East County Observer 9.28.23

Ian’s impact still felt a year later

Myakka City family continues to seek a return to normalcy while county officials react to improve their response during a

hurricane. SEE PAGES 2-3

YOUR TOWN

STOLEN VALOR?

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

Night of celebration

Maria Popoca (above), a third grader at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, grabbed a microphone and made her way to the stage to sing a song. She was one of many performers during the school’s Hispanic Heritage Night, which featured student performances from the Bashaw Music Club, pre-kindergartners and individual students. Danzas de Matachines, a local dance organization, also performed. Besides the performances, the night also included parent versus student soccer games and presentations on famous Hispanic people.

The Observer found inconsistencies throughout radio personality ‘the Captain’ Matt Bruce’s story of 9/11 heroism, military service and record as a firefighter.

He was trapped for 13 hours in the rubble of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

That’s what conservative radio host Matt Bruce told an audience Sept. 11 during the Remembrance of 9/11 ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery.

“‘Mayday, mayday, mayday,’ those (calls) were real,” said Bruce during his speech.  “And I probably was one of them.”

“No way. Hell no. Not a chance.”

Those were the reactions of current and retired firefighters from the city and state of New York to Bruce’s story of survival.

A former Lakewood Ranch resident now based in the Tampa area, Bruce refers to himself as “the Captain.” He hosts a nationally syndicated latenight talk radio program called “Captain’s America Third Watch,” which appears along with “The Alex Jones Show” in the 40-show lineup of Genesis Communications Network.

Over his decades-long radio career, Bruce has built an audience by cultivating a folksy on-air persona bolstered by his decorated record in Vietnam and as a firefighter in New York City.

As a firefighter “assigned” to the New York City Fire Department, he said he responded to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, where he was buried for 13 hours in the rubble of the North Tower.

But sources throughout New York fire departSEE BRUCE, PAGE 8

A decade in front of the net Edgewater resident Thom Jernigan has been playing tennis at Summerfield Park for 10 years.

On Monday, he was playing with Greenbrook resident Armin Ebrahim, who joined the informal tennis group in 2017. It’s a small group of friends, but they usually have enough players for at least a doubles match each week.

“If it’s too busy here, we play at the high school,” said Ebrahim.

The guys aim for three sets, but Jernigan (above with Ebrahim) said it depends on how hot it is outside.

Vote on wetland protections due Oct. 5

Proponents on each side of the issue answer three important questions.

SEE PAGE 6

incredible story of survival at the World Trade Center on 9/11, but some current and retired firefighters wonder how much of it is true.

Lesley Dwyer Charlene Kow waits her turn Aug. 17 to ask commissioners to vote down a measure to reduce wetland protections.

Courtesy photo

Lesley Dwyer

Lessons learned from Hurricane Ian

LESSONS FROM IAN’S EFFECT ON MYAKKA

■ Establish a better point of distribution for supplies such as tarps and water

■ Inspect wells more closely

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

While high winds during Hurricane Ian caused the majority of damage across Manatee County, Myakka City suffered more damage posthurricane because of flooding.

Homes were destroyed in the final days of September 2022. People and animals were left stranded in need of rescue. The water was so high that Hidden River resident Susan Kucia had to wait for rescue workers on top of her golf cart.

During those intense days following the hurricane, East Manatee Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Paul Wren said he learned a few things about Myakka City residents.

“The water rose, I want to say it was over 10 feet, but the folks out there are resilient. And they’re very independent,” Wren said.

As first responders surveyed the area, they came across a lot of residents who said, “We’re OK. Go help the others who need it.”

Since then, fire rescue and county staff have reassessed the kind of help needed for Myakka City residents.

“In terms of our response, it definitely highlighted the need to have a point of distribution (for supplies, such as tarps and water) out in Myakka when something like this happens,” said Jodie Fiske, the Manatee County director of public safety. “Myakka, traditionally, had not been an area that needed it because they are not in an evacuation zone when you look at storm surge. This was

■ Add inflatable watercraft with a hard bottom (to avoid punctures when moving between water and land)

■ Improve communication channels in case primary system goes down

■ Build a new fire station (replacing Station 11 should be complete in about a year) in Myakka that withstands Category 3 or higher hurricanes (it could serve as a district operations center)

a reminder that when those rivers flood, we need to make sure we’re pivoting to make sure we do have something out there for the residents who may take an impact.”

Fiske said the wells will be watched more closely, too. When the power went out, the wells stopped pumping and were contaminated with bacteria. The issue falls under the purview of the Department of Health, which has strike teams the county can call on to test the water and advise residents on what to do.

In January, East Manatee Fire Rescue held its annual officers meeting, where the team reviewed what worked and what didn’t within their response and rescue operation.

Although not purchased yet, an additional watercraft is being added to the fleet, likely something inflatable with a hard bottom. According to Wren, one problem first responders encountered was having to shift between flood waters and land. The

hard bottom can be dragged over debris without popping the raft.  However, Wren said communication was the bigger issue. After one of the county’s radio towers went down due to flooding in the control room, rescue workers were communicating through Very High Frequency radio, which he said has capabilities but is “trickier” range-wise. The tower was restored, but the temporary loss pointed out a flaw in the system.

“We realized that maybe we could have a better system set up for redundancy and a better plan in place for how we can trump together our communication system to where we can decentralize and allow those guys out there to be a little bit more independent,” Wren said. “When we set up for Hurricane Ian, we set up our district operations center in our main station on Lakewood Ranch

Boulevard. Well, that’s a far cry from Myakka.”

Wren is looking to the future. Willis Smith Construction was hired to rebuild Station 11 in Myakka City and should be breaking ground soon. It’ll take about a year to complete. The current station isn’t rated for a Category 3 hurricane or above. During Ian, workers had to evacuate to Myakka City Elementary School.

“A new facility out there would not only allow our crews to stay in the building, but it would also be designed in such a way that it could serve as another district operations center that could be more easterly located,” Wren said. “Once that’s in there, that’ll be a beacon for the community, a place they know they can count on to be there and have firefighters and first responders inside and ready to help.”

Manatee County safety agencies take steps to be better prepared the next time a hurricane hits Myakka City.

File photo

Veronica Young stands in front of her flooded home at Singletary Road and Riverview Road after Hurricane Ian devastates Myakka City.

Return to normalcy

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

When Myakka City’s Erika Teuton was able to sleep in an actual bed in her home for the first time in nearly a year, she sent a photo of the bed to her mom.

“What is this?” Erika Teuton texted to her mom as a joke.

Teuton and her family had become accustomed to sleeping on air mattresses on plywood in the living room rather than the comfort of their beds.

Teuton has spent the past year fighting insurance companies and restoring their home to what it was before September of last year when Hurricane Ian ravaged Myakka City.

In September of this year, Teuton said the family finally was able to have floors installed and their bedrooms back to normal.

“Sometimes you take for granted that you had a bed to sleep in,” Teuton said. “It kind of stinks that it took so long to get here, but the way everything happened and everybody came together helping us, we’re truly blessed to be able to be back to normal again.”

SCARIEST NIGHT OF HER LIFE

Around 10:30 a.m. Sept. 28, 2022, the Teutons lost power. From then on, the winds only worsened, with gusts nearing 150 mph, as the long day turned into night.

“I was so nervous and praying the whole time thinking that we probably made the worst decision of our life by staying because I was watching pieces of our house blow off,” Teuton said.

That night, while her husband Levi, and their daughters, Kya and Ella, slept together in a hallway, Teuton said she paced the floors, too anxious to sleep.

As water began to penetrate the front of the home, Teuton grabbed every towel and cloth she could to plug leaks.

The home was built 4 feet above ground, so the actual flooding outside wasn’t impacting the home. Meanwhile, Teuton’s in-laws, Susanne and Bushrod Teuton, who lived down the road, were facing their own challenges. A tree had fallen on their home, and the roof was ripped off.  Susanne and Bushrod Teuton were

trying to get to the Erika and Levi’s home, but they found a neighbor’s roof that had blown off blocking the bridge to get there. With help from others, they were able to get past the bridge and reach their relatives’ house.

The wind was strong, and much of the area was flooded. When Bushrod Teuton opened his car door, the wind smacked it back at him, causing him to fall into the water that had flooded around the house. He was able to get back into his truck and drive to the back of the house where he and his wife had to swim to the back door.

“It was the craziest thing because never in my life would I have ever thought that water could go that far and be that deep in our yard,” Erika Teuton said. “There’s water in places that I would have never imagined water would be. It looked like we sat our house in the middle of the ocean and it was white capping all around us.”

The Teuton home sustained approximately $80,000 worth of damage from the wind and rain battering the front of the house for so long it caused damage to the drywall, sub-flooring and more.

By the morning of Sept. 29, 2022, there was water covering the master bedroom, living room and another bedroom.

The vinyl siding of the house was

ripped off. Their chickens drowned, and their pens were destroyed.  “It was nothing shorter than by the grace of God that we survived it,” Teuton said. “I am super grateful. The house can be replaced; material things can be replaced, but your life can’t be replaced.” Teuton said seeing the damage to their home was heartbreaking as it was built in 2020.  After surveying the damage, Teuton was overwhelmed.

WHAT’S NEXT?

As she sat outside her home the morning after the hurricane, Teuton had to think what’s next?

She called her insurance company, which sent an agent out the follow-

ing day to help air out the home.

The family moved into a camper they rented while the battle began with their insurance company. By December, the family couldn’t afford the camper so Teuton said they blew up air mattresses and slept on plywood in the living room. Part of the house was not damaged so the family could live in the home while repairs were being done.

“If it wasn’t for the community coming together and helping us with food and everyday essentials, I don’t know what we would have done,” Teuton said.

Now a year later, Teuton said the inside of the home has been repaired, and the family is back to some sense of normalcy.

When they were able to sleep in actual beds again, Teuton said it felt like she was on vacation.

“That was the best night of sleep I had since the hurricane,” she said.

It has been a year of overcoming challenges and being patient.

The family had to depend on insurance to cover the cost of repairs.

Teuton said the Federal Emergency Management Agency couldn’t provide assistance because the family had homeowners insurance.

Teuton said she had to “basically harass” the insurance company to help her.

“They just have no compassion, and they didn’t want to help,” she said. “When it was beyond me, I had to hire a public adjuster to get help. It was frustrating to me because we pay for homeowners insurance and our mortgage payment, and they’re supposed to cover things. This is what we pay a lot of money for, and then when you need it, they don’t want to cover it for you. That’s extremely frustrating.”

Now the family is waiting to hear back from the insurance company once again to receive money to finish repairs on the outside of the home.

The vinyl siding needs to be replaced as well as fencing. There still is debris from trees that needs to be picked up.

Although it’s been a frustrating year, Teuton chooses to look on the bright side. She no longer has to spend her weekends working on repairs in her home. She can spend that time with her family.

“I could not see the light for the longest time, and now since everything’s come back together, it’s actually better than it was before,” Teuton said. “I’m just grateful.”

Hurricane Ian taught Teuton two lessons. One was to stock more food and water. The second was if another hurricane that is a Category 3 or higher approaches, she and her family are evacuating.

A Myakka City family has spent the past year repairing $80,000 worth of damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

The Teuton family has spent the past year repairing their home after Hurricane Ian. The home has water damage, some of the siding has come off and more damage.

Kya, Ella, Erika and Levi Teuton are returning to normalcy after a year of repairing $80,000 worth of damage to their home as a result of Hurricane Ian.

“It was nothing shorter than by the grace of God that we survived it. I am super grateful. The house can be replaced; material things can be replaced, but your life can’t be replaced.”

Erika Teuton

Courtesy photos

The Teuton home in Myakka City has approximately $80,000 worth of damage from Hurricane Ian.

Galina Vugman,

Brain health gets boost

New Vital Signs screener developed by the Lakewood Ranch-based Brain Health Initiative praised by industry experts.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

According to a group of scientists, professors and brain health experts, the Brain Health Initiative, based in Lakewood Ranch, is just beginning to produce a crescendo that will peak with a simple question being asked by primary care doctors throughout the world.

“How is your brain health?”

It’s a question that isn’t being asked in today’s society, and according to the brain health experts, it will transform the way doctors view patients, and the way patients live their lives.

“We are beginning a brain health revolution,” said Michael Merzenich, a professor emeritus of the University of California-San Francisco, who has performed neuroplasticity research for five decades. “We have had the indications of a growing wave of support. It’s going to mean reduced human suffering.”

Experts in the field, including Lakewood Ranch’s Stephanie Peabody, a neuropsychologist and the founder and executive director of the Florida Brain Health Initiative, had gathered to herald the start of the BHI’s Brain Health Vital Signs screener.

Beginning Sept. 28, the general public is being invited to take part in BHI’s Vital Signs.

Peabody, speaking last week from the World Economic Forum in New York City, said the program will result in teaching literacy in terms of “What can you do today to improve your brain health?

“Our work is so invaluable,” Peabody said. “The public doesn’t understand how many aspects of the community we are touching. Now the community can stand up and be a part of this research.”

