East County Observer 5.28.26

EAST COUNTY

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

They’ve got merit.

PAGE 4A

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

VOLUME 27, NO. 42

YOUR TOWN

Wild Blue homes lift the elite bar An $8 million home? It’s on the way. SEE PAGE 3A

Courtesy image

Flags for the fallen

Meghan Lucker and Anne Parker (above) were among the 40 volunteers to place over 500 flags May 19 at Lakewood Ranch Country Club. It was in honor of Memorial Day for those who have served and sacrificed in the military for the United States.

The effort was led by Pete Herrera, a member of the general manager’s advisory board for LWRGCC, who was looking for ways to get club members engaged in activities. He said he is appreciative of everyone who participated.

“I thought of my dad, a World War II combat vet (the late Pete Herrera, U.S. Army 1943-1945) who always said, ‘Be grateful you get to live under this flag, because many aren’t that fortunate.’”

Five-alarm delivery Madison Bierl

Freedom 250 truck visits Lakewood Ranch Lorraine Lakes’ Elana and Lenny Schwartz, along with their sons, Levi and Jacob, visited the Freedom 250 truck May 24 in the parking lot of the Lakewood Ranch Library.

“We appreciate (that) this truck came here and we (were) able to explore American history,” Elana Schwartz said. “We want our kids to know how unique and amazing this country is and how lucky we are to live here.”

The Freedom 250 truck is a traveling museum exhibit with a goal of educating people about the 250-year history of the United States.

There are six trucks, manufactured by Peterbilt, touring from January to December as coordinated by the National Parks Foundation.

Firehouse birth celebrated five years later at Myakka City’s Station 12. SEE PAGE 8A Jay Heater

Cody, Harry and Allee Noordzy visit Station 12 in Myakka, where Harry was born five years ago under the care of East Manatee firefighters.

A+E

East County graduates cap prep careers Braden River, Lakewood Ranch Prep and ODA graduates say goodbye to high school.

SEE PAGES 1B, 2B, 4B

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

A show for the ages.

PAGE 16A

Madison Bierl

Isai Palacios says the diploma the Braden River High graduates earned isn’t just a symbol of success but also a symbol of community and belief.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

FPL gears up to keep lights on

THEN WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Manatee upgrades are part of a statewide initiative to build a grid tough enough to hold up in hurricane season.

ERIC GARWOOD DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

M

iles from the gulf, Lakewood Ranch can still be threatened by a hurricane or tropical storm.

There’s the hours of driving rain that can pile up.

There’s the wind that can destroy pool screens, trailer homes, roof shingles and years of meticulous landscaping.

Then, there’s electricity.

Or lack of it, and the no-longerconnected lights, air conditioning, refrigeration, hot water, microwave ovens, TV, phone chargers ... you name it.

Florida’s housing sector consumes more than half of the electricity in the state, with nine in 10 homes using it for heat and virtually everyone using it for air conditioning — the highest ratio in the country, according to the Federal Energy Information Administration. Nearly 90% of the state relies on electricity for water heating, again, the highest percentage in the country.

Florida is also second to California in the number of registered electric cars and trucks, so add “getting around” to the no-go list if there’s a Tesla, Mustang Mach-E or similar in your garage (even if you could get the garage door open).

There’s not a lot the folks at Juno Beach-based Florida Power and Light can do about wind and rain, but spokesman Kamrel Eppinger said his company spends 12 months a year trying to head off power outages.

Losing power in Florida is a big deal for business, too. The Energy Information Administration says the state’s commercial sector accounts for almost 40% of state consumption, and the industrial sector uses

DON’T DO IT, PART 1 Do not attempt to trim trees or vegetation near overhead power lines yourself — only hire qualified professionals to trim trees and other vegetation near power lines. Visit FPL.com/ Trees for information.

Photo courtesy of Florida Power & Light

Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.

DON’T DO IT, PART 2 Do not wire a portable generator directly to your home’s breaker or fuse box, as the power you generate may flow back into power lines and cause injuries. Nor should you plug such a machine into a standard outlet. Have a licensed electrician install a switch to allow safe running of a generator.

If you’re planning to use a portable generator, read and follow all the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to set it up outside — not in your home or garage — and connect appliances directly to it.

most of the rest, which can mean lost revenue and wages when power is out.

While hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30, puts preparation front and center, the effort by FPL engineers and technicians is ongoing.

“This is a year-round focus for us, so we don’t just wait until hurricane season starts to start preparing. It’s been like this at least for the past two

decades,” Eppinger said.

That preparation is on display annually in a nearly all-hands, weeklong emergency drill in May, testing procedures, brushing up on skills and shifting people from “bluesky jobs” into critical emergencyresponse roles.

“This is an opportunity for thousands of employees to essentially test their skills and their response to a simulated hurricane,” Eppinger said.

Add to that, technology that didn’t exist a few years ago alongside hardhat basics such as utility poles, wires and chain saws and you have a pretty good picture of the breadth of the effort to literally keep the lights on.

Trees and other vegetation are the top reason for power failures during windy weather, including hurricanes. Snapped-off overhanging branches can take down wires, damage transmission equipment or worse, so nearly 600 miles of power lines were recently cleared of potential hazards in Manatee County.

Along with that work, power lines that connect to such critical sites as hospitals, emergency call centers, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office locations, fire stations and water plants have been beefed-up, part of

an FPL initiative that thus far has upgraded or undergrounded 85% of such powerlines in its system.

More than 14,000 poles were inspected in Manatee County, according to a FPL news release.

Though not all common wooden poles are up for upgrades to concrete, steel or a stronger form of wood, Eppinger said repair crews after a storm have a much easier time repairing downed lines if the poles themselves held up. The wooden poles can often be located in areas inaccessible to lift trucks, like in a backyard, so a lineman would have to climb them in old-school, poleclimbing boots that dig into the softer wood.

Undergrounding is a successful, though expensive, alternative that FPL has used across 2,000 miles of electrical lines in 43 counties.

“During the 2024 hurricane season, with Hurricanes Debby, Milton, and Helene combined, we saw that underground lines performed up to 15 times better than their overhead counterparts,” he said, adding that the company looks at data regularly to inform the best places to retrofit underground cables.

New technology, too, is part of that year-round preparation.

■ Build an emergency kit with nonperishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, medications and a first-aid kit.

Don’t forget phone chargers, power banks and a waterproof container for important documents. Include information such as include insurance policies, health cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, a list of emergency contacts and a recent copy of your FPL bill.

■ If possible, install approved hurricane shutters over windows and doors or using alternate covering, such as plywood.

■ Move patio furniture and outdoor items indoors, fasten doors and windows and cover valuables and furniture with plastic and move away from windows.

■ Turn off and unplug unnecessary electronics, including pool equipment and set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings to keep food fresh longer during an outage.

Devices can detect outages and either report the existence of a problem or “self-heal” by rerouting electricity. More of those have been added to the grid in Manatee County, FPL says.

“Decades ago, there was a point in time where we didn’t know our customers were out unless they called us, but now, thanks to smart-grid technology, we know when our customers are without power, so now there’s no need to call us,” he said.

Generally, such upgrades factor into monthly bills by about $2.50.

With such a focus on preparation across a wide swath of disciplines, Eppinger said, there’s always an X-factor. So, flexibility is part of the preparation plan, he said.

“When you’re dealing with hurricanes, as you know, these are unpredictable forces of nature, and every storm is different, so there’s essentially lessons to be learned from every storm.”

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Ranch’s ceiling hits the Wild Blue yonder While Lakewood Ranch’s elite real estate market soars, other price points remain steady.

JAY HEATER

MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

MANAGING EDITOR

S

tanding in front of Wild Blue’s Sophia IV model that just sold for $6,775,000 in

April, Stock Custom Homes Vice President Sam Canham already was thinking about his next, even higher-priced project.

Considering the 5,012-squarefoot Sophia at 1146 Blue Shell Loop was the neighborhood’s highest selling transaction to this point, that is saying something.

“What we are doing hasn’t been done before,” Canham said of the lofty prices. “This sale reinforces the demand and cements what we do. Bigger things are on the horizon.

Sophia confirms we are doing the right things.”

A couple of lots down from the Sophia, a spec Stock Custom Home is being built to go on the market at $8 million.

“Eight million dollars is a fair target,” Canham said. “We are doing a collaboration with (noted architect) Mark Sultana and Carrie Riley of Riley Interior Design.

Canham noted that he already has met with clients about a 7,500-square-foot lot in Wild Blue that he said would run approximately $3 million by itself.

“Location,” Canham said. “A lot of it has to do with location. We’re selling to buyers from Siesta Key. This is like being on the water (in Waterside Place of Lakewood Ranch with the various lakes), and you have the shops, the restaurants and I-75.”

While multimillion-dollar sales have not been rare to Lakewood Ranch over the past 10 years, they certainly have not been common, either. Prices once only associated with areas such as Siesta Key and Longboat Key are now attainable for builders in Lakewood Ranch.

“We’ve done eight homes in the Lake Club (of Lakewood Ranch) and we were selling for $6.65 million last year,” Canham said of Stock Custom Homes. “I started with Stock six years ago and raising the bar was our goal.

“Since COVID and the hurricanes, people are moving away from the water. They want to get away from the insurance and the traffic. They are seeking a more amenity-rich lifestyle where they can meet people and be active. The vision for Lakewood Ranch has come to life. Now people have seen it and there is no more having to imagine what it can be.”

Canham said the demand for multimillion-dollar homes in Lakewood Ranch is going to continue to expand because of the area’s convenience in going to restaurants, grocery stores or entertainment hubs without having to cross I-75. He said Stock Custom Homes wants to cater to those

Here are the number of residential real estate transactions in East County for $1 million or more during a three-week period as listed in the East County Observer in May 2026 as compared to corresponding weeks in May 2021, and May 2016 ■ May 2026 — 46 ■ May 2021 — 19 ■ May 2016 — 5

willing to buy at the top of that ladder.

He admitted, however, that building $6 million, $7 million and $8 million spec homes can be a risk.

“There always is a level of uncertainty,” he said. “But Stock is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and we know what our clients want.”

A HEALTHY SIGN?

Some Lakewood Ranch residents have questioned whether elite homes are a healthy sign for the community as a whole. An April 26 Fortune Magazine article by Sydney Lake (“Florida’s influx of rich residents is killing the middle class and housing market”) aligns with that way of thinking. Lake’s article contends that members of the middle class are leaving the state because they can’t compete with the wealth.

“I did read the article,” said David Crawford, the president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. “But like most things, nothing in the real estate world can be (generalized). I think the story is painting too broad a picture. We are seeing record-breaking sales in both single-family homes and condos, which all are at the high end of luxury. Now they are building $7, $8 million homes in Wild Blue.

“Sure, the nurses, the teachers, the firefighters, they are feeling the squeeze,” Crawford added. “They can have a hard time competing with the wealth of cash buyers.

“But we’ve seen that squeeze across all price points. It just makes it more difficult to put in a compelling offer (across all price points) without cash.”

He said the last five years have seen a rise in property taxes, insurance, interest rates and more — “the overall formula” — that make affordability harder to find across the board.

But he said that many of the costs of buying a home were going to happen following a pandemic and hurricanes whether or not an influx of wealth came into the state.

He is not playing the blame game, even as he notes the traditional market for the middle class, which his association identifies as $500,000 to $1 million, has been the hardest hit the last few years.

“Six-point-five percent is a whole different formula than 3 or 4,” he said of current interest rates.

“The secondary problem is that so many of those people are locked in and had refinanced at 3% interest

PERCENT OF NEW HOMES SALES BY PRICE RANGE Q1 2025 VS. Q1 2026

First quarter of 2025

25.0% 15.0% 10.0%

8.6% 7.8%

20.0%

15.4% 18.3%

30.0%

15.8% 16.8%

35.0%

24.7% 25.8%

35.6% 31.3%

First quarter of 2026

40.0%

700k999k

1M+

5.0% 0%

<300k

300k499k

Stock Custom Homes Vice President Sam Canham says his company is raising the bar for elite homes in Lakewood Ranch.

500k699k

Jay Heater

Courtesy images

The Sophia IV sold for $6,775,000 in April, and Stock Custom Homes is now planning a Wild Blue home that will list for $8 million.

Stock Custom Homes Vice President Sam Canham says that the Sophia IV’s sale for $6,775,000 in April was more confirmation that there is a demand for elite homes in Lakewood Ranch.

loans.”

He said life in general — he called it diapers, divorces and death — throws things at you, and increases the desire to downsize or move up to more space or just to make a move in general. But the current higher costs have people waiting for better interest rates.

SITTING ON THE SIDELINES

Realtor Donna Soda, who represented the buyers in the Sophia IV sale, said the market is, indeed, “slow” at the current time. But she isn’t blaming it on Lakewood Ranch’s highest price level increasing.

“People are sitting on the sidelines, being methodical,” she said.

“You had better be priced right. But I am talking about all price points.”

Soda, of the Schemmel Soda Group, said she expects 2027 will produce a better overall market with interest rates coming down “a little.”

In the meantime, she said buyers looking for the elite home in Lakewood Ranch — those $3 million and up — will continue to find them.

“Lakewood Ranch is on the map and open to this market,” she said.

“There are buyers out there ... these people are cash.”

She said potential buyers were “standing in line” in case her clients balked in buying the Sophia model.

“People are wanting to live here,” she said.

