East County Observer 5.30.24

EAST COUNTY

Skyward trend won’t stop eastern growth

Ahead of schedule

The common name for the Agave Americana is the century plant because once it was thought to take 100 years to bloom. In reality, it can take up to 20 years to flower on its stalk. However, Lakewood Ranch’s Audrey Jakel Hlavin has been surprised that the plant in front of her Esplanade home flowered in just four years.

“When we first got (the plant), it was a tiny, little thing,” Hlavin said. Now, the plant is nearly as tall as Hlavin, and its stalk is shooting about 20 feet into the air.

The downside of such a botanical event is that once a century plant blooms, its main plant then dies. It’s so large and spiky, that Hlavin’s landscaper will have to remove it using a Bobcat machine.

Gene Witt student wins 4-H speech contest

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells listened intently as Mia Lockhart, a Gene Witt Elementary School fifth grader, gave her speech after the school’s fifth grade ceremony May 23.

Lockhart recited her speech titled “Respecting Men and Women in Blue.”

Lockhart’s speech earned her first place in the Manatee County 4-H Speech Contest for fourth and fifth graders.

She also gave her speech at the Bradenton Kiwanis May 21. Julia Spence, a student at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, placed third in the speech contest for fourth and fifth graders.

Jay Heater

Sarasota 4-year-old Alona Hymel is in fashion, sporting the beads she collected at the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch on May 26.

Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch’s Rob Rempert said his 15-week-old labradoodle, Madison, has helped keep his spirits up as he hopes for a kidney transplant.

Lesley Dwyer

Liz Ramos

District 72 candidate hopes to mix things up

Richard Green says he will bring new ideas to serve his constituents if he is elected to the Florida House of Representatives.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

When Richard Green was attending high school in Louisville, Kentucky, he used to argue with his classmates about all kinds of issues.

He admits he often didn’t know much about the subject.

“I would argue with a brick wall,” he said with a smile.

It didn’t take long for him to understand if he wanted to have meaningful outcomes to those debates, he needed to be fully invested.

So when he went to the University of Louisville, everything “flipflopped” for him, including his environment. He grew up in a very “safe” environment not far from the private Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.

The university was more urban with “no protection.”

“Louisville was a very left-leaning institution,” said Green, who is running for the District 72 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

“It was great for me, starting out, but after a couple of years, I found myself with a different mindset than my classmates. I was being asked, “Why do you support George (W.) Bush? Are you a fascist?

“I spent my junior and senior years getting into politics.”

While he has never followed his urge to enter the political arena, Green continued to delve into issues so if the time came for him to run for office, he would be ready. That time is now.

Tommy Gregory was hired to be the president of the State College of Florida in April and will leave his District 72 office June 30. It left an unexpected void and forced those with political aspirations to make a quick decision.

‘GRASSROOTS EFFORT’

Who: Richard Green Lives: Lorraine Lakes

What: Running for District 72 seat in the Florida House of Representatives Profession: Attorney Family: Wife Caitlin, children Mason, Oliver and Mila Website: VoteRichardGreen. com

Green talked it out with his wife, Caitlin.

“We had talked about (running for office) for 14 years,” Green said. “I feel we have centered a lot of our lives around this goal. It is our dream.”

Caitlin urged him to be bold.

“This is what we’ve always talked about,” she said. “It seemed like the right time. Politics is not something we are used to, but we are both rooted in our morals and how we were raised in God. We understand we will open our lives to scrutiny.”

Green isn’t worried about political attacks.

“My skin is stone,” he said. “Some lawyers are highly emotional, and they take it home. At the end of a day, I proverbially close the pad. I am a dad and a husband.”

Green is a senior attorney with the Lewis, Longman and Walker of St. Petersburg.

He is the vice chair of administrative, civil and appellate litigation and his law practice biography notes that he “has extensive litigation experience in a variety of areas such as real property, commercial, code enforcement and environmental matters. He represents various public and private

entities in litigation in both federal, state and administrative forms. Primarily, he has represented clients in litigation regarding environmental matters such as environmental permitting, environmental contamination, and construction litigation.”

He also handles “all matters of real estate transactions, including acquisition, sale and closing administration.”

He will talk to voters about how his law background will help him make and support laws that will preserve “our values — limited government, personal liberty, respect for law enforcement — and I never will waver in being pro-life and profamily.”

Green said he understands how important balancing development

and agricultural concerns will be.

His district contains Lakewood Ranch and much of eastern Manatee County, which is where the county’s agricultural base is located. Green said he wants changes in the Legislature to help farmers and ranchers not be forced to sell their land because they can’t make a living.

He will be facing former Manatee County Planning Commission

Chairman Bill Conerly, AG Creative founder Alyssa Gay and Manatee County School Board Member Richard Tatem in the primary.  Democrat Lesa Miller will oppose the winner of the primary in the general election.

Green, 39, said that he is somewhat of an unknown commodity in the local political arena and that is

“I have certain talents I have been given. I am not doing this for fame, and certainly not for fortune. I am doing it to serve.”

Richard Green

fine. He said District 72 doesn’t need more candidates who only want to be career politicians.

“I have certain talents I have been given,” he said. “I am not doing this for fame, and certainly not for fortune. I am doing it to serve.”

His election website VoteRichardGreen.com characterizes him as “Your Conservative Outsider Fighting for District 72.”

He is a believer in smart development.

“I agree that master planning on paper as a philosophy should work very well,” he said. “However, what we are talking about in practice is that the government wants something, the person coming in wants something, but a lot of times the interests (of the citizens) are not taken into consideration.”

He said while property rights should be protected, neighboring lands also should be taken into account as well.

When laws are written, he said he will know how to break them down and understand them.

“I definitely think it gives me a leg up (in the election),” he said. “We are writing laws and people are wellintentioned, but they pass something and then it is up to my industry to interpret it. I have seen statutes with unintended consequences. We need people who when a lobbyist brings you a bill, you can read the bill. That’s what I have been trained to do.

“We need someone who will shake the trees and mix things up. I am going to do a lot of knocking on doors. This is grassroots.”

Jay Heater

Richard and Caitlin Green say his goal for years has been to run for office.

Building up won’t stop urban sprawl

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

With Manatee County’s Comprehensive Plan under review, its staff is starting to look up for solutions to a growing population, and not just east.

“One of the things that the 1989 Comprehensive Plan restricted was how much density we were allowed to have as a community,” Impact Fee Administrator Rachel Layton said. “Height was not encouraged. Even getting something over two stories was very difficult for a very long time in Manatee County.”

Kimley-Horn is the engineering firm the county hired to rewrite the Comprehensive Plan. Project manager Kelley Klepper provided an update to commissioners on May 21 during a special work session. The new plan is expected to be drafted by August and adopted in October.

