East County Observer 6.1.23

Teacher enjoys impactful reunion

Peggy Turner, a kindergarten teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, has made an impact on hundreds of students throughout her 26 years in teaching.

She was surprised to see Jared Gray, a former student, walk through the doors at Willis Elementary May 25 with flowers in hand.

Now all grown up, Gray graduated from Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School May 20. He wanted to show his appreciation for Turner and the impact she had on him as a kindergartner.

“I was so honored he came back to see me and tell me how much I impacted his life,” Turner said. “I try to stay connected to as many former students as I can.”

East River Ranch edges toward reality

Commissioners pass key amendments to support the project, but building a road to service the neighborhood looms as an obstacle. SEE PAGE 3A Thousands drawn to Main Street

Sammy’s Run

Sam Lomas is one of about 3,500 people in the world diagnosed with Phelan Mcdermid Syndrome, a condition identified by a deletion of part of Chromosome 22.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center under a starting line May 27 for Sammy’s Run, an annual 5K that raises money to buy racing wheelchairs and wheelchair bicycles for physically challenged athletes.

“What we love is that we also have 35 people here from The Haven,” said Sammy’s mom, Susan Lomas.

The all-inclusive event featured wheelchair and pusherduo teams, kids’ dashes, a one-mile fun run and the 5K.

Rich Greenberg, president of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb, salutes during the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Liz Ramos Myakka City Elementary School first grader Gwendolyn John and second grader Marshyll Scott are ready to participate in the rodeo.

Courtesy photo Peggy Turner and Jared Gray

Lesley Dwyer Susan, Rich and Sammy Lomas at the starting line for Sammy’s Run in Lakewood Ranch.

Commissioners go on mining trip to D.C.

Federal funds needed for three major Manatee County projects, including a new span over the Fort Hamer Bridge.

LESLEY DWYER

STAFF WRITER

Manatee County commission -

ers were hoping to hoping to strike gold for their constituents during a trip last week to Washington, D.C.

On the four-day trip, they were hoping to make a positive impression to line up federal government funding for three main projects, the Fort Hamer Bridge, the Pearce Drain Watershed, and the Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail.

“We have a new lobbyist this year, Ballard Partners,” said Vanessa Baugh, Manatee County’s District 5 Commissioner. “It was the best trip, during my term, that I’ve ever seen.”

Baugh was first elected in 2014, so Ballard Partners made an impression.

“They walked us to death, but it was very good,” Baugh said. “We met with so many congressmen and senators.”

Before arriving, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan already had submitted the county’s requests to the Appropriations Committee. According to the Constitution, “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”

So the commissioners’ job was to talk up their projects.

FORT HAMER BRIDGE

“The biggest — our No. 1 priority — is the Fort Hamer Bridge,” Baugh said.  Residents in the area have long complained that the first bridge (opened in 2017) caused traffic congestion, attracting too much traffic for a two-lane road. The funding

FUNDING REQUESTS AND MATCHES

FORT HAMER BRIDGE

Design and permitting of a second Fort Hamer Bridge span that will be parallel to the existing bridge and double the capacity

n $6 million total

n $3 million requested

n $3 million local match

PEARCE DRAIN WATERSHED

Construction of an approximate 50-acre-foot stormwater and water quality storage facility at 6525 33rd St.

E. to mitigate flooding

n $5.9 million total

n $3 million requested

n $2.9 million local match

GATEWAY GREENWAY

MULTIPURPOSE TRAIL

Planning, design, and environmental studies for Gateway Greenway segments connecting Lincoln Park in Palmetto to Ola May Sims Park in Parrish.

n $4 million total

n $2.8 million requested

n $1.2 million local match coming from the American Rescue Plan

request cites the bridge as “a critical component of the Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, Upper Manatee River Road and Fort Hamer Road corridor that will span East Manatee County.”

By the time Baugh was elected in 2012, the first bridge was already designated to be built. With only two lanes, it was at capacity the day it opened in 2017. Manatee County Strategic Planning Manager Ogden Clark said it was “a given” that a second bridge had to be built. Along with another span, commissioners have approved the widening of Upper Manatee River Road to four lanes so that four lanes of bridge traffic can flow in each direction.

“We’ve got to get ahead of this,” Baugh said. “With the $3 million, we’ll have money to do the PD&E;, which is the design. We have to see how much right-of-way we have to buy. We bought a house already that we needed, but we’ll only need part of it. Once we get that part done, we’ll turn around and resell the house.”

The county is looking at approximately five to six years to get the project completed.

PEARCE DRAIN WATERSHED

“We have a wastewater situation that we need to take care of,” Baugh said. “We have an area in District 4 called Centre Lake, and it floods. So we came up with a plan where we can have a wastewater facility, where the water will drain, and if we do it right, it will help not only that area, but it will help the whole of Manatee County to drain into that system.”

The county already purchased a vacant property at 6525 33rd St. E. that was needed for the project.

It’s located next to the Pearce Drain within the Pearce Drain Watershed. The $3 million request for federal funds is for the construction of a 50-acre-foot facility, which will provide additional flood volume storage and water quality treatment to the watershed.

GATEWAY GREENWAY

MULTIPURPOSE TRAIL

“A lot of people ride their bikes to and from work, but we really don’t have safe ways, in most cases, to

ride bikes” Baugh said. “It’s a $2.9 million request, and it’s basically to start the trails. We have trails that will go north, south, east, west, and eventually, we will go all the way out to Titusville, so it’s a huge endeavor.”  Lakewood Ranch already has trails that will work into the system. If granted, the federal request will cover planning, design and environmental studies for the segment connecting Lincoln Park in Palmetto to Ola May Sims Park in Parrish.

The county is working with Florida Power & Light and CSX Transportation to identify unused utility corridors and railroad tracks. Along with county road rights of way, the plan is to make that segment a dedicated off-road trail.

All the requests for federal funds have to make their way through the Appropriations Committee, and Baugh is hoping for positive news from that committee sometime between August and December.

Lesley Dwyer

District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh sits down to discuss her recent trip to Washington, D.C., with fellow commissioners to request federal funding for the Fort Hamer Bridge, Pearce Drain Watershed and Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail.

he’s not giving you any of his land, so you’re not building that road,” Kruse said to the developer’s team. “You’re asking us to approve a million-anda-half square feet of commercial space plus a multifamily (complex) of almost 1,400 units, all contingent upon activity nodes that are no longer going to exist (without the road).”

Kruse told Beruff’s team to come back once they figure out how to make the thoroughfare work. Patricia Petruff, the attorney representing East Manatee Preservation Inc., a nonprofit corporation formed by concerned residents, agreed. Petruff has a long history of representing developers, so she said she is not opposed to development.

“Sometimes, you just have to take a deep breath, and I think this was one of those times. I wasn’t asking them to decide this; I was asking them to table it and do it the right way.”

Road block to proposed development?

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Manatee County commis -

sioners voted 5-1 May 24 to approve three applications that will allow Carlos Beruff’s East River Ranch development to move forward.

However, getting approval to build a road that would service the new neighborhood could be an obstacle to getting the project started.

The East River Ranch property includes approximately 1,381 acres south of S.R. 64, west of C.R. 675 and east of Taylor Ranch. Beruff has plans for 5,378 residential units, plus commercial and office space, in an area previously zoned for agriculture that only allowed one dwelling unit per five acres.

Neighbors bordering East River Ranch and their attorneys attended the commission’s land use meeting to voice concerns over issues including the location of the proposed thoroughfare and the project’s impact on residents.

“Quality of life — that’s my theme.

The people in the neighborhoods, we’re there because we chose that kind of life,” Panther Ridge resident Steve Barbash said. “I’m asking that whatever plans do or don’t come sooner or later that people will try to take into account what you would like to live in, what kind of environment, if you can separate the higher

density from the existing families.”

Each application was voted on individually, but all three votes came out 5-1 with Commissioner George Kruse opposed and Commissioner Jason Bearden absent.

The applications requested the following three changes:

1. Amendment to the county’s thoroughfare plan to add East River Ranch Boulevard as a north-south collector road between S.R. 64 and Rangeland Parkway.

2. Amendment to the future land use map to change designation of the site from AG-R (Agricultural/Rural) to UF-3 (Urban Fringe).

3. Change zoning from A (General Agriculture) to PDMU (Planned Development Mixed Use).

Some concerns were addressed by commissioners prior to the vote.

“I want it to be clear where we’re at and what we’re actually voting on,” Commissioner James Satcher said. “We’re not putting a road over anybody’s grave. We’re not putting a road through Panther Ridge, or the applicant is not, and we’re not closing down the drag strip.”

Tim and Carla Tralick, who live on 222nd Street, attended the meeting, saying the proposed thoroughfare would run through their backyard, where their son is buried. Their neighbor, Richard Williams, said a

new road shouldn’t even be allowed to be considered because the developer doesn’t own that land that runs through the Tralick’s property, and therefore, can’t develop it.

After hearing the Tralicks would not sell to Beruff, Kruse questioned if a thoroughfare could be built at all to service the new community. He said the issue made voting on an application to add the proposed road to the county’s thoroughfare plan premature.

“One, I can promise you, you’re not taking (the Tralick’s) land. And two, the only other way you’re going to build that road is to work with Cleetus McFarland (of the Freedom Factory race track). He doesn’t want your development there anyway, so

“Sometimes, you just have to take a deep breath, and I think this was one of those times,” Petruff said. “I wasn’t asking them to decide this; I was asking them to table it and do it the right way.”

After hearing what she deemed to be vague verbiage used to describe McFarland’s Freedom Factory racetrack in the Notice to Buyer, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh clarified the commission’s stance on preserving the race track.

“I thought we were pretty clear before, the board was, on how important the racetrack is in this situation. It’s been there 50 years,” Baugh said. “This is in my district, and so I don’t mind the development being there. I think we should develop west of 675. I think it’s very appropriate, but I’m not going to take a 50-year-old business and just demolish it because of it.”

