East County Observer 6.3.21

E A ST COUNTY

Observer

SEASON

SEASON SUMMER 2021

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T H E O B S E R V E R ’S G U I D E TO T H E A R TS AND SOCIETY

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

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FREE THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 29

YOUR TOWN

Microforest planned for Benderson Park SANCA will add shade to the park with 1,000 plants. PAGE 3

Liz Ramos

One of Mona Jain’s class acts Shriya Balu, an eighth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, jumped out of her car during the school’s drive-thru eighth grade celebration May 26 when she was approached by Principal Angela Lindsey (above with Balu).

Balu was surprised to learn she was being given a plaque as one of the top students in her class.

She said being a full-time e-learning student this year was difficult, but it was made easier with the help of the teachers and staff at Mona Jain Middle.

FINAL EXAM Lakewood Ranch High’s Faust and Candice DeLazzer retire after 48 years as teachers.

SEE PAGE 8

Brendan Lavell

Cup of Joe leads to G.I. Joes Kahwa Coffee at 8317 Market St. in Lakewood Ranch is accepting donations for Christmas in July, a toy drive for hospitalized, abused and neglected children, through July 6. The drive was organized by the FBI Tampa Citizens Academy Alumni Association.

The manager of the store, Willowbrook resident Mari Iza (above), said a box for donations will be located at the front of the store. Toys must be new. Accepted donations include stuffed animals, blankets, teething toys, board games, handheld games and much more.

“Lakewood Ranch is a community of people who care,” Iza said. “These kids need to know there are good people out there..”

Liz Ramos

Faust DeLazzer, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, gives his class one final exam. DeLazzer and his wife Candice both are retiring after 48 years as teachers in the School District of Manatee County.

Mask mandate removed Liz Ramos

Brittany Larkin and her son Tyson Duerr, a junior at Braden River High School, stand behind Chloe Scott, a student at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch. All advocated for the mask mandate to be removed.

Wearing a mask no longer mandatory in county schools.

SEE PAGE 5

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Mulch ado about microforest SANCA CEO says microforest will add opportunity to connect with nature.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

V

isit the southern end of Nathan Benderson Park’s Regatta Island, and you might notice large piles of cardboard and mulch.

Using those two basic materials as a foundation, Suncoast Aquatic and Nature Center Associates executives hope to create a microforest that will contain approximately 1,000 individual plants — about one-third of which will be trees — from about 60 different native Floridian species. The microforest will occupy just onethird of an acre in a location that will soon become a focal point for the park, according to Tomás Herrera-Mishler, president and CEO of SANCA, which operates the park.

A walking path will wind through the microforest, allowing people to observe the miniature habitat and learn about the wide variety of plants, which will be labeled. It will lead to the southern tip of the island, which will become a lookout with benches where visitors can take in a panoramic view of most of the park.

Herrera-Mishler said visitors most often request two changes to the park — more opportunities to connect with nature, and more shade. The microforest will provide both.

For now, the park is planning to spread mulch in the middle of summer, possibly July. That would allow the park to begin planting in August, before the end of the rainy season. Though taller plants like trees will take time to grow, visitors will be able to enjoy wildflowers and other ground-level plants quickly after they have been planted.

Normally, a forest such as this one would take 100 years to grow.

Using the microforest technique, the park hopes to see trees grow 30 to 40 feet tall in about 10 years.

Herrera-Mishler said visitors will see the trees double or even triple in size during the first two to three years after they’ve been planted.

“By year two, it’ll start to

WHAT SPECIES GOES WHERE? Suncoast Aquatic and Nature Center Associates’ plan for a microforest includes a variety of species, from canopy trees to shrubs, most of which will be planted at the same time. Here are a few examples, sorted by which section they will occupy.

Main microforest: Bald cypress, red maple, sycamore, dahoon holly, sweetbay magnolia Dense tree grove: Cedar, magnolia, holly Prairie: Muhly grass, cordgrass, sunflower, buckwheat Steppable ground cover: Perennial sweet pea, sedum, pennyroyal Shoreline: Dollarweed, duck potatoes

explode,” Herrera-Mishler said.

“By year three, people are going to be blown away by how much growth they got with no artificial fertilization.”

The soil at the southern end of Regatta Island doesn’t seem ideal for any type of planting, let alone a microforest. It has no nutrients or organic mold, little to no nitrogen and lots of phosphorus, according to Herrera-Mishler.

That’s where the cardboardand-mulch technique — also known as sheet mulching, a type of permaculture — comes in. The cardboard comes from old boxes used by The Mall at University Town Center, while the mulch is made of recycled wood chips that came from tree trimmers.

Flora will be planted in the mulch, which will be spread across the cardboard covering the ground. Once it’s all watered, it will create cool and dark conditions underneath the cardboard, which will attract soil-fertilizing animals like earthworms, millipedes and termites. They will digest the cardboard and mulch, turning them into nutrient-rich

Courtesy photo

Nathan Benderson Park’s microforest, located at the southern tip of Regatta Island, will be broken up into several sections, each with its own vegetation and purpose.

Brendan Lavell

“What’s exciting about this project is it’s something that directly affects the climate.

It enhances our climate and enhances our water quality.

It enhances the enjoyment of this park.”

— Tomás Herrera-Mishler

fertilizer to feed the plants’ massive appetites.

The key to making the microforest succeed will be placement.

The plants must be placed close to one another to accelerate their growth.

“Pack them in like subway riders and feed them like sumo wrestlers,” said Charles Reith, a science advisor with the Southface Institute who helped plan the microforest.

Growing them close together creates light stress, because each plant must grow taller more quickly to soak in the light it needs. Without proper nurturing, this can lead to trees that are too skinny and not durable enough, but the sheet mulching technique is designed to ensure the trees are well-fed.

Reith helped create a microforest at The Celery Fields in Sarasota in 2020, but he wanted to learn from that experience. He said advisors from the Florida Native Plant Society were excited about The Celery Fields’ microforest, but that excitement seemed tempered because the microforest only included forest habitat.

Therefore, Reith decided to include a miniature prairie as part of Benderson’s microforest. The prairie is designed to be the home of pollinators such as butterflies and dragonflies, which Reith said are at risk because of overuse of pesticides.

Along the shorelines of the pond and lake, vegetation will be planted to provide wildlife habitat and remove nutrients that foster algae.

Next to the lookout, in one of the most visually prominent locations in the park, will be a dense screening grove.

At the end of the trail where the lookout will be, a ground cover section will be planted.

Unlike most of the microforest, the ground cover section will be

planted with vegetation that is safe to walk on and more sustainable than turf, though Reith jokingly said you wouldn’t want to play the Super Bowl on it.

Reith said in addition to providing a large area of shade in a hot, sunny climate, the microforest will act as a wind buffer. HerreraMishler said the microforest will decrease stormwater runoff, as the water soaks into the ground and helps the plants grow more quickly.

“What’s exciting about this project is it’s something that directly affects the climate,” Herrera-Mishler said. “It enhances our climate and enhances our water quality. It enhances the enjoyment of this park.”

The park is looking for volunteers to help plant the microforest and donors to help fund it.

“When you plant a tree in a place, somehow, you become tied to it,” Herrera-Mishler said. “You put roots down, literally and figuratively. I think that’s something that many Americans are longing for. We’re a fairly transient community here, so if you get a chance to come and help us plant some trees here in the microforest or in the park, that’s a way to set down roots and become connected to this place.”

Herrera-Mishler said it’s important to make the southern end of Regatta Island more beautiful so park visitors will get more use out of it, but also because it is one of the most visible parts of the park for people driving by on Cattlemen Drive or even I-75.

Reith said he hopes the effort will show the benefits of microforests to the broader Bradenton-Sarasota community and inspire people to plant them in more urban areas that are lacking in green space. Such conditions were the impetus behind the creations of the first microforests in cities such as Tokyo and Amsterdam, according to Reith.

Planting trees is one of Herrera-Mishler’s biggest priorities.

Before work on the microforest begins, the park plans to plant 300 additional trees throughout the park.

Funding for the microforest will be provided by the Florida Veterans for Common Sense, Solutions to Avoid Red Tide, and the Sarasota Bay Rotary Club.

Suncoast Aquatic and Nature Center Associates President and CEO Tomás HerreraMishler and Southface Institute Science Advisor Charles Reith stand with a pile of mulch that will soon be used as the foundation for a microforest.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Business brisk on Main Street Lakewood Main Street business owners and managers expect busier summer than usual.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

B

ruce Mahnke, a co-owner and manager of McGrath’s Irish Ale House and Ed’s Tavern, has noticed something different about Lakewood Main Street this May. Namely, it’s as busy as it would be in the height of season, which traditionally runs from November to April.

The story was similar at other businesses located on Lakewood Main Street. Owners and managers said this May has been busier than typical Mays from 2019 and before, and some agreed with Mahnke’s observation that the busy season has basically been extended.

Mahnke said business at Ed’s Tavern was slow last summer before picking up in September. Over the next four months, which included the opening of McGrath’s in November, the number of customers at both restaurants gradually increased.

It reached levels similar to a normal busy season in January, albeit with far more customers eating outside than in the past. Mahnke estimated about 70% of his customers this month at McGrath’s have eaten outside.

Business at Ed’s Tavern has increased compared to May 2019.

Mahnke said part of the reason could be large-scale family activities, such as concerts and amusement parks, are still restricted, which could explain why he has had crowds for bingo, trivia and live music at his restaurants.

Mahnke said he still expects something of a drop-off after kids get out for school and people start going on vacations for the summer, but the decrease in business will be less pronounced compared to previous years. He hopes it leads to a strong 2021-22 season.

“More people are coming to the state and now just stay in the state, buying houses and not doing the whole snowbird thing,” Mahnke said. “Why go north and not be able to go out to eat or do the things you could do in Florida? We’ll see once the weather starts hitting 90 degrees everyday. People might change their mind.”

Epic Home Decor Owner Diane Creasy agreed with Mahnke that more people are choosing to stay in Florida rather than go north for the summer. She said she has been receiving more calls from people who want interior design work done because they’ve spent more time in their homes.

“It’s going out as fast as I can bring it in, and it hasn’t slowed down,” Creasy said. “It’s picked up everyday. Every week, it’s

“It’s picked up every day and every week it’s picking up more. I’m working seven days a week, but I’m happy.”

– Epic Home Decor Owner Diane Creasy

Photos by Brendan Lavell

“Why go north and not be able to go out to eat or do the things you could do in Florida?”

– Bruce Mahnke, co-owner and manager of McGrath’s Irish Ale House and Ed’s Tavern

picking up more. I’m working seven days a week, but I’m happy.”

Although Creasy still did house calls during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, foot traffic at her store decreased substantially. Now, her store is busy

again, especially on the weekend.

Though foot traffic only makes up about 15 to 20% of her sales compared to in-home interior design projects, the added business can only help. She said some people who come in on foot are discovering her store for the first time and may hire her later for interior design.

Big Olaf Creamery Manager Gerardo Serrano said business decreased by about 70% last summer compared to previous summers. By the end of 2020, business was closer to normal but still down about 20%. This May, however, is shaping up to be busier than May 2019. Serrano said he’s unsure if this offseason will be busier than previous years, but he will be happy if sales are at pre-pandemic levels.

