shooting a 7-under-par 64 that was tied for the low round of the day.
After opening with three straight pars, Shipley birdied seven of the next eight holes to put himself into contention. However, there were moments when it looked as if his late charge wouldn’t be enough.
Shipley bogeyed the par-4 12th hole, but responded with back-toback birdies on the par-5 14th and par-3 15th to get to 19-under-par and in sole control of the lead. That proved to be momentary, though, as Shipley’s third shot on the par4 16th — a downhill putt from the fringe — rolled well past the hole and resulted in a bogey.
Shipley remained at 18-under from there, and admitted he wasn’t sure if his final score would be enough to win.
“It was a little nervy,” he said of waiting for the rest of the field to finish. “When I finished, I didn’t think it would be enough. I was pretty happy just to be in a playoff, and to be in just a one-man playoff was a blessing because when I was on the golf course there were four other guys at 18-under at one point. I definitely got a little lucky that some guys slipped coming in, but I took advantage of the opportunity and I’m super happy about that.”
The two-man playoff included high-pressure shots and some dramatics from Shipley.
Both Shipley and Lee missed par putts on the first playoff hole to bogey and each went on to par the hole three straight times after — including a long par save from Shipley on the third playoff that gave him a spark of adrenaline that was soon one-upped by his long birdie putt that clinched the win.
“When you see a putt that long go in, that gets you pumped up,” Shipley said of his par save. “I’m one of those guys that when I have my back against the wall, whether it’s in a playoff like that or on the cut line, I tend to always go down swinging. That’s just my mentality, and I’m not afraid to make those putts in those moments.”
Fans who enjoyed the LECOM Suncoast Classic — or any who missed out on this year’s dramatics — can rest assured knowing that the event is contracted to return for 2026, and Kristich said that conversations for a renewed contract should begin soon.
“We’re good to go with both our title sponsor LECOM and the club through next year,” he said. “We’ll start to have discussions with both of those entities within the next few weeks to hopefully extend the title sponsorship and the contract with Lakewood National well before the 2026 event rolls around.”
Vinnie Portell
Lakewood Ranch senior distance
runners Jonathan Leatt and Derek Robinson played a big part in the boys track and field team winning the District 4A-11 title on April 17.
Vinnie Portell
Neal Shipley reacts to making a long par putt to stay in contention during the third playoff hole against Seungtaek Lee during the LECOM Suncoast Classic.
Lakewood Ranch freshman learns to love tennis again
Ariana Perez must decide if high school tennis is the best path for her future.
Lakewood Ranch tennis coach
Hannah Legere said her girls team has a shot to make it to the state tournament next year.
However, that could hinge on what freshman Ariana Perez chooses to do.
Like many talented young tennis players, Perez is faced with a difficult decision, whether to continue to play for her local high school or play in tournaments against higher caliber competition.
What makes that decision even harder is what this past year has meant to Perez.
Tennis has been the focal point of Perez’s life for several years now. She first picked up a racket at 5 years old and has been trained “seriously” for the past five years by her father, Francisco Perez, who used to coach tennis at IMG Academy. At one point, Perez said she became sick of the sport.
She said she was fatigued and blistered from constant practice and had little opportunities for social interaction with her schedule of homeschooling and tennis practice taking up her time.
That led Perez to Lakewood Ranch High this year, and the transition wasn’t smooth at first.
She said she was cold to teammates during tryouts because she viewed them solely as competition, but that changed once she made the team. She also had to learn how to
LAKEWOOD RANCH GIRLS TENNIS 2026 OUTLOOK
Even if Ariana Perez doesn’t return to the Lakewood Ranch girls tennis team next year, the Mustangs are shaping up to be a formidable squad.
The team went 12-2 this year, losing to only Venice, and is set to return every player.
Here are the expected returners:
Mila Pipkin: Rising senior. Went 3-2 at No. 1 singles.
