East County Observer 5.9.24

EAST COUNTY

Bond issue returns in University Park

YOUR TOWN

Stuck in a sticky situation

Todd Richardson (above), the principal of B.D. Gullett Elementary School, found himself in a sticky situation April 30.

As students were walking into school, some were able to grab a long piece of tape and tape Richardson to the wall.

Taping the principal to the wall was an incentive for the school’s annual walk-a-thon.

As more tape was applied, Richardson said he began feeling claustrophobic, and hearing students yell “tape his mouth” didn’t help.

But when all was said and done, the tape was put to the test. Would Richardson remain stuck to the brick wall if the crate he stood upon was removed?

The answer: No. Richardson slowly but surely came off the wall, tape and all.

What are the odds?

Shelli and Mark Bitter (above) might have made history on Hole No. 6 at the Esplanade Azario Golf Club on April 25.

Mark Bitter used a 9-iron from 128 yards out, and Shelli Bitter used a wedge from 100 yards. Both scored eagles.

“We have yet to find back-toback eagles from the fairway by a married couple in the history of golf,” friend and club member Butch Ponoroff said in an email. “It couldn’t happen to a more humble and enjoyable husband and wife.”

Ponoroff estimates the chance of a married couple achieving consecutive eagles from the fairway to be over 30 million to 1.

Lakewood Ranch’s C.J. Bannister says her eight years in the Air Force

the military but the community.

Signing on more teachers

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s partnership with School District of Manatee County works to address teacher shortage.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

With summer break around the corner, the School District of Manatee County already is preparing for next school year.

A big part of being ready to welcome students Aug. 10 is ensuring there are enough teachers in the classrooms.

The school district is adding eight teachers to its roster after students from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee celebrated signing contracts with the district April 29.

Jason Wysong, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, said he was thrilled the students selected Manatee County as the district in which to start their careers.

“We certainly need as many hands as we can get, and USF does a great job preparing teachers,” he said. “I’ve been impressed with all of the USF graduates who I’ve met this year who are teaching in our classrooms.”

The USFSM partnership with the school district is helping to address the teacher shortage, with USFSM providing qualified teachers. Many of the teachers grew up in Manatee County or the surrounding area and are choosing to remain local.

Cheryl Ellerbrock, the campus dean for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee in the College of Education, said there needs to be a grassroots approach to teacher retention, focusing on recruiting local students earning a degree in education.

“(Signing day) is one effort to uplift, inspire and raise awareness that education is indeed a worthy profession, one worthy of being celebrated, honored and worthy of

attraction,” Ellerbrock said.

Before the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the School District of Manatee County welcomed more than 300 new teachers to the district.

Wysong said there are more pathways into an education career now than earning a degree to become an educator. Besides the USFSM graduates and other recent college graduates joining the education workforce, Wysong said more people are choosing education as a second career.

“For us as a school system, we have to make sure we’re supporting each of those groups with their unique needs,” he said. “It’s great for kids to have teachers who know the research and have had the kind of clinical training, and it’s great when kids learn from people who have been out in the field and have a lot of life experience.”

Wysong said a key to getting more people into education is exposing them to the classroom environment so they can see the challenges and the rewarding aspects of working with children.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than working with a child and seeing the moments of connection and then hearing from former students that you made a difference in their life,” Wysong said. “That’s gotten a little bit lost amidst everything else going on in the world and in education.”

Ellerbrock and Wysong said one of the best moments a first-year teacher will have is seeing those “lightbulb moments” where a lesson clicks for a student.

First-year teachers will have the joy of seeing students overcome obstacles, knowing they played just a small part in helping them.

Ellerbrock said the coursework at USFSM is “kid forward,” meaning the future teachers focus on the

ADVICE TO NEW TEACHERS

Educators provide their advice to first-year teachers or people considering entering education:

“Keep your passion, work diligently and provide professional learning opportunities for students, regardless of level, but also for yourself so you can continue to improve yourself as an instructor.”

— Anthony Rolle -Dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida

“Ignore what you read externally and just spend time in schools with students and other teachers. That will help you make up your mind. It’s a wonderful time to be involved in public education.”

— Jason Wysong - Superintendent of the School District of Manatee County

“Never take your eye off the prize.”

— Cheryl Ellerbrock - Campus dean for the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee in the College of Education

whole child.

“We’re not just there to teach arithmetic or to teach how to read,” Ellerbrock said. “We’re here to teach the child, that includes all their needs. That is challenging, but until you are able to have that student

feel safe, respected, heard and cared for, could you ever expect that child to learn from you and to learn with you?”

Korissa Erdman, one of the USFSM students who will be starting her first year of teaching at Southeast High School next school year, said she’s looking forward to developing relationships with her students and colleagues.

Erdman, who will teach math, said the biggest challenge will be adjusting to having her own classroom and making it her own.

Wysong said ensuring there are supports in place for teachers and resources are easily available will help new teachers.

Ginger Collins, principal at Southeast High, agreed. She said Erdman will have a math coach available at all times to assist. She encouraged Erdman to listen and observe teachers with more experience but also not hesitate to share new strategies.  Ellerbrock’s biggest piece of advice is to treat each child like a Cracker Jack box. She said teachers must dive in to find the prize inside each child and utilize it to help the child be successful in the way the child deems success.

“I never, ever want any of our teacher candidates to lose the focus on the child,” she said. “Tune out the noise. Stay laser focused on that child and find the prize.”

Liz Ramos

Ginger Collins, principal of Southeast High School, is thrilled to be adding Korissa Erdman, a University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee graduate, to her staff. Erdman will teach math.

COMMUNITY

BOND DIVIDED

Some University Park residents express concerns over the debt issued to enhance the country club’s amenities.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Five years after issuing bonds worth $24 million to purchase the University Park Country Club and its amenities, the University Park Recreation District has issued a second series of bonds totaling $21 million to upgrade the amenities.

Some residents are questioning the legality of the bonds and the impacts they could have on residents.

“The UPRD board looks at the ability to issue bonds as a piggy bank,” resident Dean Matt said. “They are loading debt on the homeowners, and half the homeowners don’t even realize it.”

The board has a different view of the situation.

“The largest asset that we have is our country club,” Chairperson Sally Dickson said. “If we don’t keep up with it and we don’t make necessary improvements to continue to meet the needs and the desires of our membership, as well as the people from the public who come in and enjoy aspects of what we offer, including golf and dining facilities, then that’s going to have an impact on our homes.”

According to Matt, homeowners are still paying down debt from the original bonds and will now be saddled with more. The bonds each carry 30-year terms and are added to homeowners’ property tax bills as non ad valorem assessments.

PFM Group Consulting, which supplies district management and financial advisory services to the board, estimated in November 2023 that the annual assessments per homeowner would range from about $900 to $3,000 over the next 30 years to pay for the 2024 bonds. In its methodology report, it provided an estimated assessment for each of the 1,202 homes in the district.

Matt said the number PFM provided doesn’t show the total cost of the 30-year payments, which is why he says homeowners didn’t have all the information before voting.

“The board always speaks in terms of the minimum amount,” he said.

“They’ve never acknowledged what the 30-year payment is. Plural salesmen have to do that.”

The issuance of the 2024 series of bonds was passed in January with 62% of residents in favor of the action. Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas successfully validated the bonds on April 29.

Matt presented 34 exhibits to Nicholas in hopes the judge would either deny or delay the request for validation, but in Matt’s opinion, it wasn’t a fair fight.

“(Nicholas) actually went on a five-minute soliloquy telling me that if I don’t like or understand how homeowners associations work, then I should move to Myakka (City),”

Matt said. “Moving from Chicago, I thought I would put corruption and good ole boys in my rearview mirror. Now, I run into it knee-deep down here.”

Matt is not a lawyer, but he has expertise in finance. He’s a CPA, who holds a Master of Business Administration and has served in chief financial officer roles for the past 20 years.

He also blew the whistle on a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by BCI Aircraft Leasing Inc. that raised more than $50 million. Matt was the Federal

Bureau of Investigation’s key witness, and the owner of BCI was convicted in 2012.

Matt’s allegations include that the UPRD board withheld public records, made false statements, violated Sunshine Laws and never disclosed the total amounts of the principal and interest on the bonds.

Dickson either denied or declined to comment on Matt’s allegations. Matt and fellow neighbors in opposition are currently considering their appeal options with attorneys. They say an appeal would be based on two major issues: disputing that the district had the legal authority to issue a second series of bonds, and they say the special benefits of the upgrades don’t outweigh the burden of debt put on the homeowners.

QUESTION OF LEGALITY

Matt contends the second series of bonds should have never gone to a vote because of language stemming from the original bonds. When issued in 2019, the First Supplemental Trust Indenture, Section 5.04 read as follows:

“Issuer covenants not to issue any other bonds or debt obligations for capital projects secured by non ad valorem assessments on the accessible lands within the district that are subject to the series 2019 non ad valorem assessments.”

A Second Supplemental Trust Indenture was signed by both PFM District Manager Vivian Carvalho and Dickson, and the above language was struck out of Section 5.04. Car-

TIMELINE

MARCH 2017

Developers approach residents about land sale

FEBRUARY 2018

Sale details announced; opposition forms

AUGUST 2018

Manatee County creates

Recreation District

JANUARY 2019 Richard Garrett files lawsuit

AUGUST 2019

Recreation Board rejects settlement offer from Garrett

AUGUST 2019 Parties approve new settlement

JANUARY 2024

Referendum to issue $21 million more in bonds passes

APRIL 2024 Bonds are validated in court

valho said this was signed on March 22, but the document is dated Jan. 12.