Arts a Blaze Studio owner Joann Kavanaugh said her business was fortunate. She did not have trouble filling up her studio during the pandemic, albeit with the caveat that she decreased her seating capacity to accommodate social distancing. However, she did expect a drop-off to start in the past month or two, especially because there are vacant units near her studio, which she worried would decrease foot traffic in her area. That hasn’t happened.

“We see a ton of new faces to our store that I haven’t seen in the past year and a half,” Kavanaugh said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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District drops mask mandate However, the School District of Manatee County might consider classes made up entirely of students who wish to wear masks.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Liz Ramos

School District of Manatee County families and Manatee County residents protest the school district’s mask mandate before the School Board of Manatee County’s May 25 meeting.

ABOUT THE MASK MANDATE The School District of Manatee County’s mask mandate was put in place Aug. 11, 2020.

The mandate required students, employees and visitors to wear a mask while in district facilities, attending school events and riding the bus.

The removal of the mandate has made wearing masks optional for everyone starting May 29.

closing of one chapter, and the beginning of a new one.”

Chloe Scott, a student at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch, is

ecstatic about the removal of the mask mandate because she didn’t like wearing masks. The masks made it so she couldn’t see her friends’ smiles or hug them. She said she had difficulty hearing her friends and teachers because of the masks.

“It’s unfair to us,” Scott said.

Gena Case, the guidance clerk at Myakka City Elementary School, was elated to hear she wouldn’t have to wear a mask when she returns to school in August.

“I cannot wait to see the kids’ faces again and their smiles,” Case said. “I’m so ready to get back to normal.”

With masks no longer being a requirement for students, school board member Charlie Kennedy, said the district needs to be wary of elementary students ages 11 and under who might not feel comfortable returning to school

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without a mask mandate in place.

“We are leaving a certain number of kids vulnerable,” Kennedy said. “Even if they want a vaccine, they have no access.”

Kennedy suggested the district implement an idea from a county resident who spoke in favor of the mask mandate during the school board’s public hearing on the matter May 25.

The suggestion was to have classes in each grade at the elementary level for students who wish to wear masks and classes for students who don’t want to wear masks.

“We have to respect everybody’s individual choice,” Kennedy said. “The district, I think, needs to go the extra mile to make sure that those that need to or want to wear a mask feel supported in that.”

Saunders said the district can take a poll of parents over the summer to see how many families would be interested in having their student continue to wear masks next year and if so, possibly be put in a class for students with masks.

Saunders said the possibility of having classes separated by those with masks and those without is dependent on the number of students in each grade level on a school-by-school basis planning to wear a mask.

“If you only have three [students], for instance, in a group of an age, we’re not going to be able to have a separate situation,” Saunders said. “If I did have enough that were interested that we could make a class as such, then absolutely, we certainly will do that. It will be based on the response per school per parents’ interest.”

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yson Duerr, a junior at Braden River High School, didn’t get the year he hoped to experience because of the COVID-19 protocols put in place by the School District of Manatee County, including the mask mandate.

He was looking forward to being back on campus full time after ending his sophomore year at home with e-learning.

He was ready to serve as the vice president of the drama club and as the vice president of the Student Government Association.

“Everything was taken away from me based on decisions by other people,” Duerr said.

Duerr went before the School Board of Manatee County May 25 during a public hearing on the mask mandate to express his desire to have the mandate removed.

“I’m not here to tell anyone how to live their lives, but I shouldn’t be told how to live mine,” Duerr said. “I prefer not to wear a mask, and I don’t feel guilty saying this out loud. However, I’m tired of being yelled at for not wearing mine or being called stupid,

especially because if I do wear it, I still get sent home for two weeks because of someone in my classroom getting COVID.” With the pandemic’s effects easing, Duerr’s hope for the mask mandate to be removed came to fruition when the School Board of Manatee County unanimously voted May 29 to remove the mandate, effective immediately.

“The removal of the mandate means a lot because I will be able to choose to live how I want to and be one step closer to a normal life,” Duerr said. “It won’t make everything perfect, but it will be a bit better.”

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the district, said in a news release that the removal of the mask mandate is a step toward returning to pre-COVID-19 times.

“It is my hope that the school board’s decision is an important milestone in our return to normalcy for our students and employees,” Saunders said in the release. “When the mask mandate was initiated in August, I firmly believe it was the right thing to do, and I think the mandate helped us complete this school year without missing a single day of school. To me, the decision represents the

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Special election drama

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The School Board of Manatee County is trying to move forward with getting the 1-mill property tax referendum on the ballot during a Nov. 2 special election, but the board is getting resistance from the Manatee County Commission.

The 1-mill property tax was last approved with 51% of the vote in March 2018 during a special election.

In hope of addressing commissioners’ concerns regarding a special election, the School Board of Manatee County is amending its resolution for the continuation of the millage to expire in three years instead of four years. This would cause future votes on the millage to take place during presidential elections starting in 2024.

If the voters choose to continue the millage, it would start July 1, 2022 and expire June 30, 2025.

The current millage expires June 30, 2022.

The school board is required to submit a resolution to the county commissioners to “direct the county commissioners to call an election,” according to state stat-

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“What we’ve historically advised is that because of that mandatory language it is regarded as a ministerial duty of the board [of commissioners] that should not in any way be perceived as an endorsement of the proposed millage increase,” said William Clague, the commissioner’s attorney, during a May 11 commissioner meeting.

Commissioner George Kruse was not supportive of holding a special election and asked the commissioners to consider the vote for the millage be conducted during the primary election on Aug. 16, 2022.

“I hate special elections,” Kruse said. “Special elections are a waste of taxpayer money, they’re a waste of volunteers’ time. Special elections are pretty much done to avoid people voting. …

I’m not trying to keep them from

Savannah Adams and Victoria Santaella, students at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, use an anatomage table to label the different parts of the heart.

The school was able to purchase an anatomage table using the special millage tax funds.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ABOUT THE 1-MILL PROPERTY TAX Voters approved the 1-mill property tax in March 2018 with 51% of the vote. The millage is set to expire June 30, 2022.

The millage is used for: n 30 minutes of additional instructional time daily n Salaries for teachers and staff n Enhancing career and technical education and STEM programs n Charter schools

having the vote; I’m trying to keep them from having the vote in a special election.”

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge agreed with Kruse and said a special election is “essentially voter suppression.”

“I think the idea is only folks who have a self interest are going to actually show up for the vote on that day,” he said. “I think that’s exactly what the school board is trying to do, and they’re trying to stay in that cycle of a special election.”

Kruse said another reason to not have a special election is the $400,000 cost associated with having the election.

State statute says any costs associated with the election must be paid by the school district.

Cynthia Saunders, the superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, said the district cannot use taxpayer money to pay for the election but rather raise the money through other means such as public donations or using fees from after school care.

The commissioners unanimously decided May 11 to send Charlie Kennedy, the chair of the

School Board of Manatee County, a letter requesting the millage vote be moved to the Aug. 16, 2022 primary election and explain why the board wanted the Nov. 2 special election.

Saunders said having the vote on the primary election would be too late because the district’s millage expires in June 2022, and the district’s Trim Notice, or Truth in Millage, must be approved in July 2022.

The district’s Trim Notice informs taxpayers the amount they owe to the district for the 1-mill property tax.

Commissioners questioned why the district didn’t have the millage on the ballot in the 2020 general election.

Saunders said the time the district would have been preparing the referendum during the spring of last year was spent trying to get students through the end of the school year with e-learning as a result of the pandemic.

Last summer, the district was developing its plan to reopen schools safely in August rather than campaigning for approval of the millage.

“You have to prepare for an election well in advance,” Saunders said. “This being our first renewal, we had not gone through this process prior. That was the furthest thing from our mind knowing that we had until June 2022. … Our focus in the spring was just about how to open up school safely for all of us.”

The commissioners will vote whether to send the resolution to the supervisor of elections during its June 8 meeting. The resolution must be sent to the supervisor of elections in June in order to have an election in November.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

MEET THE TEACHERS

FAUST AND CANDICE DELAZZER Age: Faust DeLazzer is 68, and Candice DeLazzer is 69.

Residence: Lakewood Ranch Family: Son, Kent DeLazzer and his wife, Arika DeLazzer, and their two children, Leela DeLazzer and Addison DeLazzer; Daughter, Maria Scafario and her husband, Adam Scafario, and their two children, Alexa and Cici.

Years in education: Both 46 Schools at which they’ve taught: Southeast High (Faust 1975-1998; Candice (19752000) and Lakewood Ranch High (Faust 1998-2021; Candice 2000-2021)

THE FINAL BELL

Photos by Liz Ramos

Two Lakewood Ranch High teachers retire from education after 46 years.

WHY THEY BECAME EDUCATORS FAUST DELAZZER — No one had diagnosed his brother, Roger DeLazzer’s, ocular motor muscle disorder and teachers called him stupid.

Faust DeLazzer didn’t want anyone to be put in that position.

CANDICE DELAZZER — She realized she liked working with children when she was teaching swimming lessons at 12 years old. She received a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas but didn’t like the day-to-day deadlines of the newspaper world.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

F

aust DeLazzer, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, stood at the front of his classroom May 21 as his students prepared for an exam.

“I think everyone but one student will do well,” DeLazzer said.

“Who is it?” a student asked.

“I’m not going to tell,” DeLazzer said.

That’s DeLazzer, making jokes to put a smile on his students’ faces.

Before class, DeLazzer went into the hallway and blasted music. He jumped up and down with his hands in the air, dancing.

Catherine Franek and Amy Adams, his fellow teachers, joined DeLazzer in the hallway and started dancing as well.

“His goal is to have every student come into his room smiling, and I think he does that,” said Candice DeLazzer, Faust DeLazzer’s wife, who is an English teacher at Lakewood Ranch High.

After 46 years as teachers, both Faust and Candice DeLazzer said goodbye to the students of Lakewood Ranch High School May 27 as they retired.

The DeLazzers met when they started teaching at Southeast High School in 1975. Faust DeLazzer was the coach of the football team, and Candice DeLazzer, who then was Candice Herbert, was the cheerleading sponsor.

The DeLazzers said the cheerleaders would ask each of them what their plans were for the weekend and try to play matchmaker.

Two years later, Candice and Faust were married.

“She’s perfect,” Faust DeLazzer said. “She’s smart, organized, and I’m the ying to her yang.”

When Lakewood Ranch High School opened in 1998, Faust DeLazzer transferred to the school to be a science teacher and the first head football coach.

Faust DeLazzer liked new experiences, whether it was helping to

Candice DeLazzer, an English teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, celebrates her retirement with fellow teacher Macie Adams.

develop the first English as a Second Language program at Southeast High or starting a dropout prevention class for teachers at Southeast, so why not be one of the first teachers and the first head coach at a new high school?

The DeLazzers’ daughter, Maria Scafario, was graduating from Southeast in 2000, so Candice DeLazzer stayed at the school until Scafario graduated.

Candice DeLazzer then joined her husband at Lakewood Ranch, and their son, Kent DeLazzer, started at the high school as a freshman.

