East County Observer 7.2.26

EAST COUNTY

Observer

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

Observer JULY 2026

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

VOLUME 27, NO. 47

YOUR TOWN

Waterways cleanup stalls Manatee County needs another $18.8 million to clear debris. SEE PAGE 3A

Lesley Dwyer

Burning question: Is the street too hot for paws?

Janis and Eric Wughalter visit the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market every Sunday at Waterside Place with their 2-year-old pup, Lola Falana.

The Wughalters love the peanuts and pita chips, and Lola loves the beef treats. She also has a personalized bandana from The Bandana Bandits.

Since summer arrived and temperatures have reached scorching levels, Lola is now strutting around the market in protective, pink paw tape.

The American Kennel Club reports that temperatures over 85 degrees might be too hot to safely walk a dog. To easily test the conditions, place one hand on the pavement for 10 seconds. If it’s too hot for hands, it’s too hot for paws.

Festival uncorked Fiorelli Winery hosts Red, White and Blueberry event.

SEE PAGE 1B

Courtesy image

Patriotism essay earns scholarship Jorja Lowe (above), a rising sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High, was among five students to win a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation through the America250FL Art & Essay Contest.

She was the only underclassman to win the high school division and was congratulated

by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 18.

Lowe wrote an essay titled “Henry B. Plant’s Foundations of Patriotism and Prosperity.”

She is interested in going to Florida State University or the University of Miami. She read her essay at the School District of Manatee County board meeting on June 23.

Madison Bierl

Kristin Hokanson, co-owner of Fiorelli Winery and mom of Jackson and Madison, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration is bigger and better every year and is great way to come together as a community.

Locals make Myakka a boomtown

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Jay Heater

Mark Mullen, Matt Bechler, Travis Barfield, Ashley Bechler, Marsha Parks, and Martha Barfield straddle a line of mortars set up for the Fourth of July show in Myakka City.

The second Community Fireworks Celebration launches its 37-minute spectacular on July 4.

SEE PAGE 8A

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PAGE 13A

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Task force expected to quicken Manatee’s emergency responses

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

F

or the past 12 years, East Manatee Fire Rescue has been building a technical rescue team.

Technical rescue teams perform beyond the regular duties of a fire department. Members respond to swift water rescues and structural collapses, among other complex emergencies.

Paul Wren, who will succeed Lee Whitehurst as chief in January 2027, said East Manatee Fire Rescue was at a point where the team had to either merge with another team or create its own team. That was until a bigger, better offer came along.

East Manatee Fire Rescue will be joining a countywide, state-designated task force that was approved for $500,000 of funding by Manatee County commissioners June 16.

The money was reallocated from indigent patient care within the general fund. When uninsured patients are treated at local hospitals, the hospitals are reimbursed at the Medicaid or Medicare rate out of that fund.

Director of Public Safety Jodie Fiske said the fund was barely touched last year, so even without the $500,000, the fund is still healthy enough to cover the costs of indigent care moving forward.

The $500,000 will not be immediately spent. Instead, it offers proof to the state that the task force is capable of self-funding in terms of supplying the necessary equipment and training.

The state pays expenses when the task force actually is deployed.

Manatee County or the fire districts won’t have to wait on reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency if an emergency occurs. Instead, the state will be the one to wait for FEMA reimburse-

Joel Baker, assistant chief of North River Fire District, provides an overview of the task force to Manatee County commissioners June 16.

URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE SPECIALTIES ■ Structural collapse rescue ■ Wide-area search operations ■ Technical rope rescue ■ Confined space rescue ■ Trench rescue ■ Swift water and flood rescue ■ Disaster medical support ■ Incident support and logistics coordination

ments.

Manatee County will be Florida’s 11th Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. The first eight task forces were state funded in terms of equipment and training. Fiske said the state doesn’t have the “bandwidth” currently to fund more task forces, but Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia has been clear that he wants to see “exponential additional state funding.”

Up to this point, Manatee County’s fire districts have taken on the brunt of the expenses for specialty equipment and training.

Joel Baker, assistant chief for North River Fire District, offered commissioners an idea of what training costs.

The last building collapse technician class the district hosted cost about $75,000, and that was one out of 12 required classes.

Baker said about $15,000 of “consumables,” such as concrete and lumber, could be needed for just one training. East Manatee Fire Rescue has relied on many donations of raw materials over the years.

Fiske noted that Baker and others within Manatee County are instructors, so training would cost even more if it wasn’t all done in-house. The $500,000 is now set aside for future training and equipment needs.

Wren said East Manatee Fire Rescue has trained staff members in each of the five main disciplines of Urban Search and Rescue — vehicle machinery rescue, trench rescue, confined space rescue, high angle

Lesley Dwyer

rope rescues and structural collapse — plus swift water rescue and large animal rescue.

East Manatee Fire Rescue owns some specialty equipment, as well, including an air/light truck (for supplemental lighting and refilling breathing apparatus) and a 20-foot Special Mission Tender rescue trailer (for storing equipment used in structural collapses, vehicle machinery rescues and trench rescues).

EMFR’s resources will now be combined with resources from other districts — Bradenton Fire Department, North River Fire District, West Manatee Fire Rescue, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, South Manatee Fire Rescue and South Manatee Fire Rescue HazMat Team.

The task force has created an inventory of every piece of specialty equipment across Manatee County if disaster strikes, and there’s no waiting for help to come from outside Manatee County.

“Within minutes of opening up the roads for search and rescue after a storm, the task force is here,” Fiske said.

Wren noted that during the 2024

hurricane season, Task Force 3 was deployed to Manatee County to assist with swift water rescues.

Wren was too busy in the operations center to remember exactly how long it took for the task force to respond, but Task Force 3 is a Tampa Bay task force, so its members would have to travel from Tampa Fire Rescue, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue versus being right here in Manatee County.

Baker said over 400 residents in Lakewood Ranch and Parrish were rescued from flooding after Hurricane Debby in August 2024.

Task Force 11 will be the first single-county task force. Not only will it serve Manatee County during disasters, it can also be deployed to other counties in need.

When deployed, Baker said the task force has to be able to mobilize and self-sustain for up to three weeks.

Securing the $500,000 was the last step before bringing the task force to the state for an audit and designation, which could take up to six months.

Courtesy image

Director of Public Safety Jodie Fiske stands with fire district staff from across Manatee County.

464825-1

County commissioners approved the re-allocation of $500,000 to self-fund the task force.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Manatee still faces huge job cleaning waterways Manatee County spent $10.5 million to clean waterways of debris last year and another $18.8 million is needed.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

A

lthough Manatee County spent $10.5 million last year cleaning canals and waterways to reduce the risk of flooding, the stormwater department reported that approximately $18.8

million more is required to finish the job.

Those dollar amounts represent initial cleanings, not maintenance. Maintenance is expected to cost about $2 million annually.

Tom Gerstenberger, the stormwater engineering division manager, presented the plan to commissioners during the June 10 budget session, but the $18.8 million was not a budget request.

Gerstenberger’s presentation was meant to provide commissioners with an understanding of the scope and potential funding needed to expand the program beyond the initial cleanup efforts, which included the Braden River from Interstate 75 to Lorraine Road.

When the Braden River swelled beyond its banks due to excessive rainfall from Hurricane Debby in August 2024, homes in neighborhoods, such as Summerfield Bluffs, flooded.

The goal of an initial cleanup is to remove debris, vegetation or any other obstructions that could restrict the natural flow of water within a channel.

When the Braden River was cleaned in May 2025, the county reported removing “literally tons of debris.” Summerfield Bluffs resident Jill Sauchinitz was shocked by the width of the river because the view had always been obstructed by brush.

Although the county’s stormwater department maintains 545 canals, stretching over 200 miles, natural systems like the Braden River were not included in its maintenance schedule prior to Hurricane Debby.

Even since the county has stepped in, the stormwater department doesn’t have the manpower or equipment to take on such an enormous undertaking.

Myakka City’s Rick Richards Inc., a wetland and upland restoration services contractor, was hired to do the work.

Once an initial cleaning is completed, the county’s stormwater staff can maintain the system thereafter.

Every time a system is cleaned, it’s issued an asset number that allows the county to track when and what maintenance was completed.

There are still 11 drainage systems that need an initial cleaning, of which seven are located in East County.

Over $1.8 million was spent cleaning the Braden River, but that didn’t include any of its tributaries, which will cost another estimated $1.3 million.

Scott Chapman, the field maintenance superintendent for the stormwater department, went through receipts for every canal cleaning since the 2024 hurricane season.

The average cost to clean one linear foot of a canal is $42.90; the range is between $1.35 and $281.19. Downed trees cause the cost to rise.

Chapman said waterways are

prioritized based on where maintenance will have the greatest community benefit, including natural systems like the Braden River that the county doesn’t routinely maintain but has a high concentration of nearby residences.

Access is often one of the county’s biggest challenges when maintaining a natural system because they require easements or permission to enter from private property owners.

Getting specialized equipment to the site can be difficult, too.

Numerous factors have to be balanced when trying to access waterways that are not a county asset, including equipment staging and storage, legal access, safety and liability.

FUNDING

Funding is another major factor that needs to be considered, especially given the proposed property tax referendum that will be on November’s ballot.

If the referendum passes, the $150,000 homestead exemption proposed for 2027 will reduce the county’s property tax revenue by over $81 million per year and the $250,000 homestead exemption proposed for 2028 will reduce the county’s property tax revenues by over $149 million per year.

That revenue is put into the county’s general fund, which paid for $1 million of canal cleanings last year.

The other $9.5 million was paid for out of the Solid Waste Fund, which is an enterprise fund that pays for itself through service charges.

Commissioners opted not to charge a stormwater fee last year.

Instead, Commission Chair Tal Siddique said commissioners opted to use infrastructure sales tax, general fund revenue and any available tax increment financing funds to fund future stormwater needs.

However, if the referendum passes, a stormwater fee might be reconsidered.

Siddique listed the three departments that are most dependent on the general fund: Property Management, which oversees stormwater maintenance, Public Works, which oversees stormwater engineering, and Sports and Leisure.

“Stormwater, by lacking a specific fund or taxing unit, would be affected by reductions in revenues,” Siddique said.

He emphasized that any type of fee assessment would be workshopped with residents before being implemented.

The extent of the impact if the referendum is passed remains to be seen, but Siddique was confident the board will feel canal cleaning is a core

Tom Gerstenberger, the stormwater engineering division manager, presents a stormwater maintenance plan to commissioners June 10.

Lesley Dwyer

A tree hangs over the banks of the Braden River prior to its initial cleaning in May 2025.

WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED

The total cost estimate to clean the remaining systems is $18,853,048.

Drainage system

Linear feet

Mill Creek

56,604

$2,428,312

Braden River Tributaries

30,296

$1,299,698

Old Tampa Road/River Wilderness

20,611

$884,212

Twin Rivers

34,059

$1,461,131

Pomello Park/Bourneside Boulevard

143,246

$6,145,253

Sugarhouse Creek (portion)

9,209

$395,066

Rattlesnake Slough

21,956

$941,912

Gates Creek

16,819

$721,535

Government Hammock

31,317

$1,343,499

Lakewood Ranch tributaries

19,054

$817,417

Panther Ridge/The Concession

56,294

$2,415,013

COMPLETED WORK

The systems listed below were part of a $7.5 million cleanup effort conducted in spring 2025. The county hired Rick Richards Inc., a wetland and upland restoration services contractor, to complete the work. An additional $3 million was allocated throughout the year to clean smaller canals, as well.

Drainage system

Linear feet

Braden River

30,657

$1,887,537

Cost

Gamble Creek

32,655

$1,633,734

Williams Creek

13,104

$530,250

Wade Canal

16,693

$47,200

Sugarhouse Creek (portion)

1,635

$84,250

Slaughter Canal (portion)

11,304

$668,230

Frye Canal

14,650.

$1,314,466

Cedar Creek

13,942

$1,355,627

The Concession (portion)

12,164

$18,936

“But I think when people in Manatee County understand where their taxes are going, and they know that the funds are for specific uses, they’re fine paying the tax. Look at the environmental lands and children’s services millage.”

— George Kruse, Commissioner

Courtesy image

Cost estimate

service the county should provide.

Commissioner George Kruse echoed that sentiment.

“We have money,” Kruse said. “It’s just a matter of what gets prioritized and what gets cut.”

Those decisions will come down to a vote by commissioners, as would the implementation of a stormwater fee. While the public would be asked to weigh in, the ultimate decision would be made by commissioners.

While there are different funding options, Siddique doesn’t see an alternative to getting the canals cleaned because homes could flood again.

“That’s not an alternative,” he said. “But I think when people in Manatee County understand where their taxes are going, and they know that the funds are for specific uses, they’re fine paying the tax. Look at the environmental lands and children’s services millage.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

New CEO named at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

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aving lived in Utah, Arizona and Texas, Jason Madsen said he doesn’t mind the heat.

That might be a good thing since he will be experiencing a few different kinds of heat when he arrives in Lakewood Ranch on Wednesday for his first day as the chief executive officer of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

First, of course, will be Florida’s brand of sweltering humidity and temperatures in the 90s. An avid golfer, Madsen said he doesn’t mind being on the fairways at a time when most golfers would wilt.

The second is the hot seat, where Madsen will be under the gun to manage a 180-bed facility with a new $120 million, five-story tower that opened in March. The expansion was added to serve Lakewood Ranch’s rapidly growing community. It has a shell space in the tower where another 60 patient beds can be added.

He is taking over for Rob Anderson, who resigned after a year in the position. Like Madsen, Anderson had been plucked out of Texas (El Paso) by Universal Health Services.