Emerson Carter: Rising junior. Went 4-1 at No. 2 singles.
Taylor Knoll: Rising sophomore. Went 4-0 at No. 3 singles.
Peyton DeCicco: Rising senior. Went 9-2 at No. 5 singles.
manage after-school practice with homework and making new friends — things she didn’t have to worry about when she was homeschooled.
However, she credits her time on the high school team this year — especially laughing and having fun with her teammates — with reinvigorating her passion for the sport.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but ever since I joined the tennis team, I actually like tennis more,”
Perez said.
“Before, I was just doing it. It was just whatever, but when I got on
the team, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I really love this, and I want to do more.’”
Despite being a freshman, Perez wound up playing at several positions in the lineup, including No. 1 singles (3-3), No. 2 singles (1-0), No. 4 singles (4-1) and both No. 1 doubles (1-4) and No. 2 doubles (1-0).
Perez played well at the District 4A-10 tournament, too.
Playing in the No. 4 singles bracket, she defeated Kaia Zika of Palmetto (6-0, 6-0) and Sophia Yturralde of Riverview (6-3, 6-0) before losing to Tess Tchorbadjiev of Venice in the finals 6-3, 6-1.
That finish wasn’t satisfactory to Perez.
“People don’t see that I know how to play tennis,” she said. “I wasn’t able to show them during districts that I can actually play. Like, the Riverview girl (Julia Piotrowska) was showing everyone how she was really good, and I wanted to show everyone I was really good, too, but I crumbled in my head. I got nervous and couldn’t hit my shots.”
Perez said she’s still working on the confidence she has in her game. Sometimes that means she resorts to “tapping” the ball instead of putting top spin on her shots to put her opponents in difficult positions.
Part of the reason Perez plays it safe is that she said she plays down to her competition — something that won’t come frequently playing in USTA tournaments.
“She’s a very consistent player,” Legere said of Perez.
“She just has to get confident in her own ability to make plays. It’s the maturity of the game, trusting
your shots and not overthinking your game.”
That leaves Perez in a tricky spot.
To grow her game and reach her goal of playing tennis at the collegiate level, she feels that she will have to abandon the team that made her fall in love with the sport again.
Perez said her decision is still up in the air, but there’s a good chance that this year will be her first and last playing high school tennis.
“It’s sacrifice,” Perez said. “If you want to be the best, you have to
sacrifice. But you have to find a balance. It’s not all bad. I can focus on my tennis and socialize, too.”
Vinnie Portell
Lakewood Ranch freshman Ariana Perez said she needs to play better competition to put herself on a path to play tennis in college.
Vinnie Portell is the sports reporter for the East County Observer. Contact him at VPortell@ YourObserver.com.
Rhys Klein
The Braden River High baseball team won the District 5A-10 championship with a 6-4 win over Manatee on April 17, but that wouldn’t have happened without a standout effort from Rhys Klein in the district semifinal April 15. Klein pitched six shutout innings in the semifinal against St. Petersburg Hollins that the Pirates won 1-0 in nine innings. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out eight batters while also going 1-for-2 at the plate. The senior left-handed pitcher, first baseman and outfielder has pitched a team-high 45 innings and owns a 5-2 record, a 2.96 ERA and has struck out 49 batters.
When and why did you start playing baseball?
I started when I was about 4 years old. It was just the first game that my dad got me into. I went to Little League and I kind of fell in love with it and just kept going.
What’s been the most memorable moment this season?
Probably last Thursday when we won the district championship. That felt really good.
Braden River started out slow, but rallied in the second half of the year. What changed?
I think we just weren’t on the same wavelength overall as a team, and the more we played, the more our chemistry came together. We figured ourselves out after that.
What’s gone right for you personally this year?
I’ve been able to throw a lot more strikes. That’s probably the biggest thing. I’ve been limiting the walks, and I’ve been able to be more competitive in the zone and to challenge hitters. It’s been paying off.