LIMITED AWARENESS

Harvard lecturer and BHI scientist

Shelley Carson said research indicates the public had limited awareness and knowledge of how lifestyle factors can affect brain health. She said the Vital Signs study will increase public awareness of those factors.

Anyone 14 and older can participate in Vital Signs by going to BrainHealthInitiative.org/BHVS to enroll.

Participation is on a volunteer basis and is entirely anonymous.

BHI explains Vital Signs as “a tool set designed to help our medical professionals and the general public work together to more effectively manage the brain health of children and adults of all ages.”

Peabody said Vital Signs is a userfriendly screening tool that measures evidence-based factors contributing to brain health. The screener was developed by scientists and clini -

Brain Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody says it is important that the brain health community finds national spokespersons to deliver research news to the public.

File photo

cians from BHI, Harvard and other experts in neuroscience, neurodevelopment, psychopathology, neuropsychology, and aging.

The screener includes five selfreport “sub-scales” that measure current and preexisting risk factors for brain illness, 10 self-report sub-scales that measure lifestyle protective factors, and a battery of neuropsychological assessments that measure current cognitive functioning.

Those who participate will be provided with personalized scores, interpretations, and tips for improvement for each risk and protective factor.

Michael Jaffee, the chair of Neurology at the University of Florida, said the screening tool hopefully will open discussions between patients and their health care providers.

“The big picture is that this can move us from what and why ... to how,” Jaffee said. “We are moving beyond the science and it is evolving. We know that by the discussions being held on the legislative level.”

LEADS TO CHANGES

Jaffee said the advancement in brain health awareness is leading to changes at the university level in terms of classes being added to the student offerings. “We’ve had some discussions (about adding more brain health classes), and we are in the middle of a progression. The field is broadening. Are we there yet? Not yet. But, man, do we have momentum.”

Merzenich said a huge difference in the immediate future will be that no longer will doctors and patients wait until disaster strikes to deal with a brain issue. He said a common belief in the field was that the human brain developed as an infant and as a very young child and from there, “nothing could change the brain ... it only could deteriorate.”

The reasons for that way of thinking were many, but Merzenich noted, “First, you can’t see it because it is inside your skull. But when you look into the mirror, you have a pretty good idea about the state of things. We also confused the brain with the mind. We didn’t view it as a flesh and blood organ.”

Carson said with the rate of dementia increasing, people are

more open to increasing their brain health.

“They are learning that we not only can treat (brain diseases), but prevent them,” Carson said.

However, Carson also said people have to overcome the stigma that revealing that you might have a brain illness is somehow substandard.

“We need to give people a common language to reduce that stigma,” Carson said. “There is no shame in needing a tuneup of your brain.”

Merzenich said brain health screening, such as Vital Signs, is the first step toward implementing better brain health practices.

“Our general population has not quite caught up with a revolution in brain science that has now shown us, in crystal clear terms, that our brain health and performance are a direct function of our lifelong lifestyle patterns and engagement of the most important organs,” he said.

“Assessing simple functioning of neurological performance and protective factors, as well as identifying common neurological risks via this BHVS tool-set, is akin to defining your physical performance in a fit-

“First, you can’t see it because it is inside your skull. But when you look into the mirror, you have a pretty good idea about the state of things. We also confused the brain with the mind. We didn’t view it as a flesh and blood organ.”

— Michael Merzenich

will link you a (brain health) coach.”

With his decades of research, Merzenich said the current breakthroughs are long overdue.

“We all have understood how our physical status affects our health and longevity,” Merzenich said. “But where the hell was the brain exam?

“Now we have found that everyone is improvable. We just need ways to measure performance.”

INFORMING THE PUBLIC

ness center wellness program. It is key for intelligently strengthening and sustaining your neurological powers of ‘brain plasticity.’”

Peabody noted that Vital Signs is not meant to diagnose any particular illness and that it does not replace consultation with a doctor or healthcare professional. However, she said the screener might help in identifying potential brain health concerns.

A VALIDATED MEASURE

“The brain needs to be assessed and we have created a validated measure of risk and protective factors,” Peabody said. “Use sleep as an example. This can be a health promoter and have a ripple effect. But we don’t have time in a wellness visit to study your sleep.”

Peabody is hoping a program such as Vital Signs can be something used in wellness visits and that the annual health assessment of the brain can be taken. She sees an app on a phone as being able to monitor brain health.

“You can go to your link, here is your profile, now what do I do about it,” she said. “Behind all of this, we will be building a technology that

Peabody said all that has taken place since BHI was founded in 2019 is a process. Along the way, it involves informing the public and connecting with primary care physicians.

Establishing a brain health program at Lakewood Ranch Prep has established a model that soon could spread to schools all over the country according to Peabody.

“Working with the kiddos, we are teaching them that the brain is an organ to think about,” she said. “Lakewood Ranch Prep is a prototype. Boy, does the program have momentum.

“Is brain health important?” Peabody asked rhetorically. “Yes. Are you assessing your brain health? All but 1% (surveyed) say no. They don’t have the time. So we went to work to create a tool. What we have accomplished so far is extraordinary if you look at the collaboratives we have who are part of the science, the outreach and the training. It’s like, ‘Wow!’ And this has come out of Lakewood Ranch. I think that is pretty cool.”

Jaffee said the wave is growing.

“We never have had more traction than we do right now,” he said. “We have more innovative partnerships. Last year, Congress passed a Brain Health Day (July 22).”

Final vote nears on wetland protections

KIDS CARE, TOO

LESLEY DWYER SENIOR EDITOR

On Oct. 5, Manatee County commissioners will make their final decision on whether to remove language in the Comprehensive Plan that provides additional protections for wetlands. If removed, wetland regulation in Manatee County will default to state standards, which are less protective than current regulations laid out in the Comprehensive Plan. The buffers between wetlands and construction would be reduced from 50 feet to 15 feet.

The Planning Commission voted 4-2 Aug. 10 to recommend to Manatee County commissioners not to transmit the matter to the state Legislature. On Aug. 17, the County Commission passed the measure 6-1 with Commissioner George Kruse dissenting.

Both meetings caused residents to descend on the administration building to oppose the move. They packed the chambers and overflowed into a viewing area on the fifth floor. Most stated a reiteration of the same basic stance: Don’t remove the language.

Two main figures mostly represented the opposing sides during the commission meeting. County-hired consultant Daniel DeLisi and Abbey Tyrna, the executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper.

Suncoast Waterkeeper is a watchdog organization with a mission to protect waterways. Tyrna holds a master’s degree in wetland science and management.

DeLisi is a certified land use planner with experience in zoning, land development regulations and water and environmental policies.

Here are their sides of three major questions asked by both commissioners and the public:

ARE BIGGER BUFFERS BETTER?

DeLisi said he hadn’t seen any documentation to indicate a 25-foot buffer is better than a 50-foot buffer and added that more is not “blanketly” better. He said restoration projects can do more to improve water quality than wider buffers.

In a written response following the meeting, Tyrna cited seven different sources that say bigger buffers are better. She added the studies also say having a greater than 50-foot buffer around sensitive lands is a necessary minimum to protect ecosystem function and quality.

“When a scientist calculates the condition of a wetland, the score is directly related to the buffer width,” Tyrna wrote. “Larger buffers provide high scores, which are evidenced by the higher wetland function and condition.”

WILL THIS AFFECT THE WATER QUALITY?

DeLisi recommended adding water quality measures to improve the stormwater system within the land development code versus keeping the additional language in the Comprehensive Plan. DeLisi said the right stormwater system can improve the current water quality.

“If your goal is to improve water quality, (buffers) are probably not your most effective means of providing the water quality benefits,” DeLisi told commissioners. “There are other means within your water quality system that are better at filtering the nutrients than an upland buffer to a wetland of an additional five feet or 25 feet.”

Tyrna agreed that there are more effective ways to ensure water quality but added they’re not required by state law. She singled out surface waters, such as streams, because the state doesn’t require setbacks or buffers around them.

“Therefore, all the chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers applied to the yard, and pet waste deposited, will be directly connected to our drinking water through these unprotected stream reaches,” Tyrna wrote. “With a large, greater than 50-foot buffer, these streams are protected from a

person’s lawn care and landscape practices. Without a buffer, these streams become super highways for contaminants, and those contaminants will be delivered right into our drinking water reservoir, compliments of the county commission.”

WILL REDUCING BUFFER WIDTH

EXACERBATE ALGAE BLOOMS?

DeLisi answered, “No.” While he has seen studies that refer to nutrients and runoff as a “seed source” for prolonging red tide, he referred back to stormwater systems as a better solution to lessening the nutrients in the water that exacerbate algae blooms.

“Stormwater systems are designed to provide nutrient removal before anything even goes back to the wetland or wetland buffer,” he said. “I don’t know where you’d get increased nutrients to get exacerbated levels of red tide.”

Tyrna said that even with the most sophisticated stormwater system, stormwater is still responsible for 60% of the nutrient pollution to

Longboat Key 15-year-old Brice Claypoole attended a meeting Sept. 20 with Commissioner Amanda Ballard to discuss wetland protection measures.

“I told her that science supports buffers for protecting our water quality, our economy and our way of life,” Claypoole said. “I want to have all that. I want to have a beautiful bay, a vibrant economy and community, so I asked her to keep the wetland buffers to protect that future.”

Claypoole also brought a petition to the meeting. It was signed by 50 other Manatee County kids asking to keep additional wetland protections intact.

Ballard will make her final decision on Oct. 5. The commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the Patricia M. Glass commission chambers, where concerned residents will have one last chance to state their case.

Claypoole, who is home schooled, will be in attendance. He’s currently collecting videos from other area kids who have something to say but can’t attend in person.

downstream water.

“This same nutrient load has been found, as Mr. DeLisi noted, to increase the frequency and intensity of red tide,” she said. “(Stormwater systems) are not enough. That is why you need to keep your buffer zone requirements and your wetland protections. So that you can, if developed properly, intercept the 60% of the pollution we know is not being captured by stormwater management systems.”

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Backers of each side of the issue present their views of reducing wetland protections to state levels.

Courtesy photo

Rusty Chinnis, Brice Claypoole and Abbey Tyrna head into the Manatee County Administration Building on Sept. 20 to discuss the importance of wetland buffers with Commissioner Amanda Ballard.

Lesley Dwyer Samantha Wassmer and Abbey Tyrna wait to speak on behalf of Suncoast Waterkeeper.

Honore roundabout plan gets mixed reviews

when Manatee County unveiled plans for a new roundabout at the intersection of Honore Avenue and Old Farm Road.

Residents in favor of the roundabout mostly attended to get more information on how construction will impact them. Residents opposed to the roundabout attended to voice their concerns.

“If (drivers) don’t have to stop anymore, getting out of our subdivisions is going to be a nightmare and very dangerous,” Chaparral resident Martina Schlagwein said.

The county held a public information meeting on Sept. 21 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church on Prospect Road. It was a two-hour open house, where residents could see the plans and ask questions of county staff and consultants.

Construction is planned to begin in late fall. There will be lane closures as necessary and temporary stop lights if needed. The estimated cost of the project is $2 million, and construction is expected to take about a year.

The intersection is currently configured as a four-way stop.

Several residents said the stop signs provide enough of a break in traffic to exit their neighborhoods in a somewhat timely manner now, but also said a continual traffic flow will make exiting intersection even more difficult to navigate.

“It’s a major change, so some people have concerns about how the traffic is going to flow and how construction is going to interrupt everybody’s life,” Commissioner Mike Rahn said in between fielding questions at the meeting.

As a Mote Ranch resident, Rahn will be affected. From his own experience, traffic is at its worst when he drives home in the evening. He sees traffic backed up to the fire station on Desoto Road.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The estimated cost of the project is $2 million.

Construction is expected to begin in late fall and end in late fall 2024.

■ Single lane roundabout at the intersection of Honore Avenue and Old Farm Road

■ Pedestrian ramps and crosswalks with rectangular rapid flashing beacons

■ Pavement resurfacing on all approach lanes

“I think with this you’ll see a better traffic flow to where they can pull out of their neighborhoods easier, turning right or left,” he said. “There’s a good plan in place.”

Speeding cars concern Tom and Pat Olszews, who live about a block away from the intersection. The couple said the roundabout will speed traffic versus slowing it down.

Stantec design consultant Jeremy Runkle said the curvature on the splitter islands, which are the medians upon entering a traffic circle, will help reduce speed because the roundabout is designed for 25 mph speeds.

Stantec is the firm designing the roundabout.

Courtesy rendering

Construction on the roundabout is expected to begin in late fall 2023 and end in late fall 2024. It will be located at intersection of Honore Avenue and Old Farm Road.

ments, including FDNY, have something in common. They say Matt Bruce is “a fake.”

“I had friends who died on 9/11. To say that he survived a building collapse is a sin,” said Mark McLees, a retired Syracuse fire chief, whose department Bruce claims to have worked for over a 10-year period.

A wide range of interviews, archival material and public records the Observer obtained reveal that in many cases, according to sources, Bruce is either lying, exaggerating or some combination of the two when it comes to his military career and service as a firefighter.

MAYDAY

Bruce was invited to speak at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s 9/11 commemoration held on Sept. 11.

