East County Observer 4.27.23

County OKs $39 million sports project

YOUR TOWN

Built to stay afloat

Jenn Lockwood and her son, Wesley Lockwood, a fourth grader at Pinnacle Academy, took a few minutes to build a boat out of aluminum foil.

Wesley Lockwood had a plan. He layered the aluminum foil and constructed walls for his square boat.

The Lockwoods then put their boats in buckets of water and added tiny blocks to see whose would sink first during Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School’s STEAM Night on April 20. After 150 blocks, Jenn Lockwood saw her boat slowly sink. Wesley Lockwood was able to put 275 blocks on his boat before it sank.

Wesley Lockwood said it felt good to beat his mother.

Creatively

conservative

East County’s Charlotte McKinniss had a smile on her face while she colored her new Manatee County Water Conservation design.

McKinniss, 3, was excited to see her colored design pressed onto a T-shirt for her to wear to promote water conservation.

Children had the opportunity to choose from a few different designs to create T-shirts about water conservation.

Coloring the T-shirt designs was a part of the various activities available during Braden River Library’s Earth Day celebration April 22.

Ryan Kohn

Scott Gutschewski holds up the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy and wears the traditional coat after his victory at Lakewood National.

Jay Heater

Karen Pharo and Evan Ackerman of Children First chat with Nicole Ryskamp, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board president, during the LWRBA’s nonprofit showcase.

Ranch Community Fund hosts its nonprofit showcase and distributes six $1,000 grants. SEE

Liz Ramos

Liz Ramos

Will county answer call to move tower?

Manatee County researches whether it is feasible to move a planned Lorraine Lakes cellphone tower to county land.

Aunified effort by Lorraine Lakes residents to stop the planned construction of a cellphone tower next to their playground and amenities center might pay dividends.

After saying a week earlier that the Manatee County Commission probably couldn’t legally halt the construction, District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said April 18 that things have changed.

The commission had approved the cellphone project in 2019, but the agreement was signed with the builder with certain stipulations, including one that signs had to be hung throughout the neighborhood, alerting residents and prospective residents that a cell tower was being built there.

Lorraine Lakes residents said they have seen no such signs, and Baugh said she has seen drone video of the entire neighborhood showing that no such signs exist.

Baugh said because the stipulations were not met, the project should come back before the board for approval.

Before that becomes an issue, Baugh said she wanted to find out if there was any possibility to move the cell tower to county property adjacent to Lorraine Lakes. That property is part of the land purchased by Manatee County for Premier Park.

Baugh said much research had to be done by the county’s legal department to find out what could be possible. She said the county needed to contact the builder of the cell phone tower, SBA Communications, to find out if a tower adjacent to Lorraine Lakes would effectively fill the same need as a tower built next to the ame-

nity center.

The county’s legal department would find out what needs to be done to approve such a tower on county property, and Baugh said the county will have to check its contract with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to see if it is possible to build a cell tower on the property it bought from SMR.

In 2018, county staff reported that on the larger 162-acre Premier Sports Campus site Manatee County purchased in 2017, that a restriction existed in the purchase contract, saying there is a 25-year restriction for “predominantly parks and recreational uses.”

However, the 74 acres (adjacent to Lorraine Lakes) the county purchased in 2018 from SMR had a stipulation that there is a 10-year restriction for “public purposes only.”

In general, whether a tower can be placed on county-owned land depends on the property’s zoning, as well as deed and other property restrictions. Under current requirements, Manatee would deem a property “surplus” to lease or sell it to a cellular communications company.

Baugh said it was somewhat amazing that a cellphone tower is even being considered for the Lorraine Lakes neighborhood because she could see two other cell towers in close proximity while standing at the site of the planned cell tower.  She said she also has had a conversation with Lorraine Lakes builder Lennar about the possibility of moving the proposed cell tower or canceling the project.

Baugh expects county staff members will report back to the commission in two to six months before commissioners can move forward.

Meanwhile, Lorraine Lakes residents who attended the April 18 commission meeting are hopeful the cellphone tower might not be built next to the amenity center and playground.

Mary Buck, who organized a Facebook effort to bring her neighbors together on the issue, said 16 residents attended the commission meeting, but eight had to leave when the meeting, which began at 9 a.m., went past 6 p.m.

“We didn’t have much of an opportunity to speak,” Buck said.

“At this point, we are waiting to see what the next steps are going to be, and then we will decide where to go from there.”

She said opposition to the cellphone tower continues to grow.

“Every day I get requests to join our group (Lorraine Lakes Residents Against the Proposed Cell Tower),” she said. “We have 757 signatures on our petition (to stop the cellphone tower’s construction).

“This goes to property values, and if the tower falls — and cellphone towers do fall — it would fall on our amenities center.”

The petition states “We, the undersigned residents of the Lorraine Lakes Community, are concerned and shocked about the health hazards, visual pollution, and the unnecessary addition of another cell tower in our neighborhood. The cell tower, located at the town center, is causing great concern and distress for us and our families, many containing young children.”

Buck said she has talked to some potential home buyers who have said they will hold off buying in Lorraine Lakes until they find out what has

This cellphone tower sits less than a quartermile north of the Lorraine Lakes community. Lorraine Lakes residents say there are three such towers in close proximity to them so they don’t need another built in their neighborhood.

been decided about the cellphone tower.

“I am not against cellphone towers, but I am against one over the top of our playground,” she said.

Since research is going to take up to six months, Buck was asked if the residents might lose interest in their cause.

“We are investing so much time and effort; we are not letting this go,” she said.

Cellphone towers emit radio frequency signals, which are being studied by worldwide health organizations to determine if there is a risk from long-term exposure.

Lorraine Lakes is scheduled to be 1,500 homes with about 500 having been occupied already.

After residents began a letter writing campaign to Lennar officials, they received a letter April 10 indicating the builder was working to set up a community meeting to answer concerns about the cellphone tower. Buck said the residents haven’t heard anything since that correspondence.

LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING LIVING

ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM ROOM SALE

Sleek

$99999

Photos by Jay Heater

A cellphone tower is planned just behind this playground in the Lorraine Lakes neighborhood in Lakewood Ranch.

COUNTY DIGS DEEP

TO DELIVER POOL COMPLEX

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

East County swimmers can take a victory lap.

Manatee County commissioners on April 18 unanimously approved a $39 million plan to build an aquatics and racket sports complex that will include a 50-meter competition pool at Premier Park.

When the original plans surfaced in 2021 and only included a 25-meter pool, local swim teams joined to convince commissioners that it wouldn’t meet the needs of the residents or generate nearly as much revenue.

A petition on Change.org was signed by 1,643 residents to rally for a bigger pool. The page now reads, “Victory Update: We did it!!” The final plan includes both a 25- and 50-meter pool, along with a third therapy pool.

TWENTY-FIVE METERS MAKES

DIFFERENCE

The 50-meter lanes were critical if Manatee County expects to attract events that will draw competitors from outside the area and therefore have an economic impact.

G.T. Bray, on the western side of the county, has a 50-meter pool, but it’s only eight lanes, so it doesn’t attract tournaments. A full-size competition pool is 50 meters with 10 lanes.

Many Manatee County swimmers travel to Arlington Park in Sarasota, which Commissioner Mike Rahn said was “worn out.” Rahn said a competitive pool at Premier would likely draw swimmers from outside the county.

“Arlington Park during spring break, for those three to four weeks, brings in three to four college teams every week, and they’re paying to use those lanes,” Manatee County resident Derek DiPasquale said to the commissioners. “Louisville (Kentucky) comes down with 50 swimmers and that’s hotels and food and whatever else they’re doing.”

Tournaments can draw more than 1,000 athletes and their families to the area, and local teams contract with aquatic centers to pay for lanes, lifeguards and meets. The Tsunami team alone pays Arlington about $50,000 annually to use 16 lanes for 25 hours of practice each week and to host meets.

“I’ve been a coach for 47 years, and I’ve been in aquatics since 1969 as a lifeguard, running pools, things like that. Manatee County needs this badly,” Tsunami Swim Coach Ira Klein said. “There’s just not enough space. They have eight different schools that have swim teams, high schools, and not a single one has their own pool. When you look here Sarasota, they have three full Olympic-sized pools.”

The commission was in full

SCOPE

The projected budget for the aquatics/racket sports complex at Premier Park is $39 million.

AQUATIC COMPLEX

n Main pool features 10 50-meter lanes for competition

n A secondary pool with 25-meter pool lanes, includes starting blocks, lane lines, shallow area for fitness and swim lessons and a one-meter diving board

n Therapy pool

n Geothermal design

n Pool deck shade structures and deck seating

n Public locker rooms with showers and restrooms

n First aid and lifeguard office with staff restrooms, showers and lockers

n LED deck, underwater and night use lighting

n Perimeter fencing, landscaping, utilities, signage, ADA compliant

RACKET CENTER

n Twenty-four pickleball courts, 14 will be covered courts

n Fourteen tennis courts

agreement over the necessity of a 50-meter pool. Rahn said this is Manatee’s chance to become a major swim destination.

“What I can’t wait for is the day that I can come back to my house for lunch at one of these national level meets and bring my kids back to finals,” DiPasquale said. “Even if they’re not swimming, we’ll probably be spectating, and we’ll be paying to come in.”