To get it on the books, the board had to pass a resolution that authorized the execution of the Second Indenture. Matt’s issue is this all came after the vote. The resolution document, also signed by Carvalho and Dickson, is unclear exactly when the resolution was authorized.

It reads, “PASSED in Public Session of the Board of Supervisors of the University Park Recreation District, this 8th day of January, March 2024.”

The vote was on Jan. 16.

“Their attempt to change the language was after the fact,” Matt said.

“When I argued that in court, no one objected that the existing language at the time in 5.04 wasn’t the operative language. They’ve subsequently fixed it. The judge botched the ruling and just looked the other way.”

Carvalho called Matt’s claim inaccurate.

“The bracketed language in Section 5.04, which was designated to be discussed, was conflicting with language in the offering document that was provided to bond investors,” she said. “The offering document made it clear that future assessments could be levied on the same benefited properties in the district.”

An appeal wouldn’t be the first lawsuit the district has faced since being established in 2019. Resident Richard Garrett sued over the first series of bonds. He filed a temporary injunction to stop the formation of the district.

Forming the district was necessary to be able to issue bonds. Garrett eventually settled after the purchase price was reduced by $225,000, and the sellers – the Neal and Pasold families – eliminated an escalation clause that would have caused the price to increase by $46,000 a month.

“One of the several reasons I filed the original lawsuit was because University Park has a significant number of senior citizens who are on a fixed income,” Garrett said. “In my opinion, the bonds would be a burden on them.”

Beyond the Section 5.04 language, Matt said the burden of debt is his strongest legal standing in an appeal because of a 1992 Supreme Court ruling, City of Boca Raton vs. State of Florida. The case established that when bonds are issued, the special benefits must exceed the burden of debt.

Carvalho said Florida courts have found mathematical perfection is probably impossible when estimating the benefit, but the board’s assessment consultant said both prongs of a valid assessment were made with respect to identification of benefit and the allocation of assessments.

Based on estimates by the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, Carvalho estimates the value of the realized benefits in terms of price appreciation at 7.5%, which she said is how much the home values in University Park have increased each year since 2017. She said the debt burden is 2.73%. These percentages are based on 2022 numbers.

As of now, the bonds are valid and the board is moving forward with its plans. The upgrades have an estimated completion date of November 2026.

Spring Cleaning

Time to prepare

Lakewood Ranch CERT members and Manatee County officials urge residents to plan and prepare for hurricane season.

JIM DELA

DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

In the aftermath of a major storm, Jim Emanuelson, president of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team, sees himself and other CERT members as the eyes and ears of the community for first responders.

The trained volunteers spring into action and fan out throughout Lakewood Ranch to assess damage, check on neighbors and alert first responders to any dangerous situations.

With hurricane season officially beginning June 1, CERT members are gearing up in case their services are needed.

CERT members as well as Manatee County officials urge residents to be attentive and prepared, especially as forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season.

“You have to pay attention,” Emanuelson said. “Hopefully, you’ve got a plan ahead of time.”

HURRICANE PREDICTIONS

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to volunteer or learn more about CERT, go to LWRCERT.org or visit the team’s Facebook page.

diction for this year, the activity is substantially driven by ever-warmer conditions in the tropical Atlantic tied to large-scale warming,” said Michael Mann, presidential distinguished professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media, in the report.

Meanwhile, the annual prediction from Colorado State University predicts 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, including five major hurricanes.

While forecasters themselves admit it’s still too early to say with certainty what the 2024 hurricane season will look like, predictions so far are sobering.

In their annual report, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania say their data predicts 33 named storms this year.

The Penn researchers noted this season would rank as the thirdhighest named storm season on record; the fifth-highest number of total hurricanes; and ninth-highest number of major hurricanes.

“We’ve seen many hyperactive seasons over the past decade, and in just about all cases, like our pre-

The CSU prediction also sees much higher odds of a major hurricane hitting the U.S. than usual: 62%, compared to the long-term average of 43%. Florida might again be in Mother Nature’s crosshairs. The CSU forecasters said there’s a 34% chance for a major hurricane to hit the east coast or Florida peninsula, and a 42% chance that the Gulf Coast will see a storm make landfall.

PROTECTING COMMUNITIES

File photos

Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske says the county prepares all year in case of a storm.

The first few hours after a major storm are often the most chaotic. That’s when CERT members hit the streets.

The day after Hurricane Ian hit the area in 2022, 160 Lakewood Ranch CERT members fanned out in their neighborhoods. They went door-todoor checking on neighbors and for damages. By 8:30 a.m., volunteers identified 43 blocked roads in the area.

The teams also discovered two gas leaks caused by fallen trees.

Emanuelson said one gas line was going into a house. CERT members used ham radios to relay the information to Manatee County first responders as the homeowner could not reach the 9-1-1 system by phone.

Firefighters were quickly dispatched to shut off the flow of gas to the house.

Emanuelson said CERT members are often the first responders’ eyes and ears.

“After a hurricane, we might be the only first responders in our neighborhood for a couple of days, just because our professionals are overwhelmed,” he said.

CERT members go through a Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved, 20-hour training course that includes classroom sessions, basic first aid training and a day at East Manatee Fire Rescue where they learn basic fire suppression, lifting and carrying as well as search and rescue techniques.

“We train the same way entrylevel firefighters will train,” Emanuelson said.

The Lakewood Ranch CERT is one of the larger teams in Manatee County, but Emanuelson would like to double its size. The organization has 238 members, but Emanuelson would like to have 420 members because not every volunteer is available during an emergency.

BE PREPARED

Emanuelson said everyone should have a plan in case a major storm heads their way.

“I would advise people to build two plans,” Emanuelson said. “What if you stay; and what if you go, and there’s a different list of things you want to do in each situation.”

Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske said the large

storms that have come close over the past couple of years – particularly Hurricane Ian – have been learning experiences.

“There were several lessons learned, as with every storm impact, for ways to enhance response,” she said.

The biggest lesson Fiske said the county has learned is the importance of the relationships the county has developed with state and federal agencies as the collaboration with those agencies can make a difference when needing access to resources and knowing what to ask for in an emergency.

Fiske noted the county prepares all year long.

“There are always new tools to add to the toolbox, and education and training occurs throughout the year,” she said. “It depends on the nature of the storm and the impacts we see.”

She said Manatee County recently had its annual hurricane exercise to prepare for the season.

Regardless of predictions, Fiske said the county’s preparations remain the same.

Fiske urged residents to sign up for the county’s emergency alerts.

“Messaging begins as the storm approaches and continues through the landfall; it is critical that members of the public get registered to receive these alerts,” Fiske said.

Manatee County also has a list of

resources on its website, including how to build an emergency kit and lists of evacuation zones and emergency shelters.

Fiske said she worries about citizens getting complacent given the county has “avoided direct landfall for so long.”

“I would much rather have people irritated with me because they had to be uncomfortable and shelter for a night than not be around to be irritated with me,” she said.

TAX HOLIDAYS COMING UP

The Florida Legislature has approved two 14-day sales tax holidays from

June 1-14 and Aug. 24 to Sept. 6, for disaster preparedness supplies including flashlights, lanterns, radios, tarps, ground anchors, tie-down kits, coolers, portable power banks, batteries, fuel tanks, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors.

The holiday also includes a number of items related to the safe evacuation of household pets.

The “home hardening” sales tax exemption, which began in July 2022, will end June 30, 2024. Taxfree items include impact-resistant doors, windows and garage doors.

Myakka City’s Roger Nichols and Jolene Hopkins fill sandbags at the Myakka Community Center.

Manatee Search and Rescue staff members T.J. Olsen and Jared Leggett rescue a woman trapped in her Myakka City home on Singletary Road by rising waters during Hurricane Ian.

Keep moving forward

Braden River High School senior overcomes mental health challenges and focuses on positivity to get to graduation.

Every so often, Jeremiah Gonzalez, a Braden River High School senior, reminds himself to stop and take a moment.  He takes in life and the beauty around him.  Whether it’s spending time with friends or family, competing in a Junior Reserve Officers’ Train -

ing Corps competition or planning his future, Gonzalez thinks of the famous Ferris Bueller quote, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”

Throughout middle school and high school, Gonzalez struggled with his mental health, dealing with bouts of depression. It is quotes like Bueller’s and conversations with teachers, friends and family who inspire him that remind him to keep pushing forward.

A moment Gonzalez will be sure to revel in is when he walks across the baseball field at LECOM Park to accept his high school diploma May 14.

Receiving his diploma will make him the second in his family to graduate high school, following in the footsteps of his brother Jaylen Gonzalez, who graduated in 2012.

“I told myself I was going to be the

next,” Gonzalez said. “I want to show people that my parents raised a good kid.”

Getting to graduation wasn’t easy for Gonzalez.

He moved from New Jersey to Florida when he was 6 years old. The transition to Florida life was difficult. He made friends at school, but he missed his family. He missed having snowball fights and building igloos with his brothers, Joshua Gonzalez and Jaylen Gonzalez. He missed his grandparents. His grandfather is his best friend and taught him how to play piano and guitar. He still sends his grandfather videos of him playing.

In middle school, Gonzalez said he experienced social anxiety and a “slow crawl into depression.”

It wasn’t until he was in high school that his mental health started to improve as he developed lifelong friendships in JROTC, and as a high

school senior, began to figure out who he is and what he wants for his life.