The notice will now specify that there is “an active drag strip and racetrack facilities that are producing noise.” McFarland told the commission, even with barrier walls, it will probably be waking thousands of homeowners up every Sunday morning because of races.

That image of thousands of homeowners is the main issue for current residents. East River Ranch is located beyond the Future Development Area Boundary, as is Taylor Ranch. But the density of this project exceeds that of Taylor Ranch.

Kruse cited a Florida Department of Transportation study that stated the development would cause both S.R. 70 and S.R. 64 to fail. If a two-lane thoroughfare is built and doesn’t meet the volume of traffic, then the county and taxpayers are on the hook to widen it to four lanes.

Satcher, who represents the most rural portion of the county, offered a different perspective. His district consists of smaller developments that don’t require developers to build roads, which can be a difficult demand to meet after the fact.

“Like him, don’t like him, whatever, but (Beruff) has built some roads that get you places. From Upper Manatee River Road, and you want to get to Costco, this developer built that road. The county didn’t build that road,” Satcher said. “(Developers) are able to do it much more efficiently because they don’t have the same regulations that the government has.”

Moving forward, Beruff’s team has to find a solution for the thoroughfare. If a solution is found, the project still has requirements to work through with the building department, and construction will depend on Taylor Ranch’s timeline because the two developments are coordinating on roads and utilities to bring infrastructure to the area. East River Ranch will build off what Taylor Ranch puts in first.

Attorney Kimlyn Walker, representing the Panther Ridge Homeowners Association, said her clients would appeal if the motions were approved.  Petruff hadn’t discussed the next steps with her clients yet, but equated an appeal to pushing a big rock up a steep hill.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Attorney Scott Rudacille, with Blalock Walters, presents the East River Ranch applications to the Manatee County Commission on May 24 at the land use meeting.

Patricia Petruff, the attorney for East Manatee Preservation Inc., holds up a map of East River Ranch and asks the commission, “Is that where you want the FDAB (Future Development Area Boundary) line to be?”

The proposed East River Ranch development passed more hurdles May 24.

PROPOSED EAST RIVER RANCH

Patricia Petruff

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Co-founder of Senior Transport Services dies

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Esplanade’s Don Deibert was certain seniors in the region were in dire need of timely and affordable transportation services. He was so sure that when ITN Suncoast, which provided rides for seniors and those of any age who are vision impaired, folded in December 2021, he decided to start his own nonprofit with Tara accountant Bill Kaser.

Deibert was right about the need.

Senior Transport Services, which provided eight rides in its first month of March 2022, was giving 60 rides in October in Manatee and Sarasota counties. That number shot to 113 rides in November and 190 riders in December.

Every month since, Senior Transport Services has provided an average of 190 rides or more, except for the short month of February where it provided 178 rides.

With only four volunteer drivers, the nonprofit was stressed. Then Deibert became ill.

On May 15, Deibert died of kidney failure at 67, to the shock of Kaser and the nonprofits’ clients.

Kaser said Deibert was experiencing pain in his legs that caused him to stop his duties as a volunteer driver. However, Kaser was certain his partner would recuperate and get back to driving.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Kaser said. “The Tuesday before, I told him it was hard to believe he wasn’t the strapping young man he was before.

He chuckled.”

One Senior Transport Services client told Kaser that “Don (Deibert) is a gem who was sent from heaven.”

A memorial service was held May 20 at Peace Presbyterian Church in Lakewood Ranch.

Now Kaser is trying to continue a service that Deibert thought was so vital. “Don was a good complement to me,” Kaser said of their running the nonprofit. “He always crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s. But he also was one of our drivers. It bothers me

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

What: Senior Transport Services

Serves: Manatee and Sarasota counties

Price: $2 pickup fee each way; $2.15 per mile; no tips are allowed

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Who is eligible: Adults 60 and over who are unable to drive or who struggle with feeling safe on the highway when they do. Also, those of any age with vision difficulties For more information, to be a volunteer driver or to sign up for rides: Call 888-295-2376.

to let our client service slip. We need to make a big push for more volunteer drivers.”

He said the service is for people in the community 60 and over who either can’t drive or who shouldn’t be driving. It also is for those of any age who are vision impaired.

The service has a $2 pickup fee and costs $2.15 per mile. No tipping is allowed.

It is especially valuable for those who have medical appointments and they want to reserve a ride in advance with the confidence that they will get to their appointment on time.

Bill

started the Senior Transport Services nonprofit to provide transportation for seniors in need. Lakewood Ranch’s Deibert died May 15.

Jay Heater

Kaser and Don Deibert

Marble Park rolls ahead with renovation

A $19 million renovation program will include a new gymnasium and a splash pad.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

As of May 22, John H. Marble Park is closed for the summer and beyond.

The seven-acre park on the corner of S.R. 70 and 53rd Avenue East is undergoing major renovations. The project, expected to be “substantially complete” by fall 2024, is estimated to cost $18,964,102.

“Parks and Recreation locations are vital assets across our community,” Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services Deputy Director Molly White said. “This gives those out east an air-conditioned space to play.”

Once reopened, the park will feature a double gymnasium, fitness center, upgraded pool deck, splash pad, a new picnic pavilion and fencing. The parking lot and sidewalks are being repaved. Stormwater management and the 37th Street entrance will also see improvements.

To accommodate a turn lane, 37th Street is being widened.

A PARK IN NEED OF REPAIR

The county took over John H. Marble Park in the mid-1990s. Over time, the facilities and grounds deteriorated to the point that the park couldn’t offer much in the way of services.

“The gymnasium was no longer in use for our summer camp program due to the conditions,” White said. “We were lucky enough to work with the school board and utilize school facilities to keep camp going throughout the summer until this project is complete.”

The gym was operational longer than expected, hosting camp up until two summers ago. County staff were surprised because Marble Park was close to becoming an abandoned site

10 years ago. Then, in the 2018 fiscal year, the park was placed on top of the priority list in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan. Funding for renovations is coming from infra -

structure sales tax and impact fees. The old gym is being demolished to make room for a new double gymnasium, new fencing and ADA compliant sidewalks. Pathways around

COST TO RESTORE JOHN MARBLE PARK

The cost to upgrade the park comes to $18,964,102. The project is expected to be “substantially complete” by fall 2024. It’s being funded with infrastructure sales tax and impact fees.

Remove and replace gymnasium: $15,634,862

Repave parking lot: $908,158

Expand pool deck and add picnic pavilion: $1,057,887

Remove and replace pavilion/ restroom facility: $364,409

Splash pad including piping and electric: $852,508

37th Street East widening and turning lane: $146,278

the park were outdated. The new plan provides connectivity for all guests throughout the park.

The pool area is being upgraded to include a larger deck, picnic pavilion and a 4,000-square-foot splash pad.

Waiting for demolition are the current bathhouse, maintenance building, tennis, basketball and track courts. Two new tennis courts and a basketball court are on the list of future improvements.

A PARK WORTH SAVING

“When I got elected (in 2012), John Marble was not in my district, and still isn’t, but it’s close. At the time, the county was going to fill the pool in with dirt and get rid of it,” said District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. “I asked, ‘Why would you do that?’ We don’t really have any pools in Manatee County. We need John Marble.”

As outdated as the facility was, Baugh said John Marble was fill -

ing a need in the community. Local swimmers used the pool to practice. It’s the closest 25-meter-long pool to Lakewood Ranch without having to drive to Arlington Park in Sarasota.

Once reopened, the park, as a whole, will benefit community groups and sports leagues that the gym and courts weren’t fit to host before. There will be youth and adult basketball, volleyball and pickleball leagues, Kinderskills for toddlers, exercise classes and health and wellness programs.

Weight training, Zumba and floating yoga are among the exercise options. There will be rental space available to host parties and community rooms to host meetings. The camp will be able to accommodate over 300 children, which is nearly triple its old capacity.

“We can use it for so many things,” Baugh said. “It’s taken awhile to get the funds, but we need that community center.”

Lesley Dwyer

The fence is being removed from the perimeter of John H. Marble Park in preparation for some major upgrades.

Courtesy rendering

A rendering of the splash pad being installed at John H. Marble Park.

Nonprofit opens pet food bank

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary starts the Pet Food Bank.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

In the education room at Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary, a collection of pet food, supplies and toys has begun to grow.

As more donations come in, Lisa Burns, who runs the animal nonprofit with her husband, David, adds to the collection.

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary started a new Pet Food Bank to support low-income families or families going through financial hardships in Myakka City, Duette, Parrish and Wauchula.

Lisa Burns hopes the pet food bank will help families keep their pets rather than surrendering them to nonprofits like Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary.

She said the animal nonprofits and shelters in Manatee and Sarasota counties have reached capacity at times and can not continue to take in so many animals.

“The number of animals in the shelters are higher than ever,” Burns said. “Most of the ones around here don’t even have intake … There are waiting lists. One way we thought we can help people keep their pets at home is by offering food and supplies to help offset costs.”

Burns said the sanctuary receives about a dozen calls per week from people who need to surrender their animals, and the nonprofit has to turn people away because it doesn’t have the space.

Farmhouse Animal and Nature Sanctuary is caring for 141 animals as of May 23. The nonprofit has rabbits, guinea pigs and potbelly pigs available for adoption.

Burns said they decided to start the Pet Food Bank after the Giving Alliance of Myakka City closed in December. She said one of the biggest needs in the community was for pet food.

HOW

“You shouldn’t have to choose between feeding your kids and feeding your animals,” she said. “You should be able to do both. It’s sad that people can’t make ends meet to be able to do that.”

Burns started working with Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, Waste to Charity, Greater Good and Leo and Lucky’s to serve as donation sites.

Besides food, the nonprofit also will accept donations of toys, supplies, kitty litter, bird seed, bedding and more.

