East County Observer 10.13.2022

EAST COUNTY

Pink parade

Observer

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Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

VOLUME 24, NO. 47

YOUR TOWN

Hurricane relief efforts continue Support for Myakka residents impacted by Hurricane Ian continues to flow. SEE PAGE 3A

Courtesy photo

School official taps into information Richard Tatem, who will be sworn into the School Board of Manatee County in November, needed a little education himself.

Tatem and his wife, Régine (above), attended a class for local policymakers that taught the interconnectedness of county water systems with a tour of waterways Oct. 5 that included the Manatee River.

The event was called “Manatee County Water School: From Tide to Tap,” and was hosted by the University of Florida Extension Office. Those attending met at the Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant before attendees boarded a tour boat and headed out along the Manatee River.

Tatem said he felt the class intersected with his responsibilities to ensure clean water inside the school system.

He said a key takeaway was that lots of green stormwater infrastructure, which includes options such as pervious asphalt, swales, and rain gardens, can be achieved economically, which he called a “win-win.”

Jay Heater

Karen Medford gives Pepe a hug before they embark on her first polo lesson at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

No fear taking her shot Local businesswoman saddles up for a new challenge. SEE PAGE 8A

Courtesy photo

A+E

Students get glimpse at medical profession Kate Tuchman and Tierney Thornhill (above), who are seniors at Lakewood Ranch High School, surprised nurses at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with breakfast on Sept. 25.

Tuchman and Thornhill, the co-presidents of the school’s Girls in White Coats Club, wanted to expose their club members to women who work in the medical field while showing appreciation for the nurses. The club hopes to inspire students to enter the medical field.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to show them how deep our appreciation is for how much they do for our community,” Tuchman said of the nurses.

Tuchman said the breakfast gave club members an opportunity to hear firsthand what it’s like to work in the medical field and see if they are interested in volunteering at the hospital.

New faces debut in ballet’s ‘Premieres.’

INSIDE

Jay Heater

Jolene Bryant has helped Rebecca McCullough plan “Haunted Nights” at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City.

Tweak your funny bone Haunted Nights set to bring smiles to Myakka City. SEE PAGE 6B

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

State considers minimizing voting restrictions Hurricane Ian’s impact could hinder the voting process in Manatee County.

ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTION Date: Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 Polls open: 7 a.m.

Polls close: 7 p.m.

Early voting: Monday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Nov. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Voter registration deadline: Oct. 11 Deadline to request a vote by mail ballot: 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

I

n a visit to Bradenton on Oct. 5, Cord Byrd, Florida’s secretary of state, said Hurricane Ian will have an impact on the Nov. 8 General Election.

Byrd said he will visit the supervisor of elections in all 67 counties to discuss the matter. Byrd met with Michael Bennett, Manatee County’s supervisor of elections, in Bradenton. Byrd said he is assessing whether or how the state could implement orders that would loosen certain voting restrictions to benefit those impacted by the hurricane.

“My goal, the state’s goal, is that every single voter who wants to vote has that opportunity,” he said.

“We’re going to make sure that we have the means and resources in place to make that happen.”

Bennett said Manatee County is assessing the current situation but has received few phone calls from residents concerned about their ability to vote.

However, Bennett also said that in conjunction with the state, work is underway on a plan that would allow residents who have evacuated the area due to the storm, to receive vote-by-mail ballots at a different address than the one under which they are registered to vote.

Bennett said his office is still waiting to hear from the state government on whether this measure could be implemented.

If citizens have had a ballot already mailed to the address where they live that was damaged by the storm or that they evacuated, currently there is no way it can legally be forwarded to a new address or that a second ballot can be sent.

Byrd said if a home or other location has lost its mailbox, the ballot

Ian Swaby

Cord Byrd, the secretary of state of Florida, met with Michael Bennett, Manatee County’s supervisor of elections.

will return to the Post Office for up to 10 days, where the voter can pick it up. After that, it is sent to the Supervisor of Elections office, which will make an effort to contact the voter.

Bennett said there are potential problems with access to voting sites in the Myakka City area due to flooding. With a month before the election, Bennett said his office will reevaluate the situation closer to the General Election. If additional polling centers needed to be set up, it would be done at the discretion of the election supervisors of individual counties.

“They know their counties best, where their population centers are and how far it is for any one resident to drive to go to the polls,” Byrd said.

However, he said the supervisor’s actions would also be subject to

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review by the state.

He said he would be open to extensions of early voting, with election centers staying open from the start of early voting until Election Day, as has already been scheduled in Lee and Bay counties.

Byrd said residents can either vote by mail or vote early or on election day, and said he is working to ensure the state can perform the loosening of restrictions within as narrow a range as possible.

Among restrictions signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis is a twoballot limit on ballots delivered on behalf of another person, outside of one’s family.

Byrd said there were no plans to make exceptions to this rule.

“That’s an important election security measure,” he said.

This activity has been termed “ballot harvesting” by critics, who argue it makes discarding of ballots possible, while others have pointed to the rarity of such occurrences and the difficulty in voting its absence could pose to the elderly or disabled.

Among other examples of recent restrictions are requirements that voters request mail-in ballots once every two years instead of every four years, and restrictions on the ability to provide food or water to those waiting in line to vote.

Byrd said the state was “absolutely not” considering postponing elections.

“I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be able to do this, and that’s after visiting the counties that were hardest hit,” he said.

“The supervisors are very resil-

ient,” he said. “They’re a great group.

They don’t complain. They just pull up their bootstraps and say, ‘We’re going to have an election,’ and get it done.”

He said a day earlier he had spoken to Tommy Doyle, the supervisor of elections in Lee County.

“He said they’re in rough shape, but they seem to be moving forward,” he said.

Bennett said he was confident in the Myakka City area to be ready to vote as well.

“Those people are survivors,” Bennett said. “They know how to make things happen.”

In creating emergency orders, Florida has the precedent of orders given in 2018 during the aftermath of Hurricane Michael by then-Gov. Rick Scott.

Those orders allowed election supervisors to designate alternative election sites, send vote-by-mail ballots to alternate addresses and deliver a vote-by-mail ballot to an elector’s immediate family member, among other actions.

Following Hurricane Ian, Byrd has already signed an emergency order that delayed the requirement for political candidates to present a campaign finance report from Friday, Sept. 30 to Friday, Oct. 7.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

‘Myakka strong’ rings true Even after suffering heavy damage, Myakka residents tried to help others in worse shape.

IN THE WAKE QUESTIONS Weeks after Hurricane Ian, people still are searching for answers.

Here are 10 frequently asked questions.

Q: If a tree falls onto a neighbor’s property, who is responsible for the damage?

A: The tree owner, but the owner needs permission from the neighbor to enter and work on the neighbor’s property.

Q: How long can people put debris on the curb for collection?

A: County crews will be collecting debris until it’s all cleared. It could take several weeks. An announcement will be made to notify residents of the deadline to have debris on the curb.

Q: How long will it be free to dump debris at the Lena Road landfill?

A: At least until Oct. 17.

The demand will determine further extensions.

Q: What does the county do with the trees and natural debris that’s collected?

A: The debris is ground into mulch and disposed of by contractors.

Q: What county resources were offered to those displaced?

A: Manatee County had temporary housing at John H. Marble Park. Only seven people used the facility, so the Red Cross closed it and transferred them to another facility.

Q: Where should people go for financial assistance for damage and repairs?

A: FEMA and their own insurance agencies Q: What should be done with the sandbags that were collected by businesses and homeowners?

A: Keep the sandbags until next hurricane season in a secure, dry place.

They also can be used in and around the house for landscaping or disposed of in trash curbside pickup. Sandbags should not be dumped at beaches or parks.

Q: Where can people who are displaced send their pets for a temporary home?

A: Friends, family or neighbors. After a hurricane, shelters are inundated with animals and cannot be used as a temporary home.

Q: What is the plan to make up educational time that was lost due to schools being closed during the hurricane?

A: The School District of Manatee County plans to change the high school early release days scheduled for Dec. 20-22 to be full school days. The plan went before the School Board of Manatee County for approval Oct. 11.

Q: What happens to wildlife during a hurricane?

A: Just like people, animals attempt to find a place to hunker down.

Wildlife Inc. brought in more than 150 animals after Hurricane Ian, including baby squirrels, opossums, skunks, raccoons and birds.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

K

elly Strausbaugh couldn’t believe how many donated supplies were coming to the Myakka City Community Center.

At least five trucks full of supplies made their way from Gene Witt Elementary School on Oct. 3.

Braden River Elementary School students and staff loaded a moving truck full of donations and sent it to the community center Oct. 5.

School after school in Manatee County collected donations from students and families Oct. 3-5 to send to Myakka City, the hardest hit area of the county by Hurricane Ian. More than 16 schools in the county participated in the supply drive to show support for the Myakka community.

“That first day, I thought we were going to get a couple boxes here and there,” said Strausbaugh, who is the president of the Myakka City Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Organization. “I’ve never seen so many donations. I cried all day.”

She cried, and worked. Strausbaugh helped coordinate the supply drive.

As the weeks pass after Hurricane Ian, people affected by the storm might be thinking they will be forgotten. But organizations, schools and nonprofits around the greater Lakewood Ranch area still are working to not only support families in Myakka City but also throughout the southern part of Florida, which saw the worst of Hurricane Ian. The initial supply drive in Myakka started after Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, was checking with other principals in the School District of Manatee County.

She told them Myakka City was pounded by Hurricane Ian and some families lost everything.

Principals immediately started asking how they could help.

Strausbaugh credited Ricks’ reputation for so many schools being willing to participate in the drive.

By the afternoon on Oct. 3, hallways and covered walkways of B.D. Gullett, Gilbert W. McNeal, Freedom, Gene Witt, Braden River, Robert E. Willis elementary schools and more than a dozen other schools were filled with donations.

Families were donating water, clothing, nonperishable food, diapers, toys and games, hygiene products and more.

The donations from the schools overwhelmed the community center so much, the Myakka City Community Center had to ask for the schools to stop sending donations as of Oct. 5.

“Right now, what I’m trying to do is prioritize to find out who primarily needs it,” Ricks said.

The Myakka City Elementary School PTO has created a website with a form for Myakka City residents to share their needs as well as share what resources are available.

Any donations at the Myakka City Community Center that aren’t used by the Myakka community will be sent to Arcadia, Wauchula and communities south of Sarasota.

HELPFUL HAND

Other organizations have been helping with relief efforts as well.

Chris McComas, a co-founder of MVP Sports and Social, thought he would have to cancel his golf tournament Oct. 1, but when he found out the golf course at Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch didn’t have any damage from the hurricane, the tournament continued.

McComas decided to ask the 124 golfers and 20 volunteers participating in the tournament to donate supplies and money for hurricane relief in Fort Myers.

The tournament brought in more than a truckload of supplies and $4,100. McComas donated the supplies to One Mission Disaster Response but is waiting to donate the money until he finds where the money is most needed.

“I was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude,” McComas said about the donations. “It was just an absolutely incredible show of kindness from our community who were also dealing with the effects of the

Liz Ramos

Myakka City’s Lynn Howell, Kathy Howell, Meals on Wheels’ Maribeth Phillips, 10-year-old Liam Osteen, Sen. Jim Boyd, and Commissioner George Kruse hand out meals at Myakka Family Worship Center.

HOW TO HELP MYAKKA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION n Visit MyakkaCityPTO.com to donate. n Monetary donations and gift cards are being accepted at the Myakka City Community Center, 10060 Wauchula Road, Myakka City.

LAKEWOOD RANCH COMMUNITY FUND n The community fund is partnering with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities to collect monetary donations. n Funds will be granted to nonprofits as they identify their needs to the community fund. n Text 2022IAN to 41444 to give.

FLORIDA PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE NETWORK n The organization supports communities throughout the state through disaster preparedness, response and recovery while working with the community, government and faith-based organizations. n Email Fla.PDAN@PCUSA.org or call 483-0675

hurricane. Many had no power, no internet, no cell service, trees down, fences down and more.”

Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund collected donations during Music on Main. Similar donations were collected at the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market and Ranch Nite Wednesdays.

At the Myakka Family Worship Center, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee volunteers and staff members were handing out meals for Myakka City residents. Different meals were given depending on whether a family had power.

Besides meals, the nonprofit also distributed water, toiletries, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and bleach.

“We’re all about nutrition and feeding people, especially people in need, and there’s no better time than when you’re recovering from a hurricane and people are desperately in need,” said Maribeth Phillips, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee. “I came out here on (Oct. 2) and some of the houses just looked like they were built around a lake; there was so much water. It’s still receding and some people are starting to get their power back, but it’s going to take a long time for people to recover.”

Phillips said the church’s pastor, Lynn Howell, has been a great partner, delivering meals to people in Myakka City who cannot make it to the distributions.

MYAKKA STRONG

Howell said it’s been heartwrenching to see the families and the damage to their homes when he’s delivering meals.

“Everything they have worked hard for all their life is gone,” Howell said. “With (Hurricane) Charley, we thought we were affected, but all Charley did was knock trees down and make us be without electricity for 14 days. Ian affected us. The eye wall was so big, it just played havoc on everything. But our people are resilient, and they’re strong in their faith.”

MANATEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S DISASTER RELIEF FUND n The community foundation is matching donations with funds from the Bishop Parker Foundation n For more information, visit ManateeCF.org/Donors/Support-OurCommunity-After-a-Disaster VOLUNTEER FLORIDA n Volunteer Florida will connect you with volunteer opportunities in the area and virtual opportunities. n For more information, visit VolunteerFlorida.org/Volunteer Connect SUNCOAST BLOOD CENTERS n Donate at the Lakewood Ranch center at 3025 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Suite 111, Bradenton n Call 866-972-5663 and press 1 to donate blood and press 3 to make a platelet donation.

NATE’S HONOR ANIMAL RESCUE n Animal shelters are being inundated with cats and dogs. n To donate cat and dog food, cat litter, snacks, water and more, go to Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, 4951 Lorraine Road, Bradenton.

Strausbaugh and Howell said more often than not, the residents who needed help the most were the ones turning away donations in case someone else needed it.

Ricks and Strausbaugh said Myakka City has a saying, “Myakka Strong.” They said that after seeing residents coming together to help each other during the hurricane and its aftermath, the saying couldn’t be more true.

“Myakka can be overlooked,” Strausbaugh said. “We’re used to it. When the storm hit, we knew the county was making its way out here, but the boys that were clearing the streets were Myakkans. Those were Myakkans on the airboats rescuing people from their homes before the county got out here.”

Howell said Myakka is a community of people that puts others first.

“As soon as the hurricane passed, everybody hit the ground saying, ‘What can I do to help somebody else get back up and running?’” Howell said. “I think the ability for people to help others takes their mind off their loss and their troubles. You can see there’s somebody worse off.”

Strausbaugh and Ricks said the numerous donations and support from the rest of the county came as somewhat of a shock because they say Myakka City often is overlooked.

“This is proof we have not been forgotten and everybody has just completely jumped in together to help,” Ricks said.

FEMA READY TO ASSIST

A Disaster Survivor Assistance team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was at Myakka City Community Center Oct. 5 helping residents become registered to see what assistance they could get from FEMA. Christina Andruss, a Disaster Survivor Assistance team lead, said teams like hers are usually the first boots on the ground within 24 hours of a disaster.

Andruss and her team were helping residents register as many were still without power, internet access or cell phone service.

AVAILABLE RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS Myakka City Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization n The PTO has a form to help determine needs of community members. n Visit MyakkaCityPTO. com FEMA n FEMA might be able to help with temporary housing expenses, basic home repairs and more. Apply at DisasterAssistance. gov, use the FEMA app on your smartphone or call 800-621-3363.

Information FEMA will need: Address at the time of the disaster and current address; Condition of damaged home; Insurance information, if available; Social Security number; Multiple phone numbers; and Address to receive mail or email address to receive electronic notifications.

FOR BUSINESSES Business Damage Assessment Survey n The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the State Emergency Response Team created the survey that will allow the state to expedite recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing needs of affected businesses.

Results will be shared with federal, state and local agencies to implement relief efforts.

Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan n Small businesses, small agricultural cooperates and most private nonprofits can be eligible. For more information, visit SBA.gov/ Funding-Programs/ Disaster-Assistance/ Economic-Injury-Disaster-Loans Small Business Administration Physical Damage Loans n Homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply.

For more information, visit SBA.gov/FundingPrograms/DisasterAssistance/PhysicalDamage-Loans

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

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Manatee County commissioners have been lining up in opposition to the county staff’s plan to add requirements to those who host agritourism events.

The plan, which will be considered at an Oct. 20 hearing, would require those hosting agritourism events, such as Hunsader Farms’ Pumpkin Festival, to acquire temporary use permits and to conduct an informal traffic study for uses drawing 1,000 or more people.

Currently, farmers do not need to fulfill any requirements to convert their farm operations to host an agritourism event as long as they do not add additional structures or tents for the purpose of accommodating the public.

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has been firm on her stance.

“I do not, and I will not, vote for something that hits our farmers who are just trying to make a few extra dollars,” Baugh said at a Sept. 22 Manatee County Commission meeting, in which the latest draft of the staff’s proposal was presented.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said it could be a financial burden on those attempting to host an agritourism event if a traffic study is required.

Commissioner George Kruse said the 1,000-guest minimum for a permit “seemed incredibly arbitrary.”

“A thousand people out at a notto-be-named family’s farm out west is meaningfully different from 1,000 people at a medieval fair or a different place on (County Road) 675 that a family might own and have fall festivals,” he said.

Nicole Knapp, Manatee County Planning Section manager, said the department created the proposal as

EXAMPLES OF AGRITOURISM ACTIVITIES n Educational tours (production of crops and livestock, food and beverage processing) n Participation in the production of crops, animals, foods and beverages n Pick-your-own produce locations; stands featuring agricultural produce n Cultural tourism (historic farms, historic villages, museums of folk art and agriculture) n Accommodation (farm stay, camping) n Therapy (plant- or animal-assisted therapy, aromatherapy, apitherapy, goat yoga) n Food and beverages (home meals eaten together with farmer’s family, picnics eaten in the fields) n Recreation and sports (walks and hikes, horse back riding, sports requiring a large space, hunting, fishing) n Entertainment (parks and gardens, excursions and outings, petting farm, corn maze, hayride) n Weddings

a reaction to language introduced in the 2016 state statutes that granted counties the authority to regulate “substantial offsite impacts” of agritourism. The Planning Department reported to the commissioners that the proposed requirements do not violate the statutes.

Clarke Davis, deputy director of traffic management, told commissioners the new requirement for an informal traffic study would be simple and would include a list of access points and expected numbers of people or cars per day to determine the need for off-duty law enforcement officers to manage the traffic.

According to Knapp, a temporary use permit has a lower cost of $270, down from roughly $7,000 for a special-use permit, and can be processed in less than 30 days because it does not have to be reviewed in a public hearing as a special use permit does.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

5A

Commissioner criticizes use of density bonuses George Kruse says density bonuses being approved

by Manatee County are not fulfilling intended use.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

A

fter voting to approve a developer’s request for an increased density bonus just to the north of Lakewood Ranch on State Road 64, Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse said at an Oct. 6 land use meeting that changes are needed.

Kruse said current county requirements force commissioners to approve development bonuses that are meeting parameters that basically favor attempts to build walkable communities, but he said that in reality, that goal is seldom realized.

“We hear these things like ‘Oh, this is mixed-use; it’s livable; it’s walkable,’” Kruse said. “‘People can work there and shop there, and they’re going to walk around a corner and get their eggs and their milk.’ That virtually never happens.”

Currently, county policy allows developments up to 20 dwelling units per acre, in cases where at least 75% of the project’s frontage borders an area considered a node of activity, which might include commercial areas featuring shopping and services.

A developer can also designate 25% of dwelling units as affordable housing to achieve the same density increases.

During the meeting, Kruse and Glen Gibellina, a spokesperson for the affordable housing advisory board, took aim at the system.

The development being considered — it was unanimously approved by the commission — is a new apart-

File photo

The development would be located beside the Hide-Away Storage facility at the southeastern corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 64.

ment complex by Eastern Meridian Property Group, located just east of the Hide-Away Storage facility at the southeastern corner of Lorraine Road and State Road 64.

Philip DiMaria, a certified planner with the engineering firm KimleyHorn, called the project a different type of addition to the area that would contribute to the diversity of housing options.

He said the planned amenities, which include a spa, fitness center and yoga studio, would be “very high-quality,” while the environment would be “walkable,” featuring street trees for scenery.

The development is planned to include 350 multifamily units, as well as five commercial outbuildings.

The site, which is currently zoned in separate sections for general commercial and general agricultural uses, is set to be rezoned to the category Planned Development–Mixed Use. The rezone will raise the num-

ber of allowed units from 84 to 208, and to 462 when the density bonuses are added.

Approved concurrently was a request to change the Future Land Use Category of the property from Urban Fringe-3 to RES-9 to allow residential development. DiMaria said this change would add additional density, while limiting commercial uses to neighborhood-serving ones.

DiMaria said the change of category would generate less traffic than what could originally have been drawn there.

He called the development an excellent fit for the surrounding area, noting features in the surrounding area include a 7-Eleven to the northwest and a similar project at Uihlein Road to the southwest.

However, Gibellina criticized the density increase, noting the unit prices, which ranged from $1,295 to $8,432 a month.

Gibellina asked commissioners not to grant a density increase for a project he said would not fulfill the purpose of doing so.

He said he did not see its benefit to a region that needed housing for young professionals, teachers, first responders and healthcare workers, and called instead for studio apartments and one-bedroom apartments.

“I don’t see it, and you shouldn’t see it either,” he told commissioners.

According to the applicant’s presentation, the property would have contained some one-bedroom apartments, in addition to two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Gibellina proposed a rule that would allow developers who did not want to build affordable housing to obtain a density increase at a cost of $25,000 per unit, with the county then able to use those proceeds to purchase affordable housing in another area.

“We’ve been giving bonuses out

Ian Swaby

George Kruse voices his opposition to the requirements for density.

ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT Developer: Eastern Meridian Property Group Current Zoning: General Commercial/General Agriculture Proposed: Planned Development–Mixed Use Acres multifamily: 18.17 Acres commercial: 5.01 Total acres: 23.18 Planned amenities: Yoga studio, spa, fitness center

like candy,” Gibellina said. “It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough, they’re not entitled to it unless the county and the citizens get something back.”

Despite voting in favor of the project, Kruse agreed with Gibellina’s comments, including his calls for a fee for developers, while calling for the county’s requirements to be changed.

“People use the mixed-use (designation) to get around having to build workforce housing,” he said, stating that he had been pushing for this to be changed since he was elected in 2020.

Kruse said the construction of 116 workforce housing units would have provided enough density bonuses

to allow 346 additional units on the property, only slightly less than the planned 350.

He said therefore, large numbers of affordable housing units were being sacrificed.

Kruse said prior locations in the county that had been purported to provide mixed uses were not fulfilling their intended purpose.

He said one example was Summerhouse Apartments along State Road 64 in Lakewood Ranch.

“Sure, if you need lotto tickets or anything of that nature, you’ve got the Circle K,” he said. “But I don’t think that was the intent when it was presented. Nor is that the intent here.”

Commissioner Carol Whitmore said she does not believe any changes need to be made for how density bonuses are granted. She said the market had shown a demand for multifamily dwellings.

“With all due respect, we have many young people moving into this town, and they do not want a house,” she said.

Whitmore said it was too early to claim that certain areas will not serve the mix of uses they were promoted as providing.

“Infrastructure follows rooftops,” she said.

“Whether we love it or hate it, development is creeping into East County, because (the western part of) the county is saturated and full.”