Laura Cole, senior vice president

of Lakewood Ranch Communities, said her research hasn’t shown any of the other price points has been negatively affected by the rise in the elite ceiling.

“Million-dollar homes get a lot of headlines, and we are seeing higher highs,” she said. “But there hasn’t been a lot of movement (in the other price points). The entry level market has been the most cautious in this environment, and everybody is a little nervous about the employment market, but we have not seen that big a drop (at any price point).

“The (multimillion-dollar sector) is just a sliver of the market. We have seen a lot of wealth transfer. John Cannon Homes has done extremely well in Waterside above $4 million and $5 million. It shows there is a market for that in a master-planned community.

“It also speaks to how Lakewood Ranch is being valued from a buyers’ market. People want protection from the coastal areas. It shows the buyer appeal.”

She said demand for multimilliondollar homes isn’t going to affect the other price points other than signifying a healthy market.

“The core of our sales ($500,000$700,000) is right where it needs to be,” she said. “We always have wanted to be more than one thing to people. Our No. 1 goal is to be a complete community.”

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

The Out-ofDoor Academy’s Chase Smith, Hays Wilson, Zachary Papper and Mason Chase are all National Merit Finalists after earning high test scores and going through the application process.

Courtesy image

Five area students earn National Merit Finalist status Four Out-of-Door Academy students and one from Braden River High School can now apply for exclusive scholarships.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

W

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hen Braden River High School graduate Kevin Chen received a congratulatory text in October that he was a National Merit semifinalist, he was shocked.

He went to the School District of Manatee County Facebook page and refreshed it to confirm it was true.

In February, he received a letter that notified him that he was a finalist — which means he is in the top 1% of those who took the PSAT nationwide.

“National Merit isn’t something you can do without hundreds, if not thousands of hours of work,” Chen said.

Zachary Papper, Hays Wilson, Mason Chase and Chase Smith, all 2026 graduates of The Out-of-Door Academy, were also awarded national merit recognition and are finalists.

All of them, including Chen, have access to apply to National Merit scholarships. If they receive scholarships through the organization, they become National Merit Scholars.

To become a National Merit finalist, the students had to receive high scores on the PSAT, had to be nomi-

nated by their schools and had to submit an essay.

Smith said being a National Merit finalist is about more than getting recognition. He said he has been heavily influenced by his family, particularly his mom, Julie, and his late dad, Scott, who died of esophageal cancer in 2023.

Scott Smith was also a National Merit finalist, so it is an important accomplishment within their family.

Wilson is a self-described “massive nerd” who plans to study marine biology at Duke University. He was named valedictorian at ODA and also volunteers at Mote Marine.

When Wilson went to take the PSAT, there were technical difficulties. It ended up working in his favor because he often gets nervous about tests.

“It was kind of funny because it took the edge off,” Wilson said.

Papper, 18, is the 2026 salutatorian at ODA and said he especially enjoys math. He recalls watching shows like “Team Umizoomi” as a child, particularly enjoying numbers even back then.

He said he is a major over thinker, especially when it comes to test taking.

“I don’t allow myself to go back in and check my work,” Papper said.

Mason Chase was inspired to go after National Merit recognition after his friend, Connor Jorgenson, a 2025 ODA graduate, earned the recognition. He credits his success to the college counselors at ODA.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

FEEDBACK The neighborhood meeting May 19 was intended to collect resident feedback. Here are the suggestions that will be brought back to the developer, RKM Development Corp.

■ Reduced operating hours ■ Prettier architecture ■ More landscaping

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

The Lakewood Ranch Community Action Group protests a possible gas station on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard on Nov. 1. Despite complaints, construction is expected to begin before the end of the year.

7-Eleven plan fuels outrage A convenience store and gas station on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard is anticipated to be under construction before year’s end.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

A

7-Eleven is being planned for the southwest corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch to the dismay and disdain of many surrounding residents.

The property’s zoning allows for a gas station and convenience store, so there will be no public hearing on the matter.

The application is in the late stages of an administrative review. As long as the site plan complies with Manatee County’s land development code and the framework of the Development of Regional Impact, the county’s staff must approve the proposal.

Nearly 70 residents attended a virtual neighborhood workshop May 19 held on behalf of the developer, RKM Development Corp.

Those against the plan called it an eyesore and a safety hazard for school children attending B.D. Gullett Elementary School and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School. Those residents threatened to boycott the gas station in the hope that it would go out of business.

One person who attended the virtual workshop suggested the minimum standards for the lot were so low that the space next to it might as well be filled by a standalone gun store or a gentlemen’s club.

When another resident asked how her neighbors could prevent the gas station from being built, a planner on the project, Katie LaBarr, answered that nothing was going to stop the project.

“We are the consultants who have been hired to prepare and process the site plan, and it is our professional opinion that what we have produced, and what we have submitted to the county, is in full compliance with the land development code, as well as with the DRI,” LaBarr said.

Mallory Park resident Maryann Goetsch thought the meeting was a waste of time.

“I didn’t feel our questions or concerns were heard at all,” she said.

“They didn’t share the traffic report.

They said, ‘You can get it yourself.’ It was just very frustrating.”

Goetsch’s main concern is the proximity to two schools — not just traffic, but that alcohol and tobacco

will be sold in the convenience store.

Indigo’s Suzanne Henke repeated similar concerns. She said there’s a flaw in the design that could endanger school children and drivers alike.

Henke pointed to where the underground fuel tanks are located as a major problem because they’re tucked into the corner of the lot, where tanker trucks will have to circle the building to access them.

Henke looked at the layouts of other gas stations in the area and noted most have accessible fuel storage locations where the tankers have a straight in and out path. She fears the large trucks will be taking up more than their lanes getting in and out of the parking lot and many will U-turn on White Eagle Boulevard.

“If a kid is coming around the corner and that fuel tanker is in their lane, it’s not too far-fetched to think (an accident) could happen,” Henke said. “They need to rethink it.”

Heather Felton, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, received several emails from parents after the neighborhood meeting. She understands the community’s concerns, but said there’s nothing the

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school district can do.

She encouraged residents to instead reach out to the Manatee County commissioners.

“Even when it comes to our own property, we have to get approval for our own facilities through the county commission,” Felton said.

However, in this case, even commissioners don’t have a say.

The DRI was established in 2007.

LaBarr explained that everything within the northwest sector of Lakewood Ranch was planned, including roads, schools, residential and commercial uses.

WHAT’S IN STORE

The convenience store will items such as food, beer, wine, tobacco and lottery tickets, and the gas station will include six fuel pumps. The hours of operation are slated to be 24/7.

LaBarr noted that deliveries would not be allowed in the evenings to mitigate noise, but said she would ask about a reduction of operating hours.

The property is already buffered with fencing and landscaping on the south and west sides. The remaining two sides of the lot will feature a 15-foot vegetative buffer with canopy trees and 33 shrubs every 100 linear feet.

The architecture plan was approved by the Lakewood Ranch Architectural Review Committee.

LaBarr said the closest example of the final product is the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

The goal is to start construction before the end of the year. Once construction starts, the 7-Eleven will take about eight months to complete.

The 7-Eleven planned for 44th Avenue West and White Eagle Boulevard will look similar to the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Lakewood Ranch effort raises $114,507 for Stillpoint

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Our Lakewood Ranch office is proud to combine deep local knowledge with personalized service, guiding buyers and sellers through every step with professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication. Whether marketing luxury properties, helping families relocate, or negotiating on behalf of our clients, we are committed to delivering results while creating a seamless and trusted real estate experience.

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For over 87 years, Wagner Realty has built a reputation on integrity, experience, and exceptional client care.

The donation is critical at a time the mission hopes to purchase a new building.

s a 6-year-old, Shoreview’s Ellie Tullidge has three files, each labeled with the following — saving, spending and charity.

With her parents, Amanda and Dan Tullidge, providing funds for her charity file, she then decided to donate $25 to Stillpoint Mission, a 100% volunteer-run Bradenton nonprofit that provides essential resources (including food, hygiene products, diapers and more) to those in need.

“It’s going to make other people feel good,” Tullidge said about her donation.

Tullidge is following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Country Club East’s Bob Smith, who has been raising money for Stillpoint Mission for the last 15 years.

“If you look at Ellie’s smile, that’s what I call beaming,” Smith said.

“That’s how happy she is about the whole notion of helping Stillpoint (Mission).”

When Smith first decided to raise money in 2012 for Stillpoint, there were nine donors who donated $1,500. Every year, the donations grew — raised by sending out email requests to golfers and community members. Smith is proud of the “unblemished record.”

In 2025, $84,017 was raised. This year there was a new goal and a new theme — “Stillpoint Needs a Place.”

While donations from previous years have provided essentials such as food, this year the goal was to raise money for a new building as storage and safety in the existing Stillpoint building at 1608 14th St. W. does not meet the needs of clients.

Smith was worried whether his

Madison Bierl

STILLPOINT MISSION For more information on Stillpoint Mission, visit StillpointMission.org.

If interested in being added to the email list for future appeals, contact Bob Smith at SmithLaw78@gmail.com.

fundraising campaign could reach the $84,017 collected the previous year.

He eventually learned that 90 donors were able to accumulate $114,507 for the mission. This makes the 15-year total $633,507.

Smith is grateful to the donors, many who have donated all 15 years.

By next year, he hopes to have new donors added to his email list in order to increase the exposure and chance of raising more funds.

Smith said it is the volunteers who make the true difference.

Gene Tischer, past president of Stillpoint Mission and current office manager, said Smith’s efforts over the years have been significant.

“It’s an honor and a privilege,” Tischer said. “I get to see smiles, I get to see people who are grateful for what we’re able to accomplish.”

Ellie Tullidge, 6, is glad to help her grandfather, Bob Smith, celebrate raising $114,507 for Stillpoint Mission this year, which makes the 15-year total $633,507.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.

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.”

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Station 12 remains a part of Harry’s world Now 5, the firehouse baby returned to visit the firefighters who helped deliver him.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

S

he was planning for an allnatural birth.

But it isn’t likely Myakka City’s

Allee Noordzy had written James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo into that plan.

Bacigalupi and Garofalo are firefighters with East Manatee Fire Rescue who were on duty at Station 12 when Allee and her husband, Cody, along with their daughters, Audree (12) and Avaree (8), came pounding on the door on March 30, five years ago.

Station 12 is only about a mile away from the Noordzy’s home.

Allee Noordzy already was about 10 days overdue, and when the future Harry Noordzy decided to enter the world, he decided to do so in rapidfire fashion.

Allee Noordzy told her husband that she wanted to make it to a hospital, but he knew that was just too far away.

“It was either having the baby (at Station 12) or in the laundry room,” Cody Noordzy said. “It’s definitely nice having this location so close.”

They called East Manatee Fire Rescue and let them know they were on the way. The Noordzys were pounding on the Station 12 door at 3 a.m., and found that Bacigalupi and Garofalo were slightly disheveled as they

Firefighter James Bacigalupi watches as Harry Noordzy checks out a fire truck during his belated 5-year-old birthday visit.

MORE PARAMEDICS ON THE WAY The East Manatee Fire Rescue Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a strategic plan to move forward with East Manatee Fire Rescue being an Advanced Life Support provider.

An East Manatee Fire Rescue release said the move is significant in that it will enhance emergency medical services for the community and improve the level of care provided.

The multiyear implementation plan begins in Fiscal Year 2027 and includes several key initiatives according to EMFR to build the department’s Advanced Life Support capabilities.

Those steps include training existing paramedics to serve as paramedics-in-charge; sending a designated number of current firefighters to school each year to obtain paramedic certification; and preparing budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year to support the plan.

were awakened.

“They were wearing flip-flops,” Allee Noordzy said.

The two firefighters thought they were barefoot as they answered the door, but it was five years ago, so it was hard to remember. What followed wasn’t hard to remember.

All parties who were present that night five years ago gathered on May 20 at Station 12 for a belated birthday for Harry, who is now a 5-year-old “spitfire” according to his mom.

Bacigalupi is a paramedic, while Garofalo is an emergency medical technician. Although Bacigalupi is more trained to handle medical emergencies, Garofalo noted that both have been trained to handle births. However, he said on this particular night, he was just handing things to Bacigalupi.

It was the fourth time Bacigalupi had delivered a baby and the first for Garofalo.

Although Station 12 certainly isn’t set up for a delivery, they worked quickly. They rolled out an office chair on wheels and put Allee Noordzy into it, taking her inside.

“I told Trevor to ‘make a nest,’ Bacigalupi said, adding that it basically involves using blankets to provide a clean environment for the birth.

Allee Noordzy said the firefighters were calm and that put her at ease.

They followed their training by the book.

“There are 100 different concerns,” Bacigalupi said. “You need a clean environment, and it could be a

Photos by Jay Heater

“It was just another day serving the public. Only this was the opposite. This was seeing life brought into the world.”

Harry Noordzy is shown firefighting equipment

by James Bacigalupi, who helped deliver him.

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— Trevor Garofalo

breach (which means the baby comes out feet or bottom first).

“Backward is never good,” Bacigalupi said.

Harry came out just fine in terms of direction, but the umbilical cord was wrapped around Harry’s body.

“We spun him like a pizza, and he started crying right away,” Bacigalupi said about getting the cord straightened out. “The dad cut the cord.”