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

The project began in 2017. The original target date to open the pickleball facility was last summer, with the aquatic center targeted for 2024. According to the current proposal, the racket sports part of the project would be targeted for November 2024 and the aquatics facility would be finished in June 2026. However, the commissioners asked the staff to look into the possibility of opening the aquatics part of the facility first and building the complex in stages.

The county had $23 million earmarked for the entire project, but Deputy County Administrator Charlie Bishop told commissioners that wasn’t enough. The new estimate for the complex is $39 million, so funding concerns led commissioners to ask the staff to see if the project could be built in phases.

“Even if you had to wait two years to build some pickleball courts, people can manage,” Commissioner

George Kruse said. “We don’t have any other 50-meter pools.”

While Commissioner Vanessa Baugh objected to the notion that Lakewood Ranch has plenty of pickleball courts, she agreed the pools were the top priority for all residents. Having three pools allows for swim lessons, exercise classes and recreational swimming in addition to hosting teams and events.

“We can figure out a way to start, I’m hoping, with the aquatic center,” Baugh said. “I agree with Commissioner Rahn and Commissioner Kruse, and we do need to move forward.”

POOL POSSIBILITIES

Now that those in favor of a 50-meter competition pool have been satisfied, they also are suggesting the county look into a less expensive, modular Olympic pool that could be purchased and moved to Premier Park.

Klein has coached six Olympic athletes over his career, and he let commissioners know that he has a lead on the possible purchase of an Olympic Trials pool.

The Olympic Trials are being held in June 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. Two stainless steel, modular pools will be erected on the football field for the competition before being disassembled and sold.

DiPasquale, speaking for Klein, told commissioners they should act fast if they want to consider buying one of the two Myrtha pools, which will be offered at a 35% discount because they will need to be moved from Lucas Oil Stadium after the Trials.

Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training in Ocala purchased a similar Myrtha pool in 2021.

“It has this ambiance. It’s just amazing. I think that’s also a big draw,” DiPasquale said. “It’s been used for Olympians, and it brings something special to the county and fits with Premier and the whole thing they’re going for.”

According to Mike Mintenko, director of sales for Myrtha Pools, there are typically about 30 clubs, cities and universities that reach out for more information on buying the modular, Olympic-sized pools after

KEY

1. Gymnasium future project

2. Therapy pool

3. 25-meter lanes pool

4. 50-meter lanes pool

5. Tennis (14 courts)

6. Covered pickleball (14 courts)

7. Pickleball (10 courts)

8. Aquatic sports building

9. Racket sports building

10. Restrooms/ storage

competitions. But in the end, he said, only between three to five of those are ready to put down a deposit.

Even with a discount of up to $700,000, the pool alone costs between $1 million to $1.5 million.

“It leads to having the best possible pool system for a discounted price,” Mintenko said. “It’s very advantageous for the final user.”

Klein worries the standard protocol of getting multiple bids could be problematic if  Manatee County doesn’t act quickly.

“I would say at some point in the next two months, things need to start coming together,” Klein said.

Baugh said she wants to see research about the pool, but said too many unanswered questions, like “How long is it made to last?” and “How is it run?” exist before commissioners can comment on the possibility of a purchase.

Klein is a member of the USA Swimming board and Myrtha is headquartered in Sarasota, but neither “in” would put Manatee County on the top of the list.

“We would love to have it be right down the street from our office. To be totally frank, it would be spectacular,” Mintenko said, “But obviously, there are other interested parties around the country.”

Once delivered, a permanent placement takes longer than 10 days because the pool is placed into the ground. And because of the modular design, the depth can be reconfigured according to the needs of the facility, whether it be a shallow or deep end.

Facilities will often store the panels until they’re ready for the installation. Final designs have included record boards from those specific pools because they’re among the top times in the world.

Project increases from $23 million to $39 million to produce a complex that will provide significant economic impact.

PREMIER CAMPUS RACQUET AND AQUATIC COMPLEX

The 2021 Omaha Trials warm-up pool is now in Ocala at the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training facility.

Courtesy photo

Lesley Dwyer

Derek DiPasquale (right) informs commissioners about an opportunity to buy an Olympic Trials pool.

IMG Academy sold

IMG Academy, a globally known youth sports campus in west Bradenton that’s both hosted multiple pro sports teams for practice sessions and placed more than 30,000 students into college sports rosters in 2022 alone, has been sold.

The new owner, according to a statement, is Swedish global private equity group EQT, in partnership with its portfolio company Nord Anglia Education. The all-cash deal, the release states, “reflects an enterprise value of $1.25 billion” for IMG, which, with some 1,000 employees, is a top five Manatee County employer.

EQT and its partners, including BPEA EQT, acquired IMG Academy from Beverly Hills-based Endeavor Group Holdings. Endeavor is one of the world’s largest entertainment and sports brands. Earlier in April it created a new entity when its mixed martial arts franchise UFC merged with World Wrestling Entertainment to create a $21 billion business.

Endeavor, EQT and Nord Anglia Education officials anticipate the IMG deal will close in the third quarter of 2023.

County hosts hurricane expo

Manatee County residents are invited to the third annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo 4-7 p.m. May 18 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. The event is free.

A Manatee County release said Emergency Management officials will organize the event, which will feature “dozens of vendors and opportunities to see life-saving rescue equipment and vehicles before they are pressed into emergency service — just like they were during Hurricane Ian last year.”

“That storm was a reminder for all of us to stay prepared,” said acting Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “Now is the time to make sure you’re ready — from knowing your evacuation level to deciding what you’ll need in your hurricane kit.”

For more information, go to MyManatee.org or call 748-4501.

Manatee’s singlefamily home sales remain steady

Although by just 4.4%, Manatee County’s single-family home sales increased year-over-year for March from 724 to 756.

In comparison, Sarasota County’s single-family home sales decreased from 859 to 826.

“Manatee County’s singlefamily home market has bucked the trend we’ve seen in recent months, showing the first year-

over-year increase in sales since February 2022 and the first yearover-decrease in median prices since February of 2019,” said Brian Tresidder, president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, in a release.

“Meanwhile, single-family home sales for Sarasota and the condo markets for both counties have followed an opposite trajectory in March, albeit one similar to recent trends,” Tresidder said.

While Manatee County increased its single-family home sales, both the median ($525,000 to $491,988) and average ($703,385 to $638,055) price of homes dropped.

In March 2022, sellers were getting 100% of the listed price, while in March 2023, they were getting 94.5%. The median time to contract went from five days in March 2022 to 46 days in March 2023. However, inventory has increased, with 0.6 months of inventory available in March 2022 and three months inventory available in March 2023.

The townhome and condo numbers for Manatee County went opposite of single-family homes.

Townhomes and condos had a median sales price of $353,000 in March, up from $320,539 in 2022. The average sales price in March was $419,574, up from $394,151. Townhome and condo sales dropped, year-over-year, from 298 to 275.

MPO seeking advisory board members

The Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking Manatee County residents to serve on its Citizen Advisory Committee, which provides assistance to the transportation planning process that reflects citizens’ views and attitudes. CAC representatives must be recommended for appointment by their respective units of local government and then are appointed by the MPO Board.

The group meets at 5 p.m. on the second Monday of months in which an MPO meeting is scheduled, in the main conference room at the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Office, located at 8100 15th St. E. in Sarasota.

Applications, which can be found online at MyManatee.org/Advisory_ Boards, are due April 28, 2023, at 3 p.m. Commissioners will act upon the nominations at the May 9, 2023, Manatee County Board of County Commissioners meeting. For more information on how to become a CAC member, contact the MPO office at 359-5772 or email Nanette Eubanks at Nanette@ MyMPO.org.

Commissioners shift stance on library control

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Now that Manatee County commissioners have backed off a proposal to form a 15-person advisory group to oversee its library system’s collection of books, members of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library are cautiously optimistic they have dodged what they deem to be an oppressive bullet.

The selection of books already is underway for the Lakewood Ranch Library, which is scheduled to open late this year.

On April 18, with concerns about kids having access to material some commissioners deem to be inappropriate, the commissioners decided to expand the advisory board already in place from five members to nine and to not add a 15-member board that would oversee the overseers.

“The Friends are happy with the decision made,” said Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library. “We saw no reason for another advisory board. But we’re fine with adding four new members to the advisory board already in place. That makes sense because the area is growing.

“We also encourage Commissioner Amanda Ballard to work with our county’s Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Assistant Manager Lyn Begraft to learn the procedures already in place when a resident requests the review of a book in the collection.”

Does Miller see the commissioners trying to take more control of the libraries in the future?

“We will see what happens,” she said.

In a letter to Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library members before the April 18 meeting, Miller wrote,

“Looking toward the future, we are concerned that the commissioners are taking steps to control, ban, eliminate books in our public libraries.”

The Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library members weren’t the only ones concerned about commissioners’ proposal to form another advisory group. The overall public sentiment at the meeting was unrest.

THE PEOPLE PROTEST Protesters lined up at 8 a.m. in front of the Manatee County Administration Building carrying signs and chanting, “Trust librarians to do their jobs.” Shannon Keever led the group shouting through a megaphone, “What do we want?”

