East County Observer 5.14.26

EAST COUNTY

Bandito bash

Observer

PAGE 4B

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

VOLUME 27, NO. 40

YOUR TOWN

Shelter complaints escalate Despite county’s $12 million investment at Bishop, criticism continues. SEE PAGE 3A

Lesley Dwyer

HATS OFF TO SENIORS

Let us pray — all together now About 40 people gathered at Waterside Place’s Gateway Park on May 7 to pray.

The National Day of Prayer is held annually on the first Thursday of May. President Harry S. Truman signed the observance into law in 1952.

David Hunihan, CEO of Lee Wetherington Homes, led the hour-long event. Dawson Cowals (above), a member of Grace Community Church, performed worship songs, and several members of the community recited prayers.

“We see that when the church comes together, societies change, regions change, families change, relationships change and governments change,” said Pastor Chad Spencer of Legacy Church in Lakewood Ranch.

Madison Bierl Courtesy image

Celebrating two super seniors

Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Jeffrey Crabtree and Sara Johnson are among the first class of graduating seniors to complete all four years at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.

Top seniors hope to deliver powerful messages during graduation ceremonies. SEE PAGE 8A

Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club members, Patti Wrobel (left above) and Andrea Burr (right above), presented Abigail Frint and Hannah Stint, seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School, with $1,000 scholarships May 6.

The scholarships are in honor of late past president Monika A. Templeman, who strongly believed in the future of young women and their ability to impact the world.

Burr, the current president of the club, said Frint stood out for devoting her talents to sports medicine, which includes mental health awareness. As for Stint, she has done missionary work in Ireland and Mexico.

Petals for mom, and poses for everyone Waterside Place hosted a day of family photos and lots of flowers to honor moms.

SEE PAGE 6B

Read the Observer anytime, anywhere on our free app! Visit YourObserver.com/app-offer or use the QR code below

Jay Heater

Kristen Parker made sure her mom, Linda Fanning, had some pretty flowers at the Petals and Poses event at Waterside Place on Saturday. Both live down the street from each other in Heritage Harbour.

A+E

New Bodies on stage in Sarasota.

PAGE 12A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

PURCHASES TO DATE In 2020, 71% of Manatee County voters supported a referendum to raise the millage by .15 mills and allow the county to bond up to $50 million. Here’s the list of properties the county purchased using those funds.

Crooked River Ranch: 68 acres for $11.2 million Emerson Point Preserve Expansion: 97 acres for $15.5 million Triple Oak Preserve: 105 acres for $3.6 million Pine Island Preserve: 13 acres for $41,500 Rye Preserve addition: 4.5 acres for $335,000 Crane Park addition: 13.4 acres for $420,000 Lesley Dwyer

Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum. The county spent $3.6 million to buy the property.

Lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot Commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional environmental lands and development rights.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

C

ommissioners are one step closer to adding a referendum to this year’s ballot that would allow Manatee County to protect more environmentally sensitive lands.

The Trust for Public Land, a nationwide nonprofit that has aided municipalities in protecting land since 1972, presented a feasibility study to commissioners May 5.

The initiative to protect more land in Manatee County will have to be presented on the ballot because the

purchases will be voter funded.

Manatee County voters overwhelmingly approved a similar referendum in 2020, which allowed the county to bond up to $50 million and which increased ad valorem taxes by .15 mills or 15 cents on every $1,000 of assessed property value.

TPL’s study used the 2025 Parcel County Report from the Florida Department of Revenue Ad Valorem Valuation and Tax Data Book to place the “average single family residential/condominium taxable value” at $314,813, to which a .15 millage increase equates to $47 a year.

Manatee County’s fiscal year 2026 budget includes over $463 million in property tax revenue.

In addition to land acquisitions, purchases also include easements.

Easements are purchased to strip the land of its future development rights.

The owner can still sell the property with the understanding that there’s no development potential.

Manatee County purchased two

easements on working ranches in January. However, referendum funds didn’t cover the costs because the language in the referendum didn’t include lands that protect agriculture, only those that protect water quality, wildlife habitats or will provide a park.

It was a lesson learned. Using the funds to also protect agricultural lands will be written into this year’s referendum no matter how it’s written or what funding mechanism is decided upon.

Commissioners were presented with four funding options: use property tax, sales tax, increase the county’s bonding capacity or combine property tax with bonding capacity.

Commissioner George Kruse inquired about using bonds only, without having to increase millage, so the previously approved increase from 2020 could pay down the debt service on any additional bonds.

Will Abberger, vice president and director of Conservation Finance for

TPL, said it’s possible to use the initial .15 millage increase, but there are limitations.

Repayment of the original $50 million worth of bonds is money that was already “pledged,” so the county would need to figure out exactly how much money is left over each year after that debt service is paid before determining how much more money can be bonded.

Additionally, bonds can only be used for the capital expense of purchasing land, not the costs required to maintain the land or operate a park.

Abberger presented the same options to members of the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee prior to meeting with commissioners. Both boards are leaning toward increasing the county’s bonding capacity because it’s an “easier sell” to the public.

“The sales tax approach was quickly shot down (by ELMAC) because voters have historically disapproved of the sales tax,” Commission Chair Tal Siddique said. “I just don’t think it’s a great strategy. It’s not likely to pass if we did anything with sales tax.”

Manatee County’s current sales tax is 0.5%, but it could be increased

to 1%. Residents pay an estimated $90 per year to Manatee County for sales tax. A half-cent increase would double that to $180 per year.

The same limitation exists with sales tax as it does with bonds — the tax revenue can’t be used for operations or maintenance.

Solely increasing property taxes was another less favorable option.

“We’re trying to lower our millage this year,” Commissioner George Kruse said. “Simultaneously saying we’re going to lower it .15 and here’s a ballot initiative to increase it .15 is kind of just gaming the system.”

With a combination of increased millage and bonding capacity, the debt service to pay off the bond must be paid before anything else, so again, it becomes a matter of how much is leftover. Except that in this case, the previously bonded $50 million wouldn’t have to be taken into account because the repayment was pledged by the already dedicated .15 mills.

Another .15 millage increase would cost the average homeowner an additional $47 per year and generate an estimated $10.48 million per year for the county. If the county ties that to a $50 million bond, the debt service would cost $3,843,807, leaving $6,643,904 to pay for any maintenance or operational costs.

If the county was to bond $125 million, the debt service would rise up to $9,609,518 and leave just $878,193 for upkeep.

Now that commissioners and ELMAC members have been updated on the financial mechanisms available to fund future purchases, the next step is to poll members of the public to see how receptive they are to voting in favor of such a referendum.

TPL will present its final recommendations to commissioners June 16.

“This is a fantastic program,” said Anthony Scuillo, a Parrish resident and member of the Manatee County Planning Commission. “For folks that are talking about how we’re losing our wetlands and we’re getting steamrolled by development, this is an opportunity to claw back property and create these easements.”

461476-1

2A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Bishop backlash could lead to another shelter Manatee County already has spent $12 million to expand the Bishop campus, but it’s not enough to appease some animal activists.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

C

ommissioner George Kruse said the donation of the Bishop Animal Shelter to Manatee

County in 2021 was both a blessing and a curse.

The donation, valued at $18 million, increased the county’s capacity to take animals off the streets and led to the closing of the outdated Palmetto Animal Shelter. But the expansion efforts created a public firestorm and took focus away from the original plan to build a brick and mortar shelter in East County.

Given repeated complaints by some animal advocates and a Change.org petition signed by over 2,000 residents about the donated shelter’s expansion, which includes a new adoption center and eight 15-kennel cottages, Kruse would like to renew the East County effort.

“We have all these passionate people,” he said. “Let’s work together and come up with a $15 million budget (to build a new shelter in East County) for about three years from now, instead of ripping out what we already have.”

Given the decision by the current board to keep the county-owned property on Lena Road, the land for an East County shelter is secured.

Complaints from Manatee County animal advocates about Bishop have remained consistent: The expansion is not what was promised, it’s not a functional facility and the kennel cottages should be torn down to build a concrete block facility to ensure “storm-ready, safe spaces for staff and animals.”

Kruse noted that animals are fostered out ahead of storms, and the cottages are hurricane rated, although he couldn’t say to which category of hurricane.

Some of the more detailed complaints have focused on the lack of shade in the outdoor areas of the facility, narrow aisles inside the cottages, the size of the kennels and the need for more fencing, to which Kruse said the county is working on it.

What started as an $8 million budget has ballooned to $12 million, and the county is not finished making adjustments.

Workers are putting up additional fencing outside the cottages. The adoption center is under construction with a grand opening anticipated for July.

As Kruse led a tour of the facility, he pointed out newly planted trees, new dog waste stations, easier to maneuver latches on the gates, permeable pavers outside the kennels, coyote bars on the top of the fences around the play yards, and additional reinforcements on the bottom of the fences so dogs can’t push their way out of the yards.

Most of the adjustments and additions were made because volunteers recommended them.

“We’re listening to everything they say,” Kruse said.

The most eye-catching adjustment is a series of tents that line the cottages to provide shade for the dogs when occupying the outside area of their kennels.

Social media commenters have compared the shelter’s appearance to that of a “FEMA camp,” but the tents are only a temporary fix. Permanent shade structures are on order.

Kruse said the staff is learning as it goes, but he emphasized that county commissioners and staff members are listening and responding to the feedback.

PALMETTO ANIMAL SHELTER IS FOR THE BIRDS The Palmetto Animal Shelter was given new life at the April 21 commission meeting. Friends of the Pelicans, a nonprofit that saves injured seabirds from the Skyway Fishing Pier, signed an agreement to lease the building from Manatee County for $1 a year through March 31, 2027.

The ultimate plan is for the county to donate the property to the nonprofit. But first, the property needs to be rezoned and the comprehensive plan needs to be amended to allow for a bird rehabilitation center in that location. FOTP is taking on the cost of all repairs and maintenance of the building.

“This is something we have desperately needed since starting our work on the Skyway Fishing Pier in 2021,” founder Jeanette Edwards said. “Right now, we have to transport a pelican one hour north or one hour south to get the help they need.”

would have been more expensive.

Kruse noted each additional structure would require more site work, sidewalks and utility expenses.

If using “six-pack” cottages like Nate’s, Manatee County would’ve had to install 20 cottages instead of eight to reach the same 120-dog capacity.

During the Jan. 27 commission meeting when residents brought up Nate’s, Kruse used cheese to put the matter in perspective.

“At no point in time should anyone eat their government-issued cheese and say, ‘This reminds me of the brie I had while I was touring Paris,’” he said.

Nate’s is funded by private donations, and Bishop is funded by tax dollars. For that reason alone, Kruse does not see ripping out the current kennels as a solution because it would waste tax dollars.

He also noted that the Bishop donation came with a 25,000-squarefoot brick-and-mortar building that includes 53 dog kennels and a capacity to shelter up to 372 dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

“Everything that they want us to build is here and ready to go,” Kruse said. “(The kennel cottages) are extra.”

The main building includes storage and a state-of-the-art veterinary facility that the Palmetto Animal Shelter was lacking.

Dogs were moved from Palmetto to Bishop on March 19.

At the May 5 commission meeting, shelter volunteer Cathy Bridwell said the conditions are “intensifying.”

Commissioner George Kruse stops to greet Chula, a 2-year-old mastiff mix, during a walkthrough of the Bishop Animal Shelter on May 9.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Toby is a Labrador retriever mix staying in newly opened kennels at the Bishop Animal Shelter.

The temporary tent over the walkway will be replaced with a permanent shade structure.

“We’ve noticed a significant increase in kennel stress since the move,” she said. “Almost all the dogs are spending their entire time in the outside kennels, where there’s no break from the heat and over stimulation of seeing the other dogs.”

Bridwell added that the dogs are becoming cranky from the heat, which increases the risk of bites. She also said staff are “worn out.”

Kruse agreed with Bridwell that the shelter is understaffed. If he could find extra money in the budget to hire more full-time employees, he said that would be the best use of any additional funding because the dogs could be walked more frequently.

“Let’s work together and come up with a $15 million budget (to build a new shelter in East County) for about three years from now, instead of ripping out what we already have to come up with a slightly nicer version of the exact same amount of kennels in west county.”

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA REPORT

On Jan. 27, Commissioner Bob McCann made a motion to have the University of Florida Shelter Medicine Program “analyze what needs to

The 5,000-square-foot adoption center is anticipated to open in July.

GOVERNMENT CHEESE IS NOT PARISIAN BRIE

The expansion was modeled after Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center on Lorraine Road. The difference between the two campuses is the size of the cottages and the layout.

A cottage at Nate’s holds six kennels, versus 15 at Bishop, and the cottages surround a courtyard. The cottages at Bishop are in a row.

Re-creating Nate’s exact model

Temporary tents provide shade until the permanent shade structures are installed.

— Commissioner George Kruse

be done to improve the shelter with what is already available.”

On Feb. 10, six staff members from Manatee County Animal Welfare met with two representatives from the University of Florida over Zoom to review their recommendations.

Animal advocates were upset that the meeting didn’t happen in person, but Kruse said it was a matter of timing.

University of Florida representatives couldn’t meet in person until the end of the year, which has since been moved up to August. The Zoom meeting was a way to speed up the process.

Many of the university’s recommendations mirrored what advocates had been saying. For example, the university recommended the “installation of shading and secure fencing to improve animal safety and heat welfare standards.”

Manatee County acted on both those recommendations among others.

The university also made recommendations that would prevent the spread of diseases, such as adjusting cleaning protocols and drains and adding more water spigots to prevent cross contamination from hoses dragging from one area to another.

When the site visit happens in August, a full report will be made available to the public.

In the meantime, the once defunct Animal Services Advisory Board has been reinstated and will hold its first meeting in June.

“We’re making changes in real time,” Kruse said. “On average, other than a handful of dogs, most of the dogs come here for less than eight weeks.”

3A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

NEWS BRIEFS

From Saint Stephen’s To the white house Kaelan richards Class of 2001

“Saint Stephen’s prepared me to succeed in college and beyond – from politics to tech to starting my own company.”

Scan the QR Code To schedule a campus tour.

- Former White House Senior Regional Communications Director; CEO and founder of Compass Rose Communications in San Francisco, Calif.

452727-1

315 41st Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 www.saintstephens.org

I felt reassured by the doctor’s calm and compassionate approach.”

- General Surgery Patient

David Dexter, MD, FACS

Samuel Yelverton, MD

Alexa Kinder, MSPAS, PA-C

Apparel company chooses Lakewood Ranch A Canadian custom apparel company is opening a facility in Lakewood Ranch that will serve as its U.S. headquarters.

The company is Quebec-based Printeez and it has leased a 34,020-square-foot space at the Gates Creek Corporate Center at 11125 Gatewood Drive.

Printeez CEO Shawn Sckoropad said in a statement that Printeez chose the location, in part, because of its infrastructure and the area’s growing workforce, calling it “an ideal base for distributing our products efficiently across the United States.”

According to Ian Black Real Estate, which represented the landlord and announced the agreement, the company will use the space as a production and warehouse facility.

Lease terms were not disclosed nor were details on the number of employees to be hired.

The plan calls for the facility to be built out to include office and warehouse space, with the hopes Printeez will move in this summer.

The company, which makes print-on-demand and embroidered clothing, is moving into Building 2 at Gates Creek, a just-finished 112,914-square-foot industrial property developed by Richland Capital Holdings.

In addition to the expansion to Lakewood Ranch, Printeez is currently building out a new 41,000-square-foot production and warehouse facility in Quebec.

Ian Black’s Nick DeVito II and Brie Tulp represented the landlord in the transaction, along with Trey Carswell and Lisa Ross of Cushman and Wakefield.

Printeez was not represented by an outside broker.

Leadership Manatee applications due Applications for Leadership Manatee class of 2026-27 are due by 4 p.m.

May 15.

The program, run by the Manatee Chamber Foundation and Bradenton Kiwanis, has served as an area lead-

ership program since 1982 and was established to connect and develop leaders committed to making an impact in Manatee County.

Those taking the program gain insight into sectors including education, healthcare, local government, transportation, law enforcement, agriculture and more. Participants are selected through an application process.

Applications are available at ManateeChamber.com/LeadershipManatee.

The program begins Aug. 24. For more information, contact Debbie McDermott at 748-4842, ext. 117 or email her at DebbieM@ManateeChamber.com.

Manatee offers $1.2 million in housing rehabilitation assistance

Applications are being accepted for Manatee County’s housing rehabilitation and replacement assistance program to support low income households through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.

“For many residents, a needed repair or accessibility improvement is not a luxury,” said George Kruse, Manatee County’s District 7 commissioner, in a release. “This program helps remove some of those barriers and gives families the opportunity to improve their living conditions in a meaningful, lasting way.”

The program aims at helping homeowners complete critical repairs, upgrades and other improvements.

The release notes, “eligible households must be in unincorporated Manatee County or the city of Palmetto and meet program income and property value requirements. To qualify as a special needs household, at least one member of the home must have a developmental disability, disabling condition, or receive SSD/SSDI or other disability benefits.”

Application forms are available at MyManatee.com. For more information or help completing an application, call 749-3029.

Kimberly Laguatan, PA-C

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Group General Surgery Team — David Dexter, MD, FACS, Samuel Yelverton, MD, Alexa Kinder, MSPAS, PA-C, and Kimberly Laguatan, 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

donate &&shop donate donate &donate shop shop & sh

• Management of benign and malignant breast disease • Management of benign and malignant skin disease • GI tract procedures • Robotic weight-loss surgery

Building Materials | Furniture | Appliances Building Materials Building | Furniture Materials Building | Appliances | Furniture Materials | |Appliances Furniture | Appli ArtArt | Decorative | Lamps To schedule an appointment, call 941-254-6767 Art | Decorative Accessories | Decorative Art |Accessories Lamps Accessories | Decorative Accessories | Lamps | L or visit lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com.

LET’S DO WELL TOGETHER.

6310 Health Park Way, Suite 200 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 264393782-4453636 4/26

458192-1

n 1nLocation n Stores 3 Stores n 13 Location 3 Stores 1 3 Location Stores 1 Location Tuesday -n Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday - Saturday Tuesday 10:00am - Saturday Tuesday -n 5:00pm -nSaturday 10:00am -n 5:00pm 10:00am n Sarasota n Sarasota 2095 17th Street Sarasota 2095 17th Street 2095 17th Street 2095n 17th Street n Saraso

large items tolarge donate?

Have large Have items Have to large donate?

Have items to donate? items to donat The Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County and Longboat Observers meet the legal requirements to Call toyour schedule free pick up.

Call to schedule freeCall pick toyour up. schedule free pick your free pic Call to schedule ayour courtesy pick up.up. publish legal and public notices in Sarasota & Manatee counties, per F.S. 50.011. Call to schedule PUBLIC NOTICES

Circulation Verified Council 12166 Old Big Bend Road, Suite 210 | St Louis, MO 63122 314-966-7111 | www.cvcaudit.com

n www.habitatsrq.org (941 ) n444-5783 n www.habitatsrq.org n www.habitat (941) 444-5783 (941 )www.habitatsrq.org (941 ) 444-5783 444-5783

Our Our vision is everyone deserves a decent place to live.

