East County Observer 11.24.22

Ready to rock

While Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ “I Love Rock and Roll” blasted on the speaker, Braden River Elementary School dual language teachers Frances Vila and Kaehla Eidson (above) rocked out.

“Have a rocking day,” Eidson said to students as they made their way to class on Rock Your School Day Nov. 14.

Vila and Eidson said Rock Your School Day gets students excited about coming to school.

“It makes them feel special and loved by teachers,” Vila said. “They are rock stars. They have fun while they’re learning and are engaged for the whole day.”

Hallways and classrooms were decorated to celebrate the different decades of music. Teachers also had lessons tied to the Rock Your School Day theme.

Manatee

In the swing for scholarships

For Lake Club’s Steven Faticone, it was far from his regular round of golf on Nov. 14 at The Ritz-Carlton Members Club.

Like others participating in the Folds of Honor charity event, he had other goals in mind that had nothing to do with his score.

The event raised funds for educational scholarships for the children or spouses of soldiers who have been killed or wounded while serving the country.

Faticone’s son, Aaron Faticone, is a veteran who served in Afghanistan.

“We live in a perfect world, all manicured,” Faticone said. “How do you see this beauty (at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club) and not be thankful?

Aaron paid the price. Guys like him are the best of what we have.”

Karen Joseph, who founded the Lakewood Ranch chapter of the organization with her husband, Jeff, said the event gave people a chance to show their support of injured veterans while having some fun as well.

Liz Ramos

Ian Swaby

Jay Heater

Dick and Lorraine Vitale had to persevere through the last 18 months as Dick was being treated for two forms of cancer.

Courtesy photo

Braden River High School’s Kasey Wade marches in the band’s semifinals performance.

Can’t rain on Mustangs’ parade

RESULTS ARE IN

CLASS 3A

(16 bands competed outdoors)

n Lakewood Ranch High School: Fourth

n Braden River High School: Seventh CLASS 2A

(12 bands competed outdoors in the preliminaries while six bands compete in the indoor finals)

n Parrish Community High School: Fourth

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

It was easy for the Lakewood Ranch and Braden River high school bands to soak in the atmosphere at the Florida Marching Band Champion ships.

They were literally soaked. A steady rain plagued the event at Broward County Stadium in Lauder hill on Nov. 20, but Lakewood Ranch persevered to finish fourth in the state in the Class 3A division while Braden River placed seventh out of the 16 teams.

Because of the rain, the finals were canceled and the semifinal perfor mances were used to determine the final placing.

“This will be incredibly memo rable for these students,” said Cliff Dawson, the Braden River High band director. “You get these experiences in life that may or may not go your way, but just the things that sur round that event never will allow you to forget it. This classifies as one of those days.”

Dawson said it started raining the moment his band stepped off the bus.

Three of the 19 bands entered decided to perform indoors, which made them ineligible for the regular awards.

Parrish Community High, com peting in the 2A division, competed in a makeshift format. Parrish com peted against five other bands out doors in the preliminaries, while the other six bands of the 12-band divi sion competed indoors. The event then took the top three bands from indoors and the top three outdoors and had those six teams compete in the finals that were held indoors. Parrish finished fourth overall.

Perseverance was key for all the East County bands.

“You never know what to expect going into the championships, and obviously this was a little bit dif ferent because they decided not to have finals,” said John Schindler, the director of Lakewood Ranch’s band. “We are very happy with the result. I know we had a tough division, so to me, that makes that placement even better.”

Schindler said the rain amplified the Marching Mustangs’ focus.

“We had to execute things well in the rain or else there would be issues with maybe sliding or falling on the field,” he said. “We have a big ramp prop in our show, and there was a fear of our kids maybe slipping on that and having issues with that. We did an amazing job in those conditions.”

Braden River initially tied for sixth place with Palm Beach Central High School but was moved to seventh because of tie-breaking criteria.

“The kids did incredible and that’s

on top of the weather conditions,” Dawson said. “We did absolutely everything we could. I couldn’t be more proud.”

He said the end of the show always is his proudest moment because after finishing the first two acts, the students are tired and they have to work their hardest to push through the final act.

“Seeing them get to that point and still projecting and performing at a high level, that’s usually when I’m the happiest,” Dawson said. “You see those kids who struggled with cer tain spots in the show back during band camp, and they’re just making it work right there at the end.”

Both Braden River and Lakewood Ranch would have had the oppor tunity to advance to the finals and give another performance to raise, or lower, their placing.

Dawson said not having a finals round was disappointing.

“Braden River has always been a different band in the finals, and it

would have been nice to see what we would have been like on the final run,” he said. “That part is a little sad.”

Schindler said Lakewood Ranch finished 0.4 of a point behind Jupi ter High School, so the Mustangs could have easily moved up with a solid finals performance. Lakewood Ranch has never finished higher than third in a state event.

“I’m sad the kids didn’t get the normal experience of having a semi finals and then having the finals, especially knowing we would have been in finals,” he said. “With the weather conditions, it was the best decision because when we did the award ceremony, the field was start ing to flood. I don’t think there was any way they could have safely done an outdoor performance for the finals.”

Schindler said Lakewood Ranch received its highest score of the sea son at 88.8 points, beating the band’s score from its previous competition

by nearly five points.

“I honestly thought it was our best performance of the year,” he said.

Kendall Carrier, the director of Parrish Community High’s band, said it was the first time a band he directed had finished as high as fourth.

The Pride of Parrish Marching Band finished first in the outdoor preliminary competition for Class 2A.

“That was a goal of ours, to make the finals,” Carrier said.

He said having to perform indoors was disappointing.

“We’ve worked all year to march, and we weren’t able to do that,” he said. “There was no way to march outside though. The field was com pletely flooded by the time we were ready for finals.”

The band performed indoors by marching in place.

Lakewood Ranch High places fourth at the Florida Marching Band Championships.

Courtesy photos

The Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Mustangs play through the rain.

Parrish Community High School’s Landon Nicol performs a solo.

RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE

More than a month after Hurricane Ian, Manatee County continues to support Lee County with resources.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Although parts of Manatee County, such as Myakka City, were crushed, the majority of the county was spared Hurricane Ian’s worst impacts.

No one knows that better than East Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters, who continue to work in Lee County, which still is struggling to recover.

Deputy Chief Paul Wren, who has been serving in Lee County, described that area as “completely devastated.”

He first arrived at Sanibel Island on Oct. 15 and was overwhelmed by the destroyed homes, properties and businesses.

It hurt him to “see a place I visited quite a bit as a child utterly in disar ray.”

Wren said initiatives just prior to Hurricane Ian that allowed Mana tee County to hire more firefighters allowed East Manatee Fire Rescue to assist other counties without com promising its own operation.

THE MISSION Initially, he said, East Manatee Fire Rescue could not spare any staff when it received a state request for assistance in Lee County, for the local firefighters were occupied entirely with relief efforts in the Myakka City area.

However, when subsequent help was requested a few weeks later, the department decided to dispatch fire fighters to Lee County.

Wren said the mission, which pro vided assistance to the Captiva and Sanibel areas from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1, and to Fort Myers Beach from Nov. 1 to Nov. 22, resulted from the State Emergency Response Plan, and was influenced by Manatee County and Lee County both occupying Region 6 of the plan.

Wren said the goal of such a mis sion is to help overwhelmed fire departments with certain back ground tasks so that they can con tinue working where the community needs them most.

“Their community needs a bea

“Just having your local firefighter come up and say, ‘How are you doing today?’ could mean the world to those people who just saw their house or their business (impacted).”

con, a place of central intelligence, where they can go for information, first aid needs, or any kind of emer gency help,” Wren said. “Fire sta tions are vital in that.”

Although resources from the Fed eral Emergency Management Agen cy do arrive in areas impacted by a disaster, Wren said FEMA typically will hand rescue activities over to state agencies within three to four days.

EERIE SETTING

Wren served as an engine strike team leader to coordinate and control fire trucks in an area overburdened with managing units. He was deployed alongside fellow East Manatee fire fighters Lt. Danny Chappell and Firefighter Dillon Garback.