Keever is communications director for Women’s Voices of SW Florida, a 501c4 organization that fights for human rights and reproductive freedom. What the group wants is to see commissioners leave book selections for the new Lakewood Ranch library up to the professionals.

“This is unprecedented. We have a library advisory board right now, and it consists of five members, three of whom are appointed by this board of county commissioners already,” Keever said. “So the question comes in as, ‘Why do we need another advisory board?’”

Ballard was appointed as the library liaison. It’s not an entirely new position for the commission, but it’s been several years since a commissioner filled the role. A tweet by Ballard on April 15 was a precursor to the contentious atmosphere at the meeting.

She tweeted, “(The advisory board) will also assist our librarians in choosing materials that resonate with our community … it’s literally the antithesis of ‘book banning.’

But it’s easier for intellectually lazy leftists to scream fascism rather than honestly engage with differing points of view.”

From her commission seat, Ballard called one of the protestors “cute” for reading “The Art of War” during the meeting, which only added to the vitriol in the room. But she did listen to what the public was saying and agreed a second board could be redundant.

Commissioner George Kruse

Traci

gives an impassioned plea to commissioners to not label books they might deem offensive. She was warned to “stay on topic.”

added that advisory boards are a pain to set up. He was also the only commissioner who pushed back against the motion that also included genre labels and parental consent forms for children 16 and under when checking out certain materials.

When questioned by the public, Ballard made clear her stance was not against the LGBTQ community, but rather introducing sexuality in general when it comes to children.

The current advisory board has five members, three of whom are appointed by the commission. The remaining two seats are appointed by the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto. Members serve four-year terms.  Ballard’s concern for diversity among the board came from the fact current members are chosen by geography alone. The commission’s appointees need to live within the following three areas: unincorporated Manatee County, Manatee County at large and the barrier islands.  Ballard wants to see members chosen by their roles in the community. Her original idea for a 15-person board called for parents, teachers, librarians and retirees.

Current members are a mix of working professionals and retirees— a CPA and homeschooling parent, a retired librarian, a retired auto dealership owner, a local construction business owner and a data analyst.

THE CURRENT BOARD

Protesters chant ‘trust librarians to do their jobs’ before the Manatee County Commission meeting.

Lipton

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Protesters line up in front of the Manatee County Administration Building on Tuesday before the commission meeting.

Lakewood Ranch High addition on schedule

MORE ROOM ON THE WAY

2,439: Enrollment

1,818: Capacity

2,300: Proposed capacity with addition

20: New classrooms in the addition

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Walking onto Lakewood Ranch High School’s campus, no one would be able to know construction is happening every day on the school’s site.

Principal Dustin Dahlquist stood on the second floor of Building 5 facing the construction of the school’s new 22-classroom addition.

He was excited to see the progress being made on the addition, which is on schedule to be completed in January 2024.

As of April 18, the structure of the first floor of the two-story addition was complete.

Construction on the $18.2 million project began Aug. 9, and the school, along with the School District of Manatee County officials, celebrated a groundbreaking Sept. 22.

Since then, Ajax Building Corp. has created a new retention pond and filled the old retention pond so the new 22-classroom addition can be constructed on top. The foundations are complete, and the concrete walls are installed for the second floor.

Work that remains to be completed includes the walls on the second floor, roof, stairs, elevator, walkways, painting, site landscaping, mechanical and electrical systems, windows, doors and room finishes.

Dahlquist said Ajax Building Corp. has been a “tremendous partner” working with the school to limit noise and distractions during construction as well as putting fencing in place to put distance between the current campus and construction to ensure students’ safety.

“It’s going to be exciting when in January we come back for that second semester and our students are going to be in that new building,”

Dahlquist said. “We certainly have a lot of pride in our campus and our schools. This is another step up for Lakewood Ranch.”

The new addition will come with science labs that will be suitable for any science class such as environmental science, biology, marine science, chemistry, physics and more.

The science labs and classrooms will be equipped with student interactive monitors that will be linked to the teacher’s monitor, allowing the teacher to share students’ work with the class.

Dahlquist said school administration and staff members will finalize a plan to determine where teachers

who are currently in the portables will go. He said the classes that will be taught in the addition have not yet been determined, but it provides various opportunities.

“Any time you add something new, it offers us the ability to look at what our course offerings are and what our students’ interests are to be able to enhance those educational experiences,” Dahlquist said.

After having portables on campus for at least 20 years, Dahlquist said it’ll be exciting to be able to remove the 20 portables.

He said the addition will provide an opportunity to bring the campus together.

“It’s certainly going to feel much more like an entire school rather than we have the interior courtyard and then we have the portables outside,” he said.

Dahlquist said the portables have limitations that will be resolved by the new addition. For example, during severe weather, the school must have the students who would have class in the portables move to the auditorium or media center to ensure their safety. He said the portables also have their own air conditioning systems that “tend to break down” as a result of age.

There will be walkways, two of which will be covered, leading students from the current buildings to the addition. The courtyard will include benches and planters to give students an area to gather.

With Lakewood Ranch High School’s enrollment standing at about 2,400 students, which is at least 600 students over capacity, the addition will be a short-term solution to the school’s overcrowding. The addition will increase the school’s capacity to about 2,300 students.

As more homes and apartments are built east of Lorraine Road as well as along Rangeland Parkway in

2: New science labs in the addition

500: Added student desks

$18.2 MILLION: Project budget JANUARY 2024: Expected completion

Lakewood Ranch, more students are expected to be zoned for Lakewood Ranch High School.

Even with Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy opening its upper school in the 2023-2024 school year and adding 10th grade as well as the School District of Manatee County planning an addition at Parrish Community High School, the enrollment at Lakewood Ranch High School will continue to increase.

“We live in one of the best places in the country,” Dahlquist said. “People want to come here. We believe we are among the best schools in our area. They also have really great choices, whether it’s Parrish, charter schools or private schools. There’s certainly a place for everyone, but the addition of those classrooms truly enhances the educational experience here.”

Dahlquist said the project has been a long time coming. The School Board of Manatee County initially approved the addition at Lakewood Ranch High School in 2017, but in 2019, the project was delayed due to changes in attendance zones. It wasn’t until 2021 that designs were completed and a year later, construction began.

“The need has been here to have a building like this,” he said. “The number of meetings, the number of people and companies involved and all those things together has certainly shown me that together, we can pretty much accomplish anything.”

The 22-classroom, two-story addition is on schedule to be completed in January 2024, with the 20 portables being removed.

The new Lakewood Ranch High addition will connect to Building 5, which will allow for a new courtyard to be created for students to gather.

Courtesy rendering

Liz Ramos

Once construction is complete on Lakewood Ranch High School’s new addition, the 20 portables on campus will be removed.

BUILDING A LEGACY

Sofia Laubacker, a fifth grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, sometimes feels like a celebrity walking around campus.  Laubacker and her teammates, fifth graders Eddy Thomas and Connor Willats, are competing in the VEX Robotics World Championships May 2-4 in Dallas.

“You kind of feel famous because you’re one of the first teams to do this,” she said. “Mostly everybody knows who you are at school since you’ve (qualified for the world championships).”

All five of Gene Witt Elementary School’s VEX teams, along with two teams from Robert E. Willis Elementary School and three teams from Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, will compete on the world stage.

Last school year, the School District of Manatee County sent a team from Willis and another team from Virgil Mills Elementary School to worlds.

This school year, the district has 13 teams going to the world championship.

“It feels special we have the opportunity to go to worlds and we’re able to build off the legacy of the other (Willis) team that went to worlds last year,” said Aubrey Steward, a fifth grader at Willis Elementary.

The teams are hard at work making final adjustments to their robots before heading to the world championship.

Nina Young, a Gene Witt Elementary fifth grader, said she’s excited but nervous for the world championship because she’s taking over as the driver of her team. She said there’s immense pressure that comes with the role.

“It’s just hectic because we’re still making adjustments,” Young said.

Students have been amazed to see how far their teams have come since they started working on their robots at the beginning of the school year.

Okhan Ozturk, a McNeal Elementary fifth grader, said his team, Slap ‘N’ Slide, has seen tremendous improvement over the months as the team went from scoring 20 points to nearly 200. The team also became one of the best in the state of Florida.

The X-Treme Geckos from Willis

TO THE WORLD

The School District of Manatee County is sending 13 teams to VEX Robotics World Championships. Of those teams, 10 are from East County schools.

GENE WITT ELEMENTARY

n Da French Fries — Emma Doyle, Noah Pellett, Luciano Giallombardo and Liam Brelsford

n The Robloxians — Nina Young, Ellee Thomas, Charlotte Haverstick and Fiona Brown

n Exotic Animals — Brooklynn Coleman, Olivia Alvarado, Talula Perritt and Anna Grayam

n The Donut Squad — Sofia Laubacker, Eddy Thomas and Connor Willats

n The Misfits — Yohmaris Terrero, Makinley Kane and Bryce Hollins

GILBERT W. MCNEAL ELEMENTARY

n Slap ‘N’ Slide — Parker Poplaski, Noble Pinto, Okhan Ozturk and Luna Locke

n Multicolor Madness — Symian Porte and Sawyer Ritz

n Flaming Cheetos — Penn Reynolds, Noah Jackson and Hayden Laning

ROBERT E. WILLIS ELEMENTARY

n X-Treme Geckos — Sophie Siegling, Ozan Pollack, Kai Belcher and Aubrey Steward

n Kreative Kaos — Zachary Danahy, Landon Cuervo, Zoe Balakrishnan and Nino Donadze

Elementary decided to build a new robot, even after finding out they qualified for the world championship.