During his speech, Bruce told the audience gathered in Sarasota about his experiences on 9/11. He was in New York that day to teach 25 probationary firefighters ”the skill of initial fire attack,” he said.  Bruce said, “I found myself” at the World Trade Center, “was able to go up to Tower No. 2,” ostensibly as part of the rescue efforts at the WTC’s North Tower (address WTC 1) “when a building fell on me.” While trapped for 13 hours in the rubble of the North Tower’s collapse, Bruce said he suffered a compound fracture to his ankle that was splinted by a comrade.

“It hurt like hell … stopped the bleeding, put a tourniquet on it, and 13 hours later we got out of the mess that we were in,” Bruce said in his speech.

It sounds like a miracle, the stuff of movies.

Of course, that movie has been made. “The Miracle of Stairwell B” recounted the real-life survival of 14 people inside the North Tower, including 12 firefighters, one of whom was FDNY firefighter John “Jay” Jonas. Only a literal handful of others survived the North Tower’s collapse.

“We’re the most experienced fire department in the world. We teach our own people how to do things,” said Jonas. “Thirteen hours? That area was being combed very closely. If he existed there would be a record of it. No doubt he’s a fraud.”

Somehow Bruce’s story escaped recognition.

“I never heard of this man. I’ve never heard of (Matt Bruce),” said Gerald Sanford, who was an FDNY firefighter for three decades and served as press secretary for FDNY in the aftermath of 9/11. “I was there. I would’ve known about somebody that was trapped,” Sanford said. “There were no students to train. The students were already in firehouses. In fact, six of them perished that day.”

Bruce told the Observer that on Sept. 11, 2001, he was teaching a course on Long Island near Huntington, which is located about 40 miles away from the World Trade Center.

Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower at 8:46 a.m. The South Tower (address WTC 2) was struck at 9:03 a.m. In less than two hours, first the South, then the North towers collapsed.

Bruce told the Observer that after the second tower (the North) collapsed on him, he was rescued 13 hours later from the rubble and taken to “the command post.”

“I was right there (at the command post) watching everything from start to finish,” Bruce told the Observer.

Sanford, however, explained there were plenty of medical personnel standing by at that point. The only shortage by then? Survivors.

“He would have been taken to the hospital,” said Jack McDonnell, a retired FDNY battalion chief.

During his 9/11 speech, Bruce said there were a dozen people with him.

When questioned by the Observer, Bruce could not recall the names of any of his 12 fellow survivors.

Similarly, Bruce could not recall the names of anyone at the command post, with the exception of his doctor, Shari Berg, a St. Petersburg practitioner, who Bruce claims was running triage at Ground Zero and subsequently treated him. Berg did not return several calls and messages left at her office for comment.

“The command post was destroyed at the time. They were literally crushed. He wasn’t there,” said McDonnell.

Daniel Caffrey was in the audience in Sarasota when Bruce gave his speech. He retired from FDNY as a captain and is a former deputy fire administrator of the New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Bruce wore a chief’s hat with a gold braid signifying that rank, Caffrey said. A captain’s hat, Caffrey explained, would have a white braid, along with the inconsistencies in Bruce’s story of training probationary firefighters at a training facility on Long Island or tower in Brooklyn.

There’s no training tower in Brooklyn, explained Caffrey.

Bruce has been telling his story of survival for more than a decade. His speech at a political event held in 2010 at Sarasota’s bayfront can be found online. In that speech, Bruce said he “went through” 9/11 at Ground Zero with six people under his command “who never came back.”

“He was brought up to me through other individuals,” said Carlos Moreira, event organizer and director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee. “It was more within the lines of he told me the story, the names he mentioned. I wanted to make sure of what he was going to talk about. So I wanted to make sure no politics got into the speech.”

BRUCE’S WAR SERVICE

Bruce’s story of his service in Vietnam is inconsistent.

The 9/11 Sarasota Remembrance event program states that Bruce served two tours in Vietnam, earning two purple hearts, a bronze star and a silver star. The latter is the third-highest military commendation for valor that the U.S. awards.

The speaker bio further states that Bruce “finished his eight years in the military with the New York Army National Guard.”

In an interview with the Observer, Bruce said that he had done combat tours in Vietnam in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969, and that he was stateside from 1970 onward, some of which time was spent recuperating from injuries sustained during combat.

Bruce confirmed that he is from Cazenovia, New York, a small town of about 3,000 people located 20 miles east of Syracuse.

Bruce’s extensive LinkedIn profile states he served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1974.

That section of the profile includes a photo of a soldier walking away from a burning hut in Vietnam. On the LinkedIn profile, the photo’s caption reads, “Capt Matt Bruce, Vietnam 1968 on Patrol … ”

That same photo appears in the U.S. National Archives. The photo was taken on May 5, 1966, during Operation Georgia, a U.S. Marine Corps Security operation, according to the National Archives.

Bruce denied having written any of the information that appears on the LinkedIn profile. The LinkedIn page for Matt Bruce has 6,000 followers and is updated almost daily with posts from Bruce’s radio program, the “Captain’s America Third Watch.” It contains more than 22 detailed work experiences and dozens of certifications.

A dozen people or sound engineers have access to the LinkedIn profile, said Bruce.

“I can’t even tell you how many people have worked here (at the radio station) in public relations.”

“There’s not 12 engineers. I don’t know the team,” said Marc Lecher, who described himself as Bruce’s “aide de camp,” saying that he sells the sponsors and runs interference for Bruce’s radio program. The Answer Tampa’s website lists Lecher as a multimedia marketing consultant.

“I have nothing to do with that (the Matt Bruce LinkedIn page),” Lecher said.

The LinkedIn page states that Bruce was part of “LRRP’s, ‘Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Teams,’” and served two tours and eventually rose to the rank of company commander in the 101st Airborne.

“That seems to be a recollection,” Bruce said of the LinkedIn information regarding Vietnam. “That reporter may have interviewed me and written that.”

The identity of “that reporter” is unknown.

When asked if there were any official records of his military service, Bruce told the Observer that they were destroyed in a fire.

The one in St. Louis? “Yes,” Bruce replied.

On July 12, 1973, a fire ignited at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The fire destroyed nearly 80% of the U.S. Army records stored there, according to the U.S. National Archives.

But the records that were affected by the fire in St. Louis belonged only to U.S. Army personnel discharged between Nov. 1, 1912 and Jan. 1, 1960, according to the National Archives.

Bruce later told the Observer that documents regarding his military career and/or firefighting career were unlikely to be found because he possesses a top secret security clearance.

ON FIRE Bruce told the Observer that he began his firefighting career as a volunteer in Cazenovia in 1975.

Then, in 1980, Bruce said he joined the Scriba, New York, fire department on a part-time basis and at some point during that time “made rank in the lieutenant’s test.” The Scriba department is all volunteer.

“In 1982 or 1983,” he said he joined the Syracuse Fire Department, where he served for the next 10 years.

In his speaker bio in the USF 9/11 commemoration, Bruce claims to have risen to the rank of captain.

“In short, he’s a fake,” said McLees, the former Syracuse fire chief, who retired in 2013 after a nearly 28-year career with the department. “(Matt Bruce) was never in the Syracuse Fire Department. He has nothing to do with Syracuse. For him to say Oswego or Syracuse, that’s not true.”

Having seen a picture of Bruce during his speech, McLees noted a number of inconsistencies in Bruce’s dress.

“Without even listening to him I could tell that he was a fake,” said

McLees. “He has a shirt on that has the FDNY patch in the wrong place. He has epaulets on. No one in FDNY wears epaulets.”

McLees also noted that the patches on the right breast of Bruce’s shirt indicated completed training or certifications and are commonly sewn onto windbreakers by volunteer firefighters.

“Based on his uniform, he’s from another planet,” said McLees.

The Syracuse Fire Department keeps detailed records of employment dating back to 1940, said Matt Craner, public information officer for the Syracuse Fire Department.

But Craner said he and his team were unable to find any employment or service records for Bruce.

“We’re actually in the process of digitizing records (now),” said Craner. “We keep very extensive, very detailed records.”

The Syracuse Fire Department only has about 365 members now, said Craner. The force numbered about 500 during the 1980s and early 1990s.

“People remember. Someone that rose to the rank of captain in 10 years and was around to the early 1990s, I think he would be remembered,” said Craner.

RANK AND RECORD

No record of Bruce appears in the New York State or city of New York pension or retirement benefit records hosted by SeeThroughNYC. net, which aggregates government records from across the state.

When asked about his absence from pension and retirement records, Bruce said, “Some of these agencies seal the firefighters’ and police records from someone trying to snoop.”

Bruce also told the Observer that due to instruction he led at Mohawk Niagara Power nuclear plants in New York, his records may be classified.

In the program for the Sarasota 9/11 Memorial, Bruce describes himself as a “retired Fire Rescue Capt.”

“That’s not a term that’s used in New York,” said John Mueller.

Mueller was chief of fire services and worked for three decades in the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

That office operates the NYS training program, according to Mueller. It also trains “all the volunteer firefighters in the state except for Long Island.”

Mueller also said that he has no “recollection of ever seeing an NYS instructor assigned to probation school to teach basic skills.”

“The large cities of New York operate their own training programs,” said Mueller.

WHERE’S THE PROOF?

The Observer asked Bruce why his 9/11 story had thus far escaped media notice.

“Most of us didn’t say anything.

I didn’t want to be involved,” Bruce said. “Here’s the thing … It’s never been about the people who survived a major situation. It’s about the people we lost. It’s all about the people we lost. That’s who we were honoring.”

The Observer submitted a Freedom of Information Law inquiry to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services requesting any fire training, certification, etc. records for Matthew Bruce. That and similar requests are currently processing.

Via email and phone, the Observer requested Bruce share any records documenting his military service (e.g. discharge papers), firefighting career, training and/or certifications.

Bruce replied with 18 blurry photos of various certificates and documents hanging on his wall. Of the 18, one was completely legible, a certificate from the Manatee County Amateur Radio Club.

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A photo from the U.S. National Archives taken in Vietnam during Operation Georgia, a U.S. Marine Corps security operation that took place April 21 to May 10, 1966.

Screenshot of a photo and caption found on the LinkedIn page for Matt Bruce, host of the radio show, “Captain’s America Third Watch.” Caption reads “Capt. Matt Bruce, Vietnam 1968 On Patrol.”

Courtesy photos

Examples of some of the documents that Matt Bruce submitted in response to the Observer’s requests.

Wildlife, flag-raising events should pique interest

Apair of interesting events are on tap in the next week in East County, and both deserve your attention.

One is a Living with Florida Wildlife, and let’s face it, we all could use a little extra information the next time we come face-to-face with a bobcat or an alligator. The other is a reenactment of a flagraising ceremony that was repeated time after time in France as soldiers liberated towns that had been overtaken by the Germans in World War II.

Let’s start with Living with Florida Wildlife, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Did you know that armadillos don’t like loud music?

That could be some key information if you are trying to get rid of the pest when it digs a hole under your house. According to Sandy Ulrickson, who has been a volunteer for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida (Venice) since 2015, putting a radio near the hole dug by an armadillo will cause the pest to move to a quieter neighborhood.

Just don’t blow away the neighbors.

Ulrickson said armadillos also don’t like bright lights, so putting a lamp near the hole will persuade the animal to move.

Have you thought of using mothballs? That often is suggested as a way to get rid of armadillos.

But Ulrickson said “no!” because using mothballs for that purpose is against the law because of the chemicals.

Ulrickson, who is promoting the Living with Florida Wildlife event, said Jessica Moore, a wildlife biologist of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will team with Sgt. Rob Hendrickson of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to discuss common wildlife found in local communities.

They will be discussing unex-

pected consequences, such as owls and hawks dying because they have eaten rats that were poisoned.

Ulrickson said the rats eat many of the poisons we use to rid our homes or businesses of them, then they get lethargic and become easy prey for owls and hawks.

But wait, there’s more. Those same rats can be eaten by household pets, such as dogs and cats. Other wild animals, such as bobcats, also are affected.

If you see an animal that seems to be suffering or lethargic, you can call one of the many agencies that deals with such situations.

“They can be flushed out,” Ulrickson said if an animal has eaten poison. “We picked up a hawk one time whose legs were pointed straight up into the air. We flushed him out and released him a few days later.

“It keeps you going.”

While Ulrickson answers some calls where the distressed animal can’t be helped, she said the higher percentage of calls involve animals that can be helped.

Ulrickson, who lives in Panther Ridge, began caring for animals in the late 1990s when she joined an effort to help whooping cranes learn the migration route from Wisconsin to Crystal River by following a plane. That effort eventually was unsuccessful, but a lot was learned about whooping cranes.

She moved to Florida in 2005 and continued helping animals by becoming a volunteer at Myakka State Park and for Audubon at the Celery Fields. She is one of three area volunteers for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida with two others living in the Lake Club.

Ulrickson joined the nonprofit after a volunteer came to her home to rescue a Sandhill crane in her yard that had landscaping material caught in its beak.

“We got it off and released it,” she said.