“From a professional standpoint, this is a good opportunity to come into an organization that has a strong foundation and reputation for quality of service,” said Madsen on Friday while driving east through Texas from his home in Texoma, which is north of Fort Worth. “I have been with Universal Health Services for a decade, and I’ve always looked at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center as a hospital that achieves high marks.”

Madsen has been serving as Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Texoma Medical Center, a 414bed hospital. A UHS release said ,“He

Courtesy image

Jason Madsen has been hired as the new chief executive officer of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

helped lead significant improvements in quality, patient experience, physician alignment, operational performance and strategic growth initiatives,” at Texoma.

“From a personal aspect, I am coming to a great community to bring my wife (MaChel) and my two stepchildren (15-year-old Garrett and 18-year-old Hannah). It aligns with what we enjoy doing.”

Madsen, 47, said the new tower was a huge positive in evaluating the job offer.

“I value the ability to grow,” he said. “When I see the overall capital investment made (by UHS), it tells me there is a significant investment in this facility. There is a pathway of support that I can build upon.”

He already has met with interim CEO Philip Reber, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s chief operating officer, and other executives to discuss those community needs. He has been impressed with that group.

He said part of understanding community needs will be joining local organizations that will enhance his community engagement.

“It’s all about listening, communicating and hearing,” he said.

Madsen will take a similar philosophy to working with his staff.

“My goal is to build relationships, and trust,” he said. “I will meet with the stakeholders, medical staff, doctors and focus on making sure they are taken care of. I want them to be excited to come to work.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

5A

Manatee efficiency committee says DOGE report is off base The committee says capital expenditures criticized by state’s DOGE audit were funds well spent.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

S

ome Manatee County expenditures cited as overspending by the state Department of Government Efficiency were called money “well spent” by the Manatee County Government Efficiency Liaison Committee.

The committee met June 23 to discuss its final recommendations with County Administrator Charlie Bishop before presenting those recommendations to commissioners July 28.

Committee member John Settineri kicked off the meeting by going through the three Manatee County capital expenditures that DOGE cited as “wasteful spending” in its statewide report issued in January.

The second administrative building in Lakewood Ranch landed at the top of the list with an overall expense of $34,832,903.

The committee disagreed with the DOGE report, stating that the county doesn’t have enough excess space to call the purchase wasteful.

Bishop noted that the 12th Circuit Court is growing. The state attorney’s office has already taken over the fifth floor of the downtown administration building, and the county is in discussions with the public defender’s office to take over the fourth floor.

The city of Bradenton could “potentially” take over the third floor and eighth floor.

If so, the lease would be in excess of $200,000 a year for up to five years until Bradenton’s new city hall is built.

Additionally, other county-owned buildings are being repurposed or sold as staff is centralized into the two administration buildings.

Bishop called the purchase a “winwin-win” and noted that he’s never been given proof of Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s claim that Manatee County overspent $112.4 million of tax dollars.

The other two capital expenditures cited in the DOGE report as wasteful were the trail system and the water taxi.

The committee found that the county is spending state and federal funds on the trail system, so it had no impact on the county’s budget.

And since the water taxi’s ridership increased by over 85%, the committee had no concerns of waste.

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION

The committee noted three areas where commissioners are not receiving sufficient information: capital projects, the Tourist Development Tax and reserves.

The committee suggested more timely updates for commissioners on capital projects and a more creative approach to spending TDT funds.

Bishop said commissioners are already being briefed monthly on capital projects and called the TDT a “very restrictive fund,” so the conversation quickly shifted to Manatee County’s over $1 billion in reserves, which Settineri called “a bit of a PR issue.”

“People are looking at this billion dollar reserve and saying, ‘Wow, that’s money that’s just sitting in a CD account,” he said. “We couldn’t drill into it. We didn’t have enough time, but the thought is that (commissioners) should get more information on these reserves to see if they can be released into the general fund.”

Commissioner George Kruse raised major concerns over the dwindling general fund during a budget

COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS REACT TO CLAIMS OF WASTEFUL SPENDING Palm Beach County Administrator Joe Abruzzo recently made news for confronting Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia at a press conference June 16 after Ingoglia said Palm Beach County wasted $1.2 billion of taxpayer dollars.

Abruzzo called Ingoglia’s numbers “false” and “inaccurate.” He claimed the state has not responded to Palm Beach County’s public records requests for months.

Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop shared a similar sentiment June 23 at the Government Efficiency Liaison Committee meeting.

“I believe that a year ago, they set the stage for the (property tax) referendum,” Bishop said. “And it hurts us because once that’s said (that Manatee County overspent $112.4 million), the optics are that we’re a fraud and wasteful, and I take great pride in our budget system.”

Bishop and committee members backed up Abruzzo’s statement that the state has provided “no proof” of the overspending. Public record requests made by Manatee County and the committee have also gone unanswered.

work session June 8.

Capital projects play into reserves because that’s where funds for those projects wait to be spent. But if the board deemed some of those projJects “dead,” that money could be

Lesley Dwyer

The committee presents its findings to County Administrator Charlie Bishop on June 23.

reference all past negotiations with the town.

Committee member Don Berg recommended centralizing purchasing across the county, cities, school board and constitutional officers, such as the sheriff and the supervisor of elections.

“There’s an opportunity to create an ILA where you could consolidate purchasing activities across all those various entities and get the obvious benefits of economies of scale and greater negotiating powers,” Berg said.

Bishop noted that cleaning contracts, fleet facilities and human resources could be looked at for consolidation, as well.

When the final recommendations are given to commissioners July 28, commissioners will also receive results from an AI pilot program that analyzed the data submitted by the county to the state during its DOGE review.

The analysis focused on identifying anomalies and detecting areas of potential waste, abuse or cost overruns.

released.

The suggestion is that the board be given a line-by-line accounting of all the money being held in reserve.

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With only 12 two-hour sessions in a year, Settineri said the committee couldn’t look at everything, so the approach was to conduct interviews with key staff members.

Where the state DOGE report focused on specific expenditures, the committee’s report is focused on processes.

Committee member David Otterness suggested standardizing interlocal agreement reports and compiling a database to include how each ILA was funded, the cost share and a brief background.

“I think the ILA is a really good tool that government entities have for purchasing power and negotiations,” Otterness said. “You have a long history of ILAs (some dating back 30 years), and you have a short duration of boards.”

When a transportation project arises for the town of Longboat Key, for example, a database would allow commissioners to quickly and easily

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

COST OF CHILDCARE

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts local legislators at a panel discussion June 24 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

Local legislators talk key issues Six representatives attended the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s June luncheon to offer a legislative update.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

R

ep. Will Robinson Jr. told members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, “This session was one for the books.”

Robinson, who represents District 71, was one of six members of the Florida Legislature to speak at the Alliance’s June 24 luncheon: “State of the Region: Sarasota and Manatee Legislative Recap.”

Robinson was joined by District 20 Sen. Jim Boyd, District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly, District 73 Rep. Fiona McFarland, District 74 Rep. James Buchanan and District 75 Rep. Danny Nix. The panel drew a crowd of about 180 to the ballroom at the Lakewood

Ranch Country Club. Nick Feather, the incoming LWRBA board chair, led the discussion with topics and questions compiled from about 70 submissions from attendees.

INFRASTRUCTURE

As an engineer, Conerly places infrastructure at the top of his priority list. If he had it his way, 80% of the state’s budget would fund infrastructure.

Out of the almost $600 million of state appropriations awarded to Manatee County over the past two years, Conerly said about $280 million funded infrastructure projects.

This year, $39 million will fund resurfacing roads in Manatee County. The budget cycle begins July 1.

Conerly emphasized that infrastructure refers to more than just

roadways. Water treatment facilities and electrical infrastructure could also “constrain cities and counties from continuing to prosper.”

Conerly noted that Florida is currently using about 96% of its electrical grid capacity, so while there’s “talk” of bringing manufacturing and data centers to Florida, there’s not a lot of capacity.

“We need to make those investments if we want Florida to continue to be on the forefront of expanding technologies,” he said. “These are investments, that as a Legislature, we are very, very aware of, and they are a focus for us.”

Boyd, who is Senate presidentelect, said his agenda isn’t fully formed yet, but infrastructure will be critical, and Manatee County will be an area of focus.

Rep. Fiona McFarland had four children in six years. At one point, she was paying daycare tuition for four children. She offered comparison costs of education in Florida.

“The cost of childcare is about $15,000 per year, per child,” McFarland said. “In-state tuition is half that. We are paying twice for that 0-through5-year-old than we are for our college-age children. That’s difficult.”

McFarland championed the child care tax credit. Enacted in 2024, employers now receive tax credits for assisting with employees’ childcare expenses.

She’s currently working to expand that benefit to employees of the nontaxpaying philanthropic community through education foundations.

If donating to a foundation, the private sector could also receive a tax benefit.

PROPERTY TAXES

Feather called the property tax referendum “the elephant in the room” and asked the panel what they thought their constituents should know about it.

The referendum will be on the November ballot and proposes increasing homestead exemptions up to $250,000 by 2028.

The general consensus was that some type of property tax reform needs to happen.

Regardless of what voters decide, Robinson was firm that the issue is not going away. If this version doesn’t pass, “another product” will be heard by the Legislature.

“If we passed a $50,000 homestead increase, we would have the same opposition that would come out saying there’s a list of 20 projects that aren’t going to be able to be funded,” he said. “If this is not the right answer, I would encourage my local government friends to advise us on what you think works.”

Robinson ended his comments with a question to local officials:

How are you all going to lower your budget?

“We’ve done that in Florida, and our voters expect you all to do the same thing,” he said.

Commissioner Mike Rahn was in the audience. He’s not sure the referendum is the right answer, but he is sure it will be “painful” for everyone if the measure passes because services will have to be reduced.

Rahn can’t say what specific cuts will be made, but he pointed to Manatee Moves, an on-demand ride service the county provides to veterans, as a vulnerable service because it’s not a “basic necessity.”

A day earlier, during the Government Efficiency Liaison Committee meeting, County Administrator Charlie Bishop spoke to members about the possible consequences of the referendum passing.

“I know how much it’s going to cost in full-time employees to get to $81 million,” he said. “It’s 700 FTEs out of the general fund. That’s a large portion of your maintenance technicians, librarians, lifeguards — those are the positions that are going to be hurt the most.”

Bishop added that the general fund also pays for maintenance services, such as mowing rights-of-way and cleaning canals.

Conerly said the referendum isn’t a perfect solution, and he isn’t even sure it’s a good solution, but he voted for it because the people get to make the decision.

As a resident of Manatee County, who bought his current home 21 years ago, Conerly is OK with the property taxes he pays, but he understands that his neighbor who bought five years ago is paying a lot more.

He called the rise in property taxes and insurance “symptoms of an issue.” The issue is the escalation of property values, to which supply and demand could offer relief.

“If we have people moving to the community, we need to make sure we have housing available so prices don’t escalate,” Conerly said. “That’s kind of counter to the concern related to development, but the reality is we can either have our families and kids stay here and contribute to the community or they can move out.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek

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

Mark Mullen, Marsha Parks, Travis Barfield, Martha Barfield, Ashley Bechler, and Matt Bechler worked in 100-degree heat to set up their July 4 fireworks show in Myakka City.

Jay Heater

A celebration that

POPS

Myakka Skyworks’ free show will include a 37-minute fireworks spectacular.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

W

hen Myakka City’s Matt Bechler was 10 years old, he and his 8-year-old

brother, Paul, brought some fireworks into a field.

It wasn’t long before the field was on fire.

The two boys were momentarily trapped by the flames, but they managed to get to safety.

Such an experience might make most people want to avoid fireworks for the rest of their lives, but not the Bechlers. In fact, it might have elevated their interest.

Headed into July 4, Matt Bechler thought about why fireworks are so special to him.

“It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “When something is manmade, and when you light it ... a simple match can turn it into a bright, beautiful thing in the sky.”

The Bechlers eventually started doing holiday fireworks shows in Paul’s backyard or in the street in front of his Myakka City home. It became a place to be on July 4.

When Paul died in 2022, Matt kept up the tradition, but eventually turned to Travis Barfield in the hopes of making the show bigger.

They wanted to turn the event into something that thousands in the area could enjoy.

Travis Barfield, who owns Barfield Crane Services, was perfect for the task. When asked what makes fireworks so special to him, Barfield answered, “I love blowing stuff up, that’s all I can tell you.”

Barfield, who lives in Myakka City, talked to his wife, Martha, about doing such a show.

“Everyone said we needed to take it over,” Travis Barfield said of the Bechlers’ show. “I take what’s in my mind and I get it into (Martha’s) mind.”

She was easy to convince.

“When you celebrate, fireworks touch your soul,” she said. “It makes everything pop.”

They forged ahead and partnered with Matt Bechler, a lineman for Irby Construction, and his wife, Ashley.

In 2025, they planned the first Myakka Skyworks show. Instead of hosting in a backyard, though, they went to Marsha Parks, who donated the use of one of her fields at 40855 Parks Road. Parks’ family has owned the ranchland in Myakka City for more than 100 years.

Ashley Bechler and Martha Barfield went to friends and neighbors to find out if there was support for such a show. Eventually, they

SKY HIGH CELEBRATION What: Fireworks Celebration by Myakka Skyworks When: Gates open at 5 p.m.

July 4 and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Where: 40855 Parks Road, Myakka City Cost: Both admission and parking are free About: Family-friendly event includes food vendors and a spirit contest, along with a patriotic best dressed contest and various raffles and giveaways Bring: Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets More information: Send an email to MarthaCRW@aol.com.

purchased the needed supplies and produced a fireworks show that drew more than 1,500 spectators.

Ashley Bechler said it was the favorite fireworks show of her life, and noted it will get even better this year.