“It’s amazing to see how this was all started by just a few pieces, some motors and some wheels,” said Sophie Siegling, a Willis Elementary fifth grader on the X-Treme Geckos, while looking at her team’s robot.

Siegling and McNeal Elementary fifth grader Noble Pinto said working with their teams has been a bonding experience. They were able to make new friends at school through participating in VEX.

At the world championship, students are looking forward to seeing the various types of robots created by teams from around the world.

“It’ll be interesting because people around the world work in different languages and have different experiences,” said Nino Donadze, a fifth grader at Willis Elementary. “It’ll be interesting to see how they communicate and build their robots.”

Hunter Douglas!

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

Liz Ramos

Gene Witt Elementary School fifth graders Emma Doyle, Noah Pellett, Luciano Giallombardo and Liam Brelsford form Da French Fries.

YourObserver.com

CHARITABLE

FORCES COMBINE

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and Lakewood Ranch Community Fund join forces to support area nonprofits.

Standing in front of a line of nonprofit booths at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, Kayla Terrel of Hope Family Services was getting ready to accept a $1,000 check for her organization.

Terrel serves as the director of development for Hope Family Services, and her nonprofit was one of six that would receive $1,000 grants at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s “Celebrate Giving Luncheon.”

While the funds were very much appreciated, Terrel was even more excited about the exposure nonprofits would receive in connection with the business community.

“Word of mouth is the best way,” Terrel said about getting people in the community to understand a nonprofit’s role. “We are all puzzle pieces in the community.”

More than 30 nonprofits set up booths at the luncheon and Business Alliance members browsed through their materials.

The $6,000 in grants were given out in an combined effort between the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

The LWRBA wanted to support its member nonprofits with grants but didn’t want to be part of the grant selection process because it has so many nonprofits in the organization.

Since the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund selects and presents grants to nonprofits every year, the LWRBA combined forces to allow the Community Fund to handle the selection process. Meanwhile, the Community Fund sweetened the grant pot.

Collection of funds and the presentation of the grants was supposed to be done this past fall, but Hurricane Ian postponed the presentation since so many Alliance members were supporting hurricane relief efforts.

It was rescheduled for April 19.

The two groups hope the partnership results in more and bigger grants in the future.

Terrel said Hope Family Services would use the $1,000 toward the expansion of its Bradenton children’s counseling center.

Hope Family Services serves approximately 1,800 survivors of domestic violence in Manatee County each year.

“We provide an emergency safe shelter,” she said. “Grants like these are very important to us.”

She said counselors work one on one with children to teach them about healthy relationships and how

to stay safe when domestic violence becomes a part of the household.

While the other five representatives of nonprofits that received grants were thrilled with the funds, they all noted that the event’s main importance was letting them introduce themselves to members of the LWRBA.

“We were able to provide them visibility,” said Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of the LWRBA. “And our members were able to learn more about their missions.”

LWRBA members had plenty of time before and after the lunch and the grant presentations to meet the nonprofits that had gathered at Grove.

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund also had a table set up to talk to Alliance members about how to collects and distributes funds to area nonprofits.

Lamont said a key part of the effort was to make sure all its nonprofit members knew that the LWRBA did not have a role in choosing the grant recipients. All grant recipients had to be members of the Alliance.

“We are thrilled with this grant,” said Evan Ackerman, the associate director of communications for Children First, which has early Head Start programs in Sarasota County. “This means we can give more support to children from 6 weeks old to 5 years old.”

Children First emphasizes playbased learning to help children atrisk who live below the poverty level, have disabilities or are in the foster care system.

The $1,000 that went to the East Manatee Youth Football Association will help children whose families can’t afford the league fees to participate.

“This is our first time applying for a grant,” said Robin Kornett, who is an executive board member for the league. “And this grant goes to an organization made up of all volunteers. To us, $1,000 is a lot. The last thing you want to do is turn away kids.”

The East Manatee Bulldogs, which includes approximately 150 players and 50 cheerleaders, play their games at Lakewood Ranch Park. East County’s Foundation for Dreams picked up a $1,000 grant. Executive Director Elena Cassella

said the exposure was just as valuable as the grant.

“Some people don’t know we exist,” Cassella said.

Foundation for Dreams, through its Dream Oaks Camp, offers children with special needs a chance to learn and grow. The scholarship will pay for five children to attend the Dream Oaks Camp.

“This kind of support is immeasurable,” Cassella said of the grant.

Development Director Diana Dill was on hand to collect a $1,000 grant for Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County.

She said the funds will go toward paying for background checks, finger printing and training of its volunteer mentors.

But like the others, she said the funds were only part of the event’s story.

“We are hoping to recruit mentors,” she said. “And this is an amazing group of people.”

Chief Development Officer Kristen Theisen represented the Florida Center for Early Childhood, which received a grant. She said the funds would go toward building an outdoor play space for the Florida Center for Early Childhood’s Starfish Academy Preschool.

She said her nonprofit focuses on children with developmental delays from prenatal through fifth grade. The nonprofit works with more than 4,000 children each year.

She said the outdoor play space will help children improve their motor skills development and their social interaction.

“It directly impacts their progress,” Theisen said. She calls the event “great awareness for the community.”

“It’s important people come in and see what we do,” she said.

“This event was a long time coming,” said Erik Hanson, the LWRBA’s chair of the board. “I couldn’t imagine a better partner (than the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund). And it’s an expansion of our “Alliance Gives Back” brand.”

Since the LWRBA began Alliance Gives Back five years ago, the members have worked on 132 projects utilizing more than 1,000 volunteers. Giving the grants, Hanson said, was taking Alliance Gives Back to the next level.

“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.”

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

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

Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

Managing Editor / Jay Heater, JHeater@YourObserver.com

Senior Editor / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com

Sports Editor / Ryan Kohn, RKohn@YourObserver.com

Staff Writers / Lesley Dwyer, LDwyer@ YourObserver.com

Digital & Engagement Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com

Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com

Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com

A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com

Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@YourObserver.com

Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com

Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com

Regional Digital Director / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com

Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com

Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com

Classified

Advertising Sales Executive / Lexi Huelsman, LHuelsman@ YourObserver.com

Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com

Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com

Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma B. Jolly, EJolly@YourObserver.com

Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com

Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com

Marketing Specialist / Melanie Melone, MMelone@YourObserver.com

Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com

Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com

Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana

Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com

Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com

Chief Financial Officer / Laura Strickland, LStrickland@YourObserver.com

Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@YourObserver.com

Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

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

CEO / Matt Walsh

President / Emily Walsh

Vice President / Lisa Walsh

Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles

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

YourObserver.com

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944 ©

John Ghanayem, Robin Kornett, Kelli Roveto and Desiree Kramedas of the East Manatee Bulldogs will use part of their $1,000 grant for scholarships to help some kids participate.

Brittany Lamont, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, talks to Take Stock of Sarasota’s Diana Dill about the $1,000 scholarship presented to Take Stock.

Photos by Jay Heater

JAY HEATER | MANAGING EDITOR

Commission flip-flop hints of discord

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water in Manatee County ... No, I am not talking about red tide or sharks.

I am talking about the political abyss that is our Manatee County Commission.

After November’s elections, it appeared this group of commissioners was going to be one big, happy family of conservative Republicans.

Normally, you would hope for a mix of political bents on such a commission so issues that affect our future as residents will be thoroughly discussed before any action is taken.

But after more than two years of nasty verbal confrontations that ate up valuable commission meeting time, many of us probably wanted to settle for a lot less talk and a lot more action.

It appeared that would be the case when Jason Bearden defeated Carol Whitmore, Mike Rahn drubbed Misty Servia and Amanda Ballard downed Reggie Bellamy in the 2022 election. All three newcomers seemed to align well with the remaining four commission members, so that would end the infighting.

Or would it?

On April 18, the commissioners voted 4-3 to relieve Kevin Van Ostenbridge of his board chair duties. The motion by Bearden came out of the blue for many residents who follow local government. Obviously, it was not a shock to the commissioners, except for, perhaps, the timing of such as motion.

The sticking point in all this appears to be the way commissioners receive information from county staff members and whether some commissioners get more information sooner than others.

One of the reasons former county administrator Scott Hopes was hired in May 2021 was the commis-

sion wanted him to clean house as to get rid of a network of favoritism. He did so and then was pushed out the door.

After all this trench warfare, we might have expected a calm to settle over 1112 Manatee Ave. W.

We’re not that fortunate.

Van Ostenbridge was dumped as the chair in favor of District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, the veteran of the commission who has served as chair in both 2016 and 2021.

The political maneuvering landed Baugh in an uncomfortable spot. Van Ostenbridge obviously is not going to be very happy with Bearden. Rahn and Commissioner George Kruse took Van Ostenbridge’s side. Commissioners Amanda Ballard and James Satcher lined up with Bearden. Yikes. Baugh was left to pick sides.

So understand that being the chair is somewhat of a honor, but also not much more of a duty than a hall monitor. You tell commissioners during a meeting when they

Sarasota Memorial Presents

can speak, but if nobody chooses to listen, well, it can be frustrating for the chair.

