East County Observer 2.2.23

YOU YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOUR TOWN

Some books bound for rejection

In keeping with a new state law, Manatee’s school district intensifies its evaluation on whether books in its classrooms are appropriate. SEE PAGE 3

Bound together through reading

Scarlett Michael and Cassiel

Mueler, who are first graders at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, listened intently as freshman Olivia Longino read to them.

Longino read “Knuffle Bunny

Too” as the three students sat on the green space in the back of the school Jan. 24.

“This is a book I read when I was their age, so it’s kind of nostalgic,” Longino said.

Longino was excited to have the opportunity to read to younger students as part of the school’s Literacy Week celebrations.

“It’s something you don’t get in other schools,” she said.

A wholesome offering at UTC

After serving healthy and fresh items at his 3Natives location in Lakewood Ranch for more than two years, Patrick McCarthy saw a demand for further locations to enjoy foods that were convenient and nutritious.

“It’s something different but still, accessible, healthy and fresh, and I think that’s what people are looking for these days,” he said.

McCarthy said he hopes the new location of the Floridabased fast-casual restaurant, which opened Jan. 17 at 309 N. Cattlemen Road, will expose the brand to those outside the original neighborhood area at the corner of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70.

McCarthy said fresh ingredients extend “from the lettuce we’re chopping up every day to our pico de gallo that we make in-house, to our hummus that we make in-house.”

Liz Ramos Patrick McCarthy

Outgoing Chair Allison Imre hands over the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance gavel to new Board Chair Erik Hanson.

Liz Ramos Cassiel Mueler, Olivia Longino and Scarlett Michael

Commission eases spec home restrictions

status, said Rob Wenzel, Manatee County’s planning section manager. He said these include a preliminary plat, a final site plan and construction drawings.

NEW CODE ON SPECULATIVE HOMES

IAN

SWABY STAFF WRITER

It was a limitation that often had District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh scratching her head.

She didn’t understand why builders were limited to the number of speculative homes they could build in their new community.

Speculative homes are homes that are built without having buyers in place. For example, if the builder had been approved to build 300 homes in a new neighborhood, it might be so confident that it would build 50 homes without actually having any sold any.

Those homes would be move-in ready and connected to water, sewer and gas.

In the past, builders would have to apply for the permits for each home as it was sold. And speculative homes, except for model homes, couldn’t be built.

Manatee County Spokesman Bill Logan forwarded information from Manatee County Deputy Administrator Courtney De Pol about speculative homes.

“Speculative homes have never before been defined in the Land Development Code,” De Pol wrote. “When builders would build speculative homes (also known as inventory homes), they would follow the model home process, which requires a temporary use permit.

“In the Land Development Code, it stipulates that ‘no more than 10% of all units or a maximum of 10 units within the development or approved construction phase may be allowed as model homes.’”

On Jan. 19, Manatee County commissioners removed any limit on speculative homes that could be built within an approved project.

According to De Pol, “If a developer applies for a building permit for a speculative home, they will receive

a temporary certificate of occupancy upon the (building’s completion and the inspection’s completion). A certificate of occupancy will not be issued until the final plat has been approved.”

Baugh said not allowing speculative homes simply didn’t make sense. She explained that in today’s climate, a builder could complete the homes with today’s inflation instead of a possible rise in inflation in the future.

She also noted that if home buying slows with the economy, building speculative homes could keep workers employed.

All the commissioners responded favorably to the decision to remove the restrictions, calling them unnecessary and burdensome.

“I think this is a pretty significant move in the right direction, to repealing some unneeded regulations,” said District 1 Commissioner James Satcher. “I see the big benefit being to citizens — to people that are trying to move, because I see the posts saying, ‘My home was supposed to be ready in October, but now they’re saying until April.’”

He said it was better to have more options available to the public.

“If (developers) are willing to put

their neck on the line and build those homes before it’s all finalized, it just makes a lot of sense to me, so I’m glad this is coming today.”

At-large Commissioner George Kruse said he did not know why the item had existed in the county’s Land Development Code in the first place.

“The fact that we have to come here and remove this stuff is crazy,” Kruse said in a Dec. 15 discussion of the topic. “If someone wants to build additional speculative homes, build them. Why are we restricting this?”

With the population boom in Manatee County, it will be an important tool for builders.

“There is a need for developers to construct, if you will, a stock of homes so they have them ready to be sold, or finished, and sell,” said Bill O’Shea, a principal planner with the Manatee County.

The speculative homes involved in this change will still be limited to single-family residential buildings.

RATIONALE FOR THE CHANGE

As supply shortages started during COVID-19, O’Shea said developers began to desire a stock of homes that would be available for customers.

There are some protections in place for homes to qualify for this

The homes cannot be sold until after the plat is approved.

O’Shea said there are some potential issues, such as the possibility of the structure not aligning with the plat once it is completed. In cases such as this, he said, some changes would have to be made in the field, and it could theoretically result in the physical removal of a home.

In building a speculative home, developers would be proceeding at their own risk, O’Shea said, and would sign an agreement holding the county harmless for those units.

Nonetheless, he said it would be a significant benefit to developers in the county. It would allow them the opportunity to take advantage of times when their materials are available, as well as times when they have employees already on site.

Wenzel said the change would remove a burden from county staff as well; while staff members personally track all temporary use permits to ensure they do not pass their expiration date, this is not necessary with speculative homes, as they will not have any occupants.

Wenzel said there are other important differences from the model home definition. Since model homes operate with a temporary use permit, they are used temporarily for purposes such as offices or model collections of finishes.

Speculative homes are building stock that has no immediate use, O’Shea said.

Wenzel said it made more sense to permit the spec homes separately, because model homes tend to be constructed in a central location to comply with requirements, such as a temporary parking lot.

He said that while the model homes have a temporary certificate of occupancy, this would not be the case for speculative homes.

“You can’t just bring the general public out there and let them start touring spec homes,” Wenzel said.

A. Spec Homes may be permitted in any zoning district, provided the unit is constructed in compliance with the regulations for the applicable zoning district or zoning ordinance.

B. Construction of a spec home may commence prior to the recording of the final plat, provided all of the following conditions are met:

n 1. All applicable preliminary site plan, preliminary lat, and final site plan/construction drawings are approved by the county

n 2. The building permit shall serve as administrative approval for the spec home.

n 3. The landowner has executed a county approved indemnification and hold harmless agreement, signed by the department director or designee acknowledging the following:

a) Building permits are being requested prior to recordation of the final plat; and

b) The landowner is obligated to obtain final plat approval from the county as soon as practical; and

c) The landowner understands that the county will not issue a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for a spec home until the final plat is approved and recorded in accordance with this code; and

d) The landowner indemnifies the county from any damages, costs or claims arising from the issuance of building permits prior to approval and recordation of the final plat.

Builders can now have completed homes in stock to serve area’s growth.

Ian Swaby

Construction on homes takes place in Sweetwater, Lakewood Ranch. The county now will allow builders to construct spec homes to build inventory.

Would you allow your kids to read these books?

READING MATERIAL FACTORS

According to the training provided to media specialists from the state, here are some factors they should take into consideration for common selection criteria for instructional materials, library materials and reading lists:

n Avoid unsolicited theories that might lead to student indoctrination

n Meetings to select instructional materials must be open to the public, and consultation with school community stakeholders is required when purchasing new library materials

n Age of the students who could be expected to have access to the material

n Educational purpose of the material

n The degree to which the material will be supplemented and explained by classroom instruction

n The broad racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural diversity of the students

n Materials must be free of pornography

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Media specialists across the School District of Manatee County are working to ensure compliance with a state law that requires all books in a school be approved by a trained media specialist.

Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1467, which requires all books to be free of pornography, harmless to minors, age appropriate and suited to meet students’ needs.

However, all books in each school’s media center in the School District of Manatee County already had been vetted.

Laurie Breslin, executive director of curriculum for the district, said that of the more than 250,000 books in school libraries across the district, approximately 10 were put under reconsideration for approval before a student could read them.

Chad Choate, a member of the School Board of Manatee County, said that the issue of inappropriate material being in schools is not a major districtwide problem.

“There have been teachers around the country who are, in my personal opinion, doing things wrong or have inappropriate material in front of kids’ faces, and the reaction from the Legislature, governors and people is that isn’t going to happen in our schools,” Choate said. “I don’t think we have rampant issues in Manatee County. We can disagree or agree with what the law says, but that doesn’t matter. It is what it is. Now we have to put in the right procedures or policies in place to abide by those and hopefully protect our teachers so they don’t get in trouble.”

WHAT’S NEXT

After HB 1467 went into effect July 1, 2022, the state provided further guidance. The definition of a school library now includes “classroom libraries” or books that teachers have brought into their classroom on their own.

As a result, media specialists have been diving into the books teachers have brought into their classrooms. Teachers had been asked to cover the books that had not been vetted to avoid the third-degree felony charge that could come as a punishment for violating the law.

Cynthia Saunders, superintendent

BOOK REQUIREMENTS

All books must be:

n Free of pornography and material with an image of a person or portion of the human body which depicts nudity or sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sexual battery, bestiality or sadomasochistic abuse and that is harmful to minors.

n Suited to students’ needs and their ability to comprehend the material presented.

n Appropriate for the grade level and age group.

of the School District of Manatee County, apologized for a miscommunication during a School Board of Manatee County workshop Jan. 27. She had told teachers they needed to cover up all books in their classroom until they were vetted. Instead, any book already vetted by the district did not need to be covered and could be used.

The district and schools are inviting volunteers into the schools to help with the ongoing vetting process, such as checking books to see if they are on the district’s approved list and setting aside those that aren’t so they can be properly vetted.

Once a book is approved at one school, it is approved across the district, unless media specialists at different schools differ on whether the book should be approved.