“They’ve never seen the kind of show they will experience this time,” she said of the spectators who decide to attend the free show.

Travis Barfield said the show will last 37 minutes and by June 26, the Barfields and Bechlers had placed countless mortar tubes all over the property. Everything has to be laid out strategically, saying the fallout for a 10-inch shell is a 700-foot circumference. All spectators are kept more than 1,000 feet from the exploding shells.

Both the Barfields and the Bechlers have been attending every fireworks seminar possible and they travel to Muncie, Indiana, for a fireworks convention that is held each April.

This year’s convention was called Elevate 2026.

The Barfields are licensed to produce fireworks shows. Matt Bechler hasn’t applied for a license yet, but he certainly has the knowledge.

“I’ve always been around fireworks,” he said. “You watch and learn.”

Matt Bechler calls his wife the technical support system for the group.

Ashley Bechler, who owns Ashley’s Cleaning Service, said her father, who was an Army veteran, taught her to respect the July 4 holiday when she was very young.

“He made it a big deal,” she said.

Now she will do whatever is necessary to make sure the July 4 celebration in Myakka City goes off without a hitch.

“I just say, ‘I am here, what do you want me to do?’” she said.

Last year’s event saw the spectators all park along Parks Road, but this time around, cars will be parked

in spaces in the fields.

It will be a far cry from the times when the Barfields and Bechlers did shows in a backyard.

Of course, it doesn’t come cheap.

Matt Bechler and Travis Barfield began doing shows together by lighting the fireworks by hand.

“A shell blew up this high above my ear,” said Matt Bechler, who held his hand up alongside his forehead.

Then they purchased a “cheap” electronics firing system that didn’t do a good job launching the fireworks. Travis Barfield has since invested $40,000 for an electronics firing system that will launch the fireworks at their July 4 show.

“It is the safest way to do it,” Travis Barfield said.

The Barfields and Bechlers lose money on their show, but as Matt Bechler said, “What hobby doesn’t cost you money?

“When you are passionate about something, it doesn’t matter. And you don’t work in this 100-degree heat unless you are passionate.”

Putting on such a show does have many expenses and needs support from the community. Parks said she fell in love with fireworks when her family used to attend the July 4 show over the Green Bridge in Bradenton.

Now, she helps by donating the land for the event, along with spraying for bugs and watering to reduce any possible hazard from fireworks landing in the grass. She also urged the Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association (she is a board member) to be a sponsor.

Martha Barfield, who manages a dental office, said Parrish Well Drilling has been of tremendous help in putting on the show.

It all comes to fruition on July 4.

“After last year’s show, people kept telling me I can’t out-do it,” Travis Barfield said. “So it’s game on.”

“After last year’s show, people kept telling me I can’t outdo it. So it’s game on.”

— Travis Barfield

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Nikki Postma finished third in the 2025 “Show Your Spirit” contest during the Myakka Skyworks show on July 4.

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SIDE OF RANCH

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

9A

JAY HEATER

A different perspective on wasteful spending O

Jay Heater

The Lakewood Ranch Library has been open for over a year now. Was it wasteful to spend $17.68 million on it?

away to an animal care nonprofit willing to take it over? Then take all the budgeted animal welfare money and give it out to nonprofits with the understanding that they will have to accept strays rounded up in the county. Get Manatee County out of the animal welfare business.

Which perspective is the correct one? It kind of depends on what you value.

Next, consider the ice skating complex that is being planned for Premier Sports Campus North. The $80 million facility is being built

by Wesley Chapel-based Icemann Development with “only” a $5 million gift from Manatee County, along with a deal on the lease of 22 acres of park land that never will

become park land.

Is your perspective that Manatee County has done a great job by bringing in a facility that will stimulate economic development?

If you own a hotel, or a sandwich shop or an entertainment center, you likely are overjoyed by the addition.

Or you might consider this more wasteful spending, because you haven’t skated in 40 years and will never see the inside of this new building. Instead, you wanted the skate park or dog park that was promised when the county purchased the land nine years ago.

Are both perspectives valid?

How about the $5 million donated by the county to Mote’s Science

Education Aquarium? Sure, the facility is a boon for Manatee County education, but the aquarium was going to get built with or without the county’s support, and you don’t have any kids. Is it wasteful not to step back and let someone else pay for it?

How about the $17.68 million Manatee County paid for the Lakewood Ranch Library? Constant users of the facility continue to say that this is an amazing facility which will enrich the community for years. Those who call it wasteful spending would say they never will go through the doors, and why is it needed since we can get anything we need off the internet?

The $44 million spent for the pickleball and swim complex at Premier is certain to irk many residents who won’t use either amenity. And it’s not like the county built a swim-up bar to benefit local residents who might not be concerned about the fitness aspects. On the other side, a competitive pool has been a glaring omission in the community for years and is certain to be booked solid once it opens this fall. And pickleball people, well, it is safe to say they wouldn’t mind if the county spent its entire budget on new courts.

So here’s the deal, wasteful spending is in the eye of the beholder. Certainly, Florida DOGE can put wasteful spending items into a category, but it comes with little to no explanation as to why it is wasteful.

It’s is one of the reasons we embrace local government, because we discuss and search for explanations why something is wasteful or not. If we don’t like those answers, we can change those making decisions. We try to strike a balance between those things we hold dear, while respecting that other residents might love a trail we never will use.

As you look around the county at the various items that enrage you, consider others that might make your life a little better. I certainly won’t use the skating rink and I seldom go into the library. But I support seeing the county spend money on beach amenities, parks, boat launches and the aquarium.

I also understand — and this is the tough one — that is not all about me. My perspective on wasteful spending certainly is different than yours.

When DOGE did its audit of Manatee County, nobody talked to me, or you, about what I/we thought of various spending. Isn’t that the most important factor?

So before you go to the polls to decide the property tax amendment, throw out this DOGE nonsense which points a finger at our local government as being inept.

If you consider the expenditures as a whole, and don’t like what you see, than by all means vote for property tax relief. If you want the decisions on critical expenditures being made at the state level, go for it as well.

But if you love some of the expenditures and hate others, consider that it isn’t all about you.

And if you, by and large, love the area you live in, and the amenities available, then perhaps a huge change is not what you need.

Whatever you decide on the amendment, try to consider it from several perspectives.

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ne man’s waste can be a worm’s feast.

Yes, it always is important to consider perspectives.

Florida’s Department of Governmental Efficiency launched 12 in-person audits in 2025, including one right here in Manatee County.

While this was billed as an exercise to force counties, cities and other municipalities to identify wasteful spending, it actually was a promotional tour for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” amendment we will consider in November’s general election.

I say Gov. DeSantis’ proposal, but it was, of course, tweaked and approved by both the Florida House and Senate. It is Gov. DeSantis’ going away present to Floridians, although depending on your perspective, you might call it a hitand-run.

So today, let’s talk about waste, and your perspective. I am not touching upon parts of the $112.4 million that Florida DOGE said Manatee County wasted. I am talking about waste in general, to you and me.

Let’s start with animal welfare, which is budgeted for $6,372,448 on the county’s 2027 budget. If you are an animal rights activist, that isn’t nearly enough to pay for top flight care of the strays captured by the county, which already has sunk millions into the Bishop Animal Shelter, which was heralded as an amazing game changer when it was donated to the county in 2021. The county even has floated the idea of building another shelter out toward the Lakewood Ranch area.

If you aren’t an animal rights activist, you might think Manatee County commissioners have gone out of their minds when it comes to this issue. You might be thinking that this is a shocking waste of funds, and why not give the Bishop

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

VOTE 2026

10A

MANATEE COUNTY ON SUBSTACK

Sari Lindroos-Valimaki lives in Palmetto. This is her second attempt at earning a seat on the Manatee County Commission.

Lesley Dwyer

Democrat asks for a chance Sari Lindroos-Valimaki wants Republican voters to give a Democrat a chance in the District 1 race.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

I

n the race for District 1, one candidate stands out among the rest — Sari Lindroos-Valimaki.

Why? Lindroos-Valimaki is a Democrat.

Out of the 19 qualified candidates running for four Manatee County Commission seats this year, only three are Democrats — LindroosValimaki in District 1, Charles B. Smith Sr. in District 2 and Reggie Bellamy in District 6.

Manatee County is a predominantly Republican county. However, during an interview with the East County Observer, Lindroos-

Valimaki stated a few reasons why even Republicans might want to cast a vote for her: ■ “Local issues are not issues decided by party labels.”

■ “A lot of my beliefs are conservative. I’m frugal and fiscally responsible.”

■ “The county needs somebody with my skill level.” (She spent nearly 30 years in IT and cybersecurity.)

Ultimately, Lindroos-Valimaki said if people can get over her being on “a different football team,” she would be a good representative.

Voters might remember Lindroos-Valimaki from 2024 when she ran against Commissioner George Kruse for his at-large seat.

She lost the race and remains a Democrat in a “ruby red county,” but Lindroos-Valimaki sees herself as less of an underdog in 2026.

She met a lot of residents campaigning and said the experience forced her out of her comfort zone and made her more comfortable in

her own skin.

There are 66,672 registered Democrats in Manatee County, compared to 139,564 registered Republicans. Lindroos-Valimaki earned 72,788 votes in 2024.

She didn’t run for the open atlarge seat this year because Bellamy was already in the race. LindroosValimaki would prefer to give voters a choice in the general election over facing off with another Democrat during the primaries.

“All the Democrats and (those with no party affiliations) are decentralized from voting in the primaries (Write-in candidates regularly close the primaries to voters outside the party.),” Lindroos-Valimaki said. “Had I not made it on the ballot as a candidate, a decision would have been made in the primaries and no NPA or Democrats could have voted to make that decision (in District 1).”

Democrats and NPAs living in District 4 are facing that situation this year. Write-in candidate

Substack is an online publishing site that anyone can use to send emails and host a blog, so a few candidates and commissioners are sharing information and opinions on the platform.

District 1 candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimaki offers instructions on how to read the Manatee County Future Land Use Map and weighs in on issues, such as constitutional amendments and the comprehensive plan.

District 4 candidate Glen Gibellina uses Substack to publish a weekly newsletter.

Commissioner George Kruse has been on Substack since 2022 to offer “factbased news straight from the dais,” and in some cases, a joke at his own expense.

In 2024, after being on the losing side of a string of 6-1 votes, Kruse temporarily renamed his Substack account, “For Lack of a Second.”

Commission Chair Tal Siddique posts periodic county updates to his Substack, “Making Waves.”

Allison Sneed closed the primary, so Republican voters will decide between incumbent Mike Rahn or Glen Gibellina during the Aug. 18 primary election.

“Give a Democrat a chance,” Lindroos-Valimaki said. “If you don’t like it, I’m out in two years.”

In 2024, Lindroos-Valimaki chose to run for the at-large seat over the District 1 seat because Carol Felts was running in District 1, and she thought Felts would represent the district well.

Felts died in February, less than two years into a four-year term, so candidates in District 1 are only running for the remainder of Felts’ term.

If elected, Lindroos-Valimaki will run again in 2028, and Manatee County’s comprehensive plan will be at the top of her list of priorities.

She was one of several residents in the commission chambers June 4 asking commissioners to vote against submitting the updated plan to the state for review.

Lindroos-Valimaki said the plan needs a specific definition and zoning category for hyperscale AI data centers to prevent a future proposal from being approved.

Lindroos-Valimaki doesn’t believe Florida is the place to build a data center, except for maybe the northern part of the state where there’s cooler weather and less people. “(Data centers) are the next revolution, but I am very much against placing them in places they should not be placed,” she said.

Lindroos-Valimaki fears a data center would pollute local waters, drain the electrical grid and only retain a handful of jobs after it’s built.

The prosperity of residents is another focus for Lindroos-Valimaki’s after she saw the local area of “Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice” ranks No. 228 on the Geography of Prosperity Index, a national index that ranks the largest 250 cities on factors that are “intended to represent future-readiness for a prosperous life.”

She noted that Parrish, in particular, is “lacking in everything.”

Lindroos-Valimaki was born in Finland and moved to Palmetto in 2018, but she lived in Palm Beach County most of her life.

She saw the county double in size. “(Palm Beach County) brought in younger people and great jobs,” Lindroos-Valimaki said.

She sees a different pattern within Manatee County, where she said the government reacts instead of plans. While some other candidates have called to stop development, Lindroos-Valimaki said it’s more important to plan for it.

Her solution is to build roads before houses because traffic costs time and money; prioritize water safety and environmental protections because water issues affect people’s health; and put residents at the center of the decision-making, not just development.

To learn more about LindroosValimaki, visit Sari4Manatee.com.

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11A

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ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A SELLER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. The renderings, terms, conditions, and statements contained in these materials are proposed only, and the Developer reserves the right to modify, or withdraw any or all of same in its sole discretion and without prior notice. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sarasota Bay are not owned, developed or sold by Marriott International, Inc. or its affiliates (“Ritz-Carlton”). KT Sarasota South, LLC uses The Ritz-Carlton marks under a license from Ritz-Carlton, which has not confirmed the accuracy of any of the statements or representations made herein. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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VOTE 2026

12A

District 2 candidate wants better tools for students The son of a principal, JT White wants the district to be fiscally responsible while providing more hands-on support for students.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

W

hen JT White was growing up, he had a front-row seat to the sort of difference educators can make in young people’s lives.

The son of educator Deborah Houston, who retired as principal of Manatee Elementary, he heard from her about how students’ faces changed throughout the day. They first entered with frowns or signs of hunger, and by the end of the day, they were happy to be part of Houston’s class.

He was told time and again by classmates in middle school that his mom made students feel special, seen and loved.

“That is the type of impact that you want to have,” White said.

“That’s lasting for a lifetime.”