What was the district semifinal like?
It wasn’t that I had to be perfect, but I really had to be on point. I couldn’t give any free bases, especially later in the game. The pressure in a
If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to VPortell@YourObserver.com.
district game is always there, and winning felt good.
What do you think of your team right now?
I’m feeling great right now. I feel like we have a good chance to go far. We’re getting some of our guys back. Some good pitchers and some good hitters. We had some injuries; like we had Nick Curbelo go out, and we’re getting him back. We’re firing on all cylinders right now.
What’s your favorite baseball memory?
Last year when we beat Venice, that was really nice. They were nationally ranked and No. 2 in the state, and we blew them out, so it felt good.
What’s your go-to warm-up song?
I don’t have a go-to, but I have a playlist that I listen to. It has some rap in it. I like Travis Scott.
If you’re not playing baseball, what are you doing?
I like golfing a lot. I mess around with my Volkswagen a little bit.
Finish this sentence. Rhys Klein is … A good lefty.
YOUR NEIGHBORS
UN-BULL-IEVABLE ACTION AT DAKIN DAIRY
The event included mutton busting, bull riding and barrel racing.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Myakka City’s Dakin Dairy Farms is best known for its milk-producing cows, but on April 19, bucking bulls were the main draw.
The dairy farm hosted an Elite Bullriders Association rodeo event — the Dakin Bull Bash — that included mutton busting, bull riding and barrel racing competitions.
Mutton busting kicked off the evening’s events. One by one, kids ages 4-7 entered the arena hanging onto the back of a sheep.
Some of the kids were bucked off the minute the gate opened; oth-
ers hung on so tight they had to be peeled off the sheep by an adult.
When the bulls entered the arena, the audience was asked to step two feet back in case one rammed the fence or kicked a hoof through the bars.
One bull was so riled up, he tried to jump out of the stall into the arena before the rider could mount him, and several others bucked their riders off well before the eight second mark.
The action-packed event attracted hundreds of people. The rodeo didn’t start until 7 p.m., but gates opened at 4 p.m.
Easter eggs were shot out of the pumpkin shooter. A kids’ zone was set up with slides and bounce houses. Food trucks and vendors had their own area outside of the arena.
“This is great,” Myakka City resident Jolene Darbonne said. “I love supporting local (businesses), and Dakin Dairy is Myakka.”
Bradenton’s Mickey Wilson-Skarr and Northern Ireland’s Dee Carr, Maureen McEvoy and LaceyLou McEvoy attend the Dakin Bull Bash. Carr has a second home in Bradenton. The
hats are from WilsonSkarr’s wardrobe.
Olivia Johnson, 7, tears down a turf hill on a big wheel during games that were part of the Dakin Bull Bash.
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Nicky Dyer gets thrown off a bull during the Dakin Bull Bash on April 19 in Myakka City.
YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 27
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING
Runs from 4-7 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Kid Red and Friends (Friday), Gator Ridge Ramblers (Saturday) and Rock ’n Randy Talbott (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5; the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25 AND
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
Runs from 6-9 p.m. each evening at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Acoustic cover artist Mike Williams performs for the Waterside Place crowd on Friday while Dean Johanesen, who plays circus swing and American roots music, performs on Saturday. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
LIPIZZAN STALLIONS PERFORM
Begins at 10 a.m. at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City. The closing performance on the 2025 season includes a special salute to military veterans. Adult tickets are $22; children 10 and younger are free; veterans and active military are $15; seniors 60 and older are $18. For more information, go to HerrmannsRoyalLipizzans.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 AND SUNDAY, APRIL 27
MUSIC AT THE LODGE
Runs 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Linger Lodge, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton. Linger Lodge’s live music schedule includes the Divebombers on Saturday and Rich McGuire on Sunday.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
APRIL SHOWERS AND SERENADES
Begins at 2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble presents its spring concert, titled April Showers and Serenades. Tickets are $10. For more information or tickets, go to
BEST BET
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
POLO
Gates open at 10 a.m. and the match begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Polo Club closes out its 2025 season. General admission is $15; VIP tickets run $20 and up. Each week has a theme for those who want to participate. For more information, go to SarasotaPolo.com.
