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E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

A million-dollar view.

PAGE 12A

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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FREE THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

VOLUME 21, NO. 8

YOUR TOWN

Tower power New towers boost safety for Manatee County’s emergency workers. PAGE 3A

Pam Eubanks

Store bags funds for special cause Normally, Jon Koehler bags groceries at the Lakewood Walk Publix. But this week, he is using his shift to raise funds for Manatee County Special Olympics, a nonprofit that offers sports training and competition to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Koehler (above) shows off his old ribbons and medals from his time in Special Olympics in Michigan at his fundraising booth inside the store. Last year, he raised $4,500.

He will be at Publix collecting donations from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 11-13.

BEEFY BONDS

It takes a special connection to earn a fair livestock ribbon.

SEE PAGE 4A Pam Eubanks

Lakewood Ranch High School’s Madyson Flores is showing her heifer, Emmy, for the third year in a row at the Manatee County Fair, which begins Jan. 17. This year, Emmy is competing as a milking cow.

Courtesy photo

The perfect stretch Tara Golf and Country Club’s Sandy Coffman planned something special for her fellow fitness enthusiasts.

On Dec. 23, New Yorkbased yoga instructor Sarrah Strimel (above, left, with Coffman) taught a yoga class on the patio of Tara’s clubhouse. About 25 people participated.

“She handled the class with expertise, humor and fabulous music,” said Coffman, Tara’s Fitness and Recreation Committee chairwoman. “It was a great workout and a fun experience.”

Cheer for my horses Jay Heater

Clayton Mowrey, the vice president for Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, says Olissio Zoppe’s equestrian show is stunning and breathtaking.

Local circus artist presents his love of horses at Big Cat Habitat show.

SEE PAGE 8A

A+E Classic play still relevant. INSIDE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

ABOUT DRIVING THERAPY Carriage driving is an activity that involves driving a horse that pulls a four-wheel carriage. The carriage is wheelchair accessible and will accommodate individuals who can’t easily transfer from the wheelchair.

The carriage has a battery-operated lift platform, which is used to safely provide access.

sion of promoting meaningful changes in the areas of education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment and medical research.

SMART’s mission statement is to “enrich the lives of people with special needs through therapeutic horse-related programs.”

Ezell said grant funds will be used to buy a horse and upgrade or replace its carriage.

“This is a huge deal,” Ezell said of the grant. “Sterling is 22. He’s going to be ready to retire, and it takes a certain type of temperament and quality of horse to (pull carriages). It may take six months to a year to find a solid horse.”

Ezell said a horse could cost approximately $8,000. It must be able to handle wearing a harness and standing still for long periods, for example.

SMART also plans to use a portion of the proceeds to either retrofit the program’s existing Thornlea wheelchair-accessible carriage with wheels better suited to handle muddy conditions or to purchase a new carriage altogeth-

Courtesy photo

Sterling, a 22-year-old Percheron at the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, pulls students across a field at SMART’s campus off County Road 675. Sterling will retire in about a year.

Grant drives SMART program A $34,000 grant will allow SMART to find a new driving therapy horse and perhaps a new carriage.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

One of the most important workers at the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy will be ready to retire in about a year.

That has caused quite the concern since the worker is Sterling, a 17.2-hand Percheron therapy

horse who pulls a carriage for children and adults who cannot ride in a saddle.

Fortunately, a $34,000 grant from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation has allowed Brandi Ezell, the SMART executive director, to begin the search for Sterling’s replacement. The Barancik Foundation has a mis-

er, Ezell said. A new carriage likely will cost at least $25,000.

If any of the grant money remains after those purchases, it would go toward training the horse, Ezell said.

Most participants in SMART’s riding therapy programs ride horseback, but SMART barn manager and riding and driving instructor Samantha Toomey said offering the driving therapy program is important because it enables more people to receive the benefits of riding therapy.

Such benefits include building confidence, cognitive skills, core muscle building, balance, eyehand coordination and fine motor skills.

“The benefits are similar,” she said of carriage driving.

Ezell said some of their clients are afraid of riding horses and others have other conditions, like using oxygen tanks, that prevent them from riding in a saddle.

“It gives them the opportunity to still participate,” Ezell said.

Ezell said Saturday morning driving therapy participants help with grooming and caring for the horse and harnessing and unharnessing it, as well as other tasks related to their lessons.

“They love it,” Ezell said. “They love being able to be part of it all.”

SMART has nine students in its driving therapy program.

In 2018, SMART provided services to 630 children and adults across all its programs. It has partnerships for services with organizations such as Beyond the Spectrum, Selah Freedom and The Mark Wandall Foundation.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

County’s objective is clear Better technology will aid emergency communication efforts.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

F

or the past six years, Lakewood Ranch’s Willie Miranda has been working behind the scenes to prepare Manatee County to switch to a new P25 radio system, aimed at enhancing communication for emergency responders.

Now, it’s all systems go.

As Miranda starts 2019, he’s focused on getting the network up and running, with a goal of finishing network testing by the fourth quarter of 2019. On the afternoon of Jan. 4, he visited a radio tower site off 59th Avenue East, behind Manatee Fire Rescue District Station 5.

It’s just one of nine of the P25 towers in Manatee County that will service law enforcement, emergency medical services, county departments, the School District of Manatee County and some state and federal agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The system is designed to integrate with Sarasota County, as well.

“The equipment going inside the towers is being installed as we speak,” Miranda said.

After equipment is installed, the networks will be configured and testing will be completed.

The system is supposed to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2020. The result will be better coordination with Sarasota County responders, increased safety for first responders and improved emergency response times along the University Parkway corridor and in other areas with historically poor signal reception.

Officials say the new system will curtail problems with radio signals in more remote areas of the county and in the University Parkway corridor, where there have been problems.

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Subcontractor John Philpot, better known as “Flip,” installs racks and other equipment required by the new P25 radio system at the radio tower off 59th Avenue East in Lakewood Ranch.

“Once (first responders) go inside a building, the signal gets degraded,” Miranda said. “For example, the worst case is sometimes they aren’t even able to hear the dispatcher calling them in. Sometimes, they hear the dispatcher, but the dispatcher can’t hear them. They have to run outside. That applies to all responders.”

Manatee County 911 Chief Jake Saur said sometimes first responders must step outside to coordinate with other agencies.

For example, paramedics handling a cardiac arrest in University Park Country Club have had to step outside a building to coordinate information with a hospital, leaving the patient.

“This new radio system, we’re building it out for all that growth (in East County),” Saur said. “It’s a proactive way to keep from having dead zones.”

Miranda said the new system

RECENT 911 SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS Manatee County has improved its 911 system by: n Adding RapidSOS data service (tracks iOS and Google phones within 6 meters of accuracy). n Adding automated system callback for dropped calls or calls ended before a dispatcher answers.

BY THE NUMBERS

9

P25 radio towers

200 feet height of towers

4,000

handheld radios

$30 million total project cost

Manatee County 911 Chief Jake Saur said a series of improvements to Manatee County’s 911 system will improve the county’s ability to respond to emergencies.

puts location trackers into roughly 4,000 handheld radios being used. That will enable the county to track the exact location — within 30 feet — of an individual.

Miranda said it could be helpful if a law enforcement officer pursues a suspect on foot, or if a fireman gets trapped in a fire, for example.

Currently, only the location of vehicles is available.

“Right now, they’re blind once they abandon the vehicle,” Miranda said.

The county also will be able to block outsiders from listening to communications on a police scanner.

Saur said there are several other improvements to the 911 system underway or completed. In November 2018, Manatee County implemented the RapidSOS data service, which uses GPS and WiFi technologies. Individuals with updated iOS and Google phones

n Adding automated outbound text messaging to respond to dropped calls or calls that hang up before a dispatcher answers. n Adding Text to 911 so individuals can text a 911 dispatcher in a situation where they cannot make a phone call.

can be located within 6 meters of accuracy. It’s the same technology used by Uber.

“If Uber can find you, why can’t 911?” Saur said. “As long as you have an upgraded phone, we can pinpoint your location. That’s huge.

“We can’t help you if we don’t know where you are,” he said.

“That wasn’t the case in the ’80s because people only used landlines.”

Now, more than 80% of 911 calls originate from cellphones, Saur said.

In the first quarter, emergency services expects to finish converting its copper router system to a, internet-based model. Saur said Manatee is the second county, behind Collier, to do so.

The Emergency Communications Center last year installed an Automated Abandon Callback system. If a 911 caller hangs up before a dispatcher answers, the system automatically calls the number back and checks to see if they need assistance.

Saur said 911 is required to call back any dropped calls or even calls purposely disconnected.

Manatee County gets about 100 of those abandoned calls per day, and the automated system frees up dispatchers to continue taking calls.

This month, 911 will test sending outbound text messages to those who do not respond to phone calls.

“We have to get an answer,” Saur said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

LOWERING THE COST OF HIGH-END DESIGN.

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Time for fair play The 103rd Manatee County Fair offers plenty of competition in livestock and craft categories.

PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

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Lakewood Ranch High School’s Madyson Flores said she uses smooth talking and a lot of patience when it comes to working with cows.

Her heifer, Emmy, is the perfect example.

Three years ago, Flores started working with Emmy as a calf and eventually showed her in the Manatee County Fair. She taught her to walk on a lead with a halter and how to stand properly for judges.

Those things don’t come naturally for cows, who are not accustomed to following commands.

Flores often used baby talk to induce Emmy to follow directions and often to spoke to her as if she were a dog.

Now Flores will be showing Emmy for the third year when the Manatee County Fair runs Jan. 17-27.

It’s been three years of smooth talking and patience.

“You have to bond with them,” Flores said. “I become their friend so they feel secure. I keep learning from them.”

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS Cameron and Sondra Dakin, of Cameron Dakin Dairy Co,. have leased calves to show in the Manatee County Fair since 1988, when their oldest son, Jason, began showing animals in the fair. He was 8 years old at the time.

Individual students in 4-H and Future Farmers of America select and care for baby cows in the months leading up to the fair at their homes. The farm also provides “chapter” animals, which stay at various schools and for which students share responsibilities. Some students who do not have their own property come to Cameron Dakin Dairy itself to care for their respective animals.

Flores will show Emmy as a dairy cow, and now she is working with another calf, Berklee. Both are owned by the Cameron Dakin Dairy, but are leased to Flores.

Flores keeps Emmy, who needs to be milked, at the dairy, but keeps Berklee at her Myakka City home.

She said she loves showing cows and helping younger children learn about raising and showing their animals.

“It’s fun,” Flores said of participating in the fair. “Everyone is learning. Each judge is different.

I like getting to help the littler kids. I like watching everyone else

12/3/18 11:23 AM

EAST COUNTY

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

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SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Lakewood Ranch High School student Madyson Flores shows off her heifer, Emmy, with Cameron Dakin Dairy owners Cameron and Sondra Dakin, pictured with their 2-year-old grandson, Reid Dakin. The Dakins lease Emmy to Madyson.

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Myakka Elementary School fifth-grader Taylor Comes shows off Rosie, the calf she’ll show in this year’s fair. Rosie stays at Cameron Dakin Dairy.

learn. Showing cows takes a lot of patience … a lot of patience.”

The fair itself is fun, too. Fairgoers like Flores can watch animal shows, wander through displays of thousands of arts, crafts and photography entries, cheer during pig races, ride on midway rides, feast on fair foods like corn dogs and funnel cakes and see live performances by groups such as Mark Wills and The Yesterdayze Band.

Students in the county’s Future Farmers of America and 4-H programs, however, remain focused primarily on their animals, whether that involves cows, pigs, rabbits or poultry.

R. Dan Nolan Middle School sixth-grader Briley Hudson, 11, will show her calf, Jojo Siwa. She said has been showing animals in the fair since she was 8. She likes the annual costume contest she does with her calves. One year,

she dressed up as a fisherman while dressing up her cow as a fish. Last year, both she and her cow held “Eat More Chicken” signs inspired by Chick-fil-A. “It brings out a different part of me,” Hudson said. “The cows — I feel safe around them and free to be myself.”

She said she likes their personalities. Jojo Siwa, for example, acts obstinate if Hudson is in a bad mood, but jumps and frolics if Hudson is excited.

“Cows are like humans, except they can’t talk,” Hudson said.

Jojo Siwa and Emmy are just two of about 80 cows leased to 4-H and FFA students this year by Cameron Dakin Dairy. Farm owners Sondra and Cameron Dakin said they lease the animals at no charge and provide feed for them to give students experience in the agricultural industry.

“You want to educate kids in the agriculture world,” Sondra Dakin said.