White, a parent of a Bayshore High School graduate, JT White Jr., and a 1-year-old, Titan, is running for the District 2 school board seat for Manatee County. He grew up attending schools within the school district — Jessie P. Miller Elementary, Ballard Elementary, Johnson Middle School and Lakewood Ranch High School.

White has also worked a variety of roles within the school system, including an emotional/behavioral disability unit specialist at Palmetto Elementary, a computer tech at both Rogers Garden Elementary (now known as Rogers GardenBullock) and at Freedom Elemen-

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

MORE ABOUT JT WHITE JT White attended Jessie P. Miller Elementary from kindergarten to second grade and Ballard Elementary for third through fifth grade. For middle school, he attended Louise Rogers Johnson and then attended Lakewood Ranch High School.

As an employee in Manatee schools he was: ■ An emotional/behavioral disability unit specialist at Palmetto Elementary 20122013 ■ A computer tech at both Rogers Garden Elementary (now known as Rogers Garden-Bullock) from 2013-2016 and at Freedom Elementary 2016-2017 ■ A dean assistant at Palmetto High School 2017-2018 For more information on JT White and his campaign, visit JTWhite4SchoolBoard.com.

tary. He was also a dean assistant at Palmetto High School.

Within the emotional/behavioral disability unit at Palmetto Elementary, White learned a lot, especially patience.

“They brought it home to me that everyone cannot be treated the same, everyone cannot be talked to the same, everyone cannot be taught the same,” White said.

“Everyone needs their own special little set of things that they need to make them go.”

White has not run in an election before, unless you count his time as student body president at Johnson Middle School. He outlined three main goals he would pursue if he

is elected: to reduce spending on ineffective technology and reinvest it in people, to support and retain good teachers and to invest in trade education.

When White worked as a computer tech at Rogers Garden-Bullock, he determined early that he didn’t think the digital programs, such as i-Ready and Lexia, would have a positive impact on students. He said the district needs to determine which programs are ineffective and direct the money elsewhere, using it to hire quality reading coaches.

“If these children are not being equipped with the proper tools they need to lead, what is the world going to look like when I’m 80?”

White said. “I want to help prevent, for a lack of a better word, the degradation in our education system.

I see where it’s going, and I made my predictions 15 years ago. If we don’t change now and recalibrate our relationship with technology, we’re going to be in a way worse situation in 2042.”

One of his main focuses is working to retain the best educators as burn out, lack of support or finding better job opportunities takes them away from their positions.

“They need to have different avenues where they feel accepted, appreciated and valued by our school district,” White said.

“That’s the only way we’re going to be able to keep them. I came up with a formula to give them the proper amounts of money that they deserve, but that would be attached to how well they move their kids from the proficiency rate to the literacy rate, math, science and reading.”

White said it is important for students to have options that do not involve going to college since many don’t want to pursue that path. He hopes to start implementing hands-on training in trades as

Madison Bierl

Bradenton’s JT White believes more focus needs to be put on human interaction rather than high use of technology.

“If these children are not being equipped with the proper tools they need to lead, what is the world going to look like when I’m 80? I want to help prevent, for a lack of a better word, the degradation in our education system.”

— JT White

early as seventh or eighth grade in fields such as carpentry, culinary arts, welding, robotics and engineering.

“Our trade education is mediocre, to say the least,” White said.

“They have to travel to different schools in order to get this education. This education should be

made available for them at their school. That way, when it’s graduation time, they may have a job waiting for them as soon as they graduate, or they might have a business waiting for them to create as soon as they graduate.”

White went to Hillsborough Community College and studied mass communication in radio and television broadcasting and has interviewed various people from all sorts of different backgrounds during his time in radio. Through that, it has opened his eyes to see through multiple lenses and not just his own experience.

“I want Manatee County to be the most high-achieving district in the state of Florida, and we can only get that way if we pay attention to what the teachers, students, and the administrators are saying to the leadership,” White said. “We can only get that way if we continue to foster best practice methods, which nine times out of 10 is human interaction. No one can teach a child like a human.”

JULY 2, 2026

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Circus Arts Conservatory alum Emma Grace Clarke demonstrates her aerial prowess.

LET’S PLAY

Clown Davis Vassallo and emcee Ashley Vargas keep the crowds laughing at the Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater.

CIRCUS

mance, is a crowd pleaser for sure.

Another showstopper in the Summer Circus Spectacular is seventhgeneration circus artist Yelitza Vivas.

Her hand-balancing act combines jaw-dropping strength and ethereal grace. With her colorful paisley unitard, Vivas would stand out in any crowd. Her performance is one that you won’t soon forget.

Husband and wife Davis Vassallo and Ashley Vargas clown around at the 2026 Summer Circus Spectacular.

LITTLE EMMA IS ALL GROWN UP

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

B

efore the action gets underway at the Summer Circus Spectacular, Italian clown Davis Vassallo does a little houseclean-

ing. He takes his feather duster and

Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular.

starts brushing the heads of people in the audience. Is Vassallo as tidy at home? You’ll have to ask his new bride, Ashley Vargas, who is the emcee of the show produced by Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory.

At no point during the circus in The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater do Vassallo and Vargas publicly announce that they are man and wife. But they seem so sympatico that we decided to do a little internet sleuthing.

We learned that the adorable clown and the charming emcee were married in May in Italy and are “honeymooning” in Sarasota. With his Chaplinesque oversized shoes and black suit, Vassallo looks every inch the clown, but not a scary one. For her role as mistress of ceremonies, Vargas wears a double-breasted coat and a hat cocked sideways. She looks a bit like an Art Deco bellhop, only with a skirt instead of trousers.

While Vargas clearly runs the show at the circus, she is periodically summoned from backstage by Vassallo (“Ashley!”) to bring out props while he leads audience recruits in humorous but harmless stunts.

Set inside a jewelbox theater rescued from a castle in Asolo, Italy, the Summer Circus Spectacular is more intimate than the one the CAC stages during season under the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park. The Historic Asolo Theater, or HAT for short, only seats 279 patrons, while the CAC’s tent holds up to 1,645 guests.

The summer show is just an hour long, so it’s perfect for people of all ages who can’t sit still or stay off their devices. There were four generations of a family at a recent show, where Vassallo responded to a baby’s periodic howls with comedic aplomb.

His ability to improvise and go with the flow is inspiring.

For whatever reason, clowns with Italian style seem less threatening than the traditional American clowns of yore that have been demonized by Hollywood in horror films. Vassal-

lo’s persona is reminiscent of Italian actor Roberto Benigni, who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1999 for “Life is Beautiful,” about a man who uses humor to create a fantasy world during the Holocaust.

At any moment, I expected Vassallo to start singing “Shaddap Your Face,” a 1980s ditty by Joe Dolce, an American-Australian artist of Italian descent, that inexplicably became a global chart topper. (“What’s-a matter you?”)

To the American sensibility, the Italian style of communicating with lots of gestures and facial tics is funny even without words. Woody Allen has been known to splice silent footage of Mussolini in his films to get a laugh.

Vassallo is funny without trying too hard, or at least without appearing to do so. The kids in the audience eat it up. His intentionally hapless slack wire routine drew howls of laughter, especially when he lands in a sensitive place.

Once it became evident that anyone in the audience could end up on stage, the younger patrons were on the edge of their seats. Vassallo had no trouble finding volunteers for the ensembles he put together on the fly. Music and sound effects drove the action, once again in a manner that seems deceptively simple but depends on perfect timing.

There are some truly thrilling performances in the 2026 edition of the Summer Circus Spectacular, including aerial feats and circular roller-skating on a platform by Duo Transcend. Audiences might know the married couple, Mary WolfeNielsen, and Tyce Nielsen, from their appearance on “America’s Got Talent,” where they were finalists.

Every performer in the Summer Circus Spectacular, a joint venture of the CAC and The Ringling that dates back to 2007, is a standout. Each drew spirited cheers of approval and multiple rounds of applause from the audience.

If the performers didn’t think the audience response was sufficiently

Courtesy images

Mexican-American juggler Noel Aguilar impresses with his quicksilver hands.

enthusiastic, they encouraged them to turn up the volume with gestures like holding a hand to an ear.

One performer who used this approach to winning results was juggler Noel Aguilar, a Mexican-American performer who is part of a multigenerational circus family. Although he is about 30 years old, Aguilar has the face of a child and a diminutive but powerful physique. Like a tot playing with toys, he captures the audience’s heart, something he did amid the sequins and feathers on the runway at the CAC’s recent Cirque Vogue fashion show.

Even if he occasionally falls short of his ambitious goals on stage, Aguilar’s short, but pulse-racing perfor-

Superstar aerialist Nik Wallenda bills himself as “America’s Hometown Hero” at his Wonderland holiday circus and other local appearances and with good reason. But he’s getting a little competition lately from Emma Grace Clarke. Now 18, Clarke is the daughter of CAC President and CEO Jennifer Mitchell. She is the poster girl for the Circus Arts Conservatory’s training program.

Like Cowgirl Jessie in “Toy Story 5,” Clarke is getting a starring role in Sarasota’s circus arts scene with her aerial artistry. Just 11 when she appeared on The Mall on Washington, D.C., for a Smithsonian Folklife Festival dedicated to circus arts in 2017, she recently received the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation’s Generation NeXt Award. Clarke also performs internationally with the world-renowned Flying Caballeros. Fans of Sarasota’s Sailor Circus of youth performers have watched her grow up.

Speaking of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, it was put on pause this year for the Great American State Fair, part of America 250 celebrations. But Mitchell was recently summoned to Washington to meet with Smithsonian officials, so Sarasota-based circus artists could be back on The Mall in the not-toodistant future.

Even though Mitchell wasn’t on hand to greet patrons of the Summer Circus Spectacular on a recent day the way she normally does, patrons still got to pose for free selfies with the circus performers in the lobby of The Ringling after the show.

If you still haven’t had enough circus, you can take your ticket to The Ringling box office and add an admission to the Circus Museum and affiliated exhibits for just $5.

Circus aficionados around the world are well aware of Sarasota’s role in the history of the entertainment that dates back to the Roman empire. However, newcomers may not be aware that The Ringling houses Howard Tibbals’ miniature circus of more than 42,000 pieces.

You can also learn about the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which John Ringling first brought to town nearly 100 years ago.

With its caring ushers who will store strollers, walkers and wheelchairs during the show, The Ringling ensures the Summer Circus Spectacular is something that the whole family can enjoy together, regardless of where they are on the road of life.

Like baseball, the circus is sometimes viewed as old-fashioned and out of date. But both Great American pastimes give us a chance to collectively celebrate what we have built together during the past 250 years and remind us of what unites us.

IF YOU GO SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR When: Through Aug. 8 Where: the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $15-$20 Info: Visit Ringling.org

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Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Now, her photos are featured in an indoor and outdoor exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Runs through Sept. 13.

SATURDAY

Feeling patriotic but looking for a laugh? Florida Studio Theatre Improv explores “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Laughter” in this comedy musical with a promise to share an untold story of the American Revolution.

SUNDAY

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Kelsey Stalter, Katharine McLeod and Kraig Swartz star in “Dog Mom” at Florida Studio Theatre through July 26.

THIS WEEK

singer/songwriters whose works are featured in this upbeat show are Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Lovin’ Spoonful. Runs through July 19.

‘DOG MOM’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $25-$46 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Directed by Nancy Rominger, “Dog Mom” follows a hardnosed New Yorker whose heart begins to melt after she fosters a stray dog. Runs through July 26.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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

‘SHARED LIGHT: LYNN GOLDSMITH’ 10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $28 Visit Selby.org.

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

During the past half century, Lynn Goldsmith’s photographs of celebrities and nature have been featured in magazines and have

DON’T MISS

THE BERMUDA MAVERICKS It’s not so often that McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre co-founder Les McCurdy takes the stage.

This time, he’s one half of the Bermuda Mavericks. The other half is Ken Sons. Together, these brothers from different mothers deliver the right amount of stand-up comedy and improv. Runs through July 3.

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2 Where: McCurdy’s Comedy Club, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Tickets: $26 Info: Visit McCurdysComedy. com.

been the subject of 17 books, including “Patti Smith: Before Easter After.” Goldsmith’s work is also held by numerous private collectors and museums, including the Smithsonian National Portrait

‘SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW’ 11 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

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

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

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

Courtesy image

OUR PICK JOHNNY BARKER & FRIENDS Sarasota Music Archive kicks off its Jazz Happy Hour summer series with Johnnie Barker & Friends. Along with an ensemble of talented musicians, Barker brings jazz, soul and rhythmic groove to downtown Sarasota. Local arts patrons know Barker from his collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and his appearances at events hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota.

IF YOU GO When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 Where: Selby Library, 1331 First St. Tickets: Free with registration Info: Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

WEDNESDAY ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION’ 1 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $15-$19 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Asolo Repertory Theatre continues its summer tradition of staging a musical aimed at kids with “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.” Follow the yellow brick road to family entertainment with a one-hour show during which everyone can sit still and stay off their electronic devices.

Runs through Aug. 8.

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‘FREEDOM THE MUSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $15-$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

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Frame It Up

Hermitage Artist Retreat strengthens its ties to Broadway

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Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy J. Sandberg

“We are proud to be an incubator for new works across all artistic disciplines, with many notable musicals being developed right here on Manasota Key ...”

— Andy J. Sandberg

missioned through the initiative between The Hermitage and MTC are “The Orange Grove,” with a book

by Lindsey Ferrentino and original music by Sam Beam, also known as Iron & Wine, and “It’s All Relative,” with a book by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz and music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez.

A modern retelling of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Orange Grove” follows a fruit farm in Florida on the verge of collapse.