Once a month, registered families will be able to go to the sanctuary to pick up supplemental pet food and supplies.

Burns said registrants will certify that they are low-income or experiencing financial hardship.

Raising Littles Takes A Lot

And though mom and dad can take care of most of those bumps and bruises along the way, when the runny nose turns into a running fever, it’s comforting to know that a little help is right around the corner.

Whether it’s a quick fix at one of our six Urgent Care Centers, a check-up with a First Physicians Group pediatrician, or even the expert attention of our dedicated pediatric unit, where specialized pediatric hospitalists from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital are on-site 24 hours a day, Sarasota Memorial is always committed to being there when you need us.

That’s just what neighbors do.

YourObserver.com

A parade in their honor

Thousands pack Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to salute veterans and first responders in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Army veteran Russell Johnson, wearing his Vietnam veteran’s cap, looked down at a packed Lakewood Main Street on May 28, a few minutes before the Tribute to Heroes Parade was about to begin.

“I wear this hat once a year (on Memorial Day weekend),” Johnson said. “It used to be nobody would sit next to me.”

Johnson, who was in the infantry, remembered returning from Vietnam and receiving a cold welcome home. He said he was sitting in an airport when a child came up to him, and upon recognizing him as a soldier, the child’s mother hurried over and pulled the child away.

“The way we were treated … we got over it,” Johnson said.

He said things have changed in the way the American public views soldiers who defended the country’s freedom in Vietnam, but he would like to see Memorial Day celebrations take on a more serious tone.

“It is simply to recognize guys who didn’t come home,” he said. “We’re having this party, but we’re thinking about the veterans.”

The parade certainly had its solemn moments. Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh read a county proclamation that had her choked with emotion, talking about soldiers’ sacrifices.

The Blue Skye Pipes and Drums group played “Amazing Grace” before the parade began and the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble performed patriotic marches.

But the event also catered to the children in a crowd of several thousand. Some of their parents said they explained what the holiday, and the parade, was all about to put it all into context.

The parade itself was packed with

65 entries, live music, floats, and many interesting vehicles to entertain the crowd.

“I like that this is one of the things that brings out folks,” said Graham Ellis of Braden River VFW Post 12055. “And we have so many veterans who have been in so many different conflicts. Everyone is on the same footing.”

Many of the veterans in attendance received a free meal courtesy of local business such as Kelly’s Roast Beef, McGrath’s, Ed’s Tavern, Remy’s on Main and Detwiler’s Farm Market. The pre-parade event was held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

U.S. Marine veteran Jason Bearden, a Manatee County commissioner, said he was thrilled to participate.

“It is amazing the things this community does,” he said. “And Memorial Day has a special place in my

heart. When I was 7, my friend’s dad was killed in Desert Storm.”

Bearden looked around at the packed room at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

“I hope in the future we can continue to grow this,” he said.

Herman Martinez of the Del Webb Association of Veterans and Military Supporters called the Tribute to Heroes Parade “the most important event of the entire year in Lakewood Ranch.”

“We truly have left some good friends behind,” he said.

Ken Green of VFW Post 12055 told a story of standing near a lieutenant commander who was killed on a flight deck when hit by a plane. Martinez talked about seeing a 13-yearold Vietnamese boy drop a grenade into the gas tank of a vehicle. Two of his fellow soldiers died in the explosion.

“We saw a lot of stuff,” Ellis said.

Dave Daily, who is commander of VFW Post 12055, said the public has come together when it comes to honoring its soldiers.

“Events like this one are very important with all the political divide,” Daily said. “At the end of the day, we are all Americans. Events like this show that is still true.”

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Photos by Jay Heater

Dave Daily, Ken Green, Graham Ellis and Chuck Slenker, all of Braden River VFW Post 12055, serve as the honor guard during the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch.

Lesli and Russell Johnson, of River Club, said the best thing about the Tribute to Heroes Parade is to “simply recognize the guys who didn’t come home.”

U.S. Army veteran Ned Fishman, of Eagle Trace, waves to the crowd during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.

Manatee County commissioners Jason Bearden and Vanessa Baugh visit with Herman Martinez of the Association of Veterans and Military Supporters at Del Webb at a special dinner for veterans before the parade.

“It is simply to recognize guys who didn’t come home. We’re having this party, but we’re thinking about the veterans.”

Russell Johnson

Parade heads in the right direction

T

he 2023 Tribute to Heroes Parade on May 28 was the place to be.That sums up a terrific effort by the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities staff of Keith Pandeloglou, Aliye Presley and Joanna Bailey, who benefit from the backing of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

Their assignment was to breathe life into an event that began in 2009 but was fast becoming inconsequential.

And that’s a sad circumstance for a parade connected to the Memorial Day holiday.

Like many events, the Tribute to Heroes Parade was ambushed by COVID-19, which wiped out two of the events (2020, 2021). Rain canceled another in 2018, meaning there had been only one such parade in four years.

Then the 2022 event was moved to the week before its traditional spot on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

Any momentum built from earlier, successful Tribute to Heroes Parades was long gone. You could describe last year’s crowd as “latearriving,” or better yet, “not-arriving.”

A decision had to be made early in 2023 whether the parade was worth saving.

The answer was yes.

Bailey was added to the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities staff, and she spearheaded an effort to raise participation in the face of ambivalence.

Things began turning around.

Take, for example, the Lakewood Ranch High School Marching Mustangs. The Tribute to Heroes Parade is a tough gig since it comes after school has let out. That can mean no uniforms and a cast of musicians who are in the Bahamas.

On the other side is that those being honored have fought for our

freedoms, have put their life on the line, have run toward the disaster when everyone else is running away.

In comparison, the students’ problems didn’t seem so significant they couldn’t be overcome.

In the end, the Lakewood Ranch High students took it upon themselves to voluntarily show up to honor the veterans. They simply brought their instruments, marched and played, and the event jumped three notches higher in quality due to their presence.

The hope is that the parade committee and the Marching Mustangs can come to some kind of agreement where they appear annually. They are the very heart of the parade.

Wouldn’t it be nice also if Lakewood Ranch Community Activities could work something out with the

Jay Heater

marching bands at Braden River and Parrish Community high schools, as well? Or perhaps the bands could even rotate in the schedule to ensure the parade always has a marching band.

Judging by their faces, the Lakewood Ranch High students had a great time performing along a parade route that was packed with cheering people. I would imagine they would agree that it was the place to be.

Social media lit up the next morning about what a tremendous parade it was. You could feel the energy as the entirety of Lakewood Main Street was covered with families, embracing every person who marched past.

Some key changes led to what many people, including Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, called

the best parade ever in Lakewood Ranch.

First, the date change turned out to be important, with folks around town looking for entertainment during Memorial Day weekend. The week before is packed with graduation type events and end-of-school events and certainly that didn’t work last year.

Next, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities focused on having some great entertainment, and kids activities, before the actual parade.

Families showed up early, which always is a boost to the restaurants along Main Street. By 6 p.m., an hour before the parade would begin, the street was packed.

The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, which had performed before the parade in 2022, was back again, only this time the musicians were performing on a stage, which made it easier to hear their music all up and down Lakewood Main.

The musicians were so pleased with their improved situation and the size of the crowd that they began playing earlier than scheduled, adding a couple of numbers to their performance. The ensemble was followed by Aloha Ukulele and Blue Skye Pipes and Drums.

Which leads to another key improvement — a better speaker system.

Whether the speakers were new, or better positioned, you could hear speeches and announcements all up and down the street. That is nice when parade entries are being announced.

The focus, as always, remained on the veterans and first responders. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities presented a nice dinner for participating veterans and first responders at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. As always, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing donated beer, while Kelly’s Roast Beef, McGrath’s, Ed’s Tavern, Remy’s on Main and

Detwiler’s Farm Market donated food.

The veterans could either march in the parade or ride in sports cars. Those who just wanted to watch could sit in a special VIP area with covered seating. Those marching in the parade made sure to venture into that area when passing to interact with the veterans and to thank them for their service.

Then there is the question of “How much fun is too much fun on Memorial Day weekend?” Well, Bailey never shied away from that one, saying from the beginning that this is a parade to honor veterans and first responders, and not strictly a Memorial Day event.

So all the candy-tossing, clowns and sports mascots that provide fun, silly moments to make kids smile were included.

Even those who would like a more solemn event have to admit that the number of children present was impressive, and if you don’t have them there, you can’t tell them your stories.

After the 2023 event, you can expect throngs of children in the future, so perhaps finding ways to tell those veterans’ stories might draw some extra attention in the coming year.

So let the preparation begin for 2024.

In terms of the Tribute to Heroes Parade, the thrill is back.

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SIDE OF RANCH JAY HEATER

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

Teacher landed in perfect space

Students

Dan

“Wrap-up, back-up and pack-up,” he would say.

Tammy Harper, a science teacher at Lakewood Ranch High, remembered how Goodman, who died of a heart attack May 14 at 80 years old, would respond when someone would ask how he was doing.

“He would say he was ‘doing finer than a hair on a toad split 12 ways,’” Harper said with a laugh.

The physics teacher’s “Goodmanisms” are some of the things students, teachers, staff and family will miss most about him.

Danyelle Whitt, Goodman’s daughter, said her father was larger than life and a wonderful man who cared for others and who loved teaching, a profession he didn’t undertake until he was in his late 60s.

She said her father, who worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for 21 years before working with the military on missile defense projects and then as a consultant as a nonparticle physicist, had a passion for passing on his knowledge to younger generations.

“He loved it when he saw that students got it,” Whitt said. “Dad knew when it clicked in their brain. I know that when he saw that click, that gave him the most joy.”

Goodman started working for the NASA at 19 years old, develop-

died May 14.

ABOUT DAN GOODMAN

June 17, 1942-May 14, 2023

Profession: In the last 12 years of his life, Goodman became a physics teacher, working first at Sarasota Military Academy and then at Lakewood Ranch High the past four years

Quotes he believed in: “Thinking is required” and “The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as asks the right questions.”