Gonzalez looked to retired Sgt. Maj. Alex Figueroa, who retired as the JROTC instructor at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, for inspiration and guidance. He said he wanted to be Figueroa, who he described as charismatic, funny and smart.

“He helped me through the tough times and the good times,” Gonzalez said of Figueroa. “He showed me I can be more than just a shy, quiet kid. He showed me I have the aspirations to be a leader.”

JROTC provided discipline and encouragement. He went from being a shy freshman to a confident leader, serving as the battalion commander his senior year.

“These kids are my family,” Gonzalez said of the cadets in the JROTC. “Everything I’ve been through, they’ve been through with me. I’ve led them in a way that I’ve gained their respect. I’ve never had to demand respect from them. I respect these kids as much as they respect me.”

Gonzalez’s mindset changed as he realized he can always push himself to do better and be a better person.

“I finally realized that nothing is going to change unless I make a change,” he said.

Gonzalez has known he wanted to serve in the military since he was a child. He has always loved military movies and documentaries on the military. He thought it was fascinating and could picture himself doing the things he saw in the movies.

When he was having issues with his asthma pump while trying to go through military processing to enlist in the National Guard, Gonzalez was worried his dream was slipping away from him.

His mental health took a hit, questioning what his future had in store for him if the military wasn’t an option.

When he learned he successfully enlisted, it was a weight off his shoulders, Gonzalez said. His future is set.

After discovering his passion for engineering in an engineering class, Gonzalez decided he wanted to become a computer engineer. He also wants to be a motorcycle mechanic.  Gonzalez plans to serve six of his eight years in the National Guard in active duty. He plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and then the University of South Florida to earn a masters degree in either mechanical or aerospace engineering. After his stint in the National Guard, Gonzalez will enlist in the Army with hopes of serving at least 20 years.

Imaging,

•

Outpatient

•

Courtesy images

Senior Giovanni Sarnuto and Sgt. Maj. Alex Figuero are two people senior Jeremiah Gonzalez confides in when he needs someone.

Jeremiah Gonzalez, a Braden River High School senior, is grateful for the lifelong friendships he’s made with people like senior Giovanni Sarnuto.

Local small business owner vies for House seat

East County’s Alyssa Gay is running for the District 72 seat of the Florida House of Representatives.

JIM DELA

DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

AManatee County small-business

owner is throwing her hat in the ring for the Florida House of Representatives seat being vacated by Rep. Tommy Gregory.

East County’s Alyssa Gay, owner of AG Creative, a marketing and branding firm, has filed for the seat in District 72, which encompasses eastern Manatee County.

Gregory is stepping down to accept the appointment as president of State College of Florida.

Gay said she decided to run after she saw “an opportunity so clear,” with Gregory not running for reelection.

“I decided to bale hay while the sun shines,” she said.

Gay, 32, has lived in Manatee County all her life. She said despite never running for office before, her experience in starting a business will serve her well in Tallahassee. “Starting a business, working with clients, learning to work with people,” are all qualities a legislator needs, she said.

Gay said she will focus on bringing appropriations to Manatee County to improve infrastructure, such as the widening of Fort Hamer Bridge and work on State Road 64.

She also said she would work to reduce red tape for businesses in Florida and be a voice for workers in Manatee County.

“I understand the issues that my neighbors and I face on a daily basis.

Skyrocketing prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump are forcing hard-working Floridians to make difficult choices,” she said.

Gay said she will fight what she describes as “out-of-control costof-living increases” and the “housing and insurance affordability crisis issue by issue to ensure Florida

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

Residence: East County Age: 32

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Marketing professional, owner of AG Creative

Education: State College of Florida and the University of Florida online

Community involvement: Graduated from Leadership Manatee, volunteered with a variety of organizations including the North River Care Pregnancy Center and Realize Bradenton, founding member of Breakfast & Big Ideas and served on the board of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.

remains the No. 1 place where people not only want to live but will thrive.”

If elected, she said being one of the younger lawmakers will be an asset.

“You want fresh, future-minded people in the House; you want younger people to be involved in the process,” Gay said.

Gay is a graduate of State College of Florida and the University of Florida online. In college, she interned for Rep. Greg Stuebe during his service in the Florida House, which she said was an invaluable experience.

“It opened my eyes to the opportunity our legislators have to truly work for the people,” Gay said.

Courtesy image

Alyssa Gay has filed to run for the District 72 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

Lakewood Ranch veteran HONORED FOR HER SERVICE

Tidewell Foundation honors Lakewood Ranch veteran for service in the military and to the community.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

In 1993, Lakewood Ranch’s C.J. Bannister didn’t see college as a viable option.

She was graduating from high school in Eddyville, Iowa, and was told that joining the military would be a way to increase her educational opportunities in the future.

So that’s what she did.

Bannister enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. What she didn’t know then was that the eight years she would spend in the Air Force would be some of the best years of her life and lead her to a career in helping veterans.

During its Red, White and Brave luncheon April 16, the Tidewell Foundation honored Bannister not only for her service in the military but also for her service to veterans in the community through her work with nonprofits. The foundation honored five other female veterans as well.

While in the Air Force, Bannister spent four years as a crew chief before serving as a paralegal for the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps for four years.

Bannister said the Air Force gave her the opportunity not only to see the world but to experience life through other people’s eyes.

While in South Korea, she saw the water wasn’t regulated and people dried their rice in the streets. She said it was an eye-opening experience to see how people in other countries live and survive.

As soon as she was honorably discharged in 2001, Bannister said she was looking for opportunities to serve her community.

“There’s so much satisfaction and pride that comes with giving back to your community or to your people

or your country. The military instills that,” Bannister said. “When you get out (of the military), it never leaves you.”

Since then, she’s worked for Sarasota Military Academy as the chief development officer, and she helped launch Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program, serving as the director of veteran services.

Currently, Bannister serves as the philanthropic advisor for the Gulf Coast Community Fund and has helped the foundation in the construction of an affordable housing project for veterans.

As a veteran, and through working with veterans, Bannister knows firsthand the challenges that can come with transitioning from military to civilian life.

She recalled working for Goodwill when she encountered a Marine who was honorably discharged after serving 12 years. He struggled to find employment, and he and his family ended up living in a car. She worked with him to find a job and help him reintegrate into the civilian workforce.

His story was similar to many other veterans in the area.

“You’ve been trained to be a soldier, but then you send them back to the U.S. and they don’t have the opportunity to reacclimate,” Bannister said. “Right now, the most important thing is mental health and getting them the services they need.”

Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Veterans’ Housing initiative has been a highlight of Bannister’s career. The project, which broke ground in Sarasota in October 2023, is expected to be complete in the fall, Bannister said.

“We’re trying to give (veterans) a hand up and the ability to reacclimate them to the civilian world and whatever needs they might have,” she said. “To be a part of Gulf Coast and watch a team come together and create a plan of action, implement it and see it come to life is humbling. This is proof of concept. If we can prove that we can do this and we can change the lives of veterans, hopefully we’ll get to do this again in the future.”

She said the first time she ever saw

ABOUT C.J. BANNISTER

Residence: Lakewood Ranch

Branch: U.S. Air Force

Years served: 1993 to 2001

Rank: Staff sergeant

Current job: Philanthropy advisor at Gulf Coast Community Foundation

“You’ve been trained to be a soldier, but then you send them back to the U.S. and they don’t have the opportunity to reacclimate. Right now, the most important thing is mental health and getting them the services they need.”

C.J. Bannister

a Marine cry was when the Sarasota City Commission gave approval to provide land for the housing project.

“We were so overwhelmed that we had been circling for so many years trying to find just one little ounce of hope to move this forward, and we finally got it,” she said.

Bannister’s passion for serving and helping veterans runs in the family.

Her grandfather, Leonard Hildenbrand, also served in the Air Force, and now her 21-year-old son, Joey Gallina, is training with the special operations warfare team with the Air Force.

Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, is the site of basic military training for the active duty regular Air Force. As a result, Hildenbrand and Bannister walked the same path at the Air Force’s graduation ceremony, and now Gallina will do the same.

Knowing she’s instilled in her son the importance of service and giving back, no matter at what capacity, gives her an immense sense of pride.

“As a parent, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, how many things have I done wrong?’” she said. “But that’s the one thing you can go, ‘I did that right.’ I’m grateful for that.”

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

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

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

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Courtesy image

C.J. Bannister served in the U.S. Air Force from 1993 to 2001.

Liz Ramos

The Tidewell Foundation honors Lakewood Ranch’s C.J. Bannister for her eight years in the Air Force, as well as her service to the community helping veterans through her work with nonprofits.

Arts are the key

Participating in arts and music classes can expand opportunities for students.

Growing up, art and music classes were my favorite times of the school day.  I would come home with my latest artwork so excited to show it to my mom and dad. They would smile at me and beam with pride, even though looking back now, I’m sure it might have been some of the ugliest work they were holding in their hands.

But to me, it was a masterpiece.

Much like I was, every student in the School District of Manatee County is exposed to visual and performing arts as soon as they walk through the doors of their elementary school.

If you haven’t seen some of the student artwork or performances in East County, you are missing out. We have some truly talented students with bright futures in the arts.

It’s understandable why the School District of Manatee County added visual and performing arts to the 1-mill property tax referendum when it was renewed in 2021.

The district allocated $2.5 million of referendum funds to visual and performing arts programs across the district.

The money goes toward covering a range of expenses from basic supplies like paper and pencils so students can draw to transporting students to competitions, where, more often than not, they come home successful.