LWRWindEnsemble.org. Tickets also are available at the door.
FARMERS MARKET
Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
RANCH NITE WEDNESDAY
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place. Ranch Nite Wednesday features food trucks, dessert trucks, live music, outdoor bars and a recreational cornhole league. Please do not bring coolers or bring outside food or beverages. Go to Waterside. com for information.
Jay Heater
Mark Mulligan and his fellow polo players will wrap up the 2025 season at the Sarasota Polo Club on April 27.
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Braden River High theater director takes final bow
Ricardo RobinsonShinall is leaving Braden River High after 15 years.
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall has built a multifaceted, educational career spanning nearly three decades in choreography and theater production.
After teaching at Braden River High School as color guard director for 15 years and theater teacher for 10, Robinson-Shinall’s last show as theater director will be “Hadestown: Teen Edition” on April 24-26.
“All I wanted to do was to create and do stuff in this performance world,” Robinson-Shinall said.
In 2019, Robinson-Shinall was driving with his daughter, Monica Dellinger, and they were listening to the Hadestown soundtrack. A song called “All I’ve Ever Known,” which he described as a pivotal moment in the show, was playing.
“We were on Alligator Alley, and we noticed the fact that both of us were just in tears, crying over the show,” Robinson-Shinall said.
Six years later, Robinson-Shinall decided that he wanted Hadestown to be his last show. Hadestown is still touring the country, so the rights are restricted, meaning only teenagers can perform it.
“Nothing changes; none of the songs change,” Robinson-Shinall said. “Everything is the exact same thing, except it has to be done by people under 19.”
Jacob Mazzone is a senior who plays Hades in Hadestown. He said when he first met Robinson-Shinall at the beginning of his high school career he was intimidated, but quickly felt comfortable with him.
“As far as Ricky goes, everyone here appreciates him, and he’s phenomenal at what he does,” Mazzone said.
Senior Gloria Candela is the stage manager and has been in the drama
department her entire high school career. She said Robinson-Shinall can be tough, but only because he wants them to reach their full potential.
“A lot of us are dedicated to the department, so we just want to do our best because we want to make him proud,” Candela said.
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall was inspired from a young age to pursue the creative arts. His mother Cyndi Robinson was a dancer and his father Bruce McGee was a football player at the University of Central Arkansas. At the football games they had a coed color guard and it sparked RobinsonShinall’s interest.
“I was fascinated by it, so I started doing productions in my yard for my family where I would choreograph my own shows, and I would sew my own costumes and sew my own flags,” Robinson-Shinall said.
Both of his grandmothers, Millie McGee and Gracie Lay, were seamstresses.
“I have been designing and creat-
ing my entire life,” Robinson-Shinall said.
Robinson-Shinall attended Newton County High School in Decatur, Mississippi. The school did not have a theater program, but they did have a show choir.
“I was actually one of the inaugural male members who joined the show choir,” Robinson-Shinall said. “Before, it was all female.”
Robinson-Shinall was introduced to a lot of music from Broadway in show choir, which led to him auditioning for community theater productions. His first production was doing “Oklahoma” with the Newton Little Theater Company when he was 14 years old as a lead dancer.
Robinson-Shinall said he had various inspirations to pursue the arts. During his time in high school, band directors Pete White and Larry Howell gave Robinson-Shinall the opportunity to teach the color guard program and develop his skills.
Robinson-Shinall said that
his choral director Gloria Harms believed in his abilities and trusted him to pursue his dreams. He attended East Central Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I actually did go to college and majored in vocal music education with a minor in theater and dance, because I wanted to be like her,” said Robinson-Shinall.