Programs he started at Lakewood Ranch High: AP Computer Science and StellarXplorers

Previous career: Worked 21 years for NASA and as a physics consultant

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

It took Dan Goodman more than 60 years, including two decades with NASA, to learn he loved teaching the most.

Courtesy photo

Dan Goodman, a Lakewood Ranch High School physics teacher,

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Saddle-up celebration

Myakka City Elementary School students show off their rodeo skills during an end-of-schoolyear celebration.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Ellie Connours, a fifth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, rushed into the Winding Trails Ranch arena on her horse.  She guided her horse, Dent, around the three barrels in the arena as fast as possible.  Her classmates stood outside the fence of the arena cheering for her.  Connours said it was awesome to be able to show off her rodeo skills to her friends and classmates from Myakka City Elementary School on May 23.

“It made me happy, especially that I won barrels and goat tying (events),” Connours said. “I was excited I got to share this bond with my friends and my two horses.”

The rodeo was an end-of-quarter celebration for 232 students who accomplished three out of four goals for the quarter in math, reading, attendance and behavior.

At least 40 Myakka City Elementary School students participated or helped in the rodeo, demonstrating their skills in events including barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending and sheep racing.

“What a cool deal it was to have the whole school here, be able to participate today and watch and learn,” said Pam Teague of Winding Trails Ranch. “Having so many of the local elementary kids here and participating was very cool.”

Connours, and her sister Macie Connours, who is in third grade, said their favorite events are barrel racing

Photos by Liz Ramos

Myakka City Elementary School second grader Marshyll Scott has the chance to show her teacher, Jackie Blue, her rodeo skills.

and pole bending because it involves speed. They race around the barrels or poles in hopes of having the fastest time.

For some of the students, like first grader Gwendolyn John and second grader Marshyll Scott, rodeo runs in the family.

Scott grew up around horses, starting to ride on her own at 2 1/2 years old. She followed in the footsteps of her mother, Paula Coddington, by starting to participate in rodeos.

“My mom was a really good barrel racer, and she made it through a lot of rodeos, so I’m going to try to do it like my mom,” Scott said.

In Scott’s family, the rule is she doesn’t get to eat breakfast until the horses are fed in the morning. She’s responsible for caring with the horses she’s come to love.

Joyce Coddington, Scott’s grandmother, said her children all participated in 4-H and FFA and now Scott and her other grandchildren are doing the same.

“The legacy continues,” Joyce Coddington said. “You have to continue your heritage or who will?”

John said riding horses has been a family tradition passed on through generations and she is proud to be part of the tradition.

“Not everyone gets to (ride horses), so it’s special,” John said.

Ellie Connours said although everyone wants to win at the rodeo, it’s more about having fun. Participating in the rodeo also gives her an opportunity to bond with her horses.

“It’s like having a best friend,” Connours said about her horses.

Ellie Connours was celebrating the end of her final year of elementary school with her classmates in an arena where she had her first rodeo competition.

“I’ve grown up in this arena,” she said. “This is the best place, and my favorite rodeo arena and favorite place to ride. I love this sport, and I love our school because of all the rodeo stuff they do here. So many kids rodeo, which is awesome because they’re like me.”

While some of the students have been to Winding Trails Ranch and have seen a rodeo before, others, like fourth grader Madison Knight, were watching for the first time.

She was amazed at the speed dur-

RODEO EVENTS

The rodeo for Myakka City Elementary School included several events:

n Barrel race

n Goat tying

n Pole bending

n Mutton busting (sheep riding)

n Bull riding

ing her favorite event, the barrel races.

“I like how they were making the horse turn quick to go right to the next barrel,” Knight said.

Knight said it was exciting to see her classmates in the arena. Watching students her age compete made her want to try riding horses.

Fourth grader Vincent Resnick said it was an adrenaline rush watching his classmates speeding past, holding on as best they could.

Second grader Joshua Smith had fun participating in mutton busting, which is sheep riding.

“It was cool to show my friends how good I am,” Smith said. “I like that I can be out riding because it’s fun to fall on the ground.”

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Rock out on reading

Music Compound’s summer reading program allows children to earn prizes.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Children involved with Music Compound will not only be reading music this summer but books as well.

Music Compound’s Sarasota and Bradenton locations are offering its Rock Your Summer Reading Program for the third year. The program is open to any school-aged children in Sarasota and Manatee counties and will run June 1 to Aug. 31.

The more books a child reads, the more prizes can be earned.

Children will receive a reading passport and be able to turn in a book submission form online sharing what book they read.

Music Compound started the Rock Your Summer Reading program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jenny Townsend, owner of Music Compound, remembered growing up and reading books to earn prizes from Pizza Hut. Using her childhood as inspiration, she wanted to encourage children to read in a fun way.

“Kids nowadays just get lost in electronics or TV,” said Alyssa Martin, the studio manager for Music Compound. “They don’t want to read, and reading is so important. It helps you grow into a good human.”

Rock Your Summer Reading gave Music Compound a way to collaborate with other local business owners to not only encourage children to read but also support the businesses during the pandemic.

“It’s wonderful how many local businesses have been willing to partner with us and participate in our adventure to get kids reading over the summer,” Martin said. “It shows how awesome of a community we all live in.”

This past year, 86 children participated in the reading program, reading approximately 3,400 books.

Of the 86 children who participated, 43 children qualified for the

ROCK YOUR SUMMER READING

The reading program kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 31. Participants will submit a form sharing what book they’ve read on Music Compound’s website, MusicCompound. com/Community/Rock-YourSummer-Reading/.

The more books that are read, the more prizes participants will receive.

After reading 50 books, participants can enter for the grand prize of a party for up to 20 people at Sarasota Music Compound’s Studio 32.

For more information, call 379-9100 or email info@MusicCompound.com.

grand prize drawing by reading at least 50 books.

“The kids feel accomplished and proud of themselves for reaching that level,” Martin said. “A lot of times, they’ll come in and the kids are so excited to show how much they’ve read and collect their prizes.”

reading

Jump start your day with a cold brew coffee and sand volleyball before squeezing in a spa treatment and an afternoon of shopping. And as the sun begins to set, gather family and friends for dinner and drinks under the stars. Whether you’re in the shops, on the Plaza, or at the park, you’ll find new ways to spend the day at Waterside Place every time you come. Our year-round events, Sunday farmers’ market and weekly live music are open to everyone.

Liz Ramos

Eyla Grayce Jackson, Jewel Love Jackson and Skylar Rae Jackson receive prizes for

books as part of Music Compound’s Rock Your Summer Reading program.

A+E INSIDE:

< THIS WEEK: Savor Sarasota serves up lunch and dinner specials from June 1-14. 17A

REVIEW: Audience favorite ‘Shear Madness’ is back on stage for the third time at FST. 18A >

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

JUNE 1, 2023

FRINGE THEATER TAKES

IN SARASOTA CENTER STAGE

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

Victoria Montalbano is excited.

The self-described “theater kid” from Sarasota is coming home for the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, to perform her one-woman show, “The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman’s Search for the Space Cowboy of her Dreams.”

If you guessed that Montalbano is a “Star Wars” fan, you would be right. She saw the original movie when she was 13 years old and immediately started crushing on Hans Solo, played by Harrison Ford.

But it wasn’t until she saw “Star Wars” again years later on the Disney+ streaming service that she realized that most of her romantic relationships resembled that of Solo and Princess Leia, the late Carrie Fisher’s character.

Being a performer, Montalbano

Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival features a smorgasbord of edgy performances.

founder of the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, which runs June 8-11 at the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to “The Princess Strikes Back,” the fest will present eight other performances of roughly an hour each.

Like Montalbano, Radish is a Florida native. Before founding the nonprofit Squeaky Wheel Theatre Group in 2020, she worked in regional theater for nearly a decade, in a variety of roles at venues ranging from the Ogonquit Playhouse in Maine to the Utah Festival Opera.

About five years ago, Radish decided to get out of the theater business, which can be hard on the body for those involved in scenery, props, lights and the other nuts and bolts of production. But after a hiatus, Radish found herself being drawn back to theater and specifically to fringe.

‘What is fringe exactly?’ you might ask. Good question.

wanted to share that revelation with an audience. “Storytelling is how I do comedy, so I went to an open-mic night and talked about a crush I had on a boy when I was 13,” said Montalbano, who lives in Chicago. That open-mic performance

evolved into a one-woman show that she has been performing at fringe festivals around the country since July 2021. But it wasn’t until now that she had a venue to present “The Princess Strikes Back” in Sarasota.

It’s all thanks to Megan Radish,

As its name implies, fringe is not mainstream. And it’s not one type of performance. It can be drama, dance, comedy, music or all of the above.

“Smorgasbord” is a word you hear a lot when people talk about fringe.

“I’ve been watching fringe for

SEE FRINGE, PAGE 16A

“It’s really wonderful that Sarasota is getting a fringe festival. The city has such a strong theater community, and this is something that’s been missing.”

Victoria Montalbano

Courtesy art Victoria Montalbano stars in the "The Princess Strikes Back," one of the selections at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, Sarasota's first fringe fest.

years,” says Radish. “I’ve seen some very unique shows. I’ve seen classically trained musicians perform on Segways.”

In addition to offering a little of this and a little of that, fringe pushes the boundaries. It tests limits, so perhaps it’s best to leave the kids at home. If you’re easily offended or have rigid ideas about who and what is acceptable as entertainment, you should probably stay home too.

“Fringe is a home for things that may not get a stage elsewhere,” Radish says. “Most of what we do is about accessibility and advocacy, both for artists and audiences.”

Not sure if fringe is for you? Radish has come up with a way for you to find out. A fringe “teaser” showcasing the nine performances in the festival takes place on June 7. It costs just $5, plus $5 for a festival badge required to attend all of the shows.