“It’s All Relative” zeroes in on the weekly brainstorming sessions that Albert Einstein and his first wife, Mileva Mari, who was also the scientist’s collaborator, held with their friends to explore the nature of the universe and humanity’s place within it.

MTC recently presented a new version of “Queens,” by Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner Martyna Majok, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Cost of Living” was also presented on Broadway by MTC. Other creatives whose work was nurtured by the Hermitage and presented by MTC include two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (“Ruined”), Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright David Auburn (“Proof”) and Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (“Lackawanna Blues”).

As part of their Hermitage Fellowships, artists agree to share their works-in-progress with the local community, often in tandem with fellows in other disciplines. These programs take place on Hermitage Beach, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota and elsewhere.

On June 22, Ferrentino (“The Fear of 13”) and Beam, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, appeared on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key for a sunset performance called “Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music.”

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t’s a little over 1,200 miles from the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Englewood to the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City, but the distance feels a lot shorter now that the arts incubator has signed a development deal for musicals with the theater’s owner, Manhattan Theatre Club.

Recent wins by alums of the Hermitage have also helped raise visibility for the retreat, which is run

by Artistic Director and CEO Andy J. Sandberg.

In June, Hermitage Fellow Bess Wohlman became the first woman in nearly 40 years to win the Tony Award for Best Play. She won for “Liberation,” which she partially wrote at the Hermitage during her fellowship on Manasota Key. The last time a woman took home Best Play Tony Award was in 1989, when Wendy Wasserstein won for “The Heidi Chronicles.”

Wohl’s Tony for “Liberation,” a tale about a women’s consciousnessraising group set in 1970s Ohio, follows her Pulitzer Prize for the same work. Clearly, great things are coming out of those cottages on the beach in Englewood, and the world is noticing. Wohl is just one of many Hermitage Fellows who have used their time in Florida to develop plays, literature, visual artwork, music and more.

The Hermitage’s new agreement with Manhattan Theatre Club, one of New York’s leading nonprofit theater companies, will provide playwrights with time and space in Florida to develop musicals.

“We are excited to be launching this collaboration with Manhattan Theatre Club,” Sandberg said in a statement. “We are proud to be an incubator for new works across all artistic disciplines, with many notable musicals being developed right here on Manasota Key. As our friends at MTC deepen their commitment to commissioning new musicals, this partnership provides a meaningful development step on this journey for some of the leading composers, lyricists and librettists of our time.”

Since joining Hermitage in 2020, Sandberg has kept his own performing career alive in addition to serving as an arts administrator.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Hermitage to provide meaningful development opportunities to our commissioned musicals,” said MTC Artistic Director Nicki Hunter.

Hunter added: “One of my hopes for MTC’s future is that we can continue to build upon our rich legacy as a home for new plays by also developing exciting world-premiere musicals. Being able to offer this group of talented artists the opportunity to develop these works at the Hermitage is particularly meaningful.”

The first two musicals com-

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Classifieds 14B Games 13B Real Estate 9B Sports 10B Weather 13B

YOUR NEIGHBORS Bradenton’s Addy Ungarelli, 6, gets to take home a fresh bouquet from Sarasota Florists with the help of owner Stevie Krumm.

Myakka City’s Beth Dadson, Jean Hurst and Beth McNett embrace the 250th anniversary of the U.S. with red, white and blue flowers from Sarasota Florists.

Photos by Madison Bierl

Fiorelli Winery hosts foot-stomping ... music M Sarasota’s Sage Taylor, 8, explores the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration at Fiorelli Winery with Piper the dog.

yakka City’s Beth Dadson, Jean Hurst and Beth McNett took an Uber to Fiorelli Winery for two reasons: so they could indulge in wine and to celebrate the 250th birthday (although early) of the United States.

The sixth annual Red, White and Blueberry Celebration was held June 27 at Fiorelli Winery.

Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to Suncoast Charities for Children.

Dadson had attended the winery before for morning yoga and had been wanting to spend an evening there.

She said the festival was the perfect opportunity and it exceeded

her expectations.

“I’m so patriotic, and it’s the 250th birthday of our country,” Dadson said.

“I will celebrate every day (leading up to July 4). I am such a proud American.”

Kristin Hokanson, the co-owner of Fiorelli Winery, said the festival gets bigger every year. She was proud that the crowd was entertained by two live bands — the Raiford Starke Band and Rye Road.

“It’s about bringing the community together, disconnecting from the world and just having a good time,” Hokanson said.

Lakewood Ranch’s Lara Roberts said she celebrated her birthday at the winery March 7. She described the venue as an unexpected hidden gem and she was glad to return to attend the festival.

— MADISON BIERL

Raiford Starke, of the Raiford Starke Band, says he can’t wait to try the wine at Fiorelli Winery because he’s never had Florida wine before.

Lakewood Ranch’s Nick Cruz and his daughter, 4-year-old Camilla Cruz, test out the photo booth at the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration at Fiorelli Winery.

Lakewood Ranch’s Lara Roberts and Aimee McKellick enjoy Arid White wine during the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration at Fiorelli Winery.

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The Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club hosts a variety of opportunities for local women including luncheons, meetings and special interest groups.

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Barbara Joseph, Marylee Danahy, Kristin Sciuto, Andrea Burr and Barbara Thornton embrace the motto of fun, friendship and community service through the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club.

n October 2019, Esplanade’s Kristin Sciuto decided to attend her first meeting of the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club.

She heard about it from a person in her fitness class and she attended alone not knowing what to expect.

That day, she remembered holding a baby alligator.

“We got to hold it and they took a picture, so I sent it to my family saying ‘I joined the women’s club, and here’s my new baby!’” Sciuto said. “I thought this was pretty fun.”

Although the baby alligator was a

LAKEWOOD RANCH WOMEN’S CLUB The Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club hosts general meetings, luncheons, guest speakers, special interest groups, fundraisers and more. Membership costs $50 for the year. Leadership is currently gathering input from members regarding when general meetings should be, with a tentative general meeting every month at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. For more information, visit LWRWC.org.

one-time guest, it helped kick-start her involvement in the club. She is now the communications chair who keeps members up to date on all of the events and key information.

“The club gave me an opportunity to meet wonderful people, learn new skills, and participate in my new hometown,” Sciuto said. “I’ve had the opportunity to explore our area, hear many interesting speakers and

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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see great performances while being among friends.”

The Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club has spent nearly three decades building community. It initially was founded as a way to welcome new residents to Lakewood Ranch and has now grown to a 240-member organization. It is a mix of social activities, special interest groups and raising money and awareness for local nonprofits.

Country Club’s Marylee Danahy, a member of the club for 20 years, has served in a variety of roles, including membership chair, corresponding secretary, communications chair.

“It originated out of a welcoming and warm and friendly community,” Danahy said. “Then you get a bunch of women together and they wanted to help other people in Manatee County that they knew were not as fortunate. It’s continued along those same tracks of trying to maintain that fun, friendship and community service.

Country Club East’s Barbara Thornton, a member of 13 years and the membership chair for six, said she heard about the club from chatter in her neighborhood and it sparked her interest.

“I was a teacher, so I’ve always been in a women’s field,” Thornton said. “I missed that when I moved here, so joining a women’s club filled that niche.”

Thornton said she enjoys being the voice for the club for new members to join and appreciates how much the club has evolved. She said the most activity used to happen in January and February, but now it is all year round.

Gathering the members’ interests is a large part of what Thornton does, especially at the two new member events per year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Often, that turns into the formation of special interest groups within the club, such as a book club or a canasta club.

“I send a welcome letter with information and hope that they will join a committee or get involved,” Thornton said. “Involvement in the club is what makes the club. If you just sit back and wait for somebody to tell you what to do, that’s not going to work.”

Sweetwater’s Barbara Joseph, who

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has been a member for two years, said the warmth she felt the first meeting convinced her to join.

“Right away, you start to feel like you’re part of an organization,” Joseph said. “The way they go about the registration, the welcoming and interaction with the people are important.”

Country Club’s Andrea Burr, president of the women’s club, said she is always aiming to come up with fresh ideas to draw in new members.

“You can’t have a bad conversation,” Burr said. “They all bring something from their backgrounds – where they lived, what type of career they had, family members. There’s always something you have in common and you draw on that.”

Burr said everyone comes together naturally, despite their different backgrounds.

“These women are resilient, strong and some of the most fun people I’ve ever been around,” Burr said.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than volunteering alongside them to give back to our community. Best of all, I’m always learning something new, which keeps it inspiring and engaging.”

Esplanade’s Kristin Sciuto was hooked on being a member of the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club from her first meeting where she got to hold a baby alligator.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Kimberlee Peralta, director of Foster the Family, says the $5,000 grant will go toward providing care packages with clothing, hygiene items, shoes and more for children entering the foster care system.

Photos by Madison Bierl

Sisterhood for Good’s Glo Reber presents Harbor58’s Ari Gibbons and Annie Wilson with a $7,500 grant as part of the $150,095 it awarded to area nonprofits.

The ‘Good’ effort is great

W

hen Lindsey Ryan looks around her community, she is amazed by the philanthropy and deserving organizations that make a difference.

Ryan, founder of DD’s Miracle Minis, a nonprofit that provides equine therapy, was one of 29 grant recipients to be honored at the Sisterhood for Good annual grants ceremony that took place June 25 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s humbling and it’s a breath of fresh air in a world where you feel like you’re constantly just being shoved bad news,” Ryan said. “You’re able to see that if you just go out and look for it, there’s so much good. The name (Sisterhood for Good) couldn’t be more perfect. To be part of it is an honor.”

Antonia Rolle, president and CEO of

Project 180, said its $7,000 grant will go toward providing medical, dental and vision insurance for women returning from incarceration.

“It’s funny how something like a prescription, a painful tooth or glasses can be the thing that keeps you from succeeding,” Rolle said. “I just want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who believes in second chances.”

Founder Angela Massaro-Fain said with 129 applications, she is proud Sisterhood for Good was able to give 29 grants this year. It is the fourth year in a row giving over $150,000.

“That has been very exciting and moving for me,” Massaro-Fain said.

“We hope to continue, as we go into our 16th year, to do even more next year.”

Jenifer Quiles, Sisterhood for Good Grants co-Chair Liz Brookins and Danielle DeJesus celebrate the $3,000 grant for Care Net Manasota Pregnancy Center, which will provide basic necessities for 15-20 new moms and babies.

Lindsey Ryan, founder of nonprofit DD’s Miracle Minis, says the $4,000 grant was already used to host and provide equine therapy to grieving children from the Mark Wandall Foundation.

Service Dogs Saving Lives board member Ally Hatfield, Sisterhood for Good’s Glo Reber and Service Dogs Saving Lives Secretary Yvette Ortiz celebrate the $3,500 grant that will assist in providing support to veterans and first responders.

— MADISON BIERL

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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Sisterhood for Good Founder Angela Massaro-Fain and founding member Kathy Collums say they are grateful to be able to give over $150,000 in grants for the fourth year in a row.

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Sisterhood for Good’s Amy Gorman presents a $7,500 grant to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation, represented by Anne Rollings.

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Monica Rider, chief medical director at MCR Health, says the $5,000 grant will be able to cover 100 dental screenings and cleanings for uninsured children within Manatee County.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

New principal wants to let Freedom ring Greg Sander has served in several roles in the School District of Manatee County.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

W

hen Greg Sander was attending school, he and his siblings were on the reduced lunch benefit.

“We never had the best of things, but we had all the things that we needed,” Sander said. “We had opportunities, but not limitless opportunities. Getting into education was to help create opportunities for others.”

Sander, who has served in a variety of roles in education in Manatee County, is the new principal for Freedom Elementary School. He attended Stewart Elementary School, Martha B. King Middle School and Manatee High School.

He said his mother, Barbara Sander, was one of his inspirations when it came to going into the education field. She worked as a classroom aide at Stewart Elementary and Sea Breeze Elementary. She returned to school to get her teaching degree and eventually retired at Sea Breeze as a teacher.

Sander enjoyed hearing about all of his mother’s stories and about the connections she made as a teacher.

“She was very big into teaching American history,” Sander said.

“She loved it so much, and whenever there were national elections, she would get the kids involved in the voting process. It was about the love of helping kids learn to be better citizens.”

When he learned he would be transferring from Prine Elementary School, where he has been principal for five years, to Freedom, the news first came as a surprise. He quickly started to learn more about the

MORE ON GREG SANDER Sander earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Furman University, where he also played football. He later completed a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida.

His career has included teaching second grade at Prine Elementary School, serving as a technology specialist at Haile Middle School and teaching grades two through five at Moody Elementary School. He went on to serve as assistant principal at Orange RidgeBullock Elementary School and Wakeland Elementary School of International Studies. He also served as principal of Sea Breeze Elementary School from 2015 to 2021 and most recently as principal of Prine Elementary School from 2021 to 2026.

school, and with that, his excitement increased.

Sander said every school has different cultures, expectations and history. He is excited to learn all Freedom.

“My biggest hope is to come in and be a part of the Freedom community, help make it better, and enhance what is already going on here,” Sander said. “It is not to come in and change things, because they have a deep foundation — traditions, academically and in the community — and it’s my goal to preserve those

Madison Bierl

and help connect with this generation of students.”

Sander has worked in a variety of different roles in education, which include teaching second through fifth grade and being a technology specialist. He described himself as a servant leader ready to provide whatever is needed in any given situation.

“There is no job too big or too small for me,” Sander said. “I’ve wiped down tables; I’ve cleaned up trash.

I’ve answered the phone calls. When I ask staff for help, I expect them to say ‘yes.’ If somebody needs help, help is going to be provided.”

Sander said every student should have some sort of positive connection with a staff member on campus.

That could be a teacher, an aide, a custodial staff member, a food service member or even himself.

“I’ve found people who get into education genuinely want to make a positive difference with kids,” Sander said.