“It definitely was eerie at night,” he said. “There was no power, no lights. Just quiet, and the sound of the waves on the shore.”

Wren was assigned to Captiva Sta tion 181, where he initially worked alongside Chris Kidder, the battal ion chief at the South Walton Fire District, before he was transferred to Sean Mast, the assistance chief at Okaloosa Island Fire Department.

The Sanibel Causeway had been impacted by the storm, with sections missing where bridge supports were

SCHEDULE OF DEPLOYMENTS

Oct. 13 – Nov. 1 (Captiva Island)

Deputy Chief Paul Wren (Fort Myers Beach)

Lt. Danny Chappell

Firefighter Dillon Garback

Nov. 1 – Nov. 15 (Fort Myers Beach)

Battalion Chief Charles Reid

Lt. Stephen Beecher

Firefighter Derek Parker

Nov. 15 – Nov. 22 (Fort Myers Beach)

Lt. Stephen Beecher

Firefighter Derek Parker

connected to the manmade islands. To reach the islands, the firefight ers had to travel on a barge capable of transporting their vehicles.

Among the first tasks, Wren said, was restoring the existing fire sta tions to working order, clearing out debris and issues related to storm surge. He said work had already been significantly underway on the proj ect.

Firefighters from East County filled in for duties including hydrant maintenance and care, with checks performed on about 1,000 hydrants, as well as ensuring that piles of debris did not block fire hydrants and that the debris pickup operations did not block pathways for emergency vehicles.

Wren said a portion of the work was centered on checks and mitiga tions for propane tanks, for almost every home had a propane tank on

the property either above or below ground, and that a total of about 800 tanks to be checked.

Among the concerns impacting the area, Wren said, was the restora tion of power. He said saltwater from storm surge posed major problems for electrical systems and in many cases created a fire danger.

One of the major incidents during the deployment was a golf cart fire that took place near the south end of Sanibel Island. He said the incident involved 36 carts, and he said the fire created a “pretty impressive” column of smoke that could be seen from Fort Myers Beach.

The golf cart materials, including the foam seating, and other synthet ics burn easily, he said, while battery fires are difficult to extinguish, reig niting even when they appear to be out.

One advantage of East Manatee’s presence, he said, was that it allowed inspections to be conducted for resi dents’ businesses while the local fire department engaged with residents directly on various concerns.

“Just having your local firefight er come up and say, ‘How are you doing today?’ could mean the world to those people who just saw their house or their business (impacted),” he said.

After Wren’s return on Nov. 1, a tanker truck was deployed to Fort Myers Beach. This included Battal ion Chief Charles Reid serving as a strike team leader, along with Lieu tenant Stephen Beecher, and Fire fighter Derek Parker.

EAST MANATEE COVERAGE

With recent expansions, Wren said East Manatee Fire Rescue is bet ter equipped to assist other areas in emergency situations.

Seven new staff members were hired in September, four of them replacements but three of them filling new positions. Wren said as a result, every rig now meets the department’s goal of being staffed with three employees, with four rigs being manned by four employees on a rotating basis.

By rotating firefighters, all the East Manatee Fire Rescue shifts could be covered on the short term basis while firefighters were sent elsewhere.

For example, other staff members picked up his various duties while he was gone, he said, with Deputy Chief William Hall taking up the majority of his role.

For the Nov. 1 deployment to Fort Myers Beach, Capt. Chris Galbraith took over the local responsibilities of Battalion Chief Charles Reid.

One of the duties of captains is covering for the battalion chief posi tion, if necessary, although they also fulfill other duties including serving as a shift training officer, as well as administrative tasks.

Serving in Lee County does make Wren feel grateful things weren’t worse in Manatee County.

“There is no preparation that can protect you from a destructive force like that,” he said.

He said the evacuations of Sanibel and Captiva islands highlighted the importance of evacuations, and of the need for flood zones to be well defined so that residents are award of them.

“Buildings and businesses can be replaced,” he said. “Lives cannot.”

Ian Swaby

Deputy Chief Paul Wren poses with the vehicle he used during his deployment to Captiva Island and Sanibel Island.

— Deputy Chief Paul Wren

Deputy Chief Paul Wren (left) said the Red Cross provided assistance with food delivery to fire department personnel.

Deputy Chief Paul Wren (back row, fourth from left) and strike team members pose with the Captiva Island Fire Control District staff.

CERT’s reach expands

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Although a Community Emergency Response Team team has served the original Lakewood Ranch CDD neighborhoods for 15 years, neigh borhoods in the Stewardship District are now establishing their own CERT programs to provide better reach throughout the area.

“CERT is a perfect example of how we’re coming together to try to make the community better,” said Carlos Martinez, who has served as presi dent and director of Polo Run’s CERT group since its founding in August.

The objective of CERT is to provide community members with training in first aid, as well as other skills such as basic firefighting, and to pro vide Manatee County’s emergency response agencies with important information — such as blocked road ways or downed power lines, during storms.

CERT offers educational programs on topics such as hurricane pre paredness and CPR.

While Lakewood Ranch CERT, which is headed by Jim and Karen Emanuelson, has long served the area’s original Community Devel opment Districts, comprising Sum merfield, Riverwalk, Edgewater, Greenbrook and Country Club, other neighborhoods in Lakewood Ranch that make up the Stewardship Dis trict are joining the effort to expand the organization’s reach.

Jim Moran, a member of Del Webb’s CERT program, said it will be useful during a disaster because it utilizes residents’ knowledge of their immediate area.

Members will know which homes might be unoccupied or what neigh bors have generators and supplies, he

COMMUNITIES IN THE LAKEWOOD

RANCH

CERT COALITION

Arbor Grande, Central Park, Country Club East, Mallory Park, Del Webb, River Club, Indigo, Polo Run, Shoreview, The Isles, Lakewood National, Lorraine Lakes, Summerfield, Riverwalk, Edgewater, Greenbrook, and Country Club.

said. He said if the group can report the absence of any major problems to emergency agencies, they can con centrate on places that need them more.

Martinez and his wife, Vivian Mar tinez, established Polo Run Lake wood Ranch CERT as a nonprofit and chose to self-fund the organization to prevent additional expenses for the HOA.

The Polo Run group currently has 13 members while Charles Kennedy, who leads the Del Webb team, said his group, which was established in 2020, has grown to 22 members.

Members also said Lakewood Ranch CERT had been instrumental in providing assistance.

“They’ve really been very help ful as a core group, as a catalyst for information and growth in our group,” Moran said.

Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District communities continue to join the emergency response organization.

Ian Swaby Carlos and Vivian Martinez manage the new CERT team in Polo Run.

National project blooms at ODA

of the upper school’s arts center in Lakewood Ranch, she will know she was part of something special.

That something special is the Ten Thousand Flowers project of Penn sylvania artist Tim Gibson.

the project.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Celia Rayman, a sophomore at the Out-of-Door Academy, care fully brushed off the extra paint from her saturated brush so that her strokes on the mural in front of her would be perfect.

She then went about creating the light pink petals of a flower.

It might only be one flower among 10,000, but this one was going to be as good as possible. Every time she walks past the mural in the stairwell

Gibson has been traveling to com munities throughout the coun try with the goal of working with schools and communities to create a giant mural that would be a mile long if all the murals were connected.

So far, Gibson has traveled and completed murals in 17 states. Once he reaches 10,000 flowers, his mis sion will be complete. After the contributions of ODA’s lower school Nov. 9 and upper school Nov. 11, the flower count stands at 2,860.

Gibson said interacting with those participating is his favorite part of

“It doesn’t matter what state you’re from, what your background is, who you are,” Gibson said. “We’re here having fun painting flowers and connecting everything. I love that I’m able to bring that to people and connect the hundreds of towns around the country.”

ODA’s lower school was his first stop in Florida.

Gibson outlined the flower mural for the students who then painted the mural using a paint-by-numbers method. Wherever they saw a dot matching the color paint they were holding is where they painted.

Every ODA student had an oppor tunity to paint the mural.

Rayman and senior Harper Camp bell were both surprised to find out

TEN THOUSAND FLOWERS

Tim Gibson, who is from Pennsylvania, started the project in 2018 in Perkasie, Pennsylvania.