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November 12 • Waterside Place

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Charter’s upper school comes into view Lakewood Ranch Charter’s freshmen have input into the upper school’s construction.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

F

rom the window of Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy’s “Freshmen Village,” students are able to see their future being built before their eyes.

Construction is ongoing on the upper school, which will have both middle and high school students, and is positioned next door to the lower school on White Eagle Boulevard.

In the K-12 charter school’s first year, the school has been home to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, as well as ninth grade.

The charter school has made sure to include the thoughts and ideas of the freshman class when considering how to shape the upper school’s future.

Litton Gabrielson, president of the freshman class; Jeffrey Crabtree, vice president; and treasurer Gracie Smith have worked together to listen to what their fellow students want to see in their new 75,000-square-foot building.

“It’s exciting to wonder what our future will be,” Crabtree said.

Gabrielson said he wanted to become president of the freshman class to help make Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy an “awesome school” and help students develop their own leadership skills.

“It’s awesome that we’re the first kids to come through,” he said.

“Everyone’s open to hearing our opinions and what we want, which you usually don’t get. The student council here is involved.”

Crabtree said it’s important for the school’s leadership to take students’ opinions into consideration when developing the upper school because if they have a voice in what can happen, they’ll take more ownership and pride in their school.

ABOUT LAKEWOOD RANCH PREPARATORY ACADEMY Grades: Kindergarten through 12th grade Ages: 5-18 Opening date for upper school: August 2023 Current enrollment: 740 students Enrollment once all grades are on campus: Approximately 1,965 students Location: 5550 White Eagle Blvd., Bradenton

But with the opportunity to provide input also comes pressure to make sure the right decisions are made, the students said.

“When you think about the next 10 years, the decisions we make could affect future students,” Gabrielson said.

In September, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy shared a rendering of the upper school.

Once the upper school opens in August 2023, the charter school will have grades kindergarten through seventh grade on campus, as well as ninth and 10th grades. The following year will add eighth and 11th grade, with high school seniors joining the next year.

Cheryl Cendan, the principal of the upper school, said the two-story building will have a more “secondary school feel to it” and not include the learning villages the lower school has developed.

“The classrooms are definitely more what you would think of in a traditional high school but with flexible seating,” Cendan said.

Liz Ramos

Freshmen Alessandro Marciales and Ciara Charles are excited to be at their new charter school in Lakewood Ranch. The freshmen class can look forward to being in a new building next year when the upper school building opens.

Cendan said construction of the upper school is on time, with tilted walls expected to be up by the end of October.

The freshmen leaders said their classmates would like to see the upper school have a gym, weight room and theater, as well as a bigger variety of clubs and sports, including a football team.

Students also would like to see lockers and vending machines.

Cendan said although the school won’t have lockers, which is a norm at many schools in the area, the new building will have a gym, science labs, locker rooms, a black box theater, tennis courts and a football field.

There also will be outdoor patio seating for students to enjoy lunch.

In terms of clubs and activities, Crabtree would like to see a safety

patrol started at the school, and Gabrielson hopes to start a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter. Smith would like to see a Health Occupations Students of America chapter.

Cendan said a pre-health club will begin in the second quarter of this school year.

In terms of a football team, Cendan said it could take a few years to build a varsity team as the school fills out the rest of its grades. The school is applying to the Florida High School Athletics Association to be sanctioned.

Although freshmen haven’t complained about taking classes in the lower school, Cendan said it will be good for them to have their own space next school year.

“Kids are adapting to the space here, and they have been very good

STUDENT WISH LIST Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy’s leadership is taking into consideration what students want to see in their upper school. Here’s a few items on their wish list: n Gym n Theater n Weight room n Football field n Safety patrol n Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter n Health Occupations Students of America chapter

leaders for the littles, but it’s nice for them to have their own space and for them to be able to feel their adolescence and express themselves,” she said.

For example, as the school focuses on mental health, the freshman class had a presentation on suicide prevention and students put a poster about it in the hallway.

Cendan asked students to move the poster into the freshman village so younger students wouldn’t be exposed to non-age-appropriate topics. Once the upper school is built, older students will have the freedom to post anything that is school and age appropriate.

Although the older students will be in a different building, Cendan said school leadership will continue to work toward having opportunities for the older and younger students to work together.

This year, the freshmen have volunteered to arrive early on campus every day to walk the elementary students to their classrooms, giving the students chances to build relationships.

“It’s the cutest thing,” Cendan said.

“When (the freshmen) go in the cafeteria for lunch, the third-graders are there, and the third-graders will come up and hug the ninth-graders, and the ninth-graders ask how their days are going.”

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

BooFest returns to Main Street

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

7A

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Lakewood Ranch’s Carrie McQueen dresses as Cruella de Vil, and her daughter, Jaden, dresses as Celia Facilier for BooFest. McQueen has been dressing as Disney evil queens — such as Ursula and Maleficent — for years.

IF YOU GO

BooFest When: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28 Where: Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, 8100 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch Price: Free Highlights: Enjoy trick-or-treating at the various vendors lining the street.

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engaging,” Presley said.

Costumes are highly encouraged for the family friendly event. There will be a costume parade for children to participate in where they’ll show off their costumes as they walk across the stage at the end of the night. “(The costumes are) one of my favorite parts,” Presley said. “Those are the memories that stick in my head.”

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ain Street at Lakewood Ranch will once again be filled with ghosts, goblins, princes and princesses during BooFest Oct. 28.

The annual Lakewood Ranch Community Activities’ Halloween event was held on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to scale down its events.

In 2020, BooFest was limited to 250 people at Premier Sports Campus, and last year, it was combined with the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market with far fewer participants.

Aliye Presley, the communications coordinator and executive assistant for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, said after seeing how many people went to BooFest at the farmers market, the organization knew the community was ready for the event to be back to its “former glory” on Main Street.

“I’m looking forward to being able to take over the whole street and being able to fill it up,” Presley said.

“It’ll be great to see all the festivities, being able to decorate the street and have all the vendors we want to have.

There’s something about that Main Street vibe. It’s just perfect.”

Presley said there will not be a cap on the number of people who can attend BooFest, which is free to the community. She expects Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to be filled with thousands of people as it was preCOVID-19.

A stage will be at the end of the street for performances by dance groups and other entertainment.

Vendors will line the streets and pass out candy for kids to trick-ortreat. There will be a bounce house and other kids attractions. To top it all off, there will be food and dessert trucks.

“We want to make it fun and

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

EAST COUNTY

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com

Karen Medford gives Pepe a thank you pat after her first polo lesson at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch.

A RIDE FULL OF PRIDE Instructor says Karen Medford aces her first polo lesson despite never having ridden a horse.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

I

t was a somewhat simple question, but Karen Medford was having trouble with the answer.

Ashlie Osburg, a polo instructor who works out of the Sarasota Polo Club, asked Medford if she ever had ridden a horse.

The local business owner was about to embark on her first polo lesson at age 48, and she certainly didn’t want Osburg to think she was a wimp.

Medford shook her head “yes.”

Osburg, who was getting two horses ready for the lesson, looked back at her. That “yes” sounded a bit like “maybe, possibly, perhaps.”

Does going around in circles at a county fair count?

Medford smiled, then changed her answer.

“No,” she said softly.

Osburg was prepared for a “no” answer as one of the horses she saddled was a 14-year-old Argentine thoroughbred named Pepe.

“He’s got more ‘whoa, than go,’” Osburg said. “He always wants to stop and he is super pokey. But he will do anything you ask.”

It was a perfect choice since a polo lesson can be tough if the student isn’t comfortable on a horse.

Medford was a bit nervous, but even more determined. She and her husband, Rich Medford, have proven their determination, building Sirius Day Spas into a thriving business in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota. That success is even more impressive considering the young business had to survive COVID-19 when people weren’t wanting to be close to others in a spa setting.

Since they opened their Lakewood Ranch Sirius Day Spa four years ago, the Medfords have purchased season tickets to the Sarasota Polo Club, loving the tailgating atmosphere during a season that lasts from December through April.

Medford developed an appreciation for the skills of the polo players, who would routinely lean over in a parallel line to the ground as their horse continued forward at a gal-

lop. They would swing their wooden mallet and crush the ball, sending it 50 yards down the field.

Medford wanted to know the difficulty in performing such an artistic maneuver.

So here she was, exploring a new athletic path.

As Osburg had her trying on helmets, Medford’s daughter, Ava, kept a watchful eye on her.

“She isn’t afraid of anything,” Ava Medford said of her mom.

Whether Medford has a little daredevil in her, Osburg goes through the regular routine for a rookie, which is safety, safety, safety.

After Medford found a nice fit with a helmet, Osburg had her come to a spot in front of the stalls, where she had placed some toy horses. She started pushing them around, showing Medford the correct positions she needed to take to play the game.

Medford knew things were getting serious, so she handed her cell phone to Ava. She climbed a three-step booster and threw her leg over Pepe.

Osburg mounted Fish, a 15-year-old quarter-thoroughbred mix who she said was “super steady and calm.”

She brought Medford over to a small corral where they practiced starts, turns and stops. Osburg also took Medford through beginner lessons on how to swing a mallet.

After 15 minutes, they headed to a polo field, where, in a very slow walk, Medford experienced hitting a polo ball for the first time. A pair of plastic cones were set up to simulate a goal, and Osburg led Medford around the field until Medford would have the opportunity to nudge one between the cones.

“Goooooaaaaalllll.”

All during the lesson, Medford’s distinctive laugh echoed over the empty polo fields, which won’t be packed with players until December. Osburg was laughing as well, enjoying Medford’s passion and her desire to learn everything as fast as possible.

While Osburg doesn’t allow many of her inexperienced riders to trot during the first lesson, she was impressed with Medford’s ability to pick up the basics so well. So there

Ashlie Osburg and Karen Medford go over polo positioning with toy horses before Medford’s first lesson

Photos by Jay Heater

IF YOU GO POLO LESSONS Where: Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch Instructor: Ashlie Osburg Lessons: Call Osburg at: 630360-0441 Cost: $200 per hour When: Osburg begins lessons Dec. 1 More information: Go to SarasotaPolo.com

they went across the field, Fish leading the way and Pepe close behind at a slow trot.

“She is very athletic,” Osburg said of her student, who blushed with pride at the comment.

An hour’s lesson had come and gone, and the two women headed back to the stables, chatting all along the way.

“Oh my gosh, it was like ... exhilarating!” Medford said as she dismounted Pepe. “It took me a minute to get a feel for the horse, but after a little time, we were synchronized.

Ashlie is such an amazing instructor.

She is patient and she hones in on all the minor details. She knows if your finger is in the wrong place.”

With her heart racing and tension in her arms from trying to guide Pepe, Medford said it was an impressive workout.

Osburg has seen it so many times, someone at middle age or older who believes they are too old to learn polo.

After one lesson, they want more.

As soon as she hit the ground, Medford proclaimed that she wanted more lessons, to get closer to playing the game recreationally, perhaps with a group of friends.

“It is such an incredibly beautiful sport, and I have an admiration for those individuals who play it,” she said. “Absolutely, I would recommend this to my friends.”

Osburg has students as young as 6 and as old as 74.

Those who want a first lesson can simply show up after making an appointment. Osburg takes care of all the “dirty work,” providing and caring for the horse.

The lesson was over, but Fish and Pepe were given treats by Medford and her daughters, Ava and Mya, and already Medford was thinking about her second lesson.

This one would be different, though.

When she is asked if she ever has ridden a horse, the answer will be “Yes!”

Polo instructor Ashlie Osburg says she has students from age 6 to those in their 70s.

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes, KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com; Ian Swaby, ISwaby@YourObserver.com Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Spencer Fordin, SFordin@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, LHuelsman@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

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“Oh my gosh, it was like ... exhilarating!

It took me a minute to get a feel for the horse, but after a little time, we were synchronized — Karen Medford

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SIDE OF RANCH

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

9A

JAY HEATER

Jay Heater

LWRBA volunteers Patrick Larivaud, Cooper Hodgson, Ali Marks, Jenna Nelson, Duette Hart and Annemarie Graff worked a shift at Meals on Wheels Plus during the event Alliance Gives Back..