They started an IV on Allee Noordzy, and an ambulance had her on the way to the hospital 10 minutes after they arrived at Station 12.

Bacigalupi said it was the calmest of his four deliveries because Allee Noordzy remained so composed through it all.

About a month after the delivery, the Noordzys showed up at Station 12 to offer the firefighers — what else — a pizza.

“It was just another day serving the public,” Garofalo said of the birth. “Only this was the opposite.

This was seeing life brought into the world.”

Bacigalupi and Garofalo bought Legos as a belated 5-year-old birthday present for Harry, who was treated to a tour of Station 12 and the trucks, along with his older sisters.

Looking back, Cody Noordzy said it all went by so fast because he was “amped up,” but as a former Myakka City Fire Control District volunteer, he knew his family was in good hands.

“She wanted a natural childbirth,” Cody Noordzy said of his wife. “She wanted the whole experience.”

The result is a happy, “energetic” 5-year-old in Harry, who loved his present from the firefighters and the tour. Whether the reunion continues on Harry’s milestone birthdays remains to be seen, but Allee Noordzy said the firefighters always will be a part of Harry’s life.

It was obvious watching Harry climb into the fire trucks that he is making the most of it.

“It’s Harry’s world, and we’re just living in it,” Allee Noordzy said.

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SIDE OF RANCH

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

JAY HEATER

Don’t sleep on hurricane season because 2025 was slow Y ou never know from what direction the winds of change are going to hit you.

As we head into hurricane season — the National Hurricane Center established June 1 as the start of the Atlantic hurricane season in 1965 — one thing is certain.

Uncertainty.

We might have been at a fever pitch last June 1 because of our area’s 2024 deluge, which featured three hurricanes, or two and a half, depending on whether you considered Debby to be a hurricane or a tropical storm because of its fluctuations as it made landfall. Whatever the classifications, Debby, Helene and Milton provided us with a trifecta of misery.

When it came to preparation in 2025, we were amped up and ready.

Raise your hand if you had a few extra cases of water in the garage, or 10 cans of Bush’s baked beans.

Weren’t your kitchen junk drawers filled with batteries of all sizes and shapes?

Then, of course, nothing happened.

So in 2026, I would imagine we all are a little more relaxed. You’ve eaten five of those cans of beans, the batteries were used for the kids’ toys and the water came in handy on those camping trips. None of it has been replaced.

And here we go again.

The AccuWeather 2026 Atlantic hurricane season forecast just arrived in my inbox, and it’s awfully tough to determine if it is good news or bad. It said the Gulf Coast will be at “a heightened risk for tropical impacts this year.”

It said we should be expecting 11 to 16 named storms, four to seven hurricanes, two to four major hurricanes (category three or

higher), and three to five direct U.S. impacts.

But it’s not like a visit from the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, where it’s all scheduled out by area, day and time. A bad storm could sneak up on us like Debby or come freakishly from directly out of the west like Milton. Or with some push from the winds, those storms could miss us completely.

While we have had more than our share of hurricanes since Irma started it off in 2017, historically, our area can go years without feeling the brunt of one. Perhaps global warming is changing all that, but don’t be surprised, either, if the hurricanes do track elsewhere for a while.

That quiet period is perplexing because we can get complacent thinking it is somebody else’s problem. Would Manatee County’s Emergency Management Division have spent millions on upgrading its tools for preparedness, response and recovery if Irma and Ian hadn’t been so devastating? I don’t know.

It seems we are getting more tools to help us prepare and react to hurricanes. Manatee County has added Peregrine, a data integration and analytics platform, to help staff members make decisions about hurricane response much faster than in previous years. The software also helps residents find tools and funds for recovery.

AccuWeather has developed its own new tool called the Realimpact Scale for Hurricanes, which is a “six-point rating system (less than 1 to 5) that measures a tropical storm’s total destructive capacity.

Unlike the traditional Saffir-Simpson scale, which only accounts for wind speeds, it incorporates flooding, rainfall, storm surge and overall

Jay Heater

Heather Hackett, founder of Local Relief Inc., earned the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for her work with her nonprofit.

economic damage.”

For more information or to access the Realimpact Scale for Hurricanes, go to AccuWeather.com.

Locally, we have Heather Hackett continuing her effort to make the Local Relief app a disaster aid and support network in a one-stop format at LocalRelief.com.

Hackett founded the nonprofit in 2022 in an effort to show how people can communicate during disasters. She originally was sparked by the devastation caused

by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Hurricane Ian pushed her forward in 2022, and Local Relief became a reality.

“More than an app, we’re a lifeline of communication,” Hackett said. “We’re a trusted space where locals, organizations and authorities come together to prepare, survive and rebuild.”

While government information exists on response and recovery, Hackett wants her app to cut through the red tape with easyto-understand instructions for residents to connect with the best

avenues of support. That might mean where to find gas after a hurricane, or food and water. She said it is about connecting neighbors with neighbors.

While Hackett’s app has grown since 2022, it slowed in 2026’s quiet year in our region. She has been flying around the country in an attempt to find national sponsors while tapping into more markets.

Hackett notes she doesn’t claim to be an expert in anything other than disaster communication.

“But consider that some parts of North Carolina were without water for 53 days after Helene,” she said. “People were stuck on top of a mountain, or at the bottom. This is about planning for the future. If they are on top of a mountain, we want to find neighbors who can help. Those people might not know which social media platform can help them and where to find it.”

She said the whole point for those in Sarasota and Manatee counties, along with the rest of the country, is to create a kind of Nextdoor (social media site) for disasters.

Hackett would like to establish a national reach because while a hurricane might miss Manatee County, it will hit somewhere else, and those people will need help, too.

“You don’t know which states are going to be impacted more, so we want to strengthen our tools,” she said. “Our goal is to combine information about all of the organizations providing free resources.”

She urges new Florida residents to check out her site because, “New residents don’t know what they don’t know.”

It all takes funds to run. Hackett currently is seeking donations and business partnerships. She said it can be tough to establish relationships.

“I don’t fall into any of the categories because (Local Relief) is something that never has existed before,” she said. “We have been called the missing link. Disaster communication has been broken, and the problem is a lack of communication.”

Those who want to help Hackett in her quest can attend her Bingo: Before the Storm event at 6 p.m.

June 16 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch. Tickets are $100 for an evening of bingo, raffles, food and drinks (donated

by Gold Coast). Raffle items will include a generator and jewelry.

“We’re doing a fundraiser to help us be ready for storm season,” Hackett said. “This biggest thing is that I want to tell people that Local Relief exists.”

Hackett also warns not to predict that all the storms will miss the region this season.

“Mother Nature is a woman,” Hackett said. “So don’t try to predict what will happen.”

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

YourObserver.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

459157-1

Philanthropy can be fun The Manatee Community Foundation stresses that the givers can benefit in as many or more ways as those who receive grants.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

P

hilanthropy can be thought of as giving back to one’s community, but Manatee Community Foundation CEO Veronica Thames has also seen philanthropy bring families closer together and create long-lasting traditions.

Thames told a story about a wealthy, entrepreneurial family of MCF donors. The grandparents wanted to engage their 30 grandchildren in philanthropy, but didn’t know where to start.

They sat down with the team at MCF and came up with a plan to open 30 donor-advised funds — $30,000 for each grandchild ages 5-19.

The family gathered for an initial orientation that explained to the grandchildren what philanthropy is, what a foundation is and how a person can make a difference in their community.

Now, philanthropy is part of the family’s Thanksgiving tradition.

Each year, the grandchildren make proposals to their grandparents on how they want to spend the next year’s gift.

Thames attended the first Thanksgiving. The little ones brought drawings of cats and dogs. One of the kids performed a rap song; another recited a poem about the environment. There were also PowerPoint presentations.

“It was super cool, and it allowed grandma and grandpa to get connected with their grandchildren over something very meaningful,” Thames said. “And mom and dad were grateful because they didn’t have the time, but wanted to impart the value of philanthropy, so it was a big win all around.”

After listening to Thames tell that

Lesley Dwyer

Yolanda Mancha is the foundation’s vice president of philanthropy, and Veronica Thames is the CEO.

MCF BY THE NUMBERS ■ Over 360 charitable funds ■ $5.9 million in grants and scholarships awarded to date in fiscal year 2026 ■ $71 million in grants and scholarships awarded since inception in 1998 ■ $72 million in stewarded assets

story, Yolanda Mancha, MCF’s vice president of philanthropy added, “Philanthropy is fun.”

“We always end up talking about the needs — there are a lot of needs; there’s no disputing that,” she said, “But there’s also a lot of pride that comes from investing in the community, and it can be so much fun.”

The pair emphasized that giving is not meant to be transactional. Giving can be creative and often leads to new connections. At its core, it simply makes people feel good about themselves and their community.

MCF offers a multitude of ways to give. Donors can give to one or SEE NONPROFIT, PAGE 12A

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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WE ARE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT VISIT US IN LAKEWOOD RANCH!

* for full details.

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*Restrictions apply. See server

Courtesy image

Staff at the Manatee Community Foundation focus on the needs of the community today and in the future. From left to right: Fallon Markwell, Mac Schmitz, Veronica Thames, Jacob Kinsel, Yolanda Mancha and Simone Peterson.

NONPROFIT, FROM PAGE 10A

more designated nonprofits or simply a field of interest, such as children’s programs or the arts. They can donate to the foundation’s scholarship fund or its unrestricted fund, which allows the staff to determine the community’s greatest needs.

“There is this fallacy that exists where the perception is that if I control exactly where my dollar is spent, I will have a greater impact,” Thames said. “We are seeing the opposite.

Sometimes, when the dollars are restricted, they’re hard to use.”

Thames recalled one donoradvised fund that was set up to offer a scholarship to a female musician, who lived in a specific ZIP code, and was seeking an education degree.

The focus was so narrow that the staff had to go back to the donor to loosen up the criteria.

On the other hand, unrestricted funds are dispersed based on data and trusted nonprofit partners that are known to deliver.

The Giving Gallery is a new initiative that kicked off in January. The gallery can be found on MCF’s website and offers a catalog of potential giving opportunities that will be updated periodically throughout the

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Mission statement: This mission of Manatee Community Foundation is partnering with our citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education and service — now and forever.

year. The current listings range from $4,500 to $2.8 million.

Each project includes a description of the request, and donors can give as little or as much as they’d like on the spot.

Mancha noted that the ease of the gallery makes philanthropy accessible. Donors don’t have to set up a fund or make repeated donations to give to a cause they care about.

However, the main advantage of setting up a fund with MCF is to give in perpetuity.

“The ideal scenario is that a person creates a fund with MCF; we invest it, and it continues to grow,” Mancha said. “An endowed gift of $100,000 when we were established (in 1998) is now over $400,000.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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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.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

FOREVER

Ann Morrison played the titular role in the Broadway touring production of “Kimberly Akimbo” for 10 months.

YOUNG Ann Morrison, 70, just wrapped a national tour playing the teenaged lead in ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’

MARTY FUGATE

Courtesy images

CONTRIBUTOR

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nn Morrison is an elfin, tireless, ageless Sarasota-based actor, producer and playwright. If you live here, you already know that. For decades, her best-known role was that of the original Mary Flynn in the ill-starred 1981 production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” The rare Broadway flop in Sondheim’s storied career later became the subject of a 2016 documentary, “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.” To outsiders, Morrison’s career suddenly skyrocketed, but she’s been a fixture of local theater for years.

After playing Herod in Josh Rhodes’ production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Sarasota’s Asolo Repertory Theatre in 2025, she landed the lead in the Broadway touring production of “Kimberly Akimbo.” In the heartbreaking yet funny tale, Morrison played a teenage girl with a premature aging disease. The whirlwind 10-month national road show went to 45 theaters. Now, Morrison’s back in town. She shares the twists and turns of life on the road.

How did you land this amazing role?

By not trying! I’ve lived my whole life by not being a pursuer. I still don’t have an agent.

I just like to go where doors open. The “Kimberly Akimbo” casting office kept calling me.

“Would you like to audition as Victoria Clark’s understudy on Broadway?” My answer was “No.” They called again while I was getting ready to play Herod in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Asolo. This time, my answer was “yes.” (Producer) David Stone said he’d pushed for me after seeing the documentary about “Merrily We Roll Along.”

Who is Kimberly Akimbo? How would you describe her?

Kimberly’s been on this planet for 16 years, but her body ages four to five times faster than normal. Unlike most teens, she has impulse control — and she’s upbeat. But intellectually, Kim knows her time is short.

That doesn’t hit her emotionally until she hears other teens discussing their futures. That’s when she realizes she doesn’t have one.

What’s the essence of Kimberly’s personality?

The most important thing is she’s never a victim. She stays optimistic, even despite her condition and her wildly dysfunctional family.

What’s your take on the musical itself?

It’s fun. It’s original. It’s got so many great oddball characters. As dysfunctional as they are, you fall in love with them. It’s a beautiful, beautiful show and funny, funny, funny.

It’s a musical about a rapidly aging teenage girl. That’s a heartbreaking premise. So how

put our heads together remotely.

He kept our SaraSolo company alive and continued teaching. He also discovered new things like weight training. We had similar paths of exploration.

How did the musical change you? How did you grow?

On stage, I stretched my acting muscles — and my actual muscles.