Over the years, the DeLazzers have experienced much success.

“I love what I do,” said Faust DeLazzer, who led his Lakewood Ranch High baseball team to a state title in 2003. “There’s really no highs or lows. For me, it’s pretty much all high.”

For Candice Faust, her favorite part of each year would be seeing students create a children’s book.

Then her students would go to William H. Bashaw Elementary School to read the stories.

“It was fun to see the students’ reactions when they came back,” Candice DeLazzer said. “They either said, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t see how you could be a teacher ... those kids wore me out,’ or, ‘I’m so sorry, I was such a pain in class and now I know what it feels like on the other side.’”

Some of their former students have become colleagues.

Candice DeLazzer said the couple lasted longer as educators

than expected.

“I told him when we have grandchildren of our former students, I will make him retire,” Candice DeLazzer said. “That happened two years ago.”

Macie Adams, who is a math teacher at Lakewood Ranch, was a cheerleader for Candice DeLazzer when she was a student at Southeast High School. Then she became a teacher at Southeast High when the DeLazzers were still there.

“It was weird to me for a while to call them by their first names, but that was 30 years ago, so it’s all good now,” Adams said.

Adams learned from the DeLazzers how to be a better teacher by having fun and letting her guard down.

Both Faust and Candice DeLazzer said seeing their former students become colleagues is a proud moment.

“It’s the payback for putting in those hours, when you see a love of teaching ignited in those students, and they come back and start paying it forward,” Candice DeLazzer said. “That’s pretty remarkable.”

Faust DeLazzer unexpectedly found out his cardiologist was a former student.

“Once I walked into the office, I saw him and said, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m glad you got a good grade in my class,’” Faust DeLazzer said.

Both DeLazzers loved to have fun in class.

Bryan Thomas, the chair of the science department at Lakewood Ranch High, said on May 25, Faust DeLazzer blew up a dissection glove and put it on his head to look like a rooster. He proceeded to run down the hallway and into classrooms clucking.

“His whole career, he’s done stuff like that,” Thomas said.

The DeLazzers plan a crosscountry motorcycle trip this summer.

“I won’t miss grading papers until midnight, but I will miss the kids and the teachers,” Candice DeLazzer said.

EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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

Observer Media Group Inc.

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

Editor and CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite D207 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-755-5357 Faust DeLazzer, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, dances with math teacher Amy Adams in the hallway.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SIDE OF RANCH

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

9

JAY HEATER

Community support energizes Polo Club owners I t was 2018 when East County residents wondered whether events at the Sarasota Polo Club were going to disappear.

A sale of the facility had fallen through and it wasn’t clear if anyone was willing to take on a formidable project.

Then Lakewood Ranch’s James and Misdee Miller came into the picture.

The Millers bought the facility and began sinking their money into the project to preserve one of the nation’s most prestigious polo complexes.

All the hard work and capital improvements were expected by the Millers. The COVID-19 pandemic was not.

The last month (April) of the 2019-2020 polo season was wiped out in Lakewood Ranch.

The entire 2020-2021 season was played with the pandemic looming in the background. That meant fewer spaces were available along the field for Sunday competitions in order to allow for social distancing.

“It was kind of like being in a heavyweight fight, and COVID came out and threw a punch like Mike Tyson,” James Miller said. “No question, we’ve taken our punches and have gotten through it. If anything, I think we are more invigorated. People have responded in support by showing up. People are coming up and thanking us for what we are doing.”

After the third season, James Miller said he isn’t having any second thoughts about buying the polo club.

“We always wanted to make this a place for everybody,” he said. “We wanted to preserve the art and sport of polo here.

We didn’t want to lose a public, green gathering space, and we are the only polo club on the west coast (of Florida).”

Unfortunately, James Miller said, the pandemic stopped the momentum built at the club after two seasons of hard work.

He said the hardest part of the 2020-2021 season was trying to know the right things to do.

“Like any business owner, we were trying to weed through the rhetoric,” he said. “What would we be facing? What would we need to have in place?”

The Millers didn’t know if they need to invest in plastic shields to force social distancing or whether they could have the season at all. James Miller said he felt like the business was treading water all summer before the 2020-21 season was getting ready to start, and that annoyed him because he felt they had made progress since buying the club.

Perhaps the most irritating part for James Miller was needing to delay improvements he planned for the club. He had interior space development planned, but he knew his fans

would want to be outside. His outdoor improvements had to be delayed because the pandemic made some materials unavailable.

He said the Sarasota Polo Club, which ended its season the final week of April, was fortunate to be located in Florida, where the governor worked to keep businesses running. Even so, he knew an important part of his revenue stream — large groups that attend Sunday matches — would be nonexistent.

Before opening day in December, James Miller decided it came down to a health issue and that people knew how to take care of themselves. He figured if people thought it was a danger to attend polo, they wouldn’t come.

“People needed to decide whether to come or not,” he said.

“At that point, it was not up to me.”

Attendance dropped off 25% percent from the previous year.

But James Miller said the Sarasota Polo Club was fortunate.

The 20-week season lost just one Sunday due to rain. Approximately 45,000 people attended the matches.

A Thursday evening Sunset Polo Happy Hour was a hit, averaging 600 people over the six weeks.

Ranch Nite Wednesday at the Sarasota Polo Club in partnership with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and MVP Sports and

Jay Heater

Sarasota Polo Club owner James Miller says the community support he has received helped him get through the pandemic.

Social averaged 700 people over the 15 weeks. That event featured cocktails, food trucks, cornhole and music.

The club continued to host many charitable causes, such as “Vegas comes to the Ranch” hosted with Sisterhood for Good, “Champagne & Chukkers” with Children’s Cancer Center, “Polo for a Cause” with the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund and “Kid’s Day at Sunday Polo” with John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

At the “Easter Eggstravaganza at Sunday Polo,” the club dropped thousands of easter eggs filled with toys and candy from a helicopter.

Through it all, anyone who felt unsafe at a polo event was given their money back.

“In the end, I was happy with my decisions,” James Miller said.

“I feel people who enjoy polo were happy with my decisions.

We had a great season. There were certain types we didn’t get, such as large groups, but as the season went on, the numbers continued to come out. People started to loosen up.

“COVID is not going away.

We will have other strains and Americans should continue to be cautious about being ill. But I will help them to continue their normal lives.

Congregating is a normal thing and it’s our nature to get together.”

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

|

HURRICANE SEASON: BE ALERT Alert Manatee provides countywide and location-targeted notifications about evacuation notices, hazards and more.

STAFF WRITER

One size fits all is not a sound strategy when it comes to providing instructions during a hurricane, according to Manatee County Emergency Management Chief Steve Litschauer.

The rain could pour down relentlessly in parts of Lakewood Ranch, and at the same time, Myakka City might not see a single drop.

That is one reason Litschauer and the county have encouraged residents to sign up for Alert Manatee, an emergency notification system that replaced CodeRED last year. In addition to sending notifications to the entire county, Alert Manatee can send targeted messages to specific areas.

“We can literally go in and draw a map around an area, and it will send just to that area,” Litschauer said.

Alert Manatee can be used to send residents evacuation notices, weather warnings and information about hazardous traffic or road conditions. It can even be used to let people know certain shelters are open or sandbags are available.

“People in Lakewood Ranch still might want to get some sandbags if they have a pond in their

backyard,” Litschauer said. “You might want some sandbags to go across your sliding glass doors.”

The notifications are sorted by levels of urgency. People can choose to receive only the most urgent notifications, or they can opt to receive every notification the county sends, or they can pick levels in between.

“It’s a personal choice, because that alert could come out at 2 a.m.,” Litschauer said. “If people get irritated, they’ll unsubscribe, and then they lose good information. We don’t want to be a pest, but we want to pass out good information.”

It has been less than one year since Alert Manatee was introduced, but the 1,600 or so people who have signed up is double the number who used CodeRED, according to Litschauer. His goal is to double the number of users on an annual basis.

To sign up for Alert Manatee, visit mymanatee.org/alertmanatee. Those who register can choose whether to receive notifications via phone call, text or email. Alerts will come from 7493500 or noreply@mymanatee. org. Those who want to receive localized alerts can provide up to five addresses. If you were signed up to receive CodeRED alerts, you still must register for Alert Man-

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atee to receive notifications from the county.

As for evacuation, most East County residents — with the exception of those who live near the Braden or Manatee rivers — are unlikely to experience storm surge that would necessitate leaving home. However, evacuation is sometimes necessary because of high wind speeds. In these cases, it’s important to know when a home was built.

If it was built after March 2012, it will likely withstand winds of 150 miles per hour, according to Litschauer. Those built from 2002 to 2012 can usually withstand 130 mile-per-hour winds, while inland homes from before 2002 were built to withstand up to 90

mile-per-hour winds. Litschauer said those who need to evacuate should do so days in advance to avoid standstill traffic and plan to travel 10s of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team Logistics Manager Pat Knowles said despite these guidelines, it is important to fortify the weakest parts of your home. Knowles recommended using impactresistant hurricane windows or shutters.

Knowles said older garage doors that aren’t fortified with metal are another weak spot. One technique is to park a vehicle, especially a large one, against the garage door to prevent it from

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caving in. A more advanced technique is to drill into the concrete and install a steel rod at the midpoint of the garage door.

Power outages are another symptom of hurricanes to which East County is not immune.

Litschauer said residents should prepare provisions that will last seven to 10 days. The county has two shelters for people with power-related needs, such as those who are dependent on oxygen machines. Those who have such needs should register at mymanatee.org/needs/ to ensure a place at one of the county’s generatorpowered shelters.

LV9919

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While most East County homes don’t have a huge risk of flooding, even in a hurricane, county officials say homeowners can make sure they are more prepared for high winds, such as those from Hurricane Irma.

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YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

ODA grad bound for Ivy League TGO RIBUTES Some are dreamers.

Some are talented.

Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipient headed to Harvard after ODA career.

Behind you, all your memories.

Before you, all your dreams.

Around you, all who love you.

Within you, all you need.

YOU ARE BOTH.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Congratulations!

Love you so much!

You Are Braver Than You Believe. Stronger Than You Seem. Smarter Than You Think And Loved More Than You’ll Ever Know Go Confidently In The Direction Of Your Dreams!

-Love Mom, Dad & Jett

- Mom & Dad

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Your hard work has paid off and now you’re graduating!

Your HARD WORK, and DEDICATION have paid off.

We are proud of you and know this is only the beginning of your success.

You did it! Good luck in College. The sky is the limit.

Love, Mom, Dad & Kristopher

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Kaylen Rivers, a senior at the Outof-Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch, had no intention of going to Harvard University.

She could apply to whatever schools she wanted, but her mother, Kymberli Rivers, said she had to apply to Harvard because she wanted to see if her daughter would be accepted.

Kaylen Rivers had zero belief she would be accepted while her mom listened to Lisa Clay, Kaylen Rivers’ guidance clerk, who said they should consider Harvard a valid option.

“I started kind of championing Harvard for her and talking about the type of environment it is,” Kymberli Rivers said.

“You were annoying,” Kaylen Rivers said to her mom.