Alliance volunteers struck by sense of urgency

P

|

atrick Larivaud was going at a NASCAR pit crew pace, snapping the cans of food in front of him into bags, then pushing the bags onward in assembly-line fashion.

The sense of urgency was high, which was appropriate since Larivaud and other volunteers from the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance were tasked Oct. 7 with packing up food so Meals on Wheels

Plus of Bradenton could deliver them to one of its hurricane relief stations. These particular bags were going to Pride Park in Bradenton.

While that area might not have suffered as much damage as communities to the east, it did lose power, meaning the residents might also have been cut off from their food supply.

Larivaud, who also was representing his employer, Kitchner

Benefits of Lakewood Ranch, did stop to catch his breath, and then looked around the warehouse at the many shelves stocked with food. It appeared to be a kind of Sam’s Club for those in need.

“It is one of those things where I never realized how much people needed,” Larivaud said. “These people put out a lot of food.”

And that’s the point of Alliance Gives Back.

The annual event matches Alliance members with area nonprofits for a three-day period in October, this time Oct. 6-8. Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont said the goal is to bring her members awareness of the missions of local nonprofits.

Before Hurricane Ian hit, Lamont said a record 200-plus volunteers were signed up for more than 30 projects. However, many of the nonprofits lost power and couldn’t host volunteers at this time, so the scope of the project became a bit smaller.

It didn’t mean it was less important.

Tidewell Hospice used its Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteers to help pack food to send to counties to the south that were devastated by the hurricane.

All Faiths Food Bank needed the volunteers to help it send food to Fort Myers. Meals on Wheels Plus has been overwhelmed with calls for help.

Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips has been going to the Myakka City area to hand out supplies with her team members.

“What I saw was such devastation,” Phillips said. “The houses looked like they were built inside a lake. It is so heart wrenching.

“But I do feel the community has come together. The show of support is remarkable and it makes me proud to be part of this community.”

Phillips looks forward to the time every year when the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance sends volunteers to her nonprofit.

“We have done it for several years now,” Phillips said. “And the need now is more than ever with the hurricane.”

Once volunteers are part of the Meals on Wheels’ mission, Phillips said they often return for more volunteer hours. Whether they come back or not, they “spread the word about the services we offer.”

“This just opens my eyes,” said Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance volunteer Annemarie Graff of Bank

OZK. “We were going to do the hay maze (at Nathan Benderson Park), but they had flooding. This is a better calling.”

She called the Alliance Gives Back event a wonderful way to connect with those in need.

“People want to help, but they don’t know where to begin,” she said.

When the six Alliance volunteers arrived at the Meals on Wheels complex, they were given a quick tour before they were put to work.

Cindy Sloan, who manages Meals on Wheels’ Food Bank of Manatee, said the brief tour gives volunteers a feel for the scope of the operation.

“They can see they are making a difference,” Sloan said. “And at this time, a ton more help than normal is needed.”

Ali Marks of Zollinger Mediation of Sarasota was all smiles as she packed food as part of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Group.

“I just love this, doing volunteer stuff,” she said.

She quickly added that she had no idea that Meals on Wheels Plus had such an impact on the county.

Lamont said she was glad the Alliance could plant the seed for Marks and others to volunteer in the future.

For 14-year-old Cooper Hodgson, it was his first look at Meals on Wheels Plus in action.

“I had heard of them once in a while,” he said.

Now he knows.

Larivaud looked back at the other volunteers and smiled.

“This is the community helping out,” he said. “It is so cool to see.”

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

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10A

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

IF YOU GO

Putts for Mutts and Racquets for Rescues tournaments What: Fundraiser for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch When: Golf tournament at 9:30 a.m.; tennis tournament at 1:30 p.m.; evening dinner reception at 5 p.m.

Where: Golf tournament and evening dinner reception at Ritz-Carlton Members Club, 14605 70th Terrace E., Lakewood Ranch; tennis tournament at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, 8488 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch Price: $250 for golf and dinner; $125 for tennis and dinner; $95 for evening dinner reception only For more information and to register: Visit HSLWR.org.

File photos

Lakewood Ranch’s Gene Storm, Emily Storm and Bee Storm love the painting they purchased at a Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch fundraiser because it looks like their family dog, Stella.

Having fun the humane way Tournaments support the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Dogs and cats at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch always have time to play.

On Oct. 17, it will be a chance for those who support the shelter to do the same.

The nonprofit is hosting its annual Putts Fore Mutts and Racquets for Rescues tournaments.

Rebekah Boudrie, the tournament’s co-chair, expects between 200 and 225 people to participate in the Putts Fore Mutts and Racquets for Rescues tournaments.

“It’s very motivating and encouraging to see the community come together and fundraise for helping the voiceless,” Boudrie said.

Boudrie said the tournaments are the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

“We’re completely dependent upon fundraisers such as this, as well as private donations,” Boudrie said.

“It’s so important because we don’t get any sort of government help or anything of that nature. We’re completely dependent on our donors and events to keep the wheels moving.

All our dogs and cats at the shelter are depending on us to make this a mind-blowing success.

Boudrie said Manatee County animal shelters are “busting at the seams” with owner surrenders, strays and pet overpopulation as a

result of families surrendering animals due to returning to work after the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and rent increases.

“We pull from our local animal services and animal shelters here to help ease the burden from these entities,” she said. “It’s so important.

It’s saving lives. It really is.”

All funds raised during the tournaments and reception will go toward paying for the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch’s dog and cat food, medical bills, housing, and staff salaries. The funds will help with the nonprofit’s ability to take in more animals.

Some funds will be needed to repair the shelter roof, which lost some shingles during Hurricane Ian. Golfers will check in at the RitzCarlton Members Club for a round of golf in a scramble format with four

Daisy greets guests to the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch’s 2021 Putts Fore Mutts and Racquets for Rescues tournaments.

players.

The tournament will give golfers an opportunity to play on a course that Boudrie said has a three-year waiting list to join as a member.

“It’s a nice opportunity for golf-

ers to play a course that normally is unattainable to play,” she said.

Boudrie said the tournament also includes tennis because it’s another avenue for people to participate and raise money for the shelter.

Tennis tournament participants will play at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Tennis Club.

After a day of playing golf and tennis, participants will gather at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club for a helicopter drop, auction, and dinner reception. There will be a DJ, raffle sales and golf ball sales.

“I’m looking forward to the cocktail dinner reception because that’s when the sun starts going down.

Everybody’s relaxed and enjoying themselves and having a great time,” Boudrie said. “Everybody has such a great time while raising money for a great cause.”

During the reception, Lakewood Ranch’s Grayson Tullio will give a testimony.

Tullio, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, adopted his dog, Panda, from the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch. He also volunteers for the nonprofit.

“He’s a huge, huge dog lover,” Boudrie said of Tullio. “He will be talking about how the Humane Society had helped him emotionally. He knows our dogs better than anybody.

It’s really amazing. He watches our website like a hawk every single day to see what new adoptables we have, he asks questions about them and then he tries to help place them.”

A few of the dogs that are available for adoption at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch will be at the reception.

Boudrie said the nonprofit has to wait to see which ones will be at the event in case the dogs they were planning to have at the event are adopted before Oct. 17.

Before dinner begins at the reception, guests will be able to view auction items as well as watch Sarasota artist Tom Runthz paint a dog portrait upside down. The painting will later be auctioned off.

“It’s just unbelievable how good he is and how talented he is,” Boudrie said.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

11A

THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON To all the physicians and nurses, clinicians, technicians and support staff who stayed at their posts throughout the storm, away from their families and loved ones, we thank you.

Although words may sometimes fail us, you never have.

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THANK YOU TEAM SMH

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

WILD FLORIDA

NEWS BRIEFS

Wildlife take different approaches to extreme weather

Haynes said he plans to visit the office of prosecutor Darlene Ragoonanan to compare evidence and ensure his material is complete.

He said it was difficult to view videos through the portal the court system was using to share them. He said he had one video left to view and would watch it at Ragonnanan’s office, although he did not believe it would contain any evidentiary value.

An exploration beyond the pavement.

E

xtreme weather has long shaped our region and affected its inhabitants. Indeed, hurricanes are part of the natural environment to which native wildlife have adapted. Like us, animals must actively respond to avoid the injury, death and destruction storms bring.

Many animals can sense the large decreases in air and water pressure caused by extreme weather events.

In response, some leave before storms hit, but most shelter in place. Smaller birds and mammals might hide out in thick underbrush or other vegetation, while other species, such as woodpeckers and raccoons, take shelter in tree cavities.

Birds that roost on branches, such as crows and cardinals, have toes that literally lock around a branch when they rest or sleep. Thanks to this adaptation, they choose a thick tree branch close to the trunk on the most protected side and literally go into lockdown until the storm is over.

American alligators and turtles also hunker down, albeit deep in their aquatic habitats.

Research suggests that whitetailed deer take a different approach to storms.

They actually increase their movements dramatically, possibly to avoid falling trees or windblown vegetation. Like many land animals, they seek higher ground (including human-made structures) to limit their exposure to flooding.

Rising waters from storms also force underground dwellers, such as burrowing owls and gopher tortoises, to seek shelter in unusual spots. And widespread flooding, as is being experienced in our region, often results in wildlife showing up far from their homes.

Overall, most native species typically rebound quickly after storms,

Jay Heater

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse’s DUI pretrial hearing is postponed until Nov. 8.

COMMISSIONER’S DUI PRETRIAL CONFERENCE POSTPONED

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According to native American folklore, white ibis are last to shelter before storms and first to emerge afterwards, thus symbolizing both danger and optimism.

PARK CLOSED Myakka River State Park is experiencing historic flood levels, with high water levels expected in the park for a while. The park is closed to the public until further notice. For updates, please visit FloridaStateParks. org/Parks-and-Trails/MyakkaRiver-State-Park.

and some even benefit from a newly created or restored habitat. However, many animals who do survive are displaced, and storms often change the availability of their food sources.

Unfortunately, endangered wildlife, such as manatees, typically

fare the worst during and after a hurricane. And the major flooding and extreme winds associated with intensified weather systems due to climate change have the potential to devastate entire ecosystems. To help wildlife, we can report injured and displaced animals after storms and support habitat conservation and protection efforts as much as possible.

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Jeffrey Haynes, the attorney for Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, was granted a postponement of the Oct. 11 pretrial conference concerning the State Attorney’s charge of driving under the influence against Kruse.

On June 22, the State Attorney’s Office filed one count of driving under the influence against Kruse involving an April 20 one-car crash on GreyHawk Boulevard in East County. Kruse has entered a plea of not guilty.

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Erika Quartermaine rescheduled the pretrial conference to 9:15 a.m. Nov. 8. Quartermaine said she was targeting January or February for the start of a trial. She said she would schedule a trial date during the Nov. 8 pretrial conference.

The case has been pushed back multiple times. Jacqueline Steele, the 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge originally assigned to the case, recused herself on July 14. Previous postponements moved the pretrial conference from Aug. 2 to Aug. 16, and then Aug. 16 to Oct. 11.

Haynes requested the latest continuance, stating the case involved a large amount of discovery for a first-offense DUI charge and that he had not yet had a chance to review all evidence.

MORE HURRICANE RELIEF SUPPLIES AVAILABLE The Food Bank of Manatee will make more Hurricane Ian relief supplies available Oct. 14 from 3-5 p.m. at the Myakka Family Worship Center, 33420 Singletary Road, Myakka City.

Quantities are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis.

“We are so thankful for the tremendous support from our community that is making it possible to provide free food and household items,” said Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus, in a release.

The Food Bank of Manatee is a Meals on Wheels Plus program.

Phillips said a cooperative effort with Mosaic Florida Operations, the Manatee Community Foundation, the Steve and Natalee Herrig Family Foundation and Senator Jim Boyd’s Office made the donations possible.