Gibson, whose love of art started when he was 6 years old, wanted to help community leaders find a project that could be done with the community’s help.

He pitched the idea of painting a mural of simple flowers. He saw the potential to have the project be more than just one mural.

Gibson decided to travel across the country to get schools and communities together to create floral murals. The murals, if put together like puzzle pieces, would create one giant mural stretching more than a mile long and filled with 10,000 flowers.

Gibson starts a mural by creating an outline. Then people come to paint in a paint-bynumbers fashion, matching the color paint in their cup to the dots on the wall.

The mural is a simple design so anyone can paint.

they would have a chance to be a part of the project.

“I have a class upstairs, so I walk up the stairwell every day,” Camp bell said. “I thought it was crazy, seeing all the outlines. Then one of my classmates actually told me we were going to be the ones to actually be able to paint it. I thought it was so cool.”

Leslie Garasic, an ODA high school art teacher, was scrolling through Facebook looking for a group activity for middle and high school students when she stumbled on the project.

“I thought, ‘What a cool idea,’” Garasic said. “He’s bringing all these murals together as puzzle pieces. The next one links to the previous one and the following one will link to that. What a great way to bring people together through art.”

For ODA, the mural serves as a dual purpose. It’s an opportunity for all students to work on a mural togeth

er, but also it links the school’s lower school in Siesta Key to the upper school in Lakewood Ranch.

“Our roots are from the lower campus,” Garasic said. “Our history was made there. Sometimes I think we forget about that little magical place down on the key that feeds into here, where it becomes more of a col legiate type of atmosphere.”

Garasic said the mural reminds ODA of what the school’s founders wanted for the school.

“They loved outdoor living, they loved the arts, they loved the aca demics,” she said. “That brings people together. Art is a great way to bring people together.”

She said all students were engaged in the project, whether the student was in pre-K or a senior in high school.

“The stairwell echoes so much, but you could hear a pin drop,” she said. “They were so focused and just happy to be in the process of paint ing. Even the little ones down at the lower school were the same way. They were so quiet and focused on getting to paint something that was bigger than them and wrapped all through their stairwell.”

Garasic looks forward to when the students move from the lower school to the upper school, and they’ll be able to see a familiar mural at the upper school.

“They’ll eventually come up here, walk through the stairwell and be like, ‘Oh, this is just like what we painted down at the lower school and it grew with us,’” she said. “It’ll remind them of a good memory.”

Georgia Henry, a sixth-grader, said participating in the mural project gave each of the students an oppor tunity to leave their mark on the ODA campuses.

Sixth-grader Mason Hunn said it was a privilege to be a part of a national project because not every one can say they were a part of the Ten Thousand Flowers Project.

At the upper school, a small group of middle and high school students would go into the stairwell for about 15 minutes to paint before another group would paint.

Campbell said being able to paint the mural was a good break from the day and a mindless activity where they could have fun.

ODA students are the first in Florida to be part of the Ten Thousand Flowers project.

Liz Ramos

Sophomore Travis Novak works on the mural with artist Tim Gibson and sophomore Collin Dillingham. The Ten Thousand Flowers Project has 2,860 flowers and growing.

A WAY TO GIVE THANKS

Through:

Where:

More information: DickVitalegala.org

into a 52-year romance.

Lorraine Vitale started the story.

THE DANCE

“It was at the Blue Swan Inn, in Rochelle Park, New Jersey,” she began. “It was a place on the week end where you could go. You might call it a singles club.

“Dick was there with all the guys. I was there with friends, all girls. Dick asked me to dance and I declined.”

It was time for Dick Vitale, the master of color commentary, to interject.

“She isn’t telling the whole story,” he said. “I would get together with the guys (who all were coaches) to share ideas. We would be pushing salt and pepper shakers around, going over Xs and Os. I was coaching East Rutherford High at the time.”

Lorraine Vitale never took her eyes off her husband, or stopped smiling, as he launched himself into the story.

“She came walking in, boots and hot pants. Wow! The guys told me, ‘Don’t even think about it.’ They were all laughing.

Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com

Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com

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

The V holiday

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

His family.

Lakewood Ranch’s Vitale and his wife, Lorraine, will go to the Lake wood Ranch home of their daughter Terri and son-in-law Chris Sforzo and spend one of their most special holidays ever with their family mem bers, including their daughter Sherri and son-in-law Thomas Krug.

The Vitales will be surrounded by their five grandchildren in Sydney and Ryan Sforzo (who both attend Notre Dame University) and Ava, Jake and Connor Krug (who all are attending Duke University).

The past 18 months have been tough on the now 83-year-old Dick Vitale, who has overcome melano ma, lymphoma and vocal cord dys plasia, all which threatened to end his life or at the very least end his broadcasting career.

Thanksgiving 2022 was no sure thing.

“I am very thankful we are all together,” Lorraine Vitale said. “We didn’t know if we would be. You’ve got to appreciate your health because sometimes you don’t realize what a blessing it is.”

Dick Vitale said the struggles of the past 18 months offered more proof that he has been blessed.

“Seeing my children and my grandchildren (on Thanksgiving), I am so happy with what they are doing in their lives. There are so many problems people face, but all of them are doing well. They are thriv ing. What joy to grandparents, hav ing them close in Lakewood Ranch.”

Dick Vitale tries to pass the wis dom he has acquired over the years to his grandchildren. The struggles of his immediate past, though, have added perspective to some of his sto ries.

TOUGH TIMES

Take for instance, the one about per severing during tough times.

That message had been drilled into him years ago by his parents and family members. But Dick Vitale said he failed to use that wisdom himself when he encountered his first tough time.

It came in 1979 when he was fired by Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson, a man he admired. After going 79-29 in four seasons at the

University of Detroit, including 26-3 in the 1976-77 season, he struggled in the NBA when his roster wasn’t talented enough to compete with the NBA powers. It irked him and he repeatedly told that to Davidson.

“Bill Davidson always treated me like royalty,” Dick Vitale said. “He would say, ‘You are your biggest enemy.’ But we couldn’t beat the Lakers, and we couldn’t beat Dr. J (Julius Erving) and the 76ers. It was driving me nuts and I was telling him about it.

“Lorraine kept saying to me, ‘You can’t do this. You are going to talk him into firing you.’”

On Nov. 8, 1979, Davidson fired him.

“It was my first time dealing with a tough time,” Dick Vitale said.

All those lessons he had learned from his family took a back seat to his depression.

Lorraine Vitale wouldn’t have it, though.

“She told me, ‘You’re not the first guy this has happened to,’” Dick Vitale said. “She was right. I was vio lating everything I believed in.

“The key in life, and I give my grandkids this talk, is how you han dle tough times,” he said. “You have two choices. You can just feel sorry for yourself, or you can pick up the pieces. (Getting fired) was a great lesson for me. I don’t care who you are, you are going to face obstacles and problems.”

He listened to his wife, and landed a job announcing the first college basketball game that ESPN covered,

on Dec. 5, 1979 between DePaul and Wisconsin. He never looked back.

Even so, when he would tell that story about facing adversity, he talk ed about how he would have failed the test if not for Lorraine. In the last 18 months, though, when facing his darkest moments, he has added another chapter to the story.

A NEW CHALLENGE

Sitting alone in a chemotherapy room early in 2022, he came to a crossroads once again. This time, his path was clear.

He thought of the words by his good friend Jimmy Valvano, who in 1993, two months before his death from cancer, walked to the podium at the ESPY Awards program to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, and told the audience, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up. That’s what I’m going to try to do every minute that I have left.”

“In chemo, I kept repeating those words to myself,” Dick Vitale said. “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”

On Nov. 15, after missing most of the 2021-22 season due to his medi cal struggles, Vitale returned to give color commentary in Michigan State’s victory over Kentucky in the Champions Challenge in Indianap olis. It started his 44th season with ESPN.

It should be an interesting Thanks giving with the Vitales, Sforzos and Krugs.

Almost every story Dick Vitale tells includes Lorraine. When he was coaching, at every level, she would attend all his games, whether that meant taking a private plane or a bus. When he began raising money for the V Foundation, she was a major force in the operation.