IF YOU GO MANATEE COUNTY FAIR When: Jan. 17-27 Where: Manatee County Fairgrounds Hours: Vary by day, but generally are 5-10 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 10 p.m. weekends What: Daily activities include live performances, roaming acts, arts and crafts displays, pig races, midway rides, vendors and food and drink for purchase Cost: $9 for ages 13 and up; $8 for ages 55 and up; $6 for active military and children ages 6-12; free for children 5 and younger Info: manateecountyfair. com

Jan. 17 Rabbit judging and swine show at 6 p.m.

Jan. 18 Rabbit showmanship at 5 p.m.; Dairy show at 6 p.m.; Mark Wills concert at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 Hog calling contest at 12:30 p.m.; dog pageant at 1 p.m.; swine sale at 1 p.m.; corn dog eating contest at 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 20 Josh Wilson concert at 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 Dog show at noon; poultry showmanship at 5 p.m.

Jan. 22 Goat show and beef breeding showmanship at 6 p.m.; veterans’ parade at 6 p.m.; concert by 301 Travelers at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23 “The Brothers Everly” Tribute Show at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; steer showmanship at 6 p.m.

Jan. 24 Steer show at 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 Beef breeding show at 6 p.m.; Rhonda Vincent and the Rage concert at 7 p.m.

Jan. 26 Charity barbecue competition at noon; whip popping contest at noon; baby pageant at 1 p.m.; steer sale at 1 p.m.; Yesterdayze Band concert at 3 and 7 p.m.; doughnut eating contest at 4 p.m.; 4-H and FFA awards ceremony at 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 Cheerleading competition at 3 p.m.; Distinguished Citizen “footprints” ceremony at 5 p.m.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

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Kevin Brown, a senior vice president of Toll Brothers, opened Lakewood Ranch’s newest community, The Isles at Lakewood Ranch, in October.

Lakewood Ranch home sales soar JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

T

wo independent real estate consulting firms, RCLCO and John Burns, named Lakewood Ranch the second-best selling master-planned community in the country in their annual studies released Jan. 3.

Lakewood Ranch, which was third in 2017, had 1,479 new home sales in 2018, up from 1,206 in 2017, a 23% increase. It was a record sales year for Lakewood Ranch, which saw the new neighborhoods of Waterside and The Isles boost sales. Lakewood Ranch has 19 villages from which buyers can choose. Price points vary from $180,000 to well over $1 million.

The Villages, with 2,134 homes sold, was No. 1 in the nation, but its sales actually decreased 4%

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from the previous year.

“Our lifestyle and amenities are without peer, and we have a dynamic and thriving business environment,” Laura Cole, vice president of marketing for LWR Communities, said in a release.

“These factors attract consumers of all ages and walks of life.

Young families, their parents and grandparents have all found their home in Lakewood Ranch, and this reinforces our very strong extended family dynamic and helps amplify our home sales.”

Completing the Top 5 in the two studies were Irvine Ranch (California) with 1,322 sales; Summerlin (Nevada) with 1,318 sales and West Villages (Sarasota County) with 1,108.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

EAST COUNTY

Observer

‘Culture

“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

with class’ Cirque Ma’Ceo brings its circus tradition to Big Cat Habitat.

Jay Heater

Olissio Zoppe performed for the first time in his native Sarasota when he opened his Cirque Ma’Ceo show at Big Cat Habitat.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

M

ulticolored spotlights bounced off the attire worn by Myakka City’s Olissio Zoppe less than a half hour after his Cirque Ma’Ceo had finished its Sarasota debut at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

Zoppe could have been in the ring to take a final bow, but the tent was empty, the crowd having delivered a standing ovation before scurrying away.

His work actually was just beginning. He was checking equipment and making sure the ring was intact for his next show.

“I am the tent boss,” said Zoppe, whose circus lineage can be traced back to 1842 in Hungary when Napoline and Ermenegilda Zoppe began an act that has survived the ages.

“I book the shows, hire the artists, do virtually all of the training,” Zoppe said.

He virtually sweeps out the place.

Now 40, Zoppe remains one of the world’s top bareback riders.

He started performance riding at age 3 for the world’s top circuses, such as Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey.

But since he started his own show in 2004, traveling all over the U.S. and Canada, he had not performed in front of his hometown Sarasota crowd.

Until Jan. 4.

“For any artist, performing here is a big deal,” Zoppe said.

“For me, I am performing in front of people who have known me my whole life. Sarasota is one of the hardest place in the world for a show. It is a hot spot for (circus) shows. I wanted to be better than most, so I wanted to perfect my show before I came here.”

His younger brothers, Gino Zoppe and Ermes Zamperla, also live in Myakka City and perform the bareback acrobatics with him during the show, which is billed as a theatrical European-style, equestrian-themed cirque event.

Olissio Zoppe’s wife, Alexa, performs as well, but is expected to give birth to their first child this week.

Besides the equestrian feats, artists twirl fire, do acrobatics on a ribbon high above the crowd, entertain with live music and draw laughter with clownish behavior.

“There is so much tradition in

Courtesy photo

Circus clown Olexs Kartukov offers a biting performance.

CIRQUE MA’CEO What: A theatrical European-style, equestrian-themed cirque event When: Runs 6 p.m. Fridays, 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 3:30 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 3 Where: Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota Owner: Myakka City’s Olissio Zoppe Ticket prices and information: Go to cirquemaceo. com

what he does,” said Clayton Mowrey, vice president for Big Cat Habitat, which receives proceeds from each of the Cirque Ma’Ceo performances. “For a city like this, to have someone continuing that tradition is special. It’s culture with class.”

Like Zoppe, Mowrey was a circus performer, one of three artists in the world who would put their head into the mouth of a lion. The two of them became friends when they traveled with different circuses as kids.

“This is about animals and entertainers helping other animals,” Mowrey said. “We would like to build a clinic here, a senior center for our older animals. We have lions and tigers here who are 20 years old and older, and they

have arthritis and other problems that come with age. We would like to build a zero-entry pool and have custom heated benches for the animals.”

The proceeds from Cirque Ma’Ceo will kickstart that effort.

“Olissio is giving back to what he has originated from,” Mowrey said. “And the people will love it because it is a whole new experience. His horses are stunning, breathtaking.”

The horses not only are the focus of his show, they are the focus of Zoppe’s life.

“The horses are such individuals,” Zoppe said. “Each animal’s personality depicts the direction they go. Some tell us that show business is not for them.”

He has 18 horses on his ranch in Myakka City, and he uses 12 representing 10 different breeds in each show. He concentrates on using breeds that have been in decline since tractors made their existence obsolete.

As an example, he uses a Boulonnais draft horse that almost became extinct after World War II but rebounded in the 1970 because people in France discovered they were edible.

He said the star of his show is a Friesian, a breed used as a war horses during the Middle Ages, named Veleno.

“We’re animal people,” Zoppe said. “We think animals are so important, and we know animals make better humans.”

“Olissio is giving back to what he has originated from. And the people will love it because it is a whole new experience.

His horses are stunning, breathtaking.”

— Clayton Mowrey

Editor / CEO / Matt Walsh mwalsh@yourobserver.com Vice President / Lisa Walsh lwalsh@yourobserver.com Publisher / Emily Walsh ewalsh@yourobserver.com Associate PublisherEast County Observer / Lori Ruth lruth@yourobserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes khughes@yourobserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater jheater@yourobserver.com Senior Editor / Pam Eubanks peubanks@yourobserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn rkohn@yourobserver.com Arts + Entertainment Managing Editor / Niki Kottmann, nkottmann@ yourobserver.com Copy Editor / Kelly Carson, kcarson@ yourobserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, mleduc@yourobserver.com; Meghan Sasser, msasser@yourobserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh jraleigh@yourobserver.com Sales Manager / Penny DiGregorio pdigregorio@yourobserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara,kohara@yourobserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, lritter@yourobserver.com Advertising Executives /

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

JAY HEATER

Love put on hold for golf

I

t’s a given Tara’s Carley Kristich won’t be seeing much of her husband, Justin, on Valentine’s Day. That isn’t going to be a big problem in the Kristich household this year. Carley understands Justin has some big responsibilities.

Justin Kristich is the tournament director of the first Suncoast Classic, a new Web.com Tour event for professional golfers at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch. While the event runs Feb. 11-17, the actual first round of the tournament is Feb. 14. His employer is Global Golf Management.

“We will have a nice belated Valentine’s Day dinner when it’s over,” Justin said with a laugh.

Justin is the former assistant general manager for the Bradenton Marauders, which hired him in 2010. He is used to working long hours while selling athletic events to the community.

Presenting a golf tournament is a new venture for him, though, and he is learning on the job. When you get a couple of thousand spectators on a golf course not used to hosting such a crowd, you had better know where to put the portable restrooms.

“The biggest surprise for me

so far is just all the little things you need to do,” he said. “You only can plan so much.”

A big part of his job in the tournament’s first year will be educating the public about the event, which is kind of the minor leagues of the PGA Tour. This is a chance to see some former PGA Tour winners who have stumbled and are working their way back to the main tour, while also checking out some future stars.

It takes a lot of money to host such an event, but Kristich said the inaugural tournament is in good shape. He already has lined up major sponsors such as Bealls, Synovus and Conditioned Air. Although the Web.com Tour might seem to be an obscure commodity, Kristich said that isn’t the case in the Lakewood Ranch area.

“Luckily for us, we live in a community that is golf conscious,” he said.

While sponsorship dollars will drive the event, it helps to host a good crowd. Kristich said historical numbers show Web.com Tour events tend to host 10,000 to 15,000 people in the first year of an event on the low end and 60,000 on the high end.

“We are hoping for a minimum of 20,000 (spectators),” he said.

The tournament only costs $10

a day, or $30 for a pass for the week, so Lakewood Ranch golf fans are being presented with a can’t-miss opportunity.

Kristich said the event is being designed for golf fans and nongolf fans alike and will include bar areas, discounted drinks when the players make birdies, vendor booths and various attractions. Minors 17 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.

Another way to catch some action would be to volunteer.

The tournament already has 200 volunteers, many from the new Lakewood National community, and needs another 150. Synovus is sponsoring the volunteers, who will receive a goody bag that includes a hat, shirt, a Tervis tumbler and a pass for a round at Lakewood National. Kristich said volunteers are asked to work at least two four-hour shifts if possible. Those interested can sign up at the tournament website at thesuncoastclassic.com.

It’s all part of the effort to get the event started.

“We’re starting from the ground up, and everything is so new,” Kristich said. “But this event is something that we can hang our hat on.”

The tournament will not be televised this year. Kristich said

Jay Heater

Tara’s Justin Kristich, tournament director for the Suncoast Classic, said everything is on schedule for the tournament, which hosts its first round on Feb. 14 at Lakewood National.

it would take about a $500,000 budget to make that happen. As the tournament is played the first time, he said social media will be important in terms of spreading the word. Eventually, he could see the Suncoast Classic becoming one of the biggest events on the Web.com Tour.

No matter how big, he will have the same Valentine’s Day problems in the future. The Web. com Tour has signed a five-year contract for the event.

With things running more smoothly, perhaps he will be able

to get away for a quick holiday dinner.

“Year Two will be easier,” he said.

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

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

LETTERS

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Why did it take so long?

I thoroughly enjoyed the (Matt Walsh, Jan. 3 editorial) on “Chivalry.”

Why did it take so long for someone to tell men to clean up their act?

You did an excellent job telling your peers how to behave!

Thank you!

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I enjoyed the (Matt Walsh, Jan. 3 editorial) on Chivalry. It was timely and appropriate for the era we are living through.

There definitely is a character crisis in America. It is a pervasive problem that is spreading throughout our society and seems to get worse every year.

From top political leadership, business leadership and the entertainment celebrities, it seems we have ever lower standards every year.

As a father of two sons — one is now 24, the other is 15 — ­ this is a trying time to try to teach that happiness and true success in life comes from good character and service to others.

Modern culture in many ways is the antithesis to what used to be called eternal verities, and many people seem to take pride not in good behavior but bad behavior. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans seems more appropriate than ever.

It would be a mischaracterization to say all, or even a majority of Americans, suffer from this,

but it is a big problem and getting worse.

For my family, attending church regularly and participating in Boy Scouts have helped with teaching good character.

Boy Scouts traditionally was one of the main institutions for character education in America.

Unfortunately, it has declined significantly over the past 30 years.

Practicing your religion has, as we all know, had a similar decline. For those affected, family break-up has also been very harmful to today’s boys.

Reversing all these bad trends almost seems impossible, but identifying the problem is the first step.

MARK ROSASCO LAKEWOOD RANCH

Chivalry column sparks family discussion

I just wanted to share the fact the (Matt Walsh, Jan. 3 editorial), “2019 word: Chivalry,” has created a lot of spontaneous discussion in our family and hopefully many other families.