The funding has the potential to impact each of the more than 50,000 students in the school district whether it’s in elementary school when they’re making collages or singing in their grade performance or in high school when they are learning the finer aspects of ceramics, dancing, singing, play-

ing an instrument, painting and more in their elective classes.

While I question why recorders are still torturing the ears of third graders and their families, it’s an introduction to the beauty of music that could spark a passion that could last a lifetime.

My love for music came in fourth grade when the middle school band teacher came to my elementary school to show us the various instruments we could play if we joined band.

That led me to eight years of playing flute in concert band performances and four years of marching band in high school. When applying for college, I knew whatever university I would attend had to have two things: a great journalism program and a marching band.

Fast forward through four more

years of marching band at the University of Missouri, marching band had given me the opportunity to go to college football bowl games and travel to various states and even Ireland, where we marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin.

More importantly, marching band gave me lifelong friendships and countless memories.

The arts open doors for students.

In April, 77 high school choir students performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Parrish Community High School cast of “Frozen” was featured on “Good Morning America” last November.

Camille McCluggage, an eighth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, had her artwork hanging at the capitol in Tallahassee for a few months.

Those students always will remember those experiences and the people there with them. It could

inspire them to go into a career in the arts or give them friendships they’ll have for years to come.

I’ll be interested to see what the school district has in store for our visual and performing arts students, given that the millage is renewed again Nov. 5.

In the meantime, I’m 29 years old, and my artwork still is present in my parents’ home.

Every fall, my mom still digs out the paper scarecrow I made in kindergarten and puts it on the fridge.

She puts the black paper mache creature near the fireplace every Halloween. I want to say it was a puppy made to look like our family dog, Gypsy, that we had while I was growing up, but in all honesty, my little elementary self didn’t know what she was doing. I can certainly tell you no one would guess it was a dog.

The countless number of ornaments I made throughout the years

continue to be hung on the Christmas tree each year.

The list goes on.

Every day students throughout Manatee County create masterpieces. Whether they become the next Picasso is yet to be seen, but to their parents, they are already famous artists worthy of the fridge.

So give students as many opportunities as possible to express themselves artistically. You never know where it could go.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Lakewood Ranch High School senior Jared Mohr plays piano at Arts Alive. It was his first public performance after starting to learn how to play piano two years ago.

Liz Ramos is the senior editor for the East County Observer. Contact her at LRamos@ YourObserver.com.

Lakewood Ranch High School junior Tatem McCluggage says she started oil painting this school year and was surprised her work was selected to be a part of the silent auction at Arts Alive.

Passion for caring

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center nurses share their passion during National Nurses Week.

LESLEY

STAFF

t the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, people regularly asked James Livingston and other nurses at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center why they would risk their lives.

Livingston would answer with another question, “If I don’t do it, who will?”

“It’s kind of a job that’s not just an occupation,” he said. “We live this. That’s who we are.”

Nurses are celebrated for who they are every year through National Nurses Week May 6-12. The week ends on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing.

“It takes someone special to be able to care and want to make a difference and connect with patients,” said Judy Young, the chief nursing officer at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Nurses clock in and out at the hospital, but the instinct to help never clocks out.

“We’re always running into the fire,” said Lyn Swann, a nurse at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

Years ago on Mother’s Day, Swann witnessed a Jet Ski collision while sitting on the beach. She got up, along with two other nurses and a fireman. They weren’t at the beach together, but when the emergency arose, they all jumped into action.

Nurses find their calling in a variety of ways.

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Lauren Cross, who’s been in the nursing field for 23 years, spent a lot of time with nurses as a child. She experienced a form of childhood epilepsy, which caused frequent trips to the hospital. Since she was 7 years old, she never wanted to be anything

other than a nurse.

“The doctors would come out and say all these things, but I never knew what it was,” Cross said. “There was always someone right before them or right after them that would make it better. That’s where I found my love for nursing.”

Although the job has its challenges, the nurses said it’s rewarding.

After a middle-aged man arrived at the emergency room with all the symptoms of an impending heart attack, he coded twice.

“We had to defibrillate him. He went to the cardiac catheterization lab. We saved his life,” Livingston said. “He came back with his wife a few weeks later to meet the staff. You want to talk about an amazing feeling — to be able to greet him and for him to thank us — that was very rewarding.”

Florida Lakes Vein Center provides the latest technologies to treat chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers. are not “just” something to deal with as you age. a medical condition and can be treated. Vein disease is actually 2X more prevalent than coronary heart disease and 5X more prevalent than peripheral arterial disease. Yet, it’s misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. 40 million people suffer from venous insufficiency, yet fewer than two million people seek treatment.

At FLVC, we focus solely on vein disease. It’s not an add-on to our practice. It’s our specialty. Our providers offer compassionate and attentive care and have been trained by Dr. TC Lackey II, who trains other providers worldwide in the latest advancements in vein care.

Our patients regain their active lifestyles and enjoy the life they once led. For more info about our patients’ journey, visit our website at ItsaNoVeiner.com. You’ll be glad you did!

Lesley Dwyer

James Livingston, Lauren Cross, Lyn Swann and Judy Young are registered nurses at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.

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Swim safely through summer

With International Water Safety Day on May 15, pool safety is at the forefront of a fun, safe summer.

LESLEY DWYER

STAFF WRITER

Owner of Swim Gym of Lakewood Ranch, Anita Pope, said drownings happen fast and are not as loud and attentioncausing as people might think.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports drowning as one of the leading causes of death of all children and the No. 1 cause of death for children younger than 5.

For 21 years, the National Water Safety Coalition has been raising awareness of what it labels a pandemic. Every May 15 is International Water Safety Day.

“Striving to make a planet that’s 70% water, 100% safe” is the coalition’s motto.

But Florida has another issue – swimming pools. The Florida Department of Health reports that home swimming pools are the most likely place children under 5 will drown.

Pope said if your home doesn’t have a pool, it’s likely one of your neighbors’ homes does.

“I remember years ago on Fruitville, somebody’s kid made it into their neighbor’s screen and drowned in the pool – a 5-year-old,” she said. “You should lock your screen doors.”

PoolResearch.com estimates there are more than 1.5 million pools in Florida, the highest number in any state.

While pool alarm sales are on the rise, the National Institute of Health states alarms should only be supplemental to pool barriers, such as fencing and locks on doors and windows.

Pope said she sees people bypassing baby fencing for alarms. But for protection, children should be prevented from entering the pool versus the parent hearing when the child has already fallen in the water.

When her own children were able to open the sliding doors leading out to the pool, Pope had locks installed on the doors that were high enough that the children couldn’t reach them even if they climbed onto a chair.

Ultimately, swim lessons and supervision are the best methods to prevent drowning.

Swim Gym and Goldfish Swim School offer swim lessons for babies and children in Lakewood Ranch.

Swim Gym teaches students from 6 months old to 6 years old. Goldfish teaches students from 4 months old to 12 years old and also offers a

THE SWIM LESSON VOUCHER PROGRAM

As of July 1, low-income families can apply to The Swim Lesson Voucher Program through WaterSmartFL. The state program is setting up a network of providers to offer swim lessons to the most vulnerable population of children under 5. The family’s income cannot exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.

free water safety presentation to day cares and schools at no cost.

“I recommend starting at a young age to get acclimated to a water environment,” Goldfish Sales and Service Manager Marcia McCaughan said. “Babies can start to learn how to close off their noses when they get dipped (in water).”

Once acclimated, students learn to float, balance and build up the strength to pull themselves out of the pool without stairs or assistance. The school employs toys to strengthen safety skills because play helps children retain information.

Swim Gym teaches students to become “aquatic problem solvers” through simulated scenarios such as falling in a pool fully clothed.

“They get that sensory experience that just because I’m weighted down or have shoes on or a diaper – a diaper can hold a couple pounds of water – you can still get yourself up,” Pope said.

The simulations develop muscle memory for recall in case of a real emergency.

“The biggest thing is that everybody thinks that it won’t happen to them,” Pope said. “A lot of people hear it and think what were the parents doing, where was the mom? But (drowning) happens so fast and it’s not a loud process. We kind of all need to change to the thinking that this could happen to me.”

Courtesy image

The owner of the Swim Gym of Lakewood Ranch, Anita Pope, is a certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor.

MUSIC IN THE COURT

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Democracy depends on dialogue and debate. That’s not confined to political campaigns. It also applies to crime and punishment. Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Men” (1954) explored the volatile jury process as an episode of “Studio One” on CBS. Rose then adapted his original teleplay as a stage play in 1955 and a movie in 1957.

But that’s not the final verdict. His jury will be in session from May 11 to June 9 on the Asolo Rep stage. But there’s a side note: Their deliberations haves been reimagined as “Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical,” a new adaptation by David Simpatico (playwright) and Michael Holland (composer and lyricist).

The Asolo Rep’s producing artistic director, Peter Rothstein, directed the 2022 premiere at Theatre Latté Da in Minneapolis. He was part of the development process for five years before that. He’s now directing the Asolo Rep’s performance. In the following conversation, Rothstein shares why the angry jury’s findings are still relevant and why this inventive new adaptation sings the song of democracy loud and clear.

Let’s start with your source material. What makes Reginald Rose’s “Twelve Angry Men” such a classic American drama? There are several reasons. Its dramatic structure is one. Rose originally wrote it for television —

‘Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical’ sings a song of freedom in Asolo Rep’s inventive production.

Image courtesy of Michael Devaney

Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artist Director Peter Rothstein

and the “action” takes place in one room.