Much of the revisions are language related, such as changing a word like “encourage” to a more directive word like “shall” and removing duplicative language that already exists in other codes.

POPULATION PLANNING

Encouraging height would be a policy change that would work in concert with Livable Manatee, a county program that incentivizes builders to include affordable housing units within their projects.

As the Comprehensive Plan is updated, building taller is likely, but the market will continue to demand single-family homes. MAXIMUM HEIGHTS

The city of Bradenton has been successful in encouraging higher densities through height, using incentives. Because Manatee County’s population is predicted to exceed 500,000 by 2035, commissioners have considered offering developers similar incentives to increase density in the county.  Commissioners liked the idea of taller buildings along corridors like State Road 64, where rapid development is taking place. However, they agreed that building up is not going to halt the county’s current trajectory east.

“I don’t think we’re going to be

able to stop urban sprawl,” Commissioner Ray Turner said. “We’re known for that. Lakewood Ranch is well advertised as the top-selling master-planned community, and as we move out, that’s what people are going to want.”

Commissioner George Kruse agreed homes would continue to develop east because of demand, but said incentives could shift some of the demand westward.

“You’ll start seeing less supply of houses out east because more developers are going to be steered toward where our incentives are,” Kruse said.

As the county has grown over the past 75 years, its center has shifted.

Klepper said it would’ve been downtown Bradenton in the 1950s.

“With the development and success of places like Lakewood Ranch, and then some of the communities along the I-75 corridor, that geographic center has consistently shifted further to the east,” Klepper said. “Right now, it’s about I-75, in between State Road 64 and State Road 70.”

Based on population and housing projections, the center is predicted to continue to shift to the east side of I-75.

URBAN LIGHT

At 12 stories high, Layton said the Nine20 Manatee apartment building going up in downtown Bradenton is the tallest building to be allowed in the city or the county in a long time.

T5 (urban center) and T6 (urban core) zoning downtown allows for up to 20 stories. Layton doesn’t anticipate those kinds of heights anywhere but downtown.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE

A date hasn’t been set yet, but there will be a second round of community workshops held at the end of this summer so the public can weigh in on the changes. These are a few additional highlights from Kimley-Horn’s presentation to commissioners.

■ Updates to the Comprehensive Plan will be followed by an updated Future Land Use Map and an updated Land Development Code.

■ Minimum and maximum percentages between residential and nonresidential should be established for mixed use developments.

■ Multimodal transportation provisions should be improved. This will lay out what makes a complete street for cars, bicycles and pedestrians, whether it be in an urban or rural part of the county.

■ The Comprehensive Plan states that data collection should be used to properly understand the housing needs of the growing population, but how and when the data is reported need to be clearly defined.

■ “Demolition by neglect” language should be considered for historic buildings.

“The evaluation for increased building heights would be to identify whether buildings over three stories are appropriate, and if so, what height maximum should be proposed.”

Impact Fee Administrator Rachel Layton

“The evaluation for increased building heights would be to identify whether buildings over three stories are appropriate, and if so, what height maximum should be proposed,” Layton said. “Factors that would be taken into consideration include existing development patterns and compatibility.”

As of now, the Waterfront at Main Street condominium complex that overlooks Lake Uihlein is the tallest development in East County with six- and seven-story buildings.

“You can’t just put a blanket canvas on the height,” said Laura Cole, the senior vice president for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the developer of Lakewood Ranch. “It’s generally market driven. It’s regulatorily enabled. And thirdly, construction costs are a huge factor.”   For master-planned communities

like Lakewood Ranch, entitlements regulate the height restrictions and square footage for each particular parcel. The market drives how those parcels are built out.

“Townhomes are now a more accepted product type in this market, but eight years ago, I can tell you, it was not an accepted product type,” Cole said. “Forcing a product type that has a lot of density or height to it, from a residential standpoint, probably nobody would risk capital to develop something like that.”

Cole said condominiums and townhomes are located in Lakewood Ranch where they make sense and the higher density plays out naturally. She describes town centers like Main Street and Waterside Place as “urban light.” People like the walkability of the areas, so they’re willing to trade off not having a yard, but they don’t want to live in a 12-story building.   Tara resident Ralph Pusheck was opposed to a plan for a three-story apartment building on the corner of Tara Boulevard and State Road 70.

“Three stories matters because you have the bank and Goodwill, which are one-story, and then single-family residences and the golf course,” he said. “This is going to be a box development. It’s out of place there.”

Turner was one of three commissioners to vote that project down. He said people don’t want change, but higher densities will at least help temper urban sprawl.

“We’re going to have to do it,” he said.

But for developers, building up costs more. Incentives will have to entice them.

Cole said costs rise significantly when building above four stories because heavier materials are required.

Lakewood Ranch considered a condo complex similar to Waterfront at Main Street for the town center at Waterside Place, but the homes would’ve been priced at almost $1 million to support the construction costs.

“We would have liked to have a condo project right in the town center,” Cole said. “But the costs were too high, and the builders were reluctant to build.”

Not only are single-family homes the most inexpensive product to build, people want to buy them.

“Ideally, it makes more sense to not continue to sprawl out east,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said. “But there’s a reality to it, and that’s that the majority of the people that are moving down here are boomers, who are accustomed to the suburbs and accustomed to a yard.”

Outside of planned development projects that require approval of proposed building heights, zoning districts dictate the maximum heights allowed in Manatee County.

Lesley Dwyer Waterfront at Main Street has six- and seven-story buildings.

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Palm Aire women support nonprofits

GRANT RECIPIENTS

Rosemary McCullen, a volunteer for Mothers Helping Mothers, sees at least 120 women come to the nonprofit each week for diapers, formula and underwear.

She said more clients are coming to the nonprofit as the cost of diapers and formula increases.

With the help of a grant from the Palm Aire Women’s Club, McCullen said Mothers Helping Mothers will be able to buy more supplies to provide to its clients.

“Without that (grant), we can’t purchase these items,” she said. “One package of diapers only lasts maybe a day. These mothers are so grateful and will take whatever we can offer. It means a lot because they have nothing.”

The Palm Aire Women’s Club distributed $9,000 in grants to seven nonprofits in Manatee and Sarasota counties during a luncheon May 10.

“Giving is very fulfilling,” said Carolann Garofalo, the chairman for charities for the women’s club. “We all work together to make that happen. It’s not just one person. It’s our mission.”

The women’s club has 120 members.

Like Mothers Helping Mothers, Caroline Lawrence with Baby Basics of Sarasota, said the grant will help the nonprofit buy diapers. She said the nonprofit provides diapers for 150 babies every month.

Char Young, CEO of Hope Family Services, said the nonprofit has added a children’s counseling center to its property, and the grant will help to provide food for the children. The center serves approximately 30 children, providing individual and group counseling to children affected by domestic violence.