Back at my hotel, my meditations became deeper. After each show, I’d go back to my room and put my thoughts down on paper. I germinated a lot of good stuff.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Blake Walton and Ann Morrison are cofounders of the artist incubator SaraSolo Productions.

to the universe in some strange, holy way. I felt a sense of wonder — the way you feel when you’re a kid.

Ann Morrison starred as Mary in the ill-fated Broadway premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” which closed after 16 performances in 1981.

could it be funny?

David Lindsey-Abaire’s genius is how. He’s amazingly good at looking at human behavior and finding love and compassion. He adapted the musical from his play — and I think it’s better than the original.

You had to make magic on the stage night after night. How did you do that?

By staying fully present. Every night I was a different Annie, with a different audience, in a different show. Once I realized that, I listened more closely to the other actors and followed my instinctive shifts in the moment.

What version of Kimberly did you create?

Just being myself. I really am a 16-year-old trapped in a 70-yearold body, so I wasn’t really acting. I just showed up.

What did you love best about life on the road?

The alone time. The “creative quietude.” Many people won’t relate. ... But being alone tapped me into different forms of creativity — a sacred creativity. I was connected

What surprised you the most?

Mother Nature! We spent 10 straight weeks in winter weather.

I couldn’t walk barefoot outside because there was snow everywhere. Since I’ve got Florida blood, I was cold all the time.

To quote the great Frank Zappa, “Touring can make you crazy.”

How did you keep your sanity?

Well, I studied. Constantly. I designed my own curriculum — quantum physics, spirituality, metaphysics, and even how to grow trees.

I watched short films on and studied the acting, editing and cinematography. And I also stayed creatively engaged. I rewrote an art song and brainstormed a new show.

Did you also have a routine like yoga or meditation?

I did at first. Walking is big for me, but in the winter, that didn’t happen. I just stayed active in the hotel the best possible way.

Did you tour on buses or fly?

Both. If the next theater was a short drive, we took the bus. If it was one or two states away, we flew.

Was it a continuous tour or did you get any breaks?

I came home for about three weeks in September and two weeks at Christmas.

How’d you stay in touch with your Sarasota supporters?

Zoom sessions?

My companion Blake (Walton) and I sometimes talked three times a day. He was without me for 10 months. We’d compare notes and

How many creative talents toured with you?

I traveled with 42 people — cast, musicians, crew, company managers, understudies, everybody. We all genuinely adored each other. That’s rare. If something went wrong, everybody just laughed. A prop disappeared, the food for a dinner scene wasn’t there, somebody missed a cue — we’d improvise and just keep going.

The other actors were in their teens and 20s. How did you keep up?

They struggled to keep up with me.

From their point of view, my energy level would exhaust kindergartners.

They even gave me an award: “Ann Morrison: Legendary Old Broad.”

Speaking of cool, I understand your character ice skates.

Yep. Kimberly ice skates, so I skate.

Don’t tell my osteoporosis doctor.

She’d have a heart attack. I hadn’t been on skates since I was 17.

Was skating a challenge for you at age 70?

Nah. Thankfully, everybody else does the flips and spins. Kimberly only skates down a single line and then turns around.

“Merrily We Roll Along” has had a resurgence. Would you say your acting career has had a comeback as a result?

No, I wouldn’t. I can’t come back because I never went away. I’ve always been working — just not in New York City. The illusion is that if you’re not acting in New York, you’re on hiatus. That’s bull.

There’s great theater everywhere.

Just do it. Just go for it. Create your own work. Follow your passion — even if it doesn’t lead to Broadway.

Now, pretend you have a time machine. You set the dial to 1981. What would you say to the young Ann Morrison?

Keep going, Kid. Everything you do leads to the next thing. Don’t judge it; experience it. Life is short, so just enjoy the ride. Annie’s going to turn out fine.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

the Schmidt Vocal Arts National Competition. A total of 58 teen singers have advanced to the semifinals, presented in partnership with the Sarasota Opera. Cash prizes of up to $10,000 will be awarded and three semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a master class before the final round.

Continues May 31.

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

THIS WEEK

Courtesy image

Hermitage Fellow and Grammy-nominated musical theater composer Rona Siddiqui teams up with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell for Hermitage Sunset Music on the Beach on Thursday, May 28.

THURSDAY ‘LEAVING ON A JET PLANE’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” features an acoustic trio that takes you on a flight to the feel-good era of folk music in the late 1960s and 1970s.

‘HONKY TONK ANGELS’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25-$59 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Join three Dolly Parton wannabes on a road trip to Nashville as they follow their dreams of country music stardom. This musical journey gives its stars the chance to belt out country favorites like Parton’s “9 to 5” and Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.” Runs through June 21.

‘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

DON’T MISS

SUNSET MUSIC ON THE BEACH Hermitage Fellow Rona Siddiqui, a Grammy-nominated musical theater composer, shares the stage with local performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Siddiqui will discuss her approach to songwriting and Moseley and Powell will perform as the sun sets on this beachfront performance. This is one of

the nickname “the godmother of rock ’n’ roll” for transforming gospel music with her fierce guitar playing. Asolo Repertory Theatre’s latest production captures the first rehearsal between Tharpe (Maiesha McQueen) and one of her acolytes, Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston), as they prepare for a world tour. Runs through May 31.

FRIDAY ‘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

those sublime experiences sure to spark the sentiment, “This is why we live here.” Bring your own refreshments.

IF YOU GO When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 Where: Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood Tickets: $5 with registration Info: Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

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 nearly everything else in the troubadour’s career, and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin. Runs through June 21.

SATURDAY SCHMIDT VOCAL ARTS NATIONAL COMPETITION 9:45 a.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $15.45, students $10 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

High school students from around the country compete for up to 16 places in the final round of

It’s last call for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ tribute to 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, in Selby’s annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition. Runs through May 31.

‘BLOCKBUSTED’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $15-$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

What’s the best entertainment bargain in town? It’s the Saturday night performances of Florida Studio Theatre Improv, which top out at $18 a ticket. You’ll laugh so hard you cry at these ever-changing lineups. “Blockbusted” takes audiences back to the days of the video store as fearless improvisers face off against each in sketches powered by audience suggestions.

It’s the perfect date night for young and old.

SUNDAY ‘SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW’ 11 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

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OUR PICK

LEVIN LECTURE This year’s Sarasota Music Festival is a slimmed-down affair following the departure of longtime artistic director Jeffrey Kahane in 2025. But some things won’t change, namely the annual lecture by Kahane’s predecessor, Robert D. Levin. The pianist, composer and conductor was head of the Sarasota Music Festival for a decade and was a professor of music at Harvard University from 1993 to 2014. Levin is an expert on improvisation in classical music, and this lecture is sure to include musical interludes.

IF YOU GO When: 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 Where: Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $15-$25 Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra. org.

works have been loaned by private collectors in Southwest Florida to SAM for the show, which runs from April 19 through Sept. 27.

MONDAY ANCIENT ART FROM CYPRUS AND THE MEDITERRANEAN 10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with $30 admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.

In 1928, circus magnate John Ringling moved beyond collecting Baroque paintings with a major acquisition of more than 2,000 pieces of Cypriot art at the Anderson Galleries in New York, where the Metropolitan Museum was selling parts of its ancient art collection. For the first time, Ringling’s treasures have a permanent home in Gallery 12 after a decadelong project.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Sarasota’s Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival keeps making noise The funky festival returns for its fourth edition from June 2-7 at the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

E

veryone knows the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But what happens after that? When founder Megan Radish unveiled her Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival in 2023, she wasn’t sure whether she was producing a one-time event or creating a Sarasota mainstay inspired by the venerable Edinburgh Fringe, known as the “world’s great platform for creative freedom.”

Luckily for performers and audiences, Squeaky Wheel Fringe is making more noise than ever for its fourth edition, which runs from June 2-7 at the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

“We started out with a hope and dream,” Radish said in an interview.

“People seem to have embraced it.

There aren’t a lot of opportunities that aren’t professional for artists to get paid to do their art. I’m glad that we’ve gotten the following we have.”

Radish says she’s billing this year’s Squeaky Wheel as a “homecoming” because several performers are returning to the festival, which features a smorgasbord of nine noholds-barred performances, including spoken word, dance, song and cross-genre.

Tania Vergara Dance Theatre, previously known as Endedans Dance company, is coming back to Squeaky Wheel with “Casa Havana,” which explores family dynamics as it celebrates Cuban rhythms. Last year, the dance troupe won the audience choice award for its multidisciplinary piece, “Paradox of the Mirror.”

Former Sarasota theater kid Victoria Montalbano is back in town with a one-person show called “Timey Wimey Stuff: The Mid Life Crisis of a Time Traveling Space Archaeologist.” With its off-the-wall format, fringe festivals give artists the chance to present their work as they wish it to be seen, and also to come up with really long titles.

A native of Chicago, Montalbano was in the debut edition of Squeaky Wheel Fringe in 2023, with her “Star Wars”infused piece, “The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman’s Search for the Space Cowboy of her Dreams.”

An ensemble consisting of some familiar faces from The Sarasota Players community theater will be presenting “The Pep Rally: A ‘Religious’ Variety Show.” In this m u l t i ge n re s h ow, the protagonist, Ezra

IF YOU GO

Mathers, returns to his Christian college to lead a homecoming pep rally. Ezra has an ax to grind because he was never cast in any shows when he was in school. So watch out!

That “I coulda been a contender” theme runs through another Squeaky Wheel Fringe show, “Grease is the Word.” Co-written by Kallista Schneiderman and her mother, Kelly Haramis, the piece was inspired by a snub Haramis received in high school. Back in 1989, when she was an aspiring actor at Deltona High in Florida, Haramis wasn’t cast as Rizzo in “Grease.”

Fast-forward to 2026: Her daughter, a student at USC in Los Angeles, has decided to right this wrong by staging a fake production of “Grease” at a senior center so her mom’s theater dreams can finally come true. That’s the story line for their fringe piece.

In real life, Haramis is a Chicago actor, writer and improviser. She’s married to incoming Ringling College of Art and Design President Davis Schneiderman, who starts June 1.

When Haramis and her daughter heard the family was moving to Sarasota, they looked around for venues that would be right for “Grease Is the Word.” As fate would have it, they discovered that the Squeaky Wheel Fringe was happening just as Schneiderman was starting his new job.

A CAMEO ROLE FOR A NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT

“There’s a reason I didn’t get cast as Rizzo,” Haramis says. “I can’t sing.” To solve that problem, Kallista Schneiderman and her friend, NYU student Nora Sharman, will perform in “Grease is the Word,” which was written by Haramis and Kallista.

Those who want to get a peek at Ringling College’s new president can see him in the play, which is billed as “part heartfelt comedy, part loving prank.”

SQUEAKY WHEEL FRINGE FESTIVAL TEASER SHOW When: 7 p.m. June 2 Where: Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: Pay what you will Info: Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.

This is not the Schneiderman family’s first theatrical collaboration.

Last summer, Haramis performed in a staged reading in Chicago of the play, “You can Call Me Al,” which she wrote with her husband. Haramis is a graduate of Penn State and the Second City Conservatory.

Other productions on tap at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival include a dance theater piece called “The One,” an improv show from Orlando titled “It’s Alive! Live,” “Confessions of a Theme Park Worker,” “My Life as an ‘Inspirational Porn’ Star” and “The Common Ground,” an import from New Jersey set in a suburban coffee shop that follows a young woman trying to rebuild her life.

This year’s Squeaky Wheel Fringe, which is supported by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, includes more visual projections and other bells and whistles than previous festivals, Radish notes.

If you’re not sure which, if any, of these grassroots productions appeal to you, the best way to find out is by attending the Squeaky Wheel Fringe teaser on June 2, which gives audiences a sample of each show.

“To encourage people to attend, we’ve made it pay what you will,” Radish says. Tickets for each fringe performance are no more than $20.70, including a $4 festival fee.

Except for the fest fee, all proceeds benefit the artists.

Courtesy image

Kallista Schneiderman and Kelly Haramis rehearse for their upcoming performance of “Grease is the Word,” at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival.

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week kicks off its 21st edition OBSERVER STAFF

M

ay’s graduations give way to the weddings of June, and for more than two decades, Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, which runs from June 1-14 this year.

During this fun-filled promotional period, more than 50 eateries in Sarasota County will serve two-course lunches for just $25 and three-course dinners for $45, with many offering extras, such as wine pairings and signature cocktails.

Originally started by the predecessor to the tourist group Visit Sarasota in 2005 to drum up business after the snowbirds leave, Savor Sarasota has become a much-anticipated event.

It’s right up there with the Forks & Corks Festival at The Ringling Courtyard, scheduled for Jan. 21-25, 2027.

Savor Sarasota is an excuse to get out of your culinary comfort zone and try a new restaurant or to take a budget-oriented trip to one of your pricier favorites. It’s also a way to show support for local businesses.

When Visit Sarasota surveyed last year’s 62 participants in Savor Sarasota, the 26 restaurants that disclosed their numbers (42% of participants) said they served 6,520 lunches and 24,101 dinners. Those seatings brought in $163,000 in lunch revenue and $1,084,545 in dinner sales.

“Savor Sarasota really is my favorite time of the year,” says Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “It’s exciting to see our restaurant community come together to create multicourse dining experiences, while giving chefs a

Monica Roman Gagnier

Arts and Central, the Rosemary District restaurant founded in 2024

by Dan Henson Jr. and Dan Henson, is participating in the 21st annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.