Everyone focused on this page to discuss it with friends and sharing the surprising data. The article has generated “buzz” and some eye-opening and thoughtful contemplation.

Family and friends from all different political perspectives have been talking about it. Isn’t that what writing is all about?

Great piece! Well done.

JAMES R. GREGORY BRADENTON

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NAPLES 239.598.3330

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FT. MYERS 239.275.3968 296043-1

SARASOTA

12A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

A ‘Tonka toy’ with charm

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talk about designing and building the home, which went on the market in November for $2.75 million.

“The Florida environment is tough on building materials,” said Fore, who is selling the home due to business opportunities that might arise on the West Coast. “I wanted something to withstand it. This house has designs you won’t find anywhere.”

Fore, a sixth-generation Floridian, is a Lakeland native who started visiting the Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key areas more than 40 years ago. He knows how rare it can be to find any significant waterfront property in this area, so he was surprised when he found his spot, which at one time was home to a fish camp.

The property had a main home, a guest house and three octagonal

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Size: 2,772 square feet, three bedrooms, three full and one half-bath Acres: 7.34 Owner: Scott Fore Address: 1220 Mill Creek Road, Bradenton Price: $2.75 million Realtor: Lynn Callahan of Michael Saunders & Co. (720-3278) More info: Go to michaelsaunders.com

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$379,000

S

itting in Scott Fore’s home, a 2,772-square-foot contemporary home along the bank of the Manatee River, it’s hard to take your eyes off the river or the Old Florida charm of the 7.34-acre property.

Of course, everywhere you look, it seems like you are part of the scenery.

“This home brings the outside in,” said Fore, who owns internet technology companies. “It’s like a birdhouse.”

A private birdhouse.

While the huge Winguard windows in every room offer access to the outside world, the large property — at least by riverfront Manatee County standards — provides a buffer from the rest of the world.

An occasional boater might pass along the river, but mostly the water provides a sleepy calm.

Neighbors are out there — good ones that Fore said all offered him any type of help he needed when he moved in — but the live oak trees give the feeling of being secluded.

For the moment, though, the 62-year-old Fore didn’t want to talk about scenery. He wanted to

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$454,800

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

13A

Jay Heater

Scott Fore loves to cook, so he paid particular attention to the design of his gourmet kitchen.

guest cabins when Fore bought it.

He tore down the buildings and designed the home. Construction began more than two years ago and he moved into his new home last April.

“This home has auger case footers that go down 25 feet into the bedrock,” Fore said with pride.

“Nobody uses them because they are so expensive. It’s what supports bridges.

“This house has 37 of them. It was $36,000 just for the footers.”

He then launched into explanations about tie beams and steel used in creating a frame that basically is hurricane-proof.

“This is a parking garage,” he said with a laugh. “You can tear out any wall in this house (because the walls aren’t weight-bearing).

You are sitting in a large Tonka toy house.”

The ground-level of the home

includes the garage and an opento-the-outdoors kitchen that has an industrial-level smoker and barbecue.

The first floor actually is 15 feet above the ground.

“If something does come (such as a hurricane), I wanted to stay here and not worry,” Fore said.

He researched FEMA standards and went above them to build what he thought would be his retirement home.

“If this house floods, Bradenton will be under water,” he said.

The three-pane windows are rated to 165 mph wind. Those windows also provide energy savings.

“This home is designed to be energy efficient,” he said. “It’s all about light. Notice that I don’t have the lights on? I never use lights during the day. My electric bill this month was $147.”

Photo courtesy The Hover Bureau

Large windows present views of the Manatee River and the surrounding property from every room.

The scenery can be so captivating those viewing the home might not notice some of inside highlights. The living room area is 25 feet by 20 feet and is surrounded on three sides by windows with the gourmet kitchen on the fourth side. All three bedrooms are master suites in their own right with their own baths. The kitchen includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range and two wine coolers. An elevator makes it easy for Fore to bring up his groceries or to host friends with limited mobility.

The star of the show, however,

is the waterfront and the space.

“Where do you find 7 1/2 acres?” Fore said. “People here are used to being stacked in a filing cabinet.

“And we have owls come up on our rail, along with hawks and doves. There is a large bobcat and otters. We see alligators that look like logs and lots of manatees.

“This is exactly what I wanted.”

“This home brings the outside in. It’s like a birdhouse.”

— Scott Fore

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

DEC. 26

DEC. 26

MAY HAVE BEEN SHAQ ATTACK 10600 block of Forest Run Drive, Bradenton Information only: A woman called the Sheriff’s Office because the basketball hoop at the end of her driveway, which has been there more than 15 years, fell over and damaged her car.

The woman said the basketball hoop had been through all kinds of storms and high wind and never had fallen over. The woman was adamant someone had to have come on her property and knocked the basketball hoop over. She said she didn’t see anyone on her property, but she wanted a report filed.

DEC. 28

DEPUTIES LOG DUMPING COMPLAINT 3000 block of 45th Street East, Bradenton Felony illegal dumping: A man called the Sheriff’s Office after he returned to his home to find someone had dumped more than 2,000 pounds of tree trunks and other tree debris in his driveway. His driveway is approximately 150 feet long. The unknown person dumped four large tree trunks. One trunk was approximately 5 feet in diameter and 3 feet long. The others were approximately 3 feet in diameter and 6 feet long. It was more than 100 cubic feet of debris. The victim said he has a neighbor who had security cameras that

PACK OF TROUBLE 6400 block of State Road 64 East, Bradenton Robbery: Two men entered a convenience store and stated they were with a cigarette company. They went behind the counter and began taking cartons of cigarettes off the shelves. A store employee said the incident felt like a robbery. The employee contacted law enforcement, and the men continued to pack up cigarettes. They then left the store and got into a car in the parking lot and fled. The employee was not threatened or harmed during the incident. He felt he would have been hurt if he tried to intervene. The estimated loss was approximately 30 cartons of miscellaneous brand cigarettes valued at $1,500.

are being checked. The largest trunk was charred on one side and appeared it was on fire at sometime before being cut down.

The debris damaged the victim’s driveway.

New Year Savings

DEC. 28

NO ROCK-SOLID LEADS ON THEFT 7300 block of Golf Pointe Circle, Sarasota Grand theft: A woman called the Sheriff’s Office to report someone had stolen 200 stone pavers worth $500 from the front of her property. The woman said the pavers were stolen the day after they were delivered. The stone pavers were described to be a mixture of beige, gray and orange.

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DO YOU KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE? Corner of 39th Street East and 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton Assist other agency: A Sheriff’s Office deputy was summoned to help EMS due to a man sleeping in the grass next to the sidewalk.

The deputy attempted to wake the man, who was uncooperative and woke just long enough to present an obscene hand gesture several times. Eventually, the intoxicated male got up and began to walk. He didn’t give his name or any information. He had a bicycle the deputy took for safekeeping. When he was asked for his identification again, he said, “Bye, bye.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

15A

COLDWELL BANKER Sarasota-Gulf Gate Branch | 5/3.1 | $2,175,000 1320 Quail Drive

Foxbrook | 4/4.1 | $1,100,000 5510 Lake Paddock Circle

Lakewood Ranch CC | 4/3.1 | $1,010,000 12625 Deacons Place

Founders Club | 4/3.1 | $989,500 3709 Caledonia Lane

Holmes Beach | 4/3 | $983,251 514 72nd Street

Keith Groesbeck 866.600.6008 § 468894 Search A4421685 on cbhomes.com

Judy Aarnes 866.600.6008 § 480119 Search A4418895 on cbhomes.com

Rebecca Dean 866.600.6008 § 617387 Search A4418372 on cbhomes.com

Gary Hoskins 866.600.6008 § 615639 Search A4416758 on cbhomes.com

Nancy Wilk 866.600.6008 § 596190 Search A4402209 on cbhomes.com

Esplanade | 3/3.1 | $940,000 5223 Esplanade Boulevard

1350 Main Residential | 2/2 | $785,500 1350 Main Street 910

Holmes Beach | 2/2.1 | $699,000 309 66th Street B

Palmetto | 5/3 | $675,000 9510 36th Avenue E

Serenoa | 4/3 | $595,000 6728 Taeda Drive

Joe Murphy 866.600.6008 § 468943 Search A4418250 on cbhomes.com

Keith Groesbeck 866.600.6008 § 582936 Search A4412231 on cbhomes.com

Kathy Cahill 866.600.6008 § 592466 Search A4214864 on cbhomes.com

Alicia Jakubauskas 866.600.6008 § 536710 Search A4406319 on cbhomes.com

Cynthia Bowers 866.600.6008 § 469386 Search A4421684 on cbhomes.com

Mariners Cove Condo II | 3/2.1 | $589,000 3948 Mariners Way 215

Towers | 2/2 | $544,900 1150 Tarpon Center Drive 702

Marbella | 3/2 | $529,800 4139 Via Mirada

Bradenton | 3/2.2 | $499,000 16728 4th Avenue NE

Del Webb | 3/2 | $474,000 New 16915 Winthrop Place

Susie Robinson 866.600.6008 § 466963 Search A4419993 on cbhomes.com

Tom Kirrane 866.600.6008 § 615110 Search A4189243 on cbhomes.com

Peter Aguas 866.600.6008 § 602634 Search A4406725 on cbhomes.com

Karen Wood 866.600.6008 § 604881 Search A4421001 on cbhomes.com

Kimberlie MacDonald 866.600.6008 § 471457 Search A4422216 on cbhomes.com

Panther Ridge | 3/2 | $459,499 Open Sun 1-4 21804 Deer Pointe Crossing

San Remo Shores | 3/2 | $449,900 3808 Plumosa Terrace

River Park at Mote Ranch | 3/2 | $429,900 6132 Palomino Circle

Heritage Oaks Golf & CC | 2/2 | $405,000 4422 Legacy Court

Bradenton-Braden River | 4/3 | $400,000 6225 Cormorant Court

Enrique Coletti 866.600.6008 § 506715 Search A4420052 on cbhomes.com

Tyce Clark 866.600.6008 § 614768 Search A4415524 on cbhomes.com

Kimberly Booth 866.600.6008 § 619513 Search A4417094 on cbhomes.com

Team Ridgeway 866.600.6008 § 479455 Search A4412732 on cbhomes.com

Jessica Ross 866.600.6008 § 502197 Search A4420728 on cbhomes.com

San Remo Shores | 3/2 | $399,999 4008 Coconut Terrace

Perico Bay Club | 3/2 | $399,950 1217 Edgewater Circle

River Plantation | 5/3.1 | $399,900 12630 20th Street E

Granada | 2/1 | $387,000 1732 Siesta Drive

Mote Ranch | 3/2 | $372,000 Reduced 6512 Westward Place

Tyce Clark 866.600.6008 § 616179 Search A4416876 on cbhomes.com

Susan Hollywood 866.600.6008 § 615981 Search A4417186 on cbhomes.com

Laurie Fox 866.600.6008 § 574477 Search A4421647 on cbhomes.com

Jim Weingart & Gene DePoris 866.600.6008 § 619405 Search A4420881 on cbhomes.com

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Lake Vista Residences | 3/2.1 | $349,900 Reduced 7718 Lake Vista Court 307

Forest Creek | 3/2.1 | $349,900 5516 Burnt Branch Circle

Stoneybrook at Heritage | 3/2 | $339,500 New 214 Heritage Isles Way

Casa Del Sol Fourth | 3/2 | $329,900 3208 Cambridge Drive W

Tara Preserve | 2/2 | $269,900 Reduced 6309 Wingspan Way

Cheryl Sawyer 866.600.6008 § 508933 Search A4418801 on cbhomes.com

Barb Standish 866.600.6008 § 483100 Search A4421284 on cbhomes.com

Shelley Gentile 866.600.6008 § 484705 Search A4422169 on cbhomes.com

Tyce Clark 866.600.6008 § 466957 Search A4421656 on cbhomes.com

Donna Rogers 866.600.6008 § 614772 Search A4416033 on cbhomes.com

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM #1 REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE IN FLORIDA* East Manatee 941.739.6777 | Lakewood Ranch 941.907.1033 | Manatee 941.795.2211 | Sarasota Central 941.487.5600 | Sarasota Downtown 941.366.8070 | St. Armands 941.388.3966 CB Home Protection Plan 866.797.4788 *Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is ranked number one in closed residential buyer and/or seller transaction sides in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Pensacola/Panhandle, and number one in residential sales volume (calculated by multiplying number of buyer and/or seller transaction sides by the sales price) in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, according to data submitted to REAL Trends by NRT LLC, 2017. One unit equals one side of a transaction (buyer or seller). The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations.

Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2018 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell 294818-1 Banker Residential Real Estate fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. FL-4/18

16A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

TRIBUTES

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Gerald Dane “Spyder” Broussard 1939-2019

Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo online at YourObserver.com/itsreadeverywhere. Happy travels!

Spyder Broussard, loving husband and father, left his family and friends on New Year’s Day 2019. Spyder was born in Kaplan, Louisiana in 1939, a Cajun through and through.

“He loved spending time with his family and friends and most notably, his grandson Jackson.”

Spyder will rest at Sarasota National Cemetery. We plan to ring in each New Year going forward in his memory, thinking of him sitting on his bar stool smiling.

Those who knew Spyder, know he will appreciate it. Cheers!

DONATIONS: Donations can be mailed to: Cypress Christian School Attn: Robert White 11123 Cypress N. Houston, Houston, TX 77065 Online Donations can be made at: www.cypresschristian.org quick links in upper right-hand corner Donate Online

FIRM GRIP ON THE OBSERVER IN THE WINDY CITY: Jan and Jim Nestle brought their East County Observer to Chicago.

Photo Courtesy of Sasaki and Agency Landscape + Planning

He served our nation in the United States Air Force 1958 to 1962. In 1973, Spyder married his wife Frances in London, England. Together, they traveled the world making friends at each port in which they lived. They remain the love of each other’s life forever. The majority of his professional career was spent in Houston Texas where he ultimately led FMC SOFEC’s international sales team. Upon retirement in 2003, Spyder and Frances moved to Sarasota, FL to enjoy the weather creating a new social life with family, and friends, old and new.

Spyder’s interests spanned the gamut, from quiet days fishing in the Caribbean to racing around in many a sleek, fast, red sports car. He loved spending time with his family and friends and most notably, his grandson Jackson. Spyder’s legacy includes his wife Frances, sons Dane and Shane, and their spouses Marit and Misty, and grandchildren.

Two intimate friend and family memorials will be held to celebrate his life, one in Sarasota at their home and one in Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make a generous donation to Cypress Christian School in honor of his grandson, Jackson Lee Broussard.

IT’S RIGHT AROUND the CORNER Be a part of the New Downtown Sarasota

THE FUTURE QUAY

CULTURAL DISTRICT

PERFORMING ARTS HALL

VAN WEZEL

BAY THE ARC

ARTIST’S CONCEPT OF FINAL APPROVED PLAN FOR THE BAY FRONT RENAISSANCE • BLVD IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION – RISING TO NEW HEIGHTS • NEW BAY SARASOTA MASTER PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED • NEW QUAY DINING, SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENT • NOW IS THE TIME TO SECURE YOUR HOME IN THE NEW DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES,TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. NO FEDERAL AGENCY HAS JUDGED THE MERITS OR VALUE, IF ANY, OF THIS PROPERTY. ALL PRICES AND FEATURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL DRAWINGS ARE CONCEPTUAL RENDERINGS AND DEVELOPER EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS.

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JANUARY 10, 2019

— Braden River High School’s Mela Sharma SEE PAGE 19A

HIGH

SPORTS

“In basketball, you don’t have to worry about accidently bumping into someone and getting called.”

5

1

Braden River High girls basketball sophomore O’Mariah Gordon had 26 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and eight steals Jan. 4 in the Pirates’ 63-39 home win against Booker High.

Photo courtesy Debbie McHardy

Nina and Jamie McHardy have been selected to play on a USA developmental team.

2

Lakewood Ranch High boys soccer senior midfielder Travis Freeman scored the lone goal in the Mustangs’ 1-0 home win Jan. 4 against Palmetto High.

3

The Out-of-Door Academy boys basketball sophomore guard Tyler O’Donoghue scored 21 points Jan. 2 in the Thunder’s 53-44 road win against Manatee High.

4

Ron Guilmette and Dan Rose (14 under par) won the Men’s Golf Association Best Ball event Jan. 2 at Palm Aire Country Club’s Lakes Course.

5

Lynn Lockhorn (46) won the Nine Hole Ladies Golf Association Individual Low Gross event Jan. 3 at University Park Country Club.

LOCAL TALENT POOL Lakewood Ranch twins try to find opportunities to keep playing water polo locally.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

W

A BOWL GOAL PAGE 18A

hen Nina and Jamie McHardy moved to Lakewood Ranch nine months ago from Pretoria, South Africa, they knew one of their favorite activities was in peril.

The McHardys, twin sophomores who attend Lakewood Ranch High, have played water polo for three years.

Their careers began at Pretoria Girls School, after watching their brother, Jordan, play at Pretoria

RULES OF WATER POLO n Played in a 90-by-60 foot playing area, with a minimum water depth of 6 feet. n Teams use seven players,six field players and a goaltender. n Non-goaltenders can use one hand to play the ball. n The ball is advanced by swimming with the ball in front of you, or passing to a teammate. n Players cannot touch the bottom of the pool; they often use the “eggbeater” technique of treading water to avoid this. n Teams have a 30-second shot clock. n Goals are scored when a ball is thrown between the goalposts and completely across the crossbar and are worth one point.

Boys School. Jordan is two years older than his sisters. Jamie and Nina admired the sport and the endurance it took, so they took it up in 2016.

They both played the wing, and Nina, the older twin by a minute, also spent time at center defender.

They were good, and they loved it.

Debbie McHardy, the twins’ mother, called Nina the more serious of the two, and Jamie the more relaxed.

Jamie said Nina can be “bossy, but in a good way,” and she gets her teammates fired up and in

position.

Nina said Jamie is great at giving teammates compliments and keeping their spirits high.

Their ability to be great teammates now will get the supreme test. The McHardys were named to the 2019 USA Water Polo Southeast Zone Olympic Development Team on Dec. 29.

Unfortunately, they have few other opportunities to play locally.

Before the McHardy family came to Lakewood Ranch, Jamie and Nina did research on the area to see what it would be like. They knew it was beautiful and close to some of the nation’s best beaches, and they anticipated the location would translate to better water polo opportunities.

Through their research, though, they found out they were mistaken.

There is only one water polo club in either Manatee or Sarasota county, and that is Sun Coast Water Polo in Venice. Only one high school in either county — Venice High — offers water polo as a school sport, and Venice’s 2019 season, which begins in February, will be its first. The McHardys trained with Sun Coast Water Polo when they first arrived in the U.S., they said, but never played a game for the club.

“Training is a problem,” Jamie McHardy said. “We would have to drive down to Venice every day for practice. Maybe if there were high school teams (closer) it would be easier.”

Beth Bailey, the Venice water polo coach and a Southwest Florida Water Polo Foundation board member, said she has had discussions with the School District of Manatee County about adding water polo in its schools, but the idea needs support from individual schools to become a realistic option. So far, that support, outside of a handful of players like the McHardys, is not there.

The McHardys now play for the Miami Riptides club team, but only in major tournaments worth the time and effort to attend, like the 2018 USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics, held in July in Orange County, Calif. They also trained with Bailey’s Gulf Girls Water Polo team, an offshoot of Sun Coast Water Polo that has a goal of preparing players for the high school season. Unfortunately, the McHardys have no high school team to join.

They mainly have been training by themselves at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. That’s just two girls practicing a game meant for seven-player teams.

The McHardys have stayed busy by joining Manatee County Youth Rowing, a sport with which they had no experience in South Africa.

“It is hard, but I love it,” Nina McHardy said. “It is a nice sport, and the competition in the area is good.”

As much as they are attracted to rowing, it is water polo they consider their best sport.

If there is ever a chance to help spread the game into Lakewood Ranch, the twins would take their best shot.

And like in the game itself, they probably would not miss.

18A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

PROSE AND KOHN

RYAN KOHN

Mustang linebacker realizes longtime goal

L

akewood Ranch High senior linebacker Drew Mitts makes it a point every January to attend the BlueGrey All-American Bowl at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Mitts was born in St. Louis and started his football career there, before moving to Lakewood Ranch the summer before his seventh-grade season. While in St. Louis, Mitts trained at Run It Performance, owned by former NFL running back Arlen Harris.

The two became close.

After Mitts moved away, Harris became one of the coaches on the “North” team of the BlueGrey game, and since it was being played in Tampa, Harris told Mitts he should come out and watch the 2012 game. He did, and after the game, Mitts made a promise to himself that he was going to play in that game one day.

This year, his promise was fulfilled.

Mitts was selected to play for the South team at the 2019 game, held Jan. 5.

“I was super excited,” Mitts said. “I have been watching this game for a long time. It is awesome.

“This is basically a ‘Pro Bowl.’

It is a chance to prove guys from the Lakewood Ranch area can compete against the best.”

He is right. He played alongside guys like Etinosa Reuben, a three-star defensive end from

Ryan Kohn

Drew Mitts played in the Jan. 5 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.

Missouri who is committed to Clemson, and Traevon Kenion, a three-star wide receiver/tight end from South Carolina who is committed to the Southeastern Conference’s Gamecocks.

The most exciting part for Mitts? He was not nominated for consideration by Harris. He was nominated by former NFL safety Mark McMillian, a coach on the South team. This was not a “I

know you, so I can get you in” deal. The honor was earned.

And boy, was it.

The process actually started before his senior football season when Mitts attended a combine event in June in Jacksonville.

There, he did everything the pros do at combine workouts: the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, etc. The Blue-Grey coaches received his results. Then, Mitts

�ROSEDALE ., Golf Country Club

was forced to play the waiting game, as coaches monitored how players did over the course of the season.

When that letter came, it was pure joy. It had been a rough overall year for Lakewood Ranch football, but evidently the BlueGrey coaches saw something they liked in Mitts’ combine results and highlight film, and selected him.

How awesome is that? There is no more purely American sport than football (not even baseball, despite its nickname), and there is nothing more American than setting a goal, working as hard as you can to achieve it, then finding success. To all the young — and old — people reading this, you can do most anything with determination.

Mitts is verbally committed to St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where he would be teammates with childhood friend and current St. Stephen’s Episcopal senior defensive end Tyler Burnham. It would take a lot to shake him from that decision, Mitts said, but if a big-time college football coach has seen his performance in the Blue-Grey Bowl and decides to offer him a scholarship, he would consider it. The whole point of the game is for under-the-radar kids to get recognition, after all.

Even if Mitts sticks with St. Olaf, he got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play in a game he used to watch from the stands, in front of the entire country, and that is special.

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

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What is the appeal to you?

I like the competition and adrenaline you get. In basketball, you don’t have to worry about accidentally bumping into someone and getting called. You can be more physical, more aggressive.

What is your dream vacation spot?

I am half-Indian and my dad (Vishal Sharma) was born in India, in New Delhi. I go back with him once or twice a year.

What is the best advice you have received?

It was not necessarily advice, but coach (Stephanie) Smith told me I have the potential to play after high school if I continue to work hard. She is the first coach to tell me I have a future in basketball.

Finish this sentence: “Mela Sharma is ... ” ... Determined. I do not ever want to lose. I always try my best to be the best, and I do not fall short.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I am pretty skinny, but I play in the post, so I am going up against bigger girls than me. It is difficult to be as physical as them

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Mela Sharma is a 5-foot-11 senior forward on the Braden River High girls basketball team. She was named to the Willie Clemons Memorial Classic all-tournament team Dec. 29 as the Pirates (140) won the tournament championship 51-35 over Southeast High. For the season, Sharma is averaging seven points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Mela Sharma

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at rkohn@yourobserver.com.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

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FOUNDERS CLUB 3331 Founders Club Drive $1,819,000 Glo Reber & Stephanie Shaw 941.400.5384

PORT CHARLOTTE

7651 Heathfield Court $845,000 Toi Estes 941.896.2317

LAKEWOOD RANCH 4716 Royal Dornoch Circle $645,000 Toi Estes 941.896.2317

BRIDGEWATER AT LAKEWOOD RANCH

13205 Bridgeport Xing $565,000 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

SILVERWOOD 7606 Silverwood Court $479,000 Linda Apple 941.586.0553

LAUREL OAK ESTATES 7882 Chick Evans Place $425,000 Jerry Zaback 941.350.6885

MANASOTA KEY 6075 Manasota Key Road $799,900 Victoria Stultz 941.387.5676

SARASOTA 1001 Annie Laurie Lane $599,900 Joseph Ebert 941.932.1487

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6536 The Masters Avenue $554,000 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6632 Pebble Beach Way $479,000 Katina Shanahan & Dawn Merrill 941.702.0437

LAUREL OAK 7853 Chick Evans Place $420,000 Jerry Zaback 941.350.6885

FOXFIRE WEST 4981 Hubner Circle $1,600,000 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.587.4894

THE LAKE CLUB

UNIVERSITY PARK COUNTRY CLUB 7408 Mayfair Court $1,125,000 Toi Estes 941.896.2317