In that case, Saunders said the book would then go to the school board for review.

Choate asked if the district is responsible for books that students bring into school from home. Breslin confirmed to Choate that those books will not be taken away from the student as, in effect, the parent has given permission for the student to bring the book to school.

The district is taking inventory of all the books in its schools and compiling a directory that is posted on the district’s website.

The law requires a book directory for every elementary school to be posted on each elementary school’s website so parents can easily see what students have access to at that school.

TIME TO RECONSIDER

If a parent has concerns regarding a book in school, the parent can work with the school to address it informally. If the issue cannot be resolved, a parent can file a complaint regarding a book and have the book’s approval reconsidered.

The request for a reconsideration form requires the complainant’s name, the author and title of the

BOOKS TO BE REVIEWED

The School Board of Manatee County will have to review dozens of books to approve them, not allow them in schools or require parental consent. Here is a partial list:

n “Both Can Be True”

n “Damsel”

n “Crank”

n “Impulse”

n “Flowers in the Attic”

n “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me”

n “My Jim”

n “Scars”

n “Monday’s Not Coming”

n “Light It Up”

n “Protesting Police Violence in Modern America”

n “Pet”

n “Race and Policing in America”

n “I am Jazz”

n “When Aiden Became a Brother”

n “The Nowhere Girls”

n “Red Hood”

n “Tricks”

n “Push”

n “L8r, g8r”

book, as well as what type of material the book includes, what the complainant objects to using specific examples, and what the complainant would like the school or district to do about the book, such as removing it from all school media centers or requiring parental consent before students can access the book.

The School Board of Manatee County will vote on the process for reconsideration at its Feb. 14 board meeting.

The proposed reconsideration process would have the media specialist at the school be informed there is a request for reconsideration and review the book. The media specialist would consult with the school principal, who ultimately is responsible for the books on its campus and could differ in opinion from the media specialist, though Breslin doesn’t foresee there being much disagreement as the media specialists were specifically trained to vet books.

A school would have 30 days to report its decision to the district.

If a parent disagrees with the school’s decision in the proposed reconsideration process, the book then would be referred to the school board for review.

The board would review the challenged books or materials, review the request for reconsideration, and determine the extent to which the book meets the book selection criteria that was defined in the Florida Department of Education training for media specialists.

Choate and school board member Mary Foreman said they would also like to review and take into consideration the recommendation from the

n “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”

n “Ready or Not”

n “Lily and Dunkin”

n “The House on Mango Street”

n “Sold”

n “The Talk”

BEING REVIEWED BY SCHOOLS:

n “The 57 Bus”

n “The Hate U Give”

n “The Prince and the Dressmaker”

n “Never Let Me Go”

media specialist, as they are the ones who were trained to vet the books.

Once the board makes a decision, a report will be sent to the complainant within 30 days of the board convening on the matter.

As of Jan. 27, there are 30 books the school board must review once the board votes on the request for reconsideration.

A majority of the 30 books the board must review are for high school students, with some also being considered at the middle school level.

Some books brought into classrooms by teachers face the possibility of being deemed inappropriate after a new law has increased the scrutiny on reading material.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Kathy Kersey, a Myakka City Elementary School teacher, reads “Crawly Bug and the Firehouse Pie.” All books in media centers across the School District of Manatee County have been vetted, and now the attention turns to books supplied by teachers for their classrooms.

William H. Bashaw Elementary School kindergartner Jay Dan Roux uses his finger to keep track of his place. All elementary schools will have a list of books students have access to posted on the school’s website.

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This Week’s Programs Include:

Music Mondays

Monday, February 6

Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 3:00 pm

Leymis Bolaños Wilmott, Choreographer

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Global Issues

Tuesday, February 7 Sarasota,10:30 am - Venice, 2:30 pm

Post Brexit: What Now?

A er Brexit, the UK economy has worsened. Baroness Margaret Jay will elaborate on some of the current problems and potential solutions.

Wednesday, February 8 Sarasota,10:30 am

The Refugees in SW Florida - The Human Story Yasmin Sayed presents an overview of refugee resettlement at Lutheran Services Florida, its e orts in Florida, and the human stories of the challenges and successes.

Thursday, February 9 Sarasota,10:30 am - Lakewood Ranch, 5:00 Friday, February 10 Venice,10:00 am

Civil War by Other Means

Dr. Jeremi Suri will discuss the two decades a er the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, when some Americans tried to build a multiracial nation, and others refused. It shows how those years are still relevant.

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Ethics commission approves Baugh settlement

With an 8-2 vote, the Florida Commission on Ethics approved a settlement with Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh Jan. 27 regarding her role in setting up a pop-up, COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Lakewood Ranch in 2021.

The settlement was reached in October between Baugh and a Florida Commission on Ethics’ advocate, Elizabeth Miller. The settlement needed to be approved by the Florida Commission on Ethics, and it still needs to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Baugh was fined $8,000 and will receive a public censure.

In the settlement, Baugh admitted to “using or attempting to use her public position and/or resources to deviate from Manatee County’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution policy to serve specific individuals and ZIP codes at state-operated pop-up vaccination sites.”

DeSantis had originally asked Baugh to set up the clinic in Lakewood Ranch, which was lagging behind in terms of the percentage of those who had received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Eighteen ethics complaints were

filed against Baugh, who bypassed her fellow commissioners to set up the clinic and limited it to two ZIP codes in eastern Manatee County.

A four-month investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office into a criminal complaint against Baugh found she had broken no laws. However, an administrative hearing was ordered by the Florida Commission on Ethics because she had not followed Manatee County’s lottery system for vaccinations.

Manatee inspections go virtual

Homebuilders will be able to utilize a virtual building inspection tool to complete inspections with Manatee County’s Development Services department starting Feb. 6.

A county press release said homeowners are encouraged to ask their contractors about using the service.

It provided a link to a video explaining the service.

The release also said virtual inspection offerings are being updated to cover more inspections across multiple permit types.

The service uses the VuSpex app to connect contractors to building inspectors, while also integrating with the county’s project database hosted by Accela.

For assistance with the process, residents can email InspectVideo@ MyManatee.org or reach inspection division staff at (941) 742-4190.

MSC Foundation distributes grants

The MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Michael Saunders & Co., held a grant presentation event Jan. 26 at the company’s Lakewood Ranch office.

According to a release, the company presented grants to 47 local organizations in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

Agents feed the grant fund by donating a portion of their real estate commissions. Other staff members make voluntary payroll deductions.

In the past year, the foundation awarded $92,250, and since its formation in 2011, has awarded $1,192,548 to 256 organizations.

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File photo

The Florida Commission on Ethics approved a settlement with Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh involving the pop-up, COVID-19 vaccination clinic that was held in Lakewood Ranch in 2021.

County-city water partnership researched

water, he said.

“The challenge is always what do you do to get rid of your extra water in the rainy season when people’s grass is nourished by precipitation,” he said.

arate from Manatee County, chooses how to utilize the water, distributing it to areas of Lakewood Ranch that are not contributories of Ward Lake, which supplies drinking water to the city of Bradenton.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

As new housing developments continue to spring up, Manatee County is researching more ways to provide reclaimed water for irrigation purposes.

Kevin Morris, the county’s deputy director of utilities, said that research includes the possibility of connecting reclaimed water lines with the city of Bradenton.

New pipes could allow the city, which often has a reserve, to provide reclaimed water to the county.

While Morris said the county has not encountered any issues yet with storing enough reclaimed water, he said a possible shortfall is projected by 2040.

The county already holds a significant amount of reclaimed water in lakes, ponds and deep injection wells.

However, the project would allow additional developments to tap into the county’s transmission mains.

Morris said as new developments emerge, smaller pipes are constantly being added to feed them irrigation water.

Morris said in the past that conversations have been held between former Deputy Director of Utilities Jeffrey Goodwin, who left the county in October, and the city of Bradenton. He said limited conversations also took place over the holidays.

MANATEE COUNTY’S SYSTEM

Morris said the need for reclaimed water in the future, obviously, will be during its greatest periods of drought.

During the wet season, there can be an overabundance of reclaimed

According to Morris, the county produces about 26 million gallons per day of reclaimed water but uses only about 17 million gallons a day. Therefore, it must pipe almost 9 million gallons per day, on average, into storage.

The county’s holding systems are capable of retaining 1.3 billion gallons of reclaimed water.

That storage is useful during the dry season, and even that might be enough in the future and therefore the possibility of a partnership with the city.

Morris said many different ways to connect with the city exist and those still need to be explored.

During a Dec. 17 county meeting, Morris showed two possible connections with the city, including one that was located at the Braden River and another, which was located in the downtown Bradenton area.

While county staff members declined to discuss further details of any plans, the price tag for either alternative could be about $20 million, Morris said.

CITY OF BRADENTON SYSTEM

According to Jim McLellan, director of the Public Works & Utilities Department for the city of Bradenton, most of the excess water currently supplied by the city is sent to Braden River Utilities.

McLellan said there is a contractual agreement with Braden River Utilities to supply the company with up to 5 million gallons per day.

Meanwhile, the flow of reclaimed water from the plant is about 6 to 6.5 million gallons on an average day.

He noted the city’s reclaimed water undergoes advanced wastewater treatment, which means its nutrients are removed.

Once the water has left the city, Braden River Utilities, an entity sep-

The rest of the reclaimed water is mainly distributed to the community of Glen Creek, the Pirate City stadium complex and the River Run golf course.

McLellan said the excess reclaimed water results from variations in how much water is available, as well as times a company or municipality cannot accept the flow.

There are also some restrictions on the system that connects the city to Braden River Utilities, which McLellan said are currently being resolved.