Robinson-Shinall said that he wanted to be a Broadway performer, and he almost pursued it, but then decided to pursue an occupation that would give him a steady paycheck.
He has taught various color guard, theater and dance classes across Mississippi. He moved to Atlanta for a couple of years for a color guard position before landing in Bradenton.
In October 2024, RobinsonShinall became one of the school district’s specialists for visual and performing arts, which oversees all of the theater and dance programs
IF YOU GO
‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’
When: 6:30 p.m. April 24-26. Where: Braden River High School auditorium.
Tickets: $15; SDMC students and employees, $10.
More Info: Visit OnTheStage. Tickets/Show/Braden-Riverhigh-School.
in the county. He is currently doing double duty, but this will be his last year as the theater director at Braden River.
“I’m hopefully going to have a little bit of time, and the first thing that I’m going to do is audition for a community theater show,” Robinson-Shinall said. “I have not done anything for myself in 17 years since I left Mississippi.”
Robinson-Shinall said he takes inspiration from other teachers, students and performers in order to strengthen his skillset and methods. He attends theater festivals and competitions in order to continue to teach new things.
“You should never stop learning,” Robinson-Shinall said. “You should always walk into every situation and be a sponge, and that’s what I teach my students.”
Tabetha Walter began working as the theater and dance teacher for Braden River High School in November 2024 and has been working with Robinson-Shinall to make his last show happen. She will officially take over directing next year’s show, bringing 20 years of choral music experience. She has also directed 22 musicals.
Robinson-Shinall described his current students as resilient, hardworking and professional.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that a huge chunk of them are going to go on and become famous or continue doing this after high school, which is all that I want,” Robinson-Shinall said. “We want them to keep going and not just do this like a one and done thing.”
Madison Bierl
Ricardo Robinson-Shinall has worked in the Braden River High School theater department since 2016.
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Owen Bradley never wanted to pursue a career simply playing an instrument. He knew he wanted to be a band director since he was in 10th grade.
Longtime teacher gears up to conduct Wind Ensemble
Owen Bradley has 35 years of experience teaching jazz, concert and marching bands.
When Owen Bradley steps up to guest conduct the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble during April Showers and Serenades on April 27 at Peace Presbyterian Church, a lifetime of leadership will be on display.
Bradley has more than 35 years in regional schools as a band director, including 22 years at North Port High (through 2023). But none of it might have been possible if he hadn’t encountered some strong leaders in his own young life.
Losing his father (Patrick Bradley) at the age of 7 and his mother (Eleanor Bradley) at 16, Bradley said he was in dire need of strong adult figures in his life. His own band director at Charlotte High School, Ray Durkee, stepped forward.
“At that point, I needed somebody really strong to keep me from going down a dark path,” Bradley said. “I was so impressionable, and he was very strong.”
Durkee’s impact was so strong that by late in his 10th grade year, Bradley knew he wanted to be a band director himself.
Eventually, Durkee offered to be Bradley’s guardian. He is still his guardian to this day and still checks on Bradley.
“That’s God in the works, because if there wasn’t a grand plan, I could have ended up totally different,” Bradley said.
Before Durkee had taken him under his wing, Bradley said he had another strong band director in Bob Schaer, who later become a colleague.
“We’re all products of teachers,” Bradley said. “Everything that you do in your life, you need to have a foundation.”
Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State in 1988 and a master’s in instructional technology from Walden University in 2003. He later earned a doctorate in educa-
Madison Bierl
tional leadership from Argosy University in 2013.
In 1989, Bradley reunited with Schaer as the assistant band director at Southeast High School in Bradenton. He was 21, teaching 18-yearolds.
“I understood the cultural references and everything, but I also had to be the person in charge,” Bradley said. “Luckily, I looked older than I was.”
In 1992, Bradley left Southeast High School to accept a position at Bayshore High School, where he taught for seven years.