But dumping a chair out of those responsibilities is more embarrassing than anything. It’s not like voting against someone because they disagree for the need for a red light over a traffic circle.

This gets personal, and it very well could linger.

Baugh voted in favor of removing Van Ostenbridge with a 4-3 vote. Have we seen a shift to a BaughSatcher-Ballard-Bearden voting block? Will we see commissioners align in the future as a result of this action?

Perhaps.

Two days after that move, Ballard might have been thinking about the repercussions of being on the losing side of that vote. At the land use meeting, she made a motion to appoint Van Ostenbridge as chair.

With Baugh absent and Ballard changing her vote, Van Ostenbridge landed back in the chair.

“At the last meeting, I made a vote which I have since — upon

No Problem Too Large:

Innovative Solutions in Modern Prostate Care

further reflection — come to believe was not in the best interest of the county,” Ballard said at the land use meeting.

Those Manatee County residents who were wishing for less unity among their commissioners just received a heaping helping of disenchantment. I guarantee you this has created a rift that will be tough to fix.

It’s also makes any reasonable person wonder what went on behind the scenes — Sunshine Laws or not.

If anything, it amplifies the need for good governance over the coming months with so much at stake. First up is the search for a new administrator, a process that already has turned strange.

U.S. Marine veteran Lee Washington, who at the time was Manatee County’s director of Community and Veterans Services, was hired on Feb. 7 to be the interim commissioner. Earlier that day, Hopes tendered his resignation.

Washington was not a threat to anyone, since he is planning to

retire in the near future and begin a food truck business. That seemed to be important since last time around, Hopes was hired as interim administrator when all appearances were that he already had the job lined up. The commission dropped the search and hired him a couple months later as the full-time administrator.

That wasn’t going to happen with Washington.

Except last week, the commissioners voted 6-1 to begin negotiations with Jon Mast, the CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, to replace Washington, who received glowing reviews when commissioners appointed him as interim administrator.

Once again, the residents have to be wondering if the search for a new administrator is being dumped, and the commissioners have made up their minds.

Mast, of course, has ties to the builders. There is a growing concern about out-of-control growth in Manatee County. He might very well be the best pick for the job, but a lot of questions need to be answered about whether there is a conflict of interest when it comes to growth.

As residents of the county, the best thing you can do is let the commissioners know you care, and that you are watching.

If the next six months is going to be a carnival ride, you might as well buy a ticket.

By age 60, half of all men will have an enlarged prostate. And out of every 100 men, about 13 will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. But with time also comes progress. During this free lecture series, hear directly from the urologic surgeons at Sarasota Memorial about how the latest treatments and the newest technologies are changing the outlook for patients everywhere. A brief Q&A will follow each presentation.

Thursday, May 4, 4:30-5:30pm

} Robert I. Carey, MD, FACS - Prostate Cancer: MRI, Biopsy, Genomics, and Treatment Options in the Modern Age

Tuesday, May 16, 4:30-5:30pm

} Ramsay L. Kuo, MD - Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): A New Paradigm in the Treatment of Prostate Enlargement

Tuesday, May 23, 4:30-5:30pm

} Daniel Kaplon, MD, FACS - New Advances in the Management of Localized Prostate Cancer

This is a FREE LECTURE SERIES with FREE VALET PARKING at main hospital entrance. Light refreshments served. RSVP required. Reserve your space by phone at (941) 917-7777 or online at smh.com/lectures.

Dr. Robert I. Carey

Dr. Ramsay L. Kuo

Dr. Daniel Kaplon

Photos by Jay Heater

Vanessa Baugh replaced Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge for two days as chair before Van Ostenbridge was reinstated.

Kevin Van Ostenbridge was removed from his role as chair of the Manatee County Commission board but was reinstated two days later.

Hear us roar! We’re open

IF YOU GO

What: Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary

CLAYTON ROSAIRE’S REVIEW

With America locked down in the midst of a pandemic in 2020, Joe Exotica’s feud with Carole Baskin became the guilty pleasure no one was embarrassed to talk about.

According to Nielsen, the series had 32 million viewers in the first 10 days, and that doesn’t include views from phones, tablets and laptops.

As an insider in the world of what he calls “the crazy animal people,” here are a few of Clayton Rosaire’s thoughts on the series.

For the record, filing dates from the Florida Division of Corporation’s online database date back to June 1996 for Big Cat Habitat and only to August 2003 for Big Cat Rescue.

A local and less controversial tiger king and queen, Clayton Rosaire and his mother, Kay Rosaire, the founder and CEO, run the sanctuary. Kay Rosaire began rescuing animals at the location in 1987 with no intention of opening to the public. She describes the sanctuary as their family farm.

Charging admission to help pay for the animals’ care was a natural response to the growing curiosity. Those who walk the Celery Fields early in the morning can hear the roars of the big cats as distinct as the birds chirping. Neighbors wanted to have a look for themselves, so the Rosaires were running informal tours on Fridays.

“The only good thing that came from that show, I feel because we dealt with it for so long, is that part of the world finally realized how terrible Carole Baskin really is.

“They never, ever talked about conservation. They never talked about good animal care. Carole Baskin didn’t say anything about that stuff. It was all about who had more boyfriends, who had more girlfriends, whose husband was missing, never to be found.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” can now add a story about mistaken identity.

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary on Palmer Boulevard in Sarasota is open for business, but there’s been some confusion since Carole Baskin closed down her Tampa facility known by a similar name, Big Cat Rescue.

“We’re getting tons of people who have been asking about it. Everyone we know is calling us and asking because all their friends are asking

them,” said Clayton Rosaire, vice president and COO of Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary. “Because the names are so close, they’ve been mistaking our place for her place, for years.”

The confusion started long before the Netflix series began in 2020, making Carole Baskin and Big Cat Rescue household names. And the Rosaires have more than big cats in connection with the Netflix show’s star, Joe Exotica.

“Years ago, (Big Cat Rescue) sent us a cease and desist thing in the mail that said we had stolen their name and blah, blah, blah,” Clayton Rosaire said. “Well, nonprofits, you can go online and look it up. Ours

Where: 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota

Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Featured: Bird shows 1 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; Animal demonstrations 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Cost: $10 for children ages 3-12; $25 for 13 and younger.

has always been the same name. It’s not a big deal. It’s not like we care. We’re animal people. We don’t do this to compete or get involved with any other humans. We do this to help animals.”

Now, Big Cat is open to the public four days a week.

Big Cat Rescue is now closed and is moving 35 of its cats from Tampa to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, per an agreement with Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue.

Records and docu-dramas aside, the Rosaires simply want people to know they’re still open because visitors help support the 300-plus animals living at the sanctuary.

“We have a small budget, and we work very hard to make everything very nice for our animals,” Clayton Rosaire said. “We depend on people coming out here to fund the place and keep it going.”

“If you just put on a show about a crazy guy and a weird lady and a bunch of weirdos, nobody would’ve wanted to watch — well, a couple people would have. But as soon as you put tigers and lions in, people love these animals, and they want to see good things. It was so sad that, at that time, nothing good came from that show.

“It hurt the animal world all over our country. It made people doubt facilities that have been working for years and years to do the right thing. And then because of one TV show, suddenly, people think that everybody’s the bad guy.

“(Baskin) bullied (Exotica) until he went crazy, but she did it to me, and she did it to a lot of other people, too. Some of us are just a little stronger than others, and some of us care so much about the animals that we’re willing to carry that burden.”

Big Cat Habitat of Sarasota owners offer cat-quick response to mistaken identity.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Clayton Rosaire at his family farm, known as Big Cat Habitat to the public.

Clayton Rosaire gives a black jaguar a neck rub.

One final chukker

Sarasota Polo Club wraps season

April 30 after attracting huge crowds but losing its clubhouse in a January fire.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Matt Lemmons moved with his family to Lakewood Ranch in 2007, but he brought them to the Sarasota Polo Club for the first time April 23.

“Since 2007, we have passed it a bunch,” Lemmons said. “These are beautiful grounds, and it has a cool vibe. We will come back.”

The Lemmons family only will have one more chance until December as the season concludes April 30.

Lakewood Ranch’s Chris Schack said the season went past in a snap.

“The season begins (in January), and you are going through playoff football and next thing you know it’s 100 degrees out. We only went three times during the season, and we should be going more. They do such an amazing job with this place. It is one of the reasons we love living in Lakewood Ranch.”

East County’s Alison Selzler was celebrating her 40th birthday with family and friends at the polo fields on April 23.

“I ride horses — not polo — so we love coming here,” she said.

For the first Sunday since a fire destroyed the clubhouse on the west end of the main field in January, the charred remains of the clubhouse had been removed. No rebuilding plans have been announced yet by owners James and Misdee Miller.

“I can’t wait to see what they will do with it,” Selzler said.

Lakewood Ranch’s Tracy Day and Carol Frazier and Sarasota’s Debby Greer and Nella Travers became friends when they all joined 3 Form Fitness in Waterside Place to work out.

They began going to dinner together, but they wanted to do something

different, so they planned a trip to the polo club with their husbands and a few other friends they have met through the workouts.