IF YOU GO SAVOR SARASOTA RESTAURANT WEEK When: June 1-14 Where: Eateries in downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key and Venice Tickets: $25 for lunch; $45 for dinner Info: Go to VisitSarasota.com.

chance to showcase new dishes and guest favorites.

There’s even a digital app that can be downloaded to guide your journey on what is billed as the “Flavor Trail.”

It can be downloaded at VisitSarasota.com.

SAVOR SARASOTA RESTAURANTS SARASOTA

99 Bottles 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen Amore Restaurant Andrea’s Kitchen Arts & Central Bevardi’s Salute!

Boca Bridges Restaurant Cafe Barbosso C’est La Vie Comida Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.

Evoq Fat Rabbit Pub Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse Kolucan La Dolce Vita Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar Mademoiselle Paris Marcel Mattison’s Forty-One Michael’s On East Mimi Brasserie & Speakeasy Rodizio Grill Rose & Ivy Rufa at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Sardinia Selva Grill Downtown State Street Eating House The Maine Line The Reserve by Chef Antonio Tripletail Seafood & Spirits Tzeva Mediterranean Restaurant Wink Wink Food and Drink

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN

ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE/ LONGBOAT KEY

Café on St. Armands Crab & Fin Harry’s Continental Kitchens La Norma Ristorante and Pizzeria Lazy Lobster

SIESTA KEY

Cafe Gabbiano Miguel’s

LAKEWOOD RANCH/UTC

Agave Bandido Cassariano Lakewood Ranch Fleming’s Steakhouse UTC JPAN Sushi & Grill UTC Kore Steakhouse Post Kitchen and Bar Selva Grill UTC

NORTH PORT/OSPREY/ NOKOMIS/ENGLEWOOD/ VENICE

Anna Maria Oyster Bar (North Port) Bodrum Restaurant Cafe Evergreen Chophouse 285 Evie’s on the Bay Farlow’s on the Water Fins at Sharky’s Pop’s Sunset Grill San Marco of Venice The Crow’s Nest The Point Waterfront

www.manasotaonline.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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EATING WITH EMMA

Holy smoke! National Brisket Day is May 28 STOTTLEMYER’S SMOKEHOUSE

A

s season draws to a close and the slow days of summer arrive, May has a way of making me think more intentionally about time. How fast it moves, how much we try to control it and how often the best moments in life are the ones that refuse to be rushed.

That’s where National Brisket Day, on May 28, comes in.

In its own smoky, slow-cooked way, brisket is really all about time.

It doesn’t hurry, it doesn’t cut corners, it asks you to wait, gather and sit around a table with people you care about while something low and slow becomes something worth remembering.

In honor of National Brisket Day, I’m serving up local eateries with the best brisket plates around. You might not even know some of these places exist. One is a food truck and another is takeout only. When it comes to slow-cooked meat, it’s all about the flavor, not the ambience of the vendor.

JOE THE BOAR

941-203-0013; JoeTheBoar.com

Holy Smoke: This food truck makes you rethink whatever quick lunch plan you had planned for the day. The brisket sandwich ($15) is tender, smoky and stacked just right. The brisket and pork plate ($18) leans all the way into comfort with sides like smokehouse dirty rice, sweet potatoes or classic coleslaw rounding everything out.

Pit Happens: And if we’re not counting calories, which, honestly, we’re not today, the brisket mac and cheese ($8) is my move. Creamy and loaded with smoky brisket folded into every bite, it’s the kind of dish that quietly keeps you searching for this food truck’s location time and time again.

19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-3125969; StottlemyersSmokehouse.com

Holy Smoke: In a town where Old Florida charm feels harder than heck to hold onto, this pecanwood smokery continues to carry the smoky, soulful and deliciously nostalgic torch. And honestly, the Cornbread Smokestack ($20.99, add brisket +$2) might be the best representation of that comfortfood legacy.

Pit Happens: The mini BBQ sampler ($25.99) happily solves any indecisive eater (me) problem because you git a lil’ bit of everything. A smoky spread of half baby backs, 4 oz. brisket, and choice of light or dark smoked chicken, which arrives like the kind of feast that requires extra napkins and absolutely no shame. Or level up with the east road sampler for 6oz. brisket ($23.99).

SIGN UP FOR HOME DELIVERED MEALS.

PERRY’S ROADSIDE BBQ

936 42nd St., Sarasota; 941-3511445; PerrysSauce.com

Holy Smoke: This takeout-only spot keeps the focus exactly where it belongs — on tender beef brisket by the pound ($28), piled onto dinner platters ($22) with comforting sides like baked beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, or potato salad that redefines home-cooked family dining. And yes, adding the cornbread for $2 is your responsibility.

Pit Happens: Feeding an army?

Perry’s has you covered with its three-meat family meal ($80), stacked with a full rack of St. Louisstyle ribs, a half chicken, 1 pound of beef brisket, baked beans and your choice of large coleslaw or potato salad. It’s comfort-food excellence with a spread that turns an ordinary night into a “grab extra napkins and loosen your belt” occasion.

421 N Lime Ave • Sarasota FL 34237 (941) 366-6693 • MealsOnWheelsOfSarasota.org A registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established in 1971

THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY & THE RINGLING

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ROLLING WORLD PREMIERE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 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. 460202-1

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MAY 28, 2026

CLASS OF 2026

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Madison Bierl

Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park on May 19.

Kaiya Peters, Chloe Pogoda and Isai Palacios were the student speakers at the Braden River High School commencement ceremony May 19 at LECOM Park.

‘A lot to be discovered’ A s Madison Ogline heard her name called, announcing her graduation from Braden River High School, her mind flashed back to her freshman year.

Ogline had just started at a new school with all new faces. But what stood out to her was all those new faces greeted her with a smile. Now those faces belonged to her friends.

She also thought back to “chorus concerts, endless sleepovers, and my absurd amount of missing homework.”

“I’ll never forget these past four years,” Ogline said.

Braden River’s commencement ceremony included 420 graduates who celebrated their high school careers during the May 19 event at LECOM Park.

For Ahaunestee Heard, hearing her name called evoked feelings of happiness, nervousness and nostalgia.

“What’s next?” she thought.

“The next thing is to become a successful, independent and strong business woman,” Heard said. “I want to be more successful and build a life for myself for generations to come.”

Isai Palacios, one of the students who gave a speech during the ceremony, said the diploma isn’t just a symbol of success, but also of community and belief.

“As we move on in our lives, there’s a lot to be discovered in this world,” Palacios said. “We are blessed enough to get to do whatever it takes to reach our end goals, whether it’s college, a job, a new city or something we haven’t quite figured out yet.”

Joaquin Palacios and Gabriel Zegarra are proud to represent their home country of Peru as they graduate from Braden River High School on May 19.

Vice Chair Richard Tatem congratulates Kaiya Peters, a member of JROTC and one of the commencement speakers, for graduating.

Ava Losada, a member of the Black Pearls dance team at Braden River, waves as her name is called.

Moksha Pitchala and Sophi Jo Branscomb eagerly await the start of the Braden River High commencement ceremony May 19.

—MADISON BIERL

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

CLASS OF 2026

2B

Head of School Chad McBane presents Senior Class President Ciara Charles her diploma at the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony May 20 at The Ora. Molly Reichenbach, Caio Menegardo and Brian Scanlon cheer for their classmates as they receive their diplomas from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy on May 20.

Photos by Madison Bierl

Arianna Leo, a member of National Honor Society and the Student Government Association, shows off her Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy diploma moments after receiving it.

Eagles ready to soar

D

uring her commencement speech, graduate Eliana Yeboah used the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy mascot — the eagle — to make a point.

“Eagles thrive in storms instead of running from them, so please use the strong winds to rise higher,” Yeboah said.

While the notion of eagles flying into storms is somewhat of poetic myth, the point was well taken.

Yeboah said not everyone makes it through a storm, but the graduates did. They learned how to persevere, adapt and keep soaring through the uncertainties of change.

In the inaugural commencement ceremony for Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, 66

Jeffrey Crabtree, the inaugural Student Government Association supreme court chief justice, received an engraved sound block.

seniors walked the stage at The Ora in Sarasota on May 20.

Caio Menegardo said receiving his diploma was a surreal experience.

He said it was thrilling to be part of the first class of seniors from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy to graduate.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share this moment with, regarding both classmates and teachers,” Menegardo said.

Jeffrey Crabtree, the inaugural Student Government Association supreme court chief justice, spoke to the audience about his club’s first student constitution, saying that he is proud to be part of shaping the culture of the school.

“I feel a sense of pride for finishing high school here and seeing through what I started four years ago,” Crabtree said.

— MADISON BIERL

Hailey Wood, Ashley Tran, Sharon Dsouza and Sara Johnson get together after graduating from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy after the commencement ceremony at The Ora in Sarasota.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

3B

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Gloria Bracciano: M 941.229.4000 | Angelica Rossi: M 786.202.3000

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

19436 Newlane Place, The Concession

7951 Matera Court, Lakewood Ranch

$3,399,000 | 4 BR, 5 BA | Web# A4672950

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

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

915 Seaside Drive, #412, Sarasota

8116 Lone Tree Glen, Lakewood Ranch

$1,799,000 | 3 BR, 2 BA | Web# A4681675

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

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430

Nikki Taylor: M 941.587.9060

3571 Santa Caterina Boulevard, Bradenton

1010 Crosswind Avenue, Sarasota

$1,100,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4693758

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

Gloria Bracciano: M 941.229.4000 | Angelica Rossi: M 786.202.3000

Donna Soda: M 941.961.5857

1712 Cleat Lane, Sarasota

1741 Cleat Lane, Sarasota

$499,000 | 3 BR, 2.5 BA | Web# A4693290

$461,400 | 3 BR, 2.5 BA | Web# A4683232

Monica LeSuer: M 941.525.7278

Monica LeSuer: M 941.525.7278

elliman.com

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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.

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CLASS OF 2026

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

To celebrate the graduation of her son, Alex Fraietta, Diane Fraietta brought a sign of Alex as a baby.

Photos by Madison Bierl

Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.

ODA graduates seize the moment

O

ceane Visa always has felt graduation was something far in her future.

So when she accepted her diploma from The Out-of-Door Academy on May 22 at Grace Community Church, it didn’t feel real when she moved her tassel from right to left.

“I didn’t think I’d be too sad until I watched my twin sister (Cecile) walk the stage right before me,” Oceane Visa said. “As I walked, I felt pure pride. I was finally doing it.

Saying goodbye to my friends and my teachers was hard, but I couldn’t help but smile out of excitement to see all that everyone accomplished.”

Sean Ball, head of the upper school, described ODA’s graduating senior class students as those who showed up.

“You were there to cheer for each other, to encourage one another, and sometimes just to sit beside one another when words were not

Valedictorian Hays Wilson and Salutatorian Zachary Papper, who are both National Merit finalists, each presented a speech at the Outof-Door Academy commencement ceremony May 22.

necessary,” Ball said.

Zachary Papper, the salutatorian for The Out-of-Door Academy class of 2026, encouraged his fellow graduates to take advantage of what life has to offer, even when it might be overwhelming.

“Find the little things that make you happy,” Papper said.

Hays Wilson, the valedictorian, repeated advice from his late science teacher, Mike Newhams, who died in December. Newhams wrote in Wilson’s sophomore year notebook “If you wait long enough, you’ll regret it.”

“Opportunities fade with time, and if there’s one thing we all now know at the end of high school, it’s that time moves far quicker than we think,” Wilson said. “You don’t have to be Mahatma Gandhi, Eugenie Clark, George Washington or anyone else to seize the moment.”

Scarlett Moyer and Mason Chase sing “Seasons of Love” as part of a group of 14 choir students from The Out-of-Door Academy.

On May 22 at Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, 79 seniors graduated from The Out-of-Door Academy.

— MADISON BIERL

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

BEST BET

AI STRATEGIES Begins at 6 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library, Meeting Room A, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. The Lakewood Ranch Library is hosting “AI Workshop: Prompting Strategies.” The seminar is for adults 18 and older. Those who are curious how tools like ChatGPT generate such detailed responses will enjoy this hands-on workshop.

Those attending will learn fundamentals of effective AI prompting, such as how to ask clearer questions, structure requests and refine outputs to get more accurate and useful results. The workshop is designed for beginners with practical strategies that can be immediately applied to business and personal use. Those attending should bring their own device so they can practice in real time. To register, go to ManateeLibrary.LibCal.com/ Event/16410614.

SATURDAY, MAY 30

PARADISE SOCCER Begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Premier Sports Campus stadium, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota Paradise host the New York Cosmos, one of the most famous professional soccer franchises in the nation. Tickets start at $13 and can be purchased at SarasotaParadise.us/Tickets or at the door. The Cosmos are 3-5-1 on the season while the Paradise are 2-9-1 after a 2-1 loss to AV Alta May 16 at Premier.

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

- General Surgery Patient

David Dexter, MD, FACS

FRIDAY, MAY 29 AND SATURDAY, MAY 30

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Blues musician Zach Pomerleau entertains those strolling the streets of Waterside Place on Friday. On Saturday, saxophone and keys artist Ektor Keys is the featured entertainer. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

ROOFTOP YOGA Begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway. Adults (18-and-older) can participate. Beginners and those with experience are welcome. Those who participate are asked to bring a yoga mat. Visit MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 30 AND SUNDAY, MAY 31

MUSIC AT THE LODGE Runs 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Linger Lodge, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

Linger Lodge’s live music schedule includes Brooke Hargrove on Saturday and Rich McGuire on Sunday.