The pipeline and pump station delivering flow to Lakewood Ranch was recently expanded with additional piping and additional capacity of pumps, he said.

However, he said the company is still in the process of adding a booster system that will keep the pressure at the necessary levels.

Morris said if the county can manage a shorter route or a route through a less urbanized or congested area, it could “vastly” reduce costs. This would be the case, he said, if the city is able to connect with Braden River Utilities, bringing the transmission line closer to the existing system.

McLellan said at this point, conversations on a connection with Manatee County are preliminary, and he does not know whether or how the water flow would develop.

A HISTORY OF COUNTY AND CITY COOPERATION

Morris said this project would not be the first time the county and city have worked alongside one another. He said the county and city potable water systems are already interconnected at about 10 locations.

This, he said, is because of boundaries created by geography and city limits that may lack uniformity, leaving one governing body sometimes in a better position to supply

water to a property that was within the other’s network.

If the infrastructure of one party is better equipped to serve the other’s area, arrangements will be made, Morris said.

He said there is a formal process by which the city utilities director can request service from the county in writing, and vice versa.

One example of such a situation, he said, is the county’s current plans to accept Jessie P. Miller Elementary School as a customer. He said the county operates a water main, which can provide better pressure,

while plans will also allow the city to abandon an old line that it would otherwise have to replace, but which extends for about half-a-mile with no benefit to areas outside the school. The switch would simply be the fairly inexpensive process of swapping out the water meters, he said.

FUNDING THE PROJECT

Morris said the county will not be alone in covering the cost of the project if it develops in the future.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District highly encourages the use of reclaimed water, Morris said, as it helps prevent “precious and limited” potable water from being used for irrigation and has a policy of providing constructed grants for these types of projects.

He said because discussions are at a preliminary stage, neither the county commissioners nor Bradenton’s City Council have made decisions regarding funding.

However, the effort has seen support from District 1 Commissioner James Satcher.

After having pushed for more cooperation between the county and city, Satcher said during a Dec. 17 meeting that he was pleased to see progress was being made in the area.

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Manatee County is doing research on a possible reclaimed water partnership with the city of Bradenton.

Photos by Ian Swaby

The county’s wastewater treatment plant on Lena Road is a source of reclaimed water in Manatee County.

Kevin Morris is deputy director of utilities for Manatee County.

Active effort stimulates residents

RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Greenbrook’s Gerald Risen provided a few moments of comedy to his fellow players during Bingo For All.

“What do you call a cow with no legs?” Risen asked the group of 15 people participating in the Bingo event Jan. 24 at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

“Ground beef,” he answered.

It was the first time Risen and his wife, Nancy Pfaadt participated in Lakewood Ranch Community Activity’s weekly Bingo. They wanted an opportunity to get to know fellow Lakewood Ranch residents while having fun doing an activity.

Pfaadt said she loved the camaraderie and social aspect of participating in Bingo.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is working to address residents’ desires for programming as more people are getting involved in the various programs the nonprofit provides. Participation has sharply increased since the pandemic eased.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted programs and events with an abundance of caution to ensure residents’ safety. Chris McComas who provides programming for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities said more people are ready to be more active in the community.

“Two years ago there was a lot of uncertainty in the air,” McComas said. “That uncertainty seems to be gone, and people are ready to participate in programming and to socialize.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is shifting toward holding its Bingo, field bocce, adult tennis and casual cornhole year-round on a weekly basis. Those programs have been shut down in the summer months in previous years.

McComas said the programs started with small numbers of participants but now have grown to include dozens of participants each week.

In the past, when a program was shut down for a month or more, the numbers would plummet, and it would take time to build participation after the program began again.

McComas hopes having the programs available more consistently will lead to steady participation.

McComas said Bingo, field bocce,

casual cornhole and adult tennis not only saw the highest numbers of participation, but they are located in various areas of Lakewood Ranch, including Greenbrook Adventure Park, Waterside Place and Summerfield Community Park.

When Waterside Place was nearing the end of its construction, programs were moved there to showcase the new community. Programs and events, such as sunset volleyball and Ranch Nite Wednesdays, were always meant to be at Waterside Place. McComas said residents now will see some programs moved back to other parks such as Bob Gardner Community Park, Summerfield Community Park and Greenbrook Adventure Park.

“Lakewood Ranch is very large; you’re as south as Sarasota with Waterside and as north as (State Road) 64, so we have to be sure and mindful to hit all of our parks in between so it’s easy access for every resident of Lakewood Ranch,” McComas said.

As Premier Park continues to develop, McComas hopes to have Lakewood Ranch Community Activities programming available at the park, but it depends on how the park progresses.

Besides making programs more consistent and accessible, McComas said there are new programs available, such as jazzercise at Waterside Park or the silver circuit program at Summerfield Community Park.

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities also is testing programs that might be considered a bit more offbeat, such as Bachata Dance at Waterside, Gardening Basics at the Greenbrook Adventure Park and Intro to Phone Photography at James Patton Park. McComas said they always are looking to create programs that meet residents’ wants and needs.

LIZ

With the easing of the pandemic, more people are ready to participate in parks programming.

Kelly Harmon, with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, calls out the letter and number in Bingo while asking residents about themselves to allow everyone to get to know each other.

Liz Ramos

In the worst of times, you want the best of care. And you shouldn’t have to travel halfway across the country to get it. At the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, we’re committed to providing world-class care this community needs, right here at home.

For us, that means utilizing the latest technology to diagnose symptoms early and accurately, employing state-of-the-art interventions to provide advanced cancer treatment, and delivering a lifetime of survivorship and follow-up care planning to help our patients live life to the fullest. It means building a radiation oncology center and a dedicated oncology tower — and now breaking ground on a new outpatient cancer pavilion to take you all the way through your journey. For our patients, that means having access to the expertise they need and the high-touch care they deserve. It means staying close to family when they need it most. And it means always having the most important medicine of all:

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Polo continues despite fire

It was only 36 hours after fire was reported raging through the Sarasota Polo Club’s clubhouse, yet both sidelines of the main polo field were lined with thousands of polo spectators who had come to enjoy one of their favorite outings.

The fire took about two hours to completely destroy the clubhouse early Jan. 28, and state fire inspectors didn’t release the scene to Sarasota Polo Club owners James and Misdee Miller until that Saturday evening. Even so, the club’s staff quickly secured the area with fencing as they prepared to host Sunday polo.

The next day, with the Sunday polo ball ready to drop, James Miller addressed the crowd.

He thanked everyone for their care and understanding following the fire and ended his brief address by quoting the rock band Queen by saying, “The Show Must Go On.”

With that, it was like any other Sunday of polo, other than the charred, gutted building just off the west end of the main polo field.

Sarasota Polo Club members slowly walked past the ruins, talking about how beautiful it was this season after the major renovation. They talked about how traumatic it had to be for the owners because of the effort involved.

One member, who didn’t want to be identified, talked about the pain the Millers had to be experiencing.

“I can’t even imagine,” he said.

“This is obviously a tragic loss, but we have been lucky to have had the opportunity and the means to improve the club in the first place,” James Miller said. “And there are far more people with far greater losses, and it is most important to keep all things in perspective.”

The Millers had just finished the renovation of the clubhouse and were planning special events this season.  “I have suffered plenty of loses and setbacks in my career, and I have remained positive and focused on the next opportunity,” James Miller said.

He said both he and Misdee would be saddened by the loss of the clubhouse for years because it has served as the main gathering place for the members for more than 20 years.

“We lost some club history, we lost some fancy new surroundings but we did not lose the memories,” he said.

Former Schroeder-Manatee

Ranch CEO John Clarke was trying to enjoy his spot along the sideline on Sunday, but the day was dampened by what the fire left behind.

“It’s very sad,” Clarke said. “Over the years, there have been many

events here. And they had done such a great job refurbishing it. This is just terrible, hard luck.”

The clubhouse had a seating capacity of 120 with a 40-footby-40-foot main room. It had a 64-foot-by-15-foot, wrap-around porch that the members packed to watch polo.

Features included a stone fireplace with a raised hearth, high-beamed ceilings, a new bar area and a catering kitchen.

The club was founded in 1991, and Clarke said he thought the clubhouse was built in 1992.

James Miller said rebuilding the club would occur in time, but he asked the community to “be patient with us.” The focus will be on cleaning up the mess while maintaining the polo environment the fans have come to know.

The Millers wanted everyone to know they appreciate that people care.

Twenty units responded to the fire, including seven engines, a ladder truck and two tankers. Sarasota County Fire Department Battalion 2

Chief Michael Huff said the fire was reported at 12:57 a.m. and firefighters from Station 7 (4754 17th St., Sarasota) were the first to respond.

No one was in the building.

No barns are near the area, so no animals were affected.

The building was engulfed when firefighters arrived, so there was no “interior” firefighting.

State fire inspectors were on the scene to determine the cause of the fire. Huff said Saturday that a unit would remain at the scene to make sure no one enters the remains of the building until inspectors determine it is safe to turn it over to the owners. That happened Saturday evening. Huff said the remains of the build-

ing would cause no danger as long as people are kept a safe distance away.

The Millers purchased the polo club in 2018 to save the facility from being developed so the community could continue to enjoy polo.

Misdee Miller, who walked the perimeter Saturday morning with Paige Lautzenheiser, the Sarasota Polo Club’s director of operations, was emotional as she looked into the destroyed clubhouse.

“My heart is breaking,” Misdee Miller said softly. “Thank God no one was here.” By early that afternoon, she and James decided that Sunday’s polo match would go on as scheduled.

The fire had no affect on the playing field or any of the other seating areas.

Misdee Miller said that she and James needed to let “their hearts heal a little” before deciding how to rebuild the clubhouse.

“James is understandably devastated,” she said. “It might take us awhile.”

