East County Observer 12.15.22

Back in the saddle

YOUR TOWN

Among the hurricane repairs will be $1.5 million to fix the wave attenuator.

SEE PAGE 3

Penny (and other change) for your thoughts?

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School students had a large bag full of the coins they had collected in the media center Dec. 1.

Students, like fifth grader Julian LaBranche, presented the $467 the club raised for the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry program to the program’s executive director, Scott Biehler, and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown.

“Keep doing the right thing for the right reason when nobody’s looking,” Brown said to the students.

Students were able to ask Brown questions about how and why he became mayor and more.

LaBranche and fifth grader Pierce Williams then took Brown and Biehler on a tour of the school.

Familiar spin on the holidays

Students from the International Ballet of Florida performed scenes from The Nutcracker at the Saks Fifth Avenue court Dec. 10.

The performance was part of the Sounds of the Seasons at UTC.

University Park’s Rebecca Kimsey, an instructor and performer with the ballet school, said the dancers had been working on their performance since September.

“I love coming back to UTC to perform,” Kimsey said.

Darya Fedotova, founder of the International Ballet of Florida, said the school enjoys performing at the mall every year.

“We love the location, and it’s a local place,” she said.

Ian Swaby

Lakewood

Ranch’s

Although he grew up in a Chicago suburb, Myakka’s Peter Vole learned to love agriculture after moving to Manatee County in the early 1990s.

Park dealt a $3 million blow

SEE PAGE 8 Cattle

A jolly finale benefits children with severe illness or disabilities. SEE

PAGE 11

Straight path toward roundabout

Manatee County begins design phase for a roundabout at Lorraine Road and Players Drive in Lakewood Ranch.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Plans to build a roundabout at the intersection of Lorraine Road and Players Drive in Lakewood Ranch are moving forward.

Following a unanimous decision Dec. 6 by Manatee County commissioners to fund design costs, the concept will be developed in detail. Originally, a traffic signal was planned at that intersection with a budget of $1.73 million.

“A roundabout is the way to go,” Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said. “We are going to schedule public meetings to discuss the roundabout at both Country Club East and Country Club West because it is going to affect those people.”

She said the county will discuss things such as how it might affect entrance into their communities and how it might affect golf cart usage.

Baugh expects the roundabout design to come back to the commission sometime around mid-2023.

“When it comes back in front of the board, we will have a much better idea what the final cost will be,” she said.

Public Works Director Chad Butzow said having the traffic circle design will allow for a closer examination on whether the roundabout is better for that intersection than a traffic signal.

The design was approved through a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2023, drawing $381,000 from reserves in the Southeast Road Impact Fee Capital Projects Fund.

Baugh said as Lorraine Road has a straight configuration from Fruitville Road to State Road 64, there are few obstacles to slow traffic, which create speeding issues.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Cost of roundabout design phase: $381,000

Source of funding for roundabout design: Southeast Road Impact Fee Capital Projects Fund

Estimated total cost of a traffic light: $1.73 million

Estimated construction start: October 2023

District 2 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said he was concerned that approving the design would result in the commission moving too far “down the rabbit hole” in one direction before making a final decision between a roundabout or a signal light.

However, after an explanation of the project Butzow, the item was passed unanimously.

While he said it was “an extremely preliminary” look at a roundabout in that spot, Butzow said his staff already had determined a roundabout at the site was feasible. He said the design would detail a roundabout’s impact further.

Butzow said one factor that influenced the idea of a roundabout was increased complaints of speeding.

Ian Swaby District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said having few curves in Lorraine Road has led to issues with safety, noise and speeding.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

While Nathan Benderson Park is expected to finish repair work by the next racing season, a Sarasota County official said it will cost as much as $1.5 million to fix the wave attenuator at the park.

The damage was caused by Hurricane Ian Sept. 28-29.

The wave attenuator is a floating metal bridge where part of the attenuator is above water and part of it is underwater. It is meant to reduce waves that would cause havoc during rowing or paddling races.

The wave attenuator goes from the south end of the lake and runs northward just over a mile.

Nicole Rissler, director of Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources for Sarasota County, said IMG Construction, which built the attenuator, will handle the repairs.

She said the damage to the attenuator involves its connecting sections.

“It’s like really large Legos,” she said.

She said some connections were mangled and would have to be repaired, while in other cases, the entire piece was destroyed and would have to be replaced. She said in some cases, the bumpers and slopes that stop the waves were damaged.

The repairs will require new components to be manufactured and transported to the site.

While most components of the attenuator are above water, Rissler said some work will need to be performed underwater. She said once the contractor has assessed the situation, more details will be available on how the repairs will be completed.

Rissler said all the repair work to the park and the race course should be completed by April 1, when racing picks up.

The other expensive part of the project will be the stabilization of the southern end of the lake along with the starting area for races.

Sarasota County, which owns the park, already had budgeted $517,803 for shore stabilization efforts due to damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017. That project began on Aug. 15.

Hurricane Ian then further damaged the south end of the lake, with the price tag for repairs now set at $1.6 million.

The original project used limestone rocks and sheet piling along the shoreline to help resolve the erosion, which Rissler said were likely

the same materials that would be provided in the new work that needs to be done.

The section of shoreline between the southern boat ramp and the start line will still have to go out to a new bid to be managed in a longer-term fashion as it was not part of the original contract, she said.

While the current situation isn’t able to host racing events, recreational users of the park have been able to use the trails in the area along with being able to launch boats from the island.

Rissler said the county has been moving as quickly as possible.

“We’re actually very happy with where we stand today as far as repairs being completed, as well as those major contracts being put in place for the bigger repairs,” she said.

Additionally, she said other actions have been taken to improve the park. Landscaping damaged by Hurricane Ian has been repaired, with trees

either being removed or returned to their upright positions.

OTHER REPAIRS

For competitions to take place, other repairs as well will be needed to the race course.

Those repairs will be managed by Timothy Royalty at a price of $78,000.

One damaged component is the floating launch platform for boats, which Rissler said has been removed from the water and will need to be replaced.

On the course, buoys that serve as competition lanes have been damaged. Those include a network of cables anchoring them to the bottom of the lake.

Rissler said the mechanism for timing rowers has been damaged. It connects to the start line, with wiring and fiber running through the wave attenuator. Therefore, those components will have to be com -

plete before the use of the course is restored.

Rissler said that while the kind of erosion suffered from Hurricane Ian was the same type caused by Hurricane Irma, it was much worse this time.

As with Irma, she said, the length of the 3.6-mile lake allowed waves to gain significant force as they travelled toward the shore.

Rissler said the county has created an emergency amendment to its existing agreement with Earth Tech Enterprises Inc.

“If we were originally going to bring 10 truckloads of rock in, now we’re bringing 20 truckloads in, so it’s just exponential what they will need to do,” she said.

The original project had called for a temporary sidewalk along World Championship Drive, which would fix erosion beneath the current sidewalk. However, Rissler said there are currently no plans for a sidewalk.

Rissler said there is no timeline for the ramp. “Every

checked off the list,” she said. “My hope is that we will have a lot of our com-

to go on April 1.”

Photos by Ian Swaby

Gettle Automotive presents veteran with a Toyota Corolla

On his way to a ceremony in his honor Dec. 9 at East County’s Gettle Automotive, Venice’s Kirk Wildasin still wasn’t convinced he was going to be presented with a 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE.

“I still didn’t know it was real,” said Wildasin, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1992-2001, part of that time on assignment with the presidential helicopter squadron charged with protecting Marine One and the president.

Wildasin, who retired as a staff sergeant, had received a call at home from Todd Hughes, the manager for Goodwill Manasota’s American Veterans and Their Families program, to tell him he had been selected to receive a car from Gettle Automotive for his service to the community and his country.

Hughes had nominated Wildasin to receive the car after his own truck was totaled while he was helping south Sarasota County residents who were struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

Two days after the hurricane hit, he was using his own truck to move trees and debris to help residents, before he was crossing an intersection when a woman plowed into him.

“I was dazed and the lady was shaken up,” Wildasin said. “She was so upset, I went and hugged her.”

Even so, his favorite truck was ruined.

Gettle Automotive took care of that with the presentation.

“It was huge for our family,” Wildasin said. “It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Wildasin, who works for Taylor Morrison Homes, and his wife, Suzanne, have one son, Kirk III.

“I’m glad my family wasn’t with me,” he said. “And that was one of my favorite trucks (1999 Chevy Tahoe), but it’s just a truck.”

Wildasin is a board member for SRQ Vets, a nonprofit that works to solve problems for veterans.

SRQ Vets and Goodwill Manasota recommended Wildasin to receive the vehicle.