The grant also will help to feed the residents and outreach participants of Hope Family Services.

Brotherhood of Men in Sarasota will be able to take 20 boys to Washington, D.C., with the grant the nonprofit received.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Liz Ramos

Charles Shortridge, Rosemary McMullen, Caroline Lawrence, Char Young, Jonathan Evans and April Glasco accept grants from the Palm Aire Women’s Club on behalf of their respective nonprofits.

Tara development project stalls

Group of Tara residents says residential component would cause more traffic congestion and not be a part of the Tara HOA.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Asecond attempt by Lake Lincoln to build a multifamily residential community at the southeast corner of Tara Boulevard and State Road 70 failed to be approved by the Manatee County Commission.

A group of Tara residents, all wearing red shirts to show unity, filled the commission meeting in September 2023 when commissioners first turned down a proposal for 156

multifamily residential units.

After some adjustments, the plan was resubmitted May 23.

ZNS Engineering, acting on behalf of Lake Lincoln as the applicant, downsized the project from 156 units on 7.5 acres down to 72 units on 5.99 acres. But that still didn’t sit well with the group of Tara residents, who were back with their red shirts on May 23.  They also brought custom-made signs, no bigger than what’s allowed in the chambers, and their lawyer, Robert Lincoln.

DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL IMPACT

A DRI is defined by the Florida Senate as “any development which, because of its character, magnitude or location, would have a substantial effect upon the health, safety or welfare of citizens of more than one county.” The DRI program was established in 1972 as an interim program that was to be replaced by comprehensive plans. DRIs remained a part of large-scale planning until 2015, when the Legislature eliminated the development requirement.

Those residents celebrated a win, when commissioners were deadlocked 3-3 on the vote.

The commission’s rules and procedures state: “When the vote of the Board is equally divided, the status quo ante shall be maintained. In such an event, a person who sought a change in status quo shall be considered to have had the request denied and shall have available the same remedies or rights of review that one would have had if the request had been denied by a majority vote of the Board.”

Residents had repeated the phrase, “Stick to the plan,” because Tara is a Development of Regional Impact.

The plans were laid out 40 years ago in the DRI process. Tara is now in the final stage of its build-out. The parcel in question was designated as commercial, so residents want it built out as commercial.

A med spa, hair salon and dog grooming business were a few uses that some residents said would be preferable to residential units.

The revised project was passed unanimously by the Planning Commission May 15 with a general consensus by the board that residential was a better fit than the commercial options that are currently allowed under the DRI.

Commissioners Mike Rahn, George Kruse and Amanda Ballard voted to approve the project on May 23. Ray Turner, Jason Bearden and Kevin Van

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Ostenbridge were opposed.

“The uses on this commercial today, without even showing up here to talk to us because it’s already approved, are gas pumps and a gas station, car washes and a drive-thru fast food place,” Kruse said.   Kruse mentioned car services, lumber and building materials, and a school as approved uses that wouldn’t have to come in front of the board.

“One more that (Kruse) didn’t mention is a drug rehab center,” Ballard said. “So just think a little bit about the acceptable uses of this land without coming before this commission.”

But residents saw a problem with building a residential Tara community that wouldn’t be governed by a Tara homeowners association or be privy to Tara amenities.

“That’s going to cause conflict that we have to manage ourselves,” resident Joe DiBartolomeo said. “We’re putting a pickleball court on the corner of Tara Boulevard and Stone River Road. Everybody plays pickleball. Now, we’ve got to get into conflict with neighbors — ‘No, you can’t play.’ It’s a neighborhood, all of us together.”

DiBartolomeo said the complex would be an “outlier.” Homeowners also pay to maintain the landscaping along Tara Boulevard, but this one community wouldn’t be footing bills or entitled to any amenities.

Some Tara residents also were worried about increased traffic at a busy intersection that they said would be a product of more residential units.

George Deacon, a traffic expert representing the homeowners associations, said that a commercial use wouldn’t add to traffic at the intersection because most of the trips would be coming from inside Tara, and that residential use would have more cars coming in and out from State Road 70.

One thing was made clear before the commissioners cast their votes on the project.

“Unless the county is going to buy another parcel within Tara, this is going to be a site that’s going to be developed,” attorney for the applicant Scott Rudacille said.

Lesley Dwyer

Jean Myers, Ralph Pusheck, Barbara DiPalma and Susan O’Brien are most concerned with the traffic impacts a residential complex would have on the intersection of Tara Boulevard and State Road 70.

Hands-on leadership

New Principal Mary Oliva says she will be hands-on in activities both big and small at Braden River Elementary.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Whether it’s helping Braden River Elementary School students make s’mores on Camping Day or putting plants in the school’s garden, Mary Oliva has plenty of ways to incorporate her passions into her new role as school principal.

Oliva, who is replacing Joshua Bennett as he moves to being the director of exceptional student education for the School District of Manatee County, loves cooking and gardening.

She’ll be looking for any opportunity to become involved in the project-based learning model at Braden River Elementary, focused on giving students chances to work collaboratively and to develop their communication skills.

“If students are exposed and given opportunities so young, it’s only going to continue to help them both academically and socially to be a good community member and in giving back to their community as well,” Oliva said.

Many elementary students are asked what they want to be when they grow up.

For Oliva, whose previous job was as the assistant principal at Ballard Elementary School, the dream job is being a principal. Next school year will be her first year serving as a principal.

“I love to be at the school on a daily basis so I can be around students and teachers,” she said. “I have some district experience and all of that

experience definitely prepared me to come back into a school. At this point in my life and in my career, I want to be school based, and I love being an administrator.”

Oliva said she loves seeing students grow academically and socially. Building relationships with students, spending time with them in the classroom and helping them build the foundation of their education are highlights of her job.

On the last day of school at Ballard Elementary May 24, Oliva was looking at some of the cards the students gave her. One third grader wrote “New kids will love you,” while another third grader wrote “You’re a successful girl, person and human.” Reading those cards, and other similar moments, remind her of how

Courtesy image

Mary Oliva

ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL

MARY OLIVA

Age: 44

Family: Husband, Rene Oliva; daughters, 10-year-old Anabel and 12-year-old Amy

Past experience: 17 years with the School District of Manatee County; 2007-2014: elementary school teacher; 2014-2018: Title I federal and state programs specialist; 2019-2021: Hope grant school coordinator; 2021-2024: Assistant principal at Ballard Elementary

“If students are exposed and given opportunities so young, it’s only going to continue to help them both academically and socially to be a good community member and in giving back to their community as well.”

thoughtful and kind students can be.

Oliva said she wants to make elementary school as memorable for her students just as it was for her when she was growing up.