Our vision is everyone deserves vision aisdecent everyone Our place vision deserves to live. is everyone a decent deserves place to alive. decent plac 455629-1

AUDITOR INFORMATION

461581-1

4A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

5A

Manatee agrees to $12 million generator contract Although expensive, commissioners, in a 5-1 vote, decided it was a needed expenditure for the county.

Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

M

anatee County Commissioner Bob McCann said the county’s second administration building in Lakewood Ranch is becoming a “money pit.”

During the May 5 commission meeting, McCann voted against a 20-year agreement with Florida Power & Light for a backup generator that will add $52,744, plus taxes, to Manatee County’s FPL bill every month.

“That’s just a lot of expense,” McCann said. “We’re spending money like a drunken sailor at a liberty port.”

McCann pulled the item off the consent agenda for a discussion. He was outnumbered 5-1 when it came to voting to approve the agreement with FPL. Cary Knight, director of Property Management, said the diesel generators were at the end of their life when Manatee County purchased the building in September for $23.5 million. However, the county was unaware the fuel tank was ruptured.

“Why wouldn’t they know that?”

McCann questioned.

He noted that perhaps staff members were unaware because the sale happened so quickly. Administrators conducted a site visit Jan. 30, 2025, and the contract was presented to commissioners and subsequently approved May 6, 2025.

Charles Meador, deputy director of the Property Acquisition Division, said the county conducted a “thorough level of due diligence” prior to the acquisition, but there were some limitations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was occupying the second floor, which restrict-

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann has concerns that the second county administration building in Lakewood Ranch is becoming a "money pit."

ed access, and the building is over 100,000 square feet, so it’s a huge lift to “unturn every stone.”

When the county bought the building, $11,332,903 was added into the overall budget to account for renovations and decor.

“When you see additional costs come through, they were accounted for in the original budget,” Commissioner George Kruse said.

However, the monthly expense, which is an annual cost of over $630,000, is being added to the

county’s FPL bill. The FPL bill is paid out of the operations budget.

Knight said some money was allotted in the original budget for work on the generators, but off the top of his head, he couldn’t say how much.

Knight also clarified that the inner lining of the fuel tank ruptured, not the outer lining. Fuel never leaked from the tank, but it still can’t be used.

Currently, power to the building is only backed up through a battery system, which was replaced after the acquisition and had been accounted for when estimating the budget.

The building operates on an Automatic Transfer Switch. When the power goes out, the ATS tells the generators to turn on and moves the power from the building to the battery backup. The batteries kick in until the generators are ready to go.

When the power is restored, the ATS powers down the generators and performs a cool down cycle while recharging the battery system.

Knight said the backup generator is crucial because even three days of no power could create a mold issue.

There will be up to 550 people working out of that building after the construction is complete, which is anticipated for January 2027.

“It’s a very critical thing for us to be

able to make sure that this building, in particular with the key functions that are in it, is as robust as possible so we can respond and support our community as quickly as possible,” Knight said.

County Administrator Charlie Bishop said the building will also serve as a pre- and post-storm rallying point for employees who are not stationed inside the Emergency Operations Center.

Now that commissioners approved the contract, FPL will start installing temporary generators that are anticipated to be up and running by August.

Knight estimates the partnership with FPL will save Manatee County about 15% over what would’ve been spent without the partnership because the county doesn’t have to hire an engineering firm or perform maintenance.

The contract includes the initial work and ongoing maintenance.

Manatee County won’t have to make its first payment until the permanent generators are installed, which is anticipated in late 2027, so the impact won’t hit the county’s budget until fiscal year 2028.

Knight also noted that once the contract expires, the generators are a county asset that should last at least

EXPENSES The 101,312-square-foot administration building was purchased for $23.5 million.

An additional $11,332,903 was added to the budget for renovations and decor, of which $1.1 million remains.

“We’re holding that ($1.1 million),” Director of Property Management Cary Knight said.

“We’re not spending it right now until we know every single thing that could come up.”

One such expense was an elevator that stopped working.

Knight said the staff was aware that the elevators were original to the building, which opened in 1998, but during the “initial cursory review of the building, you don’t get into that kind of minute detail on some of these systems.”

Staff is still evaluating the elevators and the server room to see if they can make some of the data systems “more robust.” Knight said it’s still unclear if the entire $1.1 million will be spent, but he’s sure the project will not exceed that amount. Below are some of the expenses accounted for so far: ■ IT fiber and first floor furniture: $1,985,508 ■ Construction improvements on both floors and the exterior: $3,889,272 ■ Second floor remodel: $3,008,808 ■ Power modules for battery backup system: $196,158 ■ Elevator repairs: $10,000

another 10 years.

“This (building) is not a money pit,” Knight said. “Even if we get to the point where over the next 20 years we’re at $450 a square foot, we’re still at 35% of what a new building would cost.”

Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives Charles Totonis Global Real Estate Advisor

941.524.8299 Charles.Totonis@PremierSIR.com

Joe Harris

Global Real Estate Advisor

941.539.0974 Joe.Harris@PremierSIR.com

TOP 1% OF REALTORS® NATIONWIDE

by RealTrends Verified 2025

Spotlight on

572 Blue Shell Loop | Wild Blue | $3,600,000 This newly constructed and never-occupied residence is a rare offering — thoughtfully curated, richly appointed and notably priced below reproduction. Showcasing a sophisticated coastal-inspired design enhanced by an impressive collection of luxury upgrades, this exceptional residence is perfectly situated on an expansive lakefront homesite in Wild Blue.

•

4,369 square feet under air

•

Gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances

•

Four-car split garage

•

Great room with custom built-ins

•

Circular driveway

•

Large bonus room with wet bar

•

Endless water views

•

Exercise room or second office

•

Three en-suite bedrooms

•

Outdoor fireplace

Scan the QR code to view video, photographs and additional information

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

TheCharlesTotonisTeam.com

Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources, including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. Source: Stellar MLS

456777-1

Over $30 million sold and pending in 2026

YourObserver.com

BUSINESS OBSERVER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

DO YOUR LEGS ACHE? WE CAN HELP! Have you noticed the veins in your legs are

PAINFUL? BLUE? BULGING? This is not just part of the aging process!

Problems with leg veins is a medical issue.

Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe founders Hannah O’Reilly and Chelsi Thompson consulted their children while selecting playhouses for the business.

Entrepreneurial moms combine coffee, kids’ play place for new business

Once vein issues appear, no medication, supplement, or lotion can make them go away.

We Can Help!

The business on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard underwent a complete renovation to provide a place for parents and children to ‘connect and make core memories,’ its co-founder says.

FREE Screening

Call to Schedule Your FREE Screening

941-866-8989

ELIZABETH KING BUSINESS OBSERVER

A

pair of Lakewood Ranch moms and entrepreneurs have opened a new business combining two things most parents love — a nice place for kids to play that also serves coffee.

The business, Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe, provides a space for those up to 6 years old to play, as well as a cafe where adults can enjoy coffee.

Off State Road 64 at 1845 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., the business officially opened on April 27.

Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe came to fruition after a year and a half of work. Founders Chelsi Thompson and Hannah O’Reilly started planning the play cafe in October 2024, O’Reilly said.

“We just wanted a safe place for both parents and kids, a place where they can connect and make core memories,” O’Reilly said in an email. “Giving caregivers a place to connect and relax while their children are safely playing and enriched gives so much peace of mind that parents desperately need in these little years.”

Thompson has two children, ages 6 and 8, while O’Reilly has four children, including 6-year-old twins, an 8-year-old and a 14-year-old. The founders’ children helped inspire the playhouses featured throughout the business. Among them are a gas station, house, beach–themed snack shack, corner market and medical center. There are also costumes and toys like cars and a cash register to engage children’s sense of wonder.

A separate space is set aside for children up to 18 months old.

The 2,800-square-foot facility

Offering appointments in Lakewood Ranch Monday -Thursday from 8am-5pm

9114 Town Center Pkwy., Suite 101 | Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 floridalakesveincenter.com

462627-1

Fridays 8am-3pm

Where A Little Sparkle Brightens Your Day

Fine Jewelry, Diamonds, Watches & Engagement Rings

461897-1

AT WATERSIDE PLACE 1561 LAKEFRONT DRIVE SUITE 105 LAKEWOOD RANCH, FLORIDA 34240 (941) 351-8792 WWW.CILEONE.COM 459155-1

6A

Photos by Dy’Shone Hayes

Hannah O’Reilly and Chelsi Thompson co-own Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe.

used to be a dance studio, O’Reilly said. She and Thompson oversaw the gutting, complete renovation and build-out of the space. Now, half of it is dedicated to play, while the other half encompasses the cafe, a boutique and party rooms.

“The response has been overwhelmingly wonderful,” said O’Reilly. “We are selling out for multiple-hour blocks throughout the day, and people have ranted and raved after their play sessions about how much fun their kids have had.”

Reservations are encouraged. People can sign up for one-and-a-hour play sessions online for $20. Grip socks are required. Memberships are $80 a month or $800 for a year.

Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe has six employees, and O’Reilly said the plan is to expand this summer when school is no longer in session.

The founders also operate a mobile party business. In September 2025, the Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe acquired soft play company Happy Tots Play Co. Now, Lakewood Ranch Play Cafe’s mobile party arm specializes in mobile soft play for children 3 and under as well as balloon installations.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

7A

STUNNING VIEWS | A STORIED HISTORY | PREMIER LOCATION | SUPERIOR QUALITY | A LOCAL TEAM | OUTSTANDING SERVICES & AMENITIES

The Last Great Address on Palm Avenue PRICED FROM THE HIGH $3 MILLIONS

Discover Luxury Living in The Heart of Downtown Sarasota MIRAMARSARASOTA.COM

|

(941) 200 1772

|

1258 NORTH PALM AVENUE, SARASOTA, FL 34236

449405-1

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FILED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND NO OTHER STATE. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY THE CONDOMINIUM UNITS IN STATES WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION CANNOT BE MADE. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ANYTIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

8A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Publisher / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

Madison Bierl

Kaiya Peters, Chloe Pogoda and Isai Palacios will be student speakers at the Braden River High School commencement ceremony.

One final assignment — a graduation speech The chosen speakers for the various East County commencement ceremonies are eager to connect with their peers.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

C

hloe Pogoda, a graduating senior at Braden River High School, is a big believer in

exposure therapy.

Embarrassment, for her, simply doesn’t exist.

Pogoda, along with Kaiya Peters and Isai Palacios, will be speaking at the Bradenton River High School commencement ceremony.

Pogoda said she is nervous, but knows it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. She knew even as a freshman she wanted to speak at graduation.

“I always tell myself, no one knows what I’m about to say,” Pogoda said.

“As long as I just have a steady mind and a steady flow of words and not speak too fast, no one’s going to know if I mess up.”

Unlike Pogoda, Palacios didn’t consider he might be a speaker at the graduation ceremony until last summer. He was watching his favorite show “Ted Lasso” when he was inspired to speak in front of his peers.

“He (Ted Lasso) would always say to believe, because that’s a big saying in the

show,” Palacios said. “For me, it’s made me reflect back on my years and how I’ve always believed in myself and how others have believed in me.”

Peters said that being a bit nervous, she has sought guidance from staff members at Braden River High when it came to finalizing her speech. She said, however, the number of listeners won’t impact the way she presents it.

In her speech, Peters said she will compare her time in school to a library. With the different lessons her fellow students have learned, they are building their catalog.

“We learn things, not just from a curriculum, but from how other people treat us and how we’re treating other people.”

Seniors Juliana Vendramini, Madison Goodwin and Zachariah Kersey will speak at the Lakewood Ranch High School commencement ceremony.

Vendramini said her personality has been shaped by her time at the school and she is honored to have been chosen to speak at graduation.

She loves public speaking and said a lot of graduation speeches “tend to drift back to personal memories or accolades.” She wants to make sure

“I know my friends and family are out there listening to me, so it makes me feel empowered and hopefully strong enough to deliver my speech well.”

— Senior Juliana Vendramini

Courtesy image

Zachariah Kersey, Julia Vendramini and Madison Goodwin will speak at the Lakewood Ranch High School commencement ceremony May 18.

IF YOU GO

There will be an estimated 600 graduates from Lakewood Ranch High, 420 from Braden River High School and 66 from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.

■ Lakewood Ranch High School graduation is 7:30 p.m. May 18. at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton ■ Braden River High School graduation is at 7:30 p.m. May 19 at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton ■ Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy graduation is at 6 p.m. May 20 at The Ora, 578 McIntosh Road, Sarasota

every student can relate to what she is saying and can reflect on their accomplishments in high school as they look toward the future.

“I know graduation is usually a celebration, but I’m honestly a bit emotional going into it,” Vendramini said. “I’m hoping I can channel that energy into a good speech delivery. I know my friends and family are out there listening to me, so it makes me feel empowered and hopefully strong enough to deliver my speech well.”

Goodwin said she appreciates how much the school has prepared her for the future, especially in terms of being ready to take on bigger campuses in college due to already attending a large high school. She said she learned to root myself, either with a person, a teacher or with a subject, in order to get the most out of her learning.

“Even though there’s 600 of us, it’s just a big family,” Goodwin said.

Seniors Eliana Yeboah, Suzan Ikele, Sara Johnson, Jeffrey Crabtree and Ciara Charles are representing Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy at its commencement.

For Johnson, stress is a motivator for her, therefore she is planning to write her speech the day prior to graduation. She wants to encourage her fellow classmates to accomplish anything they set their minds to doing.

That idea is especially important to her as she moved to the U.S. from Iraq in 2020. She has been accepted into Cornell University and her pride of that accomplishment is for her mom, Haveen, who never finished high school.

“Everything I am doing, I want to credit to her because she’s the whole reason I’m here,” Johnson said. “I’m going to college and getting my education for her.”

Yeboah said the students at Lakewood Ranch Prep have been through a lot of changes, including turnover in staff members at the school.

“It speaks to our resilience as a class, especially those of us who’ve been here from the beginning,” Yeboa said. “There’s not one of us who hasn’t pushed through and given their best.”

Ikele, the valedictorian of Lakewood Ranch Prep, hopes her peers walk away with guidance for the future, but she wants them also to appreciate the past.

“Focus on your goals and what you’re trying to be, but it’s also about the journey,” Ikele said. “Who you help along the way and the memories you make with the people around you is the most important.”

Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Jack Nelson, JNelson@ YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Madison Bierl, MBierl@ YourObserver.com; Lesley Dwyer, LDwyer@YourObserver.com Digital News Analytics and Marketing Strategist / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Digital News Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com Chief Revenue Officer / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Advertising Director / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Senior Sales Executive / Richeal McGuinness, RMcGuinness@ YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@ YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Marcus Ponce, MPonce@YourObserver.com; Anna Reich, Anna@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Sydney Schunk, SSchunk@YourObserver. com Head of Sales Operations / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Account Managers / Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com; Caitlin Ellis, CEllis@YourObserver.com Advertising and Event Coordinator / Marisa Merlino, MMerlino@YourObserver. com Director of Strategic Growth / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Strategic Marketing Coordinator / Landyn Park, LPark@YourObserver.com Social Media and Content Manager / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services and IT / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver. com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

Observer Media Group Inc. is locally owned.

Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Key Life Style Magazine, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh MWalsh@YourObserver.com President / Emily Walsh Chairman / David Beliles (1995-2026) Vice President / Lisa Walsh (1995-2023) 8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite D207 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-755-5357

YourObserver.com © 2025 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

SIDE OF RANCH

9A

JAY HEATER

Lesley Dwyer

The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.

Dog tired of animal shelter costs After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren’t satisfied with the conditions.

I

n 2025, Manatee County commissioners drew a hard line when it came to much needed road improvements.

The given reason they called off some of those projects was a lack of funds.

Backing off the road improvements, such the widening of Lor-

raine Road, came despite taxpayers screaming for traffic relief. Right or wrong, you have to respect the commissioners for making a tough decision if the funds weren’t in place.

But now, they don’t seem to have that same resolve when it comes to animal shelters.

No matter how much money commissioners pour into animal shelters, it is never going to be enough.

Consider that more than 2,000 residents have signed a Change.org petition about their discontent with the county’s shelter expansion, which includes a new adoption center and eight, 15-kennel cottages.

When Manatee County took over

the shelter in 2022, it was billed as a 25,000-square-foot, “stateof-the-art facility” that had the capacity to handle 372 animals at one time. Manatee County’s aging animal shelter in Palmetto was overcrowded and had been forced to handle up to 190 animals at one time.

So forgive me, but if you are gifted a facility that can handle almost double the number of animals of your existing shelter, and is stateof-the-art, isn’t that sufficient?

But then Manatee County took over the Bishop facility and poured $12 million of improvements into the “state-of-the-art facility” that included those eight 15-kennel cottages.

Coastal

comfort.

Surely, that is enough capacity.

I guess it isn’t though, because in East County Observer reporter Lesley Dwyer’s story (Page 3A of this issue), Commissioner George Kruse talks about the possibility of putting together a $15 million budget about three years from now to build an additional new shelter in East County.

I am sure Kruse is frustrated because he has done everything in his power to appease the animal activists who want him to turn the Bishop into a doggie Taj Mahal.

That would include tearing out some of the new improvements and starting over.

But he needs to realize that it’s never going to be enough to satisfy some activists. He could put Bose speakers in all the kennels and play Andrea Bocelli tunes 24 hours a day and it wouldn’t be enough. Caviar could be served twice a day and it wouldn’t be enough. Heated massage chairs could be added and it wouldn’t be enough.

Our area’s dogs are running away from their homes in the Lake Club because they want to be captured and brought to the Bishop.

And the county still is considering to build another shelter, and to pay for more improvements.

It’s time to just say no.

The theme of this column is the same as the one I wrote in 2020 knowing that this spiraling monetary dump would be in our future as Manatee County residents. In 2020, I urged the county to sink funds into public-private partnerships with shelters such as Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, which is just completing its $16 million “journey home” capital campaign to expand and improve its Lakewood Ranch campus.

Even renovating the Palmetto shelter would have been an option.

But now, here we are.

Manatee County’s planned Animal Welfare budget for 2027 is $6.33 million. Of that, $3.76 million is for personnel. Then there’s $2.57 million for operating costs.

What if you gave approximately $3 million a year to several private

animal shelters with an agreement they would accept your strays?

Wouldn’t it be great to get out of the animal welfare business?

Of course, that’s not going to happen, but can’t we at least use some common sense when it comes to providing amenities for the animals?

On the tour of the Bishop last week, Kruse noted that “On average, other than a handful of dogs, most of the dogs come (to the Bishop) for less than eight weeks.”

Eight weeks. Can we please give our commissioners a break, and thank them for securing a much better facility for strays, instead of bombarding them with requests for upgrades?

At this point, commissioners are only hearing from those who want Hilton conditions for the animals under the county’s care. I admit that I am OK with Motel 8 accommodations for two months.