Sarasota County faces administrative challenge over LWR expansion

Bern Creek residents Mike Hutchinson and Eileen Fitzgerald have filed an administrative challenge over Sarasota County’s approval in October of a comprehensive plan amendment to allow Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to build 5,000 homes in the northeastern part of the county.

The development, being built on 4,120 acres that generally is south of University Parkway and east of Lorraine Road, has been called Lakewood Ranch Southeast.

Hutchinson and Fitzgerald put out a press release after filing the challenge Nov. 28.

The challenge cited adverse effects on “important agriculture, wildlife, wetlands, and floodplain.” Also cited was an adverse effect on traffic.

Hutchinson and Fitzgerald said the development will be incompatible with existing rural homes, including Bern Creek Ranch.

The challenge states the development “is inconsistent with state law ... and with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.”

According to the release, the petitioners are represented by Richard Grosso, Esq. of Richard Grosso, P.A., Robert Hartsell, Esq. and Shai Ozery, Esq. with Robert N. Hartsell, P.A., with Charles Gauthier, FAICP, as a planning expert.

Courtesy photo

U.S. Marine veteran Kirk Wildasin is presented a car by Gettle Automotive CEO and owner Jim Gettle in Bradenton on Dec. 9.

Plans to widen Lorraine Road altered slightly

the current alignment.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

The upcoming widening of Lorraine Road has topped the county’s infrastructure priorities, but a recent need to acquire more homes to build stormwater retention ponds placed county commissioners on pause on Dec. 6.

Scott May, a Manatee County engineer, presented the project revisions to the commission and said a new development planned since the engineering work began, as well as another landowner losing interest in selling their property, resulted in the need to consider new land acquisitions. Two of those acquisitions would directly impact homeowners.

“This is a big one,” said District 2 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, who oversees the area, voiced concern about approving the changes, saying she needed more information before she could make a decision.

The project, set to widen Lorraine Road from State Road 64 to 59th Avenue East, joined the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan in July 2021 and will be accelerated through $232 million in bonds acquired in September.

Currently, construction is slated to begin in October 2023 and end in October 2025.

CHANGES TO THE ROAD ALIGNMENT

The scope of the new road alignment includes additional or alternative stormwater ponds, as well as the addition of turn lanes for two plant nurseries along the road, Mariposa Nursery and Retail Garden Center, and Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries.

May said two new land acquisi-

tions will directly affect homeowners and include properties just to the south of State Road 64 as well as on the west side of Lorraine Road. The address would be 2906 Lorraine Road, as well as a choice of either 2912 or 2920 Lorraine Road.

The retention ponds that would be built on those properties had originally been planned for a property slightly to the north, which directly borders State Road 64.

However, May said plans by a land developer for 1,000 to 1,200 multifamily homes, as well as commercial uses on that property, resulted in the need to seek out new pond locations.

May said the county’s decision on whether to purchase 2912 or 2020 Lorraine Road could depend on which homeowner wants to move away from the area being developed.

The developer would have charged the county $1 million per acre for the property, said May, which was too cost prohibitive. Additionally, he said, the developer’s planned retention pond was smaller than the one

the county required, which meant that a joint-use agreement, where the county and developer would share impact fee credits and hold individual easements, would not be possible.

May said another change in plans came about because the owners of a property at the northwest corner of Lorraine Road and Rangeland Parkway decided not to sell.

The county would instead like to buy a portion of a parcel on the northeast corner at 5505 Lorraine Road.

Some aspects of the original alignment remain unchanged. One is a parcel that borders a property owned by the School District of Manatee County directly across from Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. He said the school district is interested in pursuing a joint-use agreement with the county for a retention pond.

Also still included in the plans are full and partial land takes on vacant land near 4304 Lorraine Road, north

PROPOSED CHANGES TO LORRAINE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT

■ Three residential properties in the southwest corner of State Road 64 and Lorraine Road including 2906 Lorraine Road and either 2912 or 2910 Lorraine Road would replace an adjacent parcel directly north and bordering State Road 64, a property that now is planned to include an apartment complex and commercial area.

■ A partial parcel on the northeast corner of Rangeland Parkway and Lorraine Road, at 5505 Lorraine Road, would be considered as a replacement for 5418 Lorraine Road on the northwest corner. The seller of 5418 Lorraine Road is no longer interested.

■ Left turn lanes would be added for Mariposa Nursery and Ralph Taylor Nurseries, so that vehicles could enter the properties easier.

of Rangeland Parkway.

COMMISSIONER RESPONSES

After substantial discussion, the commission chose to postpone a decision and to discuss it more at a land use meeting Dec. 15.

Public Works Director Chad Butzow said before any properties entered eminent domain, the proposal would return once again to the commission. He said the county would approach property owners with friendly acquisitions offers, on a parcel-by-parcel basis.

May said Public Works hoped to gain approval for the new alignment to pursue these properties but said friendly discussions with homeowners would still be possible with

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh emphasized her prior commitment to seeing the project get started.

“I’ve got to tell you, I have (discussed) Lorraine Road for several years,” she said, noting that the more the county developed, the more concerned she became that the road needed to be widened.

At-large Commissioner George Kruse said while the conversation on the alignment was not a pleasant one, land acquisitions would only increase in expense and in number moving forward.

“At the end of the day, Lorraine is still a massive problem for East County,” he said. “It’s going to become more of a problem as more developers come on. There’s not going to be less homes there, there’s going to be more.”

One feature of the new proposal was the addition of turn lanes, which would create more ease of access to Mariposa Nursery and Retail Garden Center and Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries.

Previously, the proposal contained a road median beside the supply entrances for those businesses, which meant large vehicles could not cross the road to enter the property.

Francois Brun-Wibaux, owner of Mariposa Nursery, had previously said he would not be able to operate the business without a turn lane.

Mendy Bukiet, a rabbi Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, said the expansion project overall was a necessary move.

He called it an “awesome concept” that would move traffic appropriately. He said the hope of the organization was that it would allow drivers to turn into and out of the property more smoothly.

“I just hope they look at it from a broader perspective, not just what the county needs, but also what all the different organizations, churches, synagogues and other businesses need as well,” he said.

He said in the past, it was “a pleasure” to work with county on road improvements.

refreshing change for senior living

Revised plans call for new acquisitions of land to build stormwater retention ponds.

Ian Swaby

Mendy Bukiet, rabbi at Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch, called the expansion an “awesome concept.”

‘Her energy is contagious’

ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Colt Strausbaugh was having a tough second day of pre-K at Myakka City Elementary School during the last school year.

His mother, Kelly Strausbaugh, said her son wouldn’t stop crying and didn’t want to stay. She was a nervous wreck leaving him at school.

“It was a terrible experience that every parent dreads,” she said.

Strausbaugh calmed down after receiving a message from Principal Carol Ricks with a photo of Ricks with Colt.

“He was smiling and she said he was feeling a lot better and doing great,” Strausbaugh said. “It was the sweetest thing that she went out of her way to check on him. Knowing she treats the babies like they’re her babies, you feel like the school is empowered to care extra hard for their babies.”

When Ricks was announced as the School District of Manatee County’s 2022 Principal of the Year, Strausbaugh was elated.

“When I met her, you could tell her energy is contagious,” Strausbaugh said of Ricks. “I feel like she understands the community.”

When Ricks initially came to Myakka City in the 2009-10 school year, she felt at home.

It was at a time when her family had moved from southern Georgia and was trying to find their place in Florida.

“I discovered Myakka and the rural lifestyle and the way the family values were,” Ricks said.

Eventually the family found the property to build their home in Myakka City and moved to the area in 2013.

The principal position at Myakka City opened up in 2019. Ricks, how-

Who: Carol Ricks Residence: Myakka City Years in education: 22 Schools she’s worked at in Manatee County: Myakka City, Gilbert W. McNeal, Gene Witt and Tara elementary schools

When she was 10 she wanted to be: An employee at Claire’s, a retail store with jewelry and accessories

ever, was unsure about taking on the position. She was happy serving as the assistant principal at McNeal Elementary with her son attending next door at R. Dan Nolan Middle School.

“It was one of those, ‘if I don’t do it now, when will it ever come open?’” she said.

Since being named the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, the school has grown.

When she started as principal in 2019, the school had about 240 students enrolled. Now, after the School District of Manatee County completed redistricting for elementary schools, the school has about 340 students.

Betsy Bickel-Perry, the assistant principal at Myakka City Elementary, sees Ricks as a role model.

“She has a heart for the kids,” Bickel-Perry said. “She has a heart for teachers, for staff, for this community overall. It’s just that enormous heart that I think guides her in making her decisions.”