She remembered her fourth grade year being her favorite. She recalled her teacher being able to balance hard work with having fun.

Now she wants to do the same as principal, and she already has some experience. She’s participated in academic parties to celebrate students meeting their goals.

Oliva recalled a few years ago at Ballard Elementary standing behind a wood board and putting her face into a cut out hole in the board. She watched as the students lined up

eager to throw water balloons at her. She left the academic celebration soaking wet.

“It’s important for the administrators to attend as many of those as possible and interact with the kids and be a part of what they’re doing, whether it’s a game or any sort of event,” Oliva said. “I look forward to participating in those, being visible and having fun with the kids. Although we work hard, we also need to celebrate those successes as well.”

A unique aspect of Braden River Elementary School is its dual language program. The school implemented the program in the 2021-22 school year and will be adding third grade to the program next school year.

Olivia said she’ll use the Spanish skills she learned in middle school, high school and college to interact with students in the dual language program in Spanish. She said she’ll be learning alongside them as she develops her Spanish speaking skills.

Much like with her own daughters, 10-year-old Anabel and 12-year-old Amy, Oliva said she wants to support students as they learn about and pursue different passions.

Oliva followed her own passion when she pursued a career in education. She had other family members who were educators and always loved school as a child. But when she found herself too far along in college, pursuing a degree in business administration, she decided to stay the course as she knew that degree would be beneficial in an educational setting.

After graduating and wondering what she should do next, she said her passion for being a lifelong learner led to earn her masters in elementary education from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

Now she continues to be a lifelong learner. Oliva said she’s ready to learn and engage in the family atmosphere at Braden River Elementary.

“I can’t wait to get started, be a part of it and continue that culture of excellence and community they have,” Oliva said.

Mary Oliva

Time ticks away, but hope prevails

Waterside man says more kidneys would be available if people understood the transplant system and UNOS.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

It was just before midnight on March 24, and a peaceful night in Robert and Kathy Rempert’s Waterside of Lakewood Ranch home had turned from quiet and dull to an excited frenzy.

They had gotten the call.

It came from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, which informed them that doctors were ready to “harvest” two kidneys that were a match for Rob, who has been on the kidney waiting list since 2020.

“She was just throwing things around,” Rob said of his wife, Kathy, who raced around the house seeing whether they needed anything other than the packed bags that sit at the foot of their bed.

The couple transferred everything they needed to their car, and away they went, headed to Jacksonville and a brighter future.

They talked excitedly during the ride about the sudden turn of events. Rob, 62, has been on dialysis since 2022, trying to stay positive despite his “horrible” existence. He now had two chances at a new kidney, not one as expected. Certainly this would be different than their previous trip to Jacksonville, a few months earlier, when they were notified two hours into the drive that the kidney wasn’t a viable prospect.

This time, they had two chances. They could get back to their active lifestyle in the near future.

They had not been able to make any plans or look toward the future because of Rob’s deteriorating condition. But on the drive toward Jacksonville, as March 24 turned to March 25, they began to chat about vacation spots and places they wanted to visit.

“We knew we had two (potential) kidneys,” Kathy said. “I had this huge sense of relief. I could feel the burden leaving us. We’re getting a kidney, man!”

Once they arrived in Jacksonville, Rob was prepped for surgery as they awaited more information about the donor(s).

Word eventually came that an accident victim’s kidney couldn’t be used, so they were down to one prospect. The man in question had heart disease and was near death, but was hanging on.

It put them in an unusual spot. If the man held on too long, the organs wouldn’t have the proper support from his failing heart and would be damaged. But how do you wish for someone to die sooner?

Eventually, doctors had to tell Rempert that the man had held on for too long, and the kidneys were, indeed, damaged and no longer viable.

The Remperts returned to their car, and started the long trip home.

“It was a pretty quiet ride,” Kathy said. “I knew it would put Rob into a mental tailspin. We had such a tremendous amount of hope, and it went to unbelievable despair. At the end of the day, my well was dry. This thing has been horrible all around.”

Rob was mustering all his ability to stay positive on that ride home.

“But I thought, ‘I can’t keep doing this,’” he said. “I am tired of it. We had contacted friends (to tell them he was going to get a kidney). We had to call everyone back.”

Two months later, the bags remain packed at the Rempert’s home. Their search for a live donor has shown promise at times, but for one reason or another, hasn’t materialized. They believe it is more likely Rob will get a kidney from a deceased donor, if he can hang on.

A 15-week-old labradoodle, Madison, is now exploring every inch of their home with unbridled energy. It was Kathy’s idea to add Madison to the mix.

“It’s given Rob a new sense of excitement,” she said. “It has been a remarkable thing.” Rob agrees that it has been a posi-

CONTACT UNOS

Visit: UNOS.org

Important fact: Potential donors don’t need to be a match for the person they know who needs a kidney because of the organ sharing system. Your donation in that person’s name will result in UNOS finding a match from another donor. Qualifications listed by UNOS to be a living donor: An individual must be physically fit, in good general health and free from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease and heart disease. Individuals considered for living donation are usually between 18-60 years of age. Gender and race are not factors in determining a successful match. The living donor must first undergo a blood test to determine blood type compatibility with the recipient, or a possible unknown recipient. If the donor and recipient have compatible blood types, the donor undergoes a medical history review and a complete physical examination. The decision to become a living donor is a voluntary one, and the donor may change his or her mind at any time during the process.

tive move, saying it was just one more great decision by Kathy in terms of maintaining his mental well-being.

“I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Kathy,” Rob said. “She takes care of me, and makes sure I am mentally sound.”

Kathy has been trained as a wound-care nurse and works as a sales director for the ASO wound care company. She has been allowed to reduce her accounts so she can help her husband.

“It overtakes your day-to-day existence,” she said of her husband’s condition. “I just worry all the time. Am I going to go in and find him dead?

“We had goals and hopes. We had painted out what our life would look like. Now I can’t visualize a future.”

DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY

Rob talked to the East County Observer not so much to tell others about his condition in the hope of a donor stepping forward, but because he wants others to be aware of missteps he made that likely made his condition worsen sooner than if he had taken better action.

He first learned that he might have a troubled future when his son, Brendan, was diagnosed with kidney disease when he was 7 years old.

Brendan had been sick, so Rob and his ex-wife (now Debbie Thurmond) took him to the hospital. Doctors discovered a rare blood disorder, and they were going to remove Brendan’s spleen. When screening before the operation, it was discovered Brendan had something that looked like Swiss cheese holes in his kidneys.

A radiologist told Rob it looked like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a genetic renal disease. The hereditary disease often renders the kidneys unable to function at approximately 70 years old. At the time of Brendan’s diagnosis, it was discovered that Rob had the disease as well.