It’s a “bottle story.” Yes, exactly. That’s a radical departure from the typical dramatic structure of live theater revolving around trials. There are scores of courtroom dramas, but “Twelve

IF YOU GO

When: May 11 through June 9

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

Tickets: $35-$95

Info: Visit AsoloRep.org.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of “Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical” runs through June 9 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Angry Men” explores the claustrophobic jury process. That’s something you rarely see — and that’s what people want to see! It’s also a fascinating character study. The piece is incredibly hopeful and idealistic. The playwright wanted America to deliver on its promise. Rose used the judicial system as a microcosm for our democracy. His drama takes you to a place where people are judged by their peers and the citizens of the nation exercise justice. Those are big ideals. For these and many other reasons, it’s an American classic.

Why turn this classic into a musical? Why not?

It’s unlikely subject matter — and I’m drawn to that. Some of the greatest musicals of all time deal with unlikely subjects.

How’d you get involved with this unlikely project?

With one innocent question. I’d been collaborating with lyricist and composer Michael Holland on a couple of new musicals, and it just came up in conversation. I asked, “Is there anything else you’re working on?” Michael said that he’d done the first draft of a musical adaptation of “Twelve Angry Men” with a book by David Simpatico, but the original producer had lost interest in it. Once I read it, I thought the draft had terrific potential. So, we put it in our development pipeline at Theater Latté Da; after five years of work, it premiered there. The story is still incredibly relevant, even though it’s 70 years old.

What makes it so relevant?

The societal issues it confronts. “Twelve Angry Men” delves into racism, ageism, xenophobia, prejudice and toxic masculinity. America wrestled with those problems in 1954 — and they haven’t gone away. They’re still with us in 2024.

OK. So, the relevance is baked into Rose’s original teleplay. It’s not something you added. Yes and no. We did make a few changes to the original. Right at the beginning, I said this musical had to have a multiracial cast. And I had zero interest in directing yet

another drama where the hero is a white person. We all agreed on that. Our goal was to cast diversity — but how diverse? In the early stages, we left that casting choice up to each individual director. But I encouraged my collaborators to spell it out. So, the script became very specific about the characters’ ethnic and cultural identities. If we’re addressing racism, xenophobia and ageism in our society, our writer and lyricist needed to lean into that. And they did.

And the result was not a color-blind musical?

No. I’d say it’s very color conscious. One character is Korean-American; one is a Mexican immigrant; one is Jewish; one is biracial. And Juror No. 8 — the Henry Fonda role — is also an African-American.

How’d you find the right mix?

Our development process weirdly echoed the experience of the 12 jurors. During our workshops, we got constant input from our multiracial cast — and the back-andforth was quite similar to the jury deliberations. It was a rare experience. How often do you have people of different races in one room together, talking about racism and toxic masculinity? The cast’s contributions, especially from men of color, added nuanced perspectives on race and representation. So, after five years of hard work, we felt like the script was ready. We originally slated it for a full production to premiere in May of 2020. But it was the weekend that George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

Wow. In a horrific way, the musical’s story became even more relevant.

Yes, it did. Simultaneously, George Floyd’s tragic story hit very close to home. Minneapolis became the epicenter of the protests following his murder — and Theatre Latté Da was swept up in that. In a very short time, the conversation around racism and toxic masculinity completed shifted in this country. We went back to the drawing board and addressed the core societal issues more directly. We finally premiered in June 8, 2022.

Let’s talk about the shape of this musical. Musical theater and un-musical theater are very different animals. How did the creators make the original story work as a musical adaptation? By serving the needs of the story — and reflecting the time it takes place. Michael wanted a sophisticated midcentury jazz sound. If you listen, the 1950s is definitely a big influence on his score. There are elements of Bebop and the music of Nina Simone. But, as I said, every song must serve the story. And what is the story? “Twelve Angry Men” is not a plot-driven narrative. It’s full of arguments, not action. Men change their minds — that’s the only action in the play. How do you translate that to musical form? In musical theater tradition, the characters sing when words alone fall short. So what justifies our songs? Ultimately, we decided each song leads to a character changing their mind. That was the driving force behind our musical moments — but we kept the character turns subtle. We didn’t want to telegraph where the story was going. A predictable structure is the last thing you want in a musical.

ON THE ROAD

Photographs of the Traveling Circus and Carnival by Jill

Freedman and Randal Levenson

You obviously directed the musical’s premiere. Are some of the original actors and creative talents returning for the Asolo Rep production?

Yes. Eight actors are returning, but not simply repeating what they’ve done. It’s a character study, and that is always informed by each actor’s personality. We have a new music director, but it’s mostly the same core creative team. I’m still refining the script. Just a few tweaks — not a radical reimagining.

Will this show inspire our readers not to avoid jury duty?  I would hope so. Juror No. 11 said it best. He’s the immigrant character, and he’s escaped from a dictatorship. He thinks jury duty is a great privilege. Twelve ordinary citizens deciding on another citizen’s guilt or innocence? “We have a responsibility,” he says. “This is a remarkable thing about democracy. We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict. This is one of the reasons why we are strong.”

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

“Twelve Angry Men: A New Musical” made its premiere in 2022 in Minneapolis.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

KYSHONA

7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court

$12-$20 Visit WSLR.org.

Trained as a musical therapist, Kyshona gives voice to those who feel overlooked or abandoned.

JIM MCCUE

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

$26 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Jim McCue went viral with his DryBar special “Nothing Personal,” which racked up more than 4 million views. Runs through May 11.

‘MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL’

7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.

$20-$50 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Sheldon Rhoden reprises the title role in “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul,” written, adapted and directed by

DON’T MISS

‘DISCOVERIES 3: BECOMING TCHAIKOVSKY’

Under the direction of guest Conductor David Alan Miller, the Sarasota Orchestra imagines Tchaikovsky’s playlist. The program includes pieces by the composer’s musical heroes, including Bizet, Grieg, Schumann and Mozart. The program concludes with virtuoso cellist Zlatomir Fung performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless “Rococo” Variations.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 10

Where: at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Tickets: $35 and up

Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

WBTT Founder and Artistic Director

Nate Jacobs. Gaye was a trailblazer with musical partner Tammi Terrell at Motown before touching a nation with haunting solo ballads like “What’s Going On?” Runs through June 2.

‘BANK JOB’

7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

$15-$32

Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

After two brothers execute a bank heist, their perfect crime gets thwarted in a comic romp with a dash of romance thrown in. Runs through May 19.

‘KISS ME KATE’

7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

$30-$42

Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

Winner of the first Tony Award for Best Musical, “Kiss Me Kate” tells the story of an estranged showbiz couple playing Petruchio and Kate in Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” Runs through May 11.

‘THE IMMIGRANT’

7:30 p.m. at The Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Studio 1130

$28-$36 Visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org.

Directed by Gus Kaikkonen, Mark Harelik’s “The Immigrant” tells the story of a Russian-Jewish newcomer who makes his way in a devout Christian community in Texas. Runs through May 12.

‘THE FLIP SIDE’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $37-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With songs like “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud” and “Killed by a Coconut,” the latest cabaret creation of Richard and Rebecca Hopkins tips its musical hat to comic songwriters. Runs through June 16.

‘TROUBADOUR’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $39-$56 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Featuring music by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, “Troubadour’ tells the story of a country music legend’s son in the 1950s who is trying to carry on his father’s legacy. When he joins forces with unlikely allies, the world of country music is changed forever. Runs through May 19.

FRIDAY

HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE

7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice $66 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

The lead singer of Herman’s Hermits achieved worldwide fame in his teens with such hits as “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Telling You Now.”

SATURDAY

‘CELEBRATE BROADWAY!’ SPRING MUSICAL SHOW

2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

$20 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

Manatee Performing Arts Center celebrates Broadway and honors 75 years of the Manatee Players with a revue of student performances.

TWELFTH ANNUAL STUDENT

10-MINUTE PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL

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

$15-$30 Visit TheatreOdyssey.org.

Theatre Odyssey presents the student rendition of its popular 10-Minute Playwriting Festival. The festival continues Sunday, May 12.

SUNDAY

THE BROTHERS DOOBIE

2 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave. Building 5, Venice

$50 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

This Doobie Brothers tribute band performs hits of both the Johnston and McDonald eras, including “China Grove,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Long Train Runnin’” and others.

CURTIS ON TOUR 2023-24

STRING SEXTET

7:30 p.m. at SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton

$40 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

A sextet of faculty and alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music perform Richard Strauss’s sextet from his final opera “Capriccio,” Berg’s Piano

OUR PICK

‘PARISIAN REFRACTION’

This four-program micro festival marks ensembleNewSRQ’s first appearance in The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater. The salute to the City of Light begins with “Soloists and Sinfoniettas,” led by Maurice Cohn, assistant conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Program 2 consists of a solo recital by pianist Conor Hanick, who will perform Otte’s “Book of Sounds.” Program 3 showcases enSRQ co-founder Samantha Bennett on violin and soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon, who perform Kurtag’s “Kafka Fragments.” The festival closes with “Plucked and Struck,” a program led by enSRQ co-founder George Nickson, a percussionist, featuring the works of Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez with three harps, three pianists and three percussionists. Runs through May 11.

IF YOU GO When: Thursday, May 9

Where: Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bayshore Road Tickets: Info: org.

Sonata in B minor, Brahms’s String Sextet No. 2 in G major and a new work by Alyssa Weinberg.

MONDAY

‘LONG TIME GONE: THE MUSIC OF CROSBY, STILLS & NASH’

7:30 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice

$50 Visit VeniceTheatre.org.