If you believe that being granted an $18 million facility and then putting another $12 million into it is enough to serve the county’s strays, then contact your commissioners and let them know. They are only hearing one side of this because that is the way it works. Those who are pushing for change are loud and those who are disinterested are silent until they get the bill.

And if you are OK with the direction the shelter situation is going, consider that the old “rat-infested” Palmetto shelter is being leased to Friends of the Pelicans, a nonprofit that saves injured seabirds from the Skyway Fishing Pier. How long will it be before the county pours $3 million or $4 million into that facility because it is insufficient to serve the needs of the birds?

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

“The Manatee Chamber is essential for my local business.”

Timeless

style.

Who We Are: A Trusted Catalyst for Business Growth What We Do: Advocate on Behalf of Local Businesses and Connect Members with Valuable Resources How We Do It: We are Laser Focused as World Class Connectors for 2,000+ Member Businesses “The Manatee Chamber is essential for my local business. They always take the time to help me, connect me to resources, and support my team. It’s obvious that they care and want local businesses to succeed. I would highly recommend membership for any organization in our region.”

Jonathan Marsh | Home Helpers Home Care of Bradenton

Memorial Day Sale Event

Make Connections

40% off MSRP

Have a Voice

plus an additional 10% until May 31st.

Gain Visibility BRADENTON 222 10th Street West

World Class Connectors

PATIO FURNITURE, IN-POOL LOUNGERS, UMBRELLAS, RUGS, PILLOWS, TABLETOP ACCESSORIES, AND PROTECTIVE COVERS.

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4215 Concept Court

SARASOTA • BONITA SPRINGS • NAPLES

941-217-6547

ELEGANTOUTDOORS.COM

7606 S. Tamiami Tr. Ste. 101 (1/2 mi. South of Clark Rd. on 41)

Strengthening Your Business and Our Community for 136 Years 461761-1

TOUR THE STORE

941-748-3411

Join Us: ManateeChamber.com 461221-1

FOLLOW US

Support Our Community

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

New radiation treatment center opens in Lakewood Ranch Advocate Radiation Oncology has opened at 8946 77th Terrace E., to go with its previous location on S.R. 64 in Bradenton.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

W

hen it comes to discussing treatments and cures for cancer, medical experts say it is important to approach the conversation with empathy, care and the ability to listen.

Dr. Dwight Fitch added that his way of comforting patients often includes a hug.

“Showing them that you actually care means a lot,” said Fitch, a radiation oncologist at Advocate Radiation Oncology of Lakewood Ranch. “It means more than the degrees on your wall. It means more than how many papers and books you’ve written.”

Fitch is joined by My-Lien Truong, another radiation oncologist, at the Lakewood Ranch office at 8946 77th Terrace E. The new office is Advocate’s 16th cancer treatment location overall and the

second in Manatee County to go with the office at 5325 State Road 64 in Bradenton.

Fitch said 95% of Advocate Radiation’s patients already have been diagnosed with cancer when they make an appointment. He said one of the first decisions a patient has to make when given a cancer diagnosis is whether radiation can cure the cancer, reduce their symptoms, help the patient live longer or will improve the patient’s quality of life.

Then the right path and timeline can be decided.

Lakewood Ranch’s Jerry Wach and Jim Hess, who happen to be neighbors, started radiation for prostate cancer at the same time.

When they were diagnosed, they thought they would have to travel to Bradenton every time they needed treatment but they were glad to find an office so close and convenient. They will both wrap up radiation on May 13 and plan to celebrate together.

At Advocate Radiation Oncology, cancers treated include breast, prostate, lung, brain, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone and cervical.

Carter Elizabeth Abraham Beatrice Katherine Airey Matthew Alexander Andrade Joseph Dominic Antonucci Amani Adam Armstrong Matthew Jake Armstrong Djoudly Auguste John Joseph Badala Dominick Blake Bendever Duke Thomas Bergstrom Alexis Ann Betz Tyler Kenaz Boucicaut Liam Aidan Bowers Maja Stefania Brodowska Bailee Michelle Brookover Kofi Jafeeque Brown Lillian June Brown Macaiden Charles Brown Morgan J Brown Laura Elizabeth Brucato Sebastian Michael Bruno Sean Patrick Buchanan Jayden Thomas Burnett Talia Kate Busser Rodesaline Michelle Cadet Katelyn Marie Calovich Kenzie Eva Carlino Chelsie Marie Carroll Carlyn Louise Collison Tyler Francis Corso Nevaeh Ty'ara Crews Malakai Jordan Cuffy Mateu Dalmau Lucia Maria del Valle Walker Alan DeYoung Ryan Mateo DiLascia Shelly Saulong DiLorenzo

Hayley Elizabeth Discher Esme My-Hoang Doan Patrick Michael Dowell Trevor Jeffrey Dutting-Morrell Sophia Lorraine Eible Sofia Joan Erquiaga Joseph Darian Esparza Kelsey Story Fisher Cooper Scott Flammang Jackson Dewey Flammang Quinson Douglas Flammang Alejandro Javier Flores Samantha Claire Fox Bryce Patrick Fulda Ashleigh Frances Gainer Arianna Michelle Gallardo Payton Michele Gee Alexander Louis Getzels Avelina Anna Ghanayem Tyler John Gigliotti Lucas Sebastian Glab Valentino Gloria Elijah James Golden Samuel Jude Gontis Dylan Louis Graziano Erin Sydney Griffith Ashley Angelina Grimsley-Izaguirre Emily Judith Halley Chandler Ruth Harkins Theresa Anne Harrell Lyla Mary Hays Edward Albert Hegewisch Grady Stephen Hillerich Quinn Patrick Hillerich Danika Carrera Hoddinott Kaya Marie Hogue Wyatt James Hossenlopp

ADVOCATE RADIATION ONCOLOGY Advocate Radiation Oncology has a mission to provide compassionate health care expertise to cancer patients.

The practice’s board-certified radiation oncologists and researchers trained at some of the nation’s top medical schools and access industryleading technology to treat patients with breast, prostate, lung, brain, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone, cervical and other types of cancers.

Advocate is a fully physicianowned practice with 16 cancer treatment centers across southern Florida.

Advocate Radiation Oncology Lakewood Ranch is located at 8946 77th Terrace E. For more information, call 907-9053 or visit AdvocateRO.com.

Hess said when he first started going for radiation, it seemed like it would be a long process, going in every week day for five weeks. Now, he said it seems as if he only blinked and it’s nearly over. Because the cancer was small and the survival rate was high, Hess wasn’t particularly nervous. But if he was, he knew Fitch would calm him down.

“Dr. Fitch was a natural at making me feel at ease, explaining what the diagnosis was and what my choices were in terms of therapies,” Hess said.

It was the first time Hess had any sort of cancer, but he has seen a lot of doctors over the years. He said Fitch is the best he’s ever had.

For Wach, the experience was a bit different because he has had

Cameron Eli Howard Grace Elena Hroncich Nash Lee Hudgens Alyssa Riley Hughes William James Ittig David James Johnston Mason Dean Jordan Sophia Margaret Jordano Jared Taylor Koski Keegan Patrick Kovack Ava Grace LaMorey Avery Elise Lancaster Layla Grace Larrick Emerson Waters Lepper Aidan Brett Levine Lance Charles Lopez Ariana Lukaszow Graham Robert Maramag Lucas Gonçalo Marmelo Braden Anthony Cormier Martone Layla Chantelle Mast Jackson Charles McCray Alyssa Helene McCue Sienna Grace McGrory Chelsea Ellen McKay Gabriel Alexander Mehlum Devin Charles Mignery Chloe Addison Miller Rylan Michael Miller Turner David Mitten Timothy Daniel Montenegro Maros Anibal Morales Carleigh Jasmine Morris Rymen Jayce Mosley Emiliana Maria Munoz Navarro Giada Nicole Nanna Hugh Oliver Neesham

Photos by Madison Bierl

My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.

both leukemia and lymphoma in the past. He said the radiation experience was painless and he felt the same sort of ease with the staff as Hess.

From his first visit, Wach connected with the employees when they asked if he preferred his full first name, Jerome, or nickname, Jerry.

“I said, ‘Well, I prefer Jerry. If I’m called Jerome, I’m in trouble,’” Wach said. “They laughed and thought it was funny. I couldn’t ask for any better people there.”

For both Fitch and Truong, it took awhile for them to discover and pursue radiation oncology.

They both started their studies in engineering. Truong’s family members had several cases of cancer, including lymphoma and pancreatic cancer. She was drawn to it and feels as though she picked the right career path.

“It combined my love for engineering, physics and medicine all in one,” Truong said. “No one told us this was even a specialty. You had to seek it.”

Colton David Kamaehu Neumann Chase Jackson Niles Savannah Elizabeth O'Brien Bo Edmiston O'Daniel Scarlett O'Malley Micah Paul Page Logan Krishan Patel Alexis Kate Peterson Hayden Jakí Dream Pettit Isabella Sofia Picone Max Carter Polivchak Markella Polo Elise Rae Posada Addison Rae Proa Nicholas Christoph Roeder Blake Dylan Roulund Aleksandra Merie Rowan Kayanna Lyn Rowell Zachary Robert Russell Ethan Joseph Salata Sophia Kristal Soares Sampaio Zackery Bernard Samuel Jr Lucy Katherine Sanborn W. Harrison Schenerlein IV Jillian Elizabeth Schultz Charlotte Sophia Scibelli Reid Allison Scurlock Olivia Grace Semeraro Samuel Aram Shamsey Baylee Maine Shattenberg Trenton Immanuel Shipe Olivia Grace Shuck Christian Michael Keegan Shull Connor Jordon Simon Emily Debra Marie Smalley Keira Marie Smith Tayler Reneé Snelling

Fitch said he was hooked on radiation oncology when he saw the amount of difference that can be made in a 20- to 30-minute appointment. Anything with cancer can weigh heavy on the patients, but the amount of appreciation he received motivated him to pursue the profession. He has been serving patients in the region since 2008.

“You have down moments, everybody does, but it puts things in perspective very quickly on what’s important and what’s not,” Fitch said.

“This is the one field where I say that I’m OK leaving my kids at home and going full time,” Truong said. “That’s big and it’s because it’s worthwhile.”

Fitch said it is the company’s responsibility to offer high quality care and he is glad he can do it in Lakewood Ranch, so the residents don’t have to fight interstate traffic daily in order to receive treatment.

“Cancer treatment is stressful to begin with and adding in that transport daily while sick is not good,” Fitch said.

William Neil Staas Sophia Gabriella Steele Madison Beatrice Stevens Emma Addyson Stuart Doyle Allen Taylor Jr. Alijah Sunshine Tilton Rebekah Sunshine Tilton Branden Lee Toledo William Andrew Tovell Nicole Johanna Trauger Noelle Anne Troiano Quincy Ann Van Hoesen Sophia Noelle Vance Elle Lauren VanderPol Cecelia Anne Velotta Ava Christine White Konnor Matthew Whitesell Dax David Wiegand Allyson Taylor Williams Robert Augustus Wilson Brody Thomas Wyman Vantrez Lee Yarn III Ainsley Elizabeth Young Kymistrii Blaise Young Bruce Alexander Zagorin Kayah Maria Zorychta Emma Olson Zuniga

462494-1

EYE ON BUSINESS

10A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

11A

Vibrant Senior Living

Coming Soon to Lakewood Ranch!

Conceptual rendering

Conceptual rendering

Emerson Lakes Is Now Accepting Reservations.

The first phase of construction is now underway. This includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.

Everyday Resort Living Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect: • Multiple dining venues

• Pickleball and bocce ball courts

• Outdoor pool with a walk-up bar

• Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden

• State-of-the-art fitness center

• Firepits

Predictable Costs, Exceptional Value Our community’s smart financial structure will provide peace of mind and security by streamlining most bills into a simple monthly payment. Your Monthly Service Package covers: • Utilities, maintenance, and property taxes

• Use of fitness center, pool, and dozens of other amenities

• Cable TV, internet, and landline phone

A Community You Can Trust Emerson Lakes℠ is a part of Erickson Senior Living,® one of the largest senior living providers in the nation. Here, you’ll enjoy a maintenance-free, independent lifestyle backed by over 40 years of trusted experience.

458066-1

6045 White Eagle Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, Florida 34202 EmersonLakesCommunity.com

1813950

Don’t wait! Call 1-888-515-6435 to learn more about this exciting new community!

MAY 14, 2026

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

An opera for our times Artist Series Concerts and ensembleNewSRQ join forces for Matthew Aucoin’s ‘Music for New Bodies.’

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

I

f you go to see an opera in Sarasota, chances are you’re not going to spot the composer in

the orchestra pit or in the audience. The Sarasota Opera has made its name producing the operas of Guiseppe Verdi and other composers who lived during the last millennium. But Sarasota opera aficionados will get a chance to see a modern opera and its creators when Artist Series Concerts and ensembleNewSRQ team up to present “Music for New Bodies” on May 22 at the Sarasota Opera House.

Arts patrons will spot some familiar faces on stage for the opera.

Sarasota Orchestra concertmaster Daniel Jordan will play violin alongside Samantha Bennett, a former orchestra member who co-founded ensembleNewSRQ with her husband, percussionist George Nickson, also a Sarasota Orchestra alum.

Nickson will conduct “Music for New Bodies,” which made its world premiere in Houston in 2024 and was performed last year at Lincoln Center in New York City.

What’s got culture vultures worked up into a frenzy is that this production will feature the two collaborators who created “Music for New Bodies’ based on the poetry of Jorie Graham and the environmentalist Rachel Carson. That’s right: Composer Matthew Aucoin and Director Peter Sellars are coming to town to stage this production.

If you know, you know. But if you don’t, Aucoin was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, an award for creative geniuses that now comes with $800,000 cash grant. He’s commissioned operas for the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He teamed up with Sellars to create “Music for New Bodies” for five vocalists and an 18-piece orchestral ensemble.

Sellars, whose credits include operatic collaborations with John Adams, Tyshawn Sorey and the late Kaija Saariaho, will serve as the director of “Music for New Bodies,” which will be presented in Sarasota for one night only.

The vocal soloists are soprano Meredith Wohlgemuth, soprano Meryl Dominguez, mezzo-soprano Elana Belle, tenor Daniel McGrew and bass baritone Jonathan Woody.

Part of the reason why excitement has reached such a fevered pitch is that it’s a year of big anniversaries in Sarasota. Among them are the 100th anniversary of the MediterraneanRevival masterpiece, the Sarasota Opera House. It’s also the 40th anniversary of Artist Series Concerts, where Jordan is director of artistic programming, and the 10th anniversary of enSRQ, shorthand for ensembleNewSRQ. Over the years, enSRQ has made First Congregational Church its main venue for concerts of contemporary classical music, loosely defined as having been written in the past 50 years. It’s a big deal for

Photo courtesy of Matthew Holler

IF YOU GO ‘MUSIC FOR NEW BODIES’ When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets: $50-$175 For More: Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

the ensemble to take over the opera house, something it’s done twice in its 10th anniversary season. On April 24, it presented Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians” at the majestic hall in honor of the composer’s 90th birthday year.

Other than a chance to celebrate, cultural organizations such as Artist Series Concerts and enSRQ like anniversaries because they offer unique marketing and fundraising opportunities.

Putting the number 10, 40 or even 100 next to a logo helps an arts group stand out in a vibrant, i.e. crowded, cultural market. So why not take a well-deserved anniversary bow with great fanfare?

For Bennett and Nickson, working with creative collaborators such as Aucoin and Sellars is a stamp of artistic approval in the rarified world of high culture. “It’s really an honor to work with artists on the contemporary scene of this magnitude,” says Bennett. Or was it Nickson? The husband and wife are wont to finish each other’s sentences.

But what makes the production of “Music for New Bodies” so exciting for Bennett and Nickson is that it’s happening in Sarasota. “These are the caliber of artists you see in New York, Paris and Salzburg,” Bennett says. Add Sarasota to that list.

Of course, the reason they are here is that Aucoin approached Bennett and Nickson, whom he knows from performance venues in the music world, such as Tanglewood, and from intersecting paths during their musical studies at schools such as Juilliard and Harvard.

“Matt called me after the premiere of ‘Music for New Bodies’ and said,

‘I think this would resonate with you and your group. It could really go far in Sarasota.’ We took a listen and we agreed,” Nickson says.

As they sat down to plan their 10th anniversary season, Bennett and Nickson decided that it would make a perfect capstone. “It’s our most ambitious undertaking by far,” Nickson says.

TAILOR-MADE FOR THE SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE

Nickson notes that “Music for New Bodies” has been staged just a handful of times. Previous productions took place in Houston, New York, Seattle, Aspen, Colorado and Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Unlike a touring show, each production of the opera is “bespoke,” Bennett notes.

“It’s 70 minutes long with no intermission. Musicians have to move around so that they can be in certain lights,” says Nickson. “We’re bringing a lot of technical support in for full lighting and electronics to make this an immersive production.”

These bells and whistles require people to operate them, including a lighting designer, an audio designer and a stage producer, he says. It quickly became apparent that staging “Music for New Bodies” in the opera house would require renting lights and equipment and trucking them in from Orlando, he says.

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Such a production costs real money. Several donors who appreciate enSRQ’s role in bringing contemporary classical music to Sarasota stepped up and helped underwrite “Music for New Bodies” with anonymous donations.

Even with those donations, Bennett and Nickson began looking for a partner to help foot the bills.

That’s where Jordan and Artist Series Concerts came in. “Samantha, George and I were colleagues at Sarasota Orchestra, and we’re close friends,” Jordan says. “It’s nice to come together on this project.”

Jordan says when Bennett mentioned to him that Aucoin and Sellars were going to be on the ground for “Music for New Bodies,” he went to Artist Series Concerts Executive

Director Keren Shani-Lifrak and the group’s board to pitch a partnership.

Like Bennett and Nickson, Jordan has crossed paths with Aucoin and Sellars before. He worked with them as a member of the orchestra at the Santa Fe Opera, where he returns this summer.

In July 2018, Aucoin made his conducting debut in Santa Fe for John Adams’ opera “Dr. Atomic,” about Robert Oppenheimer’s moral struggles as he spearheaded the development of the atomic bomb. Sellars, the opera’s librettist, staged the Santa Fe Opera production.

“Dr. Atomic” had particular resonance in Santa Fe since the bomb dubbed “Little Boy” was developed just down the road in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

“Dr. Atomic” left a big impression on Jordan. His experience working with Aucoin and Sellars led him to develop a partnership plan that brings the duo to Sarasota to close out Artist Series Concerts’ 40th season. Jordan also volunteered to play violin with enSRQ for “Music for New Bodies.”

“There are a lot of opera fans in Sarasota, but this will be something different from what is normally presented at the opera house.

It will really appeal to people who care about contemporary music. It’s going to be fun,” Jordan said in a May 7 interview.

To prepare for the opera, enSRQ is “having a ton of rehearsals,” he added. “We’ll be doing six hours a day Tuesday through Friday, May 18-22. It will be a very intense process. Anytime you get to work with the composer and director is a very special experience. They will be creating the opera anew for Sarasota.”