“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

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JAY HEATER STAFF WRITER

Sarasota Polo Club owners say they will persevere through a significant loss.

“This is obviously a tragic loss, but we have been lucky to have had the opportunity and the means to improve the club in the first place. And there are far more people with far greater losses, and it is most important to keep all things in perspective.”

James

Miller

Sarasota Polo Club

owner

Photos by Jay Heater

Barefield’s Vasco Iriarte rides past the destroyed clubhouse during a match Jan. 29 at the Sarasota Polo Club.

Misdee Miller, who owns the Sarasota Polo Club with her husband, James Miller, looks into the burnt remains of her clubhouse that was just renovated.

Artist couldn’t picture a better win

Inever win anything.

Well, that isn’t exactly true. There were those two movie tickets I won when I was 18, from the local radio station. Of course, it was about $1 apiece to get into the movies at the time.

Thinking ... thinking ... thinking.

OK, I have hit a couple of bingos in my time. Although my playingto-winning ratio hovers around 500-1. I’m not sure you can categorize that as winning.

Auctions? I don’t know why people always say you win when you have the high bid at an auction. Certainly, my wallet comes out. I don’t consider that winning, either.

The folks from Publishers Clearing House never have come to my door, even though I have practiced my look of shock. I finally stopped completing those feedback contests on my Taco Bell receipts because I have yet to collect anything. Queen of Hearts at the Elks Club? I have Two of Clubs luck.

So when I saw that Lakewood Ranch’s Don Malko won a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII on Feb, 12 in Glendale, Ariz., I had to meet this guy. I pulled up to his cozy home in Country Club East and right away had the impression that this was a smart cookie. A former art education teacher for 32 years at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District in New Jersey, Malko spends his retirement days putting together the Aero Brush magazine, a journal for the American Society of Aviation Artists. Heady stuff.

He handed me a copy of the seasonal magazine, this one the fall, 2022 edition. His story was titled, “The Atlas Missile,” a piece examining long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles, their history and the art that emerged to document them. It was not your everyday material.

The editor of the nonprofit publication since 2004, he explained his love of all things connected to aerospace art. He showed me his garage, which is more of a makeshift studio that included the many drawings he has done of influential people in the aerospace industry.

After serving in the U.S. Army Security Agency early in his life, the now 76-year-old Malko talked about the various opportunities that arose from his love of the aerospace industry and the art associated with it.

His conversation convinced me that besides being an artist and a journalist, he is a numbers guy.

One of his highlights was flying in a C-2A Greyhound that was built to land on aircraft carriers. He landed and took off from the USS George Washington, a CVN-73 nuclearpowered aircraft carrier. He rattled off that information and then offered that, upon takeoff, the plane went from 0 to 140 knots in 2.3 seconds to take off from a 278-foot runway using a steam catapult. This all occurred in 1999.

Being a guy who doesn’t fare well in the Drop Zone at the carnival, I can’t even imagine.

And even more to the point, I can’t imagine how he can rattle off the makes and models of aircraft and aircraft carriers, length of runways and speeds. At 76? My goodness, he is my hero.

Could all this have anything to do with his good fortune?

The contest prize of two Super Bowl tickets, exclusive access to Super Bowl weekend events, a three-night stay at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown and two airline tickets, were awarded by Verizon, which was holding it to promote its app Verizon Up.

Malko was introduced to Verizon

Up’s various contests by his daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Jeff Durick, who live in Bennington, Nebraska. Note that Jeff Durick is a pilot for United while Kristin Durick is a former flight attendant.

One of the contests asked those playing to be on the app at an exact moment to see if your click on a prompt would get through to earn $100. Malko hit it perfectly and put a C-note in his pocket.

On Jan. 6, Kristin Durick called him about another contest. This time, Verizon was giving away the Super Bowl trip. Only one would be awarded in the national contest.

Why not try?

When the prompt came up and customers throughout the nation hit the prompt, Malko was on board.

“You have to wonder if somehow you can get through such a complex system,” he said. “It is shooting through fiber optics and communication towers.”

Malko stared into his computer as a secondary screen popped up.

“You’ve got Super Tickets,” it read.

Pure luck?

Perhaps so, but Maklo said he

built his home personal computer to be a faster system. He constructed it using “the latest hardware” and noted it is considered to be in the top 95% of computer maximum speed capabilities. It is a watercooled system.

I guess I have to be a little more proactive before entering contests.

For weeks afterward, Malko wasn’t absolutely sure he had won. His wife of 53 years, Charlotte, suggested he take his grandson, 12-year-old Graham Durick, because of his love of sports, but Malko hesitated to tell him until he received something a little more definitive from Verizon. When that eventually came, he Facetimed with his grandson, who was sledding in the Nebraska snow.

“He just rolled over into the snow,” Malko said of his grandson, who had collapsed in joy.

Graham is a Cowboys fan, and they fell short of the Super Bowl, and then he was rooting for the Bengals, and that went badly, too. But his grandpa said he has lots of football cards, and he is looking forward to getting some of them signed.

It will be another week, and away they will go, proof that your winning moment might still be out there.

I thanked Malko for his time and headed out his door.

“I never have won anything before,” he said to me.

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch’s Don Malko, who won a trip for two to the Super Bowl, shows off his drawings of significant members of the aerospace industry.

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

The Milestone Financial Group At Morgan Stanley Proudly Presents The S.T.A.R. INVESTOR’S CONFERENCE

Monday, February 13, 2023 1:00 - 5:00 pm Art Ovation Hotel | 1255 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

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• Timely Ideas for Today’s Market Environment

• Alternative Investment Insights - Equity, Credit and Hedge

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• The Millennial Economy

Come learn what is happening in today’s marketplace.

Seating is limited. CALL TODAY! 941.714.7931

The

Forum is for investors defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Qualified Purchasers (an individual with $5 Million or greater in investments).

The Investment Forum is for investors defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Qualified Purchasers (an individual with $5 Million or greater in investments).

FEATURED SPEAKER: Robert C. Doll, CFA

Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, Chief Equity Strategist

Bob is a managing director, senior portfolio manager and chief equity strategist at Nuveen. Bob manages seven portfolios, including large caps and alternatives. He is a highly respected authority on the equity markets among investors, advisors and the media. As the author of widely followed weekly commentaries and annual market predictions, Bob provides ongoing, timely market perspectives.

FEATURED SPEAKER: Ned Davis

Prior to joining the firm, Bob held similar roles at other large asset management firms, including serving as chief equity strategist at Blackrock, president and chief investment officer of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and chief investment officer of Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.

Senior Investment Strategist, Ned Davis Research

Bob graduated with a B.S. in Accounting and a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds the CFA designation from the CFA Institute.

Top Strategists and Portfolio Managers from:

Ned Davis, Senior Investment Strategist, founded Ned Davis Research Group (NDRG), in 1980. Ned has been professionally involved in the stock market for over 40 years. While arguing that forecasting reliably (“Being Right”) is impossibly difficult, he espouses a philosophy that he feels can consistently win (“Make Money”) through a disciplined strategy of following the weight of objective indicator evidence. Because he also believes flexibility (ability to adapt) is crucial, Ned Davis Research Group also produces many sentiment indicators warning investors to be wary at crowd extremes and helping them to be open-minded about potential trend changes. A self-proclaimed risk manager, Ned dedicates his research to avoiding major mistakes, cutting losses short, and letting profits run.

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Top Strategists and Portfolio Managers from:

Event courtesy of John Vita, Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, with local office at 1401 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. The guest speakers are neither employees nor affiliated with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley. Individuals should consult with their tax/legal advisors before making any tax/legal-related investment decisions as Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax/legal advice. There will be no discussion of, or distribution of written materials relating to, specific products or investments at this presentation. Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Principal value and return of an invest-ment will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. This presentation is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered a solicitation on our part with respect to the purchase or sale of any securities, investments, strategies or products that may be mentioned. The organizations represented by the speakers provided financial support for this Forum. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC5410564 1/23

Call to service

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

When Christian Bell stepped on the U.S. Naval Academy campus as a sixth grader, he immediately knew where he wanted to be in the future.

At the time, his family had surprised him with a visit to the academy during their trip to Philadelphia. He was in awe.

“When I saw it, I fell in love,” Bell said about the Naval Academy. “I was like, ‘This is where I’m meant to be.’ It felt like home.”

When Bell, a senior at Braden River High School, found out Congressman Vern Buchanan nominated him to the Naval Academy, he was ecstatic.

A nomination to the service academies also gave Terrence Tysall, another Braden River High School senior, a reason to celebrate.

“(My parents) showed me the letter, and I kind of freaked out,” Tysall said. “That’s probably the closest I’ve been from tearing up about something like that. I can’t even describe how I was feeling. It was amazing.”

The nominations are an important step toward being accepted.

“The Navy mission, the Navy ethos, everything’s aligned exactly with my personal values and with what I want to do,” Tysall said.

Tysall had always been striving to attend an Ivy League school as a result of his push to do well academically. But he also had an interest in the military and always wanted to be a pilot. He said the Naval Academy would be the perfect fit for him.

“I found a way I could combine the college education I wanted and become a pilot, join the military and serve my country,” he said. “It’s everything. It checked all the boxes.”

Throughout their time in JROTC, Bell and Tysall have learned how to balance having fun and being serious while working with the cadets or participating in JROTC teams such as the rifle team, drill team or raiders team.