“Yes, championing is the word you want to use there,” Kymberli Rivers said to her daughter. “I was cheerleading and encouraging passionately.”

Still, Kaylen Rivers couldn’t believe she could be accepted to one of the most prestigious universities.

“I didn’t acknowledge Harvard as my dream school for a while because I just didn’t want to love it and enjoy it and just to get my heart shattered if I got rejected,” Kaylen Rivers said.

After being deferred during the early decision period in the fall, Kaylen Rivers completely gave up on the idea of going to Harvard.

“I was like, ‘OK, that means I’m not in,’” Kaylen Rivers said. “I threw Harvard out the window.”

Kaylen Rivers said she put all her energy into Rice University, her top choice after Harvard.

Then she received notification from Harvard that she was accepted.

“I didn’t even know how to react,” she said. “I just screamed for 5 minutes. It was an absolutely insane time. Completely Earth shattering.”

The Rivers are looking forward to closing the high school chapter of Kaylen Rivers’ life and celebrating her accomplishments during graduation June 5.

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Future university: Harvard University Future career: Genetic engineer, genetic researcher or orthopedic surgeon

Kaylen Rivers, a senior at The Out-of-Door Academy, is grateful for the opportunities she had while attending the school.

to the next thing,” Kymberli Rivers said. “It’s a beautiful closing and at the same time, opening.”

Kaylen Rivers was in seventh grade when her family started planning where she was going to go to high school. They were considering Riverview High School for its International Baccalaureate program, along with ODA. Then Kaylen Rivers received the Taylor Emmons Scholarship, which provides opportunities for socio-economically diverse students to attend ODA. Only one student is chosen per year to receive the scholarship.

“I understand Riverview is a great school, but ODA is where I wanted to be,” Kaylen Rivers said.

“I love the community here. I love all the opportunities I got here. I have no idea where I would be without the Emmons Scholarship program and ODA in general.

“Getting to ODA, it seemed like this gigantic wall that seemed unreachable. Having the support of my friends, my teachers and my mom helped me get through it.”

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Brain Health Scholar program a smart choice Inaugural participants say they experienced many benefits from the Brain Health Scholar program.

health generational-wise instead of just the basics of brain health and the mental and physical aspects of brain health,” Hudson said.

Tvenstrup said learning from the program directors and leaders of the Brain Health Initiative as well as researchers from Harvard Medical School gave him a look into what he could be facing when he goes to college and pursues a career in neuroscience.

A large part of the scholars’ work in the program was bringing more awareness to the community about brain health. They would go to events such as the Brain Health Initiative’s lecture with Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist and best selling author, to talk to attendees.

Emma Cecil, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, said she tries to share the knowledge she’s gained through the program with everyone she can.

Cecil recalled being in line for an Ivanka Trump rally when she met a man and they started talking about volunteer hours. She was able to share her experiences with the Brain Health Scholar program and tell him what she had learned.

“I told him about how it can affect families, how it can affect friends,” Cecil said. “He listened and he asked questions. We had a real conversation and then we were at the front of the line.”

Participating in the Mindful Triathlon in November was one of Hudson’s favorite activities as a scholar because of the com-

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Liam Tvenstrup, a junior at Braden River High School, always knew sleep was important, but he never learned why it’s important.

Being a part of the inaugural class of the Brain Health Scholar program helped him answer that question.

Tvenstrup learned the different chemicals the body produces when sleeping and how lack of sleep can affect physical and mental health.

Tvenstrup decided to make changes in his life to assure he would sleep better and improve his own brain health. For example, he makes sure he’s ready to sleep by 10 p.m. so he can get at least eight hours of sleep per night. He already has noticed he’s able to go through a day without getting tired like he had in the past, and he’s more alert.

As a part of the Brain Health Scholar program, Tvenstrup and other East County scholars have learned not only the basics of brain health but preventative measures for brain illnesses and how to decrease risk factors.

The scholars helped in developing the community perception

Photos by Liz Ramos

Emma Cecil, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, says she has enjoyed sharing the information she’s learned during the Brain Health Scholar program with anyone who will listen.

and prioritization pilot and final surveys for youths and adults.

The inaugural class of Brain Health Scholars consisted of 69 high school and college students from 19 schools and universities who were ages 16 and older.

Twelve students from East County participated in the program.

Hilton Hudson, a junior at the Out-of-Door Academy and son of the Brain Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody, said the program gave him an opportunity to develop more skills in terms of researching as well as to obtain a better understanding of brain health.

“What I enjoyed most was the ability to dive deep into brain

Hilton Hudson, a junior at the Outof-Door Academy, says learning about brain health through the Brain Health Scholars program will help him when he pursues a career as a neurosurgeon.

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ABOUT THE BRAIN HEALTH SCHOLAR PROGRAM

The Brain Health Scholar program is open to high school and college students ages 16 and older who participate in a youth program or attend a private or public school within the greater Suncoast region or a Brain Health Initiative associated college or university. n Qualified candidates should have an interest in science, medicine and/or health and wellbeing. n Scholars can expect to commit to 20 hours of participation in the program per each six-month term. n Scholars help with the community engagement, research and innovation agenda with the Brain Health Initiative.

For more information on how to apply for the program: Go to BrainHealthInitiative.org

munity aspect. He had to run a 5K before participating in a morning of yoga and meditation with community members at Bob Gardner Park.

Hudson hopes to become a neurosurgeon. He said understanding how the brain works will help him to know how to care for incoming patients as well as how to continue to care for and support patients after surgery.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

The Preserve Golf Club General Manager Tim McGonegal said the golf course is undergoing a “minirenovation” after years of steady deterioration. The course should be complete by Nov. 1.

DOWN TO BUSINESS THE PRESERVE GOLF CLUB Owner: Krishna Persuad Purchase date: May 2020 Purchase price: $1.68 million Driving range sales: Up 30% in past year Green fee sales: Down 10% in previous 12 months (May 2020-May 2021)* *Tim McGonegal said Canadians, who were largely absent in 2020-21, make up about one-third of Preserve golfers in a typical year

Brendan Lavell

The Preserve gets facelift From a golf course renovation to new social event, The Preserve Golf Club at Tara is reshaping itself.

To become that place, The Preserve had to change.

From a golf course “mini-renovation” to the addition of weekly happy hours, many changes are underway, and more are on the horizon.

McGonegal was hired as general manager in December, but he had worked with the club in a variety of roles for about six years prior. He said the golf course’s condition had been deteriorating slowly but steadily for more than a decade. Then, Krishna Persuad bought the public golf club from Fore Golf Partners, a golf course

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

General Manager Tim McGonegal said he wants The Preserve Golf Club to become a place where the community residents can be proud to gather.

ownership group, in May 2020 for $1.68 million.

The first order of business for Persuad was fixing up the golf course. Persuad did not return a request for comment. McGonegal said ownership and management know the course has to spend money in the short term so it can make money down the road.

That process started last summer through a process McGonegal called “nuking” the course. Basically, chemicals were applied to every square inch to kill the weeds that were running rampant. For a while after the treatment, some

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fairways didn’t have any grass.

Most the weeds were killed through last year’s treatment, which means the club only has to spot treat a few bad patches this year. The club also applied preemergent weed killer to prevent them from cropping up again in the future.

In July, McGonegal said the club is going to redo seven tee boxes, which means stripping them, sodding them and fertilizing them. The club is also killing weeds on its greens.

McGonegal said this is the time of year to do maintenance because less people are playing on the course. He said it’s going to look better each month, especially as fall approaches, adding that the “mini-renovation” will be complete by Nov. 1.

“The members and the community want to see a nice, pretty golf course,” McGonegal said.

“Their home value depends on

this course being successful. It’s a lot of pressure for us to be a good neighbor and hold up our end of the deal. I want this place to look good and I want people to go, ‘Wow, this is a great golf course.’ We’re never going to be like a private course or like Azario, but we can certainly have grass in the fairways and have tees we’re proud of.”

The club also added targets to its driving range so that practicing golfers know about how far they’re hitting the ball. The club had to add floating targets because golfers at the range hit balls into a pond owned by the club.

The club has also added happy hour to its rotation as a social event aimed largely, but not exclusively, at Preserve residents. It typically brings in about 25 to 30 people, with a record of 51. McGonegal said the club has solicited feedback from happy hour attendees and added items to the menu, such as Cuban sandwiches, french fries and coconut shrimp.

The club is planning to introduce a weekly karaoke night. The club is also holding free events — from Zumba to painting and yoga to sewing — to get people in the building.

Under previous management, there were no extra social events, meaning the Preserve’s clubhouse and dining spaces were used almost exclusively by golfers before or after their rounds.

Going forward, McGonegal said it can be more of a meeting place for the community.

“We want to get the community going,” McGonegal said. “We support them, and they support us. … We’re neighbors.”

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

15

RETURN OF THE ‘RED-HOT MAMA’ Kathy Halenda reprises her role as “Sophie Tucker, The Last of the Red-Hot Mamas” at Florida Studio Theatre.

Her connection to the character goes deep.

The pandemic has been hard for all of us. Sophie Tucker also endured hard times. Do you think her strength of character in adversity will resonate with contemporary audiences?

I do. Sophie was a survivor, and she lived through a lot.

She experienced her own pandemic in 1918 and survived that. She also survived several unhappy marriages. Men cheated on her and stole from her, but they never stopped her. Sophie supported her family through hard times like the Great Depression. Sophie was a strong woman — strong willed, but very compassionate, and generous to those she loved.

Whatever life threw at her, she took it in stride and kept going.

IF YOU GO

“SOPHIE TUCKER: THE LAST OF THE RED-HOT MAMAS” When: Through July 11 Where: FST Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota Info: Call 366-9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre. org

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

S

ophie Tucker’s career spanned the first half of the 20th century. She was a “superstar” before Andy Warhol coined the term and made a splash (in both Yiddish and English) on stage and on the motion picture screen. Tucker was both a singer and a natural comedian who peppered her singing with wisecracks like, “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor. Rich is better.”

Who better to portray this larger-than-life talent than Kathy Halenda — a veteran singer and comedian, who’s constantly on tour, and not shy about making a few wisecracks herself? But Halenda’s connection to Tucker goes deeper.

She was part of the Florida Studio Theatre creative team that first brought “Sophie Tucker: The Last of the RedHot Mamas” to life in 2000.

The show’s been a smash ever since—at FST and around the

What’s your approach to the Sophie Tucker character?

I approach her respectfully, but not religiously. I don’t try to impersonate Sophie, but I do give the flavor of her.

Courtesy photo

Kathy Halenda is coming back to the role she helped create in a production on the life and music of Sophie Tucker.

country. For Halenda, Sophie Tucker is an old friend. And this return engagement at FST

is as much a family reunion as a performance.

EXPERIENCE the

What are a few of your favorite songs in this revue?

That’s a tough question—I really enjoy so many of the songs. “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas” is one of my favorites. “America I Love You” is a stirring piece. “The Man I Love,” and “Hula Lou” are all wonderful. “Life Begins at 40” is a lovely speaking song.

It captures what being over 40 means. Now that I am over 40, I finally get it. “My Yiddishe Momme” has always meant an awful lot to me. Now, it means even more. I recently lost my own mother, and it really strikes a chord. I’ve always wondered what Sophie Tucker felt when her mom passed.