SUNDAY, MAY 31

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place. The

Alexa Kinder, MSPAS, PA-C

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.

THURSDAY, MAY 28 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 31

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), Blue Grass Pirates (Friday), Bonfire Band Jam (Saturday) and Reverend Billy (Sunday). Friday and Saturday shows are $5 and the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding. com.

Samuel Yelverton, MD

The team’s surgical services include: • Minimally invasive robotic surgeries, including anti-reflux, hernia, colon/rectum, gallbladder, appendix, spleen, and adrenal glands

File photo

• Management of benign and malignant breast disease • Management of benign and malignant skin disease

Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which is 2025 was selected as the nation’s best Farmers Market, runs year-round every Sunday. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. Go to MyLWR.com for more information.

• GI tract procedures • Robotic weight-loss surgery

To schedule an appointment, call 941-254-6767 or visit lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com.

LET’S DO WELL TOGETHER.

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. Go to MyLWR.com for more information.

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

MONDAY, JUNE 1

lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com

TECH HELP Begins at 11 a.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. The Braden River Library hosts One on One Tech Help for those who could benefit from technical support in using their laptop. Call 727-6079 to schedule a 30-minute session with a staff member. The program is for those 18 and older.

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. 264393782-4454773 5/26

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THURSDAY, MAY 28

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

BINGO Begins at 10 a.m. at the Patton Park pavilion, 5725 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Join the weekly group that enjoys Bingo for All. Tickets are $5. The game is open to all ages. For information, go to MyLWR. com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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

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

GREENBROOK VILLAGE 14806 Bowfin Terrace 5 Beds 4 Baths 4,188 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941.894.4001 A4693544 $995,000

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

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

GREENBROOK VILLAGE 15005 Bowfin Terrace 5 Beds 3 Baths 2,756 Sq. Ft. Stacey Yencik & Nicole Ryskamp 941.363.1127 A4686591 $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 2006 Red Lake Run 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,325 Sq. Ft. Matt Eichel & Ralph Faillace 609.992.7077 A4679881 $699,000

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 $699,000

RIVERWALK 10921 Bluestem Circle 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,103 Sq. Ft. Bianca Dwyer & Jonnie Dwyer 941.209.2466 A4693069 $624,900

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

LAKEWOOD RANCH COUNTRY CLUB 7715 Us Open Loop 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,667 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941.894.4001 A4684761 $599,000

ESPLANADE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 5352 Vaccaro Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,684 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden & Peter Salefsky 941.538.8998 A4677975 $568,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6516 Moorings Point Circle #201 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,344 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941.685.8420 A4692493 $529,000

AZARIO – ESPLANADE / PARK EAST 15788 Sacile Lane 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,558 Sq. Ft. Jalina Beck & Maria Beck 914.844.4665 A4690176 $505,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8134 Pavia Way 5 Beds 5 Baths 3,734 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941.685.8420 A4687253 $2,985,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16903 Verona Place 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 3,084 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941.587.4359 A4689005 $2,250,000

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

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

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6B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

Lake Club home topped the week’s sales. James Brent and Joan Fricker Brent, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8493 Pavia Way to Gary Eiben and Mary Eiben, trustees, of Bradenton, for $3.2 million.

Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,499 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,826,200 in 2022.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Julie Marie Cook, trustee, and David Schulman, of Venice, sold the home at 5641 Arnie Loop to Christopher and Heather Russo, of Vermillion, Ohio, for $1.45 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and is 3,244 square feet. It sold for $1,237,500 in 2024.

Michael Harold Edlin, trustee, of Venice, sold the home at 16816 Bwana Place to Peter Cullen and Sarah Cullen, trustees, of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,019 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Hans Gaedertz and Diana HahneGaedertz, of Leesburg, Virginia, sold their home at 16729 Collingtree Crossing to Mark Baker and Alison Long, of Hebron, Connecticut, for $1.25 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 2,902 square feet. It sold for $189,300 in 2018.

Catherine Claire Leavitt, trustee, of Alexandria, Virginia, sold the home at 7036 Whittlebury Trail to John Joseph Tegan IV, of Bradenton, for $949,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,231 square feet of living area. It sold for $518,000 in 2019.

Jeremy John Venlet and Julia Venlet, of Austin, Texas, sold their home at 7143 Whittlebury Trail to Tal and Adela Scheer, of Sparta, New Jersey, for $700,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,236 square feet of living area.

It sold for $561,000 in 2020.

Dennis and Nancy Sheridan, of Richland, Washington, sold their home at 15411 Leven Links Place to Earl Wayne Freeman Jr. and Kaly Davis Freeman, of Lakewood Ranch, for $590,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,248 square feet of living area.

It sold for $495,500 in 2020.

RICHMOND PARK

Lionel and Carol Lenz, of North Barrington, Illinois, sold their home at 8113 Collingwood Court to Donald and Victoria Chasen, of University Park, for $980,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,632 square feet of living area. It sold for $671,000 in 2018.

EDGEWATER

Philip Palestra, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 8215 Waterview Blvd. to Craig Alan Loomis and Debra Kay Loomis, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $950,000.

Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,014 square feet of living area. It sold for $545,000 in 2014.

Ronald Paino and Brian Graham sold their home at 8459 Idlewood Court to Alexandra Pantelios, of Lakewood Ranch, for $590,000.

Built in 1997, it has two bedrooms, two baths and is 1,802 square feet.

It sold for $575,000 in 2024.

SERENITY CREEK

Bradley Charlson and Tania Mahinda sold their home at 13071 Utopia Loop to Melissa and David Apa, of Bradenton, for $920,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and is 3,931 square feet. It sold for $511,000 in 2018.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MAY 11-15

Lawrence Poncrazio Marchione II and Jessica Carlton Marchione, of Parrish, sold their home at 13085 Utopia Loop to Jennifer Douglass and Cynthia Carpenter, of Bradenton, for $730,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,765 square feet of living area. It sold for $473,800 in 2018.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Todd and Sally Shely, of Palmetto, sold their home at 202 Americas Cup Blvd. to Patrick and Isabelle Hussey, of Salt Lake City, Utah, for $900,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,242 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 1999.

Ngoc and Hoang Nguyen, of Parrish, sold their home at 4427 Shark Drive to Thomas Smith and Carmen Alfaro, of Sarasota, for $710,000.

Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,227 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2021.

EMERALD LANDING AT WATERSIDE

Courtesy image

This Lake Club home at 8493 Pavia Way sold for $3.2 million. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,499 square feet of living area.

Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 1630 Springwell Lane to Carolyn Elizabeth Worrell, of Sarasota, for $840,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,387 square feet of living area.

Tennessee, for $670,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,326 square feet of living area. It sold for $450,000 in 2018.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Jean Shames, of Bradenton, sold the home at 10905 Bullrush Terrace to Andrew Tuch and Jirina Vlasta Tuch, of Lakewood Ranch, for $670,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,621 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2002.

Marjo Mitsutomi and William Gerald Platt, of Sarasota, sold their home at 609 Rosemary Circle to Alice Boican and Michael Puleo, of Sarasota, for $805,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,772 square feet. It sold for $895,000 in 2022.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

Frank and Lisa Bosse, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 1021 Crosswind Ave. to Pamela Ortman, of Sarasota, for $800,000. Built in 2022, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,010 square feet of living area. It sold for $569,200 in 2022.

RIVERWALK

WATERCRESS

James Robert Reineke and Susan Lynn Padilla, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 402 condominium at 6450 Watercrest Way to Philip Palestra, of Lakewood Ranch, for

$625,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,742 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2021.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Donna Garvin, of Mahwah, New Jersey, sold her home at 13046 Peregrin Circle to Lindsey and Michael Loeschke, of Shalimar, for $615,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,278 square feet of living area.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com.

Johnathan and Tara Woodman and Steven Edward Woodman, of Ellenton, sold their home at 1051 Waterline Court to Joseph Michael Arena and Rose Ann Pimpinella, of Sarasota, for $690,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,977 square feet of living area. It sold for $588,100 in 2024.

Thomas and Rachel Thomsen, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8160 Sternway Road to Linas Mockus and Molly Lee Mockus, of Sarasota, for $600,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,784 square feet of living area. It sold for $604,000 in 2024.

COUNTRY CLUB

Marina Solo, of University Park, sold her home at 7753 U.S. Open Loop to Christopher Rex, of Lakewood Ranch, for $765,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,131 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2017.

David and Doreen Morin, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7052 Woodmore Terrace to Edward Reiff and Pamela Barbieri, of Lakewood Ranch, for $538,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,557 square feet of living area. It sold for $595,000 in 2022.

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MAY 28, 2026

SPORTS

“Here at ODA, I feel like we’re all one big family, and that’s what I love about this school.”

— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Mason Riley SEE PAGE 10B

FAST

FACES OF THE FUTURE?

BREAK

Barring any transfers, Braden River softball will lose only one player from this year’s roster.

Senior pitcher/infielder Kaydence Evans — the team’s ace — graduated May 19.

Four of the Pirates’ top-six hitters were freshmen this season. Those are center/left fielder Sarai Castro (.509 batting average), infielder/ pitcher Cady Jones (.473), shortstop Evelyn Paul (.431) and third baseman/catcher Cooper Jones (.400).

“We’ve got some up-and-coming players and new players coming in next year,” said coach Keith Jans. “I feel we have a great chance of coming back here.”

Image courtesy of Jordan Borges

Braden River girls weightlifting, the reigning FHSAA Class 2A team state champion in Olympic style, has a new coach in Ashley Avellan-Knutson.

B

raden River High named Ashley AvellanKnutson its new girls weightlifting coach May 21. For the past five years, she served as assistant under coach Jordan Borges. The Pirates won the FHSAA Class 2A team state title for Olympic style this past season and have won three consecutive regional team titles. Borges — who elected to step down — decided before the 2025-26 season that it would be his last, so that he could spend more time with family. He will remain the Braden River boys weightlifting coach moving forward. “For her to take that next step and want to lead the new chapter of this program, it just shows how much she’s been dedicated,” Borges said. “But also, it’s a reflection of how great our kids are for her to want to stick around and want to continue the success that we’ve had...

She’s a great friend of mine.” ... Saraiah Walkes, who graduated The Out-of-Door Academy in 2021, contributed to two title-winning relay teams for Eastern Michigan track and field at the Mid-American Conference outdoor championships from May 14-16.

Those top finishes were in the 400-meter relay (45.33) and 1,600-meter relay (3:38.21). Individually, the graduate student placed fourth in the 200-meter dash (23.64) and sixth in the 100-meter dash (11.61).

Walkes was an All-MAC First Team selection for both indoor and outdoor track and field in 2024-25. ... Jonathan Bolanos, forward for the Sarasota Paradise, made his 100th appearance in USL League One play May 16. He leads the team with three goals scored this season, and in 2022, set the league’s single-season assists record with 11 for the Richmond Kickers. He was also one of three MVP finalists that season. The Paradise, though, continue to struggle and are 2-7-1.

AN EXTRA SEASON PAGE 9B

Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River’s leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.

So close in state semifinals Late rally isn’t enough for Braden River High softball as team comes up just short in 2-1 loss to Niceville.

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

S

arai Castro stepped up to the plate at the top of the seventh inning.

She entered the batter’s box and

became comfortable in her stance, shifting her gaze to the pitcher.

The freshman outfielder knew the stakes, and she knew the task at hand. Her team stood three outs away from a season-ending defeat.

She decided to control her own fate.

“I’m not going to let this pitcher get the better of me. I’m not going to let the umpire make the call,” Castro said. “I’m going

As one of seven freshmen who joined Braden River this season, Sarai Castro finished as the best batter among them. Her 1.543 OPS was also the best of any Pirate.

to come up here and I’m going to swing.”

So she did. Her swing led to a double, and another hit from senior Kaydence Evans drove Castro home to cut Niceville’s lead to 2-1 in the FHSAA Class 5A state semifinals May 22 at Longwood’s Boombah Soldiers Creek Park.

Not all rallies, though, end in victory. Some simply aren’t enough.

Braden River High softball couldn’t manage another run and lost 2-1 to Niceville (24-7). It signaled the end to a season full of firsts for the Pirates.

They won their first district title in seven years. Followed with a regional title, they reached the statewide stage for the first time since 2016.

One more run would’ve forced Niceville to bat, and potentially, could have given Braden River an opportunity to take the lead in extra innings.

“I wouldn’t want to go into battle with another group of girls,” said coach Keith Jans. “They never give up, they believe in themselves and they’re never out of the game, no matter what. They should be extremely proud of themselves.”

Evans — the potential tying run — stood at first base with no outs in the top of the seventh, thanks to her single. She advanced to second base on a groundout from sophomore Maddie Kasch.

Freshman catcher/infielder Eva Martinez had popped out before Kasch for the first out.

That meant it was do-ordie time for Cady Jones.

But Jones stuck out and Pirates fell just short.

Braden River had won 18 of its previous 19 games entering the May 22 game. It had averaged 10 runs per game this season, regularly beating up its competition.

The team, though, was silenced offensively through the first six innings of the state semifinals at the hands of South Alabama commit Chloe Bailey. Pirate hitters combined for just one hit until the seventh inning while striking out nine times along the way.