He eventually took the band director’s position at North Port in 2001.
Bradley said he was able to lay the foundation for some incredible musicians, which was satisfying to him. He didn’t regret not being a career musician.
“Teaching was the best decision I made because that’s really where my passion was, and I have had a phenomenal career,” Bradley said. “My kids were amazing and the bands were able to make incredible music.”
Bradley’s last concert as band director was an important event to him. He described it as overwhelming and emotional.
“The auditorium was filled with friends, family, and former students. We had a monster concert, it was amazing,” Bradley said. “I got some real good closure.”
When Bradley retired, he took a year off to do nothing, but still wanted to help where he could.
“I just told all my colleagues that I would do free help for a year,” Bradley said. “I’ve got nothing but time so I can go in and help.”
Bradley’s wife, Amy Bradley, is a
IF YOU GO
What: April Showers and Serenades
Who: The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble
When: 2 p.m. April 27
Where: Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch
More information: LWRWindEnsemble. org.
clarinet player who joined the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble in 2023.
“I came the first year just to watch and support her,” Owen Bradley said. Amy Bradley wanted her husband to join, as well. After speaking with Joe Martinez, the director of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, the Bradleys discovered that they had enough trumpet players, which is Owen Bradley’s principal instrument of choice.
“I said, ‘Look, I can play pretty much anything, if you need percussion or whatever else,’” Owen Bradley said. “I just wanted to be involved because Amy’s involved.”
He played percussion in the ensemble until his trumpet talents were needed.
Bradley is looking forward to leading the band.
“I said absolutely; that’s stellar,” Owen Bradley said when asked by Martinez. “What an opportunity — to conduct this wonderful group.”
Owen Bradley chose the piece “Mandalen Landscapes” by Philip Sparke to conduct during the concert. He said the song is about springtime in Scandinavia and the piece is very lyrical.”
By Kathy Pontillo, DOGPerfect Department Leader
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Stop by your local DOGPerfect where healthy, happy dogs shop—and let us help you find the perfect nutrition plan for your sensitive pup. Because every dog deserves to live their healthiest, happiest life.
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Sapphire Point home tops sales at $1.7 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
ASapphire Point home on Hidden Oak Loop topped the week’s sales at $1.7 million.
Bryan and Kerri Armstrong, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 16243 Hidden Oak Loop to Laura Ann Tevens and Gregory Thomas Tevens, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.7 million. Built in 2022, it has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,323 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,021,900 in 2022.
LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE
HBT Waterside LLC sold the home at 7935 Waterbend Trail to John and Barbara Magill, of Sarasota, for $1.62 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,673 square feet of living area.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Cary and Sarah Verasco sold their home at 16007 Castle Park Terrace to Kenneth and Allyson Ray, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.6 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,184 square feet of living area. It sold for $820,000 in 2020.
WATERLEFE
Jason Hoffman, Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Hoffman, trustees, of Palmetto, sold the home at 10402 Riverbank Terrace to Charles and Hanne Sinclair, of Bradenton, for $1.6 million. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,585 square feet of living area.
ISLES
John and Robin Hess, of Venice, sold their home at 7924 Redonda Loop to Michael Shawn Stevens and Tina Marie Stevens, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,375,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,366 square feet of living area. It sold for $927,600 in 2022.
LAKEWOOD NATIONAL
Edmund Sinclair sold his home at 5600 Arnie Loop to Paul Mouly, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, for $1.25 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,392 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2017.
Jeffrey and Diane Artz, trustees, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, sold the home at 5914 Cessna Run to A. Trenkmann Estate Inc. for $900,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,900 square feet of living area. It sold for $760,000 in 2022.
Mark and Rebecca Frederick, of Liverpool, Ohio, sold their home at 17448 Hickok Belt Loop to Charles and Sondra Gustafson, of Bradenton, for $900,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,903 square feet of living area. It sold for $462,000 in 2020.