And every Thanksgiving needs a love story, too.

A few days before Thanksgiving, at their Country Club home, the Vitales talked about how they met. It turned

“I went over to ask her to dance and she said, ‘No.’”

He went back again and again with the same question and the same answer.

“I am mad,” he said. “I ask her, ‘Do you get your kicks turning guys down?’ Her girlfriends are saying, ‘Can’t you just leave her alone?’

“I am a fierce competitor, so I bet the guys I could get her on the dance floor.”

His buddies start throwing money on the table in front of him. So he went back yet again.

“I went over to her and said, ‘I don’t want your phone number, or your name. But could you help me out? I bet my buddies I could get you on the dance floor.’ And we danced.”

It wasn’t long before she head ed out the door, with him trailing behind to watch her leave.

“It was a July night, and I had been a car freak. I had a lime green Bonneville and I had it parked right in front of the entrance. I was walk ing behind her and I heard her tell her girlfriend, ‘I want to meet the guy who owns that car.’”

He quickly told her it was his car.

“She said, ‘My name is Lorraine McGrath and I love in Lodi, New Jer sey. She gave me the number.”

After a first date to a Dionne War wick concert, they were on their way. He was 31 when they met and she was 26.

Asked why she finally relented and danced with him, Lorraine Vitale said, “I liked his personality, and he was fun to be with.”

Her husband looked back at her and asked, “How about my looks?”

Lorraine Vitale chuckled a bit. “We’re telling the truth here?” she asked.

They both laughed.

“She hasn’t changed one bit,” he said.

Through the highs and lows of his coaching career, and a broadcasting career that turned him into a nation al celebrity, Dick Vitale’s career has changed their lives.

But Lorraine Vitale said that even today, “nothing has changed between us.”

Dick Vitale did admit that he is more obsessed than ever to raise money for pediatric cancer research and awareness through the V Foun dation. His 2022 gala raised $11 mil lion for the cause, up from $6.5 mil lion in 2021.

On ESPN’s website, he wrote, “I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that cancer can have on families, on chil dren, and on all of our loved ones. It can bring you to your knees. It robs you of so many things, including life itself for some of the most unfortu nate patients. I never lose sight of that, and that’s why I feel so lucky.”

So he sent out a plea as everyone sits down for a holiday meal.

“If you are able, think about how blessed you are,” he said. “Rais ing millions (for pediatric cancer research) has been one of the great thrills of my life. Now I have expe rienced it (cancer). Think of a doctor walking in and saying your child has cancer. It is life changing.

“So if you can, give.”

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

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

CEO / Matt Walsh

Vice President / Lisa Walsh

Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite D207 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-755-5357

“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

On Thanksgiving Day, leg endary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale will be spinning stories in front of his favorite audi ence.

Dickie V talks turkey, lessons and love at Thanksgiving.

In July, Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2022 ESPYS.

Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Vitale returned to his ESPN broadcasting job Nov. 15 as he called Michigan State’s victory over Kentucky at the Champions Challenge.

What: Raising money for the V Foundation, pediatric cancer research and treatment

The 18th annual Dick Vitale Gala

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota When: May 5, 2023

Photos by Jay Heater

Wave of music comes to Jiggs Landing

So my days of big concerts are pretty much done.

Far in the rearview mirror were a string of Bruce Springsteen concerts as the Boss was No. 1 in my book.

Throw in KISS at Madison Square Garden (my buddy and I were 18 at the time and therefore by far the oldest people in the arena), Lynyrd Skynyrd (a few days before the band’s plane went down), Barry Manilow (when he was still singing his jingles such as “Like a Good Neighbor,” of “Stuck on BandAid”), Blood, Sweat and Tears, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Chuck Berry, Gretchen Wilson, Heart, Journey, George Thorogood.

I left a good part of my hearing at a Rush concert.

I had Elvis tickets for his concert at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. He died the Tuesday before.

Live music was my passion, or I should say live entertainment. I loved seeing people show off their talent, and that might mean a stroll on Fisherman’s Wharf for the street entertainers or a few drinks at the Slippery Noodle, Indianapolis’ oldest blues rock club.

And, as a crusty old man might say, boy has the world changed.

After finding out it would cost me $263 for a behind-the-stage Bruce Springsteen ticket at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Feb. 1, I gave late rites to my big concert hopes. I will sit down and fire up my turntable instead.

My attention now turns to small venues. That might mean bars and restaurants, or community events.

It’s tough, though, because fewer food and drink establishments can afford live entertainment. The opportunities are out there, though, if you look.

One such opportunity is right here in East County. On a Sunday drive, I stopped by Jiggs Landing, which is located at 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton, to take a look at the

scenery. I was surprised to see that a duo called the Bluegrass Pirates were set up on the small stage alongside the lake. Better yet, they were good. Real good.

So if you haven’t been to Jiggs Landing for a while, you might like to know they have live music 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The Friday and Saturday music carries a $5 cover charge if you want to sit in front of the stage or immediately around it. The other days are free.

Denise Kleiner owns the concession service at Jiggs Landing and she was hoping the live music would bring more people to the area, and perhaps stimulate growth in other aspects of the park, including the rental of fishing tackle, boats and cabins.

It certainly should generate some

added business in terms of adult beverages. I had a few myself.

Kleiner has proceeded cautiously when it came to bringing live music to the Manatee County park.

“We do not play any heavy rock,” she said. “And we do have a digital decibel meter.”

She’s only received one noise complaint in 2022, and that was a polite one.

“I’ve started slow (with the music) to figure out my market,” she said.

She ran into one problem recently she didn’t anticipate.

A man had brought a child to the park to use the playground on a Saturday. The Friday and Saturday shows have a $5 cover charge because those bands have more musicians and are more expensive to book.

When the man came to the concession stand to buy a beer, he was asked to pay the cover charge. He became angry, saying he wasn’t there to listen to the music. He then submitted a complaint with the county.

Kleiner said county representatives decided it was an isolated incident and didn’t take any action. However, Kleiner now designates an “entertainment area,” where you are asked to pay the cover charge to sit in that area to enjoy the music. The playground and pavilion areas are outside that area and therefore not affected by the cover charge.

Generally, Kleiner said those who have been attending the live shows understand that for her to get musicians, she has to find a way to pay them.

“The bands are pretty expensive,

but it’s interesting because we’ve pretty much hit it out of the park,” she said. “Most people have no problem with a $5 cover charge.”

The venue has averaged 40 to 50 people during live entertainment. No music is played after dark.

It was a charming venue for the Bluegrass Pirates, with Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze providing the entertainment. It was very folksy, but lively as well.

I looked through a list of songs on their play list, and found an interesting mix such as “Secret Agent Man,” “Stairway to Heaven,” and “Sweet Home Alabama” along with more bluegrass oriented songs such as “Say Nothing at All” and “Wabash Cannonball.”

“People already are asking us to have them back,” Kleiner said. “They’ve already developed their own following.”

Other performers are doing the same, so it appears the series will continue.

With people fishing from the banks of the Braden River, all the birds performing their daily flyover, the sun dropping low in the sky, and Happy Hour prices, it was perfect.

If you want to know more about the music lineup or the rentals, go to the Jiggs Landing Facebook page at Facebook.com/jiggslandingoutpost. They are considering to start an open mic night on Mondays beginning in December.

“If you are looking for something to do (and you live in East County), this isn’t too far,” Kleiner said.

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

FOR KIDS FROM 1 TO 92 (AND UP!)

There’s no better feeling than home, especially around the holidays. But we’re not talking about a house. Home is a feeling. And at Lakewood Ranch, we celebrate that feeling. Our annual traditions are simply a part of life for us and for the families who cherish them. If you have guests or are a visitor yourself this holiday season, we invite you to join in some of our favorite traditions and see why so many people choose to call Lakewood Ranch, home.

Stop By Our Holiday Pop-Up Info Center at the Farmers’ Market on November 20TH

Jay Heater

Hal Meyers and Cindie Breeze of the Bluegrass Pirates entertain the crowd at Jiggs Landing.