“They want to connect. They want to make the world a little bit better at the end of the day than it was at the beginning of the day.”

Brittani Barnes, assistant principal at Freedom Elementary, said the staff has an amazing sense of pride,

“It’s not about me; it’s not about the leader; it’s about the path that these kids are on.”

— Greg Sander

responsibility and work ethic. She hopes Sander continues to help them build on that foundation.

“He’s wanting to have conversations and that’s good to show he’s a receptive leader,” Barnes said.”

Sander’s wife, Michelle, is a first grade teacher at Myakka Elementary School. She often gives a teacher’s perspective when he has new ideas.

“She has been a very strong grounding force for me,” Sander said.

Sander has a master’s in educational leadership and he said he was often told leaders are not born, they are created.

“My hope is during my time here, it’s just about Freedom Elementary and not Greg Sander,” Sander said.

“It’s not about me, it’s not about the leader, it’s about the path that these kids are on. Our goal isn’t to make great third graders, it’s to make kids that when they graduate fifth grade, they have more opportunities than we did as kids.”

Greg Sander, the new principal at Freedom Elementary School, is ready to build on the existing culture and traditions of the school.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, JULY 2 THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 5

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING Runs from 5-8 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), James Carberry (Friday), Bluegrass Pirates (Saturday) and Blue Star Band (Sunday). For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

FIREWORKS ON THE LAKE Gates open at 5 p.m. and the event runs through 9:30 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Nathan Benderson Park and The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota host the 10th annual Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.

This year’s event is themed America 250 and will feature an 18-minute fireworks show. Live music begins with Sugar Vibe at 5 p.m. The event also features a food truck zone, a Mote Kids Zone and a community mural project. Der Dutchman is holding a pie-eating contest with prizes. Oh What Fun Party Co. will provide patriotic photo backdrops.

The Pops Orchestra will provide patriotic music beginning at 8 p.m. and running through the conclusion of the fireworks.

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Dana Lawrence will play rock, blues, reggae and New Orleans soul for those strolling the streets of Waterside Place on Friday.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. Light up your July 4 with a free event that features circus acts, classic carnival games, a kids’ zone and local food and drinks. Comedian, juggler and sword swallower Noah Royak performs at 7 p.m., the Circus Arts Conservatory begins its show at 8 p.m. and the drone show begins at 9 p.m. Complimentary trolleys run from various parking lots at Grace Community Church. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

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SATURDAY, JULY 4

FIREWORKS CELEBRATION Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks show begins at 9:15 p.m. at 40855 Parks Road, Myakka City.

Myakka Skyworks presents the second annual community Fireworks Celebration. The family-friendly event includes free admission and parking. The event includes food vendors and a spirit contest for those who come dressed in their patriotic best, along with free raffle giveaways. Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For information, send an email to MarthaCRW@aol.com.

CRE Central Saturdays

SUNDAY, JULY 5

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which is 2025 was selected as the nation’s best Farmers Market, runs year-round every Sunday. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. Go to MyLWR.com for more information.

Stay updated with a roundup of big deals, market shifts, and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples

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

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MALL WALKERS CLUB Begins at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Join the Mall Walkers Club, a program sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, which allows health-minded individuals the ability to walk the mall an honor before regular operating hours on a daily basis. For more information, go to Simon.com/Mall/The-Mall-AtUniversity-Town-Center.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped the week’s sales. Cynthia Jones sold her home at 17115 Salerno Drive to Diego Donoso and Sandra Regina Belinelli Donoso, trustees, of Bradenton, for $2.6 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,596 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

Diego Donoso and Sandra Regina Belinelli Donoso, trustees, sold the home at 8560 Pavia Way to John Graham and Laura Graham, trustees, of Bradenton, for $2.35 million.

Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,047 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,598,200 in 2023.

MONTEREY

Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2505 Waterfront Circle to Khamii and Joshua Love, of Sarasota, for $1.68 million. Built in 2025, it has six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 4,993 square feet. It sold for $2,885,700 in 2023.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Deborah and Steven Askin sold their home at 14515 Leopard Creek Place to Denita and Matthew Neville, of Frisco, Texas, for $1.5 million. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,007 square feet of living area. It sold for $985,000 in 2021.

Jeffrey Warren Simmons and Claire Elizabeth Schilling sold their home at 17456 Hickok Belt Loop to Michael Bertrand, of Lakewood Ranch, for $885,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $512,000 in 2019.

John Hugh Latimer and Karen Latimer, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5717 Cheech Glen to Ryan Casey, of St. Petersburg, for $840,000.

Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two baths and is 2,248 square feet.

It sold for $749,700 in 2022.

COUNTRY CLUB

Charles Gray, trustee, of Placida, sold the home at 8212 Championship Court to William Joseph Bordegon III and Virginia Marie Bordegon, of Leawood, Kansas, for $875,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,892 square feet of living area. It sold for $592,800 in 2019.

CHARLESTON POINTE AT UNIVERSITY PLACE

David Melman LLC and Regina Melman sold the home at 8115 Planters Knoll Terrace to Tian Dasilva, of Bradenton, for $809,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,452 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in January.

SAPPHIRE POINT

Robert and Krista Wade, of Spring Hill, Tennessee, sold their home at 16411 Slate Place to Brian and Jen Schulman, of Staten Island New York, for $775,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,890 square feet of living area. It sold for $788,200 in 2022.

Calvin and Karyna Tran sold their home at 16313 Hidden Oak Loop to Jia Le Lu and Chan Lin, of Lakewood Ranch, for $737,500. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,443 square feet of living area. It sold for $781,900 in 2023.

Francis Lenau Johnson-Sutika and Matthew Sutika, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7010 Whittlebury Trail to Mark Matthew Nasser and Lisa Ann Nasser, of Bradenton, for $940,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,231 square feet of living area. It sold for $473,700 in 2021.

HBT at Waterside East LLC sold the home at 9181 Florida Rock Trail to Dana Page, of Sarasota, for $775,000. Built in 2025, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,102 square feet of living area.

Michael and Mary Ann Lahey, of Sarasota, sold their home at 801 Seascape Place to Melissa Shoemaker, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.5 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,982 square feet of living area. It sold for $792,100 in 2021.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Jaak Lugus and Tiia Lugus, of Estonia, sold their home at 10528 Cheval Place to Gaven Cleland Johnson and Maria Rose Herrig, of Bradenton, for $1.45 million. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 3,984 square feet. It sold for $845,000 in 2020.

ISLES

Ronald James Hayes and Mary Candace Concilio, of Apex, North Carolina, sold their home at 8252 Redonda Loop to HIP Properties LLC for $1,442,500. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and is 3,384 square feet.

RIVER FOREST

Jennifer Barak, of Bradenton, sold her home at 5935 River Forest Circle to Jennifer Lee and Kelli Lee, of Bradenton, for $1,035,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and is 2,905 square feet.

LORRAINE LAKES

William Pfannenstiel and Joan Sparks-Pfannenstiel, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 16204 Tradewind Terrace to Rachel and George Yukich, of Homer Glen, Illinois, for $910,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,616 square feet of living area. It sold for $561,200 in 2021.

JUNE 15-19

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Richard and Cheryl Kidron, trustees, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, sold the home at 7228 Whittlebury Trail to Kurt Roy Sullivan and Julie Ann Sullivan, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,363 square feet of living area. It sold for $183,400 in 2019.

SHOREVIEW

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

SHELLSTONE AT WATERSIDE

DEL WEBB

Patricia Vosk, trustee, of Tewksbury, New Jersey, sold the home at 16915 Loudon Place to John Edward Rogert Jr. and Catherine Rogert, of Bradenton, for $759,900. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,488 square feet of living area. It sold for $900,000 in 2022.

Courtesy image

This Lake Club home at 17115 Salerno Drive sold for $2.6 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,596 square feet of living area.

BRIDGEWATER

Richard Welton and Sheree Welton, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5632 Goodpasture Glen to Sagar Suri and Dasha Niccole Suri, of Lakewood Ranch, for $684,000.

Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,255 square feet of living area. It sold for $419,000 in 2016.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Russell John Clarke and Laura Christine Clarke, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12502 Goldenrod Ave. to Michael Brian Aleckson and Lori Anne Aleckson, of Bradenton, for $655,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,203 square feet of living area. It sold for $580,000 in 2021.

CREEKWOOD

Sarah Lee Kane and James William Kane IV, of Philadelphia, sold their home at 5106 76th St. E. to Bran-

don Douglas Lippert and Rebecca Lauren Farrell, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,368 square feet of living area. It sold for $601,000 in 2022.

INDIGO

John Wade and Gary Baugher, of St. Petersburg, sold their home at 3617 Azurite Way to Christina Elaine Lorf and John Lorf, of Bradenton, for $590,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,766 square feet of living area.

It sold for $482,600 in 2020.

SABAL HARBOUR

Samuel Dalton, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 4966 Bookelia Circle to Jordan Reid, of Bradenton, for $585,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,736 square feet of living area.

It sold for $275,000 in 2004.

Anytime.

Anywhere.

Observer.

SAVANNA

David and Emily Haertel, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14008 Green Hammock Place to Christopher Lynn Embry and Brooke Elizabeth Embry, of Bradenton, for $710,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,988 square feet of living area. It sold for $621,000 in 2022.

Lloyd Duane Hughes and Cassie Lynn Hughes sold their home at 3218 Big Sky Way to Jenna and Clay Metzger, of Bradenton, for $680,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,340 square feet of living area. It sold for $404,700 in 2020.

COUNTRY CREEK

Jaden and Nicole Ghylin, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15107 Third Drive E. to Nicholas and Angela Paragioudakis, of Bradenton, for $699,000. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,888 square feet of living area. It sold for $715,000 in 2025.

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CRESSWIND

Edward Bonneau III and Marianne Scott Sargent, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17022 Cresswind Terrace to Timothy Holliday and Cynthia Holliday, trustees, of Bradenton, for $690,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,312 square feet of living area.

It sold for $779,000 in 2022.

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ADAM HUGHES

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $2.6 million

9B

JULY 2, 2026

SPORTS

“Distance freestyle is my main thing. When you are younger, you’re doing everything, and I was actually more of a breast-stroker.” — Lakewood Ranch High’s Jaxon Griffin

FLORIDA AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

FAST

BREAK

Jack Nelson

Sarasota Paradise defender Declan Watters, pictured here during an April 22 game against Corpus Christi FC, has appeared in all 16 games for the club this season.

T

he Sarasota Paradise are on the road to face the Richmond Kickers at 7:30 p.m. July 3 and Greenville Triumph SC at 7 p.m.

July 8. The former matchup will be a homecoming for coach Mika Elovaara, who served as lead assistant and director of player development and methodology for the Kickers from 2019-25. The Paradise are 5-10-1 — 12th place in USL League One, as of June 24 — and have won three of their last five matches. ... Parrish Community girls golf, the reigning FHSAA 3A state champion, will compete in the PGA High School Golf National Invitational July 11-13 at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. The tournament has been held annually since 2019, and this year, the Bulls are the only girls golf team representing Florida. Rising seniors Avery Banfill and Phoenix Scanlan are Lakewood Ranchbased, and both are committed to the University of Memphis.

Banfill posted the team’s best individual finish at the 3A state championship with a 2-underpar 145 (76-69), tying for fourth place. Then-junior Natalie Angelo placed T-13th, Scanlan was T-23rd, then-sophomore Olivia Agate was T-35th and then-senior Maya Krone was T-66th. The invitational is not a FHSAA-sanctioned event, so Parrish Community has raised its own funds for the trip. A GoFundMe is available at www.GoFundMe.com/F/HelpFloridas-Girls-Golf-ChampionsHead-To-Nationals, and as of June 24, has collected $10,260 of its $12,000 goal. ... Sky Commissar, a rising sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High, will compete with Great Britain’s U17 girls soccer team at the Costa Blanca Cup in Benidorm, Spain, from July 5-11. Commissar is coming off her freshman season with the Mustangs, in which she tallied 70 minutes played and three shots across 14 appearances.

BUSY SUMMER PAGE 11B

Photos by Jack Nelson

The Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars. Back row from left: Kennedy Hayman, Emersyn Sloan, Gabriella Busenburg, Korie Hayman, Ainalanys Quinones and Kayleigh Akers. Front row from left: Julia Hill, Aaleyah Mays, Ella Caggiano, Chloe Goulah, Brooke Moyer and Kylie Nunez.

Florida lays claim to the second-most Little League Softball World Series titles with eight all-time, trailing only Texas’ 14. Those champions are Clearwater (1996), Naples (1991, 1989, 1988, 1983), Tampa Bay (1987, 1986) and Tampa (1974).

A team from Florida, though, has not reached the LLSWS final since Windermere finished runner-up to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2012.

The 2025 LLSWS was won by Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with a 1-0 score against Floyds Knobs, Indiana. This year’s edition of the tournament will be held Aug. 2-9 at Stallings Stadium in Greenville, North Carolina.

Big dreams in Little League An organizational switch from Miss Florida Softball to Little League Softball set the stage for the team to pursue the Little League World Series.

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

A

lthough the Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars didn’t reach the Little League Softball World Series in 2026, they at least took one important step forward.

They had the opportunity.

Until this year, no Manatee softball team could qualify for the prestigious tournament.

From 1998-2025, the Miss Manatee Softball League was part of Miss Florida Softball, and could not compete in tournament play beyond the state level.

What was Miss Manatee, though, is now Manatee Softball Little League.

This year, it joined Little League — the international organization that runs the annually televised World Series for both baseball and softball.

Manatee Softball’s 12U All-Stars were the league’s first team vying for a berth on the biggest stage in youth softball. They reached the state tournament played from June 26-28 in Port St. Lucie, but finished sixth.