TIDEWATER PRESERVE
Jon-Erik and Amanda Sutphin, trustees, sold the home at 1259 Tyne Lane to Bradshaw Bearing Court LLC for $1.25 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,460 square feet of living area. It sold for $667,800 in 2019.
Andre and Melina Chevalier, of Weaverville, North Carolina, sold their home at 5105 Lake Overlook Ave. to Franklin and Jessica Crismon, of Bradenton, for $820,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,791 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2018.
LINKS AT PALM AIRE
Pamela Codilis, trustee, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, sold the home at 7412 Links Court to David Volinn, of Sarasota, for $1,075,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $470,000 in 2003.
ROSEDALE HIGHLANDS
Bruce and Marie Silverman, trustees, of St. James, sold the home at 4911 96th St. E. to Andrew Thomas Carl Mueller and Deborah Mae Mueller, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 2006, it has three
bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,879 square feet of living area.
AZARIO ESPLANADE
Michael Griggs, trustee, of Palm Coast, sold the home at 4611 Trento Place to John and Teresa Knippel, of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, for $985,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,388 square feet of living area. It sold for $669,600 in 2021.
Michael Smeraglia and Joycelyn Smith Smeraglia sold their home at 3105 Formia Court to Michael and Vaughn Packer, of Lexington, South Carolina, for $550,000. Built in 2024, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,558 square feet of living space. It sold for $547,600 in 2024.
GREENBROOK
Peter Offringa and Allison Gregory, of Sarasota, sold their home at 15016 Bowfin Terrace to Casey and Dana Smith, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for $960,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,851 square feet of living area. It sold for $645,000 in 2015.
INDIGO
Mark and Monica Trepicone, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 13325 Indigo Way to Robert and Arati Bennett, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, for $950,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,740 square feet of living area. It sold for $646,400 in 2021.
WOODLEAF HAMMOCK
Jordan and Megan Pritchard, of Charlotte, North Carolina, sold their home at 11418 Apple Tree Circle to Claire Weaver, of Bradenton, for $925,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,118 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,200 in 2022.
RIVERDALE REVISED
C. Edward Richardson, of Bradenton, sold his home at 4524 Swordfish Drive to Luiz Fernando de Mello Goncalves and Felipe Goncalves, of Bradenton, for $845,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,254 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2002.
BRADEN WOODS
Peter Dennis Wilson and Deanna Elaine Wilson, trustees, of Cottonwood, Arizona, sold the home at 5911 Braden Run to Benjamin Jacob Higginbotham and Michelle Higginbotham, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,684 square feet of living area. It sold for $438,000 in 2021.
Craig Allen Miller and Anna Joy Miller, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6208 98th St. E. to Jakob Devon Horning and Amber Lynn Horning, of Bradenton, for $585,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,688 square feet of living area. It sold for $580,000 in 2023.
COUNTRY CLUB
Evelyn Downing, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7656 Portstewart Drive to Luer Properties FL LLC for $727,500. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,128 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2011.
GREYHAWK LANDING WEST
Deborah Clark, trustee, sold the home at 854 Rosemary Circle to James and Deborah Petti, of Oneco, for $685,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,429 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2020.
RIVER CLUB SOUTH
Kathleen Russin, of Ridgefield, Washington, sold her home at 7630 Partridge St. Circle to Salvatore Peter Bonadonna and Angela Clara Bonadonna, of Bradenton, for $680,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,758 square feet of living area.
GREYHAWK LANDING
Jannie Calpin, trustee, of Eagle, Michigan, sold the home at 12823
RESIDENTIAL
APRIL 7-11
Penguin Drive to Michael Dill and Johanna Russo-Dill, of Bedford, Massachusetts, for $675,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,313 square feet of living area. It sold for $695,000 in 2022.
SAPPHIRE POINT
Astrid Reis and Tiffany Reis, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 16210 Hidden Oak Loop to Christopher and Elizabeth Lau, of Lakewood Ranch, for $635,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,054 square feet of living area.