Frazier said they brought their husbands to the polo club “to carry their coolers.”

She said the group was having a wonderful time and added that they would plan better next season so they could attend polo more.

“We are learning from those who are around us,” she said of the many tailgaters.

“Watching horses, who doesn’t like that?” said Travers, who was wearing a hat covered with red flowers that she had made for a Kentucky Derby fundraiser last year.

Hanna Hornung, a 14-year-old who played for the North South Wealth Management/Avalon Farms team in the April 23 main match and will play again on the final day of the season April 30, said she is looking forward to next season so she can continue to improve.

“I definitely want to keep playing,” she said before the April 23 match. “I just need more training — and to play more games.”

She scored the game’s first goal on April 23.

Brent Hamill, who owns a ranch at the polo club, scored the game’s second goal for the Whiskey Pond/ Columbus Realty team. He will take most of the summer off before getting some specialized polo instruction and then playing in Argentina in the fall.

“It’s amazing how fast the season goes,” he said.

It was Hamill who called 911 after seeing smoke the night the clubhouse burned.

“I was so sorry to see that,” he said, saying the Millers’ renovation of the building had just been completed and was beautiful.

Like many of the Sarasota Polo Club members, he said he is very interested to see if the Millers rebuild the clubhouse at its current spot or if they make some changes.

Photos by Jay Heater

Hanna Hornung, of North South Wealth Management/Avalon Farms, watches her shot soar into the goal to start the scoring April 23 in a match at the Sarasota Polo Club.

Sarasota’s Debby Greer, Sarasota’s Nella Travers, Lakewood Ranch’s Carol Frazier and Lakewood Ranch’s Tracy Day take a break from tailgating.

Whiskey Pond/Columbus Realty’s Devin Vass launches a shot at the Sarasota Polo Club on Sunday.

Fast Break

WATCH THE BIRDIE

Lakewood Ranch High junior Levi Freed won the boys javelin at the school’s Class 4A district track and field meet, held April 22 at North Port High, with a throw of 156 feet, six inches.

Blaze Beach Club, Bradenton’s first travel beach volleyball organization, is holding tryouts for 18U, 16U and 14U teams May 7 at UMR Sports. For more information on the tryouts and the club, email BlazeBeachClub@gmail.com or visit UMRSports.com.

Former Lakewood Ranch High softball star Claire Davidson is finding success at the plate and on the mound at Duke University. Davidson, a junior left-handed pitcher, is 5-2 with a 3.61 ERA for the Blue Devils though 14 pitching appearances (10 starts). Davidson is also hitting .312 with 11 doubles, four home runs and 23 RBIs in 46 games.

Nathan Benderson Park will host its next Learn to Row event on May 14-15, starting at 9 a.m. each day. The eight-hour course (four hours each day) will provide you with the skill set to safely row a single scull. Registration is $200. For more information or to register, visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

The Braden River High flag football team’s bid for a district title ended in disappointment April 20, as the Pirates (12-2) lost 18-12 to Gibbs High (13-3) in double overtime. But the Pirates’ season is not over. They reached the Class 1A regional tournament as an at-large entry and will play Tampa Catholic (9-5) on the road April 26, then potentially either Seminole Osceola High (13-1) or Lecanto High (10-3) in the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. on May 3.

After a stellar putting performance won him the 2023 LECOM Suncoast Classic, held April 20-23, at Lakewood National Golf Club, Scott Gutschewski minced no words.

“I had a blast,” the 46-year-old Gutschewski said to the crowd over the Lakewood National public address system. “But as great as it was, I hope I’m never back.”

The message induced laughs and cheers. It was not a shot at the course, which Gutschewski said was in great condition. It was instead a hope that, finally, he might have a chance to advance off the Korn Ferry Tour for good.

Gutschewski won the Suncoast Classic in a playoff over 23-year-old Logan McAllister. The two golfers tied at 21 under par, and in the playoff, Gutschewski birdied the No. 18 hole from just off the green, forcing McAllister to do the same from an uphill angle.

McAllister could not.

In lieu of a big celebration, Gutschewski gave a stoic fist pump after the 47-foot birdie putt, and a genial smile. It was his third career victory, but his first since the 2008 Rex Hospital Open at the TPC Wakefield Plantation in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“(I) just putted out of my mind,” Gutschewski said. “Missed a short one on 8 today and yesterday, but other than that, I pretty much just made everything. It was kind of silly. But it was fun. It was a blast.

“I tend to overanalyze things, so I have kind of eliminated practice strokes. I just line it up and feel it, and go. My whole routine feels a lot faster.”

According to PGA Tour data, Gutschewski’s putts per greens made in regulation was 1.636, the secondbest mark at the Suncoast Classic behind Will Bateman (1.600).

The putt Gutschewski made in the playoff was similar to a birdie putt he missed on No. 18 in regulation that would have given him the win. Gutschewski said he didn’t try to position his playoff putt close to his regulation putt, but having a similar line

FINAL 2023 LECOM SUNCOAST CLASSIC LEADERBOARD

was an advantage as he knew what mistakes to correct. Halfway to the hole, Gutschewski said, he knew it would sink.

Gutschewski, who has bounced between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour throughout his career, said he knows his age puts him in a different position than most Korn Ferry Tour winners. But he’s excited about the win all the same, even if he’s not exactly sure where it will lead him next.

“I’m at a weird age, right?” Gutschewski said. “It’s like, you want to keep playing, you maybe want to give the Champions Tour a shot, but at the same time, those guys are really good, too. It’s not like you can go anywhere and it’s just a bunch of pushovers.

“But I really enjoy it. I enjoy playing. I feel like I can still be competitive. I guess that’s kind of why I haven’t hung it up. If I told you I hadn’t thought about it, that would be a bald-faced lie.”

Behind Gutschewski and McAllister, Chase Seiffert and Ben Silverman tied for third at 20 under par. Jake Knapp, Chris Gotterup and Kevin Dougherty — who led after rounds two and three — tied for fifth at 19 under par.

In the first four years of the Suncoast Classic’s existence, the sun would have been setting on Gutschewski as he accepted the tournament trophy and put on the LECOMbranded “White Jacket.” This year, sunshine was out in full force. It was a side-effect of the tournament moving from February to April, one that tournament Director Justin Kristich was happy to see. Kristich has been a proponent of the move to April for years and got it approved this year.

After watching the 2023 tournament play out, Kristich said he views the move as a success.

“I’m happy,” Kristich said. “With everything we had going on, it was smooth. Operationally, it was our

T1. *Scott Gutschewski, 21 under par (67-66-62-68—263)

T1. Logan McAllister, 21 under par (63-65-69-66—263) (Gutschewski beat McAllister in a playoff hole on No. 18)

T3. Chase Seiffert, 20 under par (65-65-65-69—264)

T3. Ben Silverman, 20 under par (64-66-66-68—264)

T5. Jake Knapp, 19 under par (6769-67-62—265)

T5. Chris Gotterup, 19 under par (65-65-68-67—265)

T5. Kevin Dougherty, 19 under par (64-62-68-71—265)

*Won in playoff

best year by far. It was a big crowd today. It was nice to be able to finish while it is still light out. We didn’t know for sure how the move (to April) would go, but we’re sold now.”

Kristich said he could not comment on an incident that occurred during round two of the event, when a trio of golfers were penalized two strokes for riding in a golf cart from hole No. 18 to hole No. 1. The cart was driven by a volunteer. Per event rules, golfers cannot take transportation during a round unless there is a written exception for that route, which there was not. The golfers said they were aware of the rules but felt like the cart had been waiting for them, which caused the confusion and penalty.

Kristich said he is hopeful that an extension with Lakewood National will be completed soon to continue hostng the tournament. The contract expired with this event.

For now, he’s satisfied.

“The hope is always for an exciting finish (like this year’s),” Kristich said. “A great culmination to the event makes everything that much better.”

“Last year I had some touchy moments in the field, and I have been working hard to bring my best defensively and help the team.”

— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Jack Hobson SEE PAGE 16

Ryan Kohn Mustangs javelin thrower Levi Freed said he learned the sport by watching his brother, Caleb Freed.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Scott Gutschewski, 46, drops a 47-foot birdie putt on first playoff hole to win the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National.

Steve Gutschewski tees off on the No. 1 hole at Lakewood National.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Kevin Dougherty tees off on the No. 1 hole at Lakewood National. Rhein Gibson flashes a thumbs-up after a birdie putt on the No. 17 hole.

Logan McAllister and Chris Gotterup hug after their Sunday rounds at Lakewood National.

Golf not thorny for Rosedale champion

Decades of golf dominance began out of skills learned in softball.

Dee Donegan, now 63, grew up on the diamond, and she was good. As she grew up, she became more competitive. She played travel softball for an organization based in Richmond, Virginia, called the Stompers. They dominated teams up and down the east coast, Donegan said, and she had a lot of fun doing it.

But in 1995, her boyfriend and eventual husband, Jim Donegan, expressed concern that she was going to get herself hurt if she continued to play softball. Dee Donegan heard him, but she wanted to remain active and competitive.

They settled on a compromise. What if Dee Donegan took up golf?

Jim Donegan already played golf at a high level. He even tried to make it into the PGA Senior Tour, though he never did. Golf was something they could do together, he thought.

