EAST COUNTY
Observer
Top sports moments of 2022
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
PAGE 26
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
VOLUME 25, NO. 6
YOUR TOWN
EMOTIONALLY CHARGED Our 2022 year in photos.
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That’s a wrap for 2022 at Willis Kathy Price, principal at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, and Katie Fradley, the school’s assistant principal, sat on stage dressed as presents, but they still needed one final touch. They needed to be wrapped. So, one by one, each Willis Elementary student took a piece of wrapping paper and stuck it to either Price or Fradley (above). Wrapping Price and Fradley was a reward for raising enough money during the school’s Color Run event for Robert E. Willis Elementary to purchase an awning for the playground and a fan for the physical education area. “It’s so fun,” said Melissa Weinandy, chair of the Color Run. “We have such a great community, with so many great parents and staff.”
rom Ian’s wrath to the joys of living in one of the nation’s most desired regions, 2022 in East County will be remembered for its emotional highs and lows. SEE PAGE 2
File photos
OCTOBER
IAN’S DEVASTATION Veronica Young stands in front of her flooded home and pickup at Singletary and Riverview roads in Myakka City in the wake of Category 4 Hurricane Ian. While much of Manatee County was spared from the devastation, Myakka City took a direct hit. Initial estimates were almost $100 million in damage in the county. Dakin Dairy of Myakka City was crushed by the storm, with more than 200 cows dying in floodwaters.
SEPTEMBER
APRIL
HURRICANE MODE As Hurricane Ian approached the region, Manatee County employees, no matter what their normal roles, switched to become emergency workers. David Saldivar, a Manatee County code enforcement officer, sits on a cot at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, which converted to a hurricane shelter. Saldivar helped set up more than 100 cots.
BUBBLY FINALE James Miller, who owns the Sarasota Polo Club with his wife, Misdee, pours champagne over his head after the final match of the season, which Hillcroft 11-9 over Regent. Miller wasn’t celebrating because he had seen the club through another successful season, but because he had scored six goals in the finale for Hillcroft and was named the tournament’s MVP.
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MAY
Next year, Chulo picks the outfit Lakewood Ranch’s Kumi Caldero and her goldendoodle Chulo (above) both arrived dressed for the season Dec. 13 at the Barks and Brews event at University Town Center. Both guests wore matching outfits with crisscrossing red and green stripes, as well as Santa Claus hats. Caldero said Chulo was not as excited about wearing a Christmas outfit as she was putting it on him. However, he did seem to enjoy meeting with Santa Claus aboard his sleigh, with a kiss going from Santa to the dog before they parted. Caldero said she takes Chulo with her everywhere she goes.
FEBRUARY
A TALL TASK Lauren Lambeth needs a boost to groom Rocco, one of 10 Clydesdales who visited the area in February, mainly to take part in the Atlanta Braves’ fan experience at CoolToday stadium in North Port. The massive horses, who stayed at the Sarasota Polo Club during the trip, also made an appearance at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
I DID IT! David Kochaniec was the picture of joy as he celebrated his graduation from Braden River High School during a ceremony at LECOM Park in Bradenton on May 21. Rain in the area pushed back Lakewood Ranch High’s graduation a day to May 20, and caused Braden River’s ceremony to move a day to May 21. It just seemed to increase the anticipation and the release of raw emotions.