Samantha Bennett and George Nickson are co-founders and co-artistic directors of ensembleNewSRQ.

“There are a lot of opera fans in Sarasota, but this will be something different from what is normally presented at the Opera House.”

— Daniel Jordan

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

THIS WEEK JAZZ THURSDAYS AT SAM: BARBARA KING 5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $25 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

Join Barbara King for a program entitled “The Spirit of Jazz” on the Marcy and Michael Klein Plaza at Sarasota Art Museum. In addition to seeing King, who has performed around the world and was the coowner of and musical director of the Sound Bite Restaurant in New York City, you can enjoy extended hours in the galleries, Bistro and shop.

DON’T MISS ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ At Asolo Repertory Theatre, what’s old is new again under Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein. Director Rothstein breathes new life into “Fiddler on the Roof,” the feelgood musical set in a Russian village circa 1900 by bringing the music onstage and casting actor/musicians.

Famous from both stage and screen, “Fiddler” follows the milkman Tevye’s efforts to find husbands for his daughters as he balances the traditions of the past and the opportunities of the present. Runs through May 24.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Where: at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $37-$99 Info: Visit AsoloRep.org.

career, and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin. Runs through June 21.

MONDAY BEHIND THE CURTAIN: EXPLORING THE VAN WEZEL 1:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $15 Visit ArtsAdvocates.org.

‘BIRTHDAY CANDLES’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $46 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

In this Arts Advocates tour, a docent educates participants about the paintings and sculptures in the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Participants then step onto the stage where a Van Wezel guide shares stories and anecdotes. Proceeds from the tour benefit the education/ outreach programs of Arts Advocates and the Van Wezel.

“Birthday Candles” stars Rachel Moulton as Ernestine Ashworth, whose 17th birthday celebration does a time warp and moves ahead to her 18th, 41st, 70th and 107th birthdays, all with the same cake.

Runs through May 17.

‘MARIE AND ROSETTA’ 7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $65-$71 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Students of popular music know that Sister Rosetta Tharpe earned the nickname “the godmother of rock ’n’ roll” for transforming gospel music with her fierce guitar playing.

She also influenced the music of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix. Asolo Repertory Theatre’s latest production captures the first rehearsal between Tharpe (Maiesha McQueen) and one of her acolytes, Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston). Runs through May 31.

Courtesy image

OUR PICK SCD + WBTT To celebrate the culmination of Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s 20th anniversary season, SCD founder and Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs have created a song and dance program that brings together the spirit of gospel music with the accessibility of Motown hits. In addition to modern dance, don’t be surprised if this new show includes some tap numbers. Continues May 16.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Where: at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton Tickets: $25 and up Info: Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance.org.

FRIDAY ‘SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW’ 10 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

“Something Borrowed, Something New” features major modern artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, David Hockney, Yoko Ono, Kara Walker and Ai Weiwei. Their works have been loaned by private collectors in Southwest Florida to SAM for the show, which runs from April 19 through Sept. 27.

SATURDAY DISCOVERIES 3: UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $25 and up Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

If you haven’t caught Sarasota Orchestra’s new music director, Giancarlo Guerrero, yet, you’ve got one last chance. This program gives Guerrero the chance to wrap up some “Unfinished Business” before heading off for summer to the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago. On

the bill are works by Schubert, Perry and Haydn that left audiences asking for more.

‘ONE HIT WONDERS’ 9 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $37-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Is it better to have had just one song top the charts than to have none at all? You’ll have time to think about that question as you listen to such hit songs as Don McLean’s “American Pie,” a runaway hit that eclipsed other success in the troubadour’s

MONDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT THE CABARET: LA LUCHA 7:30 p.m. at FST’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $40 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

While many other cultural groups in town pack up their tents by the end of May, Jazz Club of Sarasota keeps the music playing during the “off season.” This Monday Night Jazz at the Cabaret program features the genre-crossing trio La Lucha. Made up of three best friends from different parts of the globe — Alejandro Arenas (Colombia), John O’Leary (Mexico) and Mark Feinman (U.S.) — La Lucha takes you to musical places you’ve never been before.

TUESDAY ALEXANDER CALDER: THE NATURE OF MOVEMENT 10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $28 Visit Selby.org.

Selby Gardens is showcasing artist Alexander Calder and his abstract moving sculptures, dubbed “mobiles.” Calder’s interest in suspension provides a provocative pairing with Selby’s collection of epiphytes, or air plants. Runs through May 31.

462254-1

THURSDAY

13A

14A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Sarasota artist travels the globe painting outdoors Within his studio in The Landings, Vadislav Yeliseyev’s world knows no boundaries.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

V

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

Marina and Vladislav Yeliseyev pose in front of one of Vlad’s paintings in their home in The Landings.

IF YOU GO

What: Open house When: May 16, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Vladislav Yeliseyev’s Sarasota Studio Register: Visit YeliseyevFineArt.com.

York’s architectural scene, Yeliseyev married his wife in 1999 and the two moved to Stamford, Connecticut, where he established his own architectural drawing firm.

He and Marina first met in Moscow at a New Year’s Eve party and discovered they lived quite close to each other. But their romance was put on hold for 10 years until Marina made her way to the United States, after spending time in Cyprus.

A gracious hostess, her organizational and marketing skills have helped raise Yeliseyev’s profile as an artist. She’s also been an active organizer and participant in her husband’s “paint outs” around the world.

In addition to teaching students, these events have allowed Yeliseyev to capture beautiful scenes in notable locations such as Venice and Assisi, Italy, besides painting Sarasota scenes. He is a member of the National Watercolor Society, the American Impressionist Society and the Florida Watercolor Society.

Yeliseyev sells his work on his website and at art shows. Occasionally, he opens his home and studio in The Landings to the public. One of those open houses is coming up on May 16. But because The Landings is a gated community, the Yeliseyevs require visitors to the open house to register in advance on the artist’s website, YeliseyevFineArt.com.

A lot of Yeliseyev’s new 160-page

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

Photos by Monica Gagnier

“Quid pro quo. If you help other people, they will help you. That’s why I love the United States so much.

People help you here.”

— Vadislav Yeliseyev

book published by Rockport Publishers is dedicated to techniques of establishing structure in a painting, as befits someone with an architectural background.

But most impressive is the section that explains his philosophy to mix-

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

ing color and how he creates his palette, which is muted, as well as the influence of light in his paintings.

He is fervent in his belief that anyone can learn to paint. But it should be noted that this confidence comes from someone endowed with an abundance of talent as well as the discipline and passion required to create beautiful art.

Yeliseyev says it took him three years to publish his new book, which is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

“I worked on it every minute that I could, even when I was sitting in airports waiting for a flight,” he said. “I dedicated it to my father because he made me who I am.”

Vladislav Yeliseyev’s painting of a restaurant in Sarasota.

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available

www.manasotaonline.com

455431-1

ladislav Yeliseyev wrote the book on en plein air painting. Literally. In February, the Sarasota artist published his book, “Light and Color in the Watercolor Landscape: Essential Principles and Techniques.”

The art world has taken notice.

Last month, one of Yeliseyev’s paintings was featured on the cover of Fine Art and Connisseur magazine. Other magazine articles and art show honors have followed this year.

Born in the Soviet Union, Yeliseyev studied art at night school while he was still in high school. When it came time for university, he earned a bachelor’s degree in classical art from the Moscow School of Art and a master’s in architecture from the Moscow Institute of Architecture.

Yeliseyev moved to New York City in 1989, around the time the Berlin Wall was coming down, but two years before the Soviet Union collapsed.

In New York, Yeliseyev found work at an architecture firm doing drawings. It wasn’t until he and his wife, Marina, moved to Sarasota in 2010 that he became a full-time artist, specializing in en plein air (“in the open air”) watercolor painting.

Although he wasn’t the classic starving artist, when Yeliseyev first arrived in New York City, he was broke. “I was living in the Hotel St. George in Brooklyn Heights. When I went to apply for food stamps, the lady asked me how much money I had in the bank and it was something like $15 or $20,” he recalls.

In its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, the St. George had more than 2,500 rooms and several ballrooms.

It later fell into disrepair and was used by the city of New York to house homeless people and AIDS patients.

But Yeliseyev wasn’t fazed by his neighbors.

That’s because he was no stranger to adversity and deprivation growing up in the Soviet Union. Although his father fought the Nazis during World War II, he was later sent to the gulag (prison) for nearly a decade under Stalin’s regime. He later immigrated to Israel and wrote a book, Yeliseyev says.

But perhaps his greatest achievement was inspiring his son to never give up. “My father wasn’t a criminal; he was a victim who was eventually rehabilitated. He didn’t say, ‘do this and don’t do that.’ He lived by example. He was a true gentleman with respect for human life,” Yeliseyev says.

One of the other lessons Yeliseyev says he learned from his father was “quid pro quo. If you help other people, they will help you. That’s why I love the United States so much. People help you here,” he says.

Yeliseyev will allow that he benefitted from free, rigorous education in the Soviet Union but explains that it was “very competitive. There were 10 or 15 applicants for every position in a school. It’s next to impossible to get in.”

After establishing himself in New

YourObserver.com

15A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

EATING WITH EMMA

Make it a Mediterranean (meal) May These local dishes remind us that eating well doesn’t have to feel restrictive.

EMMA BURKE CONTRIBUTOR

L

ately, I’ve found myself sitting in more doctors’ offices than restaurant booths. That’s not exactly my preferred atmosphere. Between the poking and prodding, one recommendation comes up repeatedly — the Mediterranean diet. (Which, admittedly, sounds far more romantic than the words “lifestyle changes” usually do.)

But this isn’t one of those sad, desk salad situations. This is olive oil drizzled generously over fresh bread, seafood hauled in that morning, vegetables that crunch, pasta shared among friends, herbs growing at home and meals where conversation matters just as much as what’s on the plate.

And maybe that’s why this way of eating resonates with so many people. It’s not just about ingredients. It’s about slowing down long enough to savor something. In a world constantly telling us to hustle and restrict, the Mediterranean

THE DUO DONER & DELI

5049 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key; 941929-3025; Facebook.com Pita-ful to Miss This: When I lived in Germany in my 20s, I’m fairly certain döner kebabs made up at least 70% of my diet. There was nothing better than stumbling into a tiny shop after a long night, ordering a stuffed pita overflowing with shaved meat, crunchy vegetables and sauce dripping down your hands before the first bite even landed. This döner sandwich ($15.49) brings me right back.

Feta Late Than Never: If you’re arriving truly famished, the Shish Kebab ($18.99+) platter is the move.

Pair it with some truffle fries, because you deserve it.

lifestyle quietly reminds us that taking care of ourselves can still taste beautiful.

So in honor of National Mediterranean Diet Month, I’m leaning into these local dishes.

SAHARA CAFE & MEDITERRANEAN FOODS

1121 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-954-1423; 5070 Clark Road Sarasota; 941-487-8188; SaharaCafe941.com Pita-ful to Miss This: The stuffed grape leaves platter ($12.99) delivers six perfect bites paired with cool tzatziki and your choice of sides like hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, rice or fries (because balance means ordering both greens and fries).

Feta Late Than Never: Then there’s the shawarma platter ($13.99), where marinated beef is broiled and served with creamy tahini that somehow makes every bite even better than the last. It’s savory, comforting and the kind of meal that makes you want to linger at the table a little longer.

Emma Burke

Pastitsio ($25) made with Greek macaroni with ground beef, fresh herbs topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.

FLORENCE AND THE SPICE BOYS 4990 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-923-9920; 257 N. Cattlemen Road Unit 90, Sarasota; 941-3598338; FlorenceAndTheSpiceBoys. com

Pita-ful to Miss This: The rainbow bowl ($28) is a colorful, flavor-packed culinary explosion in the best possible way. Layered with toum garlic sauce, tahini, coconut blue rice, slaw, greens, harissa, banana peppers and enough bold Mediterranean flavor to make your usual lunch order feel uninspired.

Feta Late Than Never: The savory Brussel sprouts ($14), tossed in Momofuku dressing with coriander chutney, somehow disappear faster than intended, while the sweet corn hummus ($13) with feta, chiles and lime will turn you into a Grecian goddess or god right then and there.

Courtesy image

Make any El Creco plate into a pita ($10.90+) or bowl ($14.90).

BLU KOUZINA

25 N. Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota; 941-388-2619; 295 N. Cattlemen Road Suite 4, Sarasota; 941-377-0050;BluKouzina.com Pita-ful to Miss This: Honestly the perfect evening is for me and my mom to go here to split tzatziki and talk for hours. Our order is muscle memory at this point. The Greek salad ($20), plus the yogurt dip tzatziki ($12) that’s so garlicky and refreshing I’d happily eat it by the spoonful.

Feta Late Than Never: And then comes the skillet cheese with figs ($13), where warm kefalograviera cheese meets sweet jam in a combination that feels unfair to every other appetizer on the menu. For the main event, Mousaka ($25), baked with potatoes, eggplant and coziness in every single serving.

EL GRECO KITCHEN & MARKET

4035 Clark Road Sarasota; 941-3739630; ElGrecoKitchen.com Pita-ful to Miss This: A Greek eatery that served downtown Sarasota for nearly 20 years has officially reopened, and honestly, my inner 1990s child feels deeply healed by it. Grab a customizable plates ($16.90), with gyro or chicken souvlaki, drowning everything in tzatziki or spicy feta and load up on sides like village fries, avgolemono soup or Greek potato salad.

Feta Late Than Never: Make any plate into a pita ($10.90 and up) or bowl ($14.90) with additional options like pork or mixed souvlaki or grilled salmon (plus $2.90), a slew of sauces including beet hummus, Greek goddess or the house dressing. But before you step away, snag a spanakopita ($7.90).

THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY & THE RINGLING present

“COMMANDING, AND

Incredible Family Fun!

FUNNY

LOVABLE JEREMY RADIN AS TEVYE”

“VISUALLY

- Jay Handelman

ARRESTING, 941.351.8000

asolorep.org

MUSICALLY

SUBLIME” - Family Beautiful

“NO,, “NO

YOU CAN’T. [SKIP THIS ONE]!

SHOW SPONSORS

- Sarasota Magazine

“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF AND ASOLO REP ARE THE

FRI JUN 12 – SAT AUG 8 ringling.org

NOW THRU MAY 24

Photos by Adrian Van Stee

450127-1

- Family Beautiful

941.360 .7399

TUE – FRI SAT

20

$

11 AM & 2 PM 2 PM & 5 PM

15

$

12 & UNDER

TICKETS:

TRIUMPH”

OFFICIAL ACCOMMODATIONS SPONSOR

The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota

454185-1

- Sarasota Scene

CHILD

“EMOTIONALLY RESONANT

PERFECT MATCH!”

ADULT

SEASON SPONSORS

16A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Sarasota Ballet Gala

MUSIC FOR NEW BODIES EXPERIENCE THE VISIONARY POWER OF MATT AUCOIN AND PETER SELLARS’ NEWEST WORK: A ONE-ACT OPERATIC SYMPHONY EXPLORING HUMANITY’S EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE AND TECHNOLOGY.

FRIDAY, MAY 22 7:30PM SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE

Sunday, May 3 at Circus Arts Conservatory | Benefiting Sarasota Ballet

Co-Presented by Artist Series Concerts

460985-1

SCAN FOR TICKETS

tickets and info at www.enSRQ.org

“A brilliant exploration of institutionalized racism, the legacy of slavery, our allegiances to one another, and what it might mean to get free”.

Bonnie McIntyre and Barbara Gardner

“I want people to clutch their pearls.

I want people to laugh out loud.

I want people to say, ‘I know that’s right.’”

—HOUR DETROIT MAGAZINE

Laurel Stevens with Bill Buckingham

—DOMINIQUE MORRISEAU

CONFEDERATES ALEXANDER CALDER

BY DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU

Photos by Janet Combs

Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb, honorees Katherine and Frank Martucci and Jean and Executive Director Joe Volpe

ADVERTISEMENT

DIRECTED BY JIM WEAVER

NOW—MAY 24, 2026

IN THE HOWARD J. MILLMAN BLACKBOX THEATRE

941-366-1505 1012 N ORANGE AVE SARASOTA

462742-1

westcoastblacktheatre.org

THE MOMENTS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED...

A child’s first word. A laugh.

The confidence to speak up.

ALEXANDER

For some children, those moments don’t come easily.

For decades, Sertoma has been helping children in our community overcome speech, language, and hearing challenges-providing access to life-changing care and support for families who need it most.

CALDER

Because when a child finds their voice, everything changes-learning, confidence, connection.

SCAN

to read the full story and learn how you can help

Join us October 15 for the Sound of Style Fashion Show

SELBY.ORG

462743-1

450723-1

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort An evening where fashion meets purpose.

�ILEONE EWELE �ILEONE EWELE

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

17A

1561 Lakefront Drive #105 I Sarasota FL 34240 cileone.com 941-351-8792

1561 Lakefront Drive #105 I Sarasota FL 34240 cileone.com 941-351-8792 1561 Lakefront Drive #105 I Sarasota FL 34240 cileone.com 941-351-8792 1561 Lakefront Drive #105 I Sarasota FL 34240 cileone.com 941-351-8792

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY ONLY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY &&THURSDAY ONLY NOVEMBER 18TH, 19TH & 20TH I 11 AM to 6ONLY PM TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY THURSDAY TUESDAY,18TH, WEDNESDAY &20TH THURSDAY ONLY NOVEMBER 19TH & I 11 AM to66PM PM MAY 19TH, 20TH & 21ST | 11 AM to NOVEMBER 18TH, 19TH & 20TH I 11 AM to 6 PM

TED- Fine Timepieces

d pocket watches.WANTED lady's diamond watches.

- Fine Timepieces Solid gold pocket watches. lady's diamond watches. er & platinum men's wrist watches including gold, silver & platinum men's wrist watches including lippe, Rolex. Audemars.

Cartier.

WANTED - Tiffany, Fine Timepieces Patek Philippe, Rolex.

Audemars.

Cartier.

Solid gold pocket watches. lady's diamondTiffany, watches. n. Omega, and others.

If you are not sure... bring Vacheron.

Omega, and others.

If you are notincluding sure... bring gold, silver & platinum men's wrist watches ccept all watches. it in. we accept all watches.

Patek Philippe, Rolex. Audemars. Cartier. Tiffany, Vacheron. Omega, and others. If you are not sure... bring it in. we accept all watches.

Quit insuring it, dusting it, hiding it, or worrying your children willit, hiding Quitifinsuring it, dusting fight over it. agree: it, Professionals or worrying if your children will Quit insuring it, dusting fight over it.

Professionals agree: "if you haven't worn or used it in 3it, hiding it, worrying ifworn yourwear children "ifor you haven't or used it will in 3 years, chances are you won't fight over it. Professionals agree: years, chances are you won't wear it or use it again." "if you haven't worn or used it in 3 it or use it again." years, chances are you won't wear it or use it again."