266 Bangsberg Road SE $2,999,999 Melissa Caldwell & Courtney Green 941.266.8829

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16204 Daysailor Trail $1,097,000 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

BAREFOOT BEACH 1700 Gulf Boulevard #203 $795,000 Robert Sherman 941.313.1301

PRESTANCIA 7742 Club Lane $599,000 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.809.0380

LAUREL OAK 7811 Allen Robertson Place $730,000 Corbett Donovan & Lauren Holt 941.232.5672

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13828 Siena Loop $575,000 Katina Shanahan & Kenneth Shanahan

941.702.0437

ISLES OF SARASOTA 6145 Abaco Drive $545,000 Ziad Sleit 941.928.5493

BRADENTON 8270 Fontana Lane $544,000 Jenn Flanders 941.232.0788

WHITAKER PARK 953 Molly Circle $475,000 Liz Snyder 727.424.6444

LAUREL LAKES 2972 Seasons Boulevard $469,000 Larry Johns 941.266.8814

WOODLAND PARK 822 Hammockwood Court $382,000 Jaci Krawtschenko 941.284.3789

DEER CREEK 4620 Deer Trail Boulevard $349,000 Ken Ipox 941.993.7279

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LONGBOAT KEY | 941.383.1526 RENTALS | 941.364.4032

PORT CHARLOTTE 4573 Colleen Street $1,550,000 Beth Sargent & Richard Bradway 941.716.1277

ENGLEWOOD 717 North Manasota Key Road $1,049,900 Victoria Stultz 941.387.5676

COUNTRY CLUB EAST 16523 Berwick Terrace $689,000 Laura Stavola 941.447.4875

PRESTANCIA 7600 Calle Facil $574,000 Joel Schemmel & Sharon Chiodi 941.809.0380

GREENBROOK VILLAGE 14741 Bowfin Terrace $534,900 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

BELLEISLE IN COUNTRY CLUB EAST 7147 Westhill Court $434,000 Dawn Merrill & Katina Shanahan 941.915.7126

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7304 Greystone Street $1,495,000 Valerie Dall’Acqua 941.445.7295

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7719 Sudbury Glen $1,020,000 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

COUNTRY CLUB EAST 7520 Windy Hill Cove $654,500 Sandy Gillette & Thomas Netzel 941.504.0170

RIVERWALK RIDGE CYPRESS 12414 Lobelia Terrace $569,000 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13424 Ramblewood Trail $530,000 Jim Soda & Donna Soda 941.961.5857

PORT CHARLOTTE 13419 Eleanor $429,000 Beth Sargent 941.716.1277

CENTER GATE 4128 Center Gate Boulevard $334,000 Melissa Caldwell 941.266.8829

SARASOTA 3980 Chatsworth Greene $324,000 Fernando Viteri 941.400.7676

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20A

JANUARY 10, 2019

Classifieds 14B Games 13B Real Estate 11B Weather 13B

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Lakewood Ranch artist Majo, who goes by her first name only, brought along her niece and sister Nicole and Catalina Prejean, who were visiting from Louisiana.

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Lakewood Ranch’s Jeff Muchmore and his soon-to-be stepdaughter Gabriella Garner, 7, pose for a photo booth during the celebration.

LAKEWOOD RANCH

TURNS 25 A

s 6-year-old Katelyn McIntyre and her 4-year-old sister, Reagan, walked along Main Street at Lakewood Ranch in their colorful rain boots, Ryan McIntyre and his wife, Ashley, were all smiles.

Thunderstorms were not going to keep them away from Main Street’s monthly Music on Main event Jan. 4, which doubled as a celebration of Lakewood Ranch’s 25th anniversary.

Ryan McIntyre graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School

in 2002, the school’s second graduating class, and returned to the area after college.

“This is our first Friday tradition,” Ryan McIntyre said of attending Music on Main. “We were coming rain or shine. I grew up in Lakewood Ranch.”

Rain cut back on attendance, but hundreds of people still showed up for the celebration, which included music by Thomas Wynn and the Believers.

Lakewood Ranch residents submitted photos of special memories from their first 25 years.

Above: Manatee Community Foundation Executive Director Susie Bowie poses with Lakewood Ranch Community Fund President Garrett Shinn as they help serve beer and raise money for the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

Left: Ashley and Ryan McIntyre enjoy the night with their daughters, 6-year-old Katelyn,left, and 4-year-old Reagan.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

New Year’s Day canine treat

ADVERTISEMENT

latest from

Good Samaritans return lost dog to Polo Club residents.

Connecting Education and Strengthening the business community in the Lakewood Ranch region

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Happy New Year from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance!

Polo Club residents Myrna and Jeremy Whatmough ended 2018 with heavy hearts, but started 2019 with joy and gratitude.

Approximately 9 p.m. Dec. 31, their 2-year-old Airedale terrier, Reagan, had run off. In just over three hours, though, Reagan was safe at home.

“It’s unreal,” Jeremy Whatmough said of finding Reagan.

“I can’t thank people enough for stopping to help.”

The Whatmoughs had let their four Airedale terriers — Reagan, Walker, Ellie and Redford — out for their evening playtime in the backyard. But when Jeremy Whatmough let the dogs back in, Reagan was missing. He had escaped from the invisible, electric fence.

“He’s never tested the fence before,” said Myrna Whatmough, who believes Reagan might have been spooked by fireworks. “It was a total surprise.”

Just after midnight, the phone rang. Lakewood Ranch resident Emma Vitolo had their dog.

She and her husband, Kevin Hower, were on their way home

This year the Alliance is up to some really cool things, all with the passion of connecting our businesses in more meaningful ways here in our region. This year we will launch the new LWR Guide - a piece designed to feature all of our member businesses and showcase who you should be doing business with the in Lakewood Ranch region. Look for it to launch in late March.

We have a banner year of Programming and Events lined up as well. Our new partnership with LWR Communities and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College, LWR Talks Speaker Series, will feature a monthly topic you won’t want to miss. We’re looking forward to a fantastic 2019!

Heather Kasten LWRBA President/CEO

Welcome New Members!

Please help us in giving a warm welcome to the newest additions to our Alliance family of businesses!

A Better Way Home Health Admiral Travel Lakewood Ranch Aflac-Jennifer Stevens Allure Medical Ben Brown Insurance Agency Burn Boot Camp Camp Gladiator Ed’s Tavern fotofinitySRQ

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Jay Heater

Jeremy and Myrna Whatmough, of the Polo Club, were convinced their dog, Reagan, would be hit by a car after he escaped their backyard, but he was home within hours.

from a New Year’s Eve party when they pulled over on Lorraine Road, just south of University Parkway.

There, a handful of motorists had pulled off in an attempt to catch Reagan. Unlike the others, Vitolo and Hower had a leash and treats.

Emma Vitolo lured Reagan with the treats and slipped on the leash. Jeremy Whatmough arrived within minutes.

“If it wasn’t for (those who helped), he wouldn’t be here today,” Jeremy Whatmough said.

“It’s unbelievable,” Myrna Whatmough said of getting Reagan back. “He came home, and he was a happy camper.”

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2B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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PAM EUBANKS SENIOR EDITOR

Lakewood Ranch resident Nick Racanelli has had an entrepreneurial spirit, dabbling in everything from building ice skating rinks to offering website design services.

He bought and expanded a home remodeling business while living in North Carolina in 2010, and later began doing home remodels in the Lakewood Ranch area for real estate investment trusts such as Blackstone Group and American Homes for Rent, which were buying distressed properties, remodeling them and renting them.

Through that work and prior experience, Racanelli learned the ins and outs of a successful remodel and the pitfalls to avoid. When he moved back to Lakewood Ranch in 2013, he started his own fix-and-flip real estate business. Now, he’s applying that same expertise to assist homeowners.

In August, he opened The Kitchen Source in San Marco Plaza. It offers kitchen and bathroom remodeling, as well as redesigns of office spaces or other storage-related needs.

IF YOU GO THE KITCHEN SOURCE Where: 8205 Natures Way, Suite 115, Lakewood Ranch (San Marco Plaza) Offers: Specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, but also can redo closets, offices or any space related to storage or organization.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday Contact: info@thekitchenbathsource.com or 306-5950

Pam Eubanks

Lakewood Ranch’s Nick Racanelli brings his home remodeling experience to a retail operation, The Kitchen Source. It focuses on cabinetry and remodels of bathrooms and kitchens, as well as other storage-related needs.

“This is a turnkey approach,” Racanelli said. “We tie in all the finishes — backsplash, counter, flooring, mirrors, accessories. We don’t try to sell you anything. We want to cater to everything you want.”

The store sells three American-made brands of cabinetry, from the “good” quality Ech-

elon brand to the “better” Serenade Cabinetry and the highend Cuisine Ideale, which is fully customizable. Many products can be semi-customized, as well. It also sells sink fixtures, countertops, flooring and other related materials.

Racanelli said an initial consultation for services is free, and

he works with homeowners to analyze their needs, their budgets and how to best enhance their spaces. He makes recommendations based on his experience, but choices ultimately are left up to the customer.

The Kitchen Source produces renderings and final budget figures. Then, the renovation proj-

ect can begin.

“We have a dedicated designer and project manager on every job,” Racanelli said. “We oversee the entire project. I’m hands on.

I visit every job.”

Racanelli said although The Kitchen Source specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels, it can redo offices, closets or other spaces dealing with storage or organizational needs. It also is expanding to design and construct outdoor kitchens.

“That seems to be a natural addition to what we do,” Racanelli said, noting he is still researching product lines but already offers the service.

Racanelli said the space in San Marco Plaza became available in the fall and he thought it would be a perfect complement to his existing home rehabilitation business, SRQ Homebuyer. Many homes in Lakewood Ranch now are more than 20 years old and are in need of renovation work, he said.

The Kitchen Source is not affiliated with the kitchen store previously at that location.

Together, Racanelli and The Kitchen Source Project Manager Joe Romero have more than 30 years in the home remodeling industry, Racanelli said.

BUSINESS

Remodel business a new resource The Kitchen Source offers services for bathroom and kitchen remodels.

3B

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Charles Totonis 941.524.8299 LakewoodRanchLuxuryProperties.com CharlesTotonis@kw.com

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Keller Williams On The Water

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4B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

REAL ESTATE OBSERVED

LIST YOUR HOME AND WIN THE SALE!

By Tina and James O’Brien, Local Agents and Neighbors

East Manatee County is booming with new home construction.

Everywhere you look there is a new community coming out of the ground, enticing home buyers with wonderful incentives.

Everyone loves a brand-new home, so why purchase a resale? Building a home becomes even more exciting when new home builders offer special deals. Some builders will offer a free pool upon contract. Others provide free design center upgrades, financial contribution toward closing costs, while some builders participate in red-tag sales slashing prices. The incentives are endless and extremely attractive to perspective home buyers. For this reason, it is important that home sellers have an “edge” to compete with new home builders.

Resale homes have more of a challenge competing against new home construction. A typical listing taken on a resale home in East Manatee County will show a decrease in list price from $10,000-$50,000 before the home is either sold or the listing on that home expires.

Homeowners who are thinking of selling their home need a different approach to compete in this tough market. For example, when it is time to sell your home, you will seek a broker to assist you. When your home has been on the market for six months without an offer and your listing is about to expire, what should you do? List it again? Same price, same commission fee? Here are a few things to consider when it is time to make a decision.

To borrow a quote from Albert Einstein - “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If you relist your home for the same sale price with the same broker paying a 6% commission and you expect different results, your home will most likely sit on the market for another six months and become stale inventory.

Women’s group sparkles for charity

Pam Eubanks

Capt. Robert Mealy accepts an award for Detective Rebecca Angel, who couldn’t be in attendance and who was being honored by the Lakewood Ranch Elks, during Law Enforcement Appreciation Night.

® home, photography, qualifying buyers, scheduling appointments, conducting open houses and sifting through hundreds of calls from agents trying to obtain the listing when it expires.

Elks honor law enforcement The Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge No. 2855 held its first Law Enforcement Appreciation Night on Jan. 5 and a crowd of 85 members enjoyed dinner, live music and ceremonies honoring Detective Rebecca Angel, who was the Manatee County Sheriff Office’s 2018 Deputy of the Year.

While investigating a sexual battery case, Angel discovered the suspect in the case had been involved in sexual trafficking for years. Besides apprehending the suspect, Angel’s efforts led to many of the women impacted being provided with support services.

Angel was not able to attend, but Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Robert Mealy accepted

Statistics show the percent of home sellers who eventually sold for less than their asking price in 2018 was about 67%. As home values rise more slowly, the trend of lower sale prices will continue into 2019. With list prices increasing above realistic levels, studies show that more than 60% of homes sold below their original list prices in 2018.