Now I know how it feels.

Sophie Tucker broke so many barriers for future female comics. What’s your take on her role as a pioneering performer?

Sophie could be naughty, but she was never obscene — I love that about her. She was one of the very few female performers of her era who spoke about her losses in life and love. She talked openly about men who cheated and marriages that fell apart. Her frankness paved the way for Totie Fields, Belle Barth, and other female comics of that time.

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SPORTS This gold grows in value Former East County state champs can relate to the newest champs how their achievements will be cherished in the future.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

T

he Lakewood Ranch High softball players along with track and field star Riley Simmons (shot put) reached the pinnacle of East County high school sports accomplishment with state titles in the spring.

They joined a select group of athletes — state champions — who have attended Lakewood Ranch, Braden River or The OutOf-Door Academy.

But it might take months or even years until they can appreciate their sensational feats.

Just ask the champs who have preceded them.

Lakewood Ranch alumnus Kristin Wikstrom, then Kristin Zarrella, was a member of the Mustangs’ girls 4x800 relay team that took gold at the 2012 track and field championships (9:14.15). She came back the next year in 2013 to win the 800-meter run (2:16.45).

Wikstrom remembered the relay win with more fondness.

Wikstrom and her teammates — Natalie Novak, Olivia Ortiz and Devin McDermott — had formed a tight bond that season.

“Having that camaraderie was everything,” Wikstrom said.

“To share that win with them was amazing. The four of us still talk from time to time, every few months, usually when one of us remembers a funny joke or moment.”

Recently, Wikstrom said, she was reminded that the foursome’s team song was “Build Me Up Buttercup,” and how they used to dance to it during practice. Those moments overlap with ones from the actual race. Wikstrom said she remembers being proud of McDermott for running faster than she had all season. That gave them the edge they needed.

As for her solo win, Wikstrom said, almost everything went against her race plan. She was dead last after the first lap, and she always liked to get the lead early.

It was also raining, which made things even tougher. Somehow, Wikstrom gathered the resolve to push ahead late in the race.

“That win was a testament to me learning to have the maturity of an elite runner,” Wikstrom said. “I had to go out of my comfort zone. I was feeling every emotion.”

Do those moments become more meaningful as time passes?

Brendan Bengtsson had only been wrestling at Braden River High for three years when he won the 2018 wrestling title in the 285-pound class. Bengtsson, who also played football, had no knowledge of the sport until he tried it to stay in shape. He eventually defeated Harmony High’s

File photos

Carter Harris 8-0 for the title.

Bengtsson, now a sophomore offensive lineman on the Ferris State University football team in Big Rapids, Michigan, said he seldom talks about his gold medal with his teammates. But even if he doesn’t talk about it much, Bengtsson said, the memory will linger forever.

“I’ll never forget those last few seconds,” Bengtsson said.

“I could hear my family and my coaches counting down the time.

It’s hard to put what I was feeling into words. In team sports like football, you win big games and you get excited, but when it’s just you on the mat, the mat you put your blood, sweat and tears into, it’s something else.”

Like Wikstrom, former The Out-of-Door Academy girls player M’Balia Bangoura won both individual and group gold for the Thunder, taking a solo title in 2015 and a doubles title with partner Sydney Sforzo in 2016. Bangoura said the individual title was

GREAT Succulent

especially meaningful. She had missed the previous season with an ankle injury. Bangoura said coming back from the injury to win a state championship shaped her as a person.

“Tennis had been my life since I was 6 years old,” Bangoura said. “I wanted to show that it was worth it. The whole time [before the match], I was thinking about how hard I had to bring it. Afterward, I was feeling relieved. I did it. I was just happy and proud of myself.”

Bangoura played two years of tennis at the University of Nebraska before ending her competitive athletic career. She graduated from the school in 2020. Bangoura said she doesn’t normally bring up her title wins in conversation, though it is one of the first things people see when they Google her, so she does get asked about them sometimes.

The three former champions share characteristics. They all have their gold medals put away in boxes or at their family’s homes instead of having them prominently displayed. All three have entered the coaching realm.

Wikstrom is the cross country and track and field coach at Lakewood Ranch High.

“I tell my athletes all the time, ‘If I can do it, you can do it,’” Wikstrom said. “They only get four chances at it, and that’s if they’re lucky. I want to instill in them the drive that is necessary [to win].

It’s a special thing.”

Above: Brendan Bengtsson won the 2018 wrestling state title (285-pound class) while at Braden River High. Bengtsson said he has not forgotten the final moments of the match.

Left: Kristin Wikstrom won the 800-meter run at the 2013 state track and field championships (2:16.45) for Lakewood Ranch High.

Wikstrom is now the school’s cross country and track and field coach.

Far left: M’Balia Bangoura won a singles and a doubles title while at The Out-of-Door Academy. Bangoura graduated from the University of Nebraska in 2020.

SEE STATE CHAMPS, PAGE 17

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

17

RYAN KOHN

Crowds, and money, return to Benderson Park T

he fans were back, and it hurt my ears.

“Go Michigan! Go ‘Big Blue’!”

It came from the University of Michigan contingent at the NCAA Rowing Championships, held May 28-30 at Nathan Benderson Park. It put a grin on my face, not because I have an affinity for the Wolverines (who eventually finished fourth to No. 1 Texas), but because fans were able to watch their teams compete at all.

High school sports allowed fans during the 2020-2021 school year, but with restrictions like requiring masks and limiting capacity. National sporting events have been even more restrictive. In February, entrance to the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession was limited to club members and select invited guests. At the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team Trials, held at Benderson Park in February, there were no spectators, period.

Even though I understand the reasons for these decisions, it’s all added up to a sports year that has felt lesser.

Within that context, the NCAA Rowing Championships — which only featured women’s rowing, as men’s rowing is not sponsored by the NCAA — was a refreshing sight. Crowds lined the beach on the park’s Regatta Island, screaming for their

Photos by Ryan Kohn

After not being allowed at major events for more than a year due to the pandemic, rowing fans were back at Nathan Benderson Park during the NCAA Rowing Championships.

SANCA President and CEO Tomás Herrera-Mishler said fans have a pent-up need to go to large-scale events after the pandemic, and that’s good news for Nathan Benderson Park.

friends and family members.

These were welcome sights not just to me, but to Tomás Her-

rera-Mishler, the president and CEO of Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates, the nonprofit

that runs the park.

“It is such a thrill for us,” Herrera-Mishler said. “This park is all about what is happening on the water and having all of these people cheering the rowers on.

The spirit of it is so great. This is the first national championship we are holding at the park since the pandemic began. Seeing these women, with the level of athleticism they have, competing in our park and in our city is so exciting.”

As much fun as a crowded sporting event is, it is just as important financially. SANCA representative Douglas Jessmer said the rowing championships have an estimated economic impact of $3 million on the region, with approximately 750 rowers coming to town for the event, plus out-of-town fans.

Jessmer said approximately 4,200 fans attended the event over its three days. Even though the park was splitting ticket revenues with the NCAA, getting any revenue is a boon to SANCA and the park.

“Losing your revenue streams, for a lot of organizations, is a death knell,” Herrera-Mishler said. “I’m glad to say that it was not for this organization, but it has been a lean year and a half.

We’re glad to see some of that revenue coming back again.”

The success of the NCAA Rowing Championships portends positive things for the

park as 2021 progresses. The USRowing 2021 Youth National Regatta will be held at the park June 10-13, and Herrera-Mishler said the tickets for that event are sold out. The U.S. Dragon Boat Federation National Championships will hit Benderson Oct. 1-3, and that event is also expected to sell well. Herrera-Mishler said people are beginning to feel more comfortable being in large crowds again, so there is a pentup demand for events to attend, a good sign for the park and other area sports destinations.

I stood on the beach, watching boat after boat cross the finish line after the rowers inside them pushed as hard as they could for 2,000 meters (1.24 miles). After every heat, no matter the result, I heard the cheers.

The exhausted rowers heard them, too, sometimes holding a fist in the air or clapping — if they could manage the strength to do so.

For the first time in a long time, it felt like I was at a real sporting event, and that’s a great sign.

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

FROM PAGE 16

EAST COUNTY CHAMPS

BRADEN RIVER HIGH STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009: Tevin Bryant, boys weightlifting (199-pound class) 2015: Ryan Walker, boys swimming, won the 100-yard breaststroke (56.41 seconds) 2018: Brendan Bengtsson, wrestling (285-pound class) THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 1999: Lara Ahmes and Gretchen Haynor, girls doubles tennis 2008: Zach Balit, boys golf individual, shot 72-71 2010: Caroline Dailey, girls singles tennis 2010: Caroline Dailey and Michelle Ramos, girls doubles tennis 2011: Caroline Dailey, girls singles tennis 2014: Maria Ross, girls singles tennis 2014: Maria Ross and Mary Ann Rompf, girls doubles tennis 2015: M’Balia Bangoura, girls singles tennis 2016: M’Balia Bangoura and Sydney Sforzo, girls doubles tennis 2017: Saraiah Walkes, girls track and field, won 100 (12.35 seconds), 200 (25.20), and 400 (55.57) dashes 2018: Saraiah Walkes, girls track and field, won the 100 (12.18 seconds) 2018: Boys tennis team title, defeated Tampa Prep (5-0) 2021: Baseball team title, defeated St. Johns Country Day (5-3)

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LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2001: Heather Koch and Jodi Musall, girls weightlifting 2002: Heather Koch, girls weightlifting 2003: Heather Koch, girls weightlifting 2003: Baseball team title, defeated Lincoln High (7-6) 2004: Nick Bongiovanni, boys weightlifting (238-pound class) 2005: Ali Lacey, girls weightlifting (101-pound class) 2005: Cody Hughes, boys weightlifting (heavyweight class) 2008: Jackson Moore and Cooper Maxwell, boys doubles tennis 2010: Danny Walker, boys golf individual

2011: Danielle Valley, girls swimming, won the 200-yard freestyle (1:48.17) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:43.56) 2011: William Kazokas, boys swimming, won the 100-yard freestyle (45.78 seconds) 2011: Olivia Ortiz, girls cross country, won the individual 5K (17:39.35) 2011: Boys golf team title, shot 317-304 2012: Natalie Novak, Olivia Ortiz, Kristin Zarrella and Devin McDermott, girls track and field, won the 4x800 relay (9:14.15) 2012: ​Ashley Bongart and Cari Berry, girls doubles tennis 2012: Arnav Mohanty and Arsav Mohanty, boys doubles tennis 2012: Danielle Valley, girls swimming, won the 500-yard freestyle (4:40.97) 2012: Boys golf team title, shot 309-301 2013: Boys golf team title, shot 298-295 (593) 2013: Kristin Zarrella, girls track and field, won the 800-meter run (2:16.45) 2014: Luke Hanner, boys swimming, won the 200-yard freestyle (1:39.03) 2014: Daniel Erlenmeyer, boys swimming, won the 500-yard freestyle (4:27.76) 2014: Talia Falco, girls track and field, won the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches) and the triple jump (38 feet, 2 inches) 2015: Ashley Bongart, girls singles tennis 2015: Girls tennis team title, defeated the TERRA Institute (14-12) 2016: Sophia Falco, girls track and field, won the long jump (20 feet, 5 inches) 2016: Reide Ryans, girls track and field, won the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches) 2016: Girls track and field team title 2017: Sophia Falco, girls track and field, won the long jump (19 feet, 8 inches) and the triple jump (42 feet, 8 inches) 2017: John Rivera, boys track and field, won the 800-meter run (1:53.16) 2017: Andrew Dean, Brice Easton, Jonathan Reid and John Rivera, boys track and field, won the 4x800 relay (7:53.45) 2018: Karen Lyvers, girls track and field, won the pole vault (12 feet, 4 inches) 2018: James Rivera, boys track and field, won the 300 (37.14 seconds) 2021: Softball team title, defeated Park Vista High (14-4) 2021: Riley Simmons, won the shot put (44 feet, 3.25 inches)

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Classifieds 29 Games 28 Real Estate 25 Weather 28

JUNE 3, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS Far left: Kaitlyn Hornung says she has moved toward a jazzy style, which is part pop and part jazz.