Wind Ensemble begins its season

IF

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Joe Miller, founder and conductor of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensem ble, was asked to pick his favorite Thanksgiving song.

The question was apropos since the band is performing a Thanks giving Concert at 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lake wood Ranch.

“I’ve never been asked that ques tion,” Miller said. “I am trying to think back to my high school days, but I really can’t think of anything. I would be hard pressed to think of any music piece that would imply Thanksgiving.

“I am sure I have done November concerts before, but I only think we are calling this a Thanksgiving con cert is because it is in November.”

Certainly, Thanksgiving doesn’t have those familiar holiday stan dards as do Christmas and Indepen dence Day.

Even so, Miller said the concert would be an excellent chance to fam ilies to do something special together in the holiday season.

Admission is $10, and tickets can be purchased at the door.

Miller said he uses a similar pattern for Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble concerts. He begins with a “circus march,” which is a piece meant to stir up the audience and get them excited from the very beginning. Miller also laughed and issued a reminder.

“We are in circus country,” he said. That piece is “Ponderoso March.”

He then schedules a “transcrip tion” or a piece rewritten for an orchestra in order to fit instru mentation of the band. The band will perform the “Il Guarany Over ture.” Composed by Antônio Carlos

Gomes, “Il Guarany” was the first Brazilian opera to be popular around the world.

“There was a band way back, The Cities Service Band of America, with Paul Lavalle that would play all over the country and they would play Il Guarany (in the 1950s),” Miller said.

“I was 10 years old in 1952. We had a square refrigerator and we had an AM radio on top of it. At 9:30 on Monday nights, I would stand on a chair and listen to a half-hour con cert. This one of the numbers that I memorized. I was playing cornet (at the time).”

The concert continues with selec tions such as “Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon,” the “Bonelli Sym phonic Concert March,” “Variations on a Theme” by Robert Schumann, a “Festival Prelude,” “The Fairest of the Fair,” and “The Sound of Music “(arrangement by R. Russell Ben nett).

Miller said “Il Guarany” and “Variations on a Theme” by Rob ert Schumann are both challenging pieces that his musicians will love playing.

The concert represents the Lake wood Ranch Wind Ensemble’s first concert of its 2022-23 season.

The venue can seat up to 300 peo ple.

“I hope people just take a chance and listen to a good band,” Miller said. “You won’t be disappointed.”

Peace Presbyterian hosts the Thanksgiving Concert on Nov. 27.

Jay Heater

Joe Miller, founder and conductor of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, leads the group into the Thanksgiving Concert on Nov. 27 at Peace Presbyterian Church.

Fast Break

Former Braden River High girls basketball star O’Mariah Gordon has continued her fine play at Florida State. Gordon, a 5-foot-4 sophomore, had 12 points, four assists and two steals in 20 minutes in the Seminoles’ 92-77 home win over Florida on Nov. 16. Her highlight was an acrobatic, backward layup she made while getting fouled. Gordon averaged 7.4 points and 3 assists as a freshman. Florida State is 4-0 this season.

Gayle Thompson sank a hole-in-one Nov. 12 on the No. 13 of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Thompson used a 5-hybrid on the 125-yard hole.

… Braden River High freshman girls golfer Taryn Nguyen finished tied for 39th (7990—169) out of 97 golfers at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A state tournament, held Nov. 15-16 at Mission Inn Resort in Howeyin-the-Hills. Nguyen’s finish was the eighth best in terms of freshmen golfers.

… The Lakewood Ranch High (3-1) and Braden River High (21) boys soccer teams will play each other at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Lakewood Ranch. The rivalry always is entertaining, though it has been one-sided of late. The Mustangs have not lost to the Pirates since 2015. Is this the year the streak ends?

… Think you have elite stamina? Test yourself by participating in the Last Paddler Standing event at Nathan Benderson Park on Dec. 3. This stand-up paddling event will see participants paddle a 3.33-mile loop. The loop must be completed in less than an hour — because at the top of the next hour, another loop starts. The event will continue until there is only one paddler left standing, however long it takes. Registration is $125. For more information or to register, visit LastPaddlerStanding.com.

Rough lessons for Mustangs

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

When does a 59-35 loss repre sent a positive direction?

According to Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball head coach Chris Kawcak, it does when it comes against a state semifinalist from a year ago, and when it marks a vast improvement over the previous game.

That it doesn’t count in the official standings also helps soften the blow.

The Mustangs went through some rough moments Nov. 17, in that loss to Wharton High in a home preseason game. Wharton went 28-3 last year and reached the Final Four. Kawcak wasn’t thrilled with the final result, but he was pleased with the progress his team had made. Two days earlier, the Mustangs lost 80-53 at home to Sumner High, a district opponent that went 17-9 a season ago.

“We had 30 turnovers in that first game,” Kawcak said. “I don’t know exactly how many we had tonight, but I know it was less than 30. We’re a young team and it’s going to take some time.”

Not only are the Mustangs inex perienced, with nine of their play ers being sophomores or freshmen, but they come from a mix of places. Only sophomore Deven Womack, a 6-foot-2 guard, senior Isaac Ash ley, a 6-foot-4 forward, and senior Trey Holweger, a 6-foot wing, return from last year’s varsity roster. Every one else either was promoted from the junior varsity roster or came into the program via transfer.

Coming off a 14-11 season that ended in the team’s district tourna ment, the Mustangs are hoping for more in 2022-23, but the team’s best efforts will likely come in the second half of the season as the team comes together.

Kawcak said he expects Womack to be one of the team’s leading scor ers thanks to his athletic ability. As far as everyone else, Kawcak said his offense promotes spreading the ball around to whoever is open. Kawcak said he is also excited about sopho more Dudache Belony, a 6-foot-2 guard, who did not play against Wharton due to injury.

Obviously, the Mustangs need to improve offensively, but Kawcak is

putting the emphasis on defense.

“We need to have a defensive intensity,” Kawcak said. “The rest will come. We’re going to be good. These games were a good challenge. We’re just still learning.”

The Mustangs’ first regular-sea son game is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 against Parrish Community, while their first home game is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 against North Port.

Here’s a look at all the other bas ketball programs in the East County area.

■ The Lakewood Ranch girls pro gram is coming off an 11-12 season under Coach Frank Bell, one where the Mustangs reached the district semifinals before losing 69-49 to Durant High. The Mustangs lost their top three scorers from this past season — Hannah Pruszinske, Rachel Meadows and Kaylee Kehler — to graduation. So Lakewood Ranch will need more scoring from senior Sara Leonardis (5.8 points per game last year) and junior Elainna Villegas (4.8 points per game). The Mustangs are 1-1.

■ With a new head coach in Dwight Gilmer, formerly the coach at Bay shore High, the Braden River High boys team hopes to improve on its 7-18 season from this past year. Two reasons the Pirates might improve

IF YOU GO

What: Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball vs. North Port High When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 Where: Lakewood Ranch High Why: It is the Mustangs’ home-opener

Last season: Lakewood Ranch went 14-11; North Port went 12-13

are junior guards Marcus Schade and Isaac Heaven. The 6-foot-2 Schade led the team with 12.1 points per game and was second with 4.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore. The 6-foot-3 Heaven was second with 9.1 points per game and led the Pirates with 5.5 rebounds per game.

■ The Braden River girls team also has a new coach in Scott Woolam, who was previously an assistant coach at Fort Myers High. Last sea son, the Pirates couldn’t reach the heights they did with star guard O’Mariah Gordon, now a sopho more at Florida State, but they still went 14-11 and reached the Class 6A regional semifinals, where they lost 60-37 to eventual Final Four team Bloomingdale High. The Pirates lost most of their offensive pro duction from a season ago. Back is senior guard Monique Schwalbach, who averaged 6.7 points per game.

Schwalbach scored 18 points in the team’s first game of 2022-2023, but Braden River lost 40-31 to St. Peters burg High at home Nov. 14.

■ The Out-of-Door Academy boys team went 7-16 a year ago and lost leading scorers Kevin O’Donoghue (16.1 points per game), who trans ferred to Cardinal Mooney High, and Henry Ye (15.9 points per game), who transferred to Lemon Bay High. No one returning scored more than Zach Fox’s 1.9 points per game.