Following a 7-0 loss to Lake Mary, Manatee fell to Windermere 13-4 and ended its run with a victory over Miami Springs 13-1.

“This team, I feel like, has stood out (from) my other experiences of being on a softball team,” said 13-year-old catcher/outfielder Emersyn Sloan.

“I’ve meshed (with them) better…

We all click as a group.”

Manatee, which is based out of Lakewood Ranch Park, advanced through District 26 without play, since it’s the only softball team in that district. Then it traveled to Dade City for the Section 4 tournament and won both games, 15-0 and 12-0, to advance once more.

Had it topped the statewide field, it would have moved on to the regional tournament in Warner Robins, Georgia, from July 17-22.

Its goal — like any 12U team in Little League — was to go even further than that. The Little League Softball World Series would’ve been the ultimate destination.

“Representing Florida for the first time for this whole league (is what we hoped to accomplish),” said 13-yearold catcher/shortstop Kennedy Hayman. “To do that in the first season of Little League (would’ve been) a big thing.”

Her father, JR Hayman, was head coach for the 12U All-Stars and has served as Manatee Softball Little League president since December 2025. Coaching softball dates back

Julia Hill, an 11-year-old utility player, was one of 12 players on the Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars. The team will continue giving players like Hill an opportunity to compete beyond state lines since it has joined Little League.

even further for him. He got into it when Kennedy Hayman switched over to then-Miss Manatee Softball from Buffalo Creek Little League in 2021.

The idea for Manatee to become a member of Little League Softball began with former president Andrew Jensen in 2024. He coached alongside JR Hayman in the league then, and discussed the idea with him.

David Haertel carried forward Jensen’s idea during his own presidency the following year, but it was Hayman who acted on it.

“I was like, ‘Well, let’s take the bull by the horns,’” Hayman said.

“We felt it could give our girls an opportunity to get some more exposure, but also, play longer and get more bang for their buck.”

Miss Florida Softball, which Manatee joined upon inception in 1998, had its limitations.

The organization encompasses 13 leagues, which are mostly based on the west coa s t o f Florida. It hosts an AllStar event at the end of each spring, but tournament play extends no further.

Hayman and the rest of the board moved to change that. From February to June, this spring season was Manatee’s first in Little League, and it welcomed 59 players across five teams at the 12U level — its “majors” division.

The Manatee Softball 12U AllStars consisted of 12 girls who were the best among the bunch.

“As soon as they came together, first practice, it was a good group of kids,” Hayman said. “Usually, you deal with some of that nervousness or shyness. (There was) none of that.”

Before each spring and fall season, Manatee redrafts teams across all divisions of its league. That ensures parity.

Nine girls on the 12U All-Stars’ roster had either played with or against each other in the league over the past two to three years.

Sloan, 12-year-old Ainalanys Quinones and 12-year-old Aaleyah Mays were new this spring — transplants from Miss Palma Sola Softball — but were good fits.

It’s those teammate-to-teammate connections that tops Kennedy Hayman’s list of reasons she first joined softball four-and-a-half years ago.

“I’m basically here for the friendships, the competitiveness of the game and how fast it goes,” Hayman said.

Playing for Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars allowed her to maintain friendships while also establishing new ones. It fed her competitive spirit by giving her an opportunity to pursue the Little League Softball World Series.

For Sloan, this team was an affirmation of the passion she’s long had for softball.

“When I started playing, it just clicked,” Sloan said. “This has been my sport. I have never thought about changing it for anything else.”

Ainalanys Quinones, a 12-year-old catcher/ third baseman, helped Manatee roll past Dade City in Florida’s Little League Softball Section 4 tournament from June 20-21 with 15-0 and 12-0 victories.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

NELSON’S NOGGIN

11B

JACK NELSON

For athletic directors, summer is no day at the beach S

ummer is the time for high school athletes to kick back and relax.

With organized sports on hiatus, they can mostly trade cleats for flip-flops and separate from the season’s grind.

The same can be said for coaches.

In this day and age, their work is both tireless and thankless, so June and July can be a much-needed break for them, too.

Relaxation is rare for athletic directors, though. These months are anything but relaxing for those hoping to set up their respective departments for success in 2026-27.

While many are at the beach or by the pool, they remain in the office, working with little fanfare to ensure everything athletics-related is in order.

“I look at it like this: If you don’t know who I am, I’m doing a great job,” said Rafael Fernandez, the Cardinal Mooney athletic director.

“I’m a firm believer in, and I try to tell my coaches, ‘If no one’s talking about you, that’s probably a good thing.’”

Their to-do lists are lengthy.

Clearance of coaches and athletes, upkeep of the budget, compliance with new state mandates and the organization of fall sports schedules are common priorities.

Many schools offer strength and conditioning programs for those athletes who choose not to rest.

Coaching hires, if needed, are also athletic directors’ responsibility.

On-campus facilities are rarely in use with students out of school, making summer an ideal time for improvements or maintenance.

Cardinal Mooney has resurfaced its basketball court and will add a new floor to its varsity locker room.

Braden River High is busy in that regard, too. Its grounds are undergoing a face-lift, which will benefit not just student-athletes.

“Students in general, when they come back in the fall, are going to

Image courtesy of Andres Parra

Andres Parra has served as The Out-of-Door Academy athletic director since July 2022. He’s been through his fair share of busy summers over the years.

see kind of a new campus,” said Matt Nesser, the Braden River High athletic director. “Everything’s going to be freshly painted. The gym is going to be redone in a lot of ways.”

Seasoned athletic directors know what to expect. They get a break from long nights without practices or games to attend, but that doesn’t mean the days are any less busy.

BJ Ivey, the Sarasota High athletic director, is in the thick of his third summer in the position. Years past have taught him to push fundraising — hard.

“A lot of people have this mis-

conception that Sarasota County Schools gives us an athletic budget to pay for officials and uniforms and equipment and all the things needed to run an athletic program,” Ivey said. “They really don’t. The only thing that we get is money for transportation.”

This particular summer presents even more for athletic directors to manage. Multiple pieces of legislation will impact high schools across the state, if they haven’t already.

Chief among them is Senate Bill 1070, the “Second Chance Act,” which seeks to address the leading medical cause of death among

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student-athletes: sudden cardiac arrest.

All incoming freshmen will be required to undergo an electrocardiogram before participating in sanctioned sports. When the bill goes into effect July 1, Florida will formally become the first state to require EKG screenings for high school athletes.

“It’s a curve, and I think there’s a lot of uncertainty,” said Andres Parra, The Out-of-Door Academy athletic director. “People are a little reluctant to buy into the cardiac screenings, just because it is a scary thing if you find something, but at the same time, you want to help find any prevention that you can.”

Also in need of consideration are Senate Bill 178 and Senate Bill 538. The former allows high school coaches to spend up to $15,000 per year of their personal funds to cover expenses like food and transportation for their student-athletes.

SB 538 authorizes school boards to use funds generated by booster clubs for additional pay of coaches.

It also prohibits students from competing for more than one school in one academic year and requires non in-person students to compete for a school in their county of residence.

Fernandez, Ivey, Nesser and Parra all said they’re unsure if SB 538 will improve coaching pay at their respective schools in the near future.

“We’re all in a holding pattern,” Fernandez said. “This is uncharted waters. No one knows what it looks like or what it’s going to mean.

I’m just waiting on guidance from the Diocese of Venice on how they would like to go about addressing it with our booster clubs.”

No two athletic departments have the same order of priorities during the summer. Those vary based on their school’s most pressing athletic needs.

But for all of them, this is a period of reflection. It’s time to look back on the rights and wrongs of the 2025-26 academic year and evaluate how to set up their teams for success. “(For us, it’s about) really continuing to build on momentum,” Parra said. “ODA has started to make some noise in different sports, and our coaches have invested their time and energy. Without them, it’s nearly impossible to make sure that our students are going in the right direction.”

Through Ivey’s eyes, summer success boils down to three items.

First among them is raising as much money as possible to support athletics. Second is ensuring all coaches and athletes are cleared.

Third on his list is establishing strong lines of communication between the athletic department and coaches, the athletic department and athletes as well as between coaches and athletes.

“If you can check all those boxes … everything locked in and everybody’s on the same page and ready to go,” Ivey said. “I would say that’s a successful summer.”

June didn’t offer an abundance of rest for athletic directors. With the Florida High School Athletic Association’s calendar beginning July 27, this month won’t be different.

Their summers don’t match those of their coaches or athletes. This job simply prevents them from sitting still.

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

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

12B

Jaxon Griffin This has been a big year for Jaxon Griffin. In March, the rising junior at Lakewood Ranch High qualified for the USA Swimming Futures Championships for the first time. He most recently competed at Speedo Sectionals in Ocala from June 4-7, qualifying for both the Speedo Summer and Winter Junior National Championships. His best result at that sectional meet was sixth place in the 400-yard individual medley (4:39.40). He will soon travel to the futures championships, which are set for July 29 through Aug. 1 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Griffin, who swims for Sarasota Tsunami, is the East County Athlete of the Week.

What did you think of your performance at Speedo Sectionals?

I went in trying to get my (Speedo Winter Junior National Championships qualifying time), and I got it by a good bit. The races felt good and it was better than I thought I was going to do.

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!

coaches would see in practice that I had good endurance. After they saw that, they had me focus on distance freestyle. I guess I’ve always had that endurance.

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

“Every day, stronger.” That’s a quote from one of my coaches (Courtney Daly, who died Aug. 30, 2025). Just focus on the short-term. Every day, be a little bit better than you were on the last.

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

I’m related to one of the presidents, Zachary Taylor (who was the 12th U.S. President serving from 184950). My grandpa was looking at our family history and he found that out.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

Rafael Nadal. My dad’s a tennis player, and I grew up watching (Nadal). I just always liked the way he plays.

Finish this sentence. Jaxon Griffin is ...

Competitive.

What goals do you have in mind entering your junior year?

I’m trying to (reach the) podium at (the FHSAA Class 4A swimming and diving state championships) — that would be my goal — in the 500-yard freestyle. Last year, I (placed 12th at 4:34.31). I’m hoping to be more toward the front, potentially top five.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to JNelson@YourObserver.com.

For membership information or to book a tee time call us at 941.744.9771 or email waterlefegolfclub@waterlefefl.com

When and why did you start swimming?

I started when I was little, (at John Marble Park) actually, in the old pool. I was 7 years old. I was playing multiple sports, and then I happened to be on a very competitive swim team, so I enjoyed swimming with my friends. Most of my friends kept swimming, so I stuck with it.

In what events do you specialize?

Distance freestyle is my main thing. When you’re younger, you’re doing everything, and I was actually more of a breaststroker. As I got older, the

Compassionate & Skilled Care Linda felt a glimmer of hope again when Dr. Yelverton greeted her in the waiting room with a smile and explained that he was able to insert a tube, with a light at the end, into her husband’s stomach to help identify the location of his profuse internal bleeding. Dr. Yelverton was then able to cauterize the whole area to stop the bleeding.

“The majority of his stomach had to be removed, and Mr. Stelle underwent a long course of multiple surgeries to reconstruct his intestines,” says Dr. Yelverton.

Following his surgeries, Dr. Yelverton shares that Stelle received excellent care in the hospital’s intensive care unit and later continued his care in rehabilitation.

I thought he was trying to die on us. But then they stopped the bleeding and I felt hopeful again.”

Living a Normal Life

Linda Stelle Wife of patient Roger Stelle

Critical Patient Is Saved by Quick Efforts of Hospital Teams

When Roger Stelle collapsed at home on the evening of November 18, 2025, his wife, Linda, called 911.

The ambulance arrived quickly and took him to the emergency room at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

He was immediately identified as having an internal bleed, was intubated and received two massive transfusions. As the emergency room staff worked hard

to revive him, Linda was fearful that her husband would not make it.

as having a gastric ulcer that had perforated, explains Dr. Yelverton.

“Roger Stelle is truly a testament of the care offered at the hospital,” says Samuel Yelverton, MD, a general surgeon at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, who was called into the ER that night. He refers to the condition Stelle presented with as a “massive upper GI bleed.” He was later identified

“When Mr. Stelle got to the operating room, he was close to dying. He lost several liters of blood, and it was because of the quick responsiveness of the emergency, surgical and anesthesiology teams that we were able to control the bleeding,” says Dr. Yelverton.

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Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is recognized for patient safety and award-winning clinical care. See our services and find a doctor at lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com

“Roger is fully recovered and learning to eat without a stomach.

He has lost 35 pounds and looks great,” says Linda Stelle. “I have nothing but praise for everyone who saved my husband’s life, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” she says.

“I have seen him for follow-up care in the office a few times since his ordeal,” Dr. Yelverton adds. “He is back to living a normal life, thanks to the amazing support he received from everyone at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.”

8330 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice visit out website. 264390699-4900094 6/26

YourObserver.com

13B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Sunrise Sunset

High: 91 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 69%

FRIDAY, JULY 3 High: 91 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 76%

Thursday, July 2

6:38a

8:28p

Friday, July 3

6:38a

8:28p

Saturday, July 4

6:39a

8:28p

Sunday, July 5

6:39a

8:28p

Monday, July 6

6:40a

8:28p

Tuesday, July 7

6:40a

8:28p

Wednesday, July 8

6:41a

8:28p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FORECAST

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, JULY 4 High: 90 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 83%

July 7 Last

July 14 New

July 21 First

July 29 Full

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, JULY 5 High: 89 Low: 77 Chance of rain: 63% Gordon Silver took this photo of a full Wolf Moon rising over Del Webb just after sunset.