He bought Dee Donegan an entry to a week-long camp at Grand Cypress Golf in Orlando, where she would learn the basics of swing mechanics and rules. Dee Donegan said she shuffled through three instructors that week, learning new things from each.

To her surprise, Donegan said, she took to the game right away.

Golf swing mechanics were more similar to her softball swing than she thought, and she was able to make an easy transition. Donegan said she models her swing after Fred Couples, who came from a baseball background and that turned into a long, successful golf career, including a win at the 1992 Masters. She enjoyed the camp so much, she went back for two more years to refine her game — and enjoy the Florida sun for a week, of course.

Flash forward to 2023, and the Donegans have now lived at Rosedale Country Club since 2000.

Dee Donegan has become the most dominant golfer in club history. Starting in 2003, Donegan

has won 17 of the last 20 Women’s Club Championships and holds the record for the lowest round in club history, when she shot a 66 while playing with her husband and two friends in June 2004.  How has she done it? Natural talent helps, but so does her mindset.

“I have a killer instinct, but I’m still happy to just be out there,” Donegan said. “If I’m having a bad day, I’m still happy. It’s four hours of being calm, but being focused.

I’m relaxed, but I’m working.”

Donegan said she sets a goal for herself every time she plays. It differs each round, but it is purposefully always a high bar to clear. That way, Donegan said, she’s not crushed if she does not reach it, but it is motivating enough to have her always trying her best. It’s a constant but light pressure, which is how she keeps improving.

Donegan’s memories from her dominant run are numerous, but her fifth championship win stands out, she said. Donegan trailed the leader by three strokes heading into the tournament’s final hole, which she described as a narrow par 5. Donegan said her initial plan was to play for a birdie and hope her opponent royally screwed up. After a “monster drive” off the tee, her plans changed. She thought she could get close to the hole with a 7-wood and potentially get an eagle.  She did one better. Her second shot was crushed, too, and bounded into the hole after one bounce for an albatross. Her opponent bogeyed the hole to hand Donegan the most unlikely championship of her career, at least thus far.

“That was pretty crazy,” Donegan said with a smile. Then, with a defiant point of her finger: “I smoked that 7-wood.”

Donegan also treasures the memory of sinking a hole-in-one on the 130-yard No. 13 hole on Au 11, 2007. Donegan said she used a 7-iron and actually thought she hit it a little thin and that it would run through the green, but it hit the flagstick instead, dropping into the hole. Donegan celebrated by jumping up and down in joy.

Donegan was named Rosedale’s most improved golfer in 2006. She was shocked by the honor, she said — but at the time, she and the club had no idea just how improved she was. She just kept winning.

As Donegan has thrived, she’s picked up new skills, but she’s unwilling to part with some old equipment. Donegan said she’s had the same Orlimar 3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood and 9-wood that she ordered in her first years of training after seeing them promoted in a late night infomercial by World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Ken Venturi.

“He said they were good for people who sweep, which I do,” Donegan said. “I’ve tried other clubs, but they don’t do it for me. My clubs have no more grooves on them, but I can make them do whatever I need them to do.”

After so much success, it would not have been a shock if Donegan had followed her husband’s ambitious path of trying to make a professional tour of some kind, but she never did.

“Then it would become more work than fun, and I like fun,” Donegan said. “I do like going to places to play tournaments, and I like to bear down and focus. But coming out on top in these events is fun. I’m fine being an amateur.”

Donegan’s best advice for getting into golf is to be picky when finding an instructor. Lots of people are knowledgeable about the game, she said, but golfers should look for someone with a compatible communication style.

She misses softball at times, but she’s healthy and has found a game that accentuates her talent.

“I’ll play with anyone,” Donegan said. “I just want to be out there. It makes me happy.”

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

Ryan Kohn

Dee Donegan said she’s earned the women’s club championship parking space so many times that her nameplate was worn down and had to be replaced.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jack Hobson

Jack Hobson is a senior on The Outof-Door Academy baseball team. Hobson, who is signed to play for the University of South CarolinaAiken, is a first baseman hitting .457 with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 23 RBIs in 2023. Hobson also has pitched 17 innings as a reliever and holds a 1.24 ERA with 19 strikeouts. Hobson’s play has helped the Thunder to a 16-6 record as of April 24.

When did you start playing baseball?

I started when I was 6. I actually started with tennis and soccer and then moved over to T-ball. It’s been baseball, baseball, baseball ever since.

What is the appeal to you?

When you put in a lot of work and you get good outcomes, it’s a great feeling. Baseball is still fun to me. I’m going to play it until I can’t anymore.

What is your best skill?

I would say my bat. I have a good approach at the plate. I know when to use a power swing versus trying to get runners to advance.

What have you been working to improve?

My fielding. Last year I had some touchy moments in the field, and I have been working hard to bring my best defensively and help the team.

What is your best pitch right now?

My fastball. I get a lot of swings and misses on it because it can either run in or cut out. I throw it in the mid- to upper-80s on average.

What is your favorite memory? I hit a walk-off home run against Cardinal Mooney High

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.

last year. That was special. But also, any big game like the playoffs feels special. Those games are the most fun.

What has gone right for the team this year?

We’re really coming together as a team. We have been doing some team bonding, which helps. I think lately we have gotten over the hump and it is going to be a steady increase in play from now on. (ODA has won seven games in a row as of April 24.)

What is your favorite school subject?

I’m taking some business classes I like right now, like Wall Street investments. That’s a fun class.

What is the best advice you have received? Believe in yourself. If you do, you can do anything.

Finish this sentence: “Jack Hobson is …” … Energetic.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Liz Ramos

T

After everything we’ve had to put up with, it’s nice to celebrate and be with all my friends in one place,” Lenchinsky said. “It’s magical.”

Some students said the prom also is a bittersweet time.

ony Lenchinsky, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, echoed the thoughts of many of his classmates at the Senior Prom. “It feels like we finally made it,” he said. The celebration took place at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota.“Prom, to me, is the last time before graduation that I get to be with all my friends before going off to college,” senior Kate Tuchman said. “I like saying ‘hi’ to everyone and seeing what dresses everyone is wearing.” — LIZ RAMOS

Seniors Kaitlyn Harper, Ryan Garrison, Tyler Woodin and Ali Thomas were thrilled to be at their prom.

Senior Skylar Cox is crowned prom queen by junior Sophia D’Orazio.

Students jam the dance floor.

Juniors Alex Vaillancourt, Kieran Dean and Nikolai Sabou grab props to take a memorable photo.

Seniors Valeria Erazo and Muda Osman show off their style at the prom.

Ovation dazzles crowd with ‘Chicago’

Lakewood Ranch’s Emma Mandzik dazzled the audience April 22 with her portrayal of Velma Kelly in the teen edition of “Chicago.”

Mandzik was among one of Ovation Theatre’s two casts performing “Chicago.”

“This has always been a dream role of mine, so I’m excited to finally to get to do it, especially (at Ovation) because I’ve been here for 10 years,” she said.

Mandzik’s favorite song to perform was her solo, “I Can’t Do it Alone.”

“It’s one of the hardest numbers I’ve ever done in my career,” she

said. “It’s so fun when you finally get the turn and the kick and it’s all nailed.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Isabella Vizcaino and Lara Zoppe were thrilled to portray Annie and Mona, respectively, in the iconic “Cell Block Tango.”

“I wasn’t expecting to get a role,” Zoppe said. “I thought I was just going to be in the ensemble. I didn’t think I would actually be one of the murderesses, so it’s cool that I have this opportunity because this is my first breakout role.”

— LIZ RAMOS

who sees YOU as a Whole Person, NOT A SET OF SYMPTOMS.

Sawyer Girgis, Ethan Benner, Isaiah Yates and Jezlynn Maldonado hold up Madelyn Benner, who is playing Roxie Hart, while performing “Roxie.”

Photos by Liz Ramos

The cast strikes a final pose after performing “All I Care About is Love.”

Lakewood Ranch’s Isabella Vizcaino performs with her friends as one of the murderesses in “Cell Block Tango.”

Madelyn Benner, as Roxie Hart, acts like a puppet being controlled by Alan Khusniyarov, who is playing Billy Flynn.

Alan Khusniyarov puts on the razzle dazzle as Billy Flynn.

Empowered to ride

Surrounded by more than 200 women on their bikes, East County’s Dawn Zielinski was in awe. The 10th annual Village Idiots Cycling Club’s Women on Wheels ride April 16 brought together women from all over the state to ride 20, 40 or 62 miles together.

Zielinski, president of the club, said the purpose of the ride is to empower women in cycling.

“Women don’t usually go out riding together or by themselves without men,” Zielinski said. “It was a great experience. I always love to see how enthusiastic everybody is about everyone getting together to do it. To be able to get 200 of us together is a powerful statement.”

While supporting each other, the riders also were supporting Selah Freedom, a Sarasota nonprofit working to end sex trafficking in Florida.

“It’s humbling to be able to empower other women,” Zielinski said. “We’re women not in that situation. To be able to help other women get out of a bad situation is a powerful thing.”

— LIZ RAMOS

Lake Park’s Lera Bradford and Coconut Creek’s Samantha Coleman participate in the Women on Wheels ride.