Do not overprice your home, list with a local full-service discount broker When sellers do not price their homes aggressively, they can sometimes end up selling their home not only below their original list price, but sometimes below market value. Buyers become suspect when a home has been on the market for a long time and has had several price reductions. To avoid this pitfall, consult with a local, full-service broker who will list your home for a lower commission rate. Listing your home at a lower commission rate will allow you to offer a more competitive sale price while securing a higher net profit from the sale of your home. In addition, the competitive list price of your home will allow you to compete with the new home builders. Contact us for more information on how to list your home and win the sale!

Members of the Palm Aire Women’s Club will host their luncheon and fashion show “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” on Feb. 15 at the Palm Aire Country Club featuring designs from Dillard’s.

Co-chairwomen Kim Lege and Ivonne Cardona secured Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, as the master of ceremonies.

Bernadette DiPino, chief of the Sarasota Police Department, has agreed to be one of the models.

Tickets cost $50 per person and reservations must be received by Feb. 8. Contact Barbara Link at blink22542@gmail.com to confirm a reservation.

Artistic showcase runs through May Artwork by members of the Lakewood Ranch Art Club will be on display through May at The ComCenter, 9040 Town Center Drive, Lakewood Ranch.

Most of the work is available for purchase. The Art Club displays its work in local venues and galleries. Several artists donate their work for philanthropic purposes.

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“This is incredible,” Mealy said of the recognition. “The Elks honoring her makes you feel good.

The majority of folks support law enforcement, but to come to an event like this is humbling. I’ve known Becky her whole career and I know how diligent she is and she takes things to heart.”

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ELKS OPEN HOUSE Runs from 2-6 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge 2855, 4602 Lena Road, Bradenton. The Elks invites adults from the public to an open house that includes live music by IPA Band. For more information, go to lwrelks.org.

SUNDAY, JAN. 13

BACKYARD CONCERT SERIES Runs from 1-4 p.m. at Summerfield Community Park, 6402 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund invite the public to the first in a series of live concerts. The first show features the band Have Gun, Will Travel. The series will continue at the same location Feb. 10 with The Music Makers and March 10 with the Bearded Brothers Band.

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MEGA CHALLAH BAKE Begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Join Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch for this create-your-own-challah event for women. Refreshments will be served. The event is for girls and women ages 9 and older. Cost is $36 per person.

Reservations are required to chabadofbradenton.com.

DOGGIES FOR DUCHENNE PARTY Runs from 2-5 p.m. at Oak & Stone, 5405 University Parkway, Sarasota. A pre-race party for the Doggies for Duchenne 5K (Feb. 9) is being hosted by Oak & Stone and benefits Doggies for Duchenne and the Lakewood Ranch Humane Society. Go to doggiesforduchenne.com for more information.

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BUILDING INDUSTRY DINNER Runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association is hosting a “Come Ring in the New Year” dinner. Tickets for members are $45, nonmembers are $50. For information, contact Leslie Weed at leslie@ms-bia.org.

NATURE WALK Begins at 8 a.m. at 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch ambassador Greg Spring will lead a 2-mile, 1-hour nature walk on Lakewood Ranch trails. Meet at the pavilion.

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BEST BET FRIDAY, JAN. 11 TO SUNDAY, JAN. 13

CIRQUE MA’CEO Begins at 6 p.m. Friday, 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota.

Cirque Ma’Ceo, described as a theatrical Europeanstyle, equestrian-themed cirque show, is the main event of Big Cat Habitat’s Animal Extravaganza and performs with a blend of

POLO MATCH Gates open at 10 a.m. and the match begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. Enjoy live polo and tailgating every Sunday through April 14 at the Sarasota Polo Club. For information, go to sarasotapolo.com.

TUESDAY, JAN. 15

LWR SPEAKER SERIES Runs from 10 a.m. to noon at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Peter McCallister, vice president of academic affairs at Ringling College of Art and Design, kicks off the new speaker series, LWR Talks, by talking about creativity and its importance. Tickets are $10 and include a continental breakfast.

The event is being held in collaboration with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College. It is presented by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Lakewood Ranch Business

acrobatics, aerial, dance and equestrian arts. More than 10 breeds of horses will perform classic riding styles. Ticket options, some which include entrance into Big Cat Habitat, and information are available online at cirquemaceo. com or in person at the Big Cat Habitat. The shows repeat every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 3. Proceeds from the event benefit Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary.

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16

THE MARKET Runs from 3-7 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. The Market is a weekly opportunity to shop for farm-fresh food, enjoy live music and events and mingle with other members of the community. Programming, activities and entertainment changes week to week. For more information, go to lakewoodranch.com.

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REPUBLICAN CLUB LUNCHEON Begins at 11:30 a.m. at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, 7650 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

The Lakewood Ranch Republican Club luncheon will host guest speaker Misty Servia, a recently elected Manatee County commissioner. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Go to lwrrc.com for more information.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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att Eastman is living the sweet life.

His L a kewo o d Ranch-based company, Lickity Splits Ice Cream, had a good year. The business, in operation since 2014, is a regular at festivals across the region.

Its ice cream stands out, Eastman said, because it has a richer, creamier taste.

In 2018, Lickity Splits’ growth came on several fronts. The company purchased the unit next door to its headquarters for more space. It added three employees, bringing its total to seven. It now operates two trucks. And, significantly, it widened its service area to include Tarpon Springs to Fort Myers Beach and over to Orlando.

“We’ve really expanded a lot,” Eastman said.

The expansion isn’t over. Lickity Splits is looking for a 10,000to 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.

“The economy is booming,” he said. “The hardest thing is getting employees.”

He projected Lickity Splits will earn revenue in 2018 close to the high six figures.

At the end of 2017, Eastman considered opening a brick-andmortar shop to sell his ice cream.

But that plan has evolved. Today, the company serves individual owner-operated ice cream shops.

Eastman said this doesn’t mean Lickity Splits won’t have its own shop, but right now it plans to focus on its core customers.

The past year also brought growth in the professional sports realm. Lickity Splits built on its deal to serve ice cream at Amalie Arena in Tampa and created a proprietary flavor for the Tampa Bay Lightning called Thunder Berry that fans voted on and selected.

The company’s ice cream is also served at Tampa Bay Rays games in St. Petersburg; Pittsburgh Pirates spring training and Bradenton Marauders games in Bradenton; and at Florida PGA tournaments. Plus, Lickity Splits is in negotiations with more baseball and soccer teams that could be serving its ice cream soon.

On another cold front, Eastman started making and selling ice cream with cannabinoids.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

9B

Sarasota & Manatee Counties

Lori Sax

Lickity Splits Ice Cream proprietor Matt Eastman said the company, founded in 2014, grew in several ways in 2018.

— Matt Eastman, proprietor, Lickity Splits Ice Cream

finding, hiring and retaining top people, was to keep up with that demand. Lickity Splits partially met the challenge by having workers — including family — put in more hours.

“I have a dedicated family,” Eastman said. “If that means we come in at night, we do.”

It can also mean coming in on weekends, he said. For Eastman, that’s the key to business: support.

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cream, he said, is to help cancer patients in particular.

Lickity Splits is the co-packer for the venture Heavenly Hash Creamery. It’s experienced what Eastman called “phenomenal growth” and is now available in more than 40 locations, including online and at smoke shops and doctors’ offices.

For Lickity Splits in general, 2018 was a big year of increased production.

“We have quadrupled our output side for the amount of gallons,” Eastman said.

In 2019, Lickity Splits plans to start a second shift of workers, aiming to increase production even more.

A core obstacle in 2018, beyond

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY CO N N E C T E D.

S A R A S O TA 16225 Hidden Horse Way Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4205371 $1,599,000

PA L M E T T O 1715 4th Street W Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4418376 $1,250,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7250 Greystone Street Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4421904 $1,025,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7219 Prestbury Circle Kristen Srur & Jane Ebury 941-350-0612 A4415793 $1,095,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7110 Beechmont Terrace Sylvia Zimmerman 941-350-5022 A4417120 $895,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 521 75th Street Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4420243 $895,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 20306 67th Avenue E Leslie Emery 941-400-9710 A4420144 $850,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 3519 Lorraine Road Ryndie Brusco 941-809-6913 A4405838 $749,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7542 Windy Hill Cove Pamela Wall 941-504-5019 A4415772 $728,000

PA L M E T T O 140 Riviera Dunes Way 1001 Kathy Valente & Gregory Zies 685-6767 or 779-3081 A4414937 $699,000

BR ADENTON 9818 18th Drive NW Pam Blalock 941-737-9376 A4400774 $675,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 9903 Old Hyde Park Place Nicole Ryskamp 941-807-1766 A4214317 $609,900

BR ADENTON 230 Sapphire Lake Drive 101 Mark Boehmig & Peggy Horlander 807-6936 or 932-7199 A4418417 $588,000

BR ADENTON 7411 20th Avenue NW Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4212644 $529,000

BR ADENTON 4303 26th Avenue W Ralph & Megg Faillace 941-713-9142 A4409666 $500,000

U N I V E R S I T Y PA R K 6629 Saint James Crossing Nancy Phillips & Beth Ann Boyer 941-400-6078 A4206993 $495,000

PA L M E T T O 2925 Terra Ceia Bay Boulevard 2604 Dana Preston 941-705-5510 A4421575 $479,000

PA L M E T T O 302 11th Avenue E Kathy Valente 941-685-6767 A4416300 $449,000

U N I V E R S I T Y PA R K 6408 Wentworth Crossing Beth Pheney 941-345-5636 A4408560 $379,900

S A R A S O TA 7160 Rue De Palisades 4 Larry Cushing 941-228-9814 A4420954 $370,000

S A R A S O TA 4346 Hidden River Road Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4421059 $350,000

BR ADENTON 6114 Willow Oak Circle Kathy Valente 941-685-6767 A4417477 $349,900

S A R A S O TA 3873 El Poinier Court Beth Ann Boyer 941-780-6606 A4420258 $265,000

M YA K K A C I T Y 5691 Wauchula Road Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4416957 $229,900

PA L M E T T O 200 51st Street Circle E Bryan Dwyer 941-809-9106 A4408355 $192,500

BR ADENTON 1235 35th Avenue W Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4416176 $190,000

BR ADENTON 1726 4th Avenue E Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4214769 $179,900

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 110 7th Street S Judy LaValliere 941-504-3792 A4210751 $1,800,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 6931 Winners Circle Nicole Ryskamp 941-807-1766 A4418358 $1,550,000

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S A R A S O TA 16266 Hidden Horse Way Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4212767 $2,149,000

BR ADENTON 312 77th Street NW Thomas Cinquegrano 941-284-5049 A4400188 $1,699,000

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Charles Eaton, of Lady Lake, sold the home at 7921 Waterton Lane to Cecile and Tammy Patterson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,425,000.

Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,990 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $1.35 million in 2018.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE

Thomas and Michelle Carlson, of St. Petersburg, sold their home at 13507 Matanzas Place to Morgan and Elizabeth Bentley, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,399,000. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, four-andtwo-half baths, a pool and 4,463 square feet of living area.

Thomas and Alice DeGregorio sold their home at 13403 Matanzas Place to Steven and Lori Valentino, of Lakewood Ranch, for $760,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,870 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $615,000 in 2012.

Michael and Jean Donnellon, of Madison, Ind., sold their home at 7704 Weston Court to John and M.D. Jacqueline Dixon, of Lakewood Ranch, for $640,000.

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 3,543 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2014.

Jay and Madelynn Sacks, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7981 Royal Birkdale Circle to Michael and Michele Campbell, of Bedford, N.H., for $600,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,869 square feet of living area.

Thomas and Sally Patton, of Herts, United Kingdom, sold their home at 6815 Turnberry Isles Court to Steven Lewis and Patricia Hoag, of Bradenton, for $575,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,796 square feet of living area.

Krystian and Wioletta Stypula sold their home at 11736 Strandhill Court to Anthony Giovanniello Jr., of Lakewood Ranch, for $535,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,255 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $649,000 in 2009.

Deanna Magdich, trustee, sold the home at 12209 Thornhill Court to Eric and Patricia Cheyne, of Lakewood Ranch, for $375,000. Built in 2011, it has

11B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

DEC. 17-28

two bedrooms, two baths and 1,859 square feet of living area.

CONCESSION

James and Ann Wolcott, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8317 Farington Court to Howard Short, trustee, of Chesterfield, Mo., for $1,035,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,594 square feet of living area.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Tracey and Laverne Pfab, of McKinney, Texas, sold their home at 5511 Tidewater Preserve Blvd. to Dennis and Joan Jackson, of Bradenton, for $839,000.

Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 3,553 square feet. It sold for $693,700 in 2015.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Lyle and Nadine Paradise, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 14605 Newtonmore Lane to David Graziadei and Alexis Ekberg, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $635,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,746 square feet of living area.

George and Jana Morgan, of Alberta, Canada, sold their home at 14438 Stirling Drive to Dorothy Phillips and Kathryn Wood, of Lakewood Ranch, for $333,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,822 square feet of living area.

Courtesy image

The Lake Club home at 7921 Waterton Lane sold for $1,425,000.

at 5523 Arnie Loop to Timothy and Susan Foss, of Marine on St. Croix, Minn., for $585,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,427 square feet of living area.

Lennar Homes LLC sold the home at 5645 Arnie Loop to James and Rebecca Ray, of Lakewood Ranch, for $510,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,371 square feet of living area.

CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES

Trent and Nancee Moore sold their home at 6169 Ninth Ave.

Circle N.E., to Ricardo and Leslie Gonzalez, of Bradenton, for $565,000. Built in 1992, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,301 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $490,000 in 2017.

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Roy and Cynthie Levin, of Blairsville, Ga., sold their home at 22485 Panther Loop to Lawrence and Pamela Chaisson and James Dias, of Bradenton, for $530,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three-and-

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B

GREENBROOK VILLAGE

Scott and Nicole McGuigan, of Miramar Beach, sold their home at 13339 Swallowtail Drive to Mark and Laura Horner, of Lakewood Ranch, for $605,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,381 square feet of living area. It sold for $635,000 in 2015.

LO C A L LY K N OW N . G LO B A L LY C O N N E C T E D.

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Michael and Diana Rodgers sold their home at 14422 Sundial Place to Barbara Owens, of Lakewood Ranch, for $499,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,098 square feet of living area. It sold for $404,000 in 2010.

Joshua and Kelly Laning, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6417 Blue Grosbeak Circle to HPA US1 LLC for $415,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,572 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $317,000 in 2014.

Dhruv Sarna, of New York City, sold his home at 15356 Blue Fish Circle to Nicole Behar, of Bradenton, for $308,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 2,034 square feet. It sold for $205,000 in 2012.

Michael and Mary Ann Delisle, of Grand Forks, N.D., sold their home at 15103 Searobbin Drive to Guadalupe Barguez and Jose Garcia Soto, of Bradenton, for $239,500. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,275 square feet of living area. It sold for $315,500 in 2005.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Neil Coulson and Ashley Lambert, of Sarasota, sold their home

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L A K E WO O D R A N C H 16206 Clearlake Avenue A4417456 $1,275,000

PA L M E T T O 6125 1st Terrace E A4402833 $995,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7443 Greystone Street A4414743 $950,000

L A K E WO O D R A N C H 7509 Mizner Reserve Court A4407817 $849,900

295621-1

ADAM HUGHES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $1,425,000

|

Licensed Real Estate Broker

12B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Real estate

Registered Real Estate Broker

The

DONNA

AND

MURPHY

TOM

FROM PAGE 11B

TEAM

a-half baths, a pool and 2,589 square feet of living area. It sold for $291,000 in 2010.

5220 Paylor Ln • Lakewood Ranch, FL • 941-281-3355

“Experience Matters”

Over 40 years of combined experience $82+ Million/360+ Homes Sold Aggresive Marketing, Powerful Negotiation 5-Star Award for Excellent Customer Service 6 Years in a Row

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Mark Coppens and Laura Coppens, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17014 Second Ave. E., to Nathan and Jessica Stith, of Bradenton, for $514,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 3,902 square feet. It sold for $412,000 in 2012.

MILL CREEK

13524 2ND AVE NE, BRADENTON

A4416936 ¦ $499,000 ¦ 2,943 Sq Ft Under Air Room for your toys! beautifully maintained 4/3 pool home on 1.63 acres with boating access to Mill Creek. Park your RV and boat on your fenced lot. Newer roof, A/C and pool. Huge backyard. Low HOA fees of only $375 per year.

Marshall Howard and Nicole Bigos sold their home at 302 166th St. E., to Charles and Evelina Sprague, of Bradenton, for $490,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 3,880 square feet of living area.

It sold for $503,800 in 2016.

THE SANCTUARY AT RIVER STRAND 7122 MARSH VIEW LN, BRADENTON

A4419949 ¦ $359,000 ¦ 3,024 Sq Ft Under Air Active Lifestyle! Gently lived-in 4br, 3ba home with extended screened lanai with water views in a resort-style, maintenance free golfing community. Tennis, pickle-ball, fitness center, resistance pool, restaurant & bar. Furnishings available.

WATERCREST

THE SANCTUARY AT RIVER STRAND 7112 MARSH VIEW LN, BRADENTON

A4421990 ¦ $355,000 ¦ 2,006 Sq Ft Under Air

Active Lifestyle! 4br, 3ba home in excellent condition with extended screened lanai with water views in a resort-style, maintenance free golfing community. Tennis, pickle-ball, fitness center, resistance pool, restaurant & bar.

MILLBROOK AT GREENFIELD PLANTATION

A4420864 ¦ $250,000 ¦ 1,598 Sq Ft Under Air

Gary and Carolyn Barber, of The Villages, sold their home at 6013 99th St. E., to Charlie and Dedra White, of Lakewood Ranch, for $450,000. Built in 1994, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,469 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $225,000 in 2012.

Lyle and Robin Wentz, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 9312 65th Ave. E., to Wayne Sisk Jr., of Lakewood Ranch, for $410,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 2,186 square feet.

Joseph and Juana Verycken, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9018 60th Ave. E., to Stephanie Conyers, of Bradenton, for $278,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $195,300 in 2014.

BRIDGEWATER

ESPLANADE

Terence and Linda Thorne, of Nova Scotia, Canada, sold their home at 13228 Sorrento Way to Philip and Tracey Cameron, of Ontario, Canada, for $440,000.

Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,874 square feet of living area. It sold for $418,200 in 2017.

296134-1

Winter Escape! Cozy 3 br/2 ba home in a maintenance-free golfing community with heated community pool and low HOA fees. Extended screened lanai with waterfall, and an updated master bath with walk-in shower.

BRADEN WOODS

George Zimmerman and Donald Shellenberger sold their Unit 401 condominium at 6310 Watercrest Way to John and Cheryl Kersey, of Brookfield, Wis., for $477,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,134 square feet of living area. It sold for $699,000 in 2005.

Dean and Janine Smith, of Farmington, N.Y., sold their home at 13807 Swiftwater Way to Clifford and Victoria Bueno, of Bradenton, for $465,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,372 square feet of living area. It sold for $418,900 in 2017.

1494 MILLBROOK CIRCLE, BRADENTON

John and Katherine Drobny, trustees, sold the home at 5509 Goodpasture Glen to Dominick and Deborah Dicanio, of Lakewood Ranch, for $380,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,221 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2015.

NOW OPEN Bayside Pet Resort LWR CALL TODAY FOR A PERSONAL TOUR 941-755-3047

Tobacco Free Manatee Coalition Meeting Wednesday, Jan. 23rd at 4:15pm

Visit our NEW State-of-the-Art Facility

Manatee County Health Department 410 Sixth Ave E. Bradenton, FL 34208

296040-1

• Daycare 7 days a week • Dog and cat lodging • Professional pet grooming • Dog training- sport and obedience • Individual and group activities • In ground “dogs only” pool • Cool misting fans in play yard • Vet tech on staff • Daily 5 point health check on every guest • 24 hour live webcam

15117 Garnet Trail Lakewood Ranch

HOURS: M - F 7am - 7pm Sat. Sun 8am - 5pm 941 - 755 - 3047 baysidepetresort.com

Tobacco Free Manatee is a group of organizations and individuals working together for a tobacco free community.

For more information contact: Tima Midyette at 941-741-3990 or Tima.Midyette@flhealth.gov 293842-1

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, JAN. 10

Pamela Williams photographed this osprey on top of a light pole on Player’s Drive in Country Club East.

High: 62 Low: 43 Chance of rain: 0%

FRIDAY, JAN. 11 High: 73 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 10%

SATURDAY, JAN. 12

Please visit YourObserver. com/weather to submit your weather- or naturerelated photo. In addition to your caption information, please include your choice from our list of nonprofit groups. These votes will help determine which nonprofit group will receive the grand prize — a $2,500 flooring makeover from Manasota Flooring. The submission period for this contest ends Jan. 31, 2019.

ONLINE

High: 78 Low: 59 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, JAN. 13 High: 77 Low: 54 Chance of rain: 10%

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/weather

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Jan. 10

7:22a

5:53p

Friday, Jan. 11

7:22a

5:54p

Saturday, Jan. 12

7:22a

5:55p

Sunday, Jan. 13

7:22a

5:56p

Monday, Jan. 14

7:22a

5:56p

Tuesday, Jan. 15

7:22a

5:57p

Wednesday, Jan. 16

7:21a

5:58p

WEATHER

FORECAST

13B

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

|

MOON PHASES

Jan. 13 First

Jan. 20 Full

Jan. 27 Last

Feb. 4 New

RAINFALL Monday, Dec. 31

0.0

Tuesday, Jan. 1

0.0

Wednesday, Jan. 2

0.0

Thursday, Jan. 3

0.0 0.59

Friday, Jan. 4 Saturday, Jan. 5

0.0

Sunday, Jan. 6

0.0

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2019 0.59 in.

2019 0.59 in.

2018 0.58 in.

2018 0.58 in.

A REFLECTION OF NATURE’S BEAUTY 295067-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

CROSSWORD DOG TEAM by Erik Agard, edited by David Steinberg

©2019 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

29 Sound akin to “tut” 30 Some, in Spanish 1 Cheeseheads’ state 31 *Joe woe (Abbr.)

36 Pan-fried 5 Garden maze walls 37 Very long time 11 Coins at an arcade 38 Wolfs down 17 Japanese beer brand 42 Lead-ins to rips 19 Conflict under Bush 21 Tree that giraffes munch 43 Radius neighbor 44 2016 Olympics city on 45 Buckeyes’ sch.

22 Dubbing 46 Corn casing 24 *10-time NBA All-Star who played for the Rockets 48 Figs. given midair 50 On point in 2018 26 Chicago football team, 52 Keurig inserts 54 Local bond, informally in dialect 55 Workout unit 28 ___-pitch softball

57 Seating for the pious 60 ___, zwei, drei ...

61 *Spot in the paper 67 Laments the loss of 69 *Art theft, say?

73 Japanese sauce 74 *Six-legged builder 75 Storm’s superhero group 77 Cool 79 Take to court 80 Cruciform Egyptian symbol 81 Shops 83 ___ Moines 85 Windy City paper, with “the”

KITCHEN | CABINETRY OUTDOOR PAVERS

88 High-five sound 89 Wolfed down 90 December 31, e.g.

93 ___ 1 = speed of sound 95 Patsy Cline’s record label 97 Under 99 It cancels out a con 100 Her silhouette was used for the Women’s Professional Soccer logo 102 *”Genie in a Bottle” singer 106 On ___ (without a contract) 109 Star softball pitcher

110 “No Scrubs” girl group 111 Less rife 113 *What’s going on?

118 Melodic opera piece 119 In the vicinity 120 “Queen Sugar” actor Kofi 121 “Make room on the bench!”

122 L.A. neighborhood name-checked in “Free Fallin’” 123 Dog, say ... or, read differently, what the starred answers amount to?

124 Slovenian peaks

Craigslist 46 “The Handmaid’s Tale” streamer 47 Without changes 49 Vicinity 51 City near Scottsdale 53 *Honduras’ home 54 Turn of the 13th century 56 The Mamas & the ___ 58 Threadbare 59 8-Down’s garb 62 Result of addition 63 Tehran’s terrain 64 Bus money 65 Troy story DOWN 66 Big name in sexology 1 Mascara applier 68 Pop’s Carly ___ Jepsen 2 Acting Oscar 3 Brazilian ballroom dances 70 Phone letters next to 0 71 Like a GI busing dishes 4 *No. 1’s No. 25 Hyphenated boxed juice 72 To the ___ degree 75 Dec. observance brand 76 Chess victory, informally 6 No longer on the board 7 Alfalfa’s love in “The Little 78 Entice 82 Comedian Meyers Rascals” 84 Gujarat garment 8 Professional Dapper Dan 86 “Gotcha, man” 9 Palindromic farm female 87 Boyfriends, quaintly 10 Mineo or Maglie 88 Vector counterparts 11 Hybrid beach outfit 91 Feature of many a New 12 Month that ends with a Orleans house holiday (Abbr.)

92 Authoritative order 13 Big one?

94 Bring under control, as a 14 Course with supply wildfire curves, briefly 15 El ___ (weather phenomenon) 96 Guatemalan girl 98 Acquire over time 16 “___ who?”