KNOWLEDGEABLE BUYERS MEAN MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE BUYERS CAN MEANCAN MORE MONEY FOR YOU. You may rest assured that your MONEY FOR YOU. You may rest assured that your property will be accurately and professionally appraised for KNOWLEDGEABLE BUYERS CAN MEAN property will be its accurately and professionally appraised forMORE MAXIMUM CASH MARKET VALUE by our expert MONEY FOR YOU. You may rest assured thatappraiser your WANTED- Gold Jewelry its MAXIMUM CASH MARKET VALUE by our appraiser APPRAISALS ARE FORexpert PURCHASE ONLY. for property will be accurately and professionally appraised TED- Gold(White Jewelry and Yellow) Solid gold chains, bracelets, rings, APPRAISALS ARE FOR PURCHASE ONLY. its MAXIMUM MARKET our expertknow appraiser We Offer TopCASH Dollar - OurVALUE Expertby Appraisers the earrings, charms, pendants, pins, brooches, clips. Gold d Yellow) Solid gold chains, bracelets, WANTEDGoldrings, Jewelry APPRAISALS ARE FOR PURCHASE ONLY. International Markets and are prepared to offer you our nuggest, broken of gold. charms, pendants, pins, clips.

(White andbrooches, Yellow)bits Solid goldGold chains, bracelets, rings, We Offer Top Dollar - Our Expert Appraisers know the bestOffer prices.

Don't sell for less.

YES, WE BUY ALL OLD & UNWANTED IN ANY CONDITION. We Dollar - Our andTop are prepared toExpert offerAppraisers you our know the earrings, charms, pendants, pins, brooches, clips. GoldInternational Markets broken bits of gold.

PLEASE SEE US FOR YOUR BEST OFFER. Immediate Payment You will be paid International Markets and are prepared toimmediately offer you ourfor nuggest, broken gold. best prices. Don't sell for less.

BUY ALL OLD & UNWANTED IN bits ANYofCONDITION. the items we purchase best prices.

Don't less.immediately for WEOFFER. BUY ALL OLD & UNWANTED IN ANY CONDITION. EE US FOR YOURYES, BEST Immediate Payment - You willsell beforpaid Bring Everything - If -you what you have, PLEASE SEE US FOR YOUR BEST OFFER. Immediate Payment Youare willnot becertain paid immediately for the items we purchase bring it in.we purchase the items Bring Everything - IfEverything you not what you have, Private and are Confidential - All transactions conducted Bring - If certain you are not certain what you have, bring it in. in a safe, secure, discreet and confidential manner bring it in.

Private and Confidential - All transactions conductedconducted Private and Confidential - All transactions If your treasure is worth more than just gold or in a safe, secure, discreet and confidential in a safe, secure, discreet and confidential manner manner metal value, we will tell you and pay you accordingly.

Don't risk selling your fine If your treasure is worth than precious just If your treasure is worth more than more just gold or gold or jewelry for scrap value.

See our expert appraisers metal value, we will tell you and pay you metal value,who we will you and pay you best offer.

WANTED- Diamond Jewlery reallytell know jewelry foryour your accordingly.

Don't risk selling precious fine Loose or mounted diamonds, all shapes and sizes. All accordingly. Don't risk selling your precious fine jewelry for scrap value. See our expert appraisers jewelry with diamonds and/or colored gemstones.

WANTED - Diamond Jewlery jewelry for scrapwho value.

See ourjewelry expertfor appraisers really know your best offer.

Loose or mounted diamonds, all shapes and sizes. All TED- Diamond Jewlery who really know jewelry for your best offer. jewelry diamonds and/orAllcolored gemstones. mounted diamonds, allwith shapes and sizes.

ith diamonds and/or colored gemstones.

WANTED- Fine Antique Jewelry

Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco Jewelry & Retro jewelry WANTED Fine Antique from 1950 to 1970's enameled jewelry, jewelry, Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art platinum Deco & Retro jewelry old lockets and necklaces.

All diamond, ruby, emerald & from 1950 to 1970's enameled jewelry, platinum jewelry, WANTED - Fine Antique Jewelry sapphire jewelry.

All designer jewelry by Tiffany, Van Cleef old lockets and necklaces.

All diamond, ruby, emerald & Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco & Retro jewelry sapphire All enameled designer jewelry Tiffany, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, CD. Peacock, Bailey Banks & from 1950jewelry. toCoucher, 1970's jewelry,byplatinum jewelry, & Arpels, Bulgari, Coucher, CD. Peacock, Bailey Banks Biddle,old Georg Jensen and others.

Not sure?

Bring it in.&& lockets and necklaces.

All diamond, ruby, emerald Biddle, Georg Jensen and others.

Notbysure?

Bring it in. sapphire jewelry.

All PREMIUMS designer jewelry Van Cleef WE PAY SUBSTANTIAL FOR Tiffany, YOUR FINE WE PAY SUBSTANTIAL PREMIUMS FOR YOUR FINE & Arpels, Bulgari, Coucher, CD. Peacock, Bailey Banks & ANTIQUE JEWELRY. ANTIQUE JEWELRY. Biddle, Georg Jensen and others. Not sure? Bring it in.

NO COSTUME JEWELRY, PLEASE! NO COSTUME JEWELRY, PLEASE! WE PAY SUBSTANTIAL PREMIUMS FOR YOUR FINE ANTIQUE JEWELRY. � � NO COSTUME JEWELRY, PLEASE! ==

e= e =�� e==�

�

WANTED- Fine Sterling Silver

WANTED Fine Sterling All sterlingsilver flatware and hollowareSilver by any maker,

All sterling silver flatware andSterling holloware by any foreign or domestic.

Sterling silver tea sets.

Full maker, or WANTED - Fine Silver partial flatware sets.

Sterling Pitchers, bowls and trays. foreignAll orsterling domestic.

Sterling silver tea sets.

Full or silver flatware and holloware by any maker, Sterling candelabrum. partialforeign flatware sets. Sterling Pitchers, andortrays. or domestic.

Sterling silver teabowls sets. Full NOcandelabrum.

SILVER PLATED partial flatware sets. ITEMS, SterlingPLEASE! Pitchers, bowls and trays.

Sterling Premiums paid for Tiffany, Jensen, Buccellati.

Sterling candelabrum.

NO SILVER PLATED ITEMS, PLEASE! NO SILVER PLATED ITEMS, PLEASE!Buccellati.

Premiums paid for Tiffany, Jensen,

Premiums paid for Tiffany, Jensen, Buccellati.

WANTED - U.S. Gold/Silver Coins & Currency All silver dimes, quarters, half dollars dated 1964 and before. All Silver Dollars dated 1935Coins and before.

All WANTED - U.S. Gold/Silver & Currency WANTED U.S. Gold/Silver Coins & Currency paper money & large notes before 1928.

US coins in All silver dimes, quarters, half dollars dated 1964 and any denomination.

All silver dimes, quarters, half dollars dated 1964 and before. All Silver Dollars dated 1935 and before. All before.paper All Silver 1935 and Allin moneyDollars & large dated notes before 1928.before.

US coins denomination. paper any money & large notes before 1928. US coins in any denomination.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY ONLY MAY 19TH, 20TH & 21ST | 11 AM to 6 PM APPOINTMENTS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED Please call or scan QR code for appointment

1561 Lakefront Drive #105 I Sarasota FL 34240 cileone.com 941-351-8792

459210-1

941-351-8792

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

The Ar t of Waterfront Living at Wild Blue 13 LUXURY DESIGNER-DECORATED MODELS NOW OPEN NEW HOMESITES AVAILABLE

Life revolves around the spectacular 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, now under construction and opening this fall. Designed as the heart of the community, it’s where neighbors gather around resort-style pools, enjoy shared meals at indoor-outdoor dining venues, and take a swing on the premier putting course.

With a golf simulator, state-of-the-art fitness center, private cinema, and newly opened model homes showcasing stunning waterfront designs by the region’s most sought-after builders, this Lakewood Ranch community stands apart for those who value connection as much as luxury.

NOW OPEN: MIDWAY SPORTS PARK Tennis • Pickleball • Basketball Dog Parks • Children’s Playground

Visit Today.

8396 Sea Glass Court, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 l 941.313.3852 From University Parkway turn south onto Lorraine Road and follow the signs to Wild Blue at Waterside WildBluelwr.com Residences from $1.5 million ANCHOR BUILDERS • AR HOMES BY ARTHUR RUTENBERG • JOHN CANNON HOMES LEE WETHERINGTON HOMES • STOCK LUXURY HOMES • STOCK CUSTOM HOMES

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. ALL RENDERINGS AND PLANS ARE PROPOSED CONCEPTS SHOWN ONLY FOR MARKETING PURPOSES AND ARE BASED ON THE DEVELOPER’S CURRENT PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN. DEVELOPER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, REVISE OR WITHDRAW THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN DEVELOPER’S SOLE DISCRETION WITHOUT NOTICE. NOTHING HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO OBLIGATE THE DEVELOPER, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF DEVELOPER, TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT OR OFFER ANY OF THE PROJECT FOR SALE, AND NOTHING HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED A GUARANTY OF ANY KIND. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SALE OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY. 460200-1

18A

Classifieds 16B Games 15B Real Estate 11B Sports 12B Weather 15B

MAY 14, 2026

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Madison Bierl

Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.

Summerfield’s Olivia Bliss, 31, has always wanted to be a stay-at-home mother, and her dream came true with sons Charlie, Cassian and Francis (back).

Braden Woods’s Bronte Bogetti, 29, said she has become a stronger person by becoming a mother to her 2-year-old son, CJ, and 6-month-old daughter, Brynley (not pictured).

Mothers discuss their journeys Lakewood Ranch mothers share how motherhood has helped them grow through both happy moments and hardship.

MADISON BIERL | STAFF WRITER

W

hen it comes to raising children, mothers love those happy moments

filled with laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses.

But every mother knows she also has to deal with not-so-happy moments, whether that involves illness, dealing with a child who ignores directions or calming a child who is throwing a temper tantrum.

All of those times define motherhood and also have led to Mother’s Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, which honors mothers for all they do.

Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said she wasn’t aware how much love she could give until her now 7-monthold son, Flynn Ortiz, came along.

“He didn’t just make me a mother,”

Country Club West’s Judy Henderson, 75, said she would have had more children in her 20s if she knew her children, Toni and Chris, would turn out to be such great people and parents themselves.

Ortiz said. “He showed me parts of my heart I had never met before.

That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”

Ortiz said the most difficult part of motherhood is the constant worrying, which doesn’t allow her mind time to rest.

“He lights up my world, and it’s been amazing to watch his little personality develop,” Ortiz said. “Even on the hard days, he will always do something to make me smile, and it is a bond that will never fade. He’s my whole, entire world.”

Braden Woods’s Bronte Bogetti, 29, said she has struggled with anxiety but noted that becoming a mother has made her a stronger person.

“I take my focus off myself and have to focus on taking care of my kids and being there for them,” Bogetti said.

She has two children, a 2-year-old son, CJ, and a 6-month-old daughter, Brynley.

She said becoming a mother has strengthened her marriage with her husband, Cooper.

“Even in the hard moments, I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Bogetti said. “We say all the time, having kids is the best thing we’ve ever done.”

Summerfield’s Olivia Bliss, 31, said while some mothers think being a mother shouldn’t define their identity, she is proud to say being a mother is her purpose in life.

She grew up with six brothers and a stay-at-home mom, Valerie Guastalli.

She couldn’t wait to become a stay-athome mother herself.

Bliss has three sons — 6-year-old Cassian, 4-year-old Charlie and 2-year-old Francis. She and her husband, Kyle, are expecting another baby boy in October.

“Mothers shape the minds and hearts of future generations,” Bliss said. “To me, there’s nothing more important or impactful than that.”

Monterey at Lakewood Ranch’s Yuliya Pugach, 33, said the most impactful part of motherhood is knowing everything she does, including teaching morals and the way in which she speaks to her children, will impact them for the rest of their lives.

She acknowledged that it impacts not only her five children — 13-yearold Sophia, 12-year-old Victoria, 10-year-old Angelina, 6-year-old Ellia and 1-year-old Josiah, it also impacts those they come into contact with.

Pugach said one of her biggest challenges is learning what “the right way” to parent is based on the child. She said when she has figured something out, she feels as though a different solution might be better.

She said she is growing and making mistakes along the way.

“It (motherhood) teaches you what true unconditional love really is,” Pugach said. “I love my husband; I love my parents; I love my siblings; I love my friends. The love I have for my kids is different — there is nothing they can do to ever lose my love.

How cool is it to have your own little built-in besties for life?”

Mallory Park’s Rachel Marks, 37, is a single mom of four girls — 11-yearold Victoria, 10-year-old Kylee, 8-year-old Kinsley, and 4-year-old Arabella. She said her daughters are her biggest blessings.

Each day, she appreciates watching

her daughters grow as they showcase their personalities.

For Marks, motherhood has taught her patience, unconditional love, resilience and “what truly matters in life.” She said every time she hears “Mom,” reminds her why she does it.

She knows she is raising strong and loving girls.

As a single mom, it isn’t always easy.

“There are stressful days, moments of exhaustion, and times where I carry the weight of everything on my own,” Marks said. “Trying to be strong for them while managing life’s responsibilities can be overwhelming at times, but even through the hard moments, I continue to push forward. My daughters deserve the very best version of me.”

Country Club West’s Judy Henderson, 75, looks back on raising her children, Toni and Chris, who are now 52 and 50.

“My son is a wonderful dad and my daughter’s a wonderful mom,” Henderson said. “They must have learned that somewhere.”

Henderson recommends having children young. She said it’s easier to chase them around.

She said the most difficult part about being a mother for her was when they moved out and she became an empty nester. She had been looking forward to having her own space, but soon felt lonely.

She treasures it when they visit now and is taking in every moment, watching her four grandchildren grow.

“If I knew they were going to turn out to be such wonderful and good human beings, I would’ve had five or six kids instead of two,” Henderson said. “They’re the two things I did right in my whole life.”

“Even in the hard moments, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

— Bronte Bogetti

4 SERVICES. WE DO IT ALL. Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical Generators

461407-1

Stewart Moon Macey moon Henry Moon

2B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

ELECTRIC

Reliable Electrical Solutions, Done Right.

Your Premier Electrician Service Partner

LIC # CAC1816020 • PLBG CFC1428223 • ELEC EC13009313

462419-1

941.366.7676 AQUAPLUMBINGSARASOTA.COM

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation’s Kate Mulligan, Kayla Harris, Keith Pandeloglou, Lisa Lawler and Victoria Campbell await the arrival of 83 golfers at Calusa Country Club.

Chips for charity

E

OPEN 24/7 Emergency & Specialty Medicine

EmErgEncy, SpEcialty & WEllnESS practicE

NOW AVAILABLE Boarded: • Surgeon • Ophthalmologist • Radiologist • Criticalists

ighty-three golfers gathered at Calusa Country Club on May 8 for a bigger reason than chasing pars and birdies.

They wanted to give back to their community.

The second annual Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament was held to raise money for the many grants given by the organization to area nonprofits.

The tournament, which was sponsored

by Lennar, included meals, swag bags and prizes to those participating.

In its 26 years, the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has given out more than $1.8 million to local nonprofits.

Kate Mulligan, the executive director of the foundation, said the tournament is the foundation’s second largest fundraiser of the year.

“It’s terrific because we’re trying to reach new people and tell them about the work that we do,” Mulligan said.

457338-1

15205 Garnet Trail • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

941-739-1800 • LakewoodRanchVet.com

— MADISON BIERL

Photos by Madison Bierl

Bradenton’s Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.

SPRING CLEARANCE

Floor Models

MUST

GO!

20% OFF STRESSLESS FLOOR MODELS

462842-1

STOREWIDE SAVINGS UP TO 50% OFF

7211 S. Tamiami Trl, Sarasota 941-923-2569 Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 Copenhagen-imports.com

The Edit | Copenhagen Imports 50 S Palm Ave, Sarasota 941-899-3565 Tues.-Sat. 10-6

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Lakewood Ranch’s Gennaro Daniello and Palmetto’s Evin Martinez prepare to play in the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation golf tournament.

Lakewood Ranch’s JB Sassano and Paul O’Leary say they come from communities that give back and they are glad to support the mission of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

Marcus Sanchez, Eddie Enriquez, Jay McCollough and Trey Johnson came to Calusa Country Club to support the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

3B

TRIBUTES Charles Edward Githler Charles Edward Githler was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 29, in Sarasota, Florida.

Charles was a visionary entrepreneur, luxury developer, and pioneer of the modern investor movement whose life was defined by bold ideas, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for creating opportunity.

Charles was the founder of Investment Seminars International, established in 1978, which later evolved into what is now known worldwide as The MoneyShow. Beginning with just two employees and a vision, he built the organization into the largest trade show producer for self-directed investors and traders, helping lead the rise of the modern individual “investor class.” His conferences brought together thousands of investors from across the United States and more than 100 countries and featured many of the most influential figures in economics, politics, and finance; including Milton Friedman, Sir John Templeton, Alan Greenspan, Henry Kissinger, Steve Forbes, and President Ronald Reagan. While helping launch the careers of many financial experts who later became household names.

Later in life, Charles

turned his attention to luxury real estate development in Sarasota, Florida. An award-winning developer, he led successful private equity partnerships and developed several landmark properties, including the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, which he also owned, and the Beau Ciel residences overlooking Sarasota Bay. Beau Ciel remained especially close to his heart.

Charles was deeply committed to education and philanthropy. His charitable work included supporting Classical education through The Classical Academy in Sarasota as part of the Hillsdale College network.

Charles met the love of his life, Jamie, and together they built a beautiful, faith-filled life. A true power couple in business and life, they combined their entrepreneurial

vision and leadership to own and lead Keller Williams On the Water in Sarasota and Bradenton, growing the brokerages into one of the nations top-performing firms with 375 agents and nine employees.

Boating and sailing were lifelong passions for Charles.

He and Jamie were members of the Sarasota Yacht Club and the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. They loved traveling together, especially to Tiburon, St. Barts, Nantucket, and Napa Valley, though Charles’ favorite place was often in the quiet beauty of their backyard on Sarasota Bay with Jamie.

Charles and Jamie shared a once-in-a-lifetime love that was truly rare and beautiful to witness. In addition to Jamie, he is survived by many cherished family

members, friends, colleagues, and partners around the world whose lives he touched.

Charles always sought to make the world a better place, bringing energy, optimism, and generosity to all who knew him. To say he will be missed is truly an understatement.

SERVICE: A private Celebration of Life will be held in the fall as invite only. Those wishing to express condolences may visit Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Classical Academy Sarasota, Hillsdale College, or the Sarasota Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program in honor of Charles.

462700-1

YOUR HOME OF DISTINCTION AWAITS Heritage Builders brings timeless luxury to your lifestyle.

Located in Sarasota’s most coveted neighborhoods.