“Hands down, she was a great pitcher,” Jans said. “Probably one of the best pitchers we’ve faced. I tip my hat to her and that Niceville team. What a strong team it is.”

The Eagles broke through for both of their runs in the bottom of the second inning, and never scored again against Braden River pitcher Kaydence Evans.

Sydney Hann reached second base on an error to commence the second

Photos by Jack Nelson

inning and three consecutive hits followed. Those sent Hann and Valerie Malley across the plate.

A double play stopped the bleeding. Still, the Pirates, down 2-0, had some work to do.

Braden River junior Leighton Paul reached first base on an error in the top of the third inning and subsequently stole second, but was stranded.

In the fourth, it was Castro who tried to breathe life into her team’s offense. She turned the shortstop’s error into a double and advanced to third base on an Evans groundout.

Just like Paul, she didn’t make it home.

Castro’s first season with Braden River ended with a team-high .509 batting average. She was the only one to record multiple hits in the seasonending defeat.

“She’s a great ballplayer all around,” Jans said. “She’s been playing ‘ball for a long time. She puts the work in, she practices, she works hard and she’s a great kid.”

For Evans, the state semifinals proved to be the final outing of her high school career.

The State College of Florida commit hurled six innings with three strikeouts, one walk and one earned run. After Niceville’s second-inning rally, she steadied herself, retiring 12 consecutive batters.

Her effort down the stretch kept Braden River within striking distance. This season, she was the only senior on the team’s 14-player roster.

“Kaydence has taught us all perseverance and working through the hard times,” Castro said. “She comes in, pitches her butt off, and does everything she can for this team, so everybody wants to give 110%, as well.”

The Pirates were in danger of being shut out for the first time all season.

Even in their three previous losses, they had always found a way to score.

So they rallied one last time. It just wasn’t enough.

Last season, the squad finished 4-19. It didn’t have a shot at the state semifinals because it didn’t even qualify for the regional tournament.

Braden River relied on seven freshmen in 2026 — half of its entire roster — and went farther than it had in nearly a decade.

With two more runs, it might have become the first team in program history to play for a state championship.

“Coming to states was just the biggest blessing we could ever ask for,” Castro said. “Even if we didn’t bring it home this time, we have years to come.”

This was Keith Jans’ third season as the Braden River High softball coach. The Pirates were 13-31 combined in 2024 and 2025, but this season finished 23-4.

YourObserver.com

NELSON’S NOGGIN

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

JACK NELSON

Jack Nelson

Rising sophomore tight end Lennox Gorny was one of several Lakewood Ranch High football players to battle through the spring. It was an opportunity for the team to start building toward wins after last season’s 4-6 finish.

High school coaches defend relevancy of spring football

T

here were 19 sports sanctioned by the Florida High School Athletic Association for the 2025-26 academic

year.

In each of them, the season’s schedule was roughly the same.

They began with preseason practices and ended at the state championships.

Football is the singular exception.

Its season only goes on hiatus when trophies are hoisted by the best teams. Following fall competition, that sport returns in the spring.

May 22 was the final date for high school football teams across Florida

9B

to practice or compete until the fall. Some of them participated in jamborees, where multiple teams scrimmage each other, while others were involved in exhibition games.

Not one snap counted toward the 2026 season. The only statistics were those recorded by coaches for reference, and will be thrown away soon, if not discarded already.

The spring is essentially meaningless. So in this state, why has it become so meaningful?

“It’s a weird event, in reality, because you do all this work for one game,” said Scott Paravicini, the Lakewood Ranch High football coach. “The game really doesn’t

count, but there’s so much weight put on the game because it springboards you into the summer, and you’ve either got a good taste in your mouth or a bad taste in your mouth.”

Spring football is not universal across the U.S. There are parts of the country where it isn’t as organized as it is in Florida, and parts where it doesn’t exist at all.

Favorable weather here, of course, facilitates a spring season. Much like California and Texas, this is a state where football truly reigns supreme among high school sports.

Decades have passed, and spring football remains a statewide staple.

“It could be a chicken and the egg scenario — which came first?” said Mark Cristiani, Riverview High’s football coach. “Was it always a football state, so they allowed spring football? Or because we have a spring football season, is that why (we’ve) become a football state?”

Cristiani graduated from Venice High in 2003 and was a sophomore when the Indians won the 2000 FHSAA Class 5A state title. He knows what this time of year means to a player.

In the transition from his sophomore to junior season, he moved from playing mostly special teams to becoming a full-time starter on the defensive line. Making that switch in spring as opposed to fall made it so that he wasn’t thrown to the wolves.

During his playing days, teams had an allotted number of spring sessions, as outlined by the FHSAA. How many of those sessions each team held was at the discretion of their coaches.

“It was usually referred to as ‘The Tough 20,’” Cristiani said. “You had 20 days, and it was usually a very physical time. (It was a) very intense time to give you a preview of what fall camp would look like as a player and as a coach.”

That remains the standard. The FHSAA gave schools a maximum of 20 sessions this spring, in which graduating seniors and incoming transfers were not eligible to participate, but returners and rising freshmen were. Only one session could be used for a jamboree or exhibition game.

Paravicini chose April 27 through May 15 and had Lakewood Ranch’s game against Bayshore on May 15.

Cristiani, meanwhile, put his team to work from April 27 through May 20, capped with a jamboree vs.

Lakewood and Largo on May 20.

Neither of them held sessions on weekends.

Different programs choose different schedules because no two programs’ needs are the same.

Some coaches cram as much as they can into 20 days, while others are content with less.

Whatever the number of practic-

es, whatever the format of competition, the objective is generally the same: player development.

“Spring ball is a definite positive,” said Rick Farmer, the Braden River High football coach. “There’s such a long period of time between when you play and waiting all the way to the following August. It’s not a sport like basketball, where they can practice year-round.”

Development, though, is not the only benefit of spring football. It also puts talent on display for colleges to recruit and allows coaches to begin installing plays on both sides of the ball.

Giving rising freshmen a look at the varsity level is also crucial. Few of them will actually start in the fall, but their early introduction to the program should be valued nonetheless.

Further priorities vary program to program. Sarasota High football coach Anthony Campbell has prioritized the improvement of his star quarterback’s leadership ability.

“I expect more out of Hudson West now because he’s going to be a rising junior, but he’s still a sophomore,” Campbell said. “So his leadership skill — now — has to take another approach, because I’m expecting more out of him this upcoming season.”

Spring has remained an important part of the yearly schedule.

All teams participate in one way or another to set up their respective programs for success when snaps start to matter.

No other sport sanctioned by the FHSAA has a second season during the academic year. That’s because no other sport is like football in this state.

A singular sport warrants a singular exception.

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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What did you take away from this spring season?

I learned a lot and improved a lot.

Our center (Mays Montagna) graduated, so we had our old right guard (rising senior Adam Bomberger) move in, and we just work well with this new team. I like the new O-line and like the new team — everyone here.

What are your goals for this fall?

Try to allow as few pressures as possible, zero sacks, improve myself as a person and player and work with our new teammates.

and why, and feeling comfortable asking questions at any time. Without that clarity, it becomes difficult to make decisions.

What do you enjoy about learning and growing with ODA? I have two other team members (Bomberger and rising senior Antonio Perez) on the O-line alone that have been with me since I joined ODA (in first grade). That was a long time ago. Definitely, my favorite part is family. Here at ODA, I feel like we’re all one big family, and that’s what I love about this school.

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Spring football has reached an end for The Out-of-Door Academy football team. On May 16, it outscored Northside Christian 14-6 and Sarasota Christian 7-0 at its spring jamboree. Rising senior offensive/ defensive tackle Mason Riley was busy in the trenches and will be a starter for the Thunder this fall. Riley, who has received NCAA Division I interest, is the East County Athlete of the Week.

Have you spoken with any college football programs lately?

I had a conversation with Cornell recently. I think it went well.

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Mason Riley

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.

time, I guess just because of my size and stuff like that. Eventually, I tried it out for a season and then fell in love with it.

Why have you stuck with this sport?

Originally, I was a lacrosse player.

But I eventually fell in love with football from just playing it.

What quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

Our favorite saying on the O-line, because there’s five of us, is “five strong.” It’s stuck with me.

What’s a fun fact about you not many people know?

I love fishing. I try to go fishing as much as possible.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

Christian Darrisaw. He plays left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings, so I want to be just like him.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go and why?

Just travel around Europe. See the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful parts of Europe and stuff like that.

Finish this sentence, Mason Riley is ...

Dedicated.

When and why did you start playing football?

It was those friends on the O-line who encouraged me to play back in eighth grade. I had no interest in playing football. But also, the coach (Rob Hollway) recruited me at the

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YourObserver.com/health

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

11B

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YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Manatee Memorial Hospital Earns an “A” Hospital Safety Grade

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anatee Memorial Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety, focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

“Earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects the unwavering commitment of the physicians, nurses and entire care team to delivering the highest standards of safe, quality care,” said Judy Young, Chief Nursing Officer.

“Patient safety is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition reinforces our mission to protect and care for every patient who entrusts us with their health.

DRIVING REAL CHANGE IN PATIENT CARE

Medical errors and safety events remain a persistent challenge in hospitals across the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.5 million people visit emergency departments each year due to medical-related harm, resulting in nearly 500,000 annual hospitalizations. The National Institutes of Health estimate that adverse events affect millions of hospitalized patients each year, despite decades of improvement efforts.

PROGRESS YOU CAN MEASURE When choosing where to receive care, Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade offers patients and families transparency and easy-tounderstand information across several categories. Earning an “A” grade means excelling in critical areas such as: ■ Preventing medical errors and complications.

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MOVING HEALTHCARE FORWARD

The ongoing need for improvement is what makes Manatee Memorial Hospital’s first-ever “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group especially meaningful.

Leapfrog is a nationally respected nonprofit that evaluates hospitals using more than 30 rigorous, publicly reported measures, including infection rates, medication safety systems, staffing practices and error prevention.

For Manatee Memorial, the “A” is a clear indicator of progress on a demanding national scale – one that operates in real healthcare settings, not just on paper.

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Manatee Memorial Hospital is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each

played in earning this distinction.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that claim more than 500 lives per day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital.

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.

Patient safety is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition reinforces our mission to protect and care for every patient who entrusts us with their health.”

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11151 SR 70 East Lakewood Ranch 34202 (941) 739-5959

HOURS

YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

13B

Protecting Mobility and Independence Why early treatment for cervical myelopathy matters.

REVEAL THE FUTURE OF YOUR HEALTH

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF CERVICAL MYELOPATHY ■ Hand clumsiness or trouble with fine motor tasks.

■ Changes in balance or walking stability.

■ Weakness, numbness, or neck stiffness.

■ Frequent falls or worsening coordination.

■ Loss of bladder or bowel control in advanced cases.

Did you know that 70% of heart attacks occur with little to no warning signs? Traditional health screenings can be outdated, leaving critical issues undetected.

Visit SforzoOrtho.com or call 941-378-5100 to schedule a consultation.

In just 45 minutes, get a Comprehensive Health Assessment that includes:

• InBody Composition Analysis • Vascular & Nervous System Testing • Functional Movement Screening • Grip Strength Assessment

Ravi Kumar Ponnappan, M.D.

All for just $399.

SFORZO | DILLINGHAM | STEWART ORTHOPEDICS

Your body has a story. We help you read it—then write the next chapter.

ADDRESS: 5831 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34233 PHONE: 941-378-5100 WEBSITE: SforzoDillingham.com

Call now to book an assessment appointment at 941-217-2777 or scan the QR code for more details.

W

info@revealvitality.com 1990 Main Street Suite 202

459512-1

Sarasota, FL 34237

e all know the feeling: waking up with a stiff neck, sleeping wrong, or carrying stress in our shoulders.

Usually, it passes. But what if, a while later, you’re dropping your coffee mug, fumbling with buttons, or feeling strangely unsteady on your feet?

Those symptoms may point to something far more serious: cervical myelopathy, caused by spinal cord compression in the neck. It’s a condition that can develop quietly and can be mistaken for normal aging. So says Ravi K. Ponnappan, MD, FAAOS, a boardcertified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics.

“Symptoms can be subtle for months,” says Dr. Ponnappan. “But they should never be dismissed as insignificant.”

Dr. Ponnappan explains that cervical myelopathy occurs when age-related changes—such as disc degeneration, arthritis, or narrowing of the spinal canal—begin pressing on the spinal cord. Over time, that pressure can interfere with nerve signals that control the hands, legs, balance, and even bladder or bowel function.

Early signs may include hand clumsiness, trouble with fine motor tasks, changes in handwriting, weakness, neck stiffness, or a sense that walking feels “off.” More advanced symptoms can include frequent falls, worsening weakness, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

The reason paying attention to these symptoms matters is that spinal cord damage can become permanent. “The earlier the condition is recognized, the better the chance to prevent lasting nerve injury,” Dr. Ponnappan confirms.

At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics evaluation typically begins with a medical history and neurological exam, followed by imaging such as X-rays and an MRI to confirm spinal cord compression and rule out other causes.

For mild, stable cases, treatment may begin conservatively with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or shortterm steroids, along with close monitoring.

However, these measures generally do not reverse spinal cord compression.

When symptoms are moderate, worsening, or progressive, surgery is often recommended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and protect future function.