■ The ODA girls team went 9-6 this past season but lost 61-32 to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal in the first round of its district tournament. ODA will be paced by senior Kennedy Garrett, the daughter of Head Coach Tim Garrett, who averaged 9.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

“I feel free when I play, with no worries. Being on the soccer field feels like home to me.”

— Lakewood Ranch High’s

Julia Magno

Courtesy photo

O’Mariah Gordon.

Mustangs prepare for the season-opener with crushing preseason losses.

Mustangs senior Trey Holweger is one of just three returnees from last season’s varsity roster.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Mustangs head coach Chris Kawcak talks to him team at halftime against Wharton. Kawcak said he wanted his inexperienced team to focus on defensive intensity in the preseason and early regular season.

“We need to have a defensive intensity. The rest will come. We’re going to be good. These games were a good challenge. We’re just still learning.”

— Chris Kawcak

These grades could be worth millions

alking in,

Security cameras line the outer walls of Certified Collectibles Group’s Lakewood Ranch location, one of six buildings the company uses in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. It is the building that houses Certified Sports Guaranty, the arm of the parent company that authenticates and grades sports cards on a 0-10 scale. Other arms grade things like video games, Pokemon cards, coins and comics.

The grades CSG releases are not insignificant as they can be the difference between a card selling for five figures or selling for $2 million. That is not a made-up example. In October, the company graded a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle card as an 8/10. The card is valued at $2 million. At the same time, the company graded an identical Mantle card as a 4.5, putting its value much lower.

Considering the amount of money these rare and well-preserved cards can be worth, it is no wonder that security is tight. Before sitting down with Andy Broome, CSG’s vice president, I had my ID scrutinized and my camera bag checked. The bag was checked again on the way out, as were the bags of every employee leaving the building. No one is given a free pass when assets worth this much money are being handled.

The locked-down vibe of the place carries over to its work, where all cards submitted to be graded are opened under security cameras and authenticated — that is, CSG makes sure the cards were produced by the companies claimed on the card, at the time they were said to be produced, and that the cards have not been altered in any way.

Only then does the real grading work begin, and that process is locked up even tighter. I was not allowed into the grading room, even

for a tiny peek at the equipment.

Broome is delighted to be a participant in the industry he has loved since he was a kid. He said he received his first pack of cards in 1983, a Topps pack purchased from an Exxon gas station. He’s loved sports cards ever since.

What got him interested in this side of collecting, though, is an experience he had when he was 12. Broome had bought some 1938 Goudey-brand baseball cards — Broome has always loved pre-WWII cards — that turned out to be counterfeit.

“The thing that intrigued me was, ‘Why would someone do this?’” Broome said. “That question sent me down a path of wanting to find out how cards are made, why they get counterfeited and how they are authenticated.”

Broome was a card grader and writer with Beckett Media, which owns several sports card-centric publications, for 17 years before joining CSG in 2020. After all this time, Broome still gets excited about the business.

CSG has a team of card graders, but Broome still does some of them himself, especially when cards fall into his pre-WWII wheelhouse. He said graders look at four distinct parts of a card when grading — the centering, the corners, the edges and the surface. The more like-new, or “mint,” a card is in those area, the higher its grade. After grading, CSG encapsulates the card, along with its grade, in a crystal-clear case for added protection and preservation.

Curious about learning the finer details of the job? Join the club.

Broome said the most common question he gets asked is how to become a card grader. His answer is there’s no singular best path.

There’s no public school where people can go to learn the trade.

Instead, CSG offers a two-week training program for its employees

when they’re hired, with continuing education programs after that.

But here’s the catch. CSG is only looking for employees who bring extensive card knowledge to the table.

If someone has had dozens of their own cards graded and has been following card world news for decades, that person has a shot to be hired. Otherwise, sorry, but it’s not going to work out.

As for CSG’s clientele, Broome said it can vary. Some of the cards they receive are from people looking to boost the value of the cards so they can flip them for cash. Others just love their cards and want them secured in a nice way, like putting a painting in a frame.

“Anyone can have a card graded,” Broome said. “It doesn’t matter if you have $20 and want to get one card graded or you are worth millions of dollars and want to grade a whole collection. It doesn’t matter if you’re someone with a regular

job who goes to (card) shows on the weekends or if buying and selling cards is your full-time job. We have a place for everybody.”

Broome still keeps up a personal collection. His favorite card is a 1910 Nadja Caramel Honus Wagner card — essentially the same Honus Wagner card that has become famous even among noncollectors, but with a blue background.

Broome’s card is actually more rare than the famous Wagner card, which, ironically, works against its value, as it is less known and therefore less sought after, but Broome loves it all the same.

Behind all the security cameras at CSG lies a real passion for what the company does. Broome and his team love sports cards more than some people love their favorite

sports teams. He called himself “fortunate” to still be able to handgrade them himself, to look at them under a microscope and see their perfect edges or reflective surfaces or sharp corners.

Me? I had fun, but I’m mostly wishing I hadn’t thrown out my personal collection of cards when I left home for college. Who knows, there could have been a $2 million Mantle card in there.

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

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Andy Broome holds a 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout card that received a 10 “gem mint” grade from CSG.

This 2018 Bowman Shohei Ohtani card received a 10 “gem mint” grade from CSG.

Julia Magno

Julia Magno is a senior on the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer team. Magno had two goals and two assists Nov. 17 in the Mustangs’ 8-0 road win over The Out-of-Door Academy.

When did you start playing soccer?

I have played soccer as long as I can remember, 3 or 4. I was born in Sao Paolo, Brazil, so I grew up around it and watched it all the time. (Magno moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2015.)

What is the appeal to you?

I feel free when I play, with no wor ries. Being on the soccer field feels like home to me.

What is your best skill?

Timing. I am good at knowing when I should take a touch or a shot or a pass. I have enough skills to know that I’m going to have a good touch most of the time, so it comes down to timing.

What have you been working to improve?

I want to be more physical. In the past I have been scared to go for tackles or to try to win 50/50 balls, but I am overcoming that this sea son.

What is your favorite memory?

In 2021 I played for the West Florida Flames club team. We had our final tournament of the season in California and in our last game we were tied 2-2. I stole the ball from their defense late and scored a goal for the win. It was exciting in front of the crowd and all our parents.

What are your goals for the season?

We want to win our district tournament. We have lost

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.

in the finals three years in a row. We want to change that this year and get home-field advantage in the regional tournament.

What is your favorite food? Basically anything my grandmother (Vera Magno) makes. It’s all good.

What is the best advice you have received?

Play with your heart. When you’re on the field, you can tell some players don’t want to be there.

What is your favorite subject? I like English class. It can be over whelming, but I am proud that I can do it (after being born in Brazil).

Finish this sentence: “Julia Magno is …” … Brazilian. I always make sure I feel connected to where I’m from.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

A SANDIES’ SURPRISE

IT’S HER TIME

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Benderson Development Mar keting Director Julie Fanning figured the third time was the charm.

Until it wasn’t.

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance announced its Sandies’ winners in a special luncheon on Friday at The Ballroom at the Grove. The annual award program recogniz es members — chosen by their peers — who have used their talent, char acter and commitment to give back to the Alliance and the community.

Fanning was a Sandies finalist for third time, this one in the Above and Beyond category. But when the award was announced as the first one on the program, it went to Nyda Bit tmann Neville of TNB Consulting.

In eight of the 10 awards, all the finalists are announced. In the remaining two categories, the win

ner is a surprise. Ashlyn McCarty of Buffalo Lodging was the first surprise by taking down the Best Rancher award that is “awarded to the most dedicated and highly moti vated member who has invited or referred the highest number of new Alliance members.”

Then it came to the final award, also considered the biggest. Julie Fanning was selected as the Volunteer of the Year.

“I thought I had gotten off the hook,” Fanning told the packed room in The Ballroom about having to speak in front of a crowd after she

lost Above and Beyond.