Laurie Dupuy, a member of the Myakka City United Methodist Church administrative council, said Ricks is proactive for the community.

“She is so good about encouraging her staff,” Dupuy said. “She is very, very good at communicating with parents and grandparents.”

Any time Dupuy has reached out to Ricks to suggest an idea or share how the church would like to support the school, she said Ricks always has been open to her ideas and is appre-

To make an appointment, call 941-254-6767 or schedule online at lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com/appt.

Principal Carol Ricks is honored for her dedication to students, teachers, staff and the Myakka City community.

Maya Hart, who teaches English as a second language and is a migrant liaison at Myakka City Elementary, said Ricks always is willing to listen and receive input from teachers and staff.

Hart said Ricks started appreciation days for teachers and staff such as Thankful Thursdays in November and 12 Days of Holiday Cheer.

“She dedicates all of her time to making everyone else feel good,” Hart said.

Last year, Ricks worked with the PTO in bringing back the Harvest Festival, which Strausbaugh and Ricks said had become more of a fall dance in the past few years due to the pandemic, instead of a communitywide event.

When they were planning the festival last year, Ricks said she was nervous that people weren’t going to show up, but to everyone’s surprise, the event was so popular, the parking lot was filled within 15 minutes of the event starting. The Harvest Festival returned to its roots of having music,

games and activities for families and the community.

Ricks also has found ways to bring new opportunities to her students and staff. In her second year at the school, she knew the community wanted to find a way to have the school stand out in Manatee County and the state. Ricks worked with the district to start the state’s first agriculture science program at the elementary level. A barn was built on campus so students could go to an agriculture science class to learn about animal sciences, agricultural leadership and careers, agricultural history and more.

This year, Ricks has been working with the district to have a school bus housed at the elementary school that would be driven by school staff who underwent training.

“That truly came out of frustration,” Ricks said.

She’s also training her Welsh terrier, Ruby, to be an emotional support dog for students and staff.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, it was Ricks who told principals across Manatee County that some of her students had lost everything and the community needed help to recover.

Schools throughout the county immediately began collecting food, water, clothing and other essential items to donate to the Myakka City Elementary. Truck after truck filled with donations were arriving at the Myakka City Community Center.

Ricks is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help connect the agency with people in the community who need assistance after the hurricane.

“They’re struggling having the community apply,” Ricks said of FEMA. “They don’t feel the number of people that would be eligible and the number of applicants out here match.”

Ricks wants Myakka City Elementary School to be a hub for the community to go to for various services.

She’s working with Manatee Technical College to someday provide education classes for adults to get their GED or to learn English, as well as provide technical classes to learn different trades. She hopes the district can have the school become a school-based health clinic to provide medical care to the community.

Courtesy photo

Principal Carol Ricks is training Ruby to become an emotional support dog for students, teachers and staff at Myakka City Elementary School.

BIRTH OF A RANCHER

JAY HEATER | MANAGING EDITOR

In 1993, Peter Vole III was not really a rancher despite his 19 acres of land.

That all changed with one phone call.

Vole, who in November was honored as the Manatee County Agriculturalist of the Year by the Bradenton Kiwanis, was living on Oxford Road in Parrish a little less than 20 years ago when he received a call from his neighbor, Savilla Oxford.

According to Vole, Savilla and her husband, Ox Oxford, were wellrespected ranchers in Parrish, and if either asked a favor, you answered the call.

In this case, Savilla Oxford wanted Vole to get across the road as quickly as possible to help his neighbor, Gerald Groover, “pull” a calf.

He ran across the road and found a cow struggling to give birth. Groover told him to grab the end of a smooth, special chain that was attached to the calf and was made to assist the birth.

“You need to pull,” Groover said emphatically. So he did.

“It was a little overwhelming,” Vole said. “But I wanted to do something to help.”

When the calf finally popped out, it wasn’t breathing. Groover directed Vole to grab the calf’s hind legs and to swing it around.

“It weighed about 70 pounds, and I was swinging it around in a circle,” Vole said. “You could see stuff coming out (of the calf’s mouth).”

Groover was acting as a cheerleader.

“Come on boy! Keep on going.”

Finally, Vole saw a lot of fluid come out and he asked how he should stop swinging the calf. Groover told him to just let go. The calf hit the ground, and began breathing.

“It was neat,” Vole said with a laugh. “After that, I acquired some cows.”

GONE COUNTRY

Growing up in Indian Creek Village, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, Vole never expected to be a rancher or farmer. He was selling insurance and working as a stock broker when he moved to Parrish in 1992.

Then he had his fateful encounter with the calf, while at the same time his three kids began to join their new friends by showing livestock or riding horses. His son, Peter IV, decided to show a steer, while his daughters, Laci and Kristi, began to ride. The kids all joined 4-H.

Add to the fact that he and his wife, Kim, wanted to be more involved with giving back to their community, and their course was set. He began to work with local Kiwanis’ youth programs and the Key Club at Palmetto High.

As his family warmed up to ranch life, Peter and Kim moved them to Rye Road in Parrish to live on 130 acres. They purchased purebred British Whites cattle and were on their way.

What did Vole like about British Whites?

“They don’t talk back to you, and they are beautiful to watch,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vole became involved in Manatee County 4-H, eventually becoming president and spending 12 years on the board. He also is on the boards of the Manatee County Fair, and FFA at Braden River High.

All the while, he tried to work behind the scenes helping kids.

“It was awesome they gave him this award,” said Kelli Kennedy, the assistant director of career and technical education for the School District of Manatee County. “He never would have put himself forward.

“I’ve been working with him the last 10 years and he is a heavy hitter, but quiet about it. You would never know all the stuff he is involved in.”

Mill Creek’s Chris Chaffee said he was deserving.

“He has helped so many youth through 4-H,” said Chaffee, who took over from Vole as the 4-H association president. “Our son (Adam Chaffee) wanted to raise pigs for 4-H, and Peter kept them in his barn. At the time, 10 kids already had horses or pigs in his barn.

“He has the biggest heart, and he always is out there giving his time.”

Although Chaffee said Vole, who moved to Myakka City in 2008, would rather work behind the scenes, he said he is a huge practical joker who once filled up a friend’s pool with watermelons.

When 4-H kids would go to Camp Cloverleaf in Lake Placid, Vole would order pallets of fireworks. Chaffee said it was like a professional show.

According to Chaffee, the good deeds always kept coming.

About eight years ago, Peter had a freezer full of meat because he had purchased a steer and pigs at (a fair) auction.

“He called me and asked that I give the meat away, which I did to a struggling family at our church. The head of that family still sees me in church and yells ‘This guy saved my family.’ I say, ‘It was Peter.’”

Chaffee said that during Hurricane Ian, Vole took his truck to Arcadia and literally saved a family there from floodwaters.

“It’s a regular thing for him,” Chaffee said.

LIFE LESSONS

Vole said it just made sense to put so much time and effort into 4-H and other agricultural programs.

“It teaches the kids responsibility, manners and respect,” he said. “It teaches them that what you put into it, you get out of it. And the leadership skills were unbelievable.”

Laci Vole now is 27 and owns Par-

rish State Farm. Kristi, 24, works for her. Peter IV, 26, just moved to Miami to pursue a career in real estate.

Peter IV took a shot at citrus farming, but the industry is suffering in Florida. Vole III said he has sold his own 400 acres of citrus in Duette to a strawberry farmer.

“(Ranchers, farmers) need to have more than one source of income,” Vole said. “No way can they make it on their own. Small farmers just are not as plentiful now.

“We have to be proactive in making the public understand what it takes to care for cattle ... what it takes to raise cattle ... that our cattle have a good life.”

Vole said his reward for all his volunteer hours have been watching 4-H and FFA members go to state and national competitions and watching them go to summer camps.

But he said the agricultural organizations need to find ways to attract more members.

“This area is changing rapidly,” he said. “(Agriculture) is something new to them. They need to learn that (farming, ranching) is a business, and it’s harder to run than you would realize.”

On the plus side, he said Braden River Middle School, Myakka Elementary School, Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch and Inspiration Academy in Bradenton have added a 4-H program in the past two years.

STILL ACTIVE

At 57, he still fills many roles, such as being the youth livestock chairman at the Manatee County Fair.

“You get tired,” he said. “But you keep going. If I stopped to think about it, I wouldn’t be doing this. Then I see the families that come together because of 4-H or FFA. Their son takes a project and the family actually spends more time together than they did before. It happens more than what people realize.”

Kennedy agreed with him.

“It’s about responsibility,” she said. “It gives students a goal and allows them to be judged. It gives them a chance to see that life is bigger than themselves.”