This CSN tribute band is dedicated to re-creating the special tunings, keys and sounds of the group’s songs of peace and love.

TUESDAY

TRIO GAIA

7:30 p.m. at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W., Building 11, Bradenton

$40 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Artists Series Concerts presents New England Conservatory’s graduate piano trio in residence performing music inspired by folk tunes as well as Dvorak’s “Dumky” Trio. The chamber group includes violinist Grant Houston, cellist YiMei Templeman and pianist Andrew Barnwell.

the Hermitage Beach.

Image courtesy of Matthew Holler

Image courtesy of Gary Gold

En Plein Air Wine Dinner

April 26 at Sarasota Art Museum | Benefiting SAM

As if dining under the stars in the picturesque courtyard of the Sarasota Art Museum wasn’t enough for attendees of SAM’s En Plein Air Wine Dinner on April 26, they also left with a special gift — a plate handpainted by the guest of honor, artist Molly Hatch.

About 75 people enjoyed the four-course meal, with each course paired with wines from Bordeaux, and celebrated Hatch’s new installation, “Amalgam.” The installation is a collection of uniquely designed plates.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the museum, which is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating new works of art in Sarasota.

— OBSERVER STAFF

Skip and Janis Swan

SAM Executive Director Virginia Shearer and Michael Klauber

Camila Hatch, artist Molly Hatch and Oliver Hatch

Photos by Lori Sax

Mary Ann and John Meyer with Teri Hansen and Roberto Cordaro

Path of creativity

Every week, GreyHawk Landing’s Bert Garino places 20 rocks she painted along the Peaceful Path at Peace Presbyterian Church. When she returns the following week, she finds the rocks are gone — people have picked them up and taken them home.

Garino said she loves hearing stories of people finding the rocks.

Garino showcased some of her painted rocks, along with other creative projects, on the Peaceful Path during Artists on the Path on May 4. She had quilts, toys, dolls and blankets she made out of grocery bags on display.

Toni Muirhead, a Peace Presbyterian Church member who helped create the Peaceful Path, said Artists on the Path was meant to bring local community artists together. Garino said she was able to meet artists who are members of the church and discover their hidden talents. Artists of all ages showcased their work in Artists on the Path.

Reese Woods, a first grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, was excited to have the succulent he created using pastels on display. He said it was hard to make his artwork because it took a long time to outline the succulent.

— LIZ RAMOS

Mill Creek’s Debbie Snow enjoys painting bees because Debbie means “little bee” in Hebrew.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Toni Muirhead has loved creating beaded art to hang in trees and shine as the light hits it.

Clayton Reagan, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, sold out of the fishing worms he created halfway through the twohour Artists on the Path event.

East County’s Michael Bolton and his 3-year-old granddaughter, Merritt Carson, show off their artwork.

Cresswind’s Kathy Flora paints what she calls “the mother tree” found on the Peaceful Path.

Cresswind’s Cindy Meibach and Dianna Kersnick take their time seeing the various artists’ work on the Peaceful Path.

Juan Carlos Vigil, DO

Dr. Juan Carlos Vigil brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Lakewood Ranch II office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Internal Medicine.

Undergraduate: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

Medical School: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Residency: Internal Medicine, Broward Health Medical Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Certification: Board Certified, American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine; American Board of Internal Medicine

Hospital Affiliations: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center; Doctors Hospital; Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Parkway, Bradenton, FL

Off to the races

Crow Barnett, a facet assistant at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch, announced the names of the horses participating in the assisted living facility’s Kentucky Derby.

There was Lucia, Stallion, Steve O Reno, Charlie, Powder Puff, Tah-Race-Her, Secretariat, Rascal, Pink Lady and Dizzy Lizzy.

Lastly, Barnett introduced Hoof Hearted.

“I don’t know who it was, but it wasn’t me,” she said as the dozens of residents laughed.

Every time Hoof Hearted was announced during the derby, laughter erupted from residents.

The event not only was the first derby for Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch, but it also was the first charity event for the facility.

By the end of the event, the residents had raised $3,195 for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. The money will go toward the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

— LIZ RAMOS

Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch’s RoseMarie Baldwin and her horse, Rascal, are ready to go.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Carol Franklin lines up with her horse, Stallion, next to fellow residents Bea Gardner and her horse, Charlie, and Liz Fillipo and her horse, Dizzy Lizzy.

Lisa Biach, a clinical case manager in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, is grateful for the donation from Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch, presented by Crow Barnett, a facet assistant, and Liz Fillipo, a resident.

Every dollar counts at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch’s Kentucky Derby. The money from the derby was donated to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Tyler Smith, director of sales, Ed Rathbun, maintenance director, and Debbie Bonnes, business office manager, can’t wait for the start of the derby.

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, MAY 9

HEALTHY LIVING FOR THE BRAIN AND BODY: INFORMATION AND TIPS ON HOW TO LIVE WELL

Runs 11 a.m. to noon at Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Bradenton. Learn sciencebased recommendations for taking care of your brain and body as well as tips on how to build healthier habits through small changes. For more information, visit MyManatee. org/Departments/Manatee_County_Public_Library_System/Library_ Events_Classes.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

SIP, SHOP & SPRING INTO FASHION

Begins at 11:30 a.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Support Foundation for Dreams while enjoying a fashion show featuring fashions from local boutiques, pop-up shops, raffles and more. For more information, go to FoundationForDreams.org/Fashion.

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Mylong Shamble, a contemporary singer-songwriter, is the featured artist in the free artist series. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

TREAT YOURSELF LIKE A QUEEN

WOMEN’S DAY EXPO

Runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. This event, catered just for women, features more than 40 exhibitors from the health, beauty and fashion industries and others. There will be live entertainment, dance performances, fashion shows, a motherdaughter look-a-like contest, raffle prizes and giveaways. For more information, go to MallAtUTC.com.

TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY TIME

BEST BET

FRIDAY, MAY 10 MOVIE IN THE PARK Begins at 7 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood

SUNDAY, MAY 12

Runs 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Celebrate mothers and grandmothers with a tea party and fun activities. Teddy bears are welcome. For more information, go to MyManatee.org/Departments/

YOGA IN THE PARK Runs 9-10 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota. Start the morning off with gentle yoga with lake views. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

RANCH NITE WEDNESDAYS Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. The weekly event includes food trucks, live music, a night market, a vintage mobile bar and a recreational cornhole league. No outside food or beverage is allowed. Kettle of Fish will perform. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

Lakehouse Cove home sells

for $2.75 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Lakehouse Cove at Waterside tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Richard and Mary Ann Betz sold their home at 720 Crosswind Ave. to Linda Snow and Dwaine Snow, trustees, of Sarasota, for $2.75 million.

Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,508 square feet of living area.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

Spencer and Casandra Westlund, of Sarasota, sold their home at 8112 Grande Shores Drive to Jean-Marie Seidl, trustee, of Sarasota, for $2.2 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,579 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,103,700 in 2019.

LAKE CLUB

Larry Magliocca and Karen Sanders, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7956 Matera Court to Thomas and Judith Henman, of Muncie, Indiana, for $2.05 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,979 square feet of living area.

SHOREVIEW

Pulte Home Co. LLC sold the home at 7824 Grande Shores Drive to Christopher and Anne Altizer, of Sarasota, for $1,556,500. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,522 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB

Robert and Linda Larimore, of Tavares, sold their home at 7309 Desert Ridge Glen to Steven and Ashlee Weisser, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.55 million. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,469 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,265,000 in 2022.

WENTWORTH

7331 Saint Georges Way LLC sold the home at 7331 Saint Georges Way to Mary Gale, of University Park, for $1,375,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,631 square feet of living area. It sold for $755,000 in 2023.

WINDWARD

Gregory Scott Smitkin and Jennifer Brooks Smitkin, of Altamont, New York, sold their home at 2475 Star Apple Way to Kyle and Judith Kappes, of Sarasota, for $1,285,000. Built in 2023, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,711 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,222,500 in 2023.

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Joseph and Marilyn Evans, trustees, sold the home at 8104 Snowy Egret Place to George William Hilbert III and Linda Eileen Hilbert, of Bradenton, for $970,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,595 square feet of living area. It sold for $450,000 in 2017.

J. Mark and Christi Wheeler, of Lake Placid, sold their home at 22204 Deer Pointe Crossing to Thomas Macphail and Deborah Ulbrich, trustees, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,372 square feet of living area. It sold for $640,000 in 2006.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

Michael and Meghan Page, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9506 Royal Calcutta Place to Nelson and Victoria Hernandez, of Bradenton, for $870,000. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,223 square feet of living area. It sold for $484,000 in 2016.

Kenneth and Paula Boyce, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9804

Royal Lytham Ave. to Justin Collins, of Sarasota, for $615,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,922 square feet of living area. It sold for $287,000 in 2017.

COUNTRY MEADOWS

Lynn Sorbel, trustee, of Nokomis, sold the home at 418 147th Court N.E. to George McMillin and Susan McMillin, trustees, of Bradenton, for $840,000. Built in 2008, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,557 square feet of living area. It sold for $827,000 in 2022.

RYE WILDERNESS

Estates Bradley and Jenny Kern, trustees, sold the home at 16613 Fifth Ave. E. to Steven and Karen Hannes, trustees, of Bradenton, for $840,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,568 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2019.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Raymond and Patricia Testa, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 14512 Stirling Drive to Adam Yorkshire, trustee, of Woodland Hills, California, for $809,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,176 square feet of living area. It sold for $885,000 in 2022.