The Lakewood Ranch Busi ness Alliance describes its Vol unteer of the Year as “a volun teer who has shown the most extraordinary dedication and commitment to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its

“When I decide to commit myself to something, I go ahead and dive right in,” Fanning said.

Fanning, the chair of the Alli ance’s communication committee, likes dedicating herself to the Alli ance because she said it supports both small and large business with

Erik Hanson, the Alliance’s incoming board chair, said Fan ning has taken the communications committee to a “brand new level” and also noted she just “has the best smile and personality.”

Among the other winners was Bri an Garnant, the program manage ment and event coordinator for the Florida Cancer Specialists Founda tion. He moved to the area last Octo ber from Peoria, Illinois and imme diately joined the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance to help him con nect with his new community.

As the winner of the Rising Star award, that connection worked.

“I didn’t know anyone here,” Gar nant, who works with Kristie Teal to plan the foundation’s major fund raisers. “Boy, this is a great organiza tion. It was fortunate that I plugged into them or I wouldn’t have been able to learn about this community. It got me connected.”

AND THE WINNERS ARE

n Above and Beyond — Nyda Bittmann Neville of TNB Consulting

n Bull by the Horns — Chris Williams of Aginto

n Networking Queen — Lori Abramson, LegalShield/IDShield

n Ray of Sunshine — Yulia Kuzenko, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

n Community Champion — Hugh Shields, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing

n Networking King — Bruce Abramson, KW Commercial

n Rising Star — Brian Garnant, Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation

n Young Professional of the Year — Danielle Vison, Empath Health

n Best Rancher — Ashlyn McCarty, Buffalo Lodging

n Volunteer of the Year — Julie Fanning, Benderson Development

“When I decide to commit myself to something, I go ahead and dive right in.

— Julie Fanning

Benderson Development’s Julie Fanning earns the Sandies’ Volunteer of the Year award.

Julie Fanning, of Benderson Development, captured the biggest award, Volunteer of the Year, at The Sandies.

Ten Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance members received Sandies awards at the annual event.

Photos by Jay Heater

There has been good news coming from patients of Florida Lakes Vein Center, a top medical practice in Sebring, Venice and Lakewood Ranch. Physicians have been treating patients suffering from venous conditions that include varicose veins, spider veins and venous ulcers.

At Florida Lakes Vein Center, educating patients on the signs and symptoms of vein disease and its

STREAM Night keeps students current

Olivia McGettigan, a third grader at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, followed the directions of music teacher Karl Sidman and gently hit the jars in front of her with a mallet.

The jars were filled with different amounts of water, and each made its own sound when struck by the mallet. Sidman pointed out the order to McGettigan, who went from one to the next. As the sounds blended together, McGettigan realized she was playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

“I liked how it was basically a xylophone,” McGettigan said.

The water xylophone was one of six stations at Willis Elementary School’s first Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Music Night on Nov. 15.

Kelly Richards, the school’s STEM teacher, said STREAM Night was an opportunity for the school to show the importance of collaboration between the sciences and arts.

First-grader Giuliano Cappelluti had fun building a boat out of Legos to see if it could float.

“My last one kind of floated, but it kind of sank,” Cappelluti said.

— LIZ RAMOS

cures is a priority. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a highly underdiagnosed and undertreated disease. More than 40 million people in the US suffer from CVI and less than 1% seek treatment each year.

Most people live with CVI for up to 35 years before seeking treatment, and are unaware the disease progresses at 4% a year until resulting in venous ulcers. Florida Lakes Vein Center offers the latest technology to treat CVI.

• Covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid • Minimally invasive • No downtime, no hospital stays

Less than one-hour procedures 9114 Town Center Pkwy Suite

By Marketing Staff at Florida Lakes Vein Center

Photos by Liz Ramos

P.E. teacher Jason Morales watches as third grader Andrew Lazaris throws a ball as fast as he can.

Olivia McGettigan, a third-grader, plays “Mary Had a Little Lamb” using the water xylophone with the help of Music Teacher Karl Sidman.

Santa’s helpers

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Lakewood Ranch has its own North Pole.

Walking into the home of River Club’s Beth Grogan, gifts are piled upon tables, couches, chairs, and the floor.

Grogan’s elves, or in this case vol unteers, are busy wrapping and orga nizing gifts to ensure they are deliv ered to nine Manatee County schools on time to distribute to students in need as part of Grogan’s nonprofit, Magic of Mittens.

Magic of Mittens has people vol unteer to sponsor children and fam ilies in need, and give them Christ mas gifts.

“There’s a lot of problems in the world that many people think are too big to make a difference,” Grogan said. “But many people could buy a teddy bear or a football and make a difference in the life of a child.”

Magic of Mittens started 17 years ago when Grogan’s daughter Madi came home from pre-K at Rowlett Academy in tears after winter break.

Madi Grogan questioned how San ta could forget to deliver gifts to one of her classmates.

Grogan shared her sorrow.

“Your mama heart just aches because you ache for the parent rais ing that child,” she said. “You know how hard it must be for that parent to know they truly can’t afford to give their child the magic of Christmas. As a mom who absolutely loves and adores all children, just the thought of a child waking up Christmas morning and not having a single present broke my heart.”

She worked with the teacher to have Santa make a late delivery.

“I vowed then and there that

HOW IT WORKS

Starting in September, Beth Grogan, the founder of Magic of Mittens, works with her contacts at nine elementary schools who give her the referrals of families in need.

The families fill out forms that include ages, clothing sizes and items on their wish list.

Grogan takes that information to create a family sheet to give to people who are sponsoring the families.

She works to ensure every child is sponsored.

Sponsors then buy an item of necessity, such as clothing or shoes, as well as at least two items on the child’s wish list.

Sponsors bring the gifts to Grogan’s home where Magic of Mittens volunteers wrap the gifts and label each one with the child’s name.

Volunteers organize them in large bags to be delivered to the schools or individual families in early December.

that wasn’t going to happen on my watch,” Grogan said.

Since then, Magic of Mittens went from helping 20 to 25 children to more than 700 children across nine Manatee County schools this year.

Schools provide Grogan with referrals of families in need.

“These are families that are in extraordinary need,” Grogan said.

“Not that things are a little tight, because things are a little tight for a lot of people. These are families that have lost their homes, they’re not paying their electricity bills, they’re sleeping on somebody else’s couch.”

Grogan remembered going to Myakka City Elementary School one year to get referrals. A teacher pointed out a student who was par ticularly tired. Grogan found out her family didn’t have enough pillows for that student and her four broth ers and sisters.

That year, Magic of Mittens pur chased 22 Pillow Pets, which are pil lows that fold to form the body of animals such as bears and unicorns, so every student in that student’s class could have a pillow.

Grogan said between 5,000 and 6,000 gifts will go through her house

River Club’s Beth Grogan and her elves deliver thousands of gifts to children in need.

as part of Magic of Mittens. While many children might be wishing for toys, Grogan said she has students asking for bed sheets, pil lows and coats.

“They’re not asking for an Xbox and iPhones and tablets,” she said. “They’re asking for things we totally take for granted.”

Grogan works with more than 200 businesses, school clubs and organi zations, community members, and families to sponsor the children and their families.

“I get to see the goodness in people every day,” Grogan said. “I probably cry every day throughout the sea son because of how incredibly kind, generous and good people are. We cannot thank the generosity of the community enough.”

Katie Fradley, the assistant prin cipal at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, was Madi Grogan’s secondgrade teacher at Rowlett Academy. She wasn’t surprised to see Grogan and Magic of Mittens take on more schools.

“She is the most generous, lov ing, giving person you’ve ever met,” Fradley said. “As a homeroom mom, she was that person that would do anything for the kids in the class, and she was involved from the beginning at Rowlett. She really is like a living angel on Earth.”

Now, Fradley has brought Magic of Mittens to Willis Elementary. She

said families jumped at the opportu nity to help.

“The Willis community is the most compassionate and generous community I’ve ever been a part of,” Fradley said.

Close to 200 students at Myakka City Elementary School receive gifts through Magic of Mittens.

Maya Hart, an English as a second language teacher and migrant liai son at Myakka City Elementary, said families who receive gifts always are appreciative.