For many of the students, Kennedy said Vole has been a key adult figure in their lives.

“They see a caring adult who has their best interests at heart, and it’s not their parent,” she said.

It’s all rather simple, Vole said of his philosophy on life, even more so than pulling a calf.

“If I do the right thing every day, when I put my head down at night, I don’t have to think about it,” he said.

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

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“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

‘Pulling’ a calf led Myakka’s Peter Vole to a career of helping the county’s youth learn about agriculture.

Myakka’s Peter Vole says it is important to teach the public what it takes to raise cattle or to run a farm.

Peter Vole and Tim Lewis make sure to entertain kids who attend agricultural events.

Jay Heater

New ring to an exit strategy

Ihate to admit it, but yes, I have, at times, used the grocery store escape strategy.

You might have employed it as well. You know the one, where you approach the exit doors (those, by the way, are the ones marked EXIT), and find the Girl Scouts are selling cookies, the Little Leaguers are collecting for new uniforms, or the American Legion members are taking donations in exchange for those paper poppies.

All are wonderful causes, and all are more than deserving of a couple of bucks.

And yet, at times you feel like the IRS is waiting with an auditor and handcuffs. Let me out of here.

You check all the exits. Perhaps the nonprofit doesn’t have enough bodies to cover all the doors? You swerve to the left, and head for an opening like an NFL running back. But, wait. A 7-year-old girl dressed in Scouting green cuts you off.

Holy pigtails.

It becomes time for Plan B — avoid eye contact at all costs.

You stare at your receipt to make sure you weren’t overcharged for lettuce. You lock your eyes on the sky to see if it’s going to rain. You stare into your cellphone like you’re expecting a call from the president (OK, everyone does that one anyway).

It all works so well, too, until a 6-year-old dressed as a soccer goalie asks, “Can you help us to get to camp?”

Go ahead, kid, try to melt my frozen food section heart. It ain’t gonna work because I gave on the way into the store.

You head at breakneck speed toward the car, and look back expecting to hear a chorus of “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”

Instead, all you hear is “Thank you, have a great day!”

Shame, guilt. Why didn’t I just

give a darned dollar?

You picture that kid crying because he can’t go to camp.

Little Leaguers have to play in their bluejeans. Girl Scouts get cavities because they need to eat all the cookies they couldn’t sell.

Those of you who share my shame, well, we all have another opportunity. It’s the holiday season, for goodness sakes, and the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign bell ringers are everywhere.

CNN Money reports that the Salvation Army raised $540 million overall in 2021, and about 82% of that goes to those in need. When disasters, such as Hurricane Ian, hit, then almost 100% of donations go to those affected.

Here in Lakewood Ranch, Jane Imperiale was so impressed by the Salvation Army’s humanitarianism, she decided to organize a group of volunteer bell ringers out of the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club in 2019.

That first year, she convinced seven of her friends, all women, to join her. They worked four-hour shifts and learned that was a bit long.

Now her group has 32 women volunteers and they work two-hour shifts. Plus, her husband, Mark, became involved, and he organized 19 of his friends to ring bells.

All of this ding-dong activity occurs in front of the Publix at University Parkway and Lorraine Road.

Now in their fourth year, Imperiale discusses strategy with her fellow volunteers, especially because they understand people might not donate today, but maybe they will tomorrow.

“We say, ‘Smile a lot, and if people try to avoid you, let them,’” she said. “If people give a dollar, or 50 cents, we are delighted.”

If you are feeling a little Scroogelike, Imperiale suggests you might

visit the Salvation Army office on State Road 70, just west of US 301. Before Christmas, they host an Angel Tree where those in need can bring their children to get gifts. It just might make you slow down going out those grocery store exit doors.

Imperiale said her volunteer group grows every holiday season because they all experience the feel-good factor of helping others.

“Those of us living in Lakewood Ranch, we feel lucky to do what we do,” she said.

She continues to seek new members for her group, which right now covers Mondays and Thursdays at Publix. She would like to add another day to their assignments or perhaps cover another store.

I asked Imperiale if she recognizes right away which customers are trying to avoid them?

“Well, you know there’s the frazzled mother with three kids,” she said with a laugh. “But there really is no rhyme or reason. The guy who avoids you could be the guy in the Bentley. And, of course, you do see people avoiding eye contact, but that is why we dress so brightly.”

The bottom line is that those living in the Lakewood Ranch area do give. On Dec. 5, bell ringers from her group — all pickleball players at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club — collected $1,533.

They laughed all day.

Imperiale makes sure all the bell ringers work in pairs or even threes. She figures if everyone is having a good time, they will keep coming back to volunteer.

I didn’t ask her if she was recruiting more manpower to guard the exits.

Besides the bright clothes, her volunteers bring their own music so they can draw attention to the effort without having to stare shoppers down. One volunteer plays the

guitar while collecting.

The Lakewood Ranch Country Club volunteers have a healthy competition between the girls and guys groups. Imperiale said the women have won every time.

Any other advice for bell ringers?

“Don’t talk politics,” Imperiale said.

If you would like to join the Lakewood Ranch group, you can contact Imperiale at JaneImperiale@ hotmail.com.

It would beat that feeling, of

away from the

with that dollar still in your pocket. I know.

driving

grocery store

Courtesy photo

Lakewood Ranch’s Mark and Jane Imperiale have assembled a group of more than 50 bell ringers for the Salvation Army.

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

Barn door stays open during students’ break

Area FFA students use winter break to spend more time with the animals they are preparing for the fair.

Kassidy Callaghan, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, walked her cow Ruby around the barn.

On a school day, Callaghan doesn’t have much room around the barn to walk her cows, Ruby and

Mercy.

But during winter break, Callaghan will be able to use the soccer field by the barn because students are not on campus.

While thousands of Manatee County students are at home or traveling during winter break, dozens of Future Farmers of America students will be returning to empty campuses to care for the animals and continue to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

Callaghan said being on campus during break is calming because there are no distractions from other students.

Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a junior

at Braden River High School, said coming back to campus when school is out is “like a breath of fresh air.” She’s able to focus on her passion rather than thinking about other school subjects as well.

“There’s more learning based off actual things that will lead to something in my future when I can help teach other people about why agriculture is important,” Capote-Dishaw said. “I’ve decided I want to be an agricultural lawyer so I can help people with land preservation.”

Capote-Dishaw said she goes to Braden River High four times a day when she’s on break from school to take care of her cows, Bobbert and

Elsa.

“Most teenagers stay at home and they’re on their devices,” she said.

“I personally love being outside so coming (to school), and sweating has never been a problem to me. I’ll stay here for hours on end and just work with them. I feed them Cheez-Its.”

If students want to travel during winter break, they’ll ask other students to look after their animals while they’re out of town.

“We kind of have a family here,” Capote-Dishaw said. “That is crucial so we can help each other out when we’re out of town.”

Students said they use school breaks as an opportunity to bond more with their animals, which is crucial when preparing to show at the fair.

“(Bonding) is important because it’s how the animal gains trust so they’re not scared,” said Ashlyn Meyers, an eighth-grader at Haile Middle who will be showing a cow, Josie, at the fair with eighth grader Victoria Staszak. “Josie is skittish.

If she doesn’t know somebody, she really doesn’t trust them at first.”

Several students said not having to go to school means they can spend more time at the barn. Some might

be there for hours cleaning their animal’s stall, feeding them, walking them, training them or simply just sitting in the stall and being with them.

Haiden Laraway, a Braden River High junior, said whenever she’s working with her cows, Tuxedo and Velvet, she likes to take them to different parts of campus so they can become adjusted to different environments. She’ll have her friends and other FFA students on campus at the time make different noises so she can train her cows not to get distracted.

R. Dan Nolan Middle School sixthgrader Caroline Bradley will be able to take advantage of the showmanship clinics that will be offered at her school over the break.

Carolyn Gilbert, Nolan Middle’s FFA advisor, said the clinics will give students opportunities to have oneon-one practices and group practices to prepare for the fair.  Bradley said knowing she’ll be able to participate in the clinics will make her more confident when showing her pig, Spike, at the fair.

During break, Bradley wants to focus on getting Spike to turn at her command.

Primary Care

Surgery

for further details.

DO, FACOOG Obstetrics and Gynecology

Terrell W. Martin, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

Alexa Kinder, MSPAP, PA-C General Surgery

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Liz Ramos

Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair, which begins Jan. 12.

Kassidy Callaghan, an eighth-grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, spends extra time with her pig, Hulk, when students are on breaks from school.

An exploration beyond the pavement.