In addition to the $5 button, all festivalgoers must buy a $12 ticket to each show they attend. All proceeds go to the shows’ creators, who are responsible for their own publicity.

In addition to prodigal daughter Montalbano, Sarasota-area artists presenting their works at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival include Katherine Michelle Tanner, Jessica Pope and Scott Keys.

Tanner, an actress, musician, dancer and filmmaker, stars in “Shakespeare’s Lovers.” The play incorporates 29 of Shakespeare’s sonnets and 19 of Tanner’s own. Asked to describe the play, Tanner replies, “It’s about a male poet and a female painter who meet in a pool of water, a river. There’s a narrator. Things happen and it gets intense.”

The set of “Shakespeare’s Lovers” is built like a children’s pop-up book. “What we use for the water is a surprise,” Tanner adds.

The Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival is a trial run for “Shakespeare’s Lovers,” which Tanner’s new theater company, Tree Fort Productions, will perform later this year.

Even though fringe is new to Sarasota, it’s been around since 1947, when it got its start in Edinburgh, Scotland. According to Radish, there

are four fringe festivals in Florida, with Orlando hosting the longestrunning fringe festival in the U.S.

Radish had the chance to meet with representatives from fringe organizations near and far at the World Fringe Congress held in Orlando last year. “We’ve got a WhatsApp and we’re always chatting,” she says. “It’s been a wonderful resource to getting started down here.”

Speaking of getting started, it wouldn’t have been possible without the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, says Radish, as well as the support of sponsor Deep Creek Eye Care.

Reached last week in Chicago by telephone, Montalbano was counting the days until her return to Sarasota. She’s invited her parents and friends from FST theater camp and high school to see “The Princess Strikes Back.” Says Montalbano, “I’m inviting everybody.”

It will be an old home week of sorts because Scott Keys, who is starring in “The Sequestered Jester” at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival, was her high school drama teacher. Keys recently retired as chair at Booker Visual and Performing Arts High School.

“It’s really wonderful that Sarasota is getting a fringe festival,” Montalbano says. “The city has such a strong theater community, and this is something that’s been missing. I hope people will come out and see what it’s about.”

IF YOU GO SQUEAKY WHEEL FRINGE

FESTIVAL

When: 7 p.m. on June 8-9, 11 a.m. on June 10-11

Where: Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets: $12 each plus $5 festival pass

Info: SqueakyWheelTheatre. org.

“Director Peter Rothstein’s inventive, Broadway-quality production brings Quixote’s quest to the 21st century.” –The Observer

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

OPENING RECEPTION FOR ‘IDENTITY: EXPLORING THE HUMAN CONDITION’

6-8 p.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail Free Visit ArtSarasota.org.

Art Center Sarasota’s largest juried exhibition of the year highlights the diverse talents of artists from across the Southeast and will be on display

OUR PICK

LES MCCURDY AND GUESTS

Join McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre founder Les McCurdy, above, in one of his rare Sarasota stage appearances. Most of the time, he’s booking other comics, teaching comedy or visiting comedy festivals and performances with his wife and club co-founder, Pam McCurdy. Runs through June 8.

IF YOU GO

When: 7 p.m. on June 7-8

Where: McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Tickets: $25

Info: Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

in four gallery spaces. Christy Paris, an art professor in the College of Education at the University of South Florida, is the juror. She will present her critique on Tuesday, June 6. Runs through Aug. 11.

‘REEL MUSIC’

6 p.m. at Florida StudioTheatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $34-$39

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“Reel Music” celebrates the movies that helped create the soundtrack to the last century, with classics like “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Circle of Life” and “My Heart Will Go On.” This lively music revue reminds us that movies and music have always gone hand in hand. Runs through June 25.

‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $35 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Incoming Asolo Rep Producing

Artistic Director Peter Rothstein directs a modern-day version of the 1965 musical hit “Man of La Mancha,” based on the classic Cervantes novel about Don Quixote’s “Impossible Dream.” Runs through June 11.

‘SHEAR MADNESS’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

There’s been a murder in a local hair salon, and it’s up to Sarasota audiences to outwit the suspects and catch the killer in this interactive comedy whodunit. Runs through June 25.

MARK SCHATZ AND BRYAN MCDOWELL

7:30 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $24 members; $20 nonmembers; $12 students Visit WSLR.org/Fogartyville.

Acoustic music “Renaissance man” Mark Schatz and multiinstrumentalist Bryan McDowell deliver a high-energy show full of fiddle tunes, songs, clogging and hambone.

TOM SIMMONS

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Tom Simmons’ TV appearances on major networks include Comedy Central, Showtime, BET, Bounce TV, Comedy.TV, Laughs on FOX and Comics Unleashed. Runs through June 4.

MONDAY ‘GRAND CARNIVAL — DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER’

8 p.m. at Circus Arts Conservatory, 2075 Bahia Vista St. $75 Visit PPSRQ.org/GrandCarnival-2023.

The Grand Carnival features Ada Vox and Zee Machine, an open bar and light bites. The honorary chairs for the Project Pride SRQ event are Donna Koffman and family.

TUESDAY

‘MIDDLE EARTH AND THE SHIRE: THE WORLDS OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’

11 a.m. at Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $10 Visit OlliRinglingCollege.org.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) presents a lecture by Martha Hill on distinguished scholar and professor J.R.R. Tolkien, whose special subject was Old Norse. Tolkien’s love of languages led to the creation of his own and the fully realized world of Middle Earth.

WEDNESDAY

FRINGE TEASER: SQUEAKY

WHEEL FRINGE FESTIVAL

8 p.m. at Cook Theatre at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $5 with a $5 festival button. Tickets for individual shows are $12. Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.

Sarasota’s first fringe festival shines a spotlight on affordable, no-holdsbarred theater, dance, puppetry, music, visual arts and spoken word. Fringe fests don’t focus on a single genre but act as a performing arts potpourri. Runs through June 11.

DON’T MISS Ready, Set, Eat!

Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week is back, and it’s bigger than ever.

Foodies, rejoice! It’s the most wonderful time of year — Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, which is actually two weeks.

From June 1-14, more than 50 area restaurants will offer lunch menus (appetizer and entrée) for $25 per person and dinner specials (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for $40. Many eateries are also offering upgrades and wine and spirit pairings in honor of the occasion.

Savor Sarasota participants are located in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Nokomis/Osprey/ Venice/Englewood and St. Armands Circle.

“Our restaurants stepped up and created some impressive lunch and dinner menus this year, like Organic Farmer’s Table’s Mushroom French Dip, A Sprig of Thyme’s Canard Pyrenees and Fins at Sharky’s Seafood Risotto,” said Erin Duggan, vice president of Visit Sarasota County, in a statement.

This year, there are several newcomers, including 481 Gourmet in the Rosemary District, Kona Grill at University Town Center, Grillsmith, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Maestrale Restaurant & Pizzeria in Sarasota, LobsterCraft on St. Armands, Lazy Lobster on Longboat and Kacey’s Seafood Lockwood Ridge, as well as the Kacey’s on Fruitville Road.

Savor Sarasota was launched in 2006 as Restaurant Week with the aim of helping local eateries attract business during the “off season.”For a full list of participating restaurants and to browse their menus, visit VisitSarasota.com/SavorSarasota/Restaurants.

Courtesy photos

Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell will appear at Fogartyville on Thursday, June 1.

The raw oysters are always fresh at Crab & Fin.

Carved porcini-rubbed sliced iron steak at Michael’s On East.

Nothing says Florida like Duval’s signature Key lime pie.

Soar with Dad

‘Shear Madness’ brings hair-raising hilarity to FST

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

“Shear Madness” has returned to the Florida Studio Theatre stage — for the third time. What kind of play is it? Let’s just say it lives up to its name. The show’s an audience hit, but it’s hard to describe.

In live theater, scripted plays and improvisation are usually kept as rigidly separate as peas and mashed potatoes on a high school lunch tray. If the play’s got a script, the actors and director find their own interpretation, but don’t mess with the words on the page.

“Shear Madness,” which opened on May 31, is a rare exception. It’s scripted comedy, but the script isn’t sacred. Night after night, many lines wind up on the cutting room floor.

Other dialogue is made up on the spot. An actor might do some Robin Williams-style improv. Or audience interaction might create a new direction. It’s never the same play twice.

It’s been that way since Bruce Jordan and Marilyn Abrams first launched the show in 1978. They adapted it from Paul Portner’s “Scherenschnitt,” an interactive German language play about the killing of a concert pianist.

It was no laughing matter. “I was in a production of that play,” Jordan recalls. “Portner was a Swiss psy-

chologist. He wrote it as a serious drama about human perception — but the audience input could get so off-the-wall, it’d instantly turn into a comedy, and the house would just crack up. For our adaptation, Marilyn and I decided to take it in a comic direction.”

In Jordan and Abrams’ version, the action unfolds in the “Shear Madness” hair salon. The victim (still a pianist) is also now the landlady who lives directly above. Scissors are still the murder weapon — the unkindest cut of all. Two detectives appear, look for evidence and grill the suspects. (And everybody’s a suspect.)

At the end of the show, the audience becomes the jury that decides who’s guilty.

Each production fleshes out this story skeleton with local and timely references. The salon’s now in Sarasota. The hellish traffic on U.S. 41, Ron DeSantis and Bradenton’s arcane street names are now the comic targets of choice.

With the exception of Gina Milo, all the actors are “Shear Madness” veterans. The director’s none other than Jordan himself. When I attended a recent rehearsal, he was sitting close to the action with a big smile on his face. The actors were playing around. He lets them play and tosses out occasional notes.

The cast is rehearsing an early (pre-murder) scene. The laconic Nick (Gil Brady) sits in the barber’s chair awaiting a shave. The flamboyant Tony (Jordan Ahnquist) hops around him with nonstop chatter and the attention span of a West Highland Terrier. He’s giving Nick

Courtesy photos

“Shear Madness” runs through June 25 at FST’s Gompertz Theatre.