The biggest mistake, Dr. Ponnappan warns, is waiting too long.

The earlier the condition is recognized, the better the chance to prevent lasting nerve injury.”

— Ravi K. Ponnappan, M.D. If you are becoming clumsier, less steady, or losing strength, don’t just chalk it up to age or fatigue. A stiff neck may be common— but losing hand function, balance, or independence should never be considered normal.

463120-1 461817-1

Step into a new era of wellness at Reveal Vitality—where advanced diagnostics, AI-powered fitness tech, and personalized longevity plans come together for real, lasting change.

14B

YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Self-Care, Simplified Cutting through the noise of modern aesthetics with expert, personalized care.

Pam Kyger, Medical Aesthetician

SALORA MED SPA

UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER LOCATION: 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd #107, University Park, FL 34201 LAKEWOOD RANCH LOCATION: 14628 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 PHONE: 941-357-7230 WEBSITE: SaloraMedSpa.com

L

ooking and feeling your best shouldn’t be complicated, intimidating or overwhelming. But with so many treatments, products and trends out there, it often can be.

That’s where the right guidance

There are so many options now, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in—to explain, to listen and to help clients find what’s right for them.”

— Pam Kyger, Medical Aesthetician facial, which includes a professional skin analysis and personalized recommendations. From there, treatments can range from relaxing, hands-on services to advanced, technology-driven options. Offerings include DiamondGlow facials, dermaplaning and other non-invasive treatments, along with body contouring options like T-Shape 2.

Beyond the treatments them-

selves, the experience is rooted in education and trust. Kyger often shares simple, practical tips clients can use at home to support their results. Something as small as changing a pillowcase nightly can make a noticeable difference for acne-prone skin. And one recommendation she gives every client, regardless of age, is sunscreen.

“It’s essential, even when you’re not planning to be outside much,” she says.

The full-service approach extends well beyond skincare, with options that include massage, hair and nail services, injectables like Botox and fillers, and even teeth whitening. Whether stopping in for a quick refresh or planning a more indulgent visit, clients can tailor their experience to fit their lifestyle.

At its core, Salora Med Spa offers more than treatments. It provides a place where self-care feels approachable, personalized and genuinely supportive.

SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY SKIN ■ Consistent skincare routines deliver the best long-term results.

■ Professional treatments should be tailored to your skin’s needs.

■ Daily sunscreen is essential at any age.

■ Small habits, like clean pillowcases, can improve skin clarity.

■ Expert guidance helps simplify choices and avoid overwhelm.

Visit SaloraMedSpa.com or call 941-357-7230 to schedule a consultation.

LIC.39300MM# 461826-1

makes all the difference.

“Most people come in knowing they want to look younger and healthier,” says medical aesthetician Pam Kyger. “But there are so many options now, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in, to explain, to listen and to help them figure out what’s right for them.”

At Salora Med Spa, that philosophy shapes every interaction. The focus is on simplifying self-care through personalized recommendations, expert insight and a full range of services designed to meet each client’s unique needs.

Kyger, a seasoned aesthetician with more than 20 years of experience, brings a calm and approachable energy to every appointment.

She works with clients of all ages, from teens navigating acne to adults looking to refresh and restore their skin, always with a thoughtful, no-pressure approach.

For many clients, that journey begins with Salora’s signature

Your hearing. Your life.

Hearing Health is Essential Health.

Good hearing is about more than just hearing sounds.

Did you know treating hearing loss can help decrease the risk of other health conditions and improve your overall quality of life?

DEMENTIA

DEPRESSION

FALLING

TINNITUS

Treating hearing loss may reduce the risk of dementia1 by nearly 40%.

Reduce your likelihood of depression and social isolation2 with better hearing.

Hearing aids can help reduce the risk of falling3 by 300%.

60% of tinnitus patients report relief4 wearing hearing aids.

Four Local Locations. Nationwide Service.

VENICE

SARASOTA

SARASOTA

BRADENTON

1204 Jacaranda Boulevard Venice, FL 34292

8075 S. Beneva Road, #5 Sarasota, FL 34238

6384 N. Lockwood Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34243

4509 14th Street West, #22 Bradenton, FL 34207

941-492-3600

941-922-2121

941-359-8400

941-752-3300

NATIONWIDE SERVICE

Take control of your hearing. Take control of your health.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PERSONALIZED CARE

Hearing Screening Schedule your free hearing screening today!

MOST INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED

Learn more at www.miracle-ear.com

1. Lin. F. R., et al. (2011). Hearing loss and incident dementia, Archives of Neurology. 2. Cosh, S., et al. (2018) Hearing loss and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Otolaryngology. 3. Livingston, G., et al. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. 4. Cima, R.F.F., et al. (2019). A systematic review of the association between hearing loss and tinnitus. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

463121-1 463105-1

SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 75 YEARS

FREE

YourObserver.com

15B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

THURSDAY, MAY 28

Sunrise Sunset

High: 88 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 24%

FRIDAY, MAY 29 High: 88 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 24%

Thursday, May 28

6:35a

8:18p

Friday, May 29

6:35a

8:19p

Saturday, May 30

6:35a

8:19p

Sunday, May 31

6:35a

8:20p

Monday, June 1

6:34a

8:20p

Tuesday, June 2

6:34a

8:20p

Wednesday, June 3

6:34a

8:21p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FORECAST

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, MAY 30 High: 86 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 35%

May 31 Full

June 8 Last

June 14 New

June 21 First

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, MAY 31 High: 87 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 30%

Monday, May 18

0.1

Tuesday, May 19

0.18

Wednesday, May 20

0

Thursday, May 21

0.26

Friday, May 22

Gordon Silver took this photo of a touch of color during a morning rain shower high above Country Club East in Lakewood Ranch.

0

Saturday, May 23

0.02

Sunday, May 24

0.05

*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: 2026 11.88 in.

2025 7.55 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2026 4.64 in.

2025 1.68 in.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

MEGA FREESTYLE 5 by August Miller, edited by Jared Goudsmit Day 104 Merely 105 High-pitched voices 106 “All ___ go!”

49 Gymnast Lee who has won two Olympic gold medals 51 Like sourdough loaves 52 Mural on plaster DOWN 53 Towering sights at 1 Thwart, like an evil plan construction sites 2 Rattle off 56 South American prairies 3 All together 57 Boxing Day mo.

4 Sports org. with Scottie 58 Cheddar breakfast Scheffler and Xander pastries Schauffele 59 “My wish is to reach that 5 Rolls with the punches goal” 6 “A Prayer for ___ Meany” 60 Rock hit with the lyric (John Irving novel) “Where can I find a woman 7 Ravioli or bow ties like that?”

8 Field goal squads 61 “Just watch me!”

9 Rabbit’s relative 62 Raised ___ (resistance 10 Rage symbol) 11 Codes for withdrawing 66 Apt rhyme of “on fleek” cash, briefly 67 Search for 68-Down, say 12 Prom queens’ head68 Easter basket items pieces 71 Tea with tapioca 13 Passover meal “bubbles” 14 Applications 72 “The ___ Trilogy” (Satya15 Wristbone-related jit Ray film series) 16 Outraged “And this is 73 Some reproductive cells what you chose?!”

76 Openly challenge 17 Flat expanses near 77 Part of a BBQ rack ©2026 Universal Uclick volcanoes 79 Like the Zapfino font 33 Serengeti expeditions animated film 55 X’s mark these spots ACROSS 18 Three-pointer 81 Circled square on a 37 Some Palestinians 60 “I could really use a win” 80 City in ancient Egypt or 1 Ketchup bottle’s cap 19 ABC a.m. show calendar 39 Boston NBA player ancient Greece 61 Ideal outcomes 8 Japanese massage 20 “Star Wars” ship shaped 82 Go back on a promise 41 Rite aide 82 Full of strong flavor 62 End of Oktober? technique like the 25th letter 83 Yam or cassava 42 Parts of chairs or relay 84 Takes away in a UFO 63 How much ‘90s music 15 Young male horse 27 Place for garden tools 86 Spelunker races 85 “You wish!” was stored 19 Celebratory send-offs 29 Cook, like peanuts 88 Gains altitude 43 Ruby’s hue 86 “Arrested Development” 64 “Yipes, a mouse!”

21 A ways off 31 Trails behind 90 With 24-Across, Bay 44 Sly chuckle 65 Indigenous Southwest- actor Michael 22 Error message?

33 Draw a line in the ___ Area city ern people 45 Snatch 87 Letters aptly missing 23 Five-star review 34 Smoothie berry 91 Ernie’s best bud 69 Wee 46 ___ bar (place to buy from “s_o_nd_el” 24 See 90-Down 35 Key chain items 92 Speck of dust 70 Dairy farm sound shellfish) 89 ___-El (Superman’s 25 Tempt 36 Use a needle 93 ___ Macbeth 71 “Upright” string instru- father) 47 Numbered lines on 26 Start a TV show and thread 95 Chemistry unit ment maps (Abbr.)

90 Kid’s coin container 28 Six-pt. football feats 38 Zambia’s leader?

96 First-aid sets 92 Toy over a crib 30 Darth Vader’s childhood 48 Note between fa and la 73 Copa Mundial cheer 39 Things viewed through 97 Unreturned serve 49 Grain-storing structure 74 Embrace 94 Soccer great Bukayo nickname telescopes 100 Designer monogram 75 Physics or astronomy 50 Dance halls with mirror 98 Low-pH substance 31 Disinformation spreader 40 Train sound syllable hidden in “ruby slippers” (Abbr.) balls 99 “Ugh, so much judg32 Glass ___ Full (New 43 Rabble-___ (agitator) 101 “Utter hogwash!” ment” 76 ___ Moines Orleans recycling company 52 Enemy 47 Firmly embedded 102 Tomb raider Croft with an optimistic-sound- 53 One of 130 in this puzzle 77 Title for Leo XIV 48 Hungarian’s neighbor 78 Playing, like a role in an 103 Prepared for Election 54 Ctrl+Z function ing name)

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.

“XH HWU UQO PG HWU OXC, XMHSQD SK ZUHHUE ... QPZPOC ULUE XKJUO NU SG S RXQHUO X FUYYUDESQP SQ HWU RESHUE’K EPPN.”

OPQXYO DYPLUE

“X SHIOCHT GVIG X SXEHT GVH QDOEXCA POHQ GVH ZDRG, ZDOH GVIC GVH RGIOR ... GVH POHQ QDOEHT DC ISZDRG ISS DB ZJ BXSZR.” RVXOSHJ GHZUSH

“JB’WB HCO NBWB OH JWMOB YBIOBIDBY ONB YTBDMBY NZY IBUBW BIDHCIOBWBS, ZIS MO’Y THYYMGKB MI ONMY KMABOMQB.”

HDBZI UCHIL

Puzzle Three Clue: W equals R

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: X equals I

457538-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Come Shop our Showrooms!

Puzzle Two Clue: E equals R

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

05-28-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

RED PAGES real estate

home services

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Homes for Sale

Auto Transport

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

Merchandise Wanted

ANTIQUES WANTED

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

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

stuff

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WANTED

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Paintings •B Bronzes •P Sculptures •O Oriental Rugs •S Asian Art •A Antique Furniture •A

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by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

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Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million

Al Tomlinson

Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000

40+ years in Sarasota Honest Evaluations NO ONE PAYS MORE!

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 MOVIE PROJECTOR GAF Super 8 Sound Movie Projector $50 (586) 904-4099

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

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Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

A POWERFUL COMBINATION

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Ho Ho Buys cars.

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

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Aluminum

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auto

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For Free estimates call

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YourObserver.com

Home Services

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MAKE YOUR

GROUT LOOK LIKE

NEW AGAIN

Trees

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Accepting Credit Cards

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941.966.0333

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BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

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CALL 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “At the end of the day, acting is better ... nobody ever asked me if I wanted a Pellegrino in the writer’s room.”

Donald Glover

Puzzle Two Solution: “I learned that I liked the working crew the most, more than the stars ... The crew worked on almost all of my films.”

Shirley Temple Puzzle Three Solution: “We’re out here to write sentences the species has never encountered, and it’s possible in this lifetime.”

Ocean Vuong

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2026 Universal Uclick

Carpentry • Painting Pressure Washing

463012

C.T. MALLETT

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

463015

941.628.8579

©2026 NEA, Inc.

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* $ $235

941 - 248 - 4734

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Pegatronics.com 462820

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DO YOU HAVE LOOSE & HOLLOW TILES?

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462822

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

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

INJECT-AFLOOR SYSTEM

410036

Computer

$

17B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

New Listing

View Listing

8249 Pavia Way | The Lake Club $1,950,000 | 3,871 Sq Ft | 5 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | Office | Bonus Room | Pool/Spa

7656 Portstewart Drive | Country Club

14718 Secret Harbor Place | Country Club East

$1,350,000 | 3,128 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | Office | Pool/Spa

$950,000 | 2,803 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | Office

SOLD in 12 Days

4719 Cassio Court | Azario

7804 Rosehall Cove | Country Club

$895,000 | 2,313 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Office

$1,600,000 | 3,404 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Pool/Spa

Investment Opportunities with Leases in Place

13720 Messina Loop #102 | Esplanade

13731 Messina Loop #102 | Esplanade

$375,000 | 1,528 Sq Ft | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Office

$365,000 | 1,528 Sq Ft | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Office

View all featured properties: 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.

455909-1

18B

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