MYAKKA CITY PARKS REMAIN CLOSED While most Manatee County beaches and parks were reopened Oct. 7 in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Crane Park and Myakka Community Park in Myakka City continued to be closed.

Crane Park continues to see some flooding, while Myakka Community Park is being used as a relief staging area.

In a release, Manatee County also noted some trails in Rye Preserve remain closed due to high water or debris. The effort to clear trails should be complete by next week.

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12A

OCTOBER 13, 2022

SPORTS

“Run your race. It applies to life as much as it does to running.”

— Lakewood Ranch High’s Jonathan Leatt SEE PAGE 15A

Fast

Break

FAST FACTS Courtesy photo

Lakewood Ranch’s Ava Krug said she is excited to join the Duke tennis program for both the university’s athletics and academics programs.

File photo

The Out-of-Door Academy football Head Coach Rob Hollway.

T

he return of high school football Oct. 7 after a week off courtesy of Hurricane Ian was good for only one area team. The Out-of-Door Academy, which now sits at 6-0 after hitting the road for a 29-16 win over Bell Creek Academy (1-5), has had its best start to a season in program history. The team’s Oct. 14 home opponent, Cocoa Beach High (4-1), looks to be its toughest test. Win, and there’s only a road game against Bradenton Christian (2-4) on Oct. 21 between the Thunder and an undefeated regular season. The game starts at 7 p.m. … After taking a 20-14 halftime lead on the road against Manatee High (5-1) Oct. 7, the Lakewood Ranch High football team (4-2) failed to hold onto it.

Head Coach Rashad West said he liked his team’s effort, but he was also frustrated. “We didn’t come here to just lead or win the first half,” West said. “The goal was to win the game. We gave it all we had. We just came up short.” The team will have another chance to prove itself against a historically strong program when it plays host to Palmetto High (2-3) Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. … A trio of East County swimmers who attend Bradenton’s Southeast High won races at the Manatee County Swim Meet held Oct. 7 at Manatee High. On the boys side, junior Denis Jones won the 500-yard free (4:59.07) and the 200yard free (1:54.44) while junior Nicholas Sevarino won the 200-yard individual medley (2:16.32). On the girls side, junior Abby Hite won the 100yard breaststroke (1:08.50) and the 100-yard free (54.65).

GOLF COURSES DRY OUT PAGE 14A

DUKE LANDS ANOTHER KRUG Ava Krug will join her brothers Jake and Connor Krug, in the Blue Devils’ tennis program.

AVA KRUG Sport: Tennis Class: 2024 Class ranking: 10th, per the Tennis Recruiting Network Commitment: Duke University Favorite food: Acai bowls Favorite TV show: “Grey’s Anatomy” Favorite school subject: History Favorite hobby: Playing ping pong Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii Dream superpower: Being in multiple places at once Best advice: You can never ask too many questions

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

T

he Duke University tennis program has added another Krug.

Lakewood Ranch’s Ava Krug, the granddaughter of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale, committed to Duke for women’s tennis on Oct. 3.

Krug, an academic junior, will join the Blue Devils in 2024.

Colleges cannot contact recruits directly until June 15 of their junior academic year. When it became time for Krug’s recruiting season earlier this year, colleges reached out to her at midnight to earn her attention. As of Oct. 7, Krug is the No. 10 player in the national Class of 2024, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, which also calls Krug a five-star blue chip player.

After taking official visits to Duke, Texas, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina, Krug’s commitment to Duke ended months of stress. She said she feels comfortable becoming a Blue Devil in every aspect, which includes tennis but extends to the classroom.

“The program that (Head Coach) Jamie Ashworth has created there is amazing,” Krug said. “Everyone strives to be better. It is a great atmosphere. Everyone thrives athletically and academically. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

At Duke, Krug will be reunited with her brothers, Jake and Connor Krug, who play for the Blue Devils men’s tennis team. Ava Krug said her brothers have relayed how positive their experience in the program has been, which helped with her decision, but was not the differencemaker. Krug said she’s making this decision for herself. She said Duke is the place that gives her the best chance to advance her career.

Becoming a college athlete is something Krug has always wanted, in part because she grew up in a family of such athletes, even outside of her brothers. Her mother, Sherri Vitale Krug, played tennis at Notre Dame, as did her aunt, Terri Vitale.

Her father, Thomas Krug, was a quarterback for the Fighting Irish and started the 1996 Orange Bowl against Florida State. Her cousins, the children of Terri Vitale and Chris Sforzo, are athletes, too. Sydney Sforzo plays tennis at Notre Dame, and Ryan Sforzo plays lacrosse for the Irish.

File photo

Lakewood Ranch’s Ava Krug, who is headed to Duke University to play tennis, is ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2024 by the Tennis Recruiting Network.

The biggest thing Krug learned from her family, she said, is how to be goal-oriented.

“It keeps you motivated,” Krug said. “There are a lot of ups and downs in tennis. Having goals in sight is something that can get you through the hard times. My family and my coaches make for a great support system. Knowing that people have your back is a big deal.”

Krug has earned her lofty status despite playing the 18th most difficult schedule in the country, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network.

That includes many events outside of the United States, such as the 2022 Roland Garros (French Open) Juniors in May, as well as premier American events like the U.S. Open Juniors in New York in September. Krug said playing such an intense schedule allows her improve her skills as well as gain perspective on how players from different countries approach the game.

Playing an international schedule has forced Krug to deal with offthe-court adversity quicker than she would have otherwise. Being in a foreign place, eating unfamiliar food, playing on uncommon court surfaces and dealing with jet lag have

forced her to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

“You have to be prepared for anything,” Krug said.

Krug practices with her personal coach, Mauricio Hadad, from 7-10 a.m. each day. Krug then works on her fitness for an hour before returning home to eat and rest. From 3-4 p.m. she’ll get in another practice, and then it is time for schoolwork.

Krug attends online classes through Laurel Springs School.

Then comes dinner and relaxation.

Krug said her on-court practices vary from day to day, with Hadad giving her the freedom to assess what she needs to improve. During morning practice on Oct. 3, she focused on her forehand the whole time, getting the tiniest details of her shot right.

It is the work Krug does on those details that will determine where she goes from here. Krug said her focus now is preparing herself for college tennis, and once she arrives in Durham, her focus will be on being the best Blue Devils player she can be.

“I definitely want to play pro tennis,” Krug said.

“It is something I have aspired to do. My coaches believe I can get there, so we’ll see.”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Tree damage par for the course Some area golf courses were spared major damage, but clearing trees could take weeks.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

R

ick Nelson had some extra chores to do.

Nelson, a co-owner of Heritage Harbour Golf Club and Eatery, was on the course Oct. 1 mowing the grass on various holes following Hurricane Ian’s arrival on Sept. 28. When Nelson arrived at the club on Sept. 30 to check the damage, he was relieved to find that aside from a lot of palm fronds spread everywhere — the club has 500 palm trees — and a handful of nonpalm trees down on the sides of the course, things were in good shape.

The storm had an effect on all the golf courses in the East County area, but perhaps no course was hoping to be spared as much as Heritage Harbour. The club’s golf course has been undergoing $2 million in renovations since May 2, and Nelson said before Hurricane Ian’s arrival that he was worried about the storm’s potential to slow down the project. Thankfully, the already completed work was still intact after the storm.

“Doing something like this, you’re always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” Nelson said. “I was pleasantly surprised (with the level of damage). You feel bad saying you lucked out when places like Sanibel (Island) are devastated, but we did.”

Nelson and Heritage Harbour put out a call for volunteers Sept. 30 to assist with the cleanup. Nelson said approximately 15 people answered the call. By the end of the day, the palm fronds were gone and Nelson could get back to what he’s done for months — getting ready for the course to reopen.

Nelson said the course’s bunkers are scheduled to get touched up in two weeks and get more sand. As for Nelson himself, he’s spend-

ing upwards of 10 hours a day cutting grass and spraying the course to eliminate weeds. Nelson said the course’s front nine holes are on track to reopen by Nov. 1, with the back nine following a few weeks later.

“I was surprised how popular the course was (in the past) with the condition it was in,” Nelson said.

“People enjoy this course. Now, to bring it back to life, I think people are going to love it.”

Not every course was quite as lucky. Palm Aire Country Club’s head golf professional Jay Seymour said his club lost 80 trees across its Champions and Lakes courses, many of which were large pine trees. The Lakes course took the brunt of the fallen tree damage, Seymour said.

Getting rid of the trees is an arduous process, one Seymour said will require weeks to complete. The club also suffered some minor structural damage to its fencing around its athletic center and pool.

Seymour said the back nine holes on the Champions course was set to reopen Oct. 10.

“The course’s other nine holes will hopefully open later in the week,” he said. “The Lakes course will possibly not open until the end of the month.”

Other courses back open include Rosedale Golf and Country Club, which reopened Oct. 6.

University Park Country Club is also open. The course suffered minimal damage from the storm according to head golf professional Ashley Hayden, just some debris that was easily cleaned.

The club reopened the week of Oct. 3, with Patrick Doherty, Randy Holden, Martin Seffrin and Joe Helewicz (57) winning a Men’s Golf Association shamble event on Oct. 5, among other results.

That’s all normal. What was unique about University Park’s Hurricane Ian experience is what happened before its arrival. When preparing for the storm, Hayden took it upon himself to give the club’s constituents a laugh in an attempt to calm their nerves.

Hayden filmed a video showcas-

Ryan Kohn

Heritage Harbour Golf Club co-owner Rick Nelson said Hurricane Ian brought a lot of palm fronds to the course, but the ongoing $2 million renovations were not affected.

Palm Aire Country Club head golf pro Jay Seymour said the club’s Champions course would reopen its back nine Oct. 10, with hopes to reopen the rest of the course later in the week.

Jay Heater

ing how to play golf in bad weather.

At least, that was the initial idea.

Throughout the video, Hayden’s tips were progressively more ridiculous, including using a kayak in lieu of a golf cart.

The video, uploaded to YouTube on Sept. 27, was filmed in Hayden’s front yard during a stretch of rain.

He holds an umbrella to keep him-

self semi-dry — though with the wind blowing the rain sideways, it was not effective.

“I’ve just started doing a video blog for the club’s weekly Friday email,” Hayden said. “Usually it is about a rule of etiquette or something like that. I just took it a little farther (before Hurricane Ian) and had a little fun.”

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14A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

When did you start running?

I started when I was in fourth grade.

I would run with my family at local races like the Boo Run. I was not competitive with it, but I did enjoy it. Once I joined running teams in middle school and high school, my competitive levels rose.

Do you prefer cross-country or track and field?

I like track more because there is more variety in the races. My favorite is the mile run. It’s not as long as a 5K, but it’s still a distance race.

Why do you run cross-country?

It’s a good way to stay in shape. I like being fit. I also like feeling accomplishment, and cross-country is a great chance to keep setting your personal record time, since there are fast courses and slow courses and your times vary.

What is your favorite course to run?

I like the North Port High course because it is the fastest course, so you can get a PR easily there. I also like Holloway Park in Lakeland even though it is a slower course. It’s hilly but it is pretty.

What is your favorite memory?

My favorite times are always recovery runs with my teammates. We run as a group and try to go to different areas. Sometimes we run to Publix and back and sometimes we run on a trail, but it’s always as a team.

What is your favorite food?

I love my dad’s (Mark Leatt) fried rice.

What are your hobbies?

I play soccer both for the school and for Braden River Soccer Club.

15A

Which superpower would you pick?

Super speed, which would help me in cross-country a lot.

387815-1

Jonathan Leatt is a sophomore on the Lakewood Ranch High boys cross-country team. Leatt finished second (17:38.90) out of 70 runners in the high school boys division of the Bradenton Runners Club XC Invitational, held Oct. 8 at GT Bray Park.

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.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jonathan Leatt

|

What is the best advice you have received?

Run your race. My dad tells me that all the time. It applies to life as much as it does to running. Don’t get distracted by what other people are doing. Just do the best you can do.

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What are your goals?