Savanna Tyler and Amanda Damian, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13228 Saw Palm Creek Trail to Stephen Slotnick and Tobi Klein, of Bradenton, for $765,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,340 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2020.

Anthony Bisconti III and Marie Elizabeth Bisconti sold their home at 13814 Green Hammock Place to Daniel Lee Easton and Ana Belen Easton, of Bradenton, for $690,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,778 square feet of living area. It sold for $721,200 in 2022.

RIVER POINT OF MANATEE

Timothy William Clarke, of Reunion, sold his home at 3626 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Kimberly Mechem and Mason Mattos, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,187 square feet of living area. It sold for $770,000 in 2023.

MILL CREEK

Robert and Valerie Viands, of Denton, North Carolina, sold their home at 13613 Second Ave. N.E. to Adam and Laura Chevalier, of Bradenton, for $748,000. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,318 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,900 in 2005.

COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD

NATIONAL

Craig Matthew Turner and Kimberly Helen Turner, of Apollo Beach, sold their Unit 2721 condominium at 6031 Wake Forest Run to George and Maria Walter, of Bradenton, for $675,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2019.

Duane Allen Crandall and Lisa Crandall, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 4812 condominium at 18117 Gawthrop Drive to Alexander Michael Zehr and Heather Jeneen Zehr, of Dubois, Indiana, for $600,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $316,500 in 2021.

RIVER PLACE

Ricky Don Presley and Wendi Daun Presley sold their home at 7013 73rd Court E. to Angie Chi Tran and Winston Tuan Tran and Thu Van Thi Nguyen, of Bradenton, for $650,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,586 square feet of living area. It sold for $377,500 in 2021.

INDIGO

Charles Raymond Ogburn and Jennifer Suggs Ogburn, of Parrish, sold their home at 2620 Sapphire Blue Lane to Dennis and Pamela Ballard, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for

RESIDENTIAL

APRIL 22-26

$590,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,900 in 2021.

James and Linda Crouse, of Minerva, Ohio, sold their home at 3007 Sky Blue Cove to Susan and James Fracker, of New Concord, Ohio, for $460,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,617 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,400 in 2018.

WATER OAK

Leann Labelle, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6746 64th Terrace E. to Roland Lane, of Bradenton, for $586,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,095 square feet of living area. It sold for $540,000 in 2022.

WATERLEFE GOLF AND RIVER CLUB

John McNinch and Heather PuhrMcNinch, of Bradenton, sold their

home at 9810 Portside Terrace to The Barbara Green Revocable Trust for $570,000. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,768 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2020.

Gregory and Lynn Fisher, trustees, of Clayton, North Carolina, sold the home at 9505 Portside Terrace to Mark James MacLeod and Jennifer Ruth MacLeod, of Bradenton, for $550,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,977 square feet of living area. It sold for $308,000 in 2011.

PALM AIRE

James McDonald and Daniel McDonald, trustees, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, sold the home at 5673 Country Lakes Drive to Robert Atlee, of Sarasota, for $566,000. Built in 1987, it has three

Courtesy image

This Lakehouse Cove at Waterside home at 720 Crosswind Ave. sold for $2.75 million. It has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,508 square feet of living area.

bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,184 square feet of living area. It sold for $345,000 in 2019.

BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE

J. Scott and Joann Cummans, trustees, sold the Unit 204 condominium at 12630 Sorrento Way to James and Sandra Hively, of Plainfield, Illinois, for $515,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $284,900 in 2019.

John O’Connor and Maryam O’Connor sold their Unit 202 condominium at 13609 Messina Loop to James and Theresa Lauer, of Granger, Indiana, for $435,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $225,000 in 2019.

ROSEDALE

Dennis Smith sold the home at 8728 52nd Drive E. to Anna Lisa Wilkinson, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, for $500,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,491 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2008.

Steven and Nancy Davol, trustees, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, sold the home at 8744 52nd Drive E. to Charles Curry and Linda Curry, trustees, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 1995, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,507 square feet of living area. It sold for $330,000 in 2005.

SUMMERFIELD

Ian and Keela Vaughn, of Bradenton, sold their home at 11922 Winding Woods Way to Chandler Henze and Abigail Richards, of Lakewood Ranch, for $500,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2018.

FAIRFIELD Catherine McDonald, of Bradenton, sold her home at 5415 Fairfield Blvd.

to Jacques Laubert and JeanneMarie Laubert, of Vestal, New York, for $495,000. Built in 2013, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area. It sold for $295,900 in 2014.

AVALON AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE

Lawrence McNally and Catherine McNally, trustees, of Naples, sold the home at 6950 Mystic Lane to Maureen McKee, of Sarasota, for $475,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,649 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 2002.

COACH HOMES AT RIVER

STRAND

Richard and Sandra Dunbar, of Sturgis, Michigan, sold their Unit 3304 condominium at 424 Winding Brook Lane to Keith Richard Auletta and Trinidad Auletta, of New York City, for $475,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $253,000 in 2015.

CROSSING CREEK

Bryce and Blair Lyons, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4894 68th St. Circle E. to Andrew and Julia Carbone, of Bradenton, for $440,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,901 square feet of living area. It sold for $304,000 in 2019.

VERANDA AT LAKEWOOD

“I love pitching. I like the control factor.”

— Lakewood Ranch

Fast Break

the University of Southern California, helped the

win a fourth-state NCAA Championship.

Former Lakewood Ranch

High beach volleyball

player Ashley Pater, a freshman at the University of Southern California, helped the Trojans win a fourth-straight NCAA Division I Championship tournament, held May 3-5 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Trojans won the finals 3-0 over UCLA and finished the year 37-5. Pater and teammate Grace Seits, the team’s No. 4 pair, won their championship match 2-1 over Jaden Whitmarsh and Tessa Van Winkle. Pater went 30-4 overall this season.

Braden River High flag football senior Maddie Epperson had five sacks and five tackles May 3 in the Pirates’ 32-7 home win over Somerset Academy. The win sent the Pirates (18-1) to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A state tournament, where they will play Robinson High (22-0) at 5:30 p.m. May 10 in Tampa in a state semifinal. A potential state championship game appearance would be May 11 at 4 p.m. The games can be streamed at NFHSNetwork. com. Former Braden River High boys track and field sprinter Miles Stephens, a sophomore at North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina, won the 100-meter dash (10.42 seconds) at the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas Championships on April 26-27 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Out-of-Door Academy boys track and field team finished second at the FHSAA Class 1A District 11 meet May 2 at Indian Rocks Christian. The Thunder had four first-place finishers: junior Collin Dillingham in the 800-meter run (2:00.14), sophomore Kevin Gyurka in the 3,200-meter run (9:53.11), senior John Moschella in the 110-meter hurdles (15.80 seconds) and the 400-meter hurdles (58.14 seconds) and eighth grader Paxon Hermann in the pole vault (5.38 meters).

Football teams spring forward

As the spring practice season begins, here

is

what fans of Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High and ODA should watch.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR

Eric Sanders has been a part of 12 spring football seasons at Braden River High, but the 2024 season feels unique.  Sanders, formerly the school’s offensive coordinator, is now the head coach. Former Pirates head coach Curt Bradley departed the program for Southeast High in December.

“I can put my own mark on it,” Sanders said. “I’m excited for the challenge and the opportunity to do that.”

Though Sanders admits some things about the Pirates’ spring workouts, which opened April 29, have already changed — the amount of time dedicated to various in-game situations, for instance, and Sanders’ duties overseeing the whole program instead of just the offense — the bones of the Pirates’ spring remains the same.

That means Sanders is doing a lot of watching. Every day, Sanders said, he wants to see his team take lessons learned in individual instruction, or positional instruction, and apply it to team drills. Each practice is an opportunity to get better, Sanders said, no matter if the team is in workout clothes or in full pads through the end of the spring season on May 17.

Here’s what fans of the Pirates, as well as East County’s other programs, should watch as spring practices and games are played this month.

BRADEN RIVER HIGH

Though he now has full-team responsibilities, Sanders’ heart still pumps for the offense. The Pirates have averaged 28.7 points per game under his watch, with seven seasons averaging more than 30 points per game. To add another season into that category this fall, the Pirates will need rising senior Lucas Despot to take the next step in his development. In 2023, his first full season as a starter, Despot threw for 1,619 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 58.6% of his passes.

Sanders said he wants Despot become more of an on-field leader.

“I want him to take command of the entire offense, orchestrate things out there without me saying anything,” Sanders said. “Have guys in

IF YOU GO — AREA

SPRING GAMES

BRADEN RIVER HIGH

Opponent: Boca Ciega High

When: 6:30 p.m. May 17

Where: Boca Ciega High

Pirates player to watch: Rising senior quarterback Lucas Despot

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH

Opponent: George Jenkins High

When: 6:30 p.m. May 17

Where: George Jenkins High

Mustangs player to watch: Rising junior linebacker Cole Wetherington

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY

Opponent: Canterbury High and Sarasota Christian School (jamboree format)

When: 10 a.m. May 18

Where: ODA

Thunder player to watch: Rising junior running back Allen Clark

ry-plagued regular season in 2023, the Thunder got healthy before the postseason and ultimately won the title game 33-14 against Lighthouse Private Christian Academy.

Doing it once was hard enough. Doing it twice will be the program’s greatest challenge yet, Hollway said. It will come after the small private school placed two players at NCAA Division I schools this offseason, linebacker Charlie Tack at Furman University and kicker/punter Mika Levy at Howard University.