She joined the organization and since has had to rescue many Sandhill cranes.

“Sandhill cranes are beautiful,” she said. “But they are dumb.”

She said Moore and Hendrickson will discuss some of the interactions with animals that are sure to occur for those living in the area.

“If you see a bobcat, don’t freak out,” she said. “Snakes? Just leave them alone. But if they are in your house, and they are venomous, call someone like Damen Hurd, who will come and relocated them.”

With so many new residents, Ulrickson said such clinics are necessary to inform new residents about dealing with the wildlife.

So what do you do if a raccoon is in your attic? You might learn at the seminar that soaking some tennis

RESCUE SERVICES

Need help with distressed wildlife?

Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida: 484-9657

Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center: 7786324 Save Our Seabirds: 388-3010

Wild World Animal Rescue: 518-6690

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: 888-404-3922

Manatee County Animal Services: 742-5933

Damen Hurd (venomous snake removal): 518-6690

sion — nicknamed “The Trailblazers” — pushed the Germans out of Forbach and then celebrated with the village residents.

Jay Heater

balls in apple cider and throwing into the attic will do the trick.

The seminar will deal with identifying gopher tortoises and making sure people know not to put them into the water.

“People are learning,” Ulrickson said.

RAISE THE FLAG

The public is invited to a reenactment of a flag-raising ceremony that took place in Forbach, France, in 1945.

The reenactment takes place 8:45 a.m. in the parking lot in front of Lowe’s, 7395 52nd Place E., Bradenton.

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. John Skeen, who is now 104, has told the story of the ceremony as his fellow soldiers of the 70th Infantry Divi-

The residents all gathered with the Americans in the town square, but nobody could find a flag. Eventually, a tiny American flag, made out of a cotton garment and the size of a piece of notebook paper, was located. The soldiers lowered the Nazi flag and ran up the tiny American flag.

The ceremony is being held by a group of veterans who meet each week at the Bob Evans restaurant across from Lowe’s. For more information about the ceremony, call Richard Koch at 739-2641.

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

Sandy Ulrickson, a volunteer for the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida, holds a rescued baby rabbit.

Lorraine Road/Players Drive roundabout makes no sense

not be able to do so.

So, I must ask, “Are we ending up with a camel when we should be buying a horse?” Or are we putting a square peg in a round hole?

The radius of the circle seems quite tight and the east and westbound movements lose a lane in each direction. This is at the main entrance to Country Club East and this entrance is heavily used at times. Common sense tells me that this loss of capacity in such a location might not be the wisest idea. Also, if this really is an out of the ordinary design? Why is that a good idea?

moving” when you are in a roundabout. It becomes a bad idea when you combine the “keep on truckin’” mindset with heavier than normal nonautomotive traffic going in a direction that crosses the main automotive movement. That’s when you are better off with traffic actually stopping, rather than slowing down or pausing.

Yes, “yield to pedestrians” is the law, but it doesn’t always happen. Bicycle and golf cart traffic can find its way into the path of a car faster than lighted cross walks and driver reaction time can combine to avert tragedy.  A signal would be better in this location.

of the time truck traffic need not slowdown and speed up. Maintaining a constant speed reduces noise and everyone knows that.

Ordinarily, I try to stay out of the spotlight, but I am compelled to speak out in this matter. I have planned, designed and built more traffic improvements than anyone in Manatee County, including the county itself.

I know what I am talking about.

In most cases, I have grown to favor roundabouts over signalized intersections, as they are best geared to keeping traffic moving in a variety of settings from low to moderately high volumes. However, in the case of the Lorraine Road/Players Drive intersection, common sense and unique “nonautomotive” traffic considerations argue very heavily in favor of a signalized intersection.

I am asking (the county) to reject the roundabout here and return to the previously planned signalized intersection.

I haven’t had a chance to closely study the design, as it has never been shared with me, but it doesn’t appear standard at first glance.

From the (illustration) in the Observer, this roundabout seems very tight as roundabouts go. It looks like it was designed to generally stay within the existing right of way when a normal design might

A signal is more favorable at this location due to unique community/ intersection dynamics.

First, there is a bus stop on the west side on Players. Second, Lakewood Ranch is a very active pedestrian and bicycling community. There is particularly intense bicycle traffic in this location. I fear that the tight design of this roundabout might not cleanly sort out bicycle and automotive traffic as well as the previously planned and designed signal.

There is also an additional nonautomotive traffic component uniquely present at this intersection — golf carts. Our club has over 2,000 individual golfing members (1,050 golfing memberships, normally consisting of couples). They cross at this intersection in an east/ west direction conflicting with the heavier north/south movement on Lorraine Road. The courses on two sides of Lorraine are in a single club, not two separate clubs. The chicken must cross the road at some location, and this is the most suitable location.

A roundabout, by design and intent, is geared to keep automotive traffic moving at some pace, and normally this is a good idea. The thinking of drivers is to “keep

Lorraine Road is an arterial road which is otherwise entirely signalized from State Road to University Parkway. It will be signalized all the way to Fruitville as traffic signal warrants are met. There is no overwhelming reason to make this intersection any different.

You can yack all you want about the virtues of roundabouts and the way they keep traffic moving to some degree. However, when the only intersection in eight miles that gives you this wonderful benefit is a roundabout, what are you really gaining? We would be much better off with smart signals and light synchronization on this road to maximize performance on the entire road, not just in a limited location.

A roundabout does not have the benefits of noise and pollution reduction that proponents claim. Truck traffic must slow down at all four approaches in a roundabout to negotiate the circle and speed up in the straightaway, and this makes noise both times. There is no escaping this. It is a matter of simple physics. A stop signal, especially one with smart technology is weighted in favor of the predominant movement and therefore most

News reports show the cost of a roundabout (as designed) costing about $2.1 million. The budget for a signalized intersection was $1.7 million. The roundabout in this location brings nothing to the table that would justify an increased price tag. Spend the extra $400,000 somewhere else and put up traffic signals. There are plenty of needs.  (Our commissioners) all ran, and were elected, on a program of fiscal conservatism. With no significant additional benefit being given by the more expensive alternative, how can you justify the greater expense?

The traffic signal approach was well studied, well documented, and well publicized. The roundabout was a “midnight sneak in” by a commissioner known for such tactics without thorough consideration of consequences. This alternative wasn’t studied and there was no serious community input sought. SMR was not consulted with even a phone call, and candidly, I’m not totally happy with that. The unique conditions of this intersection outlined above were not considered.

Overall, the roundabout process is highly flawed as the normal improvement process goes. A roundabout does not fit at this intersection as well as a signalized intersection.  A few “informational meetings” won’t make up for these deficiencies. Putting a pig in a tuxedo doesn’t make it “not a pig.”  The roundabout should be scrapped in favor of the less expensive and more effective signalized intersection.

Rex E. Jensen President and CEO Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc.

REX E. JENSEN

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

HAVE YOURSELF A HIGH-WIRE CHRISTMAS

Nik

or many New Yorkers, attending the Big Apple Circus under the bigtop at Lincoln Center is a Christmas tradition.

Renowned Sarasota aerialist Nik Wallenda wants going to the circus to become a holiday ritual in his hometown as well. “I want the circus to be like ‘The Nutcracker’ and the Radio City Rockettes at Christmas,” he explains during an interview at his home off of Fruitville Road, past the Founders Club.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Wallenda teams up with Circus Arts

Conservatory to create a new holiday tradition.

To achieve his goal, Wallenda is teaming up with his mentors and friends Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis, co-founders of the Circus Arts Conservatory, to bring a giant tent to the University Town Center/Nathan Benderson Park Area.

Wallenda and the CAC will present a holiday spectacular called “A Brave New Wonderland” from Nov. 18 through Dec. 21 at a bigtop that will be located east of the Mall at UTC.

“I’ve always dreamed of sharing the magic of my New York City productions with my beloved hometown and revered circus community of Sarasota,” Wallenda said in a statement. “With ‘A Brave New Wonderland,’ I’m thrilled to collaborate with the Circus Arts Conservatory to bring this dream to life and create unforgettable holiday memories for the community that means so much to me.”

Wallenda is the most prominent member of the multigenerational acrobatic family once known as The Flying Wallendas. He is known to millions around the world for walking a wire across Nicaragua’s Masaya Volcano, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Times Square. In 2017, he became the headline act at the Big Apple Circus and has since become its proprietor.

The Wallenda family’s roots are

inextricably linked to both the history of the circus and of Sarasota. The family was performing in Cuba in the 1920s when they were recruited by circus magnate John Ringling, who made Sarasota the winter home of what became known as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

“My family stayed in the Ca’ d’Zan until they found their own place,” Wallenda says, referring to John and Mable Ringling’s bayfront mansion, which today is a museum.

As anyone who has followed the circus arts knows, the Wallendas are an acrobatic troupe that has sought and achieved unprecedented glory but has also suffered unfathomable tragedies.

Among them are the death of Nik’s great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, in 1978 when he fell from a tight rope at age 73 in Puerto Rico, and the life-threatening injury of his sister, Lijana, who broke every bone in her face after the family fell during a performance of their signature human pyramid in 2017.

The obvious question is: Why do the Wallendas continue to court danger and tempt fate with ever more daring performances? According to Nik Wallenda, there are two reasons: It’s in their DNA, and they love the circus. “My family has literally given their lives to elevate the awareness of

circus arts,” he says.

About 15 Wallenda family members are active performers, including his 72-year-old uncle, who is currently on the road performing at state fairs.

Nik Wallenda meets a visitor to his home gym wearing a T-shirt that says “Wired Different.” There’s no argument there. He walks the wire spanning his backyard the way most people in Sarasota stroll along the beach. “When I’m on the wire, I’m calm,” he says. “It’s where I belong.”

Wallenda is excited about his latest collaboration with CAC because it allows him to give back to the hometown he loves and to introduce a new generation to the thrill and beauty of circus arts.

“When Nik came to us with his idea for a holiday show, we were thrilled at the concept and got to work right away to help bring the idea to life,” said CAC Executive Vice President/ COO Jennifer Mitchell in a statement. “It’s entirely appropriate for Sarasota’s ‘hometown hero’ and ‘hometown circus’ to come together for a show that will delight and inspire residents and visitors alike.”

As Wallenda’s phone buzzes with text messages during an interview, he talks about his love/hate relationship with technology. Cell phones allow us to communicate instan -

taneously, making life more efficient and convenient, he notes. But Wallenda believes “technology has robbed us of the magic of live entertainment.”

Wallenda says he allows audience members to take photos and videos during his performances even though it is distracting to performers and others in the audience because it would be even more annoying to have ushers stop them from recording the moment.

As he talks about the history of the circus and the bankruptcies of Ringling Bros., Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus, Wallenda notes that the bigtop has been forced to adopt to changing tastes in areas like the treatment of animals.

Wallenda is well aware that the circus has taken a few knocks in recent years (“SpongeBob makes fun of the circus”), but he remains focused on elevating the circus arts and earning the love and respect of his family’s audiences.

Although the circus has welcomed misfits and outcasts during its 150-year-plus history, Wallenda downplays the opportunities for exploitation in favor of a message of acceptance. The circus welcomes different types of people who ultimately form a family, he says, even if they aren’t related by blood.

At Sarasota’s Sailor Circus, Wallenda says the young performers are often introverts who get the chance to express themselves in the bigtop in a way that they wouldn’t in a classroom or on an athletic field.

Not that Wallenda is down on sports — he played high school football, and standing close to six feet tall and weighing about 230 pounds, looks ready to don shoulder pads if need be. Most of the strength required to hold up a human pyramid resides in his core, he notes.

As he ticks off his accolades and accomplishments, including setting 13 Guinness World Records, winning Emmy Awards for his TV performances and writing two books, Wallenda doesn’t seem boastful. His passion for his lifelong profession is obvious.

That’s why he goes out in the crowd and signs autographs that say “Never give up” after his performances.

“No one else does that, not Criss Angel, not David Copperfield,” he says, referring to the popular illusionist and magician, respectively. “I want to inspire people, to let them know they can overcome any obstacle.”

In every aspect of his life, Wallenda is determined to prove he deserves the title of “Sarasota’s hometown hero.”

The bigtop will move to a spot near the Mall at University Town Center for the holiday show, “A Brave New Wonderland,” playing from Nov. 18 to Dec. 31.

Critic’s picks for Sarasota’s new live theater season

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

There are theaters of war, political theater and the theatrics of overdramatic relatives at expensive restaurants. These varieties of live theater are no fun at all. Don’t worry. Live theater on stage is a whole lot of fun — sometimes.

Like the little girl with a curl, when it’s good, it’s very, very good; when it’s bad, it’s awful. No worries. These six selections are very, very good. (A prediction based on my vast critical acumen and my Magic Eight Ball.) They will be coming to a theater near you before the year’s end. Enjoy.

‘RUTHLESS!’

THE SARASOTA PLAYERS

Here’s the story of a girl named Tina, an 8-year-old Shirley Temple from hell. This wannabe child star is dying to play Pippi Longstocking in a school play. When another kid gets the part, Tina decides that killing her is just the ticket. No, I’m not kidding.