My current goal is to go sub-17 minutes. My PR is 17:38 right now. I run at North Port on Saturday (for the Tri-County Championship) and I think I have a shot to do it since the course is fast. I just have to run hard at practice this week and not skip anything.

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YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Liz Ramos

Del Webb’s Victoria Minni, Steve Calobong, Debbie Johnston and Jim Flood celebrate finishing their walk.

Del Webb’s Sandy Pavlat and Kathi Ferullo are breast cancer survivors.

Pavlat says the walk reminds her she’s not alone.

NEVER ALONE T

he day Del Webb’s Sandy Pavlat was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 was the scariest day of her

Del Webb’s Robin Rothman gives it her all during the warmup.

— LIZ RAMOS

Del Webb’s Sherry Maloney, who is a breast cancer survivor, walks with Isles at Lakewood Ranch’s Caitlin Buchanan and 8-year-old Paige Buchanan. “It’s nice to see everyone come together to support a good cause,” Maloney says.

Del Webb’s Eddie Abdenour and Joe Mazzarese love the walk-a-thon and enjoy supporting a good cause.

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Del Webb’s Jane Zislin and Ellen Lotz are instrumental in the planning of Del Webb Women’s Club’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month events, including the walk-a-thon.

life.

“You’re just in a daze,” Pavlat said.

Although she’s now in remission, Pavlat still gets nervous when she goes into the doctor’s office for a mammogram, worried the cancer has returned.

The Del Webb Breast Cancer Walk-athon on Oct. 8 reminded Pavlat she’s not alone, as there are other survivors in the community as well as residents who are fighting cancer.

Del Webb’s Kathi Ferullo said the walk-athon is a chance for survivors to celebrate and be together with those who know what they’ve been through.

Ellen Lotz, president of the Del Webb Women’s Club, which hosted the walk, said the more than 325 people from Del Webb and nearby neighborhoods participating in the walk were walking for those in the community who are fighting breast cancer or who are survivors.

“Walking for members of our community makes it more fulfilling for us,” Lotz said.

On top of the walk, the club hosted a wine tasting Oct. 12 and will host a live auction and chance auction Oct. 20 as well as a “sweet ending” event at Norman Love Confections at University Town Center Oct. 25.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

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Judit Maldonado and Trevor Bystrom provided live music as part of Trevor Bystrom Band.

HEALING MUSIC The event was a chance for East County residents to relax after Hurricane Ian, as well as support those most impacted by the storm.

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Amidst the entertainment and energy of Music on Main Oct. 7, the subject of Hurricane Ian still was foremost on everyone’s mind.

According to Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Member Keith Pandeloglou, all proceeds generated from beer and wine sales at the event were donated to hurricane relief.

“Seeing the generosity of our community never ceases to amaze

me,” he said. “We’ve never had an event like this, in terms of sales. I think the mission really was not lost upon people.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Communities partnered with the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to raise funds for hurricane victims.

Pandeloglou, who is the executive director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, said all those organizations will continue to collect funds for hurricane relief.

Although he had yet to count the total revenue from the event, Pandeloglou said the event had sold out of every beer on tap, as well as every last packaged beer and wine. He said he was also encouraged by the success of a supply drive hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Information Center for hurricane relief.

Many attendees who were less impacted by Hurricane Ian said they attended Music on Main to let loose after their own experiences with the storm.

Sarasota’s Pam Willington, attending with her husband, Tom Willington, called the event a chance to take a break from cleaning up debris in their yard.

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WE PAY THE BEST PRICES DIAMOND JEWELRY FINE WATCHES Lakewood Ranch’s Lindsey Minick receives a sample of Salt Tequila, which she says tastes “amazing” and “like chocolate,” from Myakka Valley Ranches’ Brittany Hinkle.

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Ranch Communities. “It’s nice to see the community coming together.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Executive Director Adrienne Bookhamer said that while the Lakewood Ranch area was very fortunate, this was not the case further south and east.

“It’s a great way for us to get our name out and let people know we’re here to help nonprofits,” she said.

She said she found the results encouraging, with plenty of people coming to the tent to ask questions, as well as lots of drop-offs of items.

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as we can,” she said.

East County’s Maguire Fraatz, an audio engineer at the event, said he never had seen a bigger crowd at Music on Main.

“Everyone is jamming and having fun,” Fraatz said. “It’s good to see everyone’s doing all right, because everything has been pretty rough here. It’s a chance for them to relax and have a drink for a little bit.”

However, not everyone had a storm experience they could easily forget.

Just before the hurricane’s impact, Russell and Jeri Shawl had evacuated from their home two miles from the coast of Fort Myers to stay with Jeri Shawl’s parents, Joe and Rita Suarez, in Lakewood Ranch.

“It’s amazing that such a short distance away, life is going on as normal,” said Russell Shawl.

The couple had returned to Fort Myers for a period after the storm, due to their medical careers, and Jeri Shawl called the sights she witnessed “a war zone.”

She said at the same time Lakewood Ranch residents were lining up for coffee at Starbucks, people in Fort Myers wandered through the streets with bags that contained all their belongings.

“It’s very humbling to see so many people from all over helping,” Shawl said.

“I think it’s important to go to any location to help with the community,” said Nicole Hackel of Lakewood

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DOGGY READY TO DIVE: Lucy enjoys an afternoon by the family pool in Lakewood Ranch.

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Cash donations, cat food, or anything on our wish list would be much appreciated.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Scary moments before Halloween It was a dark and stormy night ... before the Halloween event at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

Come On In Out of the Rain.

IF YOU GO HAUNTED NIGHTS Where: Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City When: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 14-15, Oct. 21-22, Oct. 28-29 Admission: Free (but donations are appreciated) Fun for all: A walking tour of famous Florida haunts is set up for those 11 and older, while a family friendly “Dead and Breakfast” will entertain the younger guests with vampires, witches, pirates and fortune tellers. Closed-toed shoes and bug spray are recommended More information: HerrmannsRoyalLipizzans.com/events

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

The plastic skeletons sitting at various spots around the ranch Oct. 10 at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City probably would have enjoyed a good horror show.

They would have gotten one, too, if Rebecca McCullough, the ranch’s owner, surrendered to the various calamities heaped upon her.

McCullough had scheduled a day of work Oct. 10 setting up the “Haunted Nights” Halloween tour that is scheduled to begin Oct. 14.

However, that work day had to be postponed.

Standing a few hundred yards from her home, which was flooded

by Hurricane Ian after its roof was ripped off, McCullough was standing in a covered area, her 5-year-old mare Raven hooked up to an IV. The evening before, Raven came down with a serious case of colic.

Colic involves abdominal pain, which often can be caused by a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract. McCullough spent all night at Raven’s side, making sure she stood the entire time so she wouldn’t rip out the IV. Although McCullough wasn’t sure what caused the colic, she said it sometimes can be caused by stress or a change in routine. Raven has experienced both in the past week.

Hurricane Ian obviously supplied lots of stress, along with the physical damage it caused. More than 30 trees went down all over the 10-acre ranch, and many of those took down portions of fence. One huge pine still blocks the main driveway.

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Of the two main pastures and two paddock areas, only one pasture currently is in use. The others had gaping hopes in the fence.

The one serviceable pasture could only be used because huge trees blocked the holes in the fence.

With only one pasture, McCullough has had to alternate her horses’ time there, thus the change in routine.

Despite the adversity, McCullough was looking forward to her first “Haunted Nights,” which she has started as a way to bring some additional revenue for Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, which has 12 stallions and six mares on the ranch.

McCullough has run the ranch since her mom, Gabby Herrmann, died in March 2021. She has experimented with ways to bring in extra income to keep a family tradition alive, a tradition that started in Myakka City in 1962.

She said her mom never was a big fan of Halloween and never liked the idea the decorating the ranch with skeletons and scary props.

McCullough, on the other hand, had

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Jay Heater

all kinds of Halloween decorations and props she would put around her house every year.

Her neighbor, Jolene Bryant, has been volunteering around the ranch and she shares a love of Halloween with McCullough. She decided to give McCullough a push toward hosting the event.

Bryant, who makes cow whips, dog leashes and reins by hand, said her mind simply embraces Halloween events.

“I think, ‘What can we put in a witch’s room?’ or ‘I bet Dracula would have something like this.’”

Bryant was at the ranch Oct. 10 helping out in any way she could.

“Everything was right on track (for the Halloween event) before the hurricane, which now has slowed us down,” she said. “But we have rallied.”

A stand of trees fell on an area that was originally scheduled to be part of the “Haunted Nights” walking tour, so that had to be detoured.

McCullough had planned to charge a $10 admission fee for the tour, which will highlight infamous Florida hauntings, such as the Flagler train as it tries to survive the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, the doomed flight 401 and the little girls who haunt the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

Bryant would have been working on a new course, but then Raven became ill.

“Life stops when you have a horse you can’t turn loose,” she said.

Her mother, Shirley Bryant, was holding onto Raven as she took the IV. Shirley Bryant grew up with Gabby Herrmann.

“I just love horses,” she said.

Jolene Bryant said that although they are tired, the Halloween event setup would be ready for the Oct. 14 opening night.

She noted that the storm even provided lots of wood for a fire ring at the event.

McCullough said a Halloween event just made sense to her.

“There used to be something like this at the elementary school 20 years ago,” she said. “In New England, anyone who has a 5-acre plot puts on something like this.”

She thanked the community for helping out the ranch and noted that donations have helped her buy new sections of fence. She will rebuild the fence herself with the help of volunteers. She said anyone who would like to donate some time with heavy equipment would be much appreciated.

She is hoping “Haunted Nights becomes a yearly event, without the hurricane.

“We will get our feet wet,” she said.

“And we have to see how the horses respond. There will be a lot of loud music.”

Sydney McCullough makes no bones about saying “Haunted Nights” will be a fun event.

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BRADENTON 7710 Jay Watch Glen 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,733 Sq. Ft. Sharon Ingram 941-224-6447 A4545446 $999,999

BRADENTON 5469 46th Court W 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,719 Sq. Ft. Adam Cuffaro 941-812-0791 A4544270 $995,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 13651 American Prairie Place 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,017 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4541881 $925,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8076 Royal Birkdale Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,811 Sq. Ft. Stephen Strong 941-201-9662 A4544793 $899,000

BRADENTON 5614 Cloverleaf Run 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,395 Sq. Ft. Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet, PA 941-993-7087 A4545363 $889,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7806 Troon Court 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,956 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4541261 $825,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6406 Watercrest Way 302 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,917 Sq. Ft. Stuart Lawrence & Laura Lawrence 941-894-4001 A4538694 $699,900

TAMPA 933 Normandy Trace Road 933 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,481 Sq. Ft. Laura Navratil & Timothy Carney 941-806-7436 A4538486 $699,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 10530 Boardwalk Loop 503 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,353 Sq. Ft. Nicole Desantis & Diane Fogo Harter 941-725-3538 A4548465 $699,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7349 Wexford Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,562 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4543823 $675,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6756 Hickory Hammock Circle 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,753 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4546993 $655,000

PARRISH 1124 Thornbury Drive 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,231 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4542596 $599,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 8483 Frangipani Terrace 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,524 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4541270 $589,800

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6113 35th Court E 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,697 Sq. Ft. Jefferson Payne 857-350-0089 A4533196 $575,000

BRADENTON 5304 72nd Street E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,867 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4543048 $400,000

BRADENTON 5311 42nd Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,536 Sq. Ft. Pamela Modisett & Diane Fogo Harter 941-993-3967 A4545606 $395,000

BRADENTON 20706 79th Avenue E 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 5,077 Sq. Ft. Chris Baylis 941-735-4713 A4531620 $3,500,000

BRADENTON 8435 Lindrick Lane 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,893 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4539533 $3,375,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16508 Kendleshire Terrace 3 Beds 4 Baths 3,244 Sq. Ft. Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4547956 $2,450,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 379162-1

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16219 Daysailor Trail 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,803 Sq. Ft. Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4547825 $1,900,000

Committed to our communities we love, serve and call home

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

REAL ESTATE

Upper Manatee River Road home tops sales at $900,000

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

SEPT. 26-30

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home on Upper Manatee River Road topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Chealsye Bowley, Deanna Bowley and Christina Bowley, of Fort Collins, Colorado, sold their home at 11661 Upper Manatee River Road to Steven Pimlott, of Bradenton, for $900,000. Built in 1955, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 3,646 square feet of living area. It sold for $150,000 in 1991.