In this murder-mystery comedy, the play is never the same thing.

directions to his Bradenton house …

Tony: It’s real easy to get to. You just hop on U.S. 41. It turns to 14th Street West, but keep going. You’ll go past the Walmart, the wastewater treatment plant, the other Walmart, then follow …

Nick: Whoa! Stop with the directions, ’cause I am never going to Bradenton …

Jordan rewinds the scene. The actors replay it a few times and sprinkle in more local references, while the director and the other actors shout out suggestions.

Along with tweaking the dialogue, Jordan also fine-tunes the movement. In the next scene, Milo’s character Barb appears — the salon’s other hairdresser. They cross the space, then turn and go in opposite directions. At the turn, they almost collide — but spot each other just in time.

“Do it again, but don’t make eye contact,” Jordan suggests. “It’ll be funnier that way.”

The actors repeat the scene. Tony’s lost in thought, a motormouth as usual. He’s oblivious to Barb’s vector of motion. At the turn, he almost ploughs into Barb. But he doesn’t even notice the near-collision.

The director’s right. The scene is

funnier. But it’s only one of many.

“Shear Madness” is packed with physical comedy. It’s as much dance as dialogue. Along with being a director/playwright, Jordan’s also a choreographer.

At the break, the actors in the show express their love for “Shear Madness.” Its unpredictable improv isn’t their usual wheelhouse — and that’s why they love it. They get a kick out of the collaborative nature of the play, and their freedom to change lines and add new bits here and there.

Brady sums it up best. “There’s a reason we keep coming back to ‘Shear Madness,’” he says. “It’s the same reason audiences keep coming back. This play is so much fun. It’s insanely fun! And it never gets old because it changes every time.”

IF YOU GO

‘SHEAR MADNESS’

When: Through June 25

Tickets: $29-$49

Where: FST Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota Info: Call 366-9000 or visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

ONE LOCATION ENDLESS EXPERIENCES FOR ALL ringling.org

YOUR NEIGHBORS

from Hawaii with her first husband, an Army doctor. Her husband had come home from work and told her that a doctor in the next office was Anita’s new husband.

The two women met at a coffee shop, talked about the earlier tragedy, and cried. They also chatted about Nadelman’s late mother, Irene Seigerman, who died shortly after her Nadelman’s daughter, Ilana Kunis, was born.

“Your mama would have been so proud if she could have seen you now,” her former neighbor told her.

“But that was never meant to be, and this is my reality.” Nadelman sings about the meetup in “Fate Steps In.”

Whether performing her own music or covers, the singer is dynamic on stage, vibrant and full of energy. She can be serious, or she can weave through the crowd, making sure everyone is having a good time.

That is Nadelman’s love for performing shining through, but it’s not a reflection of an easy life. She talks of her life as being “shrouded in loss.”

That night at JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe, when she returned to pursuing music as a profession, Nadelman had experienced substantial loss. She was newly divorced, and her brother, Michael Seigerman, had recently died after having gastric bypass surgery.

Her father, Norman Seigerman, died two years before Michael.

At 65, singer Sheri Nadelman continues to pour out energy that has been bottled up since her youth.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Sheri Nadelman used to call herself “a has been who never was.”

These days, though, she is singing a different tune.

At 65, Nadelman has become one of the most sought-after acts on the local music scene, regularly being booked into public and private events.

She graces stages at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch, Van Wezel’s Friday Fest or with her band, SoulRCoaster, at venues such as Woody’s River Roo on the Manatee River or The Ringling.

Christina Fraser is the former events director at The Ringling and was the first person at the museum to hear Nadelman’s music.

“She was very proactive and brought some samples,” Fraser said.

“It was such high-energy, we decided to give her a shot. She became so well loved that we just always brought her into our scheduling.”  Her energy has been building a long time.

At 19 years old, Nadelman was offered a record contract, and it appeared she was on her way.

However, the financing fell through and the record was nixed,

so Nadelman thought she was done with the music business, and she gave up singing professionally.

Twenty five years passed before she stepped back on stage at an open mic night at JR’s Old Packinghouse Cafe in Sarasota and decided it was time to build the life she wanted.

“More than anything, my whole life, I just wanted to be a singer from the time I was a little kid, and now, I am,” she said.

Nadelman lives in East County with her husband, Art, a bassoonist and medical industry executive who has been so supportive of her career that he became a sound engineer.

The couple also shares a love of photography, as her Facebook page is riddled with wildlife photos in between performance videos. Also a writer, Shari Nadelman tries to live her best life immersed in art.

“I am old enough to know better, and yet too old to remember what it is that I’m old enough to do,” Nadelman said when asked about her age. “I’m 65 and proud of it. I don’t like to say it out loud, but the older I get, the more I’m learning to embrace it.”

In 2012, Nadelman received a second chance to record an album. It’s the story of her life and aptly titled, “Fate Steps In.” It was recorded at Spirit Ranch Studios in Sarasota.

HER INSPIRATION

All of the album’s songs are inspired by Nadelman’s life as “Fate Steps In” retells her stories, including one about meeting up with an old neighbor she hadn’t seen since she was a teenager living in Brooklyn. The woman — Anita Reifler — lost her 18-year-old daughter in a car accident, and her marriage didn’t survive the tragedy.

About 20 years after that tragedy, Nadelman had moved to New Jersey

“My family never got to see me as the person I hoped to be,” Nadelman said. “My dad, especially, would’ve flipped out.”

Fate stepped in again when two years after her divorce, Nadelman went looking for a band and found Art instead. Art helped her build “Sheri and the Vision,” with that band’s breakup leading her to a role in 2010 of the Acid Queen in “The Who’s Tommy” at the Players Theater.  Her future SoulRCoaster band member Tony Rizzo was in the show as well.

A NEW PRESENCE

After starting over, Nadelman’s sense of purpose and new-found confidence developed into an energetic and powerful stage presence. She was born with a gift for music and was playing the guitar by age 12, but the performance side took time.

“Crazy me, I would play for like five hours for literally no money just to get the experience. I’m very proud of how hard I worked to make it happen,” Nadelman said of her return to the professional music world. “I played at a gourmet hotdog place in Sarasota. I used to take my guitar into biker bars. I’m not that person, but I had no fear because I felt like my guitar was my protection.”

Attitudes change over time and the change in Nadelman can be heard in “One Fell Swoop” when she belts out, “I told myself, ‘You’re not too old to be a singer in a rock ’n’ roll band.’”

Courtesy photo

Sheri Nadelman performs at the Seafood Festival.

When it comes to working out, singer Sheri Nadelman is a regular on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. May 10 marked her 2,000th class at barre3.

Lesley Dwyer

Down on the farm

Plenty of Saturday markets call themselves farmers markets, yet they’re rarely held on a farm.

That’s not the case at the newest farmers market in Myakka City.

Hosted by Dakin Dairy Farms, the outdoor market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For now, the market is only planned through September, but if successful, it will continue. Nate and Rachel Thomas, the owners of the Farm Cafe (the concession at Dakin Dairy), are the market’s organizers.

“We want the farm to bring people good food,” Nate said. “Myakka City, for some crazy reason, is like a hub for entrepreneurial food businesses. We’re trying to keep it local first, and then step out.”

Vendors have to interview with the Thomases before being accepted into the market. Right now, the vendors are mostly selling prepared foods, but Rachel said they’re looking for produce vendors.

“We’re wholesalers. We could go into Plant City or Englewood or wherever and get everything, but we would love to see those local farms,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be a farm. Anyone who is growing produce and wants to

IF YOU GO

What: Farmers Market

Where: Dakin Dairy Farms, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City

Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farm tours: Begin 10 a.m. Saturdays

More information: Call 5652119.

sell it here, we want that, grown by yourself.”

Myakka City resident Mike Leworthy had a bumper crop of Seminole pumpkins this year, so he was selling them along with his usual lemonade and cotton candy.

The food at the market is from scratch. Maria Yoder brings freshly baked breads and desserts each week. Her piña colada zucchini bread sells fast and comes with a side of complementary piña colada cream cheese.

Among the other offerings are hand-twisted pretzels, freshly brewed Java Dog coffee, enchiladas made from a family recipe and cheese curds made with Dakin milk.

One last reason to check out this market — 15-minute calf cuddle sessions are coming soon.

— LESLEY DWYER

Frame It Up

Elizabeth, Preston, Graceyn, Remy and Josh Hostetler share a property line with the farm, but this is their first visit to the market.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Charlotte Rivard has a photoshoot with 3-week-old calf Waylon. Her mom drove her down from Clearwater after finding Dakin Images on Facebook.

BEST BET

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

MUSIC ON MAIN

Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The monthly Music on Main free concert series continues. The street will be filled with food vendors, beer trucks and sponsor booths along with rides and activities for kids. The Mathew Frost Band will play blues, soul and rock. A DJ also will provide music. Proceeds from the event will benefit Selah Freedom. Guests are welcome to bring chairs but no coolers. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The event has a policy that all those 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult who is on site after 6 p.m.

COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, JUNE 2 AND SATURDAY, JUNE 3

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs from 6-9 p.m. both days at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The entertainers have yet to be announced for June 2-3. The entertainment is free. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

Runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. Sunday’s entertainment is provided by Flip Flop Dave. The concert is free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

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

YOGA IN THE PARK

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

CANCER SURVIVORS

CELEBRATION

Runs from 1-3 p.m. at Grove, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Celebrate the Music of Life is being held for cancer survivors and their guests, sponsored by the Cancer Resource Network, the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust and local businesses on 2023 National Cancer Survivors Day. The event will feature food from the Grove, musical entertainment by DJ Joey D and a photo booth by Fotos-r-Fun. Those attending must register in advance by calling 451-6594.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

BINGO FOR ALL

Begins at 10 a.m. at Greenbrook

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 8 THROUGH

SUNDAY, JUNE 11

USROWING YOUTH NATIONALS

Begins at 7:30 a.m. each day at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The USRowing Youth National Championships will hit Nathan Benderson Park for the fourth consecutive year. The best youth rowers in the country will compete, including competitors from local clubs like Sarasota Crew. Admission is free for spectators, but parking is $10 per day. For more information visit USRowing.org.