Left: Michelle and Tim Hornung stand behind their daughter, Kaitlyn.

Hello music world KAITLYN HORNUNG ON STAGE When: 7:15 p.m., June 18 Where: Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota Admission: Free Who: Kaitlyn Hornung and other Music Compound students perform Kaitlyn’s release: You can hear “Why” at KaitlynHornung. com More information: MusicCompound. com

JAY HEATER | MANAGING EDITOR

W

hen Polo Club 17-year-old Kaitlyn Hornung was 5, she remembered sneaking out of bed at night at her Hamilton, Ohio home and going

to a second-floor balcony that overlooked a room where her father, Tim Hornung, would play the family’s grand piano.

He would be pounding out some of his favorite rock songs by artists such as Styx and Journey, and he never knew his daughter was watching from above. Kaitlyn loved those moments.

“The sound of a grand piano is the best,” she said. “He was a big inspiration to me.”

Taking piano lessons since she was 5, Kaitlyn realized at a young age that music was her passion.

However, instead of going down the rock and roll road as a teen, she began listening to country and pop singer Kelsea Ballerini.

It wasn’t just the tunes Ballerini sent to the top of the charts, or her voice. Kaitlyn loved Ballerini’s words, and her message.

In November 2017, Ballerini released her second album, “Unapologetically.” Kaitlyn couldn’t get enough.

“The biggest part for me was learning how she writes all her own music,” Kaitlyn said. “She has a personal and vulnerable connection with her audience.”

She was awed by Ballerini’s courage to expose her intimate thoughts.

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Photos by Jay Heater

“Teen-age girls are concerned with body image, with friends, with social status,” said Kaitlyn, who is 17. “It’s important to stay true to yourself, and not just write about what would validate you to other people.”

Soon after the release of Ballerini’s second album, Kaitlyn was with her parents, Tim and Michelle, and sisters, Alexa (now 15) and Hanna (now 13), in one hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale. It was the night before they were about to go on a cruise.

Kaitlyn went over to the corner of the room, and sat down ... the best she could manage at the time for peace and quiet.

“I hid in the corner,” she said.

“And I kept writing. The first one was a very typical country love song. At 13, I didn’t have any experience from anything.

Experienced or not, she kept writing. While her family enjoyed the ship, she wrote. On the ride home, she wrote. She estimates she finished about a dozen songs.

The Out-of-Door Academy junior now has written about 200 songs and she has experienced a little more in life to give her ammunition.

“I have gone through a breakup,” she said. “That’s one of the most vulnerable things.”

Now she has decided to share her music with the release of her first single, “Why,” which you can hear at KaitlynHornung.com. It came out May 14.

One of her instructors at Music Compound, which she joined two years ago, was Astara Summers.

Summers challenged her to consider what would happen if she

sent her music “out to the world.”

“I tend to be a shy person.,” Kaitlyn said. “I like to stay in the back. I didn’t write this song to blow it up. I wanted to share it.”

Jenny Townsend, the owner of Music Compound, said Kaitlyn is ready.

“She was very shy and quiet when she came here two years ago,” Townsend said. “I can’t believe her growth and confidence.”

Townsend said Music Compound strives to help people transform their vision by providing instructors and coaches who cover all aspects of music.

“I tell people we are like a music matchmaker,” Townsend said.

Kaitlyn isn’t quite sure what she wants to accomplish in a possible music career, but she hopes to find out more at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee if she is accepted.

In getting “Why” ready for public consumption at her home studio, she has worked with fellow ODA student Ryan Newhams, who has taught her about music production and mixing.

“There is so much I don’t know (about music production) and Ryan is so good at it,” she said.

So whether she goes into songwriting, production or even singing, Kaitlyn is ready to explore.

Don’t expect her to stop writing songs, though.

“I lay awake at night, thinking about things that are bothering me,” she said. “And as a songwriter, you don’t have to hide.”

20

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

New Twig branch in East County

HOW TO DONATE

The Twig will accept donations at its East County location every second Tuesday of each month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The nonprofit is looking for new or almost new clothing and shoes.

Address: 9706 E. State Road 64, Bradenton Phone: 220-7958

The nonprofit serves foster children and their families by allowing them to “shop” for clothing.

LIZ RAMOS

ABOUT THE TWIG

STAFF WRITER

F

oster children who come to The Twig location at 9706 E. State Road 64, Bradenton will get their names added to a black wall in the boutique.

Putting the names on a wall is a tradition for The Twig, a nonprofit that now has two boutiques for foster children to shop for free clothes and shoes, and to provide other services for foster families.

“It’s a reminder there’s people who love and care for them here, so we’re pretty excited to have our first shopping day and start adding names to the wall,” said Nicole Britton, the director of development for The Twig.

The Twig open its East County location June 3. The nonprofit opened its first location in May 2016 in Venice and has been serving about 300 children per month from newborns to those who aged out of foster care.

Britton said many of the nonprofit’s families travel up to 90 minutes to get to the Venice location, so having a location in East County will broaden the nonprofit’s reach.

Lloyd Weed, who founded the nonprofit with his wife, Dianne Weed, said opening a second

Venice’s Dianne and Lloyd Weed started The Twig in 2016 when their youngest daughter, Ashlyn, was graduating from high school. The Weeds had adopted Ashlyn out of the foster care system when she was a baby, and they wanted to do more to support foster families.

The Twig is a nonprofit that welcomes foster children into its stores to shop for their own clothes.

Photo by Liz Ramos

location to serve more foster families is a blessing.

“This has been a dream of ours to expand, so to see it come to fruition is exciting,” Weed said. “We are blessed.”

The nonprofit hosts special “shopping days” each month in which foster children go to their respective clothing section and pick out seven items and a pair of shoes. Children will also receive socks, undergarments, an accessory and a book. All the items are free.

“We see a lot of kids come into foster care with either no shoes or shoes that are way too

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Nicole Britton, the director of Development, Callie Cowan, the director of programs, and Lindsey May, the store manager for The Twig in East County, are excited for the nonprofit to open a new store.

small, way too big,” Britton said.

“Shoes are something every child should have when they’re going to school. For teenagers, it can make a big difference for helping them feel like they fit in with their peers as well.”

Venice’s Micah and Megan Rickles have been fostering children for the past three years and go to The Twig to get new clothes and shoes for the children they’re fostering.

“You’re taking a child into a beautiful boutique, and they feel

like they are No. 1 in the eyes of everyone from the time you walk in,” Megan Rickles said .”Everybody loves them. Everybody’s so encouraging.”

Britton said only about 50% of children in foster care graduate from high school, so the nonprofit hopes it can remove some of the barriers for children and boost their self esteem through the boutiques.

“It’s important to us that every child finds something that makes them feel good about them-

selves,” Britton said. “We have a wide variety of styles and sizes.”

All the items in the shop are provided through community donations.

The items are brought to a warehouse in Venice where nonprofit staff and volunteers will organize and sort the items before restocking the shops.

Unlike the shop in Venice, the boutique in East County has a multipurpose room that Britton said will be used for different purposes such as teaching children who are aging out of foster care life skills and hosting classes for foster families.

The Twig provides Twig Boxes for those who have aged out of foster care, ages 18 to 21. After they sign up on the nonprofit’s website, a box will be mailed to them.

The boxes include body wash, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste and a journal in which volunteers write words of encouragement for the recipient to read.

“We want to remind them we are still here for them even once they’ve aged out of foster care,” Britton said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

21

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Last days of school a circus

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Changes to the American Changes toRescue the Plan increase financial American Rescue Plan assistance, making increase financial more peoplemaking eligible assistance, for help. more people eligible for help.

D

evan Durrance, a fifth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, briefly covered his eyes and sunk in his chair as he watched Cait O’Bryant, an aerial artist, fly through the air during a cradle routine.

“Oh, please don’t fall,” Durrance said as O’Bryant continued to dazzle the crowd of fifth graders.

Durrance said watching the aerial artists from Myakka City’s Circus on the Ranch perform was nerve-wracking.

The circus performance was part of the school’s end-of-year celebration for fifth graders because they weren’t able to go on any of their usual field trips due to the pandemic.

Fifth grader Makayla Jendreau said her favorite act was when clown Yvinson Acero balanced eggs in a bowl on top of a long pipe on his chin and pretended to drop the eggs over the students’ heads.

“I thought the eggs were real,” Jendreau said.

There have been several recent changes by the government Florida Blue that allow more people living in Florida to sign-up for affordable dedicated health insurance. The to COVID-19 relief law (American Rescue Plan) There have been several recent changes byallows the government provides additional financial assistance and even more addressing health that allow more people living in Florida to sign-up for affordable Floridians to get health insurance through the Affordable Care health insurance.

The COVID-19 relief law (American Rescue Plan) Act (ACA/Obamacare). care affordability provides additional financial assistance and allows even more

By The Nick Kouris, Florida Market Leader, Southwest Florida Floridians to getBlue health through the Affordable Care government has alsoinsurance reopened enrollment in ACA plans until

Act (ACA/Obamacare).

August 15. This means you can take advantage of the new financial Rising health care costs are system to focus more on wellness assistance thattrillion are available. expected to options reach $6.2 in instead of sickness. Broadly, that The government has also reopened enrollment in ACA plans until our country by 2028, according means as an industry we must August 15. This you&can taketransition advantage the new financial to Highlights the Centers for means Medicare toof helping people stay of these assistance options that are available.