Liz Ramos

Jeffrey Goodman and Sharon Bolan, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 14545 Whitemoss Terrace to Lawrence and Beth List, of Lakewood Ranch, for $850,000.

Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,464 square feet of living area. It sold for $447,900 in 2013.

WILTON CRESCENT

Mark and Kathy Creighton, of Stow, Ohio, sold their home at 7829 Wilton Crescent Circle to Timothy and Dolores LaBeau, of Milford, Michigan, for $850,000. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,227 square feet of living area. It sold for $505,000 in 2018.

RIVA TRACE

James Moffa and Christine Burton, of Amston, Connecticut, sold their home at 7816 Rio Bella Place to Mary Harman, of Bradenton, for $715,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,958 square feet of living area. It sold for $416,300 in 2013.

ARBOR GRANDE

Ronald and Janice Miller, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, sold their home at 2512 Starwood Court to Robert and Cathy Ready, of Bradenton, for $675,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,112 square feet of living area. It sold for $389,000 in 2018.

LAKE VISTA RESIDENCES

Carolyn Webster, of Sarasota, sold her Unit A-301 condominium at 7804 Lake Vista Court to Regina Shtirmer, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $565,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 2,138 square feet of living area. It sold for $514,100 in 2006.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Adam and Beth Ann Frack, trustees, sold the home at 10319 Marbella Drive to Tammy Zelinger and Robert Zelinger, trustees, of Bradenton, for $549,900. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,840 square feet of living area. It sold for $359,800 in 2021.

MARINELAND

Andrew and Glenda Matheson, of Mayo, Ireland, sold their home at 6826 68th Ave. E. to Maria Van Brown and Matthew Brown, of Bradenton, for $535,000. Built in 2003, it has one bedroom, two baths and 1,570 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2014.

SUMMERFIELD

Melissa and Maurice Everett, of Boca Raton, sold their home at 6462 Golden Leaf Court to Kayleen and Trevor McDonald, of Lakewood Ranch, for $510,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,953 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2020.

Benjamin and Laura Zink, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sold their home at 11223 Parkside Place to Arthur Doherty Jr. and Arthur Doherty III, of Lakewood Ranch, for $490,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,572 square feet of living area.

It sold for $279,000 in 2018.

This Marineland home at 6826 68th Ave. E. sold for $535,000. It has one bedroom, two baths and 1,570 square feet of living area.

Michael Marzella and Jennifer Sierra, of Sarasota, sold their home at 12519 Rockrose Glen to Brandon and Ofelia Youngblood, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, for $420,000.

Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,757 square feet of living area. It sold for $225,000 in 2014.

BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE

Richard Fembleaux and Dianna Henderson, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 203 condominium at 13720 Messina Loop to Elizabeth Johnson, of Bradenton, for $490,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $301,000 in 2021.

GREENFIELD PLANTATION

Cory and Jennifer Westphal, of Parrish, sold their home at 809 Tallgrass Lane to Charles and Kelly Wine, of Bradenton, for $475,000.

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,466 square feet of living area. It sold for $254,900 in 2018.

two baths and 1,804 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in March.

WILLOWBROOK

Frank Salomone, of Daytona Beach, sold his Unit 504 condominium at 8606 Majestic Elm Court to Patrick and Tracy Doran, of Lakewood Ranch, for $335,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 1,388 square feet of living area. It sold for $171,000 in 2007.

CYPRESS STRAND

Christopher and Carol Buffardi, of Red Bank, New Jersey, sold their Unit 37-202 condominium at 7071 Strand Circle to Richard Hall, of Bradenton, for $331,500. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two

baths and 1,368 square feet of living area. It sold for $186,000 in 2004.

HARMONY

James Robert Maxa and Deborah Maxa, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5725 Silverbridge Trail to SN Florida II LLC for $455,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,904 square feet of living area. It sold for $287,700 in 2019.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

In with the new NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

PALM AIRE

Tina Lorraine Fuller and Kevin Hunter Fuller, trustees, sold the home at 8405 Palm Lakes Court to Cotswold Homes LLC for $470,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $155,000 in 1998.

Longboat Key

COUNTRY OAKS

Robin Negron and Steven Negron, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4910 81st Ave. Terrace E. to Clinton and Elizabeth Cochran, of Sarasota, for $472,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,558 square feet of living area.

It sold for $150,000 in 2015.

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From $2.4MM to $10.9MM | Call for appointment | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

COACH HOMES AT RIVER STRAND

Joanne Welch Tocco sold the Unit 9301 condominium at 6907 Grand Estuary Trail to Tracy and Bruce Maloney, of Bradenton, for $467,500. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $272,300 in 2016.

Downtown St. Petersburg

400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1MM’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com 2 UNITS LEFT

BRADEN RIVER LAKES

Rachel Giuly, of Valdosta, Georgia, sold her home at 1206 50th St. E. to Donald Francis Pond III and Kelli Pond, of Bradenton, for $450,000.

Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,080 square feet of living area. It sold for $185,000 in 2010.

Downtown Sarasota

TERRACE AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL

Kenneth Colbert sold his Unit 1541 condominium at 18008 Gawthrop Drive to Tal and Adela Scheer, of Sparta, New Jersey, for $445,000.

Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,142 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,500 in 2021.

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2MM’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

RIVER ISLES

Hattie Properties LLC sold the home at 4309 Lemonwood Circle to Michael Mailloux and Kathleen Weber, of Bradenton, for $370,000.

Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms,

373610-1

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of February 2022.

Licensed Real Estate Broker

9B

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

YOUR CALENDAR

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PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. The 31st annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival begins its three weekend run with a crafts show, live music and shows, lots of pumpkins, games, hayrides, pony rides, a corn maze, scarecrow displays, food, a petting zoo, the big train ride and more. Admission is $15, and free for children under 10. The event is cash only, although some vendors will accept cards. For a list of live entertainment and more information, go to HunsaderFarms.com. The event continues Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30.

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Admission is free, although donations are requested. Concession and carnival game prices vary. The event is cash only. Walking tours take 15 to 20 minutes over uneven ground. Closed-toed shoes and bug spray are recommended. The event continues Oct. 21-22 and Oct. 28-29.

A family friendly Dead and Breakfast will be offered for younger guests, where vampires, witches, pirates and fortune tellers go for a little rest and relaxation. For more information, go to HerrmannsRoyalLipizzans.com/ events.

SUNDAY, OCT. 16

FARMERS MARKET Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch will run year-round every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, go to www.MyLWR.com.

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THURSDAY, OCT. 13 FRIDAY, OCT. 14 AND SATURDAY, OCT. 15

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HAUNTED NIGHTS Runs from 7-10 p.m. at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City. Join those at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions for a walk through some of Florida’s more infamous hauntings. Hear the last whistles of the Flagler train as it tries to survive the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, walk among the debris in the field of doomed flight 401, try to sign on at Ed “Butcher” Watson’s Everglades farm or play hide-andseek with the little girls who haunt the St. Augustine Lighthouse. It also includes a troupe of wayward clowns. Walking tours are recom-

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PUTTS FOR MUTTS Begins at 9:30 a.m. at the RitzCarlton Members Club, 14605 70th Terrace E., Lakewood Ranch. The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch hosts its annual Putts for Mutts golf tournament. The price is $250 for golf and dinner. An evening dinner reception costs $95 for dinner only at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club. A corresponding tennis tournament is held the same day beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Country Club, 8488 Legacy Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The tennis tournament costs $125. A helicopter ball drop is held at the evening reception. For more information or to register, go to HSLWR.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

RANCH NIGHT WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. Live music, food trucks, a market with rotating vendors, a mobile bar and a recreational cornhole league highlight this. Pets are welcome; no coolers or outside food or beverage allowed. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

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EVENING MENU your out ‘Black that and White Oxfords’. Skirt’ It’s Dig ‘Poodle and your Fonzie ––––––––– Nostalgia Time!

Outfit, and ladies, don’t forget your ‘Black Put on your dancing shoes and Let’s Rock & Roll to the music of our DJ for the evening, “Larry Blackburn”, playing and White Oxfords’.

It’s Nostalgia Time! the Oldies but Goodies, plus a Jitter Bug contest.

Put on your dancing shoes and Let’s Rock & It’s going to be an unforgettable Roll to ofthe offood! our DJ for the evening, evening fun music and fantastic “Larry Blackburn”, the Oldies but Photo Booth and a Prize for theplaying Best Dressed Girl & Guy. Goodies, plus a Jitter Bug contest, Photo OCTOBER 20, 2022 Booth and a Prize for the Best Dressed Girl 5:30 PM TO 9:30 PM $75 Per Person, plus tax & gratuity & Guy.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

11B

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12B

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, OCT. 13 High: 80 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 58%

FRIDAY, OCT. 14 High: 81 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 11%

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, Oct. 13

7:28a

7:02p

Friday, Oct. 14

7:29a

7:01p

Saturday, Oct. 15

7:29a

7:00p

Sunday, Oct. 16

7:30a

6:59p

Monday, Oct. 17

7:30a

6:59p

Tuesday, Oct. 18

7:31a

6:57p

Wednesday, Oct. 19

7:32a

6:56p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 15 High: 82 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 5%

SUNDAY, OCT. 16

Gordon Silver captured these two deer checking out the neighborhood on a sunny morning in Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch.

High: 83 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 8%

Oct. 25 New

Oct. 31 First

Nov. 8 Full

Nov. 16 Last

RAINFALL Monday, Oct. 3

0

Tuesday, Oct. 4

0

Wednesday, Oct. 5

0

Thursday, Oct. 6

0

Friday, Oct. 7

0

Saturday, Oct. 8

0

Sunday, Oct. 9

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2022-23 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2023, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2022 47.24 in.

2021 43.40 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2022 0.02 in.

2021 0.08 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 941.355.8437 | Bradenton

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celebrity cipher

©2022 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

e.g. (Abbr.)

32 Middle Eastern country 1 Real humdingers home to the world’s oldest 8 Sauna stuff dam 13 Snapback feature 17 Seasonal purchase that 34 What opens doors for counts down the days until journalists?

37 Aries symbol Christmas 38 Discontinue, like a show 20 Actor Reeves 21 Antiestablishment move- 39 The ___ Piper of Hamelin 40 Arroz con ___ (rice ment pudding) 22 Gets on an airplane 23 One might be in a cast 41 Triage places (Abbr.)

42 Indian state known for 24 Research specialties 25 Automatic garage door tea and silk 43 Woody frames? device 44 Word after “floppy” or 27 “Les Miserables” star “compact” Hathaway 45 Primatologists’ subjects 28 Melissa Joan ___ 47 Extend across 30 Glass of public radio 31 Howard or Alcorn State, 48 Common dog biscuit

shape 49 Ruby, e.g.

50 Worked (up) 52 Mint Mobile and TMobile 54 Stop motion game?

56 Poet’s “before” 57 Hockey Hall of Famer Willie 58 “That’s a ___ to process” 59 “Ooh, ooh, let me!”

60 Fuel additive brand 63 “That’s fantastic to hear!”

65 Mariner’s guiding light 67 Donut-shaped cake type 68 Subj. for some aspiring polyglots 69 Nimble for one’s age 70 Makeshift swing

71 Malek of “Bohemian Rhapsody” 72 “Kisses, my love!”

74 Not off the chain?

75 In high spirits 76 “So cool, dude!”

77 “Awesome, great to hear” 79 Wild pig 80 Maritime forces 81 Programmer Lovelace 82 Mischievous sprite 84 “That’s too nice!”