YOUR CALENDAR

File photo

Concession home tops sales at $5.45 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in the Concession topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Richard and RuthAnn Baesman, trustees, sold the home at 18820 Ganton Ave. to John Deluca and Terese Deluca, trustees, of Bradenton, for $5.45 million. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, four-and–ahalf baths, a pool and 7,355 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

Constance Anne Bertuca, trustee, and Theodore Bertuca, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8016 Bowspirit Way to Rod and Ashley Stuckey, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3,375,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and–a-half baths, a pool and 4,398 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,799,400 in 2017.

ESPLANADE

Daniel and Kathy Jimenez Silva, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13309 Malachite Drive to Darshak and Babita Patel, of Bradenton, for $1.43 million. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and–a-half baths, a pool and 2,875 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,289,000 in 2022.

WATERLEFE GOLF AND RIVER

CLUB

Alfred Sanfilippo, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 811 Maritime Court to Daniel Jimenez, of Bradenton, for $1,275,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 4,177 square feet. It sold for $808,700 in 2003.

WOODLEAF HAMMOCK

Agustin and Erica Cavazos, of Manvel, Texas, sold their home at 2210 Woodleaf Hammock Court to Keith and Laura Neiman, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.19 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and is 3,639 square feet. It sold for $552,200 in 2020.

Edward and Jocelyn Maya, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 2004 Woodleaf Hammock Court to Dennis Colletti, of Bradenton, for $745,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,299 square feet of living area. It sold for $469,400 in 2019.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Janelle and Enrique Martins, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9810 Carnoustie Place to 18735 Honey Tree LLC for $1.15 million. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,448 square feet. It sold for $408,700 in 2020.

James and Vicki Reichert, of Bradenton, sold their home at 10311 Marbella Drive to Brian Donovan and Sue Koh Donovan, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $355,000 in 2019.

RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES

Dwain and Lisa Dehmlow sold their home at 16623 Sixth Ave. E. to Brandon and Kelly Sallee, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,138 square feet of living area. It sold for $680,000 in 2021.

WATERCRESS

Euguene Rose and Kristina Skepton, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 302 condominium at 6458 Watercrest Way to Leo and Elaine Tedesco, of Lakewood Ranch, for $940,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and is 2,376 square feet. It sold for $535,000 in 2019.

SAVANNA

Ryan and Sara Marranca, of Blasdell, New York, sold their home at 13812 American Prairie Place to Mario Ferraro, of Bradenton, for $935,000. Built in 2018, it has

four bedrooms, three-and–a-half baths, a pool and 3,607 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2020.

Douglas Tyler Carbol and Stacey Marie Carbol, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13714 Saw Palm Creek Trail to Charles Ira Wheeler III and Kami Odum Wheeler, of Bradenton, for $740,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,192 square feet. It sold for $413,900 in 2021.

MILL CREEK

Tony and Sarah Ragle, of Ellenton, sold their home at 14554 17th Ave. E. to Matthew Lee Essig and Kelly Susan Essig, of Bradenton, for $920,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,811 square feet of living area. It sold for $549,900 in 2018.

ARBOR GRANDE

Salvatore and Jennifer Zatkowski, of Seaford, New York, sold their home at 11930 Perennial Place to Michael Regan, of Bradenton, for $915,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three-and–a-half baths, a pool and 2,826 square feet of living area. It sold for $614,900 in 2021.

RIVERDALE REVISED

ASC Global Inc. sold the home at 302 Americas Cup Blvd. to Jeff Starkey and Michelle Smith, of Bradenton, for $910,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, twoand–a-half baths, a pool and 2,371 square feet of living area. It sold for $590,000 in 2020.

Quest Painting LLC sold the home at 4512 Third Ave. E. to Dalton and Kelsey Mimbs, of Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 1976, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,292 square feet of living area. It sold for $329,900 in 2022.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Donna and David Yother, of Palmetto, sold their home at 14432 Stirling Drive to Larry Benton, trustee, of Caledonia, Michigan, for $875,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and–a-half baths, a pool and 2,176 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2019.

Michael and Michelle Lusnia, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14330 Stirling Drive to Denis and Jean Durkin, of Bradenton, for $750,000. Built in 2012, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,977 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2019.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

David and Melanie Harris, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5713 Tidewater Preserve Blvd. to Sean Carter, of Bradenton, for $850,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,412 square feet of living area. It sold for $412,500 in 2019.

CENTRAL PARK

Matthew and Lisa Slater, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, sold their home at 4723 Seneca Park Trail to Robert and Sarah Puls, of Bradenton, for $828,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,553 square feet of living area. It sold for $422,000 in 2016.

Dzenis Softic, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12137 Forest Park Circle to Christopher and Lisa Previti, of Bradenton, for $625,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 2,131 square feet. It sold for $373,000 in 2017.

Michael and Mary Rivers, of New Berlin, Wisconsin, sold their home at 4938 Newport News Circle to Louis Cirrotta, of Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 2011, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,161 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,200 in 2011.

RIVER WIND Bobby Lavender and Wendi Murray, of Lake City, sold their home at 971 River Wind Circle to Ralph and Nancy Lustri, of Bradenton, for $812,500. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,391 square feet of living area.

their home at 722 147th Court N.E. to Kasey and Alexandria Spivey, of Bradenton, for $785,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,742 square feet. It sold for $392,100 in 2012.

WINDSONG ACRES

Debra Richard and Jennifer Blake sold their home at 1205 111th St. E. to Marcelo Garcia and Mary Ann Bailey, of Bradenton, for $735,000. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,782 square feet of living area. It sold for $518,000 in 2021.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD

NATIONAL

Thomas and Cynthia McDavitt sold their Unit 1521 condominium at 5904 Wake Forest Run to Kyle Yamashiro, trustee, of Murieta,

California, for $700,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2020.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Peter Vrinios, of Bradenton, and Jamie Carol and Charles Githler, of Sarasota, sold their home at 12614 Cara Cara Loop to Erika and Laith Charles, of Dunkirk, Maryland, for $699,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,527 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2001.

Courtesy photo

This Concession home at 18820 Ganton Ave. sold for $5.45 million. It has four bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, a pool and 7,355 square feet of living area..

School’s out

For Lina Nietz, a Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy freshman, the school year started off a little rough. With the school opening for its first year, Nietz said there was a lot of adjusting to the new policies and procedures, learning the village style of learning and more.

But by the end of the school year, she was thrilled to be a part of the inaugural class of freshmen.

“I’m sad we’re leaving (for summer), but I’m really excited and looking forward to next (school) year,” Nietz said.

Nietz celebrated the end of the school year with her fellow freshmen during Freshmen Fun Day May 25 at James L. Patton Park.

Students signed yearbooks and T-shirts, played cornhole, participated in State College of Florida Coding Academy activities and pet puppies from Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.

— LIZ RAMOS

After a year of adjusting to a new school, Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy freshman Lina Nietz celebrates the end of the year by petting a puppy from Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy’s Nicole Durbal signs freshman Sara Johnson’s T-shirt.

Fast Break

CLAYTON DEES

2022 stats:

n 1,704 passing yards

n 13 passing touchdowns

n 3 interceptions

n 67 rushes

n 391 rushing yards

n 3 rushing touchdowns

Offer list as of May 25:

n Appalachian State University

n Charleston Southern University

n Temple University

n Fordham University

n University of Massachusetts

n Florida International University

feeling tightness while rounding second base on a hit. Dees said the injury isn’t serious, but he’s playing it smart and resting as much as possible to make sure he’s 100% for summer workouts and fall camp.

Braden River High flag football coach Amanda Porco was named the All-Manatee County Coach of the Year on May 22.

Former Lakewood Ranch

High baseball player John Schroeder has started 43 of 57 games for Florida Atlantic University in 2023. The sophomore catcher is hitting .290 with 7 home runs and 39 RBIs. The Owls (33-24) are in the middle of the Conference USA tournament as of May 25.

The Florida Vibe, a professional softball team, will hold a June 13 camp at Lakewood Ranch Park for softball players of all ages and skill levels through UMR Sports. The camp starts at 5 p.m. and will last approximately three hours. Registration is $75 plus fees. For more information on the camp and the Vibe, visit UMRSports.com.

… Former Lakewood Ranch

High women’s hurdler Ava Klein, a sophomore at Florida State University, finished 11th in the 400 meter hurdles (59.71 seconds) at the Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Championships, held May 11-13 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Barbara Lincoln (33) won the No. 1-No. 18 division of the Ladies Golf Association

“Choose Your Best Nine Holes” event, held May 23 at University Park Country Club. Elaine Kulbako (34) won the No. 10No. 27 division.

… Adult members of the Manatee Ball Hockey League, which hosts games at Lakewood Ranch Park, have started a National Ball Hockey League team called the Lakewood Ranch Manatees. The team is third in the five-team Florida division as of May 26 with a 3-4-0 record. More information on the team, including a schedule, can be found at TheNBHL.com.

IN DEMAND

showcased his running ability with 67 carries for 391 yards and three touchdowns.

Dees said this will be the first summer he prioritizes football over baseball, which he hopes will bring substantial improvement. He would like to improve his touch on shorter passes, as well as his accuracy when throwing on the run. Dees said he has been working with Drew Phillips, who runs Phillips QB Academy in Tampa, to refine his game and get the details right.

While he’s improving himself, Dees said, he will also be visiting schools to find the right fit. Dees said his family has instilled the importance of academics in him, so a school where the student part of student-athlete is emphasized is a must. Other than that, Dees said, he doesn’t have many prerequisites. He’s looking forward to getting to know different coaching staffs and finding the best fit.