Park’s wildlife recovers faster than its infrastructure after Ian

urricane Ian substantially damaged Myakka River State Park’s infrastructure, as well as its ecology. As part of the Myakka River watershed, which holds flood waters thus minimizing their impact farther afield, the storm also illustrated the importance of public lands for safeguarding our communities.

As the Myakka River is primarily rain-fed, its levels vary seasonally. During our wet summer, areas around the river, such as floodplain marshes and hydric hammocks, commonly flood. Florida’s native habitats are adapted to this seasonal fluctuation. And the normal hydrocycles of wetlands are crucial for our native flora and fauna.

As result of extreme rainfall associated with Ian, the river, already at flood stage before the storm, crested at 12.73 feet — well above major flood stage. With the park’s seven-mile mile-long drive under water, park management surveyed storm damage by airboat.

Most structures and buildings in the park, including the historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, were flooded, and the park’s utility infrastructure, including waste and drinking water, was submerged.

ENJOY THE WILD

Wild Florida is a monthly feature written by Miri Hardy, the first executive director of the Friends of Myakka River. Miri has been a Sarasota resident since 2014 and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She is happiest exploring wild Florida, often on her bike, and capturing its beauty though the lens of her camera.

Once the flooding receded, extensive recovery efforts commenced. To assure visitor safety, to date, more than 18,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris — enough to fill 5.5 Olympic swimming pools — have been removed from just the main roads, picnic areas and campgrounds in the 58-square-mile park. Road

shoulders, eroded from flooding, are being back filled, and the park’s utility infrastructure is being repaired.

While rangers work to return Myakka to those who love the park, its flora and fauna are proving more resilient than park infrastructure.

Once the park reopens, expanses of unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pine lands, though clearly bruised, will once again be available for the rest of us to appreciate and enjoy.

—MIRI HARDY,

FRIENDS OF THE MYAKKA RIVER CONTRIBUTOR

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsofMyakkaRiver

STILL CLOSED

Myakka River State Park remains closed while recovery efforts continue. For updates, visit FloridaStateParks.org/Parks-And-Trails/Myakka-River-StatePark.

Miri Hardy

With the park closed to the public, a red-shouldered hawk uses what is typically a highly trafficked bridge as a hunting perch.

Mustangs, Pirates clear obstacles, win titles

As the season progressed, Tinoco and Cristal Trejo, a Braden River High senior, said they saw the freshmen have more confidence in themselves and their abilities.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

oing into the obstacle course challenge Dec. 3 at Camp Flaming Arrow in Lake Wales, Karen Tinoco, a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, was nervous.

Tinoco and her fellow Mustang cadets on the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps female Raiders team weren’t sure how they would fare on the course while carrying kettlebells.

“We just tried our best to make sure we were there for each other,” Tinoco said. “It was much easier as we went through it. We were worried about falling because we had seen other teams faceplant at some point.”

To the Mustangs’ surprise, they placed first in the event.

The Mustangs went on to win the 2022 Florida State Raider Challenge Dec. 3 for their division.

“We were so happy and excited,” Tinoco said. “We felt so nice after each event. We were feeling the (physical) pain together.”

Braden River High School’s mixed JROTC Raiders team also won a state championship in its division.

“When they announced (we won), it was such a great feeling,” said Nathan Walmsley, a Braden River High junior. “It gives me chills just thinking about it. It’s the best feeling to know that all this hard work that you started in the spring led up to this moment.”

Both Lakewood Ranch and Braden River competed against eight other teams in their respective divisions.

Lakewood Ranch placed first in the obstacle course, cross-country rescue and tire flip and earned third place in rope bridge. The team placed fifth in the 5K.

Braden River placed first in the tire flip, cross country rescue, rope

bridge and 5K.

Both Lakewood Ranch and Braden River had freshmen in their lineup, causing the upperclassmen to train them quickly to get up to their programs’ standards.

“It was about how we can balance it out and teach them as fast as possible and get them to be competing at the level we were at last year,” said Audrey Weeks, a Lakewood Ranch High sophomore. “Honestly, they did a good job. They showed up.”

Walmsley said one freshman, Eli Bazo, was “just amazing.”

“First day out, he was hanging out with the big guys running faster than all of us and keeping up with us,” Walmsley said of Bazo. “We were like, ‘We can’t let this kid keep beating us,’ so we had to do something about it.”

Bazo pushed his teammates to work harder.

“We had to train them to not give up at first because it’s hard when you’re trying to go into these hardcore events,” Tinoco said. “Then at the end, I could tell they eventually got to the point where they were like, ‘Oh, I can do this.’ It was nice to see they had that ability to move forward and come with us to states and have that experience.”

Weeks said the Mustangs struggled most with the 5K throughout the season because the girls were more focused on specialized tasks such as lifting or rope climbing.

“Half our team could really run and half of us could maybe do a mileand-a-half well,” she said. “Then the other half (of the run) we would struggle. It was all about just trying to keep going through 5K.”

For Braden River, Walmsley said the team’s most improved event was the tire flip.

“At the beginning of the year, we were very slow, and I wasn’t really confident in our tire,” he said. “At the end of the year, we would even beat the male teams with our times of how fast we would flip the tire with our mixed team. It was great to see that improvement throughout the season.”

For the Lakewood Ranch team, the biggest challenge at the state competition was the litter run, where students had to carry a simulated casualty on a litter. The team was used to having two girls running with weighted backpacks, but the state competition required four people. On top of the change, they also were running through sand, which was difficult to wade through.

“I was relieved that it was over,” Tinoco said.

For both teams, the next step is looking at how they can improve next year.

“You keep seeing yourself improving and you just want to keep on going at it,” Walmsley said.

Lakewood Ranch girls team takes title, as does Braden River’s mixed team.

Courtesy photos

Lakewood Ranch High School’s Audrey Weeks, Karen Tinoco, Skylar Cox and Samantha Rees compete in the rope bridge at the Raiders state championship. The team placed third in that event.

Braden River High School freshman Brinlee Johnson, senior Cristal Trejo, junior Nathan Walmsley and sophomore Israel Clark celebrate the Pirates’ mixed team success at the Florida State Raider Challenge.

The Lakewood Ranch High School female team celebrates winning first overall, first in the fitness challenge, first in the cross-country rescue, first in the tire flip, third in the rope bridge and fifth in the 5K in the Florida State Raider Challenge.

Fast Break

Former Braden River

High girls basketball player O’Mariah Gordon had her best game as a Florida State Seminole Dec. 11.

Gordon, a sophomore, scored 23 points in the Seminoles’ 108-51 home win over Texas Southern.

Parrish Community High football Coach Chris Culton stepped down from his position Dec. 8 after four seasons (three varsity seasons) with the Bulls. Culton went 7-16 with the Bulls at the varsity level. He previously spent one year at Lakewood Ranch High, when the team finished 0-10.

On Dec. 4, the No. 7 hole on Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course was home to two holein-ones — both from pitching wedges. Pam Ostrander sank one from the 85-yard tee box while Pete Russell sank one from the 115-yard tee box.

Last chance to sign up for the Christmas Glow Run, scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at Nathan Benderson Park. Bright lights and holiday music will accompany runners as they complete their 5Ks. Registration is $45 and parking is $5. For more information or to register, visit RunEliteEvents.com.

… UMR Sports is hosting a New Year’s Eve Festival on its campus at 11 a.m. Dec. 31. The event will feature volleyball, corn hole, spike ball and more games, plus food and beer trucks. Tickets are $25 and children under 12 get in free. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit UMRSports. com.

AT

ON

where he was asked to guard an “adult-sized” eighth grader. He never backed down from the challenge, he said, and neither did his teammates. Even when head and shoulders below their opponents, the Eagles have persevered.

Put all of this together and it doesn’t sound like a formula for success. The Eagles are well aware of this — and even had some doubts themselves. It’s hard not to have doubts, especially when the Eagles walk into an opposing gym and opposing players laugh and make fun of them for how small they are, as guard Andrew Sirianni said has happened often this season.

“I thought we would be 1-10, not 10-1, because we had to play all these big, tall kids,” guard Jackson Sturgill said. “But look at us now.”

What happened? It turned out that the Eagles had more talent, and more hustle, than even the players thought they had. Sturgill said when the team lacks a physical advantage, they always have a mental advantage. They try to out-work other teams and stay positive. So far, it has led to positive results.

Matt Rossi said he and his staff ask the players to run more plays on offense than other teams do. The drawn-up plays help the Eagles get in better positions to score, but it’s still the players’ responsibility to execute — which they have consistently done.