“I feel like we have momentum,” Hollway said. “Vibes are high and we continue to produce a program kids want to be a part of.”

their spots and communicate, across the board.”

Sanders also has high expectations for rising senior running back Marcus Galloway. Galloway split carries with Yashua Edwards last season, ending with 627 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards has transferred to Sarasota’s Riverview High, opening the door for Galloway to carry the load.

The Pirates will play their spring game at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at Boca Ciega High.

LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH

The Mustangs went 4-7 in 2023, the first under head coach Scott Para vicini. When the team won, it was the result of a good defensive effort first and foremost: The Mustangs allowed just 11.8 points per game in their four wins.

To replicate that type of pro duction, the Mustangs need sev eral younger players to fill the shoes of departing seniors. Four of the team’s top-six tackle leaders — Simon Freed (66 tackles), Levi Freed (62), Evan Bolick (54) and Jayden Munoz (46) — will gradu ate this spring. How the team makes up for those losses will begin to be answered this spring. A help: rising junior linebacker Cole Wetherington. Wetherington led the Mustangs with 67 tackles and tied with Bolick to lead the team in tackles for loss (9).

A replacement for Munoz’s ball-hawking abilities at cor nerback will be difficult to find; Munoz had six interceptions in 2023.

The Mustangs will hit the road to play George Jenkins High at 6:30 p.m. May 17.

THE OUT-OF-DOOR

ACADEMY

How do you follow a Sun shine State Athletic Asso ciation Class 4A title win?

If you’re ODA head coach Rob Hollway, you ask your team to do it again.

That’s the position ODA finds itself in this spring. After an inju

Replacing the production of Tack and Levy will be a top priority, as will be finding a new leader on defense. Tack was one of the program’s top players since he arrived as a freshman. His commitment, alongside Hollway’s arrival in 2022, helped turn around a flailing program.

The offense should once again revolve around rising junior running back Allen Clark. Clark had 1,104 yards on 163 carries (6.8 yards per carry) and 17 touchdowns. Hollway has mentioned the team would like to be more run-pass balanced if possible, both to keep defenses guessing and to take pressure off of Clark to perform. This spring could be an opportunity to experiment with that.

ODA will play its spring game in a jamboree format at 10 a.m. May 18

File

photo

Braden River High then-junior quarterback Lucas

Despot threw a touchdown pass to Yashua Edwards against Lakewood Ranch High in 2023. New Pirates head coach Eric Sanders wants Despot to lead more in 2024.

High’s Lexi Meneely SEE

Courtesy image

Lakewood Ranch High graduate

Ashley Pater, a freshman at

Trojans

ODA running back Allen Clark raises the ball after scoring a touchdown against Santa Fe Catholic.

Ryan Kohn

Vitale Gala remains a night of hope

Jim Kelly spent a long time searching for the answer.

To the sports world at large, Kelly is known as the quarterback who lost four consecutive Super Bowls with the Bills in the 1990s. After those losses, injuries forced him to retire in 1996. He used to be angry about the way his career went, he said.  Kelly, a devout Christian, said he wondered at the time why God put him through all of those hard times.  Kelly now knows the answer, he said. The trials of his career were necessary to prepare him for the difficult tests to come — this time, to win them.

Kelly was one of the honorees at the annual Dick Vitale Gala, held May 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The event raises money for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, specifically pediatric cancer. Every year, the event moves its guests (and namesake) to tears, both because of the stories of Vitale’s All-Courageous Team — kids who have shown an unbelievable fighting spirit against pediatric cancer — and because of the generosity of the attendees, who raise millions in pursuit of the dream that one day, cancer could have a consistent cure.

Kelly, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback, knows all too well what the All-Courageous kids have felt. He was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013. His battle with the disease was long, featuring multiple recurrences and a 12-hour surgery in 2018 that reconstructed his jaw. At one point, Kelly was given a 10% chance to live. In January 2019, however, he was declared cancerfree — and remains that way.

That answer he was looking for, about the way his football career went? He found it.

“God had a plan for me,” Kelly said. “I may have lost four Super Bowls, but I kicked cancer’s butt four times.”

And to the All-Courageous team, he had four words: “Don’t ever give up.”

Kelly’s words provided hope. It was far from the only hope the evening would provide. Kelly’s words, alongside the words of Vitale and the other honorees — New York Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter, NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon and University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes — and the actions of the people in attendance, would prove even more of it. During the event, philanthropists Mark and Cindy Pentecost announced they would match the total amount raised at the event up to $12 million. By evening’s end, the gala raised $12.8 million dollars. With the Pentecosts adding an additional $12 million, it brought the total raised to $24.8 million, shattering last year’s record of $11 million.

None of it would be possible without Vitale. The event started as something Vitale and his wife, Lorraine, held in their backyard, and has grown into one of the biggest fundraisers of its ilk. Vitale has kept the event’s momentum going despite not having the easiest past 12 months. Vitale is still dealing with lingering effects from his vocal cord cancer treatment. He has been on vocal rest off and on since December 2021, when doctors first found precancerous dysplasia and ulcerated lesions on his vocal cords.

The Hall of Fame college basketball broadcaster missed the 2023-24 season because his voice was not strong enough.

Before the gala, Vitale had been on vocal rest following a January procedure to improve his voice. He hopes to return to the booth for the 2024-25 season — and at the gala, he spoke. His voice had a rasp, but his message was as clear as ever.

“I see all of you, and I’m so thankful to be able to do just a little

bit (to help),” Vitale said.

It’s more than a little. As Barnes said, even though Vitale is the voice of college basketball to millions of people, Vitale’s legacy will ultimately be all that he’s done for cancer research and the care that he shows for young cancer patients.

Of course, the event would not be complete without a little ribbing of its namesake. Barnes said when he coached at Providence College, the school held a Midnight Madness event to kick off every season. One of the evening’s activities was a Dick Vitale sound-alike contest.

Every year, Barnes said, someone would nail it.

Barnes would give his own impression at the end of his gala press conference, letting out an “Awesome, baby!” that nailed Vitale’s enthusiasm if not so much his tenor. (On an A-F scale, it deserved a B or B+.)

Want to know how bright Vitale’s

star shines? Jeter shared the story on when he first met Vitale. It was during Jeter’s first year of professional baseball, at a minor league game in Bradenton. There were “probably 10 people” watching the game, Jeter said. As he took the field, he noticed that Vitale was one of them.

“That made me nervous,” Jeter said. “I had always admired him.”

No, Jeter wasn’t a star yet. But he was a first-round draft pick of the Yankees with high expectations, and here he was, getting starstruck by a college basketball broadcaster. That’s how magnetic and beloved Vitale was and is. Jeter said his relationship with Vitale grew throughout the years, with Vitale always sitting next to the Yankees dugout when they played the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa — and rooting for the Rays. They became close, Jeter said. He was honored to attend the gala.

The event has become a night you mark on the calendar as soon as December becomes January. This year’s was especially powerful. From the staggering amount of money raised, to the laughs, to Kelly’s story of perseverance, the night was about hope — hope for the people currently in a fight with cancer, and hope in the people working tirelessly to find a cure.  It’s a great feeling, one that stems from Vitale. Make no mistake: He will never give up.

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

Ryan Kohn

ESPN host Kevin Negandhi, former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Dick Vitale, NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and V Foundation

CEO Shane Jacobson pose before the Dick Vitale Gala.

SWIMMING LESSONS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Lexi Meneely

Lexi Meneely is a junior pitcher/utility player on the Lakewood Ranch High softball team. Meneely pitched a complete game in the Mustangs’ 4-3 district championship win over Venice High on May 2, allowing three runs (zero earned runs) on five hits and three walks with one strikeout. Meneely also went 2-4 with three RBIs as a hitter. The Mustangs (620) will play Windermere High (204) at 4:30 p.m. May 9 on the road in the regional quarterfinals.

When did you start playing softball? I started when I was 4 years old. My mom (Jessica Dimon) played softball her whole life, and she wanted to see if I liked it too. I kept playing from there.

What is the appeal to you?

My real drive for it comes from the friendships that I have made throughout high school because of it. Also, the competing part of it. Before districts (this year), we were not having the best season, but we have started to play for each other. That’s one of the things I love most about softball. It’s a team sport. It’s not about me as an individual.

What changed for your team in the district tournament?

I think the biggest thing was that we knew we had nothing to lose. Abso lutely nothing. Having the mindset of going out there and playing, no matter what the outcome may be, helped us focus on trying our best.

In the Venice game, we were not winning the whole game. We had to figure out how to come out with the win in the end. It felt good.

What did the win do f team going forward?

I think we are all just happy to be here, happy to keep play ing. It gave us an extra boost. At the beginning of the season, we didn’t think this would be the outcome, but it worked out.

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.

Do you prefer pitching or playing the field?

I love pitching. I like the control factor. Having the pressure on you is a lot, but I love it because it helps me focus. That’s when I feel most comfortable.

What is your best pitch?

My favorite is my changeup. We don’t throw it a ton, only when we need to use it. When we do use it, it shocks people.

What have you been working to improve?

The spin and location of my pitches. I feel like before the district tournament, I didn’t have my best games. But during districts, I focused more on spinning (the ball) and trusting in that. I think it ended up working in my favor. It makes me want to continue to work on it and get better.

What is your favorite memory?

I have two: Winning the state championship my freshman year and winning districts this year. I feel like they were just as memorable for me.

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

TRACE ELEMENTS by Dylan Schiff, edited by Jeff Chen

Luis Campos

jo bs

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