Mayhem and merriment ensue — with no concession to good taste. Marvin Laird and Joel Paley’s mordant musical has multiple satiric targets. It lampoons mid-20th-century shockers like “The Bad Seed” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”

— and simultaneously spoofs overwrought Broadway musicals like “Gypsy” about show biz ambition and psychotic stage mothers. Whatever the target, it’s bloody good fun. Directed by Scott Keys.

IF YOU GO

When: Sept. 27 to Oct. 15

Where: Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130

Tickets: $30

Info: Call 365-2494 or visit ThePlayers.org.

‘THE SOUND INSIDE’ URBANITE THEATRE

Talk, talk, talk. Our species can’t seem to shut up. Human lives are filled with arguments, agreements, dissensions, debates, insinuations and implied contracts that are never spelled out. Trust is always the key implied condition. If a pal says, “Close your eyes for a big surprise,” it’s understood he won’t punch you in the face. It happens — and worse things happen too. Adam Rapp’s

“The Sound Inside” revolves around the private lessons a writing professor gives his student. Their words are all about words. Some words become deeds. Some shouldn’t. What do their words become? I won’t spoil it, but it’s chilling. Directed by Kristin Clippard.

IF YOU GO

When: Oct. 20 to Dec. 3

Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487

Second St. Tickets: $42 Info: UrbaniteTheatre.com.

‘CRAZY FOR YOU’

ASOLO REP

Ken Ludwig’s madcap musical is a loose adaptation of George and Ira Gershwin’s “Girl Crazy,” the 1930 Broadway smash. Ludwig added a few more gags and picked up the pace, but didn’t mess with the core story. (Spoiler alert: City slicker falls for hometown girl.) Along with that meet-cute encounter, he also put in cowboys, showgirls and high-energy production numbers. With toe-tapping Gershwin tunes like “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Embraceable

You” and “I Got Rhythm,” dancing in the aisles will be a temptation for theatergoers. (We figure the ushers will watch over them.) Directed and choreographed by Dennis Jones.

IF YOU GO

When: Nov. 15 to Jan. 4

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $35-$95 Info: AsoloRep.org.

‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’ FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE

The original horror show (Roger Corman’s 1960 flick) was a punk rock “Doctor Faustus” before punk existed. (Swap an evil alien vegetable for Mephistopheles and you get my point.) Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s 1986 musical adaptation distills Corman’s black comedy — without the happy ending of Frank Oz’s movie. The plot? Audrey II, a trash-talking, carnivorous plant from outer space, seduces a nebbish named Seymour into feeding it fresh blood from freshly killed humans. Said nerd kills for all the right reasons: self-actualization, revenge against sadists, true love, etc. But good ends don’t justify bad means. Seymour comes to a bad end — along with the whole human race. This dangerous vision was planted in my brain in 1987 when I first saw the musical at FST. Its seeds will be sprouting again soon there. Don’t miss it, baby. Directed by Sean Daniels.

IF YOU GO

When: Nov. 17 to Jan. 7

Where: FST Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. Tickets: $29 Info: FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

‘THREE SISTERS’

FSU/ASOLO ACTING CONSERVATORY

Anton Chekhov tackled every facet of the human condition. This play is about paralysis. The three sisters are all trapped in lousy situations and looking for a way out. Olga, the oldest sister, is a struggling school teacher. She selflessly tries to help her younger sisters and hold onto their family home. But Olga’s two siblings prove hard to help. Masha’s marriage is empty; her affair with a

young colonel isn’t. Irina gives her love to a passionate suitor as a ploy to skip town with him. Romantic delusions, good intentions — the sisters’ motives don’t matter. Daily life defeats the escape attempts of all three. That sounds depressing, but it isn’t. Chekhov had been a physician; as a writer, he wasn’t a fatalist. There’s hope (and possibility) in every scene. In the end, the sisters stay stuck. But they don’t have to be. They still have choices  — and always did. Directed by Andrei MalaevBabel.

IF YOU GO

When: Oct. 27 to Nov. 19

Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $32

Info: Call 351-8000 or visit AsoloRep.org/Conservatory.

‘JOYFUL! JOYFUL!’ WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE

There’s no stopping the holidays. Ineluctably, that means Santa Claus and Hanukkah Harry will be flying — and WBTT will unwrap a shiny box of seasonal song and dance. This year’s Christmas present reprises WBTT’s 2021 production of Nate Jacobs’ “Joyful! Joyful!” (Along with “A Motown Christmas” and “Black Nativity,” it’s joined WBTT’s annual rotation of holiday spectaculars.)

“Joyful! Joyful!” reimagines the holiday classics and mixes them up with soul and R&B classics by The Staple Singers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and others. If you’re sitting in the audience, the joyful experience lives up to its name. If the Grinch snuck in and secretly watched, he couldn’t help but smile. Directed by Nate Jacobs and choreographed by Donald Frison.

IF YOU GO

When: Nov. 29-Dec. 30

Where: WBTT Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave.

Tickets: $50

Info: Call 366-1505 or visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

From the morbid to the merry, there’s something for everyone between now and year-end.

Sorcha Augustine

Vickie Daignault stars in Urbanite Theatre’s “The Sound Inside” from Oct. 20 to Dec. 3.

Courtesy photo

The soulful holiday spectacular “Joyful! Joyful!” plays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 30 at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

‘SACRED LUNDY’

6 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St.

$10

Visit PreserveSRQ.org

David Baber, vice president of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, will conduct a tour of St. Paul Lutheran Church, which was designed by Sarasota School Architect Victor Lundy, followed by a presentation about Lundy and the church by author Christopher Wilson. The event is free for members of the church and the alliance.

MARK KLEIN

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Mark Klein’s clean comedy shows, which have been featured on CBS, Showtime and Sirius XM, focus on the things he knows best — bourbon, horse racing, family and freedom. Runs through Oct. 1.

‘UP ON THE ROOF’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $18-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Manhattan’s Brill Building was home to songwriting duos such as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Carole King and Gerry

OUR PICK

‘THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’

“Do the time warp again” with Barry Bostwick as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” celebrates its 48th anniversary. The performance features the live “shadow” cast Hell On Heels, host Larry Viezel and audience participation. You must be 18 to attend the show, which includes a memorabilia display and a costume contest.

IF YOU GO

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail

Tickets: $42-$72

Info: Visit VanWezel.org.

Intimate musical experiences.

Goffin and Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Their iconic “Brill Sound” is showcased in this musical revue by Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins. Runs through Feb. 4.

‘CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REMIXED!’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $18 and up Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“The Jersey Tenors” and “The Surfer Boys” veteran Vaden Thurgood has created his own musical revue for FST. The show follows the life of Creedence Clearwater Revival founder John Fogerty through hit songs such as “Proud Mary” and “Bad Moon Rising.” Runs through Oct. 22.

‘RUTHLESS!’

7:30 p.m. at The Players Centre, The Crossings at Siesta Key

$32

Visit ThePlayers.org.

The theater company now known as The Sarasota Players presents the morbidly funny tale of an 8-yearold who’s willing to go the distance to play Pippi Longstocking in her school play. Despite the youthful setting, the show directed by Scott Keys contains adult material. Runs through Oct. 15.

FRIDAY

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: ‘COCO’

7:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts

Free

Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Disney Pixar’s “Coco” takes the audience on animated song-filled journey about a boy’s quest to find his great-great-grandfather in the Land of the Dead. Bring blankets, chairs, family and friends for the magical screening under the stars. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from the Simply Greek Food Truck. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a scoop of Rise Up Cafe ice cream.

OPENING NIGHT: 13TH ANNUAL

FABULOUS INDEPENDENT FILM

FESTIVAL

7:30 p.m. at Burns Court Cinema, 506 Burns Court

$10

Visit FABAF.org.

The Fabulous Independent Film Festival kicks off with a screening of “Glitter & Doom,” a mind-blowing summer love story that unspools to the sounds of the Indigo Girls. The celebration of LGBTQ cinema continues after the film with a party at 99 Bottles. Sponsored by the Fabulous Arts Foundation, formerly known as the Harvey Milk Festival, the fest features a program of

Season 28 | Stars Ascending

NEXUS Chamber Music

October 1 • 4:00 pm • First Presbyterian Church

Back by popular demand!

This Chicago-based chamber music collective creates engaging classical music experiences for a broad audience. Co-founder Alexander Hersh is joined by Marlboro Music Festival alums Stephanie Zyzak and Evren Ozel in a program of piano trios by Haydn, Brahms, and Ravel.

Ilya Yakushev, piano

October 10 • 7:30 pm

Historic Asolo Theater

Winner of the 2005 World Piano Competition, Yakushev will be joined by a string quartet, including Daniel Jordan, concertmaster of Sarasota Orchestra, for Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota offers a diverse range of 26 concerts featuring emerging and accomplished classical, chamber, jazz, and pop artists from around the globe.

Full concert schedule/tickets: ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

DON’T MISS

WBTT PRESENTS: THE JOSE RAMIREZ BAND

Last year, Jose Ramirez was signed by Chicago-based blues and jazz label Delmark Records, becoming the first Latin American artist in the label’s 70-year history. At WBTT, Ramirez and his band will play new and classic tunes, including selections from his second studio album, “Major League Blues.”

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30

Where: at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. Tickets: $30 Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre. org.

shorts, features and documentaries with LGBTQ themes. Runs through Oct. 1.

SUNDAY

‘THE VELVETEEN RABBIT: A TOY

STORY’

10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1241 Palm Ave. $10 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” tells the story of a child who gets a sawdustfilled rabbit as a gift. As the pair bond through the adventures in the child’s storybooks, they discover the power of love to make imaginary things real. Through Oct. 15 on selected weekend dates.

‘REEFER MADNESS’

2 p.m. at Pinkerton Theatre, Venice $37 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

Last seen at Venice Theatre in 2008, the campy musical “Reefer Madness” is a hilarious sendup of the 1936 film with the same name that warned of the perils of marijuana. Runs through Oct. 8.

NEXUS CHAMBER MUSIC

4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St. $40 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org. Nexus Chamber Music opens the

Artist Series Concerts season with featured emerging artists Alexander Hersh on cello, Stephanie Zyzak on violin and Evren Ozel on piano.

MONDAY

MATT DENDY

5 p.m. at Marina Jack’s Blue Sunshine Patio, 2 Marina Plaza Free with orders from the menu Visit MarinaJack.com.

Unwind after a day at the beach or the office with the sounds of Matt Dendy, who has been a resident violinist for St. Martha’s Catholic Church since 1993. Dendy has also performed with Asolo Repertory Theatre for multiple seasons and has played as a first violinist for the Venice Symphony.

WEDNESDAY

SAM ART TOUR

5:30 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail

$15; members free Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

Learn about the contemporary art museum’s latest exhibitions, including “Reassembling Spilt Light: An Immersive Installation by Carlos Bunga” and “Surface Pressure,” which celebrates the multimedia work of Chakaia Booker, in this tour hosted by the museum and Willis Smith Construction. Drinks will be provided.

Courtesy photo

Waiting for Wolfie’s

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Sarasota’s prodigal deli king is back in town, and he’s got a new home in the Rosemary District, where he is the executive chef of the Original Wolfie’s.

Sol Shenker, who has won a devoted following in Sarasota for his New York deli-style food at several different eateries, has been living in Colorado, where his wife has been attending veterinary school.

The marquee above the eatery where Shenker and his treasured recipes for matzo ball soup, pastrami and swiss on rye and cheesecake will soon be found reads “The Original Wolfie’s.”

The space will also house a nightspot brethren, Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House. You’ll find them at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts, sandwiched between two theatrical venues — the Sarasota Ballet School and the Sarasota Players.

Nearby, at 1436 Boulevard of the Arts, is what is being called Wolfie’s Box Office, which will offer takeout options from the storied Jewish delicatessen.

The pedigree of the new deli reads like a list of credits from a Broadway show. According to marketing materials, its menu features favorites from such South Florida historic delis as Wolfie’s, Pumpernik’s and Rascal House, as well as Jerry’s Famous Deli of Southern California.

Sarasota’s incarnation of the Original Wolfie’s will arrive sometime in October, a few months after the New York-style Palm Avenue Deli opened downtown in July. The obvious ques-

tion is: Can Sarasota support two new New York-style delis, even if one is downtown and the other is in the Rosemary District?

The answer is a resounding yes, according to Shenker, whose restaurant resume in Sarasota goes back 23 years. In fact, says Shenker, there’s room for even more competition in what he calls the “Jewish food space.”

It’s a familiar argument to those old enough to remember when department stores Macy’s and Gimbel’s were located within a block of each other in New York’s Herald Square. In other words, competition is good for everybody. “I’ve been to the Palm Avenue Deli at least 20 times since it opened,” Shenker says.

What the competition doesn’t have is chef Shenker, who has catered many a wedding and bar mitzvah during his years in Florida. He has won a flock of customers as he has moved from places like the former Embassy Suites hotel and its later incarnations to Sol’s NYC Delicatessen in a former Applebee’s in Main Plaza. Back in 2016, Sol’s NYC Deli was forced to move to make room for a new development in Main Plaza.