Rob said he was worried mostly about his son at that moment. Besides, he had a successful career in sales and marketing for Campbell’s and later for Wyeth pharmaceutical company, and he didn’t have time to worry about a medical condition that wouldn’t worsen for many years.

“I didn’t go to the doctor,” Rob said. “That was a big mistake.”

One thing Rob didn’t know was that certain soft drinks contain phosphorus, which generally is considered an essential mineral that is a source of energy for cells. However, it can build up in the blood and worsen kidney disease.

“I was drinking a ton of Dr. Pepper and Coke,” Rob said. “It was my coffee. What you don’t know ... you don’t know.”

In 2010, all the symptoms began to surface. His “filtration rate” was steadily declining. By 2020, he had to sign up for the kidney wait list.

In 2022, Rob needed to go on dialysis, but he was able to do it on a device he could use at home.

“I was hooked up 9-10 hours every night,” he said. “It is amazing technology. You can live a fairly normal life with the machine. I could travel, and it would suck out the toxins. Insurance covers it.” He eventually had to go to dialysis

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at the Fresenius Lakewood Ranch Dialysis Center.

“I was one of the few people going to dialysis who can still do stuff,” he said. “They go in on stretchers and in wheelchairs. I can still play pickleball.”

Rob said they have been told it usually takes three to five years to receive a kidney transplant.

He now has had both kidneys removed because they were “the size of footballs.”

WORRY FROM AFAR

Meanwhile, Brendan, a 2013 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High, has lived in Denver, Colorado, the past 18 months working for the State of Colorado Office of Homelessness Initiatives.

“It’s been tough (being away),” Brendan said. “I wonder if that needs to change. For the ultimate goal, there is not much I can do. It is up to the donor system in place.”

He is trusting a system that he might have to use one day.

“It is somewhat of a mirror for myself,” he said. “Obviously, I can’t be a donor because I have the same disease.”

His father’s journey has impacted him to concentrate on his health now. He drinks as much water as he can, and he doesn’t drink soft drinks or eat red meat.

“I do look at the progress being made,” he said, referring to doctors experimenting with transplanting pig kidneys into humans. A 62-yearold Massachusetts man died earlier this month after living two months with a transplanted pig kidney.

“Who knows what the future holds?” Brendan said.

Rob, Brendan and Kathy all want people to know they don’t have to be a match with a friend or family member if they want to donate a kidney. Rob has A negative blood, which matches about 13% of the U.S. population.

“That immediately makes it more difficult,” Kathy said.

But those with healthy kidneys can donate to the United Network for Organ Sharing pool in the name of the person. UNOS will find a match, and will set up Rob for a kidney transplant from another person in the pool who does match him.

“But I think nobody knows UNOS exists,” Kathy said.

UNOS notes that more than 100,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant and more than 600,000 Americans receive dialysis or are living after a kidney transplant.

“It’s the system we have, and we need to get behind it,” Brendan said.

“If more people knew the reality of being a kidney donor, I think there would be more donors. You don’t have to be an exact match.”

Through it all, Rob says he tries to stay positive as he waits for that next call.

“I’ve come to accept it as it is,” he said. “I go out to dinner, I play pickleball, go to the beach. Less than 1% of the patients on dialysis can do that. I know that it would be easy to exit, You check into (hospice) and go off dialysis. You are gone in a week. It’s always on my mind, every day. But I know I am in great hands, and I feel like I will get a call.”

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8130

Jay Heater

Lakewood Ranch’s Robert and Kathy Rempert want people to know more about the UNOS organ sharing nonprofit and how the process of donating a kidney works.

Old Lakewood Ranch still looks new

But wait, there’s more.

Yes, Lakewood Ranch continues to grow, although most of its growth has come on the 48 square miles the Uihlein family, the owners of the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. at the time, purchased in 1922.

But, as Lakewood Ranch celebrates its 30th anniversary year, the most important question shouldn’t be about how big it is, but rather, how do the oldest sections of Lakewood Ranch look?

In my mind, that is the mark of a great developer.

We all know that new neighborhoods, and buildings, look ... well ... new.

But can you tell the old neighborhoods from the new ones?

I know this might get you going if those big oak trees in front of your home were removed, or if you have some increased pond algae, or if your aren’t happy with those potholes on your roads.

But be honest: When you drive into your neighborhood, do you find yourself saying, “I live in a beautiful place.”

I think you do.

Sure, there are more cars on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but I still can look to the right or the left and get a feeling of peace and calm when I see the lakes (retention ponds) and landscaping.

“I live in a beautiful place.”

Twice in my earlier years, I moved out of a California home because my neighborhood was deteriorating. In both instances, I was living in a neighborhood that was about 30 years old. It can happen in that amount of time if a developer doesn’t put the proper measures in place to ensure beauty, no matter if it has any ownership responsibilities or not, to care for the land.

I know those CDD and Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District fees can be annoying, but that’s the case

with taxes. They were formed to uphold the integrity of the neighborhoods into the future and to make sure that your property values will remain strong if you ever do decide to sell.

Any new neighborhoods that exist on formerly SMR-managed land, must join the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, which was formed in 2005 by the state Legislature as a special purpose form of local government. The district issues bonds to fund the construction and/or acquisition of stormwater management improvements, landscaping, utilities improvements, and roadway improvements. The district

includes 25,000 acres of land both in Manatee County and Sarasota County.

Lakewood Ranch’s developer, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, always understood from the first house that if the area continued to shine overall, it would enhance the area’s reputation and attract more potential homeowners.

The last six years, Lakewood Ranch has been the No. 1-ranked multigenerational, master-planned community in the U.S. as determined by the RCLCO real estate consulting firm.

Case closed.

Gee, what a concept. So simple, but so rare.  Build it, maintain it,

and they will come.

On May 22, the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance celebrated Lakewood Ranch’s 30th anniversary year at its luncheon at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club. SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole gave a presentation to the alliance about Lakewood Ranch’s accomplishments over the decades.

There were so many, Cole sounded like an auctioneer at times, as she only had about 40 minutes at the podium.

When all was said and done, LWRBA President and CEO Brittany Lamont asked Cole if Lakewood Ranch would ever be incorporated into a city.

Cole asked why anyone would want that to happen since the services a city could offer are in place now.

So here are a few of the eyeopening statistics Cole shared with the LWRBA.

■ Those living in the Sarasota/ Bradenton area are the biggest buyers of homes in Lakewood Ranch. The perception that Lakewood Ranch is too far out in the sticks is long gone. That group is followed by No. 2 New York, No. 3 Tampa, No. 4 Chicago and No. 5 Miami.

■ The $501,000 to $700,000 price tag made up 34% of the home sales last year in Lakewood Ranch. Only 1% of the sales went for $300,000 or less and 12% of the home sales were for $1 million or more.