Medicaid Services. The ongoing well, not just treating them when recent changes trend has impacted families,include: they’re sick. business owners and seniors In today’s evolving and be complex Highlights of these n If you are currently enrolled in an ACA plan, you may now across our communities and health care environment, we must eligible for more financial assistance toward your monthly bill, recent changes include: forced many to make difficult all commit to collaborations, or upgrade your plan for for the same cost. The monthly cost decisions between paying innovations and may solutions that n If you are currently enrolled an ACAand plan, you now be decrease roughly $85 per policy basic will needs or health care.$50 perinperson create affordable care. We are eligible for more financial assistance toward your monthly bill, average.* As aon mission-driven organization proud to align ourselves with likeupgrade your plan for the same cost. The monthly cost ownedorby policyholders, not minded organizations that share If you couldn’t receive financial assistance (or a subsidy) in the n will decrease roughly and $85 per policy stockholders, Florida Blue is$50 per person our dedication to building strong past because your income was too high, you may able tothe cost dedicated to tackling the issue of relationships thatbe improve on average.* 239,000 arecare nowfor eligible healthnow. careApproximately affordability head on. Floridians of health all. for If you couldn’t receive financial assistance (or a subsidy) in the n financial assistance who didn’t qualify previously.* We have an obligation as the past because income was leading health care your organization in too high, you may be able to n Four out of five people who for an canfor find now.

Floridians areACA now plan eligible the state toApproximately play an active 239,000 role in sign-up one foron $10 less per affordability allorlevels. financial assistance whomonth.* didn’t qualify previously.* Florida Blue, your local Blue Four out ofin wholast sign-up for an ACA planBlue canfor find Ifnyou enrolled anpeople ACA plan year, contact Florida Cross Blue Shieldfive company, has one for $10 or less per month.* help reassessing your financial established bold objectives and assistance and your plan. Our strongly advocates forexplain the interest licensed agents can these recent changes and how they If you enrolled in an ACA plan last year, contact Florida Blue for of may our members, lower your but bills.we know that wehelp cannot work in isolation.

Like-assistance and your plan. Our reassessing your financial minded partners are essential in licensedBlue agents can explain recent and how they Florida has agents who these can speak tochanges you Florida Blue is dedicated to addressing the growing issue. may lower your on the phone or bills. by video chat to explain your personalized services providing While the overall health care options. They’ll take the time to understand to Sarasota and Manatee County system is large, the decisions Florida Blue has whoyour can speak to you Its Florida Blue Center, your budget, youragents situation, needs residents. and financial motivation of each on the phone or by video chat to explain located at University Town Center, and concerns, match you to an your individual healthand carethen organization is currently offering free online options.

They’ll take the time to understand affordable plan that works for you. can drastically impact affordability fitness and health education budget, your situation, your needs foryour millions of individuals. classes for the public. The Center andcan concerns, then matchinyou to an You find anand agent located your Strong collaborative is also staffed with registered affordable plan that works for by you. community ready toinhelp you visiting relationships are key getting nurses to answer health questions, health care costs under control. calling It FloridaBlue.com/EnrollNow, community specialists to aid You findbe anor agent locatedour in your can nocan longer every company 800-670-9271 contacting with life’s challenges, service forSarasota themselves.

We must come community ready to help you by visiting consultants to help navigate the Florida Blue Center at together to find solutions that calling FloridaBlue.com/EnrollNow, complex health care system and (941) 308-2042 at University address major health care issues 800-670-9271 contacting our insurance consultants to help find Town Center. or and revolutionize our health care the right health plan to meet your Sarasota Florida Blue Center at system. needs. They are currently available (941) 308-2042 at University *Source: Department of Health andBlue Human Services One way Florida believes via phone or video appointments Town Health insurance is offered

by Blue Cross Florida Inc., DBA(941) Florida 308-2042 Blue. HMO coverage is offered costs canCenter. be addressed is and byBlue Shield ofby calling or at

— LIZ RAMOS

Mercedes Pages with Circus on the Ranch dazzles the crowd while performing with two hula hoops.

Devan Durrance, a fifth grader, covers his eyes as a Circus on the Ranch performer flies through the air. “I was thinking about what would happen if they hadn’t practiced,” Durrance says. “It was nervewracking.”

based on subsidy eligibility, annual *Source: Department of Health andincome, Human county Servicesand the plan selected. These policies have limitations and exclusions. The amount of benefits provided depends upon the plan selected and the premium may vary with the amount of benefits selected.

Health insurance is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered 106060 0521

by Health Options Inc., DBA Florida Blue HMO. Both companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

As part of the American Rescue Plan consumers and ACA enrollees may benefit from higher subsidies. Amount of subsidy and savings is based on subsidy eligibility, annual income, county and the plan selected. These policies have limitations and exclusions. The amount of benefits provided depends upon the plan selected and the premium may vary with the amount of benefits selected.

106060 0521

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22

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

|

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

23

Photos by Liz Ramos

Above: Fifth graders Baylee Case (back) and Bella Reed (front) pet Pinto.

Right: Willy Pages holds onto Cait O’Bryant as she flies through the air during an aerial cradle routine.

Myakka City Elementary School’s PTO brings Circus on the Ranch to the school because fifth graders weren’t able to go on any of their traditional field trips.

Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch puts on a juggling display.

Fifth graders Suriel Luis Martinez, Kaitlyn Peterson and Bella Reed cheer during the hula hoop contest.

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

COMMUNITY

BEST BET

THURSDAY, JUNE 3

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

CASUAL CORNHOLE Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is hosting a casual cornhole league for those 18 and up. A fee of $25 covers all sessions.

For more information or to register, go to MyLWR.com or call 727-1505.

PUPS AT PREMIER Runs from 9 a.m. until noon at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Independent Jones and Woof Gang Bakery & Dog Grooming present “Pups at Premier,” an event that provides fun events for dogs and their owners.

Various contests, such as a pageant, an ice cream eating contest for owners and pets, and various races, will be held along with many more activities, plus food truck and vendor booths.

Admission is $10 per vehicle. The event benefits the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch and the Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida. For more information or to register for any of the events, go to www.PupsatPremier.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4

MOMMY AND ME Begins at 10 a.m. at the picnic pavilion at James Patton Park, 5725 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Mommy and Me playdate is free to Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for non-residents. The event is for moms and their 3- to 5-yearolds. For more information, go to MyLWR.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

INTRODUCTION TO PICKLEBALL Begins at 8:30 a.m. at the courts at Lakewood Ranch Park, 5350 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Those who would like to learn pickleball are invited to introductory clinic hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.

The clinic is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for non-residents. For more information, go to www.MyLWR. com.

YOUTH YOGA Begins at 10 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Children ages 5-9 are invited to par-

INTRO TO DISC GOLF Begins at noon at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Introduction to disc golf is open to anyone ages 8 and up. The Lakewood Ranch Community Activities program is free to Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for non-residents. For more information, go to www.MyLWR. com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

BARRE IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free barre workout at Bob Gardner Park. The event is hosted by Barre3. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

File photo

ticipate in the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities’ Youth Yoga session. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for non-residents. For more information, go to www.

MyLWR.com.

KIDS CORNHOLE Begins at 11 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

Children ages 7-12 are invited to play cornhole in the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities program. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and

$10 for non-residents. For more information, go to www.MyLWR. com.

YOGA FOR TEENS AND TWEENS Begins at 11 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Yoga for ages 10-16 is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. The program is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for non-residents. For more information, go to www.

MyLWR.com.

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 8

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

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sual walk, hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, is for adults 18 and up. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to www.MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9

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

Bingo is for those 18 and up.

Bingo will be held under the pavilion. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11

NEWCOMERS MEET Begins at 10 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. New to Lakewood Ranch? Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is hosting a Newcomers Meet event to introduce them to the community’s parks and events.

For more information, go to www.MyLWR.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 13

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park. The event is hosted by The Yoga Shack Florida. Bring your own mat and water bottle.

Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Philip and Susan Morris sold their home at 16006 Foremast Place to Tryn and Cindy Stimart, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3.6 million. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,925 square feet of living area.

POMELLO PARK

Jack Steenbarger and Susan Benson Molnar, of Bradenton, sold their home at 20510 79th Ave. E., to Mark Lyons and Tatiana Celis, of Bradenton, for $2.6 million.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 6,640 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,575,000 in 2013.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Llomell and Kristin Llorca, of Bradenton, sold their home at 16423 Kendleshire Terrace to Richard McCormick and Stacey

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $3.6 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MAY 17-21

Pape, of Venetia, Pennsylvania, for $1.97 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,036 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1,238,000 in 2018.

David and Meredith Mathers, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14618 Castle Park Terrace to Munir and Margaret Ahmed, of Toms River, New Jersey, for $1.1 million. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,545 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $700,000 in 2019.

Photo courtesy Michael Saunders

This home at 16006 Foremast Place in the Lake Club sold for $3.6 million.

It has 5,925 square feet of living area.

Thomas and Kim Krug sold their home at 16612 Collingtree Crossing to Kelly Charles Irwin and Denise Leeman Irwin, of Bradenton, for $725,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,212 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $498,800 in 2017.

Jeanne and Kenneth Kinzie, trustees, sold the home at 6620 Quonset Road to William Stubblebine, of Bradenton, for $915,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,200 square feet of living area.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Ricardo Castro and Kimberly Denise Castro sold their home at 5403 Tidewater Preserve Blvd. to David and Lori Halfpenny, of Bradenton, for $885,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,075 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $507,000 in 2016.

CONCESSION

Kevin and Deborah Rubin, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8309 Farington Court to Jack Steenbarger and Susan Benson-Molnar for $1.65 million. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,431 square feet of living area.

Quonset Road

COUNTRY CLUB

William Morgan, of Lakewood Ranch, sold his home at 7216 Orchid Island Place to Yvonne Nelson, of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,713 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $864,000 in 2005.

Terrence and Kirsten Kavanagh, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 7233 Lake Forest Glen to Linda Assard, trustee, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 26

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Real estate FROM PAGE 25

for $750,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,458 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $505,000 in 2009.

Claudette Van Pelt, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 7495 Edenmore St. to Vicki Epstein, of Lakewood Ranch, for $549,900.

Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,207 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $387,000 in 2017.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Albert Enos Jr., trustee, of Sugarloaf Key, sold the home at 4620 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Martin Murray and Thomas Lee McCollum Jr. and Kaltrina Mavraj, of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,803 square feet of living area.

Joseph Hendrix Medlin Jr. and Margaret Mary Medlin, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4427 Third Ave. E. to Jared Duke, of Bradenton, for $455,000. Built in 1963, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,424 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $100,000 in 1995.

HARBOUR WALK

Aleeta Massey and Carla Milligan, of Brandon, Mississippi, sold their home at 4717 Mainsail Drive to John and Tamera Landi, of Bradenton, for $785,900. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms,

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

three baths, a pool and 2,605 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $595,000 in 2015.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Daniel and Katherine Marie Tromp, of Bath, Ohio, sold their home at 7626 Partridge St. Circle to David and Nancy Rocks, trustees, of Bradenton, for $725,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,164 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $600,000 in 2018.

Belinda Funkhouser, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7536 Harrington Lane to Ali and Sylvia Abdelsalam, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, for $565,000.

Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,425 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $565,000 in 2020.

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Mark and Maureen Legac, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7832 Panther Ridge Trail to Scott Paul Rattigan and Linda Marie Matteoli, of Bradenton, for $718,500. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,546 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $699,500 in 2004.

ESPLANADE

Erica Drezek, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 12730 Del Corso Loop to Alex Howell and Eusebia Carmen Howell, of Bradenton, for $697,100. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,787 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $447,100 in 2013.

Frances and Michael Burday, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13908 Messina Loop to Stephen Brown, trustee, of Bradenton, for $670,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,392 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $491,200 in 2017.