DESIGNER FURNISHED MODEL

FURNISHED MOVE-IN READY HOME

West of Trail Lakefront Estate

Siesta Key Waterfront Home

THE WINDEMERE II

THE ISLANDER

$5,980,000 | 4,866 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 2 1/2 Bath | Elevator Pool & Spa | Media Room | Study | MLS A4637673 For Sale with Leaseback

$4,649,900 | 4,170 Sq. Ft. | 4 Bed | 4 Full + 1 1/2 Bath 2-Car Garage | Pool & Spa | Media Room | Study | MLS A4589732

1521 S. Lake Shore Dr, 34231

558 Venice Lane, 34242

BUILD A CUSTOM HOME DESIGN ON YOUR LOT OR CHOOSE A PLAN FROM OUR PORTFOLIO. 941-328-8272 | HeritageBuildersWFL.com

Heritage Builders of West Florida, LLC | CBC1259037 HB Realty Group, Inc. | Licensed Real Estate Broker

460008-1

Come Tour This Breathtaking Home Open 10-4 Monday - Saturday 1-4 Sunday

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

New Season. New Beginnings.

Agave Bandido fires up Cinco de Mayo

Educational child care for ages 6 wks - 12 yrs with extensive offerings for children and their families.

T

VPK begins August 10th - secure your child’s spot!

941.200.4250

7218 55th Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203

450827-1

ENROLL TODAY!

he Cinco de Mayo party at Agave Bandido wasn’t just for humans.

Waterside’s David Schicht and Amy Liberto didn’t want to leave their dogs — Waylon Jennings, Skylar Marie and Clarence Carter — home, so they dressed them as tacos and brought them along.

Liberto said she couldn’t resist breaking out the outfits for the May 5 celebration in Waterside Place.

Agave Bandido’s event included stilt walkers and a fire performer from Prism Artistry along with featuring the band Jah Movement.

Shantel Norman, lead vocalist of Jah Movement, said the band’s goal always is to bring people together.

“We all are different colors and our political views are all different, but we all bleed red,” Norman said. “We need to be there and support each other. Every time I get on the stage, I want people to smile, hold hands together, meet somebody new,and tell each other they love each other.”

Blake Campbell, director of operations for Agave Bandido, said this is the third year they have gone all out for Cinco de Mayo. He said they are known for throwing “wild parties.”

Photos by Madison Bierl

Natasha Erickson, a stilt walker with Prism Artistry, is joined by Parrish’s Olivia Laws, 5, and Miya Yawn at the Agave Bandido Cinco de Mayo celebration.

— MADISON BIERL

2026

CAMPS

June - July

Little ones from ages 3-7 will enjoy fun, themed weeks filled with dancing, crafts, storytelling, and movement exploration!

Sign up for multiple weeks and get a $25 discount for each additional week!

941.487.8763 | SarasotaBallet.org

447954-1

Agave Bandido employees Madisyn Casorla, Julianna Lugo, Maecy Casorla and Amaya Oyola show off their Cinco de Mayo-themed face paint.

LICENSE #CGC057880

THE ONE-STOP SHOP FOR YOUR OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE NEEDS! •CABINETS

•IN HOUSE MANUFACTURING

•APPLIANCES

•FULL SERVICE INSTALLATION

Showroom: 10530 Portal Crossing #109 | Lakewood Ranch 34211

Call for a Free Estimate & Design Consultation

(941) 725-0709 OutdoorCabinets.com

Mention this ad to receive a special discount*

461525-1

4B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

5B

8141 Lakewood Main St., Suite N106 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

941-756-7800

Wagner Realty has served our community for more than 85 years.

Lakewood Ranch’s Steven Glicker and Sandra Rodriguez didn’t want to miss dancing to the live music of Jah Movement at the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

4714 Mainsail Drive Bradenton 3BR/2.5BA/$1,289,000 A4691203 Lynda Melnick (941)730-5180 Jay Holland (941)932-5080

Esplanade at Azario Lake 15415 Derna Terrace Bradenton 3BR/3BA/$1,125,000 A4633843 Jay Holland (941)932-5080

Located in the heart of Main Street at Wagner Realty, our team is proud to combine the strength of a trusted local brokerage with personalized service rooted in community.

Backed by decades of experience throughout Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Manatee County, we are committed to guiding buyers and sellers with professionalism, integrity, and genuine care - helping our neighbors feel at home every step of the way.

The Cove at Twin Rivers 1937 146th Terrace E Parrish 4BR/3BA/$639,000 A4683365 Tammy Pogar (941)713-8268 Cindy Greco (941)812-3509

Tidewater Cove

1135 Riverscape Street Bradenton 3BR/2BA/$554,900 A4687171 Lynda Melnick (941)730-5180 Jay Holland (941)932-5080

Heritage Harbour Sarasota’s Kasdan Mitchell says he dresses up for every holiday including Halloween, Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo.

River Strand Golf and Country Club

8721 Stone Harbour Loop Bradenton 2BR/2BA/$525,000 A4689951 Julie Ann Soriero (941)702-3116

220 River Enclave Court Bradenton 3BR/2BA/$429,000 A4684188 Jill Perfetto (732)610-5464

MEMORIAL DAY SALES EVENT

461138-1

Alannis Peterson, of Prism Artistry, “eats” fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5.

Harbour Walk

NOW THROUGH JUNE 3RD

Upgrade Your Home Today with Free Financing for Qualified Buyers!

REFRIGERATOR

WAS $3,899

NOW 2,299

$

FREE DELIVERY & HAUL AWAY!

LG Counter-Depth MAX™ with Zero Clearance™ 3-Door French Door Refrigerator (LF24Z6530S)

MICROWAVE

WAS 529 $

NOW $ 399

1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-The-Range Microwave (GMOS1962AF)

WASHER/DRYER

WAS 1,349 EACH $

NOW $ 999

EACH

Front Load Perfect Steam™ Washer (ELFW7637AT) Front Load Perfect Steam™ Electric Dryer (ELFE7637AT)

MICROWAVE

WAS $569

GE® 1.9 Cu. Ft. Over-the-Range Sensor Microwave Oven (JVM7195SKSS)

REFRIGERATOR

WAS $4,199

NOW 2,699

$

FREE DELIVERY & HAUL AWAY!

26 cu. ft. Smart CounterDepth MAX™ French Door Refrigerator (LRYXC2606S)

RANGE

RANGE

WAS $1,649

WAS $2,599

NOW $ 1,699 30” Front Control Induction Range with Stone-Baked Pizza (GCFI3070BF)

NOW $ 287

NOW $ WAS 1,449 1,049

NOW $ 979

WASHER/DRYER $

EACH

EACH

FREE DELIVERY & HAUL AWAY ON THE PAIR! 5.0 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Smart Front Load Washer (WM5800HVA) 7.4 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart Front Load Electric Dryer (DLEX5800V)

GE® ENERGY STAR® 30” Slide-In Electric Convection Range (GRS600AVFS)

Visit JessupsAppliances.com

3756 Bee Ridge Rd. | Sarasota | 941.927.4900 | Mon-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5 | Sun 11-4 1210 E. Venice Avenue | Venice | 941.484.9030 | Mon-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5 | Sun Closed 1019 Tamiami Trail | Port Charlotte | 941.249.4992 | Mon-Fri 9-5:30 | Sat 9-5 | Sun Closed

460893-1

We carry a wide variety of High-End & Mid-Range Kitchen, Laundry & Outdoor Appliances with the latest technology & hottest designs.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Quality Education.

Exceptional Value.

Endless Possibilities.

Photos by Jay Heater

Joelle, Adelina (13 months), Tom and Gianna Sicking, of Lakewood Ranch, enjoy the Petals and Poses event Saturday, but Joelle says it isn’t much different than their normal routine, being together and loving Waterside Place.

•Associate Degrees •Bachelor’s Degrees 19.833 •Workforce Certificates •Personal Enrichment •Professional Development

All about the mothers

A

ppreciation was one of the most common themes during the Petals and Poses event to honor mothers at Waterside Place on Saturday.

“Being a mom can be a roller coaster, with mostly ups,” said Heritage Harbour’s Kirsten Parker, who attended with her mom, Linda Fanning. Having my own son (17-year-old Caden) has made me appreciate my mother.”

Fanning said she just appreciates being blessed with two wonderful grandchildren.

The event featured plenty of booths for flowers, snacks, and services for moms. It also included a fashion show.

Funds generated by the event were donated to the Mothers Helping Mothers nonprofit.

Cheri DeVries, executive director of Mothers Helping Mothers, said the funds are important, but spreading the awareness of the nonprofit’s mission was even bigger.

Sarasota’s Katy Akers, who brought her daughters, 2-year-old Lulu, and 4-year-old Vivi, to the event, said it was a blessing to be with them on the Mother’s Day weekend.

“God gave me them as a gift,” she said.

— JAY HEATER

Sarasota’s Taryn Thomore enjoys the event with her daughter, Kensley Kratz. “It’s a good day to celebrate the bond you have, and the journey,” Thomore says.

Parker Hippich, 1, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.

MEMORIAL DAY 25 may 2026

REMEMBER AND HONOR

Summer Semester Starts - May 18 Fall Semester Starts - August 17

featuring:

AMERICANA TRIO | $42

Apply Today!

941-752-5050 SCF.edu/LetsGo

ALSO SERVING OUR FULL DINNER MENU!

SUMMER HOURS HOURS M A Y - OOCTOBER MAY CTOBER

MONDAY - SATURDAY | CLOSED SUNDAYS DINNER 4:00 - 8:30 | Early Dining & Happy Hour 4:00 - 5:30 reservations recommended | call 941-383-0440 or book a table online at lazylobsteroflongboat.com

462590-1

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services and activities, including admission and employment. Direct inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to Equal Opportunity Officer, 941-752-5599, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207.

WE'LL HANDLE THE BBQ!

Our Classic 1/3 RACK BBQ BABY BACK RIBS, 3 FRIED SHRIMP & BROILED LOBSTER TAIL, SERVED WITH FRIES & SLAW

461431-1

6B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

7B

Make Your Next Move Exceptional

19451 Ganton Avenue, The Concession

17238 Salerno Drive, Lakewood Ranch

$3,950,000 | 5 BR, 5 BA, 2 HALF BA | Web# A4669881

$3,399,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA | Web# A4685424

Gloria Bracciano: M 941.229.4000 | Angelica Rossi: M 786.202.3000

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

7515 Ladybank Crossing, Lakewood Ranch

3308 Palma Sola Boulevard, Bradenton

$2,899,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA | Web# A4685431

$2,500,000 | 4 BR, 4.5 BA | Web# A4687346

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

Gloria Bracciano: M 941.229.4000 | Angelica Rossi: M 786.202.3000

7951 Matera Court, Lakewood Ranch

8116 Lone Tree Glen, Lakewood Ranch

$1,999,000 | 3 BR, 3.5 BA | Web# A4679918

$1,774,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA | Web# A4663172

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

Nikki Taylor: M 941.587.9060

1010 Crosswind Avenue, Sarasota

11411 Spring Gate Trail, Bradenton

$975,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# A4684499

$679,000 | 4 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4686199

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430

1266 Riverscape Street, #A, Bradenton

7424 Cabin Lane, Sarasota

$539,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# A4682335

$490,000 | 3 BR, 2.5 BA | Web# A4671931

Gloria Bracciano: M 941.229.4000 | Angelica Rossi: M 786.202.3000

Monica LeSuer: M 941.525.7278

elliman.com

458734-1

1350 MAIN ST, SARASOTA, FL 34236. 941.867.6199 © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

YOUR CALENDAR

WE’RE HIRING POOL EQUIPMENT REPAIR TECHNICIAN

• $24 - $29/HOUR • FULL TIME • BENEFITS AVAILABLE • EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Call for Information

941-778-5622 401 Manatee Ave.

461046-1

Lic. #CFC1429635 | #CPC 1459826 | #CAC 1818472

COMMUNITY THURSDAY, MAY 14 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 17

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING Runs from 5-8 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Howlin’ Bob and the Salty Dogs (Friday), Munro Street (Saturday) and Reverend Billy (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday shows are $5; the others are free.

Visit JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 AND SATURDAY, MAY 16

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs from 6-9 p.m. each day at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. On Friday, Frankie Lombardi plays acoustic rock and pop to entertain those strolling the streets of Waterside Place. On Saturday, singer Sheri Nadelman is the featured performer. For more information, go to WatersidePlace. com.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

DIP AND DISCOVER FARMERS MARKET Begins at 9 a.m. at Braden River Nature Park, 11915 Hidden River Trail, Lakewood Ranch. Try an immersive experience where those participating collect and identify small freshwater creatures and unlock insights into a pond’s overall health.

The program is suitable for those 8 and older. A parent must accompany a child. The free program is presented by Big Waters Land Trust. For more information, go to BigWatersLandTrust.org/Events/.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 AND SUNDAY, MAY 17

BIG 12 WOMEN’S ROWING Runs from 9-11 a.m. both days at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota.

NCAA Division I women’s rowing teams compete for the Big 12 title.

Admission is free; parking is $20.

For information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

462192-1

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

BEST BET SATURDAY, MAY 16

NATURE JOURNALING Begins at 9 a.m. at Heron’s Nest Nature Park, 6399 Tupelo Trail, Lakewood Ranch. Big Waters Land Trust, through a Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation grant, is offering the Nature Journaling event at Heron’s Nest Nature Park. Learn to observe and record the natural world through drawing and writing.

The event is free to attend, although Big Trust requests that those who will attend register at BigWatersLandTrust.org/ Events. The program is suitable for all ages, but all participants 16 and younger must be accompanied by a parent. The guided, hands-on program offers a way to connect with nature while sharpening observation skills. All materials are provided, however, you are welcome to bring your own journal and additional materials. Bug spray, sun protection and closed-toe shoes are recommended. No restrooms are onsite for the two-hour program.

includes Huckleberry on Saturday and Sheree Cade on Sunday.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place. Yearround every Sunday. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Visit MyLWR.com.

YOGA IN THE PARK Runs 9-10 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace. Start the morning off with gentle yoga with lake views. Visit MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20

RANCH NITE WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6-9 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place.

Join the crowd at Waterside Place enjoying the food trucks and music during Ranch Nite Wednesdays. For information, visit MyLWR.com.

The Alustra® Collection of Pirouette® Window Shadings Color: Sand Jasper | Operating System: UltraGlide®

37

Dr. Kansara at Coastal Eye Institute, is a leading expert in the field of ophthalmology, specializing in:

• Glaucoma Management & Surgery • Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Procedures • Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery • Routine Eye Care

heraldtribune.com

WINNER

BLINDS•SHUTTERS DRAPERIES•WALLCOVERINGS 941-925-7800 mmwallcoveringsblinds.com

454834-1

Wallcoverings & Blinds, Inc. Since 1989

His patient-centric approach ensures personalized treatment plans that cater to your unique eye health needs.

Janet and Curt Mattson Owners

4801 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Across from The Landings

©2026 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved.

All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

Whether you’re seeking preventative care or battling an eye condition, Dr. Kansara’s expertise and compassionate care can guide you towards improved vision and a healthier lifestyle. He is dedicated to staying at the forefront of ophthalmic advancements, offering the latest treatments and technologies to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive compassionate and personalized eye care.

Dr. Kansara looks forward to helping you see the world more clearly.

* *Restrictions apply. See server

for full details.

CoastalEye.com • 941-748-1818 • Most Insurance Plans Welcomed

462198-1

6310 Health Pkwy., Ste. 340 • Lakewood Ranch 217 Manatee Ave. E. • Bradenton 111 S. Pineapple Ave., Ste 301 • Sarasota 461535-1

8B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

9B

May is Better Hearing Month

Join us for month-long savings Hearing connects us. It makes us feel a part of our world. Hearing is so much more than a simple sense. It is simply part of who you are.

At AudioNova, we want to restore your sense of hearing so that you can get back what you've been missing.

Book a FREE HEARING SCREENING

941-398-9949 • 2807 University Pkwy., Sarasota 14800 Tamiami Trail, North Port • 836 Pinebrook Rd., Ste D-5, Venice 1720 S. McCall Rd., Ste H, Englewood 21216 Olean Blvd., Ste 4, Port Charlotte

Trial Bonus

Finance Offer

HEARING AIDS AS LOW AS RISK-FREE TRIAL¹

²

HURRY! OFFERS EXPIRE 5/15/26 Patient will receive $100 gift card upon completion of hearing instrument trial. Certain types of hearing loss may require a hearing instrument model that is not appropriate for the trial. Hearing evaluation required. See clinic for details. Open to adults 18+ years and older. One gift card per customer, per year.

Not valid with managed care or state insurance plans. No cash alternative. Must provide a valid email address for gift card redemption. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of the gift card.

2With $260 payment to start, a total of $2930 will be financed at 19.90% APR on approved credit for 48-months. Additional upgrades and other financing options are available. Terms are subject to change without notice and other restrictions may apply. Please see office for details. Offers expire 5/15/26.