Hart and Magic of Mittens vol unteers go to Faulkner Farms to dis tribute gifts. She said many children ask for socks, blankets and sweaters because they don’t have the best liv ing conditions.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

There are various ways to get involved with Magic of Mittens including

■ Sponsor a family or child ■ Donate on MagicOfMittens. org ■ Corporate sponsorships

Call 704-9933 or email MagicOfMittens@gmail.com to get involved.

Lakewood Ranch’s Jill Campbell and Beth Grogan, Bradenton’s Megan Napolitano and Lakewood Ranch’s Jo Price are busy wrapping gifts and organizing them to be delivered to schools.

Courtesy photo

Harbour Walk home tops sales at $4.5 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Harbour Walk topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Michael and Tiffany Potillo, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 689 Regatta Way to Circumcision LLC for $4.5 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,346 square feet of living area.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Jarrod and Diane Stead, Medford, New Jersey, sold their home at 361 Blackbird Court to The Lane Joint Revocable Trust for $810,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,736 square feet of living area. It sold for $389,000 in 2014.

COUNTRY CLUB

Chester Sutterlin III, of Atlanta, sold his home at 7106 Whitemarsh Circle to Frances and Franklin Walker, of Lakewood Ranch, for $779,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,303 square feet of living area. It sold for $409,000 in 2015.

BRADEN WOODS

Roy and Susan Ford, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6706 93rd St. E. to Ian and Maria Chan, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,478 square feet of living area. It sold for $409,500 in 2005.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Marc and Annette Riffel, of Bangor, Maine, sold their home at 9715 Sweetwater Ave. to Whitney Perkins and Edgardo Alvarez, of Bradenton, for $679,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,033 square feet of living area. It sold for $215,000 in 2000.

DEL TIERRA

James and Amy Smith, of Bradenton, sold their home at 224 Lone Dove Lane to Pierre-Emmanuel and Jane Costa, of Bradenton, for $555,000. Built in 2015, it four three bedrooms, two baths and 1,767 square feet of living area. It sold for $234,000 in 2015.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

David and Jamie Martin sold their home at 9119 Winter Harbour Way to Ali Ghasemi and Peymaneh Mahasti, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,649 square feet of living area. It sold for $236,000 in 2009.

MAGNOLIA MEADOWS

Geneva Mackey, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6505 11th Drive E. to Jerid and Alexis Ballard, of Bradenton, for $545,000. Built in 1978, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,933 square feet of living area.

CREEKWOOD

Jamie and Mary Jo Stinnett, of Savannah, Georgia, sold their home at 7103 52nd Drive E. to Heidi and Aaron Bartoo, of Bradenton, for $529,500. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,545 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 2015.

RIDGE AT CROSSING CREEK

Don Manly and Betty Ann Manly, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7429 Ridgelake Circle to Richard Michael Turel and Anita Turel, of Bradenton, for $505,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,774 square feet of living area. It sold for $322,000 in 2018.

BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE

Arthur and Patricia Matzel, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 102 condominium at 13726 Messina Loop to Marlin and Michelle Newell, of Bradenton, for $485,000.

area.

Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $253,900 in 2019.

SILVERLAKE

Colleen Olma, of Newburgh Heights, Ohio, sold her home at 5011 60th Drive E. to Nicholas Grano and Savannah Nicole Grano, of Bradenton, for $480,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $281,300 in 2007.

AT LAKEWOOD

TERRACE

NATIONAL

Vardon Terrace LLC sold the Unit 228 condominium at 16804 Vardon Terrace to Edward Rhodes and Dorothy Bondurant, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for $455,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,286 square feet of living area. It sold for $204,000 in 2017.

MAGNOLIA MANOR RIVER

Kimberly and Vincent Raburn, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5515 18th Ave. E. to Ismael Garcia and Bexis Del Sol Hernandez, of Bradenton, for $450,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,562 square feet of living area. It sold for $285,000 in 2020.

HARMONY

Kristopher Koty Jackson, of Lewisville, Texas, sold his home at 5224 Blossom Cove to Shawna Dearmon, of Dallas, and Alexandra Groblewski, of Port Charlotte, for $425,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, three baths and 1,728 square feet of living area. It sold for $289,900 in 2018.

TWELVE OAKS OF TARA

William and Joseph Riley and Virginia Marie Riley, of New Carlisle, Ohio, sold their Unit 404 condominium at 6351 Stone River Road to David and Donna Loglisci, of Bradenton, for $395,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,647 square feet of living area. It sold for $369,900 in July.

SUMMERFIELD HOLLOW

Debra Wheeler, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the Unit 103 condominium at 6417 Rosefinch Court to James Marshall and Angelica Chludzinski, of Lakewood Ranch, for $360,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $190,000 in 2018.

TERRACE AT RIVER STRAND Jamie and Lorna Coady, of St. John’s, Canada, sold their Unit 1623 condominium at 7121 River Hammock Drive to Barry and Sharon

In with the new

Mingo, of Ham Lake, Minnesota, for $340,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,156 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,000 in 2013.

This Greyhawk Landing home at 361 Blackbird Court sold for $810,000. It has four bedrooms,

YOUR CALENDAR

BEST BET

THURSDAY, NOV. 24

TURKEY TROT Begins at 7:15 a.m. with a Kids Dash, followed by the 5K run at 8 a.m. Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy hosts the fifth annual Turkey Trot. The race, which is sponsored by Publix, is expected to draw approximately 4,000 runners, joggers and walkers.

All finishers receive a medal and race shirt. The “floating final mile” takes participants over the floating concrete wave attenuator. The race benefits the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

HOLIDAY ICE SKATING

Runs from 4-10 p.m. in the East District at UTC, next to PopStroke. Tickets for opening day of holiday ice skating at the Rink at UTC are $17 per skater and includes skate rental. Ice skating continues through Jan. 2. From Nov. 25-Dec. 22, the rink will be open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. From Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, the rink will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, go to MallatUTC.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 25 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 26

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

Begins at 7 p.m. at the Mall at UTC, in the west district (The Green) near Ford’s Garage. The Mall at UTC presents its annual Holiday Movies Under the Stars series with “Elf” on Friday and “A Christmas Story” on Saturday. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, go to MallatUTC.com. The event continues every Friday and Saturday through the end of December.

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs from 6-9 p.m. each evening at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/musician Frankie Lombardi will provide the live music Friday as those who visit Waterside Place enjoy sunset views of Kingfisher Lake, fun at the

hub’s small parks, or dining at the various restaurants. On Saturday, singer Mylon Shamble will perform. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 26 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 27

MEDIEVAL FAIR

Runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 S.R. 70 E., Myakka City. The 18th annual Sarasota Medieval Fair completes its run at the Woods of Mallaranny in Myakka City. The event, which includes local artisans, craft demonstrations, live performances, food, a children’s play area, rides, games, and vendors, costs $22.95 for adults or $19.95 for those 60 and older as well as students, active military and veterans. Children 5-10 are $11.95 and children 4 and under are free. For more ticket information, go to SarasotaMedievalFair.com.

SUNDAY, NOV. 27

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 toMyLWR.com.

File photo

THURSDAY, NOV. 24

High: 82 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 24%

FRIDAY, NOV. 25

High: 80 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 48%

SATURDAY, NOV. 26 High: 76 Low: 62 Chance of rain: 24%

SUNDAY, NOV. 27 High: 72 Low: 56 Chance of rain: 5%

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Nov. 24 6:57a 5:35p

Friday, Nov. 25 6:58a 5:34p

Saturday, Nov. 26 6:59a 5:34p

Sunday, Nov. 27 6:59a 5:34p

Monday, Nov. 28 7:00a 5:34p

Tuesday, Nov. 29 7:01a 5:33p

Wednesday, Nov. 30 7:01a 5:33p

Nov.

Monday, Nov. 14 0

Tuesday, Nov. 15 0

Wednesday, Nov. 16 0

Thursday, Nov. 17 0 Friday, Nov. 18 0 Saturday, Nov. 19 0 Sunday, Nov. 20 0.98

MEN IN BLACK by Morton J. Mendelson. Edited by Ross Trudeau By Luis Campos