■ The average median income for homeowners in Lakewood Ranch in 2023 was $162,000.

■ That average median income was 1.6 times higher than for the Sarasota/Bradenton metropolitan statistical area.

■ Lakewood Ranch in 2023 hosted 6 million square feet of commercial that included 2,120 businesses and 18,246 employees.

■ Lakewood Ranch has eight

public and charter schools (a mix of elementary, middle and high schools), six private schools, 13 preschools and 10 colleges and universities.

■ Those wanting to buy in Lakewood Ranch can choose from 30,000 households that are available for sale or rent.

■ The estimated population in Lakewood Ranch in 2023 was 70,000. In comparison, Bradenton’s populated, as listed by World Population Review in 2024, is 58,110.

■ The median age of those living in Lakewood Ranch is 53.

■ Of those adults living in Lakewood Ranch, 75% are college educated.

■ Lakewood Ranch now has 95 residential neighborhoods.

■ Forty percent of Lakewood Ranch is dedicated to open space.

■ Lakewood Ranch has 150 miles of multiuse trails. Familiarity often breeds contempt, but, hopefully, we can celebrate Lakewood Ranch’s successes over 30 years. You will have several opportunities, including at the monthly block party and live music series, Music on Main. Each one will have a theme connected to Lakewood Ranch’s 30 years. The June 7 theme is Supporting Arts and Culture.

So whatever our annoyances with Lakewood Ranch, perhaps we can take a breath and say, “Happy 30th.”

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

Jay Heater

SMR Senior Vice President Laura Cole talks about Lakewood Ranch’s accomplishments throughout 30 years as the LWRBA’s featuring speaker May 22.

I was surprised by the (May 9) headline “Bond issue returns in University Park” and shocked by the full-page article appearing on Page 3A. I’ve lived in this area for 20 years. Whenever you have spoken or we have chatted during this time I have never, until now, thought of the Observer as a tabloid paper. The Observer ran this story based on one person’s (Dean Matt) opinion regarding approval of a bond to finance much needed maintenance and improvements at University Park Country Club.

The article did not mention the endless hours of meeting, in which all aspects of the bond and community needs were discussed. The article did not mention how those with supporting and opposing views were given equal time to present their thoughts and ask questions. While the story mentioned that the bond passed with 61.46% of the vote, the story failed to mention that of the 1201 homes in University Park 78.4% voted.  This is an engaged community. The article presented Dean Matt’s thought and opinions as credible. Interestingly, the article failed to mention the experience, knowledge or thoughts of any one of the RD Board members. All members are volunteers who will have to make the same payments as all other residents to repay the bond. Did your reporter bother to interview any of them? I ask this because the article does not contain one statement from any of them. One of them might have described the process. One of them might have told you that the value of our homes in the park is greatly tied to the amenities provided by the club. Given all the new development in the area, the proposed work is necessary not only to enhance the resident and employee experience but to remain competitive.

The article repeated Matt’s accusations of corruption. Is there any evidence of this? Or are these statements like the whinings of a petulant child that didn’t get their way? It is well accepted that truth, accuracy and objectivity are the

cornerstones of journalism ethics. This article does not adhere to any of these. It would rather appear that the Observer has chosen the path of the National Enquirer.

BARBARA SOMMA UNIVERSITY PARK

(Editor’s note: RD Board Chairperson Sally Dickson was quoted in the fifth paragraph of the story about the value of the country club to homes, and the need for improvements. Information from the PFM Group Consulting firm was included as well, along with quotes from PFM District Manager Vivian Carvalho calling Matt’s claim “inaccurate.”)

Please

note other CERT programs

I was disappointed in your May 9 article (“Time to Prepare”) that there was no mention of the other nine CERT teams in communities that comprise the East County area. Manatee County has 19 teams, and we all struggle to be visible, and recruit residents who are willing to assist their neighbors during an emergency such as a hurricane.

Mallory Park, Indigo, Central Park, River Club, Lorraine Lakes, Lakewood National, Polo Run, Del Webb and the Isles all run programs targeted at our individual communities in hurricane preparedness, fire safety, scam and fraud protection, search and rescue and CPR/ AED programs. All of these teams meet monthly to exchange ideas of ways to serve our communities and hopefully increase our numbers. We would like other communities to consider forming their own teams if they don’t  live in the “Lakewood Ranch” community.

Your article went a long way in alerting the East County residents to the value of having a CERT team, but fell short of telling them that a team might already be within their own community and ready to have them as a team member or that they might form a team if their community doesn’t have one already.

HOWARD MALIS

DEL WEBB LAKEWOOD RANCH CERT

PRESIDENT

Twig offers branch of kindness

The Twig offers shopping days once a month for children living in foster homes.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Kim and Alex Peralta have fostered 35 children over the past six years.

The Bradenton couple, who are both 41 years old, have four biological children and four adopted children. The children’s ages range from 19 months to 19 years old.

Support from The Twig, which stands for The Way to Inspire and Give, makes it all a little less daunting for the family.

“Knowing that they’re walking alongside us and the four kids that we’ve adopted is amazing,” Kim Peralta said. “It definitely makes it easier. Even for fostering, it makes it easier for us to say “yes” because we know we’re not doing it all alone.”

The Peraltas now bring the kids to The Twig on State Road 64, but before that location opened in 2021, they used to drive to Venice, where the original store is located.

The Twig is a nonprofit organization set up like a retail clothing store where children in foster care can shop for free.

Ellie Peralta is 4 years old. She was placed with the Peraltas as an

infant straight out of the neonatal intensive care unit and has since been adopted by the family.

“Ellie is a little girl who loves everything pink and ‘Frozen,’ so she’ll go through looking and whatever she finds, she always comes out with such a huge smile on her face,” Kim Peralta said.

“She’s always greeted by Lindsay (the program coordinator). Lindsay knows all of our kids by name, so it’s like an extended family.”

While The Twig was designed for children in foster care, those who are adopted remain eligible for services. Children who age out of foster care are also eligible to shop until they’re 21 years old if enrolled in Twig Connects.  Twig Connects is a program held on-site once a month. The kids are fed a meal while learning life skills like how to create a budget or file taxes.

“We serve around 400 children every single month between both of our locations,” Director of Development Nicole Britton said.

“We’ve opened up some more shopping days to be able to serve this many kids. The first three Saturdays of every month, we’re open in both of our locations, and the foster families don’t have to make

appointments.”

The Twig also offers shopping appointments on Wednesday for kids who struggle with crowds or have been placed with a new family early in the week, so they don’t have to wait until Saturday.

The kids can shop once a month. Each child leaves with about 10 items, which typically include underwear, socks, accessories, a couple of outfits, a pair of shoes and a book.