In many ways, hooking up with the investors who are bringing Wolfie’s and its Rascal House to Sarasota is coming full circle for Shenker. He once worked at the Rascal House in Miami, a onetime hangout for gangsters like Meyer Lansky, although that was before Shenker’s time.

Like many a restaurateur, Shenker has had his ups and downs in the business, including a dispute with his relatives over one of his previous delis.

But where the Culinary Institute of America grad and his cheesecake

recipe go, his customers will follow.

Shenker waxes nostalgic about his time at Sol’s NYC Deli, and how an elderly gentleman once sent a note in Yiddish into the kitchen comparing the chef’s matzo ball soup favorably to that made by the customer’s mother.

As he took a break from working with electricians at the new Wolfie’s to grab a cup of joe at the nearby Project Coffee in the Rosemary District, Shenker was greeted with open arms by a former legal associate. (We’ll take that as a good sign.)

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding Original Wolfie’s. It’s opening “sometime in October,” says Shenker.

He will not reveal where his bagels, bread and deli meats are being sourced, except to say they are coming from New York. He also declined to name the new eatery’s owner.

The only thing that Shenker loves more than Jewish food and his customers is his wife, Marta. Shenker met the former ballerina in the

Catskills 12 years ago, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

He followed Marta to Colorado, where she is studying veterinary science, and has been commuting back and forth between homes in Florida and the Rocky Mountains.

Try managing that lifestyle along with the care and feeding of six chihuahuas and volunteer work with the Humane Society. It might require a takeout Wolfie’s sandwich on rye — or two — to help you power through.

2023 FALL FELINE FUN RUN!

A knock at the door might not seem like a big deal to many of us. But, to a homebound senior, it could signal the arrival of the only person they might see all day or all week long. It brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that will completely make their day. A knock from Meals on Wheels can even save lives.

THE POWER OF A KNOCK TRANSFORMS LIVES.

Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens: “The Blurred Line Between Humor and Heartbreak: A Playwriting Workshop”

Thursday, October 5 @ 6pm Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Sarasota)

Writer, actor, and Hermitage Fellow Halley Feiffer’s most recent project as writer and showrunner for “American Horror Story — Delicate,” has been described as fun, stylish, and ultimately terrifying by Ryan Murphy (“American Horror Story” creator) in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter

Come and hear more about how she has received critical acclaim in the first of the 2023-2024 “Hermitage Sunsets @ Selby Gardens” programs.

Gardens and The

Chef Sol Shenker’s Sarasota fans eagerly await the opening of his New York-style deli.

Monica Gagnier

Sol Shenker takes a break at Project Coffee in the Rosemary District near where the Original Wolfie’s will open in October.

Peter Acker

Executive Chef Sol Shenker will not reveal where the ingredients from Wolfie’s mouthwatering sandwiches will come from.

Fundraiser in the bag

Thursday, Sept. 21, at Lakewood Ranch | Benefiting Sisterhood for Good

Lakewood Ranch’s Samina

Morrow double checked that the numbers punched through on her bingo card were the ones called before she stood up in front of more than 100 women to claim a luxury purse.

With assurances she had bingo, Morrow made her way up to the stage to collect her new Chloe purse during Sisterhood for Good’s annual Designer Bag Bingo on Sept. 21.

It was Morrow’s first time attending Designer Bag Bingo, which she said was more fun that she thought it would be. More importantly, she said she loved being able to give back to the community.

All the funds raised during the event are put toward grants Sisterhood for Good distributes to nonprofits throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Last year, Sisterhood for Good raised $110,800 for grants for 32 nonprofits. The grants benefited 24,714 individuals in Manatee and Sarasota counties..

LIZ RAMOS

October 13th-October 15th

Church of the Redeemer

Bach and Beer – a perfect combination!

Key Chorale presents a 3-day festival celebrating the music of  J.S. Bach with 4 amazing concerts and concluding with a German Biergarten.

Fri, October 13, 7:30 PM Opening Concert

Sat, October 14, 11:30 AM Organ Recital & Bach’s Lunch

Sat, October 14, 7:30 PM Period Instruments Chamber Music Concert

Sun, October 15, 4:00 PM Closing Concert

Sun, October 15, 5:30 PM Biergarten Experience

Purchase your tickets today at: KeyChorale.org

941.552.8768

Purchase a 3-day pass & SAVE 15%!

Photos by Liz Ramos

Lakewood Ranch’s Karen Medford and Jackie Tamminga look forward to supporting Sisterhood for Good and its mission.

Alison Chafing makes her way down the runway.

Bradenton’s Christina Sisti, Parrish’s Kim Bailey, Lakewood Ranch’s Peggy Kronus and Sarasota’s Tanya Peters are ready for a fun night of playing bingo while raising money for area nonprofits.

Osprey’s Leslie Williams sees what the silent auction has to offer during her first Designer Bag Bingo.

Lakewood Ranch’s Amy Gorman and Roz Bokoff look forward to raising money for the community. Selling raffle tickets is one way Sisterhood for Good is raising money.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Boot scootin’ good time

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice held its annual rendition of Boot Scootin’ Boogie on Sept. 23.

Approximately 130 cowboys and cowgirls attended the fundraiser at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Having the country-style gala at the Lakewood Ranch church was a first for the Catholic Charities organization. The event was previously held at the Kings Gate Golf Club in Port Charlotte for 22 years.

After the venue shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Boots and Bandanas was on hiatus. When they brought it back, CEO Eddie Gloria said they wanted to try moving the benefit to the Lakewood Ranch area.

Catholic Charities serves 10 counties, but money raised from Boots and Bandanas will be used for services in DeSoto, Highlands and Hardee counties.

“Whatever we collect here will support the efforts that we put out in those areas, which involves a food pantry for families who are food insecure, after school programming, financial assistance, hurricane relief and housing for the elderly,” Gloria said. “We also have 110 units of housing for migrant worker families, as well. It’s called our Casa San Juan Bosco Housing, which is in Arcadia.”

Born and raised in Arcadia, musician Andy Pursell and his band performed country music at the event. Silent auction items lined both sides of the ballroom, and Mission BBQ set up a plentiful buffet.

Arcadia resident Wendy Hunter said she has been attending Boots and Bandanas for as long as she can remember, and her head-to-toe cowgirl gear was no more than her everyday clothes. This year, she was in the company of her coworkers. Their employer, Fish Branch Tree Farm, bought a table.

“We’re happy that all these people came out, and we’re loving the fact that we can wear these boots and bandanas and make it a fun night,” Gloria said. —

LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Antigua residents Nicole and Robert Hildreth are new to the area and are considering joining the congregation at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

Three Italian cowboys: Vinnie Cipriano, Frank Dillon and Al Connizzo. Connizzo serves on the Board of Catholic Charities.

Real life Arcadia cowboy Allen Mc Clelland is accompanied by Wendy Hunter. Hunter’s employer, Fish Branch Tree Farm, bought a table for its employees.

Venice resident Rick Marziano chats with Carlos Spiess, who traveled from Connecticut because he “heard it was going to be a great party.”

Jamille Romanet and Gerard Romanet stop by the photo area, which was set up with saddles and bales of hay.

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

TREE TOPS STORYTIME

Runs from 12:30-1:15 p.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave., E., Bradenton. Children ages 4-6 are welcome to enjoy stories and crafts in this free event. For more information, go to ManateeLibrary.LibCal. com.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 1

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

Runs from 4-8 p.m. at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Donnie Bostic (Thursday), Soundwave (Friday), Al Fuller (Saturday) and TBA (Sunday). The Friday show has a $5 cover; the rest are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

TECH HELP AT THE LIBRARY

Begins at 3 p.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave., E., Bradenton. Free technical help is available for those who need it regarding androids, iPhones, tablets, laptops, e-books/audiobooks, and more. For more information, go to ManateeLibrary.LibCal.com.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29 AND SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs 6-9 p.m. both days at 1560 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. On Friday, the soulful folk duo Joyride will entertain those strolling the streets of Waterside Place. Then on Saturday, singer/songwriter Justin Layman will perform.

SUNDAY, OCT. 1

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.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4

BINGO FOR ALL

Begins at 10 a.m. at Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood

BEST BET

SUNDAY, OCT. 1

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.

Ranch Community Activities hosts Bingo. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

LIVING WITH WILDLIFE

Begins at 6:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Living with Florida Wildlife clinic will feature Jessica Moore, a wildlife biologist at Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and Sgt. Rob Hendrickson, of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. They will discuss the common wildlife found in our area and will review conservation principals and best management practices for protecting people, pets and property. The free event is open to everyone.

File photo

Local businesses score at tailgate expo

During the Tradeshow Tailgate Expo, the scene at Robarts Arena on Sept. 21 was a little different from past business expos by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

The auditorium was filled with sports jerseys, football-shaped balloons and fun opportunities in keeping with the event’s newly chosen theme.

“A lot of people went a little outside of the box and really got into the game,” said Business Alliance President Brittany Lamont.

A few examples of the team spirit, she said, included social media competitions between different businesses, an opportunity to win Super Bowl tickets from Florida Cancer Specialists and a virtual reality football station by Rite Technology. The scene was completed by

the presence of the marching band from Bayshore Elementary in Bradenton, which circled the auditorium once while offering a performance.

The Business Alliance has been having the expo since its inception, but this year, it decided to create a new experience for the event, which it had held in partnership with Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce in past years.

Some business owners said the experience was a win.

“A lot of people are trying the food. Everyone loved it,” said Sarasota’s Ahmed Saad of Al Forno Mediterranean Grill & Subs. “People who hadn’t heard of us, have heard of us now, and it seems like everyone is going to come out.”

— IAN SWABY

St. Pete’s Gene Turovsky, Sarasota’s Jessica, Marie and David Polimeni, Parrish’s Wayne Parrish and Lakewood Ranch’s Gareth Stevenson of Rite Technology

Photos by Ian Swaby

Sarasota’s Sean Best and Palmetto’s Tony Nichols of Roofing by Curry

Sarasota’s Ahmed Saad of Al Forno

Lakewood Ranch’s Taylor Nelson tries out virtual reality with Rite Technology.

This year, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance decided to bring a tailgate theme to its expo.

and other environmental causes. She always stepped up with support when disaster assistance was needed.

1921-2023

An amazing woman, who preferred anonymity more than anything else, Pauline Schweinfurth Becker, born to German immigrants Charles L. and Pauline “Mary” Schweinfurth, passed away peacefully in her Sarasota home surrounded by friends and loving caregivers on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the age of 102.

She was born in Newark, New Jersey on June 27, 1921. Nicknamed Line (pronounced Leanie), Pauline and her parents moved to Roseland, New Jersey in 1930. Her father became the Chief of Police for Roseland. A farm girl at heart, she was diligent and determined in whatever she did. After finishing high school, Pauline worked at the Henry Beckers

Dairy Farm (Roseland) and married the boss, Henry Eugene (Gene) Becker. The Becker’s sold the farm to Essex County in 1969 and donated their homestead and Barn to the Roseland Historical Society in 1982.

Shortly thereafter, they settled full time in Sarasota.

Gene, her husband of 63 years, passed away in 2003. In the early 80’s, Pauline

volunteered for the Pelican Man (now Save Our Seabirds) and subsequently for 35 years at Mote Marine Laboratory, first in the Gift Shop and then in the Library. She loved the interaction with the scientists, she would say with a glint in her eyes. Quietly and behind the scenes, insisting on anonymity, she also generously provided financial support to the fledgling laboratory, from Shark cancer research to the study of Spotted Eagle rays and scholarships for youths interested in marine science. Similarly she supported organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, SPARCC, Easter Seals Happiness House, Lighthouse for the Blind, Kessler Foundation, Ringling College of Art and Design, Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation, Southeast Guide Dogs, Inc and many more. She loved to support “open spaces” projects and organizations; and truly believed that Sarasota was being paved over. In that vein, she supported the Bay Park Conservancy, the Gulf Coast Conservation Foundation

Pauline lived her life fully with zest, but remained modest and humble. She served on the Board of Trustees of both Mote Marine Laboratory and the Ringling College of Art and Design. She, along with her husband Gene, belonged to a Cross Country Car club and spent three decades driving with friends across the country coast to coast. She loved her green Pierce Arrow which now resides at the Library and Museum of the Antique Automobile Club of America Inc. (Hershey, Pennsylvania). Her husband’s passion for steam engines and railroad cars had her helping him in constructing and operating a small gauge railroad, Centerville and Southwestern Railway, spanning the entire area of their farm. The railroad delighted many young families in Roseland during the 40’s through early 70’s. The steam engines and locomotives now reside in the Philipsburg Railroad Historians museum, Philipsburg, New Jersey.

