Raisin the bar

Tara Elementary School fifth graders Micah French, R.J. Griffis, Kaitlyn Do and Kinley Chupp had no problems getting their hands dirty. Each of them took smashed bananas, spread it across their tray, and topped it with beans.

The hope was that it would look like sand and scattered shells.

Griffis said his team originally planned to use mangoes for the sand, but mangoes weren’t available during the Fruits and Veggie Day challenge Feb. 3 at Tara.

Fourth and fifth grade Technology Student Association and Robotics students were tasked with using fruits and vegetables to create a scene that would fall under the theme of “Florida.”

French, Griffis, Do and Chupp added added a Florida sunset using orange slices.They created a crab made out of half an orange, tomatoes and apple slices on top of the crushed banana sand. For the palm trees and bushes, they used celery and broccoli. Their scene was completed with shark gummies.

The team had to make changes from their blueprint along the way because they didn’t know what fruits and vegetables would be available.

French said their project turned out better than expected.

While some students decided to make scenery, others focused on creating animals using the various fruits and vegetables available.

Fourth graders Archer Miles, Wyeth Hudson and Martin Torres made turtles, a dolphin and a panther.

Miles and Torres said they decided to make a dolphin to honor Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s dolphin Winter, who died in 2021. They used a banana for the body, raisins for the eyes, gummies for the fins and a carrot for the tail.

— LIZ RAMOS

Raising money for scholarships never looked so good.

The Palm Aire Women’s Club hosted its 2023 Fashion Show and Luncheon on Feb. 3 at Palm Aire Country Club.

“It was awesome,” said Kay Kwenski, a member of the club who tried her hand at modeling. “Everyone worked together as a team and we had an excellent fundraising event. Lots of life, lots of energy, lots of sparkles.”

Also walking the runway was club member Katherine Pike.

“It was fantastic,” Pike said. “Amazing.”

As with previous years, the goal of the show was to raise scholarship funds for students who are headed to the State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College.

Fashion show Co-Chair Michelle Crabtree said the club’s mission is to give back to the community through scholarships and charity.

“It touched my heart, and that’s why I joined,” she said.

Clothing items were provided by Dillards, makeup was provided by Lancôme, and hairstyling and makeup was provided by Lynne Oullette from The Confidence Factory salon.

Our Two Exciting Series

Sarasota • Venice • Lakewood Ranch LECTURE SERIES

Order tickets and complete program details: sillsarasota.org

Next Week’s Programs Include:

Music Mondays

MUSICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GREAT PERFORMERS

Monday, February 13 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm

GLASS ARMONICA

Dean Shostak, Glass Armonica

Dean Shostak has dedicated his career to the revival of Benjamin Franklin’s glass armonica,and has toured the country. He taught glass armonica at Rutgers University Mason Gross Music School as a teaching faculty member.

Global Issues

AN INSIDER’S VIEW OF TODAY’S WORLD LECTURE SERIES

Tuesday, February 14 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

How are the Great Powers Responding to Africa’s Population Growth and Economic Emergence?

Amb. Jimmy Kolker will discuss what that means for the U.S., other great powers, and for Africa’s future.

Wednesday, February 15 Sarasota,10:30 am

Lessons Learned from Fighting AIDS and Ebola in Africa. Did We Apply Them to Covid? Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? Amb Jimmy Kolker will explain what we have learned is that health security is national security for the United States.

Thursday, February 16 Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 5:00

Friday, February 17 Venice,10:00 am www.treasurecove2.com

The Sneaky War: Russia, China, the U.S. and the Emerging Strategic Paradigm Dr. Sean McFate will explain what “sneaky war” entails, why it succeeds, and how the U.S. can use it to defend freedom globally.

Neighbors Notes

Boo Run funds awarded to nonprofits

The Boo Run finished its 5K run in Lakewood Ranch on Oct. 29, but the payoff wasn’t realized until January.

That’s when organizers of the Boo Run, which drew 450 runners, presented $2,000 checks to Another Day for Gray and the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch. Another Day for Gray raises funds and awareness for those dealing with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The 2022 race marked the first time in its history the race split its proceeds between nonprofits. The race always had exclusively supported Another Day for Gray in the past, but this time Another Day for Gray’s namesake, Grayson Tullio, asked that The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch benefit as well.

The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch presented a plaque to Tullio that read, “On behalf of the pups at The Human Society at Lakewood Ranch, we thank you from the deepest part of our hearts for teaching us lessons in resilience, kindness and unconditional love.”

It was the 19th running of the Boo Run 5K, which featured a kids’ Boo Dash and the 5K race. Jennifer Tullio, Grayson’s mom, was again the race director.

Annual Strawberry Fields Shabbat held at Hunsader Farms

Having a sense of community was the biggest lesson Feb. 4 during Temple Emanu-El’s annual Strawberry Fields Shabbat at Hunsader Farms in East County.

“We have a lot of members in East County and Lakewood Ranch,” said Rabbi Elaine Glickman. “It’s so nice for us to enjoy this space.”

The event, intended for families with elementary- and preschoolaged children, features playground time, feeding animals in the petting zoo, riding the Hunsader Farms train and Shabbat prayers and blessings.

The event corresponded with Tu BiShvat, which rabbis designate as birthday of the trees. The fun outing focuses on the blessings of nature and the beauty of the natural world.

“Part of this is just being together,” Glickman said. “And the children get to see animals they don’t ever see.”

East County students earn honors

East County’s Stephen Gerbis was named to the President’s List (4.0 GPA) at State University of New York-Morrisville. ... East County’s William Barr was named to the Dean’s List at Albion College of Michigan. ... East County’s Philip Fincher was named to the Mississippi State University Dean’s List.

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