About 4,000 items are given away each month, and most of the

items are donated by community members. The Twig applies for grants and holds fundraisers, but Britton said the nonprofit has a lot of extremely committed monthly donors.

“We have people who will shop off of our wishlist that’s on our website and have things sent straight to us, and we have people that just love to go out shopping,” she said. “Not everybody can be a foster parent, but everybody can do something. So for some people, buying sneakers or pajamas is their

The Twig, 9706 S.R. 64 E. Visit TheTwigCares.com.

Mission statement: To help children in foster care rise above the circumstances in which they find themselves today so they can succeed tomorrow.

something.”

The Twig operates with the help of about 100 volunteers, but Britton said they’re looking for more. Volunteering opportunities include helping out on shopping days and sorting the donations.  Donations can be made on the second Tuesday of every month from 4-6 p.m. The Twig also accepts hand-me-downs, but the condition must be like new.

While The Twig offers a steady connection for these children and their foster families outside of the material items, Britton said the shopping goes a long way to make them feel valued and seen. A faded top with stains on it isn’t going to have that same effect.

“We do a sneaker drive over the summer to make sure that we have all kinds of sneakers before school starts,” Britton said. “There was a teen girl who put on a pair of Nikes, and then she sat down on the floor and cried because she said, ‘I never thought I’d have a pair of shoes like this.’”

File photo

Program Coordinator Lindsey May holds a pair of sneakers that were donated during last year’s summer sneaker drive.

Should Your Retirement Planning Include Medicare?

The financial costs point to the answer.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Headed on a trip? Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo online at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere. Stay tuned for this year’s prize, and happy travels!

Many people underestimate the impact their Medicare choices can have on their retirement.

– John B. Leeming, CFP® President at JL Bainbridge

and ongoing Medicare enrollment make it extremely complex, and every choice can have significant long-term implications, including financial ones.

“Many people underestimate the impact their Medicare choices can have on their retirement,” says John B. Leeming CFP®, president at JL Bainbridge.”

Without proper planning, he adds, medical expenses can quickly drain retirement savings. And that doesn’t even include the significant annual financial penalties that can come from late enrollment.

Everyone wants to enjoy their retirement years without worrying about financial challenges. Like it or not, though, healthcare costs are simply part of the retirement experience. That’s why it makes sense to consider Medicare as part of one’s retirement and financial planning approach.

JL Bainbridge family wealth advisors are fiduciaries with a duty to act first and foremost in their clients’ interests.

To learn more about JL Bainbridge or to set a time for your Free Financial Review, call (941) 3563435 or visit jlbainbridge.com.

JL Bainbridge offers free inperson Medicare seminars in its office on Main Street in Sarasota. Please call us or click the QR code below to find dates and times available soon.

(941) 365-3435 jlbainbridge.com

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Healthcare costs in retirement can be high, so only thinking about Medicare as health insurance can be a big mistake. Medicare helps cover hospital stays and medical services for those 65 and over. It also offers options like Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage. But the maze of options during initial since 1981 1582 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236

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OBSERVER SAYS HI TO ABBEY: Joella Hultgren stands with the East County Observer in front of Fountains Abbey in England.

“Once

I’m in the open field, 99% of the time I am going to score.”

Fast Break

Former Lakewood Ranch

High baseball star John Schroeder, a junior catcher at Florida Atlantic University, went 2-6 with a double and two RBIs in the Owls’ 12-5 win over the University of Texas-San Antonio May 22 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. Schroeder is hitting .271 with a team-high 14 doubles, nine home runs and 48 RBIs.

Lakewood Ranch mens tennis players Connor Krug and Jake Krug, juniors at Duke University, helped the Blue Devils reach the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Texas Christian University 4-0 on May 11 in Forth Worth, Texas. In singles matches, Connor Krug finished the season 18-24, while Jake Krug finished 14-16. In doubles matches, Connor Krug was 1211 while Jake Krug was 6-3. Nathan Benderson Park dragon boat paddler Rick Jensen threw out the first pitch at the Bradenton Marauders’ May 25 game against the Dunedin Blue Jays as part of the team’s Military Appreciation Night. Jenson is a retired U.S. Army first sergeant who served in Vietnam.

Former Lakewood Ranch High track and field athlete

Gracie Marston, a junior at Georgia Tech, finished 16th in the women’s 800-meter run (2:08.23) at the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship, held May 9-11 in Atlanta. Marston also helped the school’s 4x400-meter relay team finish 11th (3:44.42).

Former Lakewood Ranch High baseball star Colton Gordon, now a pitcher with the AAA-level Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston Astros), has a 3.14 ERA over three May starts as of May 23. Gordon holds a 4.15 ERA in 2024. Gordon, a left-hander, is ranked by MLB.com as the Astros’ No. 10 overall prospect and No. 4 pitching prospect.

as

Stage set for extra-oar-dinary effort

RYAN KOHN | SPORTS EDITOR

Sam Obine-Galvin was in for a shock.

Though Obine-Galvin was not new to rowing when he joined Sarasota Crew in August 2023, he had never experienced rowing like the Crew does rowing.

Obine-Galvin, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High, moved to the area from the lower east side of New York City. He rowed there, first becoming interested after trying an indoor rowing machine at a local gym, then transitioning to the water. He found success there, winning a state championship at the novice level.

Yet, after moving, Obine-Galvin found Sarasota Crew to be on a different level.

“It was a whole new world,”

Obine-Galvin said. “Training was harder, and I had to get used to the heat. It’s an intense (training) plan made for pure speed, and it works.”

Obine-Galvin started in one of the organization’s bottom boats before proving himself, slowly working his way up the team’s depth chart. Now, Obine-Galvin has earned a spot in the Crew’s boys first varsity 8+ boat at the 2024 USRowing Youth National Championships, coming to Nathan Benderson Park June 6-9.

Obine-Galvin is one of six Crew rowers representing the East County area at the event. Lakewood Ranch graduate Sophie Bell, who will row for Old Dominion University next season, is in the girls varsity 2x. Reese Franquiero, a junior at Parrish Community High, is in the girls second varsity 8+ boat. Jenna Khalil, a freshman at Lakewood Ranch, is in the girls U16 8+ boat. Landon Hess, an eighth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle, is in the boys U15 4x+ boat. Iaroslav Shuman, an eighth grader at Mona Jain, is in the boys U16 8+ boat.