Pauline’s life mantra was to “talk straight and say it as it is”. She did not mince words. She had a strong independent streak, but was compassionate and empathetic towards the less fortunate. She loved her friends and cherished the conversations they had. She did not like crowds but she loved to go to lunch-

es with a few friends. She remembered everything and with a sharp wit would easily disarm anyone. She loved her birthday parties, although she didn’t want them, especially as she was nearing 100. She listened more than she talked; and when she gave advice, people listened. All her friends invariably remarked about having received wise counsel from her at some turning point in their lives and were grateful. Her closest friends, when asked to describe her, often used words such as, Honest, Fair, Straightforward, Ethical, Generous, Confident, Committed, Determined, Compassionate, Charismatic, Charming, Sharp witted, humble, wise, an eye for details, etc. Pauline was a remarkable person, and as a wife of a lifelong Rotarian, lived the Rotary’s four way test in every aspect of her life: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? She loved reading the Observer every week for local news and the articles became points of discussion with her friends for the week. As one of her closest anonymous friends writing this obituary, I wondered what she would say, probably “Why are you making all this fuss?! Don’t you have anything else to do?!”

Pauline’s funeral arrangements are being handled

by Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park in Sarasota. Her cremated ashes will be interred next to her beloved husband, Gene, at Fairmount Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey and service is private as per her wish. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34237), Easter Seals Happiness House (350 Braden Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34243), or to a charity of choice.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (3130 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Florida 34237), Easter Seals Happiness House (350 Braden Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34243), or to a charity of choice.

Pauline Schweinfurth Becker

She served on the Board of Trustees of both Mote Marine Laboratory and the Ringling College of Art and Design.

Pauline’s life mantra was to “talk straight and say it as it is”.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere for a chance to win a seven-night cruise for two, sponsored by Marc Bokoff - Cruise Planners.

SITTING CHILLY WITH THE OBSERVER: David Eggert took a copy of the East County Observer to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

Local shorebird finds refuge in Myakka

MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR

Striking and boisterous, black skimmers are Florida statethreatened birds who are rapidly losing their habitats as a result of coastal development.

They’re also imperiled due to increasing disturbances, mostly caused by humans and humansponsored predators, such as dogs and fish crows.

Many enjoy watching these unique shorebirds on Sarasota’s beaches.

But to visitors’ delight, skimmers can also be spotted at Myakka River State Park.

In early 2023, beach conditions were especially hazardous for shorebirds due to rampant red tide, which contaminated their food. And for the first time, a large flock of 92 black skimmers took refuge in the park, where they found newly restored floodplain marshes at the Upper Myakka Lake and ample, untainted food.

Protecting imperiled species is a priority for Myakka’s Florida Park Service team. So to keep the skimmers safe in their newly chosen spot, a temporary barrier was placed, preventing disturbances from park visitors.

When flocks of birds are startled and forced to fly with no reason, they extend energy they’ll need to replenish, or are forced to move to a less optimal area. While disturbing wildlife is always to be avoided, the extra protection was important as rest is critical for birds getting ready for their arduous nesting season.

Thanks to bird banding, which allows us to identify individual birds, Florida-based skimmers, as well as migratory ones from New York and New Jersey, were spotted among the flock in the park.

These findings highlight the importance of Myakka’s existing and newly restored protected habitats for

Miri Hardy

In early 2023, with red tide rampant on area beaches, 92 black skimmers sought refuge at Myakka River State Park. One of them was 5B, a member of the Lido Key nesting colony banded as a chick in 2019.

imperiled wildlife both near and far.

It was especially meaningful to spot 5B, who was banded as a chick on St. Pete Beach in 2019. For the past two years she’s nested with the North Lido Key colony — one of the largest skimmer colonies in Florida.

This summer, after spending quality time at Myakka, 5B again nested with the colony at their new location on South Lido Beach, where she successfully fledged a chick.

And thanks to banding, we also know that 5B survived the winds and storm surge associated with Hurricane Idalia unscathed. Perhaps we’ll see her at Myakka again this winter!

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

Magical performance

Gabriel Cortes, a Braden River High School senior, brought a little extra magic to the stage.

While performing “Lost in the Woods” from “Frozen 2,” Cortes had back-up vocals from his sock puppet reindeer meant to be Sven from the movie.

The sock puppet reindeer was a lastminute addition to his performance during Braden River High School’s Night of Magic cabaret show Sept. 20.

Cortes said he made the reindeer during dress rehearsals Sept. 19 and decided to add the lights just before the show.

In his final cabaret show, Cortes performed in five numbers, the most he’s ever done

While Cortes and dozens of other students performed, children sang along in the audience.

“I love seeing the kids come and watch the magic we create,” Cortes said.

— LIZ RAMOS

Gabriel Cortes, or in this case, Kristoff, performs alongside his reindeer friend, Sven, while singing “Lost in the Woods.”

Photos by Liz Ramos

Allee Owen, Ari Smith and Joshua Ogline throw their worries away while performing “Hakuna Matata.”

•

BlackTie

Benefiting:

Marie

•

•

•

Presenting

Diamond

Janice

Media

Emma Durrence, Raegan Caffrey, Mia Quickel and Nadia Getman have all the attitude necessary to be the Muses while singing “Zero to Hero.”

Danica Schmucker sings “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog.” Alexandria Williams shines while dancing to “When We’re Human: from “The Princess and the Frog.”

Zeke Lopez sings “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Lake View Estates home tops sales at $3.2 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Lake View Estates topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Barbara and Vance Vinar, trustees, of Faribault, Minnesota, sold the home at 8335 Lucerne Loop to RWD Properties LLC for $3.2 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,002 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,582,800 in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

George Summers Jr., trustee, of Banner Elk, North Carolina, sold the home at 14808 Camargo Place to Timothy Hamm and Margaret Elizabeth Hamm, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,735,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,251 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.21 in 2021.

Ronald and Cynthia Beckwith, of Oxford, sold their home at 7282 Belleisle Glen to Michael Gulizia and Sandra Sullivan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $650,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,784 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in 2018.

MALLORY PARK

Catherine Amanda Wieland and Brian Edward Carroll, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12003 Seabrook Ave. to Johnathan Nicholas Irle and Grace Rizza, of Bradenton, for $1.45 million. Built in 2017, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,965 square feet of living area. It sold for $753,300 in 2017.

COUNTRY CLUB

Lloyd and Carolyn Camp, of W. Des Moines, Iowa, sold their home at 8028 Royal Birkdale Circle to John Lavin and Joyce Kelly, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.34 million.  Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,505 square feet of living area. It sold for $730,000 in 2010.

WINDING RIVER

Keith Ekenseair and Tammy Lisko, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 14105 Ninth Terrace N.E. to Stuart Jon Zais and Teresa Zais, of Bradenton, for $1,315,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,184 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,185,000 in 2021.

Matthew and Dianne Laing, trustee, of Parrish, sold the home at 919 143rd St. N.E. to Gregory and Dawn White, of Bradenton, for $785,000.

Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,577 square feet of living area.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Heather Dunn, of Bradenton, sold her home at 10152 Cherry Hills Ave. Circle to Marc Winterhoff and Janelle Winterhoff, trustees, of Winnetka, Illinois, for $1,145,000.

Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,717 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2022.

MILL CREEK

John and Deborah Rumble, of Olympia, Washington, sold their home at 14901 17th Ave. E. to Clint Charles Wansa and Kinzie Jo Wansa, of Bradenton, for $1.09 million. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,872 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.06 million in March.

INDIGO

Robert and Jane Weber, of Tallevast, sold their home at 13138 Indigo Way to Brian Keith Dobosh and Laurie Dobosh, of Bradetnon, for $1.06 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,683 square feet of living area. It sold for $478,300 in 2019.

Dianne Christian, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 4209 Midnight Blue Run to Kevin Stoll and Phyllis Yaeger, of Bradenton, for $790,000. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,305 square feet of living area. It sold for $443,500 in 2018.

DEL WEBB Veletta Jean Tusa, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7508 Viola Loop to Daniel and Nancy Walsh, of Easton, Pennsylvania, for $750,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,095 square feet of living area. It sold for $442,600 in 2020.

ESPLANADE

Arthur Brown Jr. and Ralph Inger and Roberta Morley-Inger, of Sylva, North Carolina, sold their home at 13205 Palermo Drive to Melinda Marie Conchiglio, trustee, of Sarasota, for $700,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,306 square feet of living area. It sold for $412,000 in 2017.

Barbara Fryzel-Marquette, trustee, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, sold the home at 13230 Torresina Terrace to Lea Ann Luckner and Richard James Luckner, of Bradenton, for $653,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,684 square feet of living area. It sold for $419,000 in 2021.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD

NATIONAL

Sheila Joy Johnson and Frederic

Jay Gregory sold their Unit 1912 condominium at 5916 Wake Forest Run to Carolyn Akers and Edwin Ryan Akers III, of Bradenton, for $670,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $305,000 in 2019.

RIVERSIDE PRESERVE

Larry Marshall Betts and Deana Betts, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14929 Barrow Bluff Terrace to Thomas David West and Karen Denise West, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,197 square feet of living area. It sold for $411,800 in 2020.

HARMONY Christopher Douglas Gerni and Marie Elizabeth Broach, of Ponte Vedre, sold their home at 5213 Bentgrass Way to James Connolly, of Bradenton, for $605,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,778 square feet of living area. It sold for $560,000 in May.

Logan Clark, of Bradenton, sold his home at 5018 Sunnyside Lane to James Allan Wills Jr., of Bradenton, for $390,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,710 square feet of living area. It sold for $243,000 in 2018.

CROSSING CREEK

Barney and Kari Verhulst, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6931 45th Terrace E. to Lynne Galipeau and Gary DiDonna, of Bradenton, for $585,000. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,254 square feet of living area. It sold for $360,000 in 2018.

COACH HOMES AT RIVER STRAND

Mark and Sherrie Dennison, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, sold their Unit 7502 condominium at 7102 Grand Estuary Trail to Dustin Blake Thomas and Margaret Ann Thomas, of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, for $570,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $299,000 in 2017.

Garland Maria Lowe, of Ocean City, Maryland, sold her Unit 5604 condominium at 6618 Grand Estuary Trail to Patricia Franklin and Stephen Shanklin, of Bradenton, for $515,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,000 in 2016.

EAGLE TRACE Jessica Greer and Brian Piha sold their home at 12145 Whisper Lake Drive to Mario and Stacy Hernandez, of Bradenton, for $555,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms,

two baths and 1,932 square feet of living area. It sold for $348,000 in 2019.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Kalixta Janea Nichols, of Dover, sold her home at 9904 Marbella Drive to Red Door Realty Holdings LLC for $515,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,694 square feet of living area. It sold for $328,000 in 2020.

CENTRAL PARK

Paul Wheeler sold his home at 5009 Mission Park Lane to William Patrick Doherty and Pamela Kathleen Doherty, of Lakewood Ranch, for $490,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,726 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in March.

SUMMERFIELD John and Alexis Cunningham, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold

the home at 11809 Acorn Woods Terrace to Sean Marks and Heather Moore, of Lakewood Ranch, for $475,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,115 square feet of living area. It sold for $273,000 in 2016.

WHITEBRIDGE COURT

Jerome and Patricia Brandy, of Pittsburgh, sold their home at 7733 Whitebridge Glen to Andrew and Carey Houghton, of Sarasota, for $448,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,609 square feet of living area. It sold for $270,000 in 2007.

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

Liz Ramos

This Country Club home at 8028 Royal Birkdale Circle sold for $1.34 million. It has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,505 square feet of living area.

Fast Break

The Lakewood Ranch

High boys golf team shot a team total 283 to win the 2023 Riverview Rams Invitational, held Sept. 24 at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Sarasota. Mustangs junior Henry Burbee took medalist honors by shooting 68. Lakewood Ranch is ranked No. 4 in all classes by the Florida High School Athletic Association as of Sept. 25.

The Lakewood Ranch girls golf team (315) also won its division of the Riverview Rams Invitational, held Sept. 24 at Heritage Oaks. Mustangs sophomore Emily Storm took medalist honors by shooting 71. Lakewood Ranch is ranked 16th in Class 3A by the FHSAA as of Sept. 25.

The Out-of-Door Academy senior girls cross-country runner Emma Arrigo finished 10th (21:08.97) at the 2023 North Port Invitational, held Sept. 22 at North Port High.

Former Braden River High running back Deshaun Fenwick, a senior at Oregon State University, had 11 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns Sept. 23 in the Beavers’ 38-35 road loss to Washington State University.

The Lakewood Ranch High football team (2-3) held Lyman High (3-2) to 155 yards of offense in the Mustangs’ 22-12 home win Sept. 22. Senior defensive end Evan Bolick had a fumble recovery and senior defensive back Jayden Munoz had an interception.

The Out-of-Door Academy (2-2) senior receiver/running back Jack Meyers had seven carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, as well as four catches for 63 yards and one touchdown, in the Thunder’s 40-22 road win over Faith Christian Academy (2-3) on Sept. 22.

PIRATES’ SLOW STARTS SINK SHIP

IF YOU GO

What: Braden River High football (2-2) vs. Port Charlotte High (3-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

As the Sept. 22 football game between Braden River High (2-2) and Booker High (3-2) neared kickoff, players could be heard chatting on the Pirates sideline.

Murmurs from the crowd behind them served as background noise. When the Pirates’ kick return unit took the field, a few variances of “let’s go” were spoken. Otherwise, things were quiet.