It’s not all set plays, though. The Eagles play sticky defense, never letting opponents get comfortable, and they know when and how to go for attempted steals without racking up fouls. As for not having a home gym, the players don’t seem to care too much. At Lakewood Ranch Park — which usually serves as the team’s venue for “home” games — or on the road, the team has its eyes set on winning however it can, whatever it takes.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

No gym? No problem. So said the Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy middle school boys basketball team, which in its first season of existence, like the school itself, has run through its competition.

The Eagles are 10-1 as of Dec. 10 despite the academy — which will have upper and lower schools when the high school is finished in 2023 — not having a gym for now.

Head Coach Matt Rossi said his team has had to split practice time between the outdoor public courts at Lakewood Ranch Park and the indoor courts at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA. Since time on the YMCA courts must be rented, the team has had to raise money to cover that expense, which Rossi estimated is thousands of dollars at this point in the season.

It’s not an ideal solution, Rossi said, but he and the school are optimistic it will only be a one-year situation.

“Hopefully this time next year, we will have a beautiful upper school as well as a gym,” Rossi said. “And there’s going to be a football stadium coming after that. So in time we’ll have all the facilities any other school locally would have.”

The players on the team have been unbothered by the lack of a home gym. The Eagles have embraced playing road games. It is just one of many challenges the players have had to face in their inaugural season.

The other, and perhaps more impactful, challenge deals with age and size.

Since LWR Prep is in its first year, the academy only has sixth graders

in its middle school. Obviously, this means the Eagles have no seventh or eighth graders, like the competition.

This complicates things in multiple ways. The Eagles already had to deal with inexperience as only a handful of players on the team knew each other prior to this season. That mostly came from playing in the WAVE club basketball organization together. They also have had to deal with size differences.

Colton Rossi, Matt Rossi’s son, said there have been a few games

The team’s only loss came against Palmetto Charter, in a game where the Eagles trailed by 12 at halftime only to battle back and cut the Palmetto lead to one with 30 seconds left. The game didn’t go their way, but the comeback gave the Eagles confidence that they are good enough to win should they encounter Palmetto again in the playoffs, which start next week. Sturgill, one of the team’s reliable scorers, didn’t play in the first matchup because of strep throat. Matt Rossi said Sturgill’s return in a potential rematch would give the Eagles even more confidence.

A rematch with Palmetto Charter is a future worry. Right now, the Eagles are playing hard and having fun, which is all their coaches want them to do.

“I’m proud of the adversity these guys have been able to overcome,” Matt Rossi said. “When they step on the court, they rise to the challenge.”

“The goal at the end of the year is to win our district tournament, but until then we’re just trying to get better each game.” — Braden River High’s Isaac Heaven

Courtesy photo

Former Braden River High star O’Mariah Gordon chats with former Florida State Coach Sue Semrau during her freshman season.

The Lakewood Ranch Prep Academy middle school boys basketball team is 10-1 in its first season of play despite not having a home gym.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch Prep’s Andrew Sirianni hits a layup against Sarasota Christian.

‘Ugly’ win pretty special

The Lakewood Ranch High girls basketball players said they are trying to win ugly.

Basketball ugly.

The Mustangs do not rely on a slew of 3-point shots or precision passing to win games. Lakewood Ranch is comfortable diving for loose balls, putting back missed shots and making a higher percentage of its free throws than its opponent.

Early in the 2022-23 season, that is how the Mustangs have had to play. With multiple players missing time with flu-like symptoms, and junior Elainna Villegas suffering a sprained ankle, the Mustangs have gotten off to a slow start, holding a 2-5 record after seven games.

To compensate for the loss of talent, Lakewood Ranch has had to get in the muck, making opponents play an uncomfortable brand of basketball.

It’s a formula that seemed to click into place Dec. 8, when Lakewood Ranch took down rival Braden River High (2-3) at home, 54-49. The Mustangs used their rebounding ability to earn second-chance points to get a 15-6 lead after the first quarter, then steadily increased it to take a 40-28 lead into the fourth quarter. The Mustangs picked up late free throws from captains Villegas and Katie Benedek, a senior who was diving after 50-50 balls all night, to seal the win after the Pirates made a run.

“We needed to have every possible chance to extend our lead,” Villegas said. “We play like we practice. If we don’t go hard in practice, it’s not going to magically happen during a game.”

Indeed, that the Mustangs did not panic in the face of a Pirates comeback was not happenstance. It’s something coach Frank Bell instills in the Mustangs each day. Villegas said his players are required to do a

sprint for each free throw they miss — and it’s not just the shooter who runs, but the entire team. Then the shooter has to go back and make it, or its another sprint down the court and back.

“It helps with free throw shooting, but also with conditioning,” Benedeck said. “You have to make shots while tired. It’s how you’re going to feel late in games. This helps us get in better shape for those situations.”

Benedek said the fact the team has no concrete starting five combination means practices are contested with each player looking to make their case to start the next game.

At the same time, no matter who gets those spots, there won’t be any complaining. Benedeck said all the Mustangs know that they have an important role to play, even if it is off the bench.

Bell said that high-intensity feeling at practice is a must, and the

win over the Pirates is an example of why.

“If we don’t go after 50-50 balls and things like that, we don’t stand a chance of winning,” Bell said, also noting that most area teams have much more height than the Mustangs “Tonight (against Braden River), I told the girls they had to figure out how to fight. They did that. This was a good stepping stone for us.”

When I say Mustangs players were diving for loose balls, I mean it. Players were going up for rebounds and coming down with the ball despite elbows in their faces. They calmly passed the ball out of full-court pressure. The levels of hustle left an impression.  Braden River showed its own toughness late in the game.

The Pirates started their comeback thanks to steals and hustle rebounds from senior Monique Schwalbach and midrange jump shots from junior Cydnee Brooks. The difference was, the Mustangs

hit the majority of their late free throws, while the Pirates faltered. It’s easy to write off any one free throw as trivial, but the misses quickly added up to a chunk of points discarded. When a team is already trailing thanks to a slow start, those missed opportunities loom large.

It’s not a huge surprise, given how much Lakewood Ranch focuses on gritty play, that the Mustangs pulled out the win in such a contest. It remains to be seen how much momentum the rivalry win will give the team going forward. The Mustangs’ regular season runs through Jan. 26. That is plenty of time for the team to complete its turnaround, especially if it gets all its players back and healthy. But it will take the same type of effort that won the team the Braden River game, something its captains plan on relaying to everyone else.

“We need to hold each other accountable,” Benedeck said. “We need to make each other better. We

need to get used to the pressure, the noise of late-game situations. When I hear that noise, it makes me smile.”

Villegas said the team’s X factor is its ability to fight for one another, and Bell agreed. Everyone on the team knows that if one player stumbles, someone else will pick them up, Villegas said. To that end, the team’s communication becomes important; sharing the ball only leads to good things.

“We’re a giant family,” Villegas said. “We do all that and we’ll be all right.”

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

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch’s Victoria Carneglia, Katie Benedek and Sara Leonardis talk about the team’s defensive game plan against Braden River.

Lakewood Ranch senior Sara Leonardis blocks a shot by Braden River’s Jasmine Hernandez.

Isaac Heaven

Isaac Heaven is a junior guard on the Braden River High boys basketball team. From Dec. 6 through Dec. 9, Heaven and the Pirates played three games, with Heaven, who is 6-foot-3, scoring 10 or more points and grabbing three or more rebounds in each game, all Braden River wins.

When did you start playing basketball?

I did not start basketball for real until I was in sixth grade. Before then it was just something I did for fun.

I played football, too, but I chose to follow basketball because it was my better sport. Being tall, it was easier for me to score and have success.

What is the appeal to you?

I get to do a lot of things on the court and I like that. I can shoot, I can dribble, I can dunk. When I do those things well, it makes me feel good.

What is your best skill?

Right now it is driving to the basket and scoring. It’s something I have put a lot of work into and I think it has been worth it.

What have you been working to improve?

I have been trying to get better with my outside shot and my dribbling, just in general. I need to be more consistent in those two areas.

What is your favorite memory?

Earlier this season against Palmetto High, I dunked on someone dur ing a game for the first time. I got the ball in transition and got past one defender, then jumped and got hit in the air by another. I got the foul and I still dunked it. The crowd went crazy.

What are your goals for the season?

As a team, we’re taking things one game at a time. We’re 5-1 right now. The goal at the end of the year is to win our district tournament, but until then we’re just trying to get better each game.

What is your favorite food?

I love cheese pizza.

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.

What is your favorite movie?

I like ‘King Kong’ a lot.

What is your favorite subject?

I like history class. It’s cool to learn about everything that has happened in the world.

Which superpower would you pick?

I want to read people’s minds to know what they’re thinking all the time.

What is the best advice you have received?