100 World leader Emmanuel 18 Feeling down 101 One rad dude 20 College military org.

103 Pirates’ domains 23 Garbo or Gerwig 25 Buzzing with excitement 104 Proof you can’t be the culprit 27 Sustained attack 105 Famed fable writer 32 Crane construction?

106 Surgery remnant 33 “Mrs.” analogue with a 107 Like 24-karat gold tilde 108 Lover boy?

34 Like some phone game 112 Decays purchases 114 ___ of an era 35 “I see, I see” 39 State with a large Cajun 115 Book fan’s online story, slangily population 40 “Monday Night Football” 116 100-Down’s nation, in Olympics shorthand channel 117 “The thing about that 41 Figure (out) is ...”

43 Certain laptop on

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.

“H GFDZKA LKPM WCRI ZX TK HDLXELKA HD ZIK WXZHXD OHRZCPKU, UX H RXCEA RIFDYK HZ FDA AX UXWKZIHDY DKFPKP ZIK ZPCZI.”

– WFPEXD TPFDAX

“V JYHIYTW – V BHWT H LVEB. YOTF COTF V LVFVJOTW V JHVW, MO, BD AMW, VY’J JM UTHPYVLPE – V JOMPEW UT H LVEBBHRTI!.”

– HAFTJ XHIWH Puzzle Two Clue: D equals Y

Sarasota

STOP BY AND SEE OUR LARGE SELECTION OF NATURAL STONE TILE!

Puzzle One Clue: M equals Y

STONE

©2019 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2019 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

1-10-19

CLASSIFIEDS

Thursday, January 10, 2019

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 town codes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Items Under $200 For Sale 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.

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 BIKE: ROADMASTER Sport 18, torque drive, front suspension system. Excellent condition, $45.

941-524-8867.

CHAIR: BURGUNDY upholstered Queen Ann $50.00. Exercise Equipment total gym, $50. Body

By Jake, $50. 941-756-1612.

CHAIR: LEATHER chocolate brown, wooden round legs, $200 o/b/o. 941-714-0138.

NO WAIT

TIMES

Visit the online classified marketplace at classifieds.yourobserver.com

CREDENZA: OAK 48x18x31h, w/built-in outlet, $149. 2/Guitar stands, $22. Walnut wood end table, $29. 941-758-4646.

EXERICE BIKE: Schwinn top of the line exercise bike. Like new. $100 (941) 358-5352.

KING MATTRESS and box springs, $100. Twin mattress, $50. 727-504-3648, Ellenton.

LAWNMOWER: (22") Husqvarna HU700F, Honda Engine Self Propelled, $175. (941)727-9388.

SEWING MACHINE: Easy parts, closet stored.

Your best offer! (941) 879-7884.

SHOPLIGHT 45 in 2 bulb plug, new in box $25 (941) 807-8248.

SIIFFEL, REMBRENT Brass lamp. Vintage 50" high, new shade, solid brass, beauty, $60.

941-447-3625.

THE FRANKLIN Library. 4 books. Excellent condition, $30. 941-348-3413.

Homes For Sale

Cleaning

Pools

NINOSKA CLEANING SERVICE RELIABLE, PROMPT WOMAN TO CLEAN YOUR HOME. REFERENCES, LWR RESIDENT. (813) 377-6764.

POOL SERVICE - FALL SPECIAL FROM $65/MO. New customers only. Reliable, affordable weekly pool service by certified owner. Hundreds of satisfied customers, many testimonials. SAVE MONEY WITH THIS AD. Call now, Blissful Pools, 941-705-0400.

Computer Services COMPUTER/MAC, SMARTPHONE, Tablet repairs, setups, technology consultations, virus removal.

Specializing Seniors/Beginners. On/Off Site. Peg 941-735-3362.

2BR/2BA WATERFRONT Village Green. W Bradenton. 2050SF. Inside laundry. Florida sunsets out back. Natural light. Open floor plan. Screened lanai. Community pool. Newer AC & roof. Anna Maria Island 5.8 mi. Call to see any time. $229,900.

Kim Jatich, (941) 504-3874.

Bird Key Bayfront: 4+BED/4.5BATH, 3/CARGAR, Coveted Downtown Views. $5,350,000 Pre-Listing Longboat Key House: on Canal, 3BED-3BATH, 2/CARGAR, Dock/Lift, Beach - $599,900 2 Acres Foxfire: Upgraded 4BED-3BATH, 3/CARGAR. Luxury Chef Kitchen Barn, Paddocks, Horses $710,000 River Wilderness Golf Country Club: 5BED5BATH-3CARGAR - $949,500

CLASSIFIED LINE AD PRICE First 15 words .........$17.50 per week Each Add’l word ........................... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT for 4 week Run Yellow color $5 per Week Border as low as $3 per Week Call: 941-955-4888 Email: classified@yourobserver.com Online: www.yourobserver.com

55+ Villa on Golf Course: 2BED-2BATH $149,900

PLACE YOUR AD ONLINE TODAY classifieds.yourobserver.com This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers

Puzzle One Solution: “I wanted very much to be involved in the motion pictures, so I could change it and do something nearer the truth.”

– Marlon Brando Puzzle Two Solution: “I started – I made a film. Then when I finished I said, oh, my God, it’s so beautiful – I should be a filmmaker!”

– Agnes Varda

This week’s Sudoku answers

Golf Course $420,000

Community:

3BR/3BA/2CAR

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Brooke's clients received over $100K incentives last year, plus her expert knowledge and negotiations.

Call 941-726-2677

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States. Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors, 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BLUE FISH Cleaning Inc. 941-705-3812. Insured, Bonded. Affordable reliable home cleaning, $80, 2 cleaners, 2 hours.

YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS Flooring STEVE ALLEN FLOORINGS, INC. Professional removal and installation tile, stone, wood and luxury vinyl. All workmanship guaranteed. Over 25 years experience. Fully licensed and insured.

Free Estimates. 941-726-1802.

Painting/Wallpapering CARLO DATTILO PAINTING. Licensed & insured.

Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing. Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable. Free estimates.

941-744-1020. 35+ years experience.

©2019 NEA, Inc.

This week’s Crossword answers

ADVERTISE YOUR

GARAGE SALE CALL 941-955-4888

Help Wanted

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services. Experienced, Dependable and ready to begin! Residential.

Excellent references. 941-773-6895.

BOOKKEEPER PART time needed for fresh produce farm in Myakka City, flexible hours.

Knowledge of Quickbooks a must. Duties include but not limited to payroll, taxes, invoices and billing. Call 941-809-5125.

MRS. MAIDS. Detailed & dependable cleaning and HOUSE CHECK SERVICES for your residence. Bonded/ Insured. For free estimates, call 941-400-3175.

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

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

GET RESULTS!

LBK Condo: view of dock, beach access. $269,900

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria.

Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References. Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

Storage

LV9431

INFO & RATES: 941-955-4888 • Fax: 941-362-4808 • EMAIL: classified@yourobserver.com • ONLINE: classifieds.yourobserver.com HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-4pm • DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon • Service Directory - Friday at 3pm • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

As low as $17.50 for 1 week!

Get a discount when you run your ad in more than one Observer.

Pet Services PROFESSIONAL CAT SITTING: Certified Veterinary Technician serving all of Lakewood Ranch.

20+ Years experience.

E-mail: catladypetsitting@yahoo.com 856-981-2047.

2019

Explore the

CLASSIFIEDS for great deals.

Visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

15B

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

KITCHEN/BATH REMODELING

Country Canine Makeovers Dog grooMing

COMPLETE 2 Moen Stainless Steel Anti Slip INSTALLATION Includes Consealed Screw Grab Bars (16” & 24”) PACKAGE Additional Grab Bars Needed, Same type in bathroom $100 each Drilling charges may apply for marble, granite or porcelain.

“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

235

941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

www.drgrabbars.com

THE GRAB BAR GUY

CABINET MAKER

INC.

Like Us on Facebook

Pressure Cleaning & Soft Washing Residential and Commercial

Houses, Pool Cage & Decks, Fences, Driveways & Walks Irrigation, Fertilizer, Rust & Battery Stain Removal

941-737-4483

Palmetto

Bisson Roofing Inc.

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

www.themastercabinetmaker.com

Specializing in Reroofs and Repairs FREE Estimates • 30 Years Experience

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

CLEANING

Call John 941.377.2940

Daniel Fernandez

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

941 - 748 - 7400

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Man Maid Cleaning Service SRQ, LLC

941.779.3734

Financing Available • RC0067420 • Lic. & Ins.

294602

LAWN CARE

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Christo’s Clock Repair

Building & Roofing Contractor

Serving Bradenton/Sarasota areas Over 30 years experience

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

“IF IT DOESN’T TIC, TOC TO ME.”

HANDYMAN

MOVERS

293301

SCREENING

David McCarthy Moving

• Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

...will move anything from a couch to a household

Agner’s Handyman Specializing in Closets & Garage Storage

941-704-4278

• Kitchen Pantry •Attic Access Ladders

dmccarthymoving@gmail.com 291680

• Walk-in Closets • Reach-in Closets

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

941.587.8093

www.agnershandyman.wix.com/handyman

• • • •

Local And Long Distance Movers Residential Moves Commercial Moves Pack, Crate & Wrap

291395

Free tes ma Esti

All Makes & Models House Calls by apt.

291534

294805

(941) 752-4741 Horologist

www.bissonroofing.com

Owner Supervises Every Job

CLOCK REPAIR

Don Christo, Sr.

With this ad

ROOFING

954-1878

292787

(cell) 780-3346 Licensed & Insured

www.PantherHydroCleaning.com

10% SAVINGS

GLENN KROECKER

294993

941-723-0278

•

291682

941-966-0333

CABINET MAKING

Truly Custom Cabinets made in Palmetto, FL Design and Remodeling • Custom Countertops Custom special cabinets for mobile homes

BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • Certified Residential & Commercial

291677

The Master

SAFE ROOF CLEANING

293198

Owner / Operator Insured

Cindy Wells 941-928-2168

POWER WASHING

$

Dustin Yoder

Call for appointment

Located off of SR 70 E. 1 mile North on Verna Bethany Rd. 7804 Barr Road Myakka City, FL 34251

291538

LIFETIME GUARANTEE Installed Within in 24-Hours COUPON REQUIRED

291684

KEEP YOUR INDEPENDENCE!

PET SERVICES

292312

ALUMINUM

LV9459

SERVICE DIRECTORY

941-345-5264

www.davidmccarthymoving.com

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

WINDOWS

Doors and more!

Manufacture and workmanship

291696

Warranties

Res./Com. ndow & Pressure Clea Lic./Ins. et Wi nin s n wn as Sunrise Win g Su erly kno dow 345-5264 s Form(941) Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Local Ads at Your Fingertips

UP TO

classifieds.yourobserver.com

PAINTING

See everything Mr. Handyman® can do around your home at MrHandyman.com

292281

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HOME SERVICES MrHandyman.com

AMEROVENT

www.amerovent.net

DRYER VENT CLEANING SPECIALISTS Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

do around at Take a simple testcan to see if your your vent home is clogged.

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Commercial

• Interior & Exterior Painting & Wallcovering • Full Service Interior Design & Color Selection Assistance • Over 30 Years Experience Need a Referral? Matt Arndt, Owner Call today for

941-726-7077

291536

SPECIAL $500 senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

a FREE estimate!

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

Homes - Driveways - Sidewalks - Tile & Shingle Roofs - Pool Cages & Decks

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle? ® • Dryer gets hot the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

See everything Mr.to Handyman Residential

LAKEWOOD RANCH PAINTING

Ask a Neighbor!

120

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

292766

296021

a neighborly company

FREE ESTIMATES - Call Joel, Owner 30 Years Exp. Cell 619-405-7650 Home/Office 941-758-4840

292789

21

WINDOWS $ 25STANDARD

out

ab Call for Information THIS SPACE COULD BE the Service Directory

YOURS!

See everything Mr. Handyman® can do around your home at

YOUR CONNECTION

MrHandyman.com

to selling your service with success.

For more information, call 941-955-4888 or visit classifieds.yourobserver.com

955-4888

LV10365

16B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

YourObserver.com

LAKEWOOD RANCH is all about style and choice. Homes by Towne offers two distinct communities, each www.homesbytowne.com

with its own unique style and charm.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE 5 MODELS TO TOUR

(941) 907-3799 Condominiums from the $400’s

(941) 361-2536 Single-Family Homes from the $400’s

295031-1

WATERFRONT AT MAIN STREET NEW MODEL OPENING SOON!

FLW_ECO_LHC&WF_NextHome_1218_LS-2c.indd 1

12/7/2018 11:29:05 AM