ABOUT THE NOMINEES

CHRISTIAN BELL School: Braden River High School

Year in school: Senior

Years in JROTC: Four

Nomination: U.S. Naval Academy

Future aspirations: Aviation and aerospace engineer

Advice to younger cadets: Learn everything you can from the upperclassmen in JROTC

TERRENCE TYSALL

School: Braden River High School

Year in school: Senior (graduating a year early)

Years in JROTC: Three

Nomination: U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy Academy preference: Naval Academy

Future aspirations: Aviation and particle physics

Advice to younger cadets: Take advantage of every opportunity life gives you

“It’s the fact that it treats everybody exactly equal no matter where you’re from, no matter your academic prowess in other classes,” Tysall said. “You can be great and pretty much anybody can rise through the ranks. It’s about hard work and dedication.”

Liz Ramos

Braden River High School seniors Christian Bell and Terrence Tysall hope to be accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy after they received nominations from Congressman Vern Buchanan.

SPORTS

Fast Break

Ace potential

Greyhawk Landing’s Hayley Roberts is a fivestar player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, but she knows she still has work to do.

Braden River High foot-

ball seniors Connor Kisiah, a defensive back, and Craivontae Koonce, a wide receiver/tight end, committed to St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens) on Jan. 24 and Jan. 27, respectively, to play NAIA football for the Bobcats. The Bobcats finished 9-2 overall in 2022 and were 5-1 in the Mid-South Conference.

… Parrish Community High has hired Dylan Clark to be its next football coach, replacing Chris Culton, who stepped down in December. Clark was most recently the head coach at Tampa’s Alonso High, where he compiled an 8-11 record over two seasons (6-4 in the second season). Culton, who coached at Lakewood Ranch High before moving to Parrish Community, went 7-16 over three seasons at Parrish Community and was 4-5 his final season.

… High school soccer district tournaments continue this week. Barring an upset against Venice High (10-10-1) on Jan. 31, the Lakewood Ranch High girls team (15-0-1) will host the district championship game at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 against either Riverview High (7-1-3) or North Port High (11-4-1).

Don’t forget about the inaugural NBP Paddling Classic, coming to Nathan Benderson Park on Feb. 4. It will see dragon boats compete in 200- and 500-meter races in various divisions, including a newlyformed 18+ division. Food and beverage trucks will be on site. The event is free for spectators. For more information visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

Steven Block sank a holein-one Jan. 27 on the No. 6 hole at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Cypress Links course, using a 4-hybrid on the 162-yard hole. On Jan. 26, Sidney O’Connell sank one on the No. 16 hole at University Park Country Club, using a driver on the 122-yard hole.

Just ask Hayley Roberts.

Roberts, from Greyhawk Landing, is a five-star tennis player according to the Tennis Recruiting Network. The service ranks Roberts, a sophomore in the Florida Virtual School, as the No. 53 player in the national class of 2025. Roberts has been playing the sport since she was 5, but her game and national exposure has exploded in the past 18 months, when she began training with Lakewood Ranch Country Club’s head tennis professional Chris Marquez.

The pair have made a lot of progress in that time. Marquez said Roberts, among other qualities, has elite quickness and footwork, allowing her to cover lots of ground and get to shots that would blow past other players.

Roberts, who is 5-foot-8, is also able to use her height to her advantage. Marquez said it gives her more reach and more chances to be explosive versus staying back and letting the ball come to her.

Marquez said after a lot of hard work, Roberts is now capable of putting on a consistently great performance — in practice, at least.

Tournaments have been more of a mixed bag lately, both Marquez and Roberts said. The Tennis Recruiting Network has Roberts’ record at 37-24 — 13-15 versus five-star and bluechip players, 24-9 versus everyone else. They are fine marks but ones Roberts would like to improve.

It’s harder than it looks. As Marquez put it, Roberts used to be the hunter. Now, because of her ranking, she’s the hunted.

“There’s a lot of pressure, whether you’re playing a lower-ranked opponent (you are expected to beat) or you’re in a big tournament and there are rankings and points and pride on the line,” Roberts said. “It’s a lot. You just want to win so bad.”

As a result, Marquez said a lot of Roberts’ training has focused on the mental side of tennis. Marquez said Roberts plays her best when she plays free and aggressive. When she shies away and plays tentative, she loses.

Part of the solution to the pressure problem has been Roberts taking more stock of her own emotions.

FAST FACTS

HAYLEY ROBERTS

Sport: Tennis

Grade: Sophomore (Florida

Virtual School)

Height: 5-foot-8

Tennis Recruiting Network ranking: No. 56 in the national class of 2025

Record: 37-24

Favorite food: Pepperoni and sausage pizza

Favorite sports team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Favorite TV show: “The

Vampire Diaries”

Dream superpower: Invisibility

Favorite school subject: History

Favorite tennis players to watch: Amanda Anisimova and Sebastian Korda

When Roberts hits a string of poor shots and gets upset, she needs to notice that, Marquez said, so she can avoid letting that attitude continue to affect her game. Roberts is a perfectionist, he said. While that trait will help her become great, it also makes emotional adjustments like this difficult to make.  Roberts said she also needs to push her timidness aside and start using new skills she has been acquiring in practice and using them in tournaments, like her forehand inside-out — a forehand shot hit from what would typically be a player’s “backhand” side of the court — which Roberts believes can lead to a lot of success, as not many girls tennis players use it. Marquez agrees and called Roberts a natural ball-striker, a trait that is hard to find in young tennis players. The more shots she can master, the more ways she has to exploit an opponent’s weaknesses.

Logic would dictate that the pressure Roberts feels at a tournament would skyrocket with college coaches in attendance, but so far, that has not been the case. Marquez said Roberts has a knack for saving her best play for those matches.

Though colleges cannot contact Roberts directly until her junior season, schools at her matches include the universities of Tennessee, Kentucky, Arizona and South Florida as well as Oklahoma State.

“She wants to put on a good show for them, and she always does,” Marquez said. “I love that. It shows maturity. She’s trusting the work that she’s doing in practice. That’s big.”

Thanks to her mental training, a

corner seems to have been turned for Roberts. At the United States Tennis Association Girls 16 Winter National Championships, held Dec. 28-Jan. 2 in Orlando, Roberts reached the round of 16 before losing to Jane Dunyon of Utah.

Roberts’ natural talent is selfevident to anyone who watches her play — or challenges her. Marquez said Roberts trains with a group of his former trainees, all college tennis players, when they are home on breaks, including Mississippi State grad student Gia Cohen, Rutgers junior Tara Chilton and San Francisco grad student Rita Colyer, among others.

Marquez said the training sessions are serious, and Roberts has shown she can compete with the more mature players. For Roberts, the sessions have given her a lot of confidence, but they also have become about more than just honing skills.

“The girls are all so nice, and it makes me look forward to college tennis a lot,” Roberts said. “Everyone on your team is like family. It feels like they’re my best friends when they come back. I talk to them about my personal life and we joke and go do things together.”

Roberts has years to go before her college dream can become reality, but both she and Marquez are confident it will, especially if she can continue to play with physical and mental freedom.

“She’s done great,” Marquez said.

Hayley Roberts said the drive to be great keeps her motivated every day and helps her work ethic.

“I have met teammates and coaches and referees that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

— Lakewood Ranch High wrestler Devlin Loynd SEE PAGE 16

File photo Lakewood Ranch High’s Sophie Lemus gets a high-five from Gabrielle Madrid after Lemus scored against Manatee High.

Hayley Roberts said the mental side of tennis has been more of a challenge for her than the physical side.

RYAN KOHN | SPORTS EDITOR

For all the talent five-star athletes have, they still have to deal with pressure.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Lakewood Ranch resident links golfers to dream trips

You will leave with a lifelong memory.

Scott Wilson guarantees it.

Of course, Wilson knows he can’t control the weather, even if he normally has good luck in that regard.

No matter the circumstances, though, Wilson said he does everything in his power to produce an unforgettable vacation for those who use his Wilson Links travel golf company.

Wilson started Wilson Links as a full-time company this past year, but he has been taking groups on customized golf trips since 2005, when he was director of golf at Vellano Country Club in Chino Hills, California.

No one knows the best places to play links golf better.

Wilson, a PGA golf pro, has played 860 golf courses over the years, including all 100 of Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” as last published in 2021, and 82 of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World.

He is so well traveled, he acted as a Golf Digest panelist for 18 years, helping them rank the courses, and is in year 20 of being a PGA Magazine Travel Ambassador.

So what does Wilson Links do?

In short, the company does whatever you want. Wilson said he will talk with his clients about where they want to go and what they want to see, and then he’ll take care of all the planning. If a group doesn’t have that much knowledge of a place (or just wants to do less research), Wilson can also take care of the ideas himself.

As you might have guessed, the company specializes in trips to links-style courses, which are built on open, rising and falling stretches of land with few trees, usually but not always situated on a coastline.

Wilson said the idea is for clients to do as little as possible upon

arrival. All they have to do is show up.

“We manage people’s memories,” Wilson said, recalling advice an old colleague gave him. “These trips are bucket list things. It is their dream to go to these places, and we’re in charge. We have to take them to the right places and go to the right dinners. They have to have a good time.”

On trips to Scotland, for instance, groups will get to play at historic links-style courses like The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, but they will also get to visit castles in the area, take tours of whiskey distilleries and eat at authentic restaurants. Wilson said he will always remember a July 2011 trip to Scotland that featured two people on the trip celebrating their 50th birthdays and, on July 4, playing St Andrews in the morning and eating at the local pub, which was serving Texas-style barbecue and hamburgers in a nod to America, at night.

It’s not just the big things, though. Wilson joked that he will even shimmy up a tree to get the perfect photo of a group during a round. At least, I think he was joking. But I would not be surprised if that stops being a joke someday.

That is how committed he is to making sure his customers have a good time. Wilson will purchase flags of the country visited and pass them around the table on the final night’s dinner so everyone can sign each flag, and once the trip is over, Wilson will put together books filled with photos from the trip, memorializing each incredible moment.