Don’t let your emotions dictate how you play the game. That has been an important lesson for me to learn.

Finish this sentence: ‘Isaac Heaven is …’ … Funny. I’m a funny guy.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

YOUR NEIGHBORS

S

Willie had other ideas.

He kept circling her, going as fast as he could, before he finally went to Sydney, who is the daughter of ranch owner Rebecca McCullough.

Sydney induced Willie to come to her side, but she lost her balance a bit and plopped down into a sitting position. Willie poked his nose into her smiling face.

Rebecca McCullough noted that the horses know when the crowds are back and they get excited about performing. So she expected her performers to be keyed up after the off season.

The crowd thoroughly enjoyed the show, even if it was a bit off the cuff. Rebecca and Sydney McCullough might think about adding the bit with Willie once the regular shows begin with the new season on Dec. 29. Check the schedule at HerrmannsRoyalLipizzans.com.

The Christmas event continues 3-6 p.m. Dec. 17-18

— JAY HEATER

Photos by Jay Heater

Willie and Sydney McCullough share a moment during a special Christmas event at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions Dec. 10. The event continues Dec. 17-18.

Rebecca McCullough rides Achilles during a special Christmas event Saturday at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions in Myakka City. The regular shows begin Dec. 29.

Parrish’s Truitt Caggiano, 6, and Ella Caggiano, 9, enjoy a visit with Santa at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

ydney McCullough was trying to let her miniature horse, Willie, run out all that off-season energy Saturday at a special Christmas event at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions.East County’s Siena Williams, 5, attempts to win a prize while volunteer Shirley Bryant watches. Williams scored in the carnival game and brought home a prize.

Creekwood’s Ronin Reyes, 6, and Chloe Scott, 10, create Christmas ornaments at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

Willie, a miniature horse, visits with Port Charlotte’s Walker Kohlenberg during a special Christmas event at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

Charity served on ice

om Waters, president and CEO of Easterseals Southwest Florida, stood in front of dozens of people Dec. 6 at the home of Evella Feldhacker in the Concession to share how Sisterhood for Good has helped children in need.

Waters said that due to a grant from Sisterhood for Good, Easterseals was able to purchase a buggy that can carry eight children. It has helped teachers to more easily travel with students.

“It’s the power of partnership,” Waters said about the Lakewood Ranch nonprofit’s impact on Easterseals.

Lakewood Ranch’s Amy Gorman, the chair of Sisterhood for Good’s board, said “A Cocktail Giving Event” gave the nonprofit an opportunity to build lifelong partnerships with community members.

“It’s an opportunity to introduce what we do,” Gorman said.

Sarasota’s Becca Towery, a member of Sisterhood for Good, said funds raised during the cocktail party will go toward the nonprofit’s grants program, which provides funds to dozens of nonprofits throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

“It’s a great way to get people together during the holidays to support a great cause and raise money for the grant program,” Towery said.

— LIZ RAMOS

Photos by Liz Ramos

The Drew Trapani All Star Big Band plays holiday songs.

Sarasota’s Kathy Collums, Lakewood Ranch’s Amy Gorman and Sarasota’s Brenda Kleiber work to develop relationships for Sisterhood for Good.

Concession’s Deanna Murchie and Sarasota’s Holly Elmore and Jan Pitchford enjoy networking and meeting other people at the event.

Lakewood Ranch’s Lorri Kidder, Lake Club’s Barbara Najmy and Sarasota’s Ashley Gruters and her husband, Tim Gruters, learn more about Sisterhood for Good’s mission. “Everyone is really excited about what Sisterhood for Good is doing,” Kidder says. “I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Decorated boats light the way

On Dec. 11, the annual Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing Preserve flashed a trail down the Braden River to Linger Lodge and back.

Denise Kleiner, general manager of the boat tours at the Bradenton preserve, said the 23 entries were the most ever in the event, which was celebrating its 10th year.

Kleiner said when the event began through the Old Braden River Historical Society, which she founded, it was small and involved a few residents gathering together more informally.

This year’s event began at Jiggs Landing Outpost, where a crowd cheered on boats that featured a host of holiday lights with themes ranging from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to Santa Claus’ sleigh.

After a ride around Evers Res-

ervoir, the parade entries disappeared into the mangroves, heading toward Linger Lodge. There, many of the boaters gathered together for dinner.

Kleiner said despite its growing size, the parade still served as an extremely local event capable of bringing the community together.

There are no fees or registration requirements for the event.

“Just be there and have fun,” she said.

She noted that the concessions at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge try to help each other out with business when possible.

“In terms of lighting and music, every boat was a little different,” said Lakewood Ranch’s Robert Dewey, who came to watch the event.

— IAN SWABY

Photos by Ian Swaby

Decorated entrants approach Jiggs Landing at the end of the Holiday Boat Parade.

Help make The Bay sustainable in every way.

In this season of giving, a gift of as little as $25, $50 or $100 will enable The Bay to be a world class, central park for Sarasota.

Your help and support will ensure this new public park looks incredible and delivers surprisingly delightful experiences to every park guest every day -- every year.

The Bay preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis - providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience a wide range of park uses.

Everyone who came to The Bay for the ten-day grand opening, everyone who enjoys a walk in the park, and everyone who participates in free park programs and events is encouraged to become a Friend of The Bay.

Every dollar donated by a Friend goes to operate, maintain and program the park. Your gift of only $25, $50 or $100 will enable you, your family and friends, neighbors and visitors to enjoy The Bay, and enable others to experience that same joy.

Park guests and other supporters who choose to become Friends of the Bay will help enable The Bay to be one park for all – open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of our community, now and for generations to come.

Please help SHARE THE JOY of The Bay to ensure more park is built, maintained and enjoyed by all.

Become a Friend of the Bay Today!

Tara’s Dee and Jack Boenau went all out to participate in the Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing.

East County’s Genevieve Bettle, her aunt, Myakka City’s Patricia McKeithen, her sister, Daphne Bettle, and her family’s dog Freddie.

Tara’s Moe and Lisa Pyeatt arrive at Jiggs Landing dressed as their alter egos, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Mill Creek’s Lewis Osborne, a Jiggs Landing employee, gets a turn to hold a plush Max, which accompanied Tara’s Dee Boenau and Jack Boenau on their Grinch-themed boat.

Snowmen come to life

Dressed as snowmen, Tara Elementary School fifth-graders danced and sang their way across the stage Dec. 8 during a special event called “Snow Jubilee!”

“I told the kids we were going to jump into a book, make the book come to life and have a snowy adventure,” said Barbara Siffermann, the school’s music teacher who created the musical portion of the event with her friend, Zadda Bazzi, who since has moved to North Carolina to teach music.

Siffermann said she and Bazzi started writing the songs after receiving their Orff certification, which is a specific approach to music education developed in the 1920s. “We decided there wasn’t enough shows that were written for the style that we like to teach,” Siffermann said.

For “Snow Jubilee!” students acted out their interpretation of the book “Snow, What Fun!”

— LIZ RAMOS

Samuel Moya, a fifth-grader, puts all his energy into being a snowman in the play. He’s guiding Santa’s sleigh to a safe landing.

Photos by Liz Rmaos

Javier Torres, a fifth-grader dressed as Santa, wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

HOLIDAY ICE SKATING

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Listen to live music 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. For information, go to WatersidePlace. com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 16 AND SATURDAY, DEC. 17

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 “The Santa Clause” Friday and “Fred Claus” on Saturday. For more information, go to MallatUTC.com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 17 AND SUNDAY, DEC. 18

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Runs 6-10 p.m. at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675 E., Bradenton. Hunsader presents its Country Christmas, featuring over 300,000 lights, train rides, Santa, craft vendors, live bands, a Christmas village, a petting zoo and more. Admission is $15; children 5 and under admitted free. For more information, go to HunsaderFarms.com.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE STALLIONS

Runs from 3-6 p.m. at Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions, 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City. Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions is hosting a special Christmas event that features a presentation with the stallions, Santa, the Grinch, orna-

BEST BET

FRIDAY, DEC. 16

JINGLE RUN 5K

Begins with registration at 4 p.m., Children’s Santa Dashes at 6 p.m., 5K race at 7 p.m., and 1 mile fun run at 7:10 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

Run or walk to the jingle beat at the 11th annual Jingle 5K Run/Walk. The event supports the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation and the Health Careers’ Scholarship Program.

A holiday festival follows the race. The 5K race costs $4; the 1-mile run is $40.

Kids dashes for ages 3-12 are $20. To register, go to RaceRoster.com.

ment decorating, food and drink. The charge is $5. Children 5 and under are free. For more information, call 322-1501.