Women cross the finish line of the Village Idiots Cycling Club’s annual Women on Wheels ride.

Photos courtesy of Tom Williams

The Women on Wheels ride empowers women to be more involved in cycling.

Lake Club home tops sales at $3 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Ronald and Patricia Zabel, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 16510 Clearlake Ave. to Warren Andrew Pies and Amie Arieanne Pies, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3 million. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB

Team Soup to Nuts LLC sold the home at 8115 Lone Tree Glen to Melissa Elaine Barrett, of New Brunswick, Canada, for $1.95 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,988 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.5 million in 2022.

Kevin and Cheryl Colon, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 7990 Royal Birkdale Circle to Garrett and Janel Shinn, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.75 million. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,313 square feet of living area. It sold for $605,000 in 2013.

John Scott Riddle III and Patricia Riddle, of Mebane, North Carolina, sold their home at 7254 Lake Forest Glen to Christopher and Jessica Lima, of Lakewood Ranch, for $940,000. Built in 2009, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,661 square feet of living area. It sold for $521,000 in 2017.

Gerald Sernau, of Essex, Connecticut, sold the home at 7245 Orchid Island Place to Fatima Moon, of Sarasota, for $575,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,195 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

David Jacobsen and Tracy Winkel, of Naples, sold their home at 7979 Matera Court to Susan Logan, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,825,000. Built in 2009, it has two bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,933 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,525,000 in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Jontie Hicks, of Ellenton, sold the home at 7216 Prestbury Circle to John and Suzanne Pastorello, of Bradenton, for $1.7 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,803 square feet of living area.

HARBOUR WALK

Grant Heller, of St. Petersburg, sold his home at 545 Fore Drive to James and Melissa Friedman, of Bradenton, for $1,592,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,221 square feet of living area. It sold for $717,500 in 2019.

UNIVERSITY PARK

Seth Stevens and Scott Stanton, of University Park, sold their home at 7714 Heathfield Court to Jerome and Patricia Brandy, of Pittsburgh, for $1.5 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,782 square feet of living area. It sold for $530,000 in 2019.

Candace Rosenthal, of Bradenton, sold her home at 7330 Windemere Lane to George Carroll Thompson and Bennie Thompson, of Danville, Kentucky, for $805,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,094 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2011.

ESPLANADE

Floyd Everett Brown and Vicki Jenette Brown, of Sioux City, Iowa, sold their home at 13217 Treviso Drive to William Amos Lewis and

Mary Hardesty, trustees, of Loughman, for $1,475,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,053 square feet of living area. It sold for $688,800 in 2015.

Armstrong Hedgecock and Debra Lynn Hedgecock, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 5137 Napoli Run to Robert Lloyd Bostad and Michelle Lee Woodard, of Lakewood Ranch, for $825,000. Built in 2015, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,090 square feet of living area. It sold for $448,700 in 2015.

Vicki Wills and Jacqueline Kelley, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13314 Torresina Terrace to Alan and Linda Sausner, of Bradenton, for $639,900. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,812 square feet of living area. It sold for $390,000 in 2020.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Scott Ettinger sold his home at 9507 Royal Calcutta Place to Peter Khoury, of Bradenton, for $1.4 million. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $672,000 in 2020.

Legacy Land Holdings LLC sold the home at 10520 Firestone Drive to Ryan Peter Jones and Sherry Marie Jones, of Bradenton, for $925,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,887 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,000 in 2022.

James Arthur Priest and Pauline Priest, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9510 Royal Calcutta Place to Sami Khayat and Petra VrieswijkKhayat, of Bradenton, for $835,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,846 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2020.

Adam Kardys, of Bradenton, sold his home at 9812 Royal Lytham Ave. to Larry Eugene Mainstone and Angela Dawn Mainstone, of Bradenton, for $753,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,142 square feet of living area. It sold for $560,000 in 2022.

LAKEWOOD NATIONAL Gary and Susan Pinkerton, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5610 Mulligan Way to Kathleen Nye and Bryson George, of Bradenton, for $1.25 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,117 square feet of living area. It sold for $692,400 in 2021.

MILL CREEK

Tina Reynolds, trustee, of Ocala, sold the home at 15414 21st Ave. E. to Joshua Andrew Mortensen and Patricia Ann Mortensen, of Bradenton, for $1.2 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 3,689 square feet of living area.

Katie and Kenneth Dean, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, sold their home at 15203 17th Ave. E. to Tony and Sandra Brown, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,156 square feet of living area. It sold for $510,000 in 2019.

SONOMA

Joseph and Vera Seidensticker, of Sarasota, sold their home at 8225 Santa Rosa Court to Jeffrey Baird and Kristie Baird, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.1 million. Built in 2009, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,748 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2020.

MOORINGS AT HERITAGE

HARBOR

Kirk VanDyke, of Bradenton, sold his home at 602 Moorings Way to Petr Benda, of Bradenton, for $915,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,356 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2018.

POLO RUN Ellen Cecilia Croto and Peter Andrew Croto, of Westport, New York, sold their home at 18020 Polo Trail to William Weber Jr. and Bev-

erly Weber, trustees, of Bradenton, for $850,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,455 square feet of living area. It sold for $449,000 in 2019.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Evan Wyatte Maulden and Codi Michelle Maulden, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4908 Tobermory Way to NEI Global Relocation Co. for $848,000. NEI Global Relocation Co. then sold the home to David Fishman and Julie Rosner, of Northbrook, Illinois, for $848,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,186 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2020.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Christin Eley, of Bradenton, and David Eley, of Middletown, Delaware, trustees, sold the home at 4531 Barracuda Drive to Michael Gautier, of Nokomis, for $810,000.

Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,377 square feet of living area.

CLUBSIDE AT COUNTRY CLUB EAST Marc and Ondine Eberhardt, of Castle Rock, Colorado, sold their Unit 14-A condominium at 7363 Divot Loop to Barbara Salenko, trustee, of Bradenton, for $795,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,748 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000 in 2021.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

John and Linda Keating, of Bradenton, sold their home at 925 Preservation St. to Mark Stephen Kemper and Carol Anne Kemper, of Carmel, Indiana, for $725,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a

Courtesy photo

This Lake Club home at 16510 Clearlake Ave. sold for $3 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,344 square feet of living area.

pool and 1,754 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,100 in 2013.

DEL TIERRA

Michael and Chastity Fierro, of Palmetto, sold their home at 15206 Trinity Fall Wall to Brett and Jennifer Sperin, of Bradenton, for $705,000. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,745 square feet of living area. It sold for $399,000 in 2019.

BRADEN WOODS

James and Vicki Olson, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9006 60th Ave. E. to Dennis Kern, of Longboat Key, for $670,000. Built in 1991, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,922 square feet of living area. It sold for $630,000 in 2022.

PERIDIA

Jason Reynolds, of Sarasota, sold his home at 4224 Presidential Ave. Circle E. to Vincent Marcus Tocco and Christine Tocco, of Bradenton, for $629,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,673 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2014.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Michael Kelley and Donald Goben, of Bradenton, sold their home at 127 River Enclave Court to John and Catherine Moscon, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2021.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Keith and Jennifer Crocker, of Clarksville, Michigan, sold their home at 12235 Lavender Loop to Fredrick and Casey Pfister, of Bradenton, for $596,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,312 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2019.

IH6 Property Florida LP sold the home at 12554 Cara Cara Loop to Technology Development Consultants LLC, trustee, for $400,000.

Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,280 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2016.

VINTAGE CREEK

Marie-Line Rigaud, of Pembroke

Pines, sold her home at 4722 Foy Place to Stephan Leo Levesque and Kim Ba Siegel, trustees, of Las Vegas, for $539,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,691 square feet of living area. It sold for $315,000 in 2020.

LAGOON AT TIDEWATER

PRESERVE

Joseph and Linda Smith, of Parrish, sold their Unit B condominium at 1121 Riverscape St. to Renee Dettman, of Bradenton, for $530,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,590 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2020.

41ST AVENUE EAST Glenn and Donald Huston sold their home at 6812 41st Ave. E. to Zachary and Kamryn Combes, of Bradenton, for $515,000. Built in 1986, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,590 square feet of living area. It sold for $89,500 in 1987.

CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE

Leendert Baggerman, of Bradenton, sold his home at 4969 Creekside Trail to Monica Jane Geyer, of Sarasota, for $511,000. Built in 2001, it has four

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“K’MH PHHX UHGRHO PW BTIN LZ SKXOXHNN ZCLA NICBXEHCN. IUBI’N

DUW DH’CH UHCH, BZIHC BGG, IL UHGR LIUHCN.” TBCLG PFCXHII

“ZNSUL XMA X UXMH SZ NPZA’L EACK

XCJ P’TA CATAM DAAC X VPMN HS EPLL SKH SC XCR SZ HOA ISKMLAL.”

MSLXNPCJ MKLLANN

“R CNDZZ R YGZ ANZV HDGTV VX WD G ZDKIDVGIO YSX BXDZT’V VGPD ZSXIVSGTB. R’H G UXNZO VOFRZV, VXX.” WGIWGIG SGUD ©

STATION IDENTIFICATION by Wendy L. Brandes and Hoang-Kim Vu, edited by Jeff Chen

Scan below for a full list of Open Houses, property details, driving directions and more