These trips come with a cost, but that cost differs depending on the location of the trip — and the length of the flight — plus the extravagance of the excursions each group picks. Because of all the different factors at play, Wilson said it is dif-

ficult to give an estimate, but he’s confident there is a package that can fit any interested group.

Wilson will sometimes join in on the golf — but only if the group has an odd number of golfers. Otherwise, he is content to make memories for others. He already has plenty of his own. Wilson said his No. 1 favorite course to play is Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California, located on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. While that course and other favorites like the Old Course at St Andrews are widely regarded as masterpieces, Wilson also has a fondness for quirkier courses, like Scotland’s Musselburgh Golf Club, which is a nine-hole course that weaves in and out of a horse race track.

Though many of Wilson’s trips go overseas, not all of them do. For 2023, Wilson has scheduled multiple trips to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. In 2024, Wilson plans on sending a group to courses in Arizona. So I was curious. Where would he recommend people play links golf if they wanted to take a trip to Manatee-Sarasota counties?

It turns out, he wouldn’t recommend it at all — though people could stay at a hotel in the area to enjoy the beaches and art scenes when not golfing. For links golf, though, Wilson recommends they take a 90-minute drive northeast.

“If their desire is to play world class, links-style golf, the only place to go right now is Streamsong Resort (in Bowling Green),” he said. Wilson himself helped oversee the course’s construction in 2012, through Kemper Sports Management, and worked as the course’s director of golf until 2021. It’s no surprise, given Wilson’s affinity for links courses. But it’s not just Wilson’s personal bias talking. The resort has three courses on the Golf Magazine top 100 list.

Later this year, the course at Cabot Citrus Farms (previously called World Woods Golf Club), about two hours north in Brooksville, is expected to open after renovations. Wilson said that course is expected to be spectacular as well.

When it opens, it will give another world-class option for links-style fans, and, Wilson hopes, increase the style’s popularity in Florida. At that point, Wilson said, he’ll consider flying overseas acquaintances he’s made over the years into Florida to play those courses and see the sights.

Until then, he will stay busy, with trips to new places like Japan, Australia and New Zealand on the docket. No matter where he is, Wil-

son gets joy out of sharing a love of golf with others.

“That’s what makes this feel good,” Wilson said. “At the end of the day, it’s about people having the trip of a lifetime.”

For more information on Wilson Links or to inquire about a trip, golfers can visit WilsonLinks.com.

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

Courtesy photo

Scott Wilson poses on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews in Scotland.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Devlin Loynd

Devlin Loynd is a senior wrestler at Lakewood Ranch High. Loynd, who wrestles at 145 pounds, went 5-0 at the Bruins Round Robin meet held Jan. 22 at Bayshore High. Loynd is 21-15 in 2022-23.

When did you start wrestling?

I started in sixth grade. I didn’t like it at first, actually. My friend (Diego Torres) was doing it, though, and I didn’t want him to be able to beat me, so I kept doing it.

What is the appeal to you?

I like that it is not all about strength. It is about technique. You have to be careful of how you step and move, where you grab, things like that. Also, there’s a lot of team bonding. I have met teammates and coaches and referees that I will remember for the rest of my life. It is just a cool sport.

What is your best skill?

My dedication. I can push through a lot of things. I feel my body wanting to quit, but I don’t. This sport teaches you to stick with things through the pain. If you do, there will be something good at the end.

What have you been working to improve?

My mentality. I didn’t start the year at my best. It was mostly because of my head. I wasn’t in the right mood to wrestle and when I lost a match, I would doubt myself. But with my coaches I have learned to work through it and to have a winner’s mindset. My season has been get ting better.

What is your favorite memory?

For sure, the trip to an Ohio State camp the team took over the summer. The whole time you are with your team-

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.

mates and you’re having fun, even though you’re waking up and going to practice each day. Everyone’s laughing the whole time, and you’re getting great experience.

What do you and the team need to do as the postseason approaches? We need to work on our cardio and have confidence. Sometimes I think we’re scared to hit the moves we do in practice. We need to fully commit and go for it, and I think we can do well.

What is the best advice you have received?

A lot of the time, the best thing to do in a tough situation is to take a step back, especially when you’re mad. Look at it from a different angle and try again. You’re eventually going to succeed if you keep doing that.

Finish this sentence: “Devlin Loynd is …” … Enthusiastic.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

NEW CHAIR COVERS 2023 GOALS

Erik Hanson says growth of the LWRBA and affordable housing are priorities for the board in 2023.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

As the new board chair for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Erik Hanson gave an interesting description of his job, which is basically to help Executive Director/CEO Brittany Lamont succeed.

“As board members, we kind of set up the bowing alley bumpers,” said Hanson, who was announced as the new chair on Jan. 27 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

He called himself, as chair, the organization’s bellwether (the lead sheep of the flock with a bell around its neck) whose main duty is to “be engaged.”

When the board comes up with ideas and suggestions, he said Lamont takes over.

“We have a fantastic CEO who was brought in here with the right knowledge and skillset,” he said.

Hanson, a construction law attorney for Shutts and Bowen of Sarasota, certainly was understating his role.

The alliance added 210 new members in 2022 alone, and one of Hanson’s main tasks will be to implement strategies that will continue to grow the nonprofit, which currently has just more than 600 members.

In 2022, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted 75 events to bring its members together with each other and the community.

As outgoing board Chair Allison Imre, CEO and owner of Grapevine Communications, said while passing the huge gavel to Hanson at Grove, “We are devising new ways to turn on lights.”

Imre said Hanson is the perfect guy to move the alliance forward.

“This is the guy who will make you like lawyers more,” Imre said.

It was an emotional event for Imre, who completed her run as board chair by addressing a sold-out crowd of 300.

“I have two goals: not to cry and not to swear,” Imre said as she began her final address as board chair.

She accomplished neither, to the members’ delight.

“We are relevant in ways we never have been before,” she said before Hanson took the podium. “We have a new website and a new database.”

Hanson said increasing the alliance’s social media presence would be one of the board’s goals in 2023.

“We can showcase our members,”

he said.

Another goal, he said, would be to “be the tip of the spear in the affordable housing discussion.”

“Everyone is having the same problem,” he said. “The cost of living here is a roadblock to hiring.”

Hanson joined the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in 2013 after attending an alliance luncheon at the Polo Grill and Bar (now Grove).

He said Lori Ruth, the East County Observer’s associate publisher and then a LWRBA board member, made a huge first impression on him.

“She put her hand out and said, ‘Hi, I am Lori Ruth. What can I do for you.’”

While seemingly a simple statement, Hanson said he set his course immediately to join the organization.

“It stuck with me,” said Hanson, who then worked for Norton Hammersley. “This group was not focused on itself, but what it could do for others. It was so beautiful and eloquent. ‘Who can I connect you with?’ It was all about community, and I wanted to be part of it.”

He became a major part of the

alliance, despite being married and having what is now three children. Hanson and his wife, Sarah, have 8-year-old Ellie, 6-year-old Emma and 22-month-old Evie.

“At certain times, I am sure Sarah wishes I was home,” Hanson said. “But she realizes the good in this.”

Hanson was in line to become the board chair in 2022, but Evie had just come along.

“We are on solid footing now,” he said.

Hanson said he has taken over as board chair with the nonprofit, now in its 18th year, running smoothly.

“Our leadership last year was absolutely phenomenal,” he said.

Also at the LWRBA luncheon Jan. 27, Kristie O’Kon, of Grapevine Communications, received the Chairman’s Award for her support of Imre during 2022.

Imre said O’Kon had the confidence to call her out if she began to go off course in terms of the alliance’s mission.

She also said O’Kon would step forward if she needed to run home because of family responsibilities.

O’Kon, in turn, said she admires Imre.

“I have had the opportunity to work for someone I truly admire,” O’Kon said of Imre. “I never have worked for such a powerful, sincere, genuinely kind person. As much as I lift her up, she has done as much, if not more, for me.”

CEO/President Brittany Lamont thanks outgoing Chair Allison Imre for her hard work in 2022.

Photos by Jay Heater

Erik Hanson, the new chair of the board for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, addresses the crowd at Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, FEB. 2 THROUGH

SUNDAY, FEB. 5

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

Runs each day from 3-6 p.m., except for Sundays, when it runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m., at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. This week’s music includes Rock’n Randy Talbott (Thursday), Greg Short and Friends (Friday), The Divebombers (Saturday) and Nax Steel (Sunday). A $5 cover is charged on Fridays and Saturdays; the other days are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding. com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3 AND

SATURDAY, FEB. 4

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs from 6-9 p.m. both days at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Live music will be provided by singer/ songwriter Emily Ross on 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 performs. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 4

COMMUNITY FAIR

Runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Silver Star East Restaurant, 36251 S.R. 70, Myakka City. The Myakka Co-Op Community Fair helps raise awareness and funds for six Myakka City nonprofit animal rescues, including Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, Dante’s Den and the Humane Society at Lakewood

Frame It Up

Ranch. There also will be a petting zoo. Funds from the fair will go toward Hurricane Ian recovery for the nonprofits.

NBP PADDLING CLASSIC

Begins at 9:30 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The inaugural NBP Paddling Classic will see dragon boats compete in 200and 500-meter races in various divisions, including a newly formed 18+ division. Food and beverage trucks will be on site. The event is $220 per team to register and is free for spectators. For more information or to register, visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 5

FARMERS MARKET

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

POLO

Begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota. The 2023 Sarasota Polo season runs each Sunday through April 30. Gates open at 10 a.m. Thousands of fans enjoy high-level polo action each Sunday while tailgating. The event includes themed weeks, entertainment at halftime and traditional divot-stomping.

BEST BET

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

MUSIC ON MAIN

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The free concert series features Ten-76, which specializes in classic and modern rock. Enjoy the block party that includes food vendors, beer trucks, sponsor booths, games and activities. This month’s proceeds benefit Easterseals Happiness House.