85 Bartenders and detectives appreciate them 87 GI fare 88 Diatribe 89 Largest continent 90 Thoroughly 93 Like Jupiter and

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

389473-1

38 “___: The Origins of Our Discontents” (2020 bestseller) 39 Gift for a calligrapher 43 “You wanna fight?!”

44 Specifics, in slang 46 Mastermind piece 48 In search of stimulation 49 Sound from an empty stomach 51 Country that’s the world’s second-largest producer of olive oil DOWN 53 ___ game hen 1 Policy for “Dreamers” 54 Crayola color renamed (Abbr.)

Peach 2 A durian has a pungent 55 Sleeping bag fastener one 60 Add while cooking 3 Egg cell 61 Did some road repair 4 ___ garden (meditation work spot) 62 Hunts for food 5 As a team 63 Chew on this!

6 Undying 64 “That’s pretty cool!”

7 Cellphone surface 66 Plant-based sweetener 8 Stack of unsolicited 67 No-goodniks manuscripts 69 Standardized test 9 Business card no. conveniences 10 Walked into 71 Period before television 11 Many are still kids at 73 “Yeah, yeah, the joke’s heart on us” 12 Colt’s mom 74 Parking meter insert 13 Seashore 75 Getting by 14 Unusual specimen 76 Rodent catcher 15 Certain speedway racers 78 Developmental sites?

16 Places where the past 79 “It’s all my fault” can be present?

80 Hardly a perfect person 18 Inits. aptly found in 83 Wander the web “Obamacare” 84 Lively Carnival dances 19 Some family secrets 86 Stretch at work?

20 Pond carp 91 Bat Appreciation month 22 Aggressively bold (Abbr.)

26 Performance history 92 Mario Kart character 27 Esoteric with a mushroomlike head 29 Final boss in the video 94 “Yes, monsieur” game “God of War” 95 “SNL” segment?

32 Artist Johns 96 Qatar ruler 33 Like bargain bin items 97 Meshes well 35 Snail’s trail 100 West African staple 36 Ship’s navigational crop route 101 Yellow Monopoly bill

Neptune 95 Ankle’s place 98 Archaeologists dig them 99 “Thanks so much for the help” 102 “Things ___ as they seem” 103 Whirling “Looney Toons” character 104 Blast from the ___ 105 Judges to be 106 High-minded individuals?

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

Puzzle Three Clue: N equals V

JUMBO FREESTYLE 4 by Adrian Johnson. Edited by Amanda Rafkin

Puzzle Two Clue: F equals U

crossword

Puzzle One Clue: E equals F

Sarasota

390393-1

KARASTAN, MOHAWK, ARI. O, SMARTSTRAND, ALL PET

CARPET

©2022 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-13-22

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Items Under $200

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VINTAGE QUILT ‘41, sunbonnet gal, 64”x69”, pink/multi $45; Hull pottery vase,13”x4, $30.

941-320-8345

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

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

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

Sporting Goods

stuff

This week’s Crossword answers

941-251-7916, Ext 1

Items Under $200 This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Don’t forget the earth’s about five thousand million years old, at least. Who can afford to live in the past?”

Harold Pinter Puzzle Two Solution: “I’d like to play a horse, many people think I already have. Either end of the horse would be fine.”

British actress Dawn French Puzzle Three Solution: “Every candle that gets lit in the dark room must feel a little rejection from the darkness around it.”

Kirk Cameron

This week’s Sudoku answers

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

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236 BHG GAS Grill, Good Condition, includes gas tank, foldable side shelves, tools, cover, $65.

303-638-7741

941-955-4888

SMALL UNDERWATER Camera Brand new. Deluxe wrist strap included. $169. (941) 351-4116 ©2022 NEA, Inc.

TV 19" FLAT SCREEN Broksonic.

Remote, Cable Line. Exc Cond Orig Owner. $20 (412) 527-7434

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

GREAT FINDS LOCATED HERE! WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

TREASURES

found here.

Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

PERSONAL CARE GIVER- Private care: Meal preparation, errands, shopping, and more.

Affordable hourly rates, available weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Minimal shift 5 hours can also provide overnight care.

Temporary or long term care.

Over 10+ years experience.

References available. No new faces, one consistent caregiver.

COVID Negative.

Call Kati: 941-536-7706.

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Cleaning

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342.

RED PAGES

www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

COLLECTIBLE BOOKS on Toys, Film, Silent Movies, Slots, Boxing, Lighters, etc. $1.00 each.

941-921-1815

As low as $17.50 per week!

CAREGIVER AVAILABLE for morning shower, business assistant, nights & some weekend travel. Call Diane (941)545-5992

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

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

BOSE WAVE music system IV, $199. (941)321-2694

GARAGE SALE

Adult Care Services

Auto Transport

auto

peekers’ place

You’re only cheating yourself.

©2022 Universal Uclick

Beach’ N Rides Electric Bike Shop eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want. Leave traffic and parking problems behind!

13 models available.

Daily and weekly rentals available We also repair other Brands Open 10 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays 12208 Cortez Road, Cortez, FL

MOW OVER the competition!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

home services

RED PAGES

Painting 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.

TIME2PAINT EXTERIOR/ INTERIOR/DECK/DRIVEWAY/P ORCH/PATIO. (941) 685-3777

CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Estate Sales

Health

Gulf Coast EstatE auCtions

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

388405

ESTATE SALES • DOWNSIZING SENIOR TRANSITIONS • ONLINE AUCTIONS

gulfcoastestateauctions.com • Free Consultations 941-274-6537

389772

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

General Contractors

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

New Home Construction • Commercial Licensed & Insured

WE COME TO YOU

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

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

Nighthawk One Services, LLC

5-Star Rated

General Contractor • Roofing Contractor 390226

HoHoBuysCars.com

Mark Davis - Owner P: 941-915-8032 E: noscgc@outlook.com

Computer Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

Home Services

389157

389770

FAST • EASY • SAFE

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

941-504-0903

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

SELL YOUR CAR! 941.270.4400

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

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

YoderAluminum.com

Auto Service

CGC1529071 CCC1333651

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle?

• Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

Golf

(941) 704 - 7512

cwccustomscarts@gmail.com 2007 Whitfield Park Ave Sarasota, FL 34243

Doors

Residential

Sliding Glass Door Repair

LITHIUM B AT T E RY I F T K L U E T O P E A K ENERAL R

I T O T E R EPAI

S H S R

389771

New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

GROW

IRRIGATION (941) 725-8100 REPAIR edsrainmakerirrigation@gmail.com MAINTENANCE Insured

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Servicing LWR, Parrish and NE Bradenton

NO MORE TICKS, FLEAS OR WEEDS!

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

$10 off

Any Treatment Dry Or Liquid New Customers Only

$47

PER MONTH*

Ticks, Fleas, Fire Ants, Chinch Bugs, Mole Crickets, Grubs, Sod Worms and more. PLUS - Fungus & Weeds and Premium Fertilizer.

New Customers Only

941-400-4912

*For average size lawn of 5000 sq. ft.

Larger lawns slightly more.

Licensed & Insured

CustomGraniteServicesLLC@gmail.com 388414

Free

Weed & Crab grass Control

www.FGLAWN.com | 941-404-6601

Custom Granite Services, llc

You Get NOW Protection!

166554

lawn & pest control, llc.

Family Owned and Operated • Commercial & Residential • Weed Control • Fungicide • Tree & Shrub Treatment • Fertilizing • Insecticide 389774

ED’S RAIN MAKER IRRIGATION

Landscaping & Lawn

PROUD!

CJ COOLEY OWNER/OPERATOR

Doors

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

DON’T let your PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your WINDOWS be a PANE!!

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

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

DRGRABBARS.COM

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

390228

FREE IN-HOM ESTIMATEE S

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

941.966.0333

Call us today! 941.628.8579 www.ezslider.com

249 235 235

$$

$

Window Repairs • Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts

388411

FULLY INSURED

Irrigation

Advertise as low as $85 per week.

You We Make

388412

Call or text: 941-900-8111 | Email: Newparrishfl@gmail.com

YOUR BUSINESS

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE”

Commercial

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL

CONVERSION

L B S G

941-705-5468

Specializing in Cleaning Exterior Home, Windows, Roofs, Solar Panels, Driveways, Sidewalks, Garbage Cans and Gutters. Paver Sanding and Sealing.

REPAIR

CHASE COURNAN

941-735-3362

Take a simple test to see if your vent is clogged. Unhook your dryer vent & compare drying time.

GOLF CART

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

Pegatronics.com 389164

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

388407

Dustin Yoder

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Furniture Repair

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Let Gulf Coast Estate Auctions organize & hold an estate sale for you.

389985

Aluminum

389165

|

389166

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

388417 364556

14B

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com Find anything in the RED PAGES

941-955-4888

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

Painting

Building & Roofing Contractor

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

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

390229

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

Plumbing

Mark’s Plumbing Service

954-1878 (cell) 780-3346

941-626-3194

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Small plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

Licensed & Insured

RELIABLE • INSURED

941-920-8221

389168

Tub to Shower Conversion!

COMPLETE BATHROOM REMODELING No Sub-Contractors!

Power Washing

One Day Bath!

813-551-7504 BILL STEINER

389136

Call today

Pressure Washing PrSealing essure Washing Paver Paver Sealing Painting & Staining Painting & Staining Tile & Grout Cleaning Tile & Grout Cleaning Window Cleaning Window Cleaning

Call TODAY For a Free Quote • Florida Owned & Operated

Call TODAY For a Free Quote · Florida Owned & Operated

Owner, Sales and Installer

385720

Sun City Center Resident

bciacrylic.com

Professional Services 389778

388413

• Luxurious Acrylic, many styles and colors • Mold and Mildew resistant, no grout to clean • Member of South Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce • General Contractor and State Licensed CRC133256 Local business, lower prices

Screening

Landscaping & Lawn

GARDENS BY ALLISON

Res./Com.

941-725-4344 FREE ESTIMATES

No Job is too Small!

Design • Garden Beds Landscape • Courtyards Clean-Up • Makeovers Weeds • Trimming

6771 Professional Pkwy., Suite 101 Sarasota FL 34240

941.400.0431

gbyallison@yahoo.com gardensbyallison.com

388418

Pool Decks . Driveways Patios . Paver Repairs @gulfcoastexteriorsolutions Walkways admin@gesfl.co | gespavers.com

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

ALL YOUR PAVER NEEDS

PAVERS & TRAVERTINE

Licensed & Insured

Rescreening & Repairs

ows

150

$

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

SPECIAL 00

SARASOTA INTERIOR PAINTING, LLC

5

$

389170

High-End Interior Painting Services FULLY INSURED • OWNER OPERATED

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

ON TARGET OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad

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

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

388409

389775

We only use the finest quality Benjamin Moore paints!

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

Painting

CALL OR TEXT 941-900-9398 TODAY! OWNER: DON HUBIAK

Lic./Ins.

& Pressure C Window lean t e s ing as Sunrise Wi n w o n k Sun y l nd er

Dustyn McCauley

Allison J. Abizaid, M.A.

388415

Windows

GULFCOAST EXTERIOR SOLUTIONS

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint Doors and more!

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

(941) 345-5264

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

NEED HELP?

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

YourObserver.com/RedPages

388410

388416

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Complete Interior & Exterior Painting

GLENN KROECKER

15B

Roofing

UNIQUE PAINTING & PRESSURE WASHING SERVICES

THE GRAB BAR GUY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

389777

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

|

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

P.S. The Key to Your Real Estate Success OVER $75 MILLION

PENDING AND SOLD IN 2022

HOLLY PASCARELLA, PA 941.225.3218 Holly.Pascarella@CBRealty.com

TOP 1 % OF AGENTS

IN MANATEE AND SARASOTA COUNTIES

KATINA SHANAHAN, PLLC 941.702.0437 Katina.Shanahan@CBRealty.com

600+ HOMES

SOLD lN LAKEWOOD RANCH

KENNETH SHANAHAN, PLLC 941.702.0443 Kenneth.Shanahan@CBRealty.com

CONTACT US TODAY to Discuss Your 2022 Homeownership Goals

379780-1

16B