SUNDAY, DEC. 18

PEACEFUL PATH

Runs from 5-7 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12705 S.R. 64 E., Lakewood Ranch. Peace Presbyterian Church presents its “Candles, Carols and Live Nativity.” Listen to Christmas music and see a live nativity during a festive walk through woods glowing with lights. The event is free and open to everyone. For more information, call Peace Presbyterian church at 753-7778.

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 MyLWR.com.

CHANUKAH SPECTACULAR

Runs from 4-8 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 5150 Peridia Blvd. E., Bradenton. Temple Beth El hosts the Chanukah Spectacular that will include a giant menorah lighting, food trucks, games, a holiday bazaar, singing, and the reading of the story of Chanukah. For more information, call 755-4900 or email info@Bethel-FL.org.

YOUR CALENDAR

Country Club home tops sales at $2.3 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Country Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. James Hondroulis and Marguerite Forte, of Cockeysville, Maryland, sold their home at 13662 Legends Walk Terrace to Jeffrey and Michelle Coppolo, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.3 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, fourand-two-half baths, a pool and 4,771 square feet of living area. It sold for $2 million in 2021.

LAKE CLUB

Shirley Barrack, of Bradenton, sold her home at 16711 Verona Place to David Terricciano, of Bradenton, for $1.75 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,638 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2021.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

John and Janet Wickman, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7340 Barclay Court to Shirley Barrack, of University Park, for $1.21 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,106 square feet of living area. It sold for $720,000 in 2020.

POMELLO PARK

Franchesko’s LLC sold the home at 7616 213th St. E. to Tiago Ferreira De Oliveira and Stela Dias Da Costa Oliveira for $1.19 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,573 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,023,800 in March.

FOX POINTE

Mary Ellen McDonough, of Sarasota, sold her home at 5478 Golf Pointe Drive to Bonita Kristoff, of Sarasota, for $950,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,732 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 1993.

WATERLEFE

Nancy Joseph-Ridge, trustee, of Tampa, sold the home at 417 Sand Crane Court to Salvatore and Kimberly Pizzo, of Maineville, Ohio, for $950,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,467 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2015.

Wendy Noll, of Parrish, sold her home at 630 Sand Crane Court to Maryanne Maya Ivanjesku and Stanisa Ivanjesku, of Bradenton, for $720,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,692 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2013.

RIVER FOREST

James David Leiber, of Sarasota, sold the home at 5968 River Forest Circle to Mary Kocon, of Youngstown, Ohio, for $935,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,000 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2012.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Dominick and Judith Antonelli, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 15406 Helmsdale Place to George and Melissa Gaillardetz, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, for $895,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,958 square feet of living area. It sold for $494,000 in 2012.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

William and Karen Seller, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4843 Royal Dornoch Circle to Paul and Lida Hoffmann, of Bradenton, for $890,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,658 square feet of living area. It sold for $453,300 in 2016.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Troy Shane Lucero and Lorrie Lucero, of Aurora, Colorado, sold their home at 7742 Camden Harbour Drive to North Cascade Real Estate LLC for $875,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,996 square feet. It sold for $830,000 in May.

BRIDGEWATER

John and Catherine McDermott, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 5614 Cloverleaf Run to Thomas and Christina Salzberg, of Bradenton, for $870,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 2,395 square feet. It sold for $546,300 in 2014.

Lakehouse Cove at Waterside Nedda Gilbert, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, sold her home at 977 Crosswind Ave. to Ellen Lee Parker, trustee, of Sarasota, for $860,000. Built in 2022, it has two bedrooms, two baths and is 1,940 square feet. It sold for $733,800 in September.

COUNTRY CLUB

Barbara Kutcher, of Haverford, Pennsylvania, sold her home at 8076 Royal Birkdale Circle to Donald James King and Denise King, of White Lake, Michigan, for $850,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and is 2,811 square feet. It sold for $557,200 in 2012.

Christopher Williams and Megan Barber, of Parrish, sold their home at 7103 Sandhills Place to John and Bettina Coyle, of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, for $710,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,215 square feet of living area. It sold for $399,900 in 2020.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Kevin Dennis and Yukari Takashima sold their home at 336 165th Court N.E. to John Arthur Spelman and Christine Mary Spelman, of Bradenton, for $845,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,569 square feet of living area. It sold for $406,000 in 2019.

John and Christine Spelman sold their home at 17113 Fourth Ave. E. to Robert and Jo Ann Klinetop, of Bradenton, for $825,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,508 square feet. It sold for $363,000 in 2013.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Jerry Ennis Jr. and Stacey Lee Ennis sold their home at 231 Petrel Trail to Steven and Angela Carver, of Bradenton, for $790,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,791 square feet of living area. It sold for $448,800 in 2005.

ARBOR LAKES

Raina Lea Bass and Steven Christopher Bass sold their home at 7232 Southgate Court to Christie and Joseph Wolf, of Sarasota, for $775,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,792 square feet of living area. It sold for $478,000 in 2020.

RIVER POINT OF MANATEE

Mireille Pascale Ferdinand, of Belgium, sold the home at 217 36th St. N.E. to M’Lynn McKibben and Charles McKibben, of Bradenton, for $730,500. Built in 1999, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2014.

George Smith and Mikki Hunter Smith sold their home at 316 41st St. N.E. to David and Kendra Riley, of Bradenton, for $499,900. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 1,748 square feet. It sold for $256,000 in 2014.

COUNTRY CREEK

Leannis Labanino Cutino and Dallas Amber Guitierrez sold their home at 212 141st Court N.E. to Yuanping Guo and Suchen Chen, of Bradenton, for $728,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2019.

BRADEN WOODS

Misty Ann Doyon-Pope, of Bradenton, sold her home at 9607

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 28 - DEC. 2.

Courtesy Photo

This Country Club home at 13662 Legends Walk Terrace sold for $2.3 million. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,771 square feet of living area.

Braden Run to Vira Conte and Gene Cheeseman, of Bradenton, for $634,000. Built in 1984, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,002 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2014.

CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGE OF PALM AIRE

Amanda Wood, trustee, and Mia Tarrant, of Odessa, sold the home at 4993 Creekside Trail to Joseph Smith Jr., of Sarasota, for $590,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,021 square feet of living area. It sold for $235,900 in 2001.

MOTE RANCH

Jeffrey Burkee, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6880 Corral Circle to Stephen Peter Desrosiers and Lauren Desrosiers, of Dartmouth,

Massachusetts, for $579,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 1,990 square feet. It sold for $385,000 in 2021.

DEL TIERRA

Toby Jenkins and Sonya Ananias, of Valrico, sold their home at 15127 Las Olas Place to Aaron and Danielle Lee Barnard, of Bradenton, for $565,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,820 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,600 in 2021.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

In with the new

Celebrating the holidays can be a bear

Two-and-a-half months after Hurricane Ian ripped up the grounds at Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City, it was business as usual at Monica Welde’s bear haven.

Well, as usual as it can be for the holidays.

Children of all ages roamed through the bears’ habit, which was back in full use after the grounds had been cleared of falling debris, fences had been fixed, and the Welcome Barn had been repaired and was once again serving hot dogs, snacks and drinks.

Welde’s Country Bear Christmas Dec. 10-11 featured live music from Renee Riddle and Rambin Rose, juggling by The Great Anastasini, a petting zoo, inflatables for the kids, and, of course, the bears.

Bearadise is once again open for tours on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. while large groups can make reservations for tours at any time.

For more information, go to BearadiseRanch.com or call 322-2462.

JAY HEATER

—

Riverview’s Lucas Day, 9, enjoys feeding a goat in the petting zoo at A Country Bear Christmas.

Those who attended A Country Bear Christmas at Bearadise Ranch in Myakka were treated to some informative talks about the bears.

Photos by Jay Heater

Bearadise Ranch volunteer Penny Lemon, of Sarasota, is presented a gift basket by Bearadise owner Monica Welde. Lemon won the raffle on Dec. 10.

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Dec. 15 7:11a 5:37p

Friday, Dec. 16 7:12a 5:37p

Saturday, Dec. 17 7:13a 5:38p

Sunday, Dec. 18 7:13a 5:38p

Monday, Dec. 19 7:14a 5:38p

Tuesday, Dec. 20 7:15a 5:39p

Wednesday, Dec. 21 7:15a 5:39p

MOON PHASES

RAINFALL

Monday, Dec. 5 0

Tuesday, Dec. 6 0

Wednesday, Dec. 7 0

Thursday, Dec. 8 0

Friday, Dec. 9 0

Saturday, Dec. 10 0 Sunday, Dec. 11 0