Tickets begin at $15 for general admission and up for special packages and VIP seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance at SarasotaPolo.com or at the gate. Children 12 and under admitted free. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

YOGA IN THE PARK

Begins at 9 a.m. at Waterside Place Park, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offers yoga that is free to residents; $10 for nonresidents. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK

Starts at 9 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk

benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers walk side by side in memory of those lost. There is no registration fee, but the event encourages participants to set a fundraising goal of $150. For more information or to register, visit Supporting.AFSP.org or email Ashley Bloom at ABloom123@ gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

RANCH NIGHT WEDNESDAYS

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. Live music, food trucks, a market with rotating vendors, a mobile bar and a recreational cornhole league highlight this crowd favorite event. Pets are

welcome, but no coolers or outside food or beverage allowed. For more information, go to WatersidePlace. com.

BINGO FOR ALL

Begins at 10 a.m. at Greenbrook

Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts Bingo. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

SUPERHERO 5K

Begins at 8:30 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The 12th Bridge A Life Superhero 5K highlights the 1,500-or-more youth who are in local foster care in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties while providing a family friendly event. The event will also feature a 1-mile fun run for kids. Registration is $25 for the 5K; $15 for the fun run. For more information visit NathanBendersonPark. org or 5KHero.com.

LAX AGAINST LEUKEMIA

Begins at 8 a.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lax Against Leukemia is a preseason high school lacrosse tournament that supports the Joey Powers Leukemia Project. The project provides financial assistance to families battling pediatric leukemia. More than 50 boys and girls lacrosse teams will be participating. The event is not ticketed, but donations are encouraged. For more information visit LaxAgainstLeukemia.org.

Located on Lockwood Ridge Road off University Parkway, Town Square will open in the weeks to come and can accommodate up to 120 people each day. To become part of the Town Square family, potential members will participate in an assessment that examines their physical and cognitive abilities. In addition to determining if the person is a good fit for the program, the assessment results help place members with other like-minded members.

Town Square operates on a planned schedule, with directed activities taking place in each storefront daily. Members rotate to the different areas with others in their assigned group. Activities can range from playing trivia in the movie theater to planting herbs in the garden shop. An open area has lawn games like cornhole and a putting green, and the neighboring PetLand will bring animals

Unlike most other adult day programs, Town Square also has a medical component. It offers primary care, lab services and psychiatry, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy five days a week. Podiatry, dermatology and audiology are available quarterly. These services, along with an on-site hair salon and barber, are aimed at making life easier for the members’ caregivers. The one-stop shop concept means the caregiver can work full-time, run errands or enjoy a deserved break during the day.

A caregiver support group holds sessions once a month, facilitated by Alzheimer’s Association, and monthly educational events teach family members how to help their loved ones and how to care for themselves.

“Our goal is to be a resource for families in the community,” Betts says.

Another way Town Square will aid local residents is by offering an array of membership packages. After paying a one-time fee, the daily rate varies. The more visits per week, the lower the daily cost. Town Square will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Picture a 1950s-style town, filled with vintage memorabilia, midcentury storefronts and even a 1956 Pontiac. That’s what you’ll find when you step into Town Square University Parkway. The unique adult day program is geared toward seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other mobility issues. This reminiscence therapy helps evoke happy memories.

File photo Ellington’s Amber Elmaleh does an expert job staying on a mechanical bull.

Fashionable food comes to UTC

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

Eddie Yzeiri, owner of two Appollonia Grill restaurants in Sarasota, had so much success over 10 years that he could have opened a third location.

Instead, he decided to change course and move away from the Greek-Mediterranean cuisine on which he had previously concentrated.

Post Kitchen & Bar, which opened in November in The Shoppes at University Town Center, provides what Yzeiri called a “modern presentation of classics,” with individualized versions of familiar restaurant items.

In other words, they look darned good.

Yzeiri said he uses a coastal environment of Florida theme at his new restaurant.

“We wanted to have a good balance of steak and seafood, but we decided to go on the seafood side,” he said.

Yzeiri had reserved space for the restaurant three years ago. He called Benderson Development, which owns University Town Center, “very understanding,” as it allowed him to shelve the project after the start of COVID-19.

After a year had past during COVID-19, he touched base with Benderson Development again to get started. However, it was not the end of his difficulties, as he

encountered long delays involving deliveries, staffing and contractors before he finally could open the doors in November.

Yzeiri said going with the unfamiliar is a hook for the restaurant.

“I always think of foods like fashion,” he said. “They tend to repeat themselves, but every time they repeat themselves, you tend to add a little something different to it.”

Among the items Yzeiri recommends is the Post Burger. He said its bacon jam brings the flavor found on a bacon cheeseburger, but includes an element of sweetness due to caramelization. Also featured on the burger is red wine sauce, which he said adds a pungent and acidic taste, and brie cheese.

“The sweetness of the bacon jam, the bacon, the beef and the cheese — they all play with each other and it just works really well,” he said.

Jonathan Whichard, the restaurant’s executive chef, said the crispy skin salmon, which comes with a cauliflower and leek puree and lemon butter on top, was a highlight of the menu.

“It’s a very elegant dish,” he said.

Yzeiri said the restaurant’s highest-end item was the Truffle Surf ’n’ Turf.

The dish includes a fillet mignon with a red wine sauce and lobster meat sautéed in a lemon butter truffle sauce, served with potato puree and vegetables.

“I think that would be the ultimate Valentine dinner, or high-end

IF YOU GO

dinner,” he said.

Yzeiri also highlighted the steak frites, which includes steak on a bed of chimichurri sauce alongside French fries and greens, as well as the beet-cured salmon, which he said provides an example of the offerings at the raw bar.

“The raw bar, it’s always so good. It’s all fresh seafood and its just melts in your mouth,” he said.

He called the salads “very healthy, very colorful, with beautiful flavors, bold flavors.”

He said a menu of about 13 house cocktails would be designed for a wide appeal.

“These cocktails are balanced,” he said. “They’re not going to be too strong or a palette that some people don’t like.”

Many of the cocktails are built around bourbon and whiskey, with the restaurant carrying about 70

different varieties of bourbon and whiskey, including large brand names such as Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark.

Drink options will also include items he said are difficult to find, including Balcones Bourbon, Heaven’s Door bourbon whiskey and rye and Michter’s 10-year-old bourbon and rye.

He said these items are usually allocated by their producers for existing customers and that he has been collecting them at his Apollonia Grill locations. The restaurant also will include a selection of more than 150 different types of wine, including sparkling wines, champagne and rosé wines.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Guests can see an oyster shucking display behind the bar.

Zombie lessons come to life

Chalk one up for the Girl Scouts over the zombies. In a Jan. 28 showdown at Bradenton’s Camp Honi Hanta, area Girl Scouts learned survival tips in a strange but fun environment.

“It’s a fun twist on survival training,” said Michelle Cramer, leader of Troops 17 and 21, about the zombie apocalypse theme.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office even sent out personnel to help the girls learn survival techniques.

Sgt. Rebecca Sehorne said a day dedicated to learning survival skills is important.

“I think it stimulates a discussion with them,” she said.

“A lot of times, we don’t want to talk about it with our kids.”

The day’s theme also included a contagion spreading throughout the camp and a “zombie chase.”

Lakewood Ranch’s 13-year-old Isabella Brown said she, indeed, learned new skills.

“It’s great. I learned a lot about surviving in the wild and what to do if you are injured — that sort of thing,” Brown said.

“I’ve been in Girl Scouts since kindergarten. You learn something new every day.”

Brown said some of the new skills she learned included self-defense and how to wrap an injured arm in a tourniquet.

Troop 361 leader Tammy Peters said other lessons included tracking, navigation in the wilderness and first aid.

— IAN SWABY

Bradenton 12-year-old Jenna Jahn gets to try on Bomb Squad Commander Rebecca Sehorne’s bomb suit.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Lakewood Ranch 12-year-old Polly Jessup and Bradenton 12-year-old Valerie Dearda learn survival lessons.

Lakewood Ranch 12-year-old Annalena Kayan and 11-year-old Frankie Grise set up a tent.

Lakewood Ranch 15-year-old Alice Barr attended the event alongside her sister, volunteer Kim Barr.

ASPIRE POLY FURNITURE

717 Cattlemen Rd • Sarasota, FL 34232

941-946-8887 • www.AspirePoly.com

Treat your Valentine to outdoor furniture that they will love for years to come! Poly furniture is made of recycled plastics, free from rust and require no repainting, perfect for the Florida lifestyle. Visit our showroom to see our large selection of products, & options to custom design your Valentine’s favorite colors. Or let them choose with a gift card!

VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE

BARTLETT JEWELERS

Creekwood Crossing I-75 & SR70 Bradenton, FL 34203 941-751-6600 • www.BartlettJewelers.com

We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality jewelry, outstanding customer service & the best possible value. Find just the right gift for your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. Choose from the latest styles by designers including Gabriel & Co, Allison Kaufman, Ti Sento & Charles Garnier. Pictured are fashion bangles in yellow and white gold by Gabriel & Co.

MOLLY MAID OF SARASOTA, MANATEE & CHARLOTTE COUNTIES

1461 Tallevast Rd • Sarasota, FL 34243 941-753-2220 • www.MollyMaid.com/local-house-cleaning/fl/sarasota-manatee-charlotte-counties

Not sure what to gift your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Why not give them some hours back in their day? Some time to enjoy doing something they love? Real love is saying “Don’t worry about cleaning the house, I got someone to do it for you!” Gift certificates are easy to get and easy to give. Happy Valentine’s Day!