That low-key atmosphere continued throughout the first half. It was a problem for Braden River. The Pirates’ offense could not establish a rhythm against the Tornadoes’ defense, while the Braden River defense allowed Booker to score 10 points by early in the second quarter. By this point, the sideline was practically silent, other than coaches giving players instructions.

A field goal late in the quarter provided some hope, and the energy changed after halftime. Braden River came out motivated and ripped off 17-straight points to take a 20-10 lead. But it wouldn’t last into the fourth quarter. Booker would score two touchdowns, and a late Pirates attempt to re-take the lead ended on a failed fourth-and-10 from the Tornadoes’ 23-yard line.

The Pirates lost 24-20. It was Braden River’s first loss to Booker since 2013, having won the previous five games in the series. Tornadoes head coach Scottie Littles said the game served as a good measurement of how far his program has come since he took over prior to the 2022 season, while also acknowledging how Braden River and its fans view the matchup.

“This is a game Braden River schedules to get a win,” Littles said. “Let’s just be honest about it. At the end of the day, our kids fought hard and earned this win for our program.”

After the loss, Pirates head coach Curt Bradley said he was concerned by his team’s inability to start fast. The week prior, in a 28-20 road loss to Manatee High (5-0), the Pirates fell behind 14-0 and failed to convert on a fourth-and-goal opportunity in the first quarter that, in retrospect, would have given the team a chance to tie the game late. In the team’s 41-23 win over Lakewood Ranch High (2-3) on Sept. 8, the Pirates scored first — but immediately gave up a kickoff return touchdown to the Mustangs, stalling whatever momentum it had

Where: Port Charlotte High At stake: Braden River needs to win this game to avoid falling below .500. Port Charlotte beat Braden River 36-20 in 2022. Braden River player to watch: Senior receiver/cornerback Isaac Heaven, who joined the program this season after starring as a basketball player. Heaven caught an 83-yard touchdown against Booker High on Sept. 23.

generated.

Bradley knows something has to change.

“We were not ready to play for a full quarter-and-a-half of football (against Booker),” Bradley said. “Obviously, we spotted Manatee some points last week. That’s on me as a coach. I have to get these guys ready to play. We’ve put together some good third quarters, but we have to play four quarters.

“I have to do a better job of finding the right buttons to push to get these guys going. We could play harder, and we need to.”

Any changes Bradley and his coaching staff make will need to happen in a hurry. Braden River next plays Port Charlotte High (3-2) at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 on the road. Braden River has only played Port Charlotte four times but has lost three of the matchups, including a 36-20 loss last season. Another loss would dip the Pirates’ record below .500.

To avoid that fate, Bradley and his staff are hoping their players who were inexperienced coming into

the season have used their first four games to come up to speed. Bradley complimented the effort that linebacker Ronin Dangler and receiver/ cornerback Isaac Heaven showed against Booker. Dangler, a sophomore, is the brother of former Pirates star linebackers Evan Dangler and Aidan Dangler and shares their ability to seek out ballcarriers. Heaven is a senior but only joined the football team this season after starring on the school’s boys basketball team.

The 6-foot-3 Heaven, a senior, had an 83-yard touchdown reception from junior Lucas Despot against Booker and helped break up a late Booker deep ball down the sideline. Those are the types of plays the Pirates need more often in 2023, Bradley said. Even when Dangler and Heaven don’t make the optimal decision on a given play, he said, they’re always using their talent to the fullest.

Bradley said one way the team can generate an early spark is by getting its reliable playmakers involved in the game as quickly as possible. In 2023, the team’s biggest playmaker has been junior receiver/running back Yahshua Edwards, who has 339 total yards (231 receiving yards and 108 rushing yards) and six touchdowns. He was kept off the score sheet against Booker and only had a handful of early touches, with the offense seemingly never finding a rhythm for him.

Whether by using Edwards more,or getting the whole team to play at the effort level of Dangler and Heaven, Bradley said changes must be made.

“I don’t think Port Charlotte is going to feel sorry for us, so we better move on,” Bradley said. “We have to turn the page and get ready to go.”

“I love the competitive nature of the volleyball world. It’s such a big drive for me.”

— Braden River High’s Aryanna Spainhower SEE PAGE 31

Ryan Kohn

Lakewood Ranch High junior boys golfer Henry Burbee finished tied for 20th at the 2022 FHSAA state tournament.

The Bradenton team has fallen to 2-2 after coming out flat in the last two games, both losses.

Booker High junior Joe Durn (6) puts a sideline hit on Braden River junior receiver Yahshua Edwards.

Photos by Ryan Kohn

Braden River High junior Marcus Galloway breaks a tackle against Booker High.

PROSE AND KOHN RYAN KOHN

A tale of two martial artists

John Hokanson had no idea how bad it could get.

Hokanson, the co-owner of Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard in Bradenton with his wife, Kristin Hokanson, thought living in the Lakewood Ranch area would be a dream for a kid.

When Hokanson’s family member, Jayke Maracle, began living with the family in the fall of 2022, Hokanson learned he was wrong. Being a kid in 2023 can still be difficult, even in a place like this.

Maracle is now a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, but last year as a middle school student, Maracle showed Hokanson some videos of hallway fights and bullying incidents that would go viral in the area.

It wasn’t just the physical altercations that worried Hokanson, either. Social media accounts mean cyberbullying is a real threat, and with how much time kids spend on their phones these days, its prevalence is only growing.

For an unlucky selection of kids, the tough times never end.

After Maracle himself faced a bullying incident, back when he was in middle school in a bathroom, Hokanson decided to get Maracle prepared, both physically and mentally, if another incident should arise.

He wanted Maracle to be tough, and to know he could get through whatever he faced in life.

To that end, he turned to a sport Hokanson himself had left behind — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Hokanson, 63, started in the martial art 13 years ago. He would pass Sarasota’s Vieira BJJ on his daily drive, and it intrigued him. He was born in Brazil and thought he owed it to himself to try the sport and to connect to his past.

One day, Hokanson got the courage to walk in.

Vieira BJJ owner Thadeu Vieira welcomed him with a hug, Hokan-

son said. He stuck with the sport and even competed at the 2012 World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Long Beach, California, earning a silver medal in the White Senior One Male class, SuperHeavy division.

He also saw how the sport gave its competitors confidence off the mat. If you succeed there, you can succeed anywhere.

“The whole philosophy is to make competitors better citizens,” Hokanson said. “If you’re strong and confident and feel good about yourself, you’re not going to go down that rabbit hole of feeling like you have nothing.”

After four years of BJJ, Hokanson stopped training when his business ventures took off. He simply didn’t have the time to devote to it. But he valued his experience. When thinking of ways to prepare Maracle for the world, BJJ was at the top of Hokanson’s mind. So he took Maracle to see an old friend — Vieira.

When Hokanson walked into Vieira BJJ with Maracle, Vieira gave Hokanson another hug and told Hokanson he missed him. Hokanson reciprocated. He then said Maracle was looking for a place to train. Vieira welcomed him with open arms, metaphorical ones this time. Maracle did well, learning the sport through consistent practice and competing in events here and there. Hokanson would work with Maracle at their home on occasion and gave him pointers at tournaments.

Maracle was learning, but sometimes, Maracle would complain to Hokanson about his class being difficult. He would say Hokanson didn’t want what it was like today.

Hokanson thought about it, and figured Maracle was right. For Maracle to fully buy into the sport and to see what it could do for a person, Hokanson had to be the one to show him.

So he returned to the sport himself. Even after nine years away from BJJ, Hokanson quickly fell back into the routine. Not only did training allow him to relate to Maracle on a new level, but his old skills came back. Hokanson even decided to give the World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship another shot. At the 2023 Championship, held Aug. 21-Sept. 2 in Las Vegas, Hokanson reached the semifinal round in the Master Seven Male Blue class, Super-Heavy division. During his semifinal match, Hokanson was thrown to the mat. He felt something snap.

“I thought, ‘I sure hope that’s his wrist,’” Hokanson said with a laugh.

It wasn’t.

“I looked down and my radius was sticking out this way, and my wrist was sticking the other way.”

The broken wrist meant Hokanson could not continue, so he tapped out and settled for a bronze medal.

He still is wearing a cast on his wrist. The rehab process has not been fun, but the experience was valuable for himself, and for Maracle.

“My wife asked me, ‘Was it worth it?’” Hokanson said. “The broken arm? No. But the statement you can make to your children? Yes. Get out there and do it with your kids. Understand the pressure they are under and their fears.”

Maracle agrees. He said taking up BJJ has helped him gain the confidence he wanted him to find.

The other competitors in the gym are more than willing to give him advice when needed. He’s even inherited some of his uncle’s natural ability. Maracle took a silver medal in his Boys White Teen III division of the Siesta Key Open tournament in May. Maracle and Hokanson recommend that everyone interested

in bettering themselves take up a martial art. Age doesn’t matter, as these two have shown. And though they train with Vieira BJJ, there are plenty of good clubs in Manatee and Sarasota counties that people can join. It’s the discipline that matters most.

On Sept. 23, the pair were at the Sarasota BJJ Open, held at Sarasota’s Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, an event that served as both a tournament and an anti-bullying campaign. If kids want proof that the self-improvement aspect of the sport works, have them listen to Maracle.

“I love it,” Maracle said. “You get to make friends and you get to have

fun. You get hands-on learning. It cures your boredom. You learn how to defend yourself and you can compete in tournaments with the skills you learn. I didn’t want to do it at first, but after a while I started to like it. I am glad I stuck with it. I’m not scared of anything now.”

Ryan

Ryan Kohn

John Hokanson and Jayke Maracle have taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu together. Maracle said the sport has given him renewed confidence.

Aryanna Spainhower

Aryanna Spainhower is a 5-foot-8 senior on the Braden River High volleyball team. Spainhower had 11 kills, 18 digs and a block in a 3-1 win over Riverview High on Sept. 21. The two-time defending district champion Pirates are 9-2 as of Sept. 25.

When did you start playing volleyball?

I started when I was 9. My sister (Brianna Sweitzer) played volleyball, and I got involved after watching her. She’s actually the junior varsity coach here at Braden River now.

What is the appeal to you?

I love the competitive nature of the volleyball world. It’s such a big drive for me. I

What is your best skill?

Defense and serve-receiving. I used to be pretty short. I couldn’t block or hit. I had to hone in on defense and serves so I could do something for my team.

What have you been working to improve? I have been trying my hardest to improve at hitting into different zones. I’m seeing what I get out of a set and then trying to put the ball in the best place.

What is your favorite memory?

Winning our district championship my sophomore year. It was so much fun because it was my first year on varsity and in that match, I got the winning kill. The entire team rushed the court and tackled me onto the floor.

What are your goals for this season?

Last year I was named our team’s defensive MVP. I want to win that again. That’s where I thrive. Making it past the regional semifinals would also be amazing.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

What will it take to make a deep playoff run? We just need to calm down. Sometimes we get caught in the moment (in big matches).

What is your favorite school subject?

I’m taking an intro to robotics class this year and I’m loving it. It’s like playing with glorified Legos.

Which superpower would you pick?

Super speed, just to get places faster. Gas is so expensive.

What is the best advice you have received?

To be a leader, you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to have a voice.

Finish this sentence: “Aryanna Spainhower is …” … Optimistic.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

High: 88 Low: 72

Chance of rain: 80%

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

High: 87

Low: 73

Chance of rain: 84%

SATURDAY,

Crow”

68 Condition for which

Temple Grandin is a spokesperson

70 Mimicked

71 “Slithy” creature in “Jabberwocky”

72 Orange juice brand

73 Flair or Ocasek

74 Many Zagreb residents

78 ___ gin fizz

79 Musical Greek god

80 Way out there, and how

82 “Thirtysomething” star

83 Commanders on the front line?

85 Inside scans (Abbr.)

86 Missy in the Songwriters Hall of Fame

87 Arms for Force-ful people?

89 Apt rhyme for “pitch”

93 Instrument in a jazz combo

95 Emperor of India known as “the Great”

96 Attach, as a corsage

97 Pursue, as a lead

98 Fusses

99 Worker that fills in gaps, for short

100 Water, for a Super Soaker

102 Workplace watchdog (Abbr.)

105 “Delicious!”

106 Pacific tuna

By

“WMWLD GHMRW DHP GTUW ITB’C JW YLWTC, BH GTCCWL VKH DHP TLW. WMWB (GTLXHB JLTBAH) GTAW FHGW IXRBUWLF.” GRIKTWX GTAFWB

“CYPBXF’N CBZNH, YKR HIYH’N OIYH PYHHGZN PTNH. OG ZGYXBSG HIYH TEZ

XTUG VTGN RGGLGZ HIYK HIG HGKKBN VYPG.” NGZGKY OBXXBYPN

“Y LO L CLOAYHJ, XG Y DLCJ TG HJVIJRUYGT. JCJHW PLW, Y ALXUJ L AYRUSHJ GV XGOJGTJ JIXJ GT UDJ OYHHGH.” OJLU

STRIKE THAT! by Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen

Luis Campos

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

David Ondocin took this photo of a full rainbow over a pond in Lakewood Ranch.