“It’s a nice spot to be in,” Dees said. “But I’m trying not to get too ahead of myself. I’m not getting too high or too low. I’m just staying on the path and going my way.”

He will never forget the first one.  Clayton Dees, a rising senior quarterback at Lakewood Ranch High, received a call in April from Appalachian State University Offensive Coordinator Frank Ponce. The two had not spoken before, but after that call, they would speak often.

Ponce had seen video of Dees playing quarterback for the Mustangs, and made a scholarship offer on the spot.

“They liked what they saw,” Dees said. “That kickstarted everything else.”

After Appalachian State came offers from Charleston Southern, Temple, Fordham, Massachusetts and Florida International. Dees said he expects more offers to arrive soon, as he’s been working out for schools that visit on a consistent basis.

Dees, who is 6-foot-3, isn’t a stranger to being considered as a high-level athlete. A year ago, the attention he received from universities came from baseball.

A versatile player who has played both the infield and outfield, Dees spent most of his childhood on the diamond. He dabbled in football, but stopped before getting to high school.

In baseball, he impressed schools with speed — Perfect Game captured clocked his pitch at 85 miles per hour — and his ability to hit to all fields. His play earned him myriad offers, including from the University of Miami. For a long time, Dees thought baseball would be his path to NCAA athletics.

Last year, Dees decided to give football another shot after the Lakewood Ranch staff saw him throwing for fun. He won the starting job out of preseason camp and never relinquished it. He threw for 1,704 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022, throwing just three interceptions. He also

The numbers were good, but the film was even better. Not many people saw it, at least at first, but those who did could see that Dees had all the tools. A Feb. 5 tweet from Cory Yates, a football film analyst with Reel Analytics, called Dees “the best HS QB you’ve never heard of” and compared Dees to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Dees’ ability to throw off-balance and make scrambling plays.

In the months since, teams have found Dees’ film, and the offers are beginning to come.

“Having this all happen for football, it feels different,” Dees said. “There are schools here every day. Some want to see me throw; some just want to say ‘What’s up?’ and get in touch. It’s busy, but it has been fun.”

Dees can throw for schools, but it will still be a few weeks until he can show off his running ability. He tweaked his hamstring playing baseball for Lakewood Ranch this spring,

Dees said he would like to verbally commit to a school before the 2023 season begins so he can give 100% of his focus to the season itself. The Mustangs finished 6-4 in 2022, missing the postseason by one spot in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 4S regional power rankings. The Mustangs will also lose key pieces like leading rusher Kevin Everhart (1,065 yards, 23 touchdowns) to graduation, meaning Dees will carry more responsibility.

With a year of experience and a Division I caliber arm, Dees said he will be ready for the challenge.

“I’m excited to see what we can do,” Dees said. “I’ve got the foundation down now. Last year, every game I had to learn something new or overcome something. I know what I have to do to be successful. We’ll go week-by-week, game-by-game, taking what we learned. It’s going to be fun, that’s for sure.”

“I’m always trying to get better at everything, but especially my speed.” — The Out-of-Door Academy’ Allen Clark SEE PAGE 9B

Ryan Kohn

Braden River head coach Amanda Porco played rugby but has been coaching with the Pirates football programs since 2019-2020.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Rising senior Clayton Dees has offers from Appalachian State and Florida International, among other schools.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Clayton Dees has picked up six NCAA Division I offers as of May 25.

Clayton Dees (5) will enter his second year as a starting quarterback as a senior for Lakewood Ranch in 2023.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

Solid efforts in tough circumstances

The 2022-23 high school season is over, which fills me with a mix of emotions.

It’s always nice to be done with the rush of a sports season for a few months each summer, but by the end of it, I’ll be yearning for the hustle and bustle of high school sports once again.

Before I leave this past season behind, I wanted to put together an under-the-radar list for some exceptional athletes who emerged during the spring sports season.  There are plenty of athletes who deserve recognition out there. But these are the ones who caught my eye for one reason or another.

Most of them played on teams that struggled. To me, a strong statistical season that occurs in the middle of a tough team season has some extra spice on it. It means that the player in question didn’t give in, didn’t stop pushing, even when they could have and no one would notice (or blame them).

Here’s the players who deserved some attention this spring season.

MYKELAH DAVIS

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH FLAG

FOOTBALL

Most of East County’s flag football attention has fallen on Braden River High’s program in recent seasons due to the Pirates’ dominance, but that does not mean people should overlook what Mykelah Davis has been doing at Lakewood Ranch High.

Davis, a senior running back, had 76 carries for 802 yards (10.55 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns while adding 22 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Her efforts helped lead the Mustangs to an 8-6 record.

On May 22, she was named the All-Manatee County Co-Offensive Player of the Year alongside Braden River junior quarterback Cydnee Brooks.

JAYDEN PROBASCO

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH BOYS

LACROSSE While junior attacker Lucas Anthony was scoring a lot of goals for the Mustangs boys lacrosse team, someone had to be protecting the other net. That someone was senior Jayden Probasco, and he did an admirable job.  Probasco held a .633 save percentage in 2023, which ranked 14th overall in Class 2A. He did so while facing 392 shots, a higher number than 10 of the 14 goalkeepers in front of him on the save percentage list. In the high-scoring world of lacrosse, Probasco was as close to a brick wall as you can find at the

high school level.

Unfortunately for Probasco, the sheer volume of shots he faced meant he gave up more than he’d probably like, and the Mustangs finished 7-9. But that was a defensive problem. Probasco held tall.

EMMA ARRIGO THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY GIRLS LACROSSE

After a resurgent 2022 season that saw the ODA girls lacrosse team finish 15-2, the team struggled in 2023, going 4-13, thanks to the departure of multiple key players. That didn’t stop junior Emma Arrigo from trying her best to pull the team together.

Arrigo finished the 2023 season with 53 goals (3.8 goals per game) and nine assists. Only two other Thunder players, sophomores Ellie Hierholzer (35) and McKenna Larkin (10), had double-digit goal totals. It was not an easy season, but Arrigo made the best of it.

RHYS KLEIN BRADEN RIVER HIGH BASEBALL

The Braden River High baseball program finished 12-12 in 2023, but it has a promising pitcher to lean on next season.

Sophomore Rhys Klein finished 2023 with a 2-3 record and a 3.31 ERA in 42.1 innings, but his underlying numbers are better than his surface numbers, which are bogged down by one March 21 game against Sarasota High in which he allowed 10 earned runs — half of his season total.

If that game is treated like an aberration and taken out of the equation, Klein’s overall numbers look sharp: 39.1 innings pitched and a 1.79 ERA. He even proved that he could rebound against Sarasota, holding the Sailors to two earned

runs over 5.2 innings the next time he faced them. It bodes well for his outlook in 2024 and beyond.

JAKE KARAM BRADEN RIVER HIGH BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING

Junior weightlifter Jake Karam did not quite medal at the FHSAA Class 2A state meet, held April 14-15 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, in the 154-pound division, but he came close.  Karam finished fourth in his weight class at the meet, finished with a total lift of 515 pounds in the Traditional category. Karam was also fifth in the Olympic weightlifting category, with a total lift of 445 pounds.

OLIVIA CARR LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SOFTBALL

It is strange to include a Mustangs softball player on a list like this one, as the team is usually getting a lot of attention this time of year. They won state titles in 2021 and 2022. But in a season where Lakewood Ranch finished 16-11 and failed to win its district tournament, freshman Olivia Carr showed that there’s still plenty of talent in the Mustangs’ pipeline.  Carr, a pitcher, gave the Lakewood Ranch staff confidence to rest junior ace Ella Dodge when necessary. Carr pitched 60.1 innings to Dodge’s 91.2 and held her own, earning a 1.39 ERA with 68 strikeouts and just 19 walks. Her play should give the Mustangs a nice 1-2 punch at pitcher again in 2024.

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

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch flag football running back Mykelah Davis was the All-Manatee County Co-Offensive Player of the Year for 2023.

ODA junior girls lacrosse player Emma Arrigo had 53 goals in 2023.

Allen Clark

Allen Clark is a rising sophomore running back at The Out-of-Door Academy. Clark, who is 6 foot, 210 pounds, had 15 carries for 83 yards in the Thunder’s spring game jamboree against Oasis High and Bradenton Christian High on May 18. As a freshman in 2022, Clark had 44 carries for 391 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and six touchdowns while splitting time with seniors Griffin DeRusso (190 carries) and Luca Marino (56 carries).

When did you start playing football?

I played a little in elementary school, but I started for real in sixth grade. I was a bigger kid. It was just the sport that made sense to play.

What is the appeal to you?

The connections and the people

I have met through the game. I also feel like I can go a long way in football. And my dad (Frankie Clark) is a big fan, and he pushes me to be better, so that’s fun.

What is your best skill?

I actually like blocking the most even though I’m mostly a running back. I like getting to use my size and hitting people.

What have you been working to improve?

I’m always trying to get better at everything, but especially my speed. It’s important for a run ning back.

What is your favorite memory?

Beating Saint Stephen’s Episcopal on the road last year (26-22).

They’re our rival. Beating them after going winless the previous two years, that was cool.

What are your goals for the fall season?

Getting better. That goes for me and the team. In every way that we can, we need to

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.

be better.

What is your favorite food?

I have to go with pasta. I love it.

What is your favorite TV show?

I watch a lot of ‘Criminal Minds.’

What is your favorite school subject?

I like math. It’s something that comes naturally to me.

What are your hobbies?

I like hanging with friends. We’re either playing video games like NBA2K or going to the mall.

What is the best advice you have received?

Keep working no matter what.

Finish this sentence: “Allen Clark is …” … Enthusiastic. Whatever I do, I want to be the best at it, so I give it my all.

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