SL-AT0416094458

461189-1

1

10B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

THE CONCESSION 20906 Parkstone Terrace 4 Beds 5 Baths 6,486 Sq. Ft. Laura Naese 941.350.3657 A4674842 $6,950,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16903 Verona Place 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 3,084 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941.587.4359 A4689005 $2,395,000

EAST BRADENTON 520 Rye Road NE 6 Beds 5/1 Baths 5,200 Sq. Ft. Kevin Moran & Jill Berg 941.920.8600 A4655587 $2,195,000

THE ISLES 8444 Cane Bay Court 4 Beds 6/1 Baths 4,255 Sq. Ft. Kathy Barrie 941.757.7872 A4681997 $2,100,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7527 Greystone Street 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,850 Sq. Ft. Victoria "Tori" Turner 662.614.2783 A4692043 $2,075,000

THE ISLES 8331 Redonda Loop 4 Beds 5/1 Baths 4,045 Sq. Ft. Kathy Barrie 941.757.7872 A4687844 $1,899,000

THE ISLES 8276 Redonda Loop 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,566 Sq. Ft. Kathy Barrie 941.757.7872 A4679617 $1,649,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 13911 Siena Loop 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,216 Sq. Ft. Deborah O'Mara 941.730.0777 A4678185 $1,180,000

EAST BRADENTON 14204 11th Terrace NE 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,402 Sq. Ft. Jennifer Linehan 941.266.7555 A4677988 $1,150,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6465 Watercrest Way #301 2 Beds 3 Baths 2,287 Sq. Ft. Deborah O'Mara 941.730.0777 A4683907 $995,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 12129 Thornhill Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,011 Sq. Ft. Garry Neeves 941.667.0653 A4672799 $929,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7719 Latrobe Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,675 Sq. Ft. Deborah O'Mara 941.730.0777 A4680635 $895,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 12705 Stone Ridge Place 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,539 Sq. Ft. Deborah O'Mara 941.730.0777 A4667522 $875,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6414 Watercrest Way #302 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,482 Sq. Ft. Jody Shinn 941.705.5704 A4679069 $825,000

DEL WEBB LAKEWOOD RANCH 17226 Seaford Way 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,488 Sq. Ft. JJ Sutherland 941.412.6355 A4671625 $825,000

GREENBROOK VILLAGE 15005 Bowfin Terrace 5 Beds 3 Baths 2,756 Sq. Ft. Stacey Yencik & Nicole Ryskamp 941.363.1127 A4686591 $824,000

EDGEWATER 8412 Misty Morning Court 4 Beds 2 Baths 2,236 Sq. Ft. Ray Rausa 941.228.7614 A4689273 $799,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6527 Moorings Point Circle #101 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,983 Sq. Ft. Barbara A. Milian 941.504.0660 A4678335 $794,990

EDGEWATER 8428 Misty Morning Court 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,538 Sq. Ft. Mary Pihl & Laura Navratil 941.932.3065 A4685923 $775,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB EAST 7263 Belleisle Glen 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,988 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941.587.4359 A4690053 $725,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB EAST 7538 Divot Loop #2D 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,376 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941.894.4001 A4676354 $719,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7715 Us Open Loop 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,667 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941.894.4001 A4684761 $629,000

CENTRAL BRADENTON 7702 Rio Bella Place 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,681 Sq. Ft. Laura Ferrara & Kim Ogilvie 443.865.4112 A4688061 $625,000

RIVERWALK 7210 Switchgrass Trail 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,746 Sq. Ft. Mette Milland & Toni Schemmel 317.987.2450 A4690947 $620,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7702 Lake Vista Court #204 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,762 Sq. Ft. Chris Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet 941.993.7087 A4691558 $359,000

THE LAKE CLUB 16317 Daysailor Trail 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,268 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941.685.8420 A4688458 $2,725,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8560 Pavia Way 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,136 Sq. Ft. Mimi Kruk 941.587.5188 A4688580 $2,490,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

458463-1

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8134 Pavia Way 5 Beds 5 Baths 3,734 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941.685.8420 A4687253 $3,095,000

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Wild Blue at Waterside topped the week’s sales. SDWB Waterside LLC sold the home at 1102 Blue Shell Loop to Amy Wagner, trustee, of Mason, Ohio, for $3,681,700. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,979 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB

Sarah Lashley, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6963 Westchester Circle to Amit and Katherine Chandra, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3,025,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 5,897 square feet. It sold for $2,475,000 in 2022.

Lawrence and Jean Beth Kordon, of Wilmington, North Carolina, sold their home at 12235 Thornhill Court to Elizabeth Anne Mandros, of Middleburg, Virginia, for $705,000.

Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,056 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2020.

LAKE CLUB

Deborah Jean Petchul and John Joseph Petchul, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 16404 Clearlake Ave. to Michael and Bessie Marino, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, for $2.9 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and is 3,678 square feet. It sold for $3,199,000 in 2023.

AZARIO ESPLANADE

A. Susan and James Schiesser, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 15114 Derna Terrace to Lisa Conti Amick, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.3 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,425 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,001,600 in 2021.

Sergey Karman, of Bradenton, sold his home at 15013 Montello Way to Robert and DawnMarie Fortino, trustees, of Bradenton, for $2,225,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and is 4,813 square feet. It sold for $1,470,900 in 2022.

Jennifer Marie Sewell and Linda Kay Welsh sold their home at 3618 Santa Caterina Blvd. to Marcia McClure, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1.7 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,065 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,183,900 in 2023.

Susan Weinstein, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, sold her home at 16206 Fortezza Drive to David and Kathryn Firkins, of Lakewood Ranch, for $850,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,101 square feet of living area.

It sold for $797,100 in 2024.

Shawn Patrick Kelly and Terri Anne Kelly, of Highland, Michigan, sold their home at 3113 Tolmino Court to Joseph Richard Maheu and Ann Patterson Maheu, of Lakewood Ranch, for $689,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,920 square feet of living area. It sold for $790,000 in 2023.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Steven and Kathryn Bandstra sold their home at 16622 Kendleshire Terrace to Cynthia Jones, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,825,000.

Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,094 square feet of living area.

Thomas and Cynthia McDavitt, of Sarasota, sold their home at 16608 Collingtree Crossing to Michele and David Nachbar, of Chicago, for $980,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and is 2,839 square feet. It sold for $940,000 in 2023.

Kenneth and Ann Eisner, of Sarasota, sold their home at 15512 Leven Links Place to Jessica Farrelly,

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

APRIL 27-MAY 1

trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $975,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,519 square feet of living area. It sold for $620,000 in 2016.

ISLES

Joshua and Tamara Blazer sold their home at 18232 Cayo Largo Place to Chad and Brittany Callen, of Morgantown, West Virginia, for $1.65 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,987 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,699,900 in 2024.

Cynthia Nimrick, trustee, of Cincinnati, sold the home at 8122 Redonda Loop to Katherine Kuerze Budde and Richard Bernard Budde Jr., of Lexington, Kentucky, for $1.23 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 2,491 square feet. It sold for $1,193,200 in 2023.

ESPLANADE

Christine Jane Greene sold the home at 4711 Benito Court to Bradley and Roxann Powell, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1.4 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,880 square feet of living area. It sold for $733,900 in 2018.

Tracie Romanelli, trustee, of Bradenton Beach, sold the home at 13902 Messina Loop to Christopher and Elizabeth Verzone, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,032,500. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,742 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,400 in 2020.

Lynn Hamilton Ellis, trustee, of Williamsburg, Virginia, sold the home at 13240 Sorrento Way to Jonathan and Carol Orwitz, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for $815,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,087 square feet of living area. It sold for $525,100 in 2017.

Courtesy image

This Country Club home at 6963 Westchester Circle sold for $3,025,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,897 square feet of living area.

LANSDOWNE CRESCENT

Laurance and Barbara Newman, Bruce Newman, Julie Cooley, trustees, of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, sold the home at 6748 Curzon Terrace to Beverly Kennedy, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1,043,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,680 square feet of living area.

MARINELAND

Gregory and Carolyn Sutherland, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6802 68th Ave. E. to Travis Joseph Bouck, of Bradenton, for $1.04 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,176 square feet of living area.

Dean Matthew Bracken and Sandra Jo Bracken, of Bradenton, for $970,000. Built in 1994, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,621 square feet of living area. It sold for $480,000 in 2008.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Eugenia Rushing, of Parrish, sold the home at 12838 Daisy Place to William and Suzanne Mackiewicz, of Bradenton, for $925,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,852 square feet of living area. It sold for $560,000 in 2008.

ONLINE

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

John and Tracy Wilson, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6916 Riversedge St. Circle to

See more transactions at YourObserver.com.

SWEETWATER

Monica Sacco and Matthew David Sacco, of Old Bridge, New Jersey, sold their home at 4626 Sweet Retreat Run to Kamalesh Rajah Karthikeyan and Sreya Talasila, of Bradenton, for $1,185,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,697 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,274,300 in 2025.

MONTEREY

Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2477 Waterfront Circle to Ricardo Espino, of Sarasota, for $1.1 million. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 4,595 square feet of living area.

Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2573 Waterfront Circle to Richard and Barbara Rose, of Manalapan, New Jersey, for $980,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,811 square feet of living area.

Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2592 Waterfront Circle to Richard and Barbara Rose, of Manalapan, New Jersey, for $975,000. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,790 square feet of living area.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Wayne and Annette Dahlke, of Canton, Georgia, sold their home at 4520 Blue Marlin Drive to Luis Angel Badillo and Sadie Badillo, of Mohegan Lake, New York, for $1,055,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,953 square feet of living area.

For nearly 50 years, Michael Saunders & Company has led Southwest Florida real estate. Our Developer Services Division offers unmatched expertise from concept to sell-out, partnering on 85+ landmark projects like the St. Regis Longboat Key Residences, The Collection, The Mark and The Ritz-Carlton Residences with innovation and integrity.

Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota From From $2.5M to $30M+ | WAResidencesSarasota.com

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From $1.3M Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

Let’s build something extraordinary together.

EMERALD LANDING AT WATERSIDE

Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 1559 Running Tide Place to Krista Michelle Wyman, of Sarasota, for $1.05 million. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,870 square feet of living area.

Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 1638 Springwell Lane to Mark Mundon Odell and Leslee Rose Odell, of Sarasota, for $800,000.

Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,276 square feet of living area.

The Edge Sarasota | 941.866.3068 | From Mid $3M Sales Gallery at 1801 Main Street | TheEdgeSarasota.com

941.951.6650 MSCDeveloperServices.com

Prices as of January 2025

Issa Homes at SeaFlower | 941.491.7879 From $1.29M | SeaFlower.IssaHomes.com

460087-1

ADAM HUGHES

REAL ESTATE

Wild Blue home tops sales at $3,681,700

11B

MAY 14, 2026

SPORTS Local rower returns to former home base BREAK

“It was fun being with this team (and) having everybody support me through the whole journey.”

— Braden River High baseball’s Brooks Bartram SEE PAGE 14B

FAST

Old Dominion’s Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, is back in the area for the Big 12 Championship.

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

N

File photo

Kevin Gyurka ended his running career at The Out-of-Door Academy with two fourth-place finishes at this year’s FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship.

S

enior Kevin Gyurka of The Out-of-Door Academy boys track and field team placed fourth in both the 800-meter run (1:57.47) and 1,600-meter run (4:19.69) at the FHSAA Class 1A state championship May 6, held at Jacksonville’s Hodges Stadium. Sophomore Paxon Hermann placed sixth in the pole vault (4.05 meters). On the girls’ side, seventh grader Zoe Buller finished in eighth place for pole vault (2.85 meters).

Gyurka and Buller were 1A-3 regional champions this season in the 800-meter run and pole vault, respectively. ... No. 2 seed and host Braden River High softball ripped No. 7 seed Riverdale 9-0 in the 5A-3 regional quarterfinals May 7. The Pirates rattled off five runs in the bottom of the third inning before tacking on two more apiece in the fourth and fifth. Senior infielder/pitcher Kaydence Evans and freshman infielder/pitcher Cady Jones each went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. With the victory, the 5A10 district champions pushed their record to 21-3. Braden River was scheduled to host No. 3 seed Fort Myers at 7 p.m. May 12 in the regional semifinals. ... Ryan Waldschmidt, a Braden River High graduate, has hit .285 with 21 RBIs thus far in 2026 with the Reno Aces — Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 23-year-old outfielder is now in his second season of minor league baseball. ... Cassidy McLellan, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, has become a mainstay in the lineup for the University of Florida softball team as a junior outfielder. She’s hit .326 with 40 RBIs, while her 10 home runs — as of May 6 — are tied for fourth-most on the team.

The Gators finished the regular season at 47-9 and are ranked No. 9 in the country. Florida received the No. 3 seed for the SEC Tournament.

estled between the Lafayette River and Elizabeth River is Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Lakewood Ranch High rower Sophie Bell stepped onto its campus for an official visit from Sept.

15-17, 2023, and was impressed by the overwhelmingly positive environment.

She loved the rowing team. She loved the culture.

That day, it became the standard against which she would judge all other colleges.

“It started off as a baseline,” Bell said. “Every other school that I visited had to beat this one, and they didn’t. I just always found myself thinking back to this visit.”

Old Dominion became her home away from home — a place where she could comfortably continue her athletic and educational endeavors.

Now, nearing the end of her sophomore season with the school’s NCAA Division I women’s rowing program, Bell is coming back home.

The former Lakewood Ranch resident will compete for the Monarchs from May 16-17 at the Big 12 Championship at Nathan Benderson Park.

As an affiliate member of the conference, Old Dominion will battle Kansas, Kansas State, Tulsa, UCF and West Virginia.

Bell is all too familiar with this course. During her middle and high school days, she rowed for Sarasota Crew, testing her talents regularly at Nathan Benderson Park.

“I know the course like the back of my hand,” Bell said. “We practiced on it and raced on it thousands of times in high school. It’s nice to merge my two lives — high school versus college. It’s almost like it’s all coming together.”

The facility offers the only worldclass course in the country, according to Old Dominion Women’s Rowing Coach Brian Conley. It carries a certain aura which Bell enjoys as well.

Conley, who has led the Monarchs since July 2022, pointed to the fairness of the racing lanes at Nathan Benderson Park as its distinguishing factor.

“That can be hard to find in the U.S., or even in the world, where all the lanes are fairly equal in terms of conditions from one day to the next,” Conley said. “You can rely on the times that come out of those races to be comparative from one race to another.”

Images courtesy of Sophie Bell

Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she’ll return to the place where her career started as she now is a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.

Sophie Bell (third from left) rowed for Sarasota Crew from summer 2017 through spring 2024. She frequented Nathan Benderson Park during that time — whether for practices or regattas.

Florida is the place Bell called home longer than any other, but it wasn’t her first home. She was born in England and moved to the U.S. at 4 years old.

It wasn’t her decision to pick up an oar or get in a boat. Her mother signed her up for a summer camp run

by Sarasota Crew in 2017, as she prepared to begin sixth grade.

Growing up, Bell bounced around friend groups before joining the sport. Finding the people who she could best connect with wasn’t all that easy.

After-school rowing practices became her refuge. They offered stability in her day-to-day life, regardless of whatever ups and downs she experienced elsewhere.

“Having a team that you can go to for pretty much anything is so, so beautiful,” Bell said. “I didn’t have a set group of friends until rowing. It’s made my life better.”

Not to say it was all fun and games, that is. Coaches at Sarasota Crew run a rigorous program — often wellrepresented at the USRowing Youth National Championships.

Bell spent hundreds of hours on an ergometer to build her strength and endurance. She spent hundreds more on the water, learning how to work with others in a boat.

The club’s goal wasn’t to facilitate friendships for her. As one of the country’s premier youth rowing organizations, they’re most invested in something else.

Sarasota Crew, when all is said and done, wants to turn youngsters into elite rowers.

“As much as being a Division I athlete is hard, I always feel like I’ve been one since my freshman year of high school,” Bell

Image courtesy of Old Dominion Athletics

NEW DIRECTION PAGE 13B

Earlier this season, Sophie Bell competed with Old Dominion at Nathan Benderson Park in the Sarasota 2K, held from March 27-28. Much more will be on the line from May 16-17 — the Big 12 title.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS Sophie Bell was recruited

by Old Dominion women’s rowing not only because of her Division I skill set, but also because of her intangibles, said coach Brian Conley.

He said her leadership ability was a great fit for the program and that she has an “energy” people want to be around.

That’s come to pass over the last two seasons.

“You never know what’s going to come out of her mouth, but you know it’s always going to be something that is going to put a smile on somebody’s face,” Conley said.

“A lot of times that ends up being me, plus the rest of the team.”

said. “It was hard work, and they never let you pretend that it wasn’t.

They held you to a high standard every single day, every single race.”

The transition to collegiate rowing wasn’t so rough because of her club background, but after rowing alongside many of the same people since seventh grade, she did have to find her role within an entirely new team.

That’s where the greatest challenge has been, Bell said. She’s had to learn how each of her teammates thinks and works — all over again.

“Sophie is actually one of our hardest workers. She’s consistently been the person who is excited to be at practice, the person that’s excited to work hard,” Conley said.

Ever since her official visit, Old Dominion has been her “baseline.”

She used the same word to describe the significance rowing still carries for her. The sport — and the people in it — has been there for her.

“It has always been such a baseline in my life for so long now,” Bell said.

“I honestly just couldn’t imagine not doing it.”

YourObserver.com

NELSON’S NOGGIN

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

13B

JACK NELSON

New Pirates head coach has no time to waste S

This fall will be the final season for quarterback Louisen Desinor, who will be a senior at Braden River High. He transferred from Southeast ahead of last season and has been the team’s starter since.

“To be the defensive coordinator, you’re kind of like a head coach. You’re running the ship on one side,” Nesser said. “I felt, in the two years that coach Farmer worked here, he was in control of his domain there … I believe he’s ready.”

Grain posted a 6-13 record during his two-year stint, in which staying competitive often proved to be a struggle.

The team missed the regional playoffs both seasons and failed to win a game in its district.

His decision to leave the program was for personal reasons Nesser would not disclose. The school was not involved in that decision.

Rarely is there ideal timing for such a departure, but Grain left at a particularly poor time. His former players were left wondering who would coach them.

Less than a month to hire a football coach might as well have been a few days. For any school in Florida, it’s the most crucial hire to make, demanding a well-thought-out, comprehensive process.

Nesser, though, said there was enough time to make a good decision for that.

“Last time was a little tougher than this time, but I thought we had ample time, and I thought the candidate pool was solid,” Nesser said. “We obviously feel like we got the best candidate.”

Grain was hired June 5 ahead of the 2024 season, which formally began Aug. 23 with an away game at Gainesville. Farmer has a luxury his predecessor didn’t — an entire spring in his new role.

Statistically, his track record with the Pirates is consistent, but there’s room for improvement. His defense allowed 28.1 points per game last season, and in 2024, surrendered an average of 28.

Before Braden River, his coaching career began as a graduate assistant for the University of Nebraska at Kearney — NCAA Division II — followed by stints at Miami Beach High and Chapel Hill High in Georgia, calling plays on defense.

Since returning to Florida, he’s been the offensive coordinator for South Broward, as well as the defensive coordinator for Lakewood Ranch and Palmetto. He said he’s worked on seven different staffs throughout his time in coaching.

“One of the things that I’m big on is making sure we’re early to everything we do — making sure that we’re disciplined,” Farmer said.

“That’s extremely important to me right now, because if we get the small details right, then the bigger things will take care of themselves.”

Discipline is the buzz word currently exchanged between him, his staff and his players. It’s at the core of his philosophy.

He pointed to poor discipline as an overarching reason for the past two seasons’ shortcomings.

Additionally, he acknowledged the Pirates were sophomore-heavy when they went just 2-7 in 2024, and that this year’s group should

Photos by Jack Nelson

Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head coaching appointment in high school football.

benefit from the approximately 20 seniors on the roster.

Braden River hasn’t posted a winning record since 2021, when it finished 9-2 under then-coach Curt Bradley and reached the FHSAA Class 6A regional semifinals.

Farmer will need to change that soon if he’s going to stick around long-term.

“He already has connections with some of the players. I feel like that’s key,” said junior quarterback Louisen Desinor. “We’ve already molded (around) him. We know what to expect from him.”

Before the regular season begins, the first-time head coach is focused on maximizing competition. He wants to see the team’s offense win practice battles on some days and the defense do so on other days.

His first week in the role was chaotic, but May 6, he felt like he could finally breathe.

The season ahead will keep him plenty busy. With the Pirates in

need of a turnaround, 2026 will be an opportunity to prove he’s up to the task.

An accelerated hiring cycle doesn’t mean the expectations should be anything short of winning.

“We have no choice but to trust the process — new coach, new scheme, new everything,” Desinor said. “If we just continue to buy in day by day and get 1% better every day, we’ll be just fine going into the season.”

Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.

456826-1

tranded.

That’s the worrisome situation the Braden River High football players found themselves in, and without much warning.

They lost their head football coach mere weeks before spring ball was about to begin. The program looked to have lost direction, and someone had to step up, and fast.

Rick Farmer came forward to provide a compass.