Monday, June 22

0

Tuesday, June 23

0

Wednesday, June 24

0

Thursday, June 25

0.87

Friday, June 26

0

Saturday, June 27

0

Sunday, June 28

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Contests. All submissions will be entered in the 2026-27 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2027, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2026 13.19 in.

2025 22.20 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 0.88 in.

2026 2025 13.53 in.

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BEARING FRUIT by Bob Weisz & Zachary Edward-Brown, edited by Taylor Johnson

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ACROSS

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55 “Who ___ to say?”

29 Majestic

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102 Number of B vitamins 69 Honda luxury brand 104 Fertile area in a 10670 Flight unit Down 71 On edge 105 Piano practice piece 73 Fight to the end 107 Saturn, Jupiter and 75 Russian ruler until 1917 Pluto 77 Zilch 109 Cry a little 79 Supporter of the arts?

112 HVAC measure 80 Buffoons 113 Bibimbap topper 83 Coffee that won’t give 116 Brownie ___ (earned you a buzz things) 85 “Go, team!”

117 Lists one by one 88 Highway divider 124 Super 8 alternative 91 CBS procedural 126 Daring poker play 92 Social equal 128 Hot pot mushroom

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66 Comedian Garcia 134 ‘Tude 68 Regret 72 Part of NSFW DOWN 74 Twister or Go 1 Tricolor symbol of pride, 76 Fruity drink suffix informally 78 Opera solo 2 Using the internet 80 Cinco + tres 3 “The temptation is too 81 Most populous continent great!”

82 Shark parts 4 Loud noise 84 Certain Greek islander 5 First lady in the ‘60s, 86 Whispery video genre casually 6 Air pollution portmanteau 87 ___ bag (crescent-shaped purse) 7 “True” or “false” (Abbr.)

8 Certain woodwind player’s 89 Condition for which fidget spinners can be insert helpful 9 Bedsheets and such 90 D.C. ballplayers 10 On the lam 92 Evidence board fasteners 11 Big name in PCs 94 Heartfelt request 12 Dad on “black-ish” 13 Card game that’s a varia- 95 ___ Perignon 98 Start to play? tion of rummy 100 Surname that anagrams 14 Ones marking exams to “trustee” 15 Water cooler?

102 Starter follower 17 “My DMs are open” 103 Invasive lizards in 20 Lily variety Florida 21 Voted out 106 Gobi or Mojave 23 Adult ed. course 108 Civil War prez 25 Palindromic address 110 Seemingly forever 28 “Thai” herb 111 Get through to 33 High regard 113 Dutch cheese 35 “Twister” or “Go” 114 Stare in shock 36 Theorize 115 Greek sandwich 37 Hair colorant 118 “Nick at ___” 39 Big ___ (burger) 41 Vice president who wrote 119 Not new 120 Rx item “Earth in the Balance” 121 Ancient senator’s gar43 Pointy-eared Tolkien ment figure 122 Squeaks (out) 45 Dutch blooms 123 Titles for knights 48 Ewe’s mate 125 Scatter seeds 49 Australian birds 127 VCR button for taping 51 Atlanta-based channel

457540-1

celebrity cipher

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“K VEPBW AEKGA LE RYZIRY. K BGMEQBW DBKGA H OHIL EC LYB RYEKI ... K RBILHKGVQ BGMEQBW NHLRYKGA HGW VKTLBGKGA LE JQ WHW.” HIBLYH CIHGXVKG

“O VEHVYLVQ LX UV M YRMPPOYMR LJVMLVC MYLXC ... O ZSOYWRA RVMCIVQ LJML O JMQ LX HMA UMYW DA PYJXXR RXMIP.”

KCMIYVP DYQXCDMIQ

“T UMK’L GVKL LM ZJ TK LOJ QVTKRLSJVQ ... TX LOJ ASTLTAR RLVSL WTBTKH QD QMYTJR, LOJK T’Q TK UJJI LSMNZWJ.” EMOK AVSIJKLJS Puzzle Three Clue: O equals S

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: P equals S

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RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Autos Wanted

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis..

Items Under $200 BEER STEINS w/pewter lids, 5L, vintage glass, amber glass handles 4-$80. 941-524-8867

Antiques/ Collectibles

stuff

ANTIQUES WANTED

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

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

Autos for Sale 2007 JAGUAR XK convertible.

Baby blue 43467 Mileage. $18500 (941)350-6544

General Merchandise THRIFTING FOR Missions Did you know you can find books, puzzles, furniture, clothing and more at World's Attic Thrift Shop?

Our proceeds go to missions both locally and around the world? 700 N. Beneva Rd. Sarasota. Bring this ad and get 10% off your order (cannot be used during our 50% off sale July 3rd). $1.00 (941) 330-0065 www.worldsattic.org

real estate

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Homes for Sale

3 15INCH BY 15 INCH BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED & SIGNED FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSES KEY WEST -1849 PONCE DE LEON -1887 ST AUGOSTINE -1824 $95. Call (310)720-7285 ANTIQUE POSTCARDS (10), 1800 onwards, $5 each. One Antique Tube Radio, $60.

Howard Miller Wall Clock, $40.

Prices Negotiable (941)284-0296

40+ years in Sarasota

HARBORAGE ON Braden River!

Renovated 3/2.5/2 end unit townhome. Secluded patio. 240 EV in garage. Gated. Private marina. Fitness. Clubhouse.

Heated pool. Walking trails.

Paddle sports. Fresh and modern indoors. Florida at your fingertips outdoors. $349,000.00 Listed by Broker Kimberly Jatich (941) 504-3874 QUARTZ COAST REALTY INC https://www.quartzcoast realtyfl.com/

Honest Evaluations NO ONE PAYS MORE!

941-400-8811

Homes for Sale

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

jobs

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Al Tomlinson

BOAT SLIPS FOR LEASE ON LONGBOAT KEY Annual and monthly leases are available. Deep water slips up to 40 ft with water and electrical service. Easy access to Sarasota Bay, ICW and Gulf Call 941-500-3895.

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

General Merchandise CIVIL WAR and World War 2 Headline News papers $30- $100.

Howard Miller Grandmother Clock, perfect condition $600.

Sehatz Anniversary clock, $90.

Antique Tube Radios $60, postcards $5, & documents.

Prices Negotiable (941)284-0296

Help Wanted

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. Instagram: Braziliancleaningsrq

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING



SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

auto

Items Under $200

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

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

Power Washing (Soft Wash), Construction, Window washing/DI Window Cleaning

DAD AND DAUGHTER TEAM BUYING COINS & CURRENCY Call Today! 941-795-3203

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

Auto Transport

Residential/Commercial, Vacation Rentals, Real Estate, Clubhouse/Amenities.

Merchandise Wanted

WANTED

home services

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

RAPIDLY EXPANDING COMPANY Need qualified cleaners with experience. Good hourly start rate.









(941)756-4570 (941)782-8018 totalhomeservicecleaning @ymail.com

Handyman Services JAMES BOTTORFF EXPERIENCED HANDYMAN SERVICES Call or Text 941-807-0032 Registered in the state of FL.

Painting CARL DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & condos.

Honest & reliable.

For Free estimates call

Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000 Plantation Golf Course View Condo 3 Bed $294,000 House on Canal with Pool & Dock $1,250,000 Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

CARL 941-448-8468 35+ years experience.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

Painting SARASOTA PAINTING & DESIGN INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured, Full Service.

We work with the most beautiful properties in the Sarasota and surrounding areas!

(941)756-4570

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398 28 Years Experience

Aluminum

Blinds/Window Treatments

Luxury Sarasota Bay views 4 Bed 5 Bath with Boat Dock $1.76 million Near South bridge to Siesta One level, heated pool, stroll to shops. 3Bed-2.5Bath $1,250,000

Bringing Beauty, Comfort & Elegance to Every Room “Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters” Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

463452

464267

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

PLACE YOUR AD: Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair Call: 386-447-9723 It’s Easier Than You Think!

Email: redpages@ormondbeachobserver.com Online: ormondbeachobserver.com/redpages Hardware Repair Learn Computer Basics Virus / Malware Cleanup Phones/Tablet Help Software & Printer Install Apple & Microsoft New Computer Setups Problems Solved New Purchase Consults On-Site and Off Seniors & Beginners Much More! Call Today!

FAST • EASY • SAFE

WE COME TO YOU 5-Star Rated

463453

Pegatronics.com 463925

HoHoBuysCars.com

www.designingwindowsbyisabel.com $ Special Discounts Veterans & Seniors Color background: 5 perforweek $ Ad border: as low as 3 per week

Computer

SELL YOUR CAR! 941.270.4400

SPECIALTIES: Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies, Cushions, Beddings, Motorized Systems 15% DISCOUNT 941-879-6310 | designingwindowsbyisabel@gmail.com FOR 4-WEEK RUN

941-735-3362

Brooke O’Malley CLUB REALTY Call 941-726-2677

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Power Washing JOE THE POWER WASHER LLC. PRESSURE WASHING (941) 993-4447

Professional Services AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR Edited and Published HighCottonPublishing.com 941-706-2463

RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words ......................... $17.50 per week Each Add’l word ...........................................50¢ 15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

Call: 941-955-4888 Email: redpages@yourobserver.com Place your ad online: yourobserver.com/redpages FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

YourObserver.com

Doors

Remodeling/Home Improvement

Transportation

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

DON’T let your

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

FREE

LIC#CRC1334176

Eldridge Re-Screen

941-203-1604 www.ezslider.com

463454

Licensed

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit and Fascia • Metal & Shingle Roofing • Pool Cage, Pan Roofs & Lania Fabrication • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

463455

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS • DRYWALL • PAINT • TRIM • DOORS • TILE • FLOORING • SHOWER TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

Windows

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Pool Enclosure Specialists

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Established in 1989 Serving Our Area for Over 35 Years

Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

• Pool Enclosures • Front Entry Screens • Lanais • Concrete & Pavers

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Call Today: (941) 925-3200 info@bishopsaluminum.com 463498

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

SCC131150987

SCREEN MACHINE

STANDARD WINDOWS

RE-SCREENING

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

941-879-3136

463493

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

Home Services INJECT-AFLOOR SYSTEM

DO YOU HAVE LOOSE & HOLLOW TILES?

Made for where you live. Here!

RED PAGES YourObserver.com/RedPages

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW SCREW GRAB GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”)

941.966.0333 LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGEAREA: AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT COVERAGE RANCH TO S. VENICE

364556 463515

249 235

* $ $235

DRGRABBARS.COM

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888 Plumbing

Mark’s Plumbing Service Plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

RELIABLE • INSURED

941-920-8221

peekers’ place

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

You’re only cheating yourself.

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

160

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS 463456

Screen Repair | Per Panel Pricing Building | Under Truss | Lanais | Entryways Prompt Estimates (usually no visit necessary)

25 $

UP TO

SPECIAL 00 5

$

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

This week’s Crossword answers

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “I loved going to church. I enjoyed being a part of the choir ... I certainly enjoyed watching and listening to my dad.”

Aretha Franklin Puzzle Two Solution: “I expected to be a classical theater actor ... I quickly learned that I had to pay back my school loans.”

Frances McDormand

Puzzle Three Solution: “I don’t want to be in the mainstream ... If the critics start liking my movies, then I’m in deep trouble.”

John Carpenter

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2026 Universal Uclick

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

DON DI STEFANO (941) 893.8475

jccpcleaning@aol.com | jccpwindowcleaning.net

Screening

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

453820

CALL JUAN & CINDY LICENSED & INSURED 239-203-5913 l 407-902-7845 463494

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

463928

WINDOW CLEANING, PRESSURE WASHING, & GUTTERS CLEANING!

941-626-3194 kennethfuhlmaninc.com

Health

$

Window Cleaning

Roofing

463450

941.302.5850

SERVING SIESTA KEY & SARASOTA COUNTY

941-270-1561

463496

Accepting Credit Cards

NEED HELP?

Find local business and service professionals in the Observer Red Pages.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

©2026 NEA, Inc.

HANDYMAN SERVICES

“No Job Too Small” Insured

464420

Carpentry • Painting Pressure Washing

464972

C.T. MALLETT

FREE ESTIMATES, CALL TODAY!

(941) 544.5663 | luislopezlanwservice@gmail.com

• Pet Screen • 20/20 No-See-Um Screening • We Paint Pool Cages

Handyman

MAKE YOUR

Tree Removal Tree Trimming Lawn Maintenance and More!

20 years local experience Licensed & Insured

Rescreening & Repairs

Call us today!

NEW AGAIN

Trees

464365

CALL TODAY 941.465.3045

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

410036

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR KITCHEN & BATH REMODELS FLOORING HOME MAINTENANCE TRIM & DOORS

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

GROUT

463495

941 - 248 - 4734

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

LOOK LIKE

15B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

250 YEARS OF HOME 1776

2026

CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN DREAM — ONE HOME AT A TIME.

home

From our nation's founding to today and beyond, has been where our stories begin, our families grow, and our futures are built.

1776

COLONIAL

1840

GREEK REVIVAL

1890

VICTORIAN

1920

CRAFTSMAN

The homes of our founding era.

A nation growing in strength and optimism.

A time of progress, craftmanship and ambition.

Thoughtful design and lasting craftmanship.

1955

Built for modern families and a new way of life.

2026

Designed for today.

Built for tomorrow.

Made for living.

RANCH

MODERN LUXURY

As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, we are honored to help families throughout Lakewood Ranch find the place where their next chapter begins.

SHANAHAN LUXURY GROUP 941.961.8205 | 941.702.0437 ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBrealty.com 8334 Market Street | Lakewood Ranch, FL TOP PRODUCING LAKEWOOD RANCH TEAM 2023, 2024, 2025 for Coldwell Banker Realty Contact Us to Learn More or to Schedule a Showing.

464604-1

16B

Sha na ha nL uxur yG roup.co m