SOLERA
Jason and Shayne Solano, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5225 Grove Mill Loop to Igor and Jacky Sahinov, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and
2,774 square feet of living area. It sold for $596,300 in 2022.
HEEDE ACRES
Tracy Allen, of Bradenton, Wayne Allen, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Rhonda King, of Dover, Pennsylvania, Stephen Heede, of Mesa, Arizona, and Laurie Tobin, of Palm City, sold their home at 2119 Zipperer Road to Kent Hatch, of Bradenton, for $605,000. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,026 square feet of living area.
The Lakewood Ranch Medical Group General Surgery Team — David Dexter, MD, FACS, Samuel Yelverton, MD, and Alexa Kinder, MSPAP, PA-C — provides individualized care to the Lakewood Ranch community. They currently see both elective and acute care general surgery patients at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
The team’s surgical services include:
• Minimally invasive robotic surgeries, including anti-reflux, hernia, colon/rectum, gallbladder, appendix, spleen, and adrenal glands
• Management of benign and malignant breast disease
• Benign and malignant skin disease
• GI Tract Procedures
• Robotic Weight Loss Surgery
To make an appointment, call 941-254-6767
lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com
‘Little people’s carnival’ benefits charity
The proceeds will be split between the Primrose Children’s Foundation and Mothers Helping Mothers.
Sara Campbell, regional manager of Primrose Schools, said the Lakewood Ranch school’s Spring Fling on April 18 was a “scaled back version of a carnival for little people instead of big people.”
While she also called the event “high energy, with bubbles and music,” it had some important goals, other than providing the school’s students with face painting, a bean bag toss, an egg hunt, arts and crafts, bubbles and other games.
Trudi Krames, school director at Primrose, said their students’ families have been generous to donate toys, books, self-care products and more to create baskets to raffle off during the event. There were different themed baskets (summer, story time and fairy tale).
Through the event’s fundraising efforts, they were able to raise $3,507, which will be distributed between the Primrose Children’s Foundation and Mothers Helping Mothers. It was more than double what was raised at Spring Fling a year ago.
Savannah Stalnaker, 5, has attended Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch for three years and was eager to collect all the eggs she could get.
“It’s always fun when the kids get to play with their classmates and the money (raised) goes to charity,” said Kyle Stalnaker, father of Savannah Stalnaker. “When the kids are happy, I’m happy.”
Stalnaker said the schools parents rally to support Spring Fling because they know its importance.
“We’ve built enough trust with
Primrose that if they say it’s a good cause, I’ll be there and donate,” Stalnaker said.
Campbell said Primrose Children’s Foundation assists with funding of the schools and the national support center.
“It’s important because those are funds that they also use to support children who are underserved or in crisis,” Campbell said.
Mothers Helping Mothers is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1990 to assist families in need.
“They help families, not just mothers, with resources that aren’t always available to them to help them be successful,” Campbell said. “That could be financial, it could be literacy.”
Along with the monetary donation from Spring Fling, they also donated 635 books to Mothers Helping Mothers in February.
“As a mother myself, it’s nice to know they’re out helping others,” said Heather Walding, mother of 2-year-old Aria Sorbo, who attends Primrose. “It’s not easy.”
Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch serves children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.
“It’s one of those schools that is very welcoming, and everyone knows every child’s name,” said parent Katelyn Turner.
Samuel Yelverton, MD
David Dexter, MD
Alexa Kinder, PA-C
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
Madison Bierl Christina and Robert Dickens attended Spring Fling with their 2-year-old son, Carter. Carter Dickens has attended Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch since he was 2 months old.
“We love it; it’s like his second family,” Christina Dickens said.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
“ODE
EYE-OPENERS by Priyanka Sethy & Rajiv Sethy, edited by Jared Goudsmit
By Luis Campos
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