BRIDGEWATER

Ricky and Barbara Reuschel, of Renfew, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 13620 Swiftwater Way to Gregory John Denham and Kate Elizabeth Denham, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,112 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $494,500 in 2016.

MILL CREEK

Judy Wetter, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, sold her home at 2306 141st St. E. to Stephanie and Jason Brunner, of St. Petersburg, for $645,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,292 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $284,000 in 2010.

Warren and Ronda Hense sold their home at 2003 154th St. E. to Richard Nelson Jr. and Erica Lynn Nelson, of Bradenton, for $630,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,074 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $475,000 in 2014.

Charles and Kelley Bell, of Sarasota, sold their home at 14011 18th Place E. to Patty and Don Ingle and Jenny Pappas, of Bradenton, for $551,500. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a

pool and 2,662 square feet of living area.

Mona Davis, of Bradenton, sold the home at 606 137th St. N.E. to Jeffrey Clarke and Kristin Fast, trustees, of Tampa, for $495,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,328 square feet of living area.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Jayme Evans, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 403 169th Court N.E. to Theresa Myra Huffines and Sean Lamar Huffines, of Salisbury, Maryland, for $642,500. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,918 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $452,400 in 2005.

ROSEDALE GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB

Lawrence and Maxine Wolfe, of Wimauma, sold their home at 5129 88th St. E. to Karen Eddy and Ronald Seitz, of Bradenton, for $635,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,905 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $550,000 in 2016.

Patricia Paradise, of Bradenton, sold her home at 8734 49th Terrace E. to Dimity Eager, of Overland Park, Kansas, for $475,000.

Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,611 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $354,000 in 2017.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Bradford Dlouhy and Nancy Dlouhy sold their home at 7759

Camden Harbour Drive to Teresa Novak and Jeffrey Aumiller, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths and 3,420 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $480,000 in 2015.

Patricia McGraw, of Sarasota, sold her home at 9073 Willowbrook Circle to David Berens, of Bradenton, for $560,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,743 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $384,500 in 2020.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Glenn Baker and Mary Hart Baker, of Nova Scotia, Canada, sold their home at 12420 Natureview Circle to Dennis William Weber and Sheila Lynn Weber, of Bradenton, for $615,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,452 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $240,000 in 2009.

Robert Steele, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 13119 Peregrin Circle to Craig Scott Miller and Amy Denise Miller, of Bradenton, for $510,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,642 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $485,900 in 2004.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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Premier hosts pups

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

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SmoothLase™

Doggy event at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch will support animal rescues.

Non-surgical, Non-invasive Facial Rejuvenation

Signs of aging are inevitable no matter how well you take care of

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MANAGING EDITOR

rejuvenation procedure for beautiful and natural-looking results

“Pups at Premier” makes its own premier 9 a.m. to noon June 5 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

The new event features carnival-style activities for dogs, including a bone yard where dogs can uncover bones and treats.

There will be main stage contests, which will offer prizes for the winner of contests such as the “Beauty and the Leash” dog pageant, a “Running of the Pups” dachshund race and a “Doggie/ Owner Ice Cream Eating Contest.”

Independent Jones, a Bradenton-based events and entertainment company, and Woof Gang Bakery & Dog Grooming of Lakewood Ranch combined to plan the event, which will benefit local nonprofits, the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch and the Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida.

Besides the dog contests, the event features races, food trucks,

with SmoothLase™.

File photo

vendor booths and more. The event entry is $10 per vehicle.

Several “paw pools” will be available at the Shade Cabana, which will be provided by event sponsor Bayside Pet Resort “We wanted to create a fun, family-friendly event in Lakewood Ranch that would bring people and their furry-friends together, all while giving back to these incredible nonprofit organizations in our community,” said Morgan Angell, the owner of Independent Jones.

Both the Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida and the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch will have on-site adoptable dogs.

Spaces are limited for the dog contests, so anyone who would like to participate is asked to preregister at www.PupsatPremier. com.

Dogs that go to the “Pups at Premier” event at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch June 5 will find plenty of activities.

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With SmoothLase™, there’s no downtime, no foreign substances, no radical change; just a healthy revving-up on the inside for a natural, noticeable effect on the outside.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, JUNE 3 High: 88 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 48%

FRIDAY, JUNE 4 High: 87 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 38%

SATURDAY, JUNE 5 High: 87 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 33%

Darlene Edelman captured the beauty of the Braden River while kayaking in East County.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, June 3

6:34a 8:22p

Friday, June 4

6:34a

8:22p

Saturday, June 5

6:34a

8:22p

Sunday, June 6

6:34a

8:23p

Monday, June 7

6:34a

8:23p

Tuesday, June 8

6:34a

8:24p

Wednesday, June 9

6:34a

8:24p

MOON PHASES

June 24 Full

July 1 Last

July 9 New

July 17 First

RAINFALL Monday, May 24

0

Tuesday, May 25

0

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

Wednesday, May 26

0

Thursday, May 27

0

High: 89 Low: 73 Chance of rain: 38%

Friday, May 28

0

Saturday, May 29

0

Sunday, May 30

0.02

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021

9.11 in.

2021 0.29 in.

2020 13.60 in.

2020 2.26 in.

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ROAD TRIP by Zhouqin Burnikel; Edited by David Steinberg

110 She-Ra’s twin brother 112 Internists’ org.

113 Hopeless, as a situation 114 Weep 116 “When pigs fly,” e.g.

119 Around the year of 121 “The Weight of Water” author Shreve 124 Home of a New York zoo 127 Knob on a church instrument 129 Text on a tablet?

130 Frothy morning drink 131 Vegetable in potato soup 132 Double-reed woodwind 133 Bumble meetups 134 Change 135 Medical lab liquids 136 Badminton barriers

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Asks for a dog biscuit 5 Liver output 9 Tibet Museum’s city 14 Bear with 19 Its state insects are honeybees 20 Tibet’s continent 21 “This ticks me off!”

22 Identified 23 One may start after dark 25 Sheets’ storage site?

27 Anne or Calvin of fashion 28 A rabbit has 28 30 Queen’s tenure 31 Persona ___ grata

32 Similar 34 Mouse’s bigger cousin 35 Vendor’s stall 37 Unfortunate return on a bond 42 Preppy jacket fabric 44 Cheer in a Spanish soccer stadium 45 Took command 46 Catcher’s stance 49 Garment for an Indian bridesmaid 51 Chick tenders 53 Makeup artist McEvoy 55 Post-op regimen 57 Sitcom interruption

58 Available, as ale 60 Take to task 62 Plenty 64 Gloomy music genre 65 Fritter away 66 Student advocacy grp.

67 What a walkie-talkie transmits 70 Concerning 72 Money, slangily 74 Red-haired biblical twin 75 “I played already” 79 Hi-___ images 81 Inexperienced gamers 85 Fri. preceder 86 Mix, as miso soup

87 Ward off 89 Drained of color 90 Part of every 1-800 number 92 Join forces 94 Expand upon 97 Dog on the Yellow Brick Road 98 Not many 99 Move from Kansas to Missouri, say 101 Opposite of ‘neath 102 Hailed vehicle 103 Surprise ending 106 Performer’s badge, perhaps

41 Expected 43 “The Queen’s Gambit,” e.g.

47 Cardamom-flavored 93-Down 48 Rings over angels’ heads 50 Ed Sheeran, to Sheerios 52 Classic Thai street food 54 Longtime SeaWorld orca 56 Office manager 59 Philippine coins 61 Hive male 63 Disney princess voiced by Anika Noni Rose 66 ___ over (examining) 68 Had the nerve 69 Podcast invitee 71 Skirt with an attached bodice, usually 73 Trying experience 75 Chichen ___ (Mayan ruins) DOWN 76 Software piracy, e.g.

1 Cheap way to buy, with “in” 77 “Oh, what the heck!”

2 Footnote abbr.

78 Huey, Dewey and Louie, 3 Ones making boarding e.g. announcements 80 Urgent care pro 4 Johnson who co-founded 82 Question following an BET unexpected knock 5 “___, humbug!”

83 People often find bugs 6 “Very much so!” in them 7 Biographical focus 84 Pretentious sorts 8 Casual restaurant 88 Ryokan floor mat 9 Match alternative 91 Toddler’s scrape 10 Med. insurance plan 93 Pekoe or sencha 11 Love, to Latin lovers 95 Many a summer intern 12 Saltimbocca herb 96 Words after a guess 13 Improvise 100 Lazy person 14 “Coming up next ... “ 104 Smug smiles 15 Where glasses are washed 105 “Voila!” regularly 107 December songs 16 “Ah, this is amazing!”

108 Graceful waterbird 17 “Whip It” band 109 Attaches, as a corsage 18 Where the serpent 111 Nabisco wafer brand tempted Eve 114 Looped in via email 24 Agitated mood 115 Country singer McEntire 26 Grand slam in showbiz 117 Milky-colored gemstone 29 Martial art similar to qi 118 ___ James (2021 gong Bachelor) 33 Highlander’s garment 120 First Nations people 36 Diagnostic procedure 122 Steam whistle sound 37 “Ain’t happening!”

123 Tailless primates 38 Justice Kagan 125 From head to ___ 39 Formal proclamation 126 Numbered hwy.

40 Parent company of 128 Nora Lum ___ Awkwafina Lancome

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.

“XSYM J LBTUB XUJBJMK LZMKL TMF JB BIUML JMBZ TM ZPYUDC OYDTOZUYF JMBYDDYVBITD RUZVYLL, J HILB BSUZX JB ZIB.” TDTMJL NZUJLLYBBY

“IR LPNR VW ER DXSXVPHVG YWO BXHZHRGG, GAENROGXNR YWO GIRRVHRGG PHZ OPZXJPSG YWO VRHZROHRGG.”

JWOHRS IRGV

Puzzle Two Clue: U equals A

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue P equals V

CARPET

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

06-03-21

Made for where you live. Here!

RED PAGES DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “When I start writing songs and it turns into an overly belabored intellectual process, I just throw it out.”

Alanis Morissette Puzzle Two Solution: “We have to be militants for kindness, subversive for sweetness and radicals for tenderness.”

Cornel West

This week’s Sudoku answers

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358400

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358811

30

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|

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#1 Team at Michael Saunders & Company in 2020 and 2019!

Sell with the Top Team!

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Our team at World Class Dentistry treats patients with a multitude of concerns which streamlines treatment and maintains quality control. The doctors along with their master dental technicians and on-site laboratory offer complete cosmetic and implant solutions.

We have been serving the Sarasota area since 1987. Call today for a consultation to begin your life-changing transformation.

Jill Morris, DMD

Burr Bakke, DDS

Cameron Johnson, DMD

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

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Member of North American Association of Facial Orthotropics

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics • Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction • Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Toxicology • Practicing dentistry for 33 years

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Member of the American Orthodontic Society

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics • Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry • Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Member of the International Association of Orthodontics • Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

Phenny Polpornvitoon, DMD • Member of American Dental Association • Member of American Association of Women Dentists • Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry • Member of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

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

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

356478-1

Est. 1987

Cosmetics, Implants and Bite Reconstruction Actual Patients

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

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