ANNA MARIA OYSTER BAR

Find a location near you • www.OysterBar.net

Fall in love all over again with our Seafood Towers! Maine lobster, fresh crab, Gulf shrimp, tuna sashimi, and oysters, of course. And what better way to share the love with your honey on Valentine’s Day? Your neighborhood Anna Maria Oyster Bar has everything to make a romantic evening special: impeccable service, five-star fun, and a delectable selection of fresh seafood.

LE MACARON

362 St Armands Cir • Sarasota, FL 34236

140 University Town Center Dr • Sarasota, FL 34243 941-552-8872 • www.LeMacaron-US.com

Handcrafted by our team of French chefs, these classic pastries come in unique flavors like Sicilian Pistachio & Mango Jam. We use the finest glutenfree ingredients. Visit our pâtisserie to enjoy French Macarons, quality French gelato, classic French pastries, European-style beverages & homemade candies. Order your gift boxes now!

SIRIUS DAY SPA, SALON & MED SPAS

11585 E SR70 • Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd • Bradenton, FL 34201 941-357-4611 • www.SiriusDaySpas.com

The Perfect Gift for Your Valentine, a gift card from the #1 Spa in Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch/Bradenton. Full service hair salon, spa and medical spa featuring state of the art services, 11 treatment rooms (including couples room!), Serenity Lounge, 200+ services including Massages, Facials, Botox, Fillers, Laser Hair Removal, IPL, Morpheus8, Lash Services & More.

MAE REID MERCANTILE

817 Honore Ave • Sarasota, FL 34232 941-323-3815

www.instagram.com/MaeReidMercantile

One of Sarasota’s newest and truly unique shopping destinations. Find fanciful gifts & irresistible treasures in this nostalgic location! Locally owned and proud to offer American made decor, accessories & gifts. Stop in, stroll and find something special for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day!

DIAMOND BAY JEWELERS

Located in the Bay Street Village & Town Center 3976 Destination Dr, Unit 105 • Osprey, FL 34229 941-786-1013 • www.DiamondBayJewelers.com

CARLISLE GIFTS

3713 Bahia Vista St • Sarasota, FL 34232 941-955-4009 • www.CarlisleGifts.com

Come to Carlisle Gifts to find the perfect presents for your loved ones this Valentine’s Day! Shop our exquisite jewelry lines, beautiful home and garden décor, boutique purses, gorgeous handbags as well as fun items for the kids! Can’t decide what to buy? Our gift cards let your valentine select their favorites. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

From classy adornments to engagement specialties, Diamond Bay Jewelers has what you need to create your style for any occasion. Come enjoy the exquisite experience of fine jewelry and expert watchmaking. Jewelry repair, custom design and redesign services available with over 30 years of experience.

MCCARVER & MOSER

1301 Main St • Sarasota, FL 34236 941-387-8000 • www.MccarverMoser.com

McCarver & Moser Jewelry stores are sophisticated with extensive design collections from all around the world. We provide customer service that exceeds expectations with our knowledge, hand crafted designs and personal concierges team that represents over 115 years of experience. Making our customers happy and beautiful is our passion.

MOLLY’S!

A CHIC AND UNIQUE BOUTIQUE

1874 Stickney Point Rd • Sarasota, FL 34231 711 S Osprey Ave • Sarasota, FL 34236 941-921-1221 • www.MollysSarasota.com

Two locations for people seeking a fun and exciting personal shopping experience. Named best Gift Store in Sarasota for 4 years, you are sure to find something special to give or get for yourself. Beyond gifts, both locations have a large selection of quality shoes, jewelry, apparel and accessories too.

MONKEE’S OF LAKEWOOD RANCH

1561 Lakefront Dr, Ste 104 • Sarasota, FL 34240

941-358-8868 • www.MonkeesofLakewoodRanch.com

Stop by and treat yourself or someone special!

Specializing in clothing, shoes, and accessories, we have something for everyone and new arrivals daily. Join us Wed., Feb. 8th from 6-9pm for our Galentine’s Day Sip & Shop - doorbusters, giveaways and more surprises. Grab your girls and see you then! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for details.

1273 S Tamiami Tr • Sarasota, FL 34239 8207 Cooper Creek Blvd • University Pkwy, FL 34201 941-361-3006 • www.ElysianFieldsGifts.com

Looking for Valentine gift ideas?

Look no further than Elysian Fields. From crystal hearts to jewelry to beautiful cards, we are sure you will find the right thing you are looking for. Replicate the feeling of a real hug with the Demdaco Giving Heart Weighted Pillow. A special gift for all the cherished people in your life!

Concession home tops sales at $3,075,000

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Concession topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. David and Stephanie Amos, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8353 Lindrick Lane to Christopher John Hickman and Donna Lynn Hickman, of Bradenton, for $3,075,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,860 square feet of living area.

SHOREVIEW

Pulte Home Co. LLC sold the home at 7869 Mainsail Lane to Nik and Kalpana Shah, of Sarasota, for $1,736,400. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,850 square feet of living area.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

Paul and Joy Wicker sold their home at 8258 Grande Shores Drive to Michel Bauer, of Sarasota, for $1.48 million. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,718 square feet of living area. It sold for $697,400 in 2019.

UNIVERSITY PARK

Catherine Hurst, trustee, of University Park, sold the home at 7230 Marlow Place to Carl and Sasivimol Horsley, of University Park, for $1.14 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,853 square feet of living area.

CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES

Michael Dwight Lewis and Karen Marie Lewis, of Camano Island, Washington, sold their home at 6109 Ninth Ave. Circle N.E. to Mark and Kimberly Glogovsky, of Bradenton, for $985,000. Built in 2004, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,486 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2016.

WINDWARD AT LAKEWOOD RANCH

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2563 Wild Cherry Path to Robert Francis Valente and Delia Valente, of Sarasota, for $966,500. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,700 square feet of living area.

Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2633 Star Apple Way to Michael and Judith Mahonchak, of Bayville, New Jersey, for $519,200. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,861 square feet of living area.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Michael and Michelle Acklin, of Tavares, sold their home at 308 Americas Cup Blvd. to Carla Fu Yaughchen, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,433 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2009.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL GOLF

CLUB

Kevin and Mary Hittinger sold their home at 6123 Cessna Run to Robert Bradford Mouly and Carleen Michele Mouly, of Easton, Maryland, for $925,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,207 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2019.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Joanne Gunn, trustee, of Alberta, Canada, sold the home at 8715 River Preserve Drive to Jimmie Garth Morrison and Ellen Young Morrison, of Bradenton, for $775,000. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,381 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2013.

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Charles and Rita Tomaselli, of Bradenton, sold their home at 22505 Night Heron Way to Ste-

phen Sowards, of Bradenton, for $675,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,200 square feet of living area.

TARA Arie Wulphred Van Laar and Patricia Lucy Van Laar, of Kapellen, Belgium, sold their home at 6222 Cormorant Court to Michael Opalisky, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, for $669,900. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,312 square feet of living area.

PALM AIRE AT SARASOTA

David and Joy Bailey, of Sarasota, sold their Unit V-131 condominium at 7101 Fairway Bend Circle to Richard Sanders, of Sarasota, for $489,900. Built in 1979, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,756 square feet of living area. It sold for $487,500 in 2022.

CENTRAL PARK

Faisal Awan, of Lakewood Ranch, sold his home at 5005 Torrey Pines Run to SPE #203 LLC for $470,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,571 square feet of living area. It sold for $270,000 in 2017.

ARBOR LAKES

THR Florida LP sold the home at 6928 Stetson St. Circle to Technology Development Consultants LLC, trustee, for $450,000. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,743 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2013.

SILVERLAKE

Gabriel and Ashley Dennis, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5960 48th St. E. to Amy Tran, of Bradenton, for $440,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,042 square feet of living area. It sold for $261,000 in 2016.

UNIVERSITY PINES

Virginia Senften, of Bradenton, sold the home at 5139 Ithaca Lane to Anthony and Lauren Cristofano, of Sarasota, for $440,000. Built in 1985, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,799 square feet of living area. It sold for $191,000 in 2015.

THE MOORINGS AT EDGEWATER

Mildred Dallape sold her Unit 101 condominium at 6426 Moorings Point Circle to Francis and Shirley Preissler, of Lakewood Ranch, for $430,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,804 square feet of living area. It sold for $286,600 in 2005.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Prapaporn Wangsuttisomsri, of Tampa, sold her home at 5038 Tobermory Way to Carl Castoro, of Bradenton, for $400,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,908 square feet of living area. It sold for $297,000 in 2020.

AZARIO Taylor Morrison of Florida Inc. sold the home at 15719 Sacile Lane to Charles Anthony Houston and Annazette McCane Houston, of Bradenton, for $391,600. Built in 2022, it has two bedrooms, two

baths and 1,558 square feet of living area.

TERRACE AT RIVER STRAND Paul William Costello and Susan Costello sold their Unit 1628 condominium at 7121 River Hammock Drive to Donald and Kathryn Ruddy, of Ontario, Canada, for $355,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,297 square feet of living area. It sold for $161,000 in 2013.

Vlad and Lola Volkov, of Aurora, Ohio, sold their Unit 1624 condominium at 7121 River Hammock Drive to Christopher and Janet Tsoulis, of Bradenton, for $330,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms,

two baths and 1,121 square feet of living area. It sold for $279,000 in 2021.

WATERLINE ROAD Joyce Tuttle, of Punta Gorda, sold her home at 16808 Waterline Road to Martin and Laura Haas, of Bradenton, for $350,000. Built in 1950, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,521 square feet of living area.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Courtesy photo

This Concession home at 8353 Lindrick Lane sold for $3,075,000. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,860 square feet of living area.

By Luis Campos

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THE LITTLE THINGS by Stella Zawistowski, edited by David Steinberg

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