Farmer is the new Braden River High football coach. Former coach Jason Grain stepped down at the end of March, and the school’s administration settled on Farmer April 27 — the first day of the team’s spring practices.

It’s his first head coaching gig at the high school level following 16 seasons of coaching experience in the sport, largely accumulated as a defensive coordinator. He served in that role for the past two seasons under Grain.

In that time, he made a strong enough impression on Athletic Director Matthew Nesser to be chosen for the top job.

YourObserver.com

Tutoring Grades K-College General Education & Special Needs

SWIMMING LESSONS

A School Of Fish Today!

“Smart” JoinWethe are open for private and group t Gif r lessons at home, community pools, a e Y All g and the Lincoln and G.T. Bray Lon Aquatic Centers

(941) 907• 8482 mjbhaus@aol.com Schooloffishswimminglessons.com

461979-1

(941) 907•8482 mjbhaus@aol.com www.busybeetutoring.net

Aqua’s Got Your Back.

Your Partner for Total Home Care.

Brooks Bartram Time with Braden River High baseball was short for Brooks Bartram.

After switching from IMG Academy to homeschooling for his senior year, this past season was the right-hander’s first and only with the Pirates. He leveraged it into an offer from Eckerd College, though, and signed with the Tritons on April 29.

Bartram, now bound for NCAA Division II baseball, is the East County Athlete of the Week.

Why is Eckerd College the perfect home for you?

At the start, it was hard. I didn’t have any notice or any connections to colleges until my first game here, actually. I didn’t throw for about three months before our first game (Feb. 10 at Lakewood Ranch High) and then I did a return-to-throw program and got back into it. I did not expect it, but sat (at 93 mph) almost the whole game, touched 95. MaxPreps was there, and they posted it on (X, the platform formerly known as Twitter) and after that, I just had loads of colleges swarming. Eckerd reached out, and I looked at its team and the campus — it’s beautiful.

How would you reflect on your time with Braden River High?

It was amazing, honestly. The teammates here — the people I met — (became) long relationships that I’ll build for the future.

Everybody here was nice.

They kept each other up.

It was fun being with this team (and) having everybody support me through the whole journey.

WATER TREATMENT

PLUMBING 941.366.7676 AQUAPLUMBINGSARASOTA.COM LIC # CAC1816020 • PLBG CFC1428223 • ELEC EC13009313

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

First (time I) came out — lights out — so it was great.

When and why did you start playing baseball?

I grew up racing dirt bikes. My dad (Kenny Bartram) is a professional athlete in dirt bikes — he does freestyle motocross. At one of his shows, him and my uncle, they threw a ball with me for a little bit.

They were like, “This kid has a cannon.”

What’s a fun fact about you not many people know?

I’m an actor. My dad’s a stunt double — also in the movie industries — I was in “American Sniper” and a few Disney shows when I lived in California. I was supposed to be Henry Danger. I was also in “Reagan.” I’m going to get back into (acting) a little more this summer.

Why have you stuck with this sport?

Every time I’m on the field, every time I’m at practice, I always have a smile on my face. It brings me joy just to be on the field with my friends and be able to play the sport that I’ve loved since such a young age.

Finish this sentence.

Brooks Bartram is ...

Outgoing.

What were your goals entering this past season?

Just trying to be the best I can as a pitcher. That’s all I wanted to do, just make sure to throw strikes (and) have command. A big goal for me was, honestly, just to hit 92.

Events Ranch Nite Wednesdays Wednesdays, 6-9pm

You r P l ac e f o r

Good Fun

• May 20, 6-7pm: Sunset Drop-In Pilates with BODYBAR* • May 27, 6-9pm: 9-Hole Mini Golf Note: This is the final month for this series

The Farmers’ Market Sundays, 10am-2pm

sights + Sounds: rise above performing arts Friday, May 22, 6-7pm

Live music at the plaza Fridays & Saturdays, 6-9pm

*Registration required

Sundays at the farmers’ market, morning yoga classes, live performances and music are just the start. Solo or together, there are so many ways to play at Waterside Place.

sarasota's only spot for lakeside Shopping, Dining + Entertainment

find your fun!

Open Daily | 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 | WatersidePlace.com

455677-1

BUSY BEE TUTORING

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

462418-1

14B

YourObserver.com

15B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

THURSDAY, MAY 14

Sunrise Sunset

High: 89 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 13%

FRIDAY, MAY 15 High: 91 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 6%

Thursday, May 14

6:41a

8:10p

Friday, May 15

6:40a

8:11p

Saturday, May 16

6:40a

8:11p

Sunday, May 17

6:39a

8:12p

Monday, May 18

6:39a

8:12p

Tuesday, May 19

6:38a

8:13p

Wednesday, May 20

6:37a

8:14p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FORECAST

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 16 High: 92 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 34%

May 16 New

May 23 First

May 31 Full

June 8 Last

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, MAY 17 High: 93 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 40% Gordon Silver took this photo of a full moon shining brightly over Lakewood Ranch.

Monday, May 4

0

Tuesday, May 5

0

Wednesday, May 6

0

Thursday, May 7

0

Friday, May 8

0

Saturday, May 9

0

Sunday, May 10

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Contests. All submissions will be entered in the 2026-27 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2027, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 8.83 in.

2026 7.55 in.

2025

MONTH TO DATE: 1.59 in.

2026 1.68 in.

2025

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

DOUBLE TAKE by Zhouqin Burnikel, edited by Jared Goudsmit 56 Mah-jongg piece 59 Teleprompter alternative 60 Chapels’ recesses 63 Clucked in disapproval 134 “Little” actress Issa 65 Social pull, or a hint to how 70-Across was DOWN transformed 1 Changes as needed 67 “Quit it, I’m blushing!”

2 Newscast account 3 Sonoran Desert succulent 68 NYC neighbor of the East Village 4 Tapir’s schnoz, or a hint 71 Energy snack with a to how 22-Across was moon on its wrapper transformed 72 Really struggling 5 Show-taping device 74 Firecracker cord 6 Get out of bed 75 River of Hades 7 Iron deficiency 78 Gaze 8 Chest-covering parts of 80 Lana ___ Rey dresses 81 “The Boys” actress Cash 9 Talent seeker, or a hint 83 Psychoactive drug to how 28-Across was 87 Attorney’s charge transformed 88 Iraq’s neighbor 10 Storm’s boom 89 “Told ya, didn’t I?” 11 “Imagine” singer John 91 Surprised reaction 12 No mere sip 95 Vacation in a camper, 13 Oozy rum ingredient say 14 In the know 98 Became drained of color 15 Tendon 100 Ballet slipper fabric 16 Opposite of tails 102 Small and delicate 19 Picked hairdo 103 Major London insurer 20 Period of work 105 Car, or a forest cat 23 Theater seater 106 Thorny tree that 29 More clingy giraffes love 31 Minor error 33 Body part with a bridge 107 Words on a moving van 108 Places to make bank 37 Fruit that’s taboo to deposits (Abbr.) share in China 39 On the ___ (frequently) 109 Dark beer, or a hint to how 122-Across was 40 Showy trinket transformed 42 Male cat 110 Name hidden in “siren 43 Business abbr. eyes” 45 Digitally alters, like 111 ___ room (place to play) images 113 “Sin City” actress 46 Years on end Jessica 47 USPS worker’s circuit 115 Roughly, or a hint 48 Show-___ (boasters) to how 125-Across was 49 Thin cut transformed 50 Common menopause 118 Not artificial symptom 120 Sweeping saga 52 Burglaries 123 Douglas ___ (tree) 53 Copter blade 124 Charity walk shirt 54 Closest bud, for short 126 ___ Speedwagon 131 Take the wheel 132 Caustic solution 133 Aberdeen resident

©2026 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Discuses’ paths 5 Blah in color 9 MO’s “River City” 12 ___ hit (huge success) 17 College VIP 18 Wine, in Italy 19 Post-CrossFit pains 21 “Holy cow!”

22 Easy classes 24 ___ of knowledge 25 Comic Glazer 26 Oval Office VIP 27 Genre related to math rock 28 Fleeing in a panic 30 Facts 32 “Let me finish!”

34 Makes a quilt 35 Rds.

36 Texas city home to the Ysleta Mission 38 Goes inside 40 Puff pastry cheese 41 Mix 44 More profound 48 Hazard-spotting workplace org.

51 Site where fans fund artists 54 Heavy hitter 55 Openly defy, or a hint to how 50-Down was transformed 57 Letter after pi 58 Starbucks rival 61 Binary code digit 62 Step-counting device 64 List-ending abbr.

66 Straightforward

69 Buys time 70 Spots where hairs grow 73 ___ it (goes on foot) 76 Look for 77 Defeats decisively 79 Holler, or a hint to how 45-Down was transformed 80 “Well, lah-di-___!”

82 Golfer Ernie 84 Like a film role that isn’t filled 85 ___-turvy 86 Body parts with lashes 89 Drummer Ringo 90 In the past 92 Word before “ed” or “sells” 93 Light show beam 94 Rapper Mac ___ 96 Auction offer

97 “Bite Me” singer Renee 99 A state of matter 101 Hindu scriptures 103 “___ Miserables” 104 Not fully shut 108 Japanese woodblocks, etc.

112 Basic font 114 Queen’s home 116 PC key below Shift 117 Country singer Clark 119 ___ gin fizz 121 Got started 122 Great for the price 125 Diaper, e.g.

127 Catch a live podcast, say 128 Meaty canape spread 129 “Farewell,” in French 130 Objective

457539-1

celebrity cipher

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“EP QVC BV TWUIW MIQEJX EJ UJ UIXCNFJW ... QVC MUJ UHZUQT TUQ, ‘E’N LCTW MIQEJX SFMUCTF VP DVZ ZIVJX QVC UIF.’”

UNQ AVFDHFI

“M OBVCC VFK QVBJC CV TVF QMHH CWW KZWY YVBW; KZW DPOK KZPK KZWT PBW VSCOFBWJ YPEWC TVF QPLK KV BWPJ KZWY.” IWPL-YMOZWH SPCNFMPK

“HN KQGFRL UGV FULNYNKVDJIVN GFYKNRXNK, ENTIFKN DM RGVK GM DULDXDLFIRK BG VGBNVQNY VQNU HN TIU ITTGJZRDKQ IRJGKV IUSVQDUB.” BYNVI VQFUENYB Puzzle Three Clue: D equals I

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: Y equals M

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Flooring Made for Your Family

Puzzle Two Clue: F equals E

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

sudoku

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

©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

05-14-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

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

Antiques/ Collectibles

ANTIQUES WANTED

real estate

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

40+ years in Sarasota Honest Evaluations NO ONE PAYS MORE!

941-400-8811

Items Under $200 ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 DAD’S ROOT BEER Mugs 3/$10.

Coke, 7-Up, Pepsi, 12 oz. pedestal glasses. All 3, $5.

941-741-9727 FREE ELECTRIC Hospital bed, Martess $50. Call leave message no text (941)744-1894 KITTY CONDO, 2 levels, super clean & Nice $20.

No Text (941) 879-7105 TREK MEN’S Cruiser Bicycle Excellent condition $125 (941)358-7476

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE! 941-955-4888 PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE: YourObserver.com/RedPages

Visit the

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Autos Wanted

Available from June to December

Cleaning

(416)460-1646

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. Instagram: Braziliancleaningsrq

RED PAGES A POWERFUL COMBINATION

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

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

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Merchandise Wanted BUYING GOLD, SILVER W/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Watches & Pocket Watches.

Confidential & Honest.

FREE HOUSE CALLS. Call David (941) 499-6417 DAD AND DAUGHTER TEAM BUYING COINS & CURRENCY Call Today! 941-795-3203 SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

JAMES BOTTORFF EXPERIENCED HANDYMAN SERVICES Call or Text 941-807-0032 Registered in the state of FL.

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

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & condos.

Honest & reliable.

For Free estimates call CARL 941-448-8468 35+ years experience.

Professional Services AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR Edited and Published HighCottonPublishing.com 941-706-2463

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

This week’s Crossword answers

Homes for Sale

©2026 Universal Uclick

BOAT SLIP for Rent Easy, convenient marina. S. LBK location. Up to 29ft.

(941) 544-5597

Annual and monthly leases are available. Deep water slips up to 40 ft with water and electrical service. Easy access to Sarasota Bay, ICW and Gulf Call 941-500-3895.

Handyman Services

941-955-4888

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

BOAT SLIPS FOR LEASE ON LONGBOAT KEY

CALL SANDY Housework 40 years of experience, pet friendly Call: (941) 306-9030 Email: tojopuppy @yahoo.com

IN PRINT AND ONLINE

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

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

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

Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000 Plantation Golf Course View Condo 3 Bed $294,000 House on Canal with Pool & Dock $1,250,000 Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

Volunteers Wanted SEEKING ARTISTS Looking for artists of fine and applied arts for ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sun City Center on Nov. 7. If interested, email rlceventsscc@gmail.com.

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Luxury Sarasota Bay views 4 Bed 5 Bath with Boat Dock $1.76 million

You’re only cheating yourself.

Al Tomlinson

BEACH PLACE Long Boat Key 2 Bd/ 2 Bth Rental

Auto Transport

peekers’ place

Paintings •B Bronzes •P Sculptures •O Oriental Rugs •S Asian Art •A Antique Furniture •A

auto

WANTED

jobs

stuff

Condos/Apts. for Rent

home services

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Cleaning

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “If you do start crying in an argument ... you can always say, ‘I’m just crying because of how wrong you are.’”

Amy Poehler

Puzzle Two Solution: “I cross out words so you will see them more; the fact that they are obscured makes you want to read them.”

Jean-Michel Basquiat Puzzle Three Solution: “We should not underestimate ourselves, because if lots of individuals go together then we can accomplish almost anything.”

Greta Thunberg

This week’s Sudoku answers

Near South bridge to Siesta One level, heated pool, stroll to shops. 3Bed-2.5Bath $1,250,000 Brooke O’Malley CLUB REALTY Call 941-726-2677

©2026 NEA, Inc.

SEARCH the RED PAGES for GREAT DEALS To place an ad

Call 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Health

Screening

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Pool Enclosure Specialists Established in 1989 Serving Our Area for Over 35 Years

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

Call Today: (941) 925-3200 info@bishopsaluminum.com

YoderAluminum.com

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Auto Service

941-879-3136

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

WE COME TO YOU

Transportation

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

461717

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

5-Star Rated

Home Services

941 - 248 - 4734

462546

Computer

MAKE YOUR

LOOK LIKE

453816

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

GROUT

NEW AGAIN

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

DON DI STEFANO (941) 893.8475

461719

INJECT-AFLOOR SYSTEM

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

DO YOU HAVE LOOSE & HOLLOW TILES?

Trees

Tree Removal Tree Trimming Lawn Maintenance and More!

20 years local experience Licensed & Insured

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

249 235

* $ $235

$

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362 Doors

INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW SCREW GRAB GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”)

(941) 544.5663 | luislopezlanwservice@gmail.com

941.966.0333

DON’T let your

LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGEAREA: AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT COVERAGE RANCH TO S. VENICE

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

FREE ESTIMATES, CALL TODAY! Windows

364556 462374

HoHoBuysCars.com

DRGRABBARS.COM

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS Showcase your products or services.

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

CALL 941-955-4888

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

Painting

SHINE BRIGHT PAINTING & PRESSURE CLEANING

FREE

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

Interior • Exterior • Cabinets • Deck Staining • Epoxy Floors Licensed and Insured | Call Owner Joe Costa (941) 504-4413 | jacosta4650@gmail.com

462560

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

RE-SCREENING

Screen Repair | Per Panel Pricing Building | Under Truss | Lanais | Entryways Prompt Estimates (usually no visit necessary)

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

SCREEN MACHINE

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

SELL YOUR CAR!

SCC131150987

941.628.8579

Mark’s Plumbing Service

www.ezslider.com

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00

Plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

RELIABLE • INSURED 462548

941-920-8221

5

$

Rescreening & Repairs

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Accepting Credit Cards

941.302.5850

SERVING SIESTA KEY & SARASOTA COUNTY

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS • DRYWALL • PAINT • TRIM • DOORS • TILE • FLOORING • SHOWER TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

TIME TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE RED PAGES Call to reserve your ad space:

Advertise as low as $85 per week.

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

462872

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Eldridge Re-Screen Licensed

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880 Windows

“No Job Too Small” Insured

• Pet Screen • 20/20 No-See-Um Screening • We Paint Pool Cages

941-270-1561

462375

Carpentry • Painting Pressure Washing

Roofing

WINDOW CLEANING, PRESSURE WASHING, & GUTTERS CLEANING!

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

CALL JUAN & CINDY LICENSED & INSURED 239-203-5913 l 407-902-7845

Building & Roofing Contractor

jccpcleaning@aol.com | jccpwindowcleaning.net

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit and Fascia • Metal & Shingle Roofing • Pool Cage, Pan Roofs & Lania Fabrication • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

CREATE BUZZ! Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

941-626-3194 kennethfuhlmaninc.com

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

461718

C.T. MALLETT

462600

Handyman

160

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

Plumbing

Call us today!

UP TO

461720

462819

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

462795

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

461722

Recognized Among the Best 941.650.9790 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression 941.650.9790Physicians in America YoderAluminum.com

Dustin Yoder

410036

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

462820

• Pool Enclosures • Front Entry Screens • Lanais • Concrete & Pavers

462822

Aluminum

17B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

Planning a Move?

Start with Lakewood Ranch’s Most Trusted Team Top 1% of Realtors in Sarasota and Manatee Counties Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Realtors Worldwide

New Listing

3D Walkthrough

View Listing

7207 Ashland Glen | Lakewood Ranch Country Club New Roof | Generator | 2 Brand New HVAC Systems $1,695,000 | 3,152 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Office | Bonus Room | Private Pool/Spa | Outdoor Kitchen

Under Contract

3D Walkthrough

8009 Royal Birkdale Circle Country Club

1107 Blue Shell Loop Wild Blue

$1,950,000 | 4,367 Sq Ft 5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | Office | Pool/Spa

Offered $2,397,693 | 3,222 Sq Ft 3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | Bonus Room | Office

7872 Mainsail Lane Waterside Shoreview $1,495,000 | 3,857 Sq Ft 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | Office | Bonus Room

Under Contract

14909 Secret Harbor Place Country Club East

9140 Walcott Lane Bungalow Walk

5020 Savona Run Esplanade

$1,095,000 | 2,783 Sq Ft 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | Office | Pool/Spa

New Construction Pricing | 2,006 Sq Ft 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms

$465,000 | 1,700 Sq Ft 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms

Interested in Private Listing Options?

Contact Us | 941-702-0437

SHANAHAN LUXURY GROUP 941.961.8205 | 941.702.0437 ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBrealty.com 8334 Market Street | Lakewood Ranch, FL TOP PRODUCING LAKEWOOD RANCH TEAM 2023, 2024, 2025 for Coldwell Banker Realty Contact Us to Learn More or to Schedule a Showing.

455907-1

18B

Sha na ha nL uxur yG roup.co m