For Obine-Galvin, Youth Nationals will be his first time competing in a national-level event. He’s excited, he said, because the team’s training has him feeling prepared. Sarasota Crew head coach Casey Galvanek is renowned, currently helping the U.S. men’s rowing team in Lucerne, Switzerland, at the World Rowing Cup II. Obine-Galvin said the Crew

instructs its athletes like Galvanek instructs Olympians, and with the same level of intensity. They are on the water at every opportunity, with days off being rare. With training taking a lot of Obine-Galvin’s time, he said, academics can sometimes get sidelined. He is thankful for people like Lakewood Ranch social studies teacher Ben Hall, who understand the work required and tries to make Obine-Galvin’s school-rowing balance as easy as possible.

Rowing can take a toll on the body, too, Obine-Galvin said. Workouts are grueling, he said, and it is not uncommon to feel close to passing out. But it brings him closer to his teammates. When big races like Youth Nationals arrive, the end result of all the effort is worth it.

“At the end of a race, your legs are on fire and your lungs feel like they are about to collapse in on themselves,” Obine-Galvin said. “Your arms are dead. Your back is dead. You’re getting tunnel vision. Your ears are ringing, so you can barely hear the coxswain yelling at you. But in that last minute of a race, you feel the crowd. It’s like entering the Thunderdome, just pure noise. It’s such a rush. All you want to do is go as hard as you can.”

IF YOU GO 2024 USROWING YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

What: The biggest youth rowing event on the local calendar, with more than 3,500 rowers from 210 clubs expected to compete.

When: June 6-9 starting at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Nathan Benderson Park Tickets: As of May 24, tickets for spectators are not on sale. They will be available at USRowing.org closer to the event. For more information, visit USRowing.org or NathanBendersonPark.org.

Obine-Galvin said his boys first varsity 8+ boat is confident that it will perform its best.

For Jenna Khalil, the rush of Youth Nationals will not be quite as new. Khalil picked up valuable experience by participating at the 2023 Youth Nationals, finishing third in the C Final (8:31.25) in the women’s U16 4x+ boat. Though it was not the finish she and her teammates wanted, it helped shape her perspective on the event heading into 2024.

“It’s an honor (to row in it),” Khalil said. “You work so hard to get there and everyone else worked hard to get there. It’s mind-blowing to all be together competing.”

That attitude feeds into how she prepares. Khalil is a calm rower, she said. Before races, she does not say much to her teammates in the boat other than “good luck.” She’s too focused for more than that, she said; she knows she’ll have to be at her best, controlling her adrenaline, in order to do well.

In the U16 girls 8+ boat this year, Khalil believes she and her teammates can reach the event’s A Finals. Get there, and anything can happen next.

“If we work together and stay positive, we can do well,” Khalil said.

— Lakewood Ranch High’s CJ McRae II SEE PAGE 17A

Courtesy image

Former Lakewood Ranch High and current FAU catcher John Schroeder is having a breakout 2024 season as a junior.

Lakewood Ranch-area rowers face ultimate test

USRowing event descends onto Nathan Benderson Park June 6-9.

Lakewood Ranch High junior Sam Obine-Galvin (middle) will row at his first USRowing Youth Nationals at Nathan Benderson Park June 6-9 in the Sarasota Crew first varsity boys 8+ boat.

Courtesy images

Lakewood Ranch High junior Sam Obine-Galvin said the hard work that goes into rowing becomes worth it when you hear the roar of the crowd during big races.

Moments of humanity topped 2023-24 prep sports year

For schools in the East County area, the 2023-24 school year was a time of triumph, with several programs and athletes reaching their state-level events and some even winning them.

It was also a great year for stories: of success, of perseverance, of emotion and of humor.

Here’s a rundown of some of the best moments — not the teams and athletes that were the most successful, necessarily, but the ones that showcased humanity.

The most enthusiasm for a sport and a team that I heard all year came from the Braden River girls weightlifting team. That would not have been my prediction at the start of the year. A lot of athletes take weightlifting to stay in shape for other sports. At Braden River, head coach Jordan Borges has made it his mission to get his athletes enthusiastic about the sport.

It’s working. After the girls team won its district title meet in January, they smashed a cake in Borges’ face, covering him with Pirates-red icing. Braden River would also win its regional title. Borges has created an environment where the lifters are pushing each other to be great and giving each other equal amounts of support and constructive critique.

But Borges gets in on the action, too — sophomore Ashlyn Henry said Borges will lose his voice at meets from loudly cheering for his athletes.

That’s the kind of high school spirit I like to see.

If the Pirates weightlifters represent physical strength, two players on the Pirates junior varsity boys soccer team represent mental strength. Freshman Landen Chandler and sophomore Nicolas Dieter have both dealt with forms of cancer, Chandler with Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Dieter with leukemia.

Both initially took some time off from soccer, but returned to play the 2023 season despite still undergoing their treatments.

“Soccer is my life,” Chandler said. “I love it so much. As long as I’m out here playing, I’m happy.” Chandler and Dieter have become like brothers, leaning on each other when things get tough. To stay as upbeat as Chandler and Dieter are, and to have the determination to keep playing, is impressive.

While telling those kinds of stories is important, there’s room on the beat for fun, too. In November, I asked wrestlers at Lakewood Ranch

High about their Thanksgiving plans. Senior Tommy Bisordi was honest about his, which amounted to “not much.”

Bisordi was trying to cut weight, dropping from 185 pounds to 175 pounds by December. That would typically not be a big deal to Bisordi,

who had been wrestling since eighth grade, but in this instance, it meant resisting most of his family’s Thanksgiving treats: honey-baked ham, turkey, stuffing, various desserts.

Bisordi had to be reasonable about it all — with one delicious exception.

“I’ll have a small slice of pecan pie or something,” Bisordi said. “I have to cheat a little bit, you know?”

Sometimes, the most impressive athletes are impressive not because of their athletic ability, but because of their preparedness for the future.

Abigail Hite and Denis Jones were seniors at Southeast High in 2023, though both were zoned to attend Lakewood Ranch High.

The reason for the change in schools? Hite and Jones, best friends since childhood, wanted to enroll in Southeast’s International

Baccalaureate Program, designed to encourage critical thinking and promote an international perspective. Both Hite and Jones are focused on engineering.

The IB program made also holding a typical high school-level swimming schedule difficult. Hite and Jones had nine practices a week, some lasting as long as twoand-a-half hours, left the pair with little time for much else. It was a lot of work, but the work paid off: Not only did they get the education they wanted, but they found success in the pool. Hite finished second in the girls 100-yard breaststroke (1:04.90) and fifth in the girls 100yard freestyle (52.25 seconds) at the FHSAA Class 3A meet in Ocala in November, while Jones finished sixth in the boys 500-yard freestyle (4:41.70).

The biggest breakthrough of the year happened at Parrish Com-

munity High, where the football team earned the first playoff berth in program history. The Bulls went 7-3 in the 2023 regular season; in its first three seasons of play, the team went 7-16.

It was a group of East County players that led the postseason charge, including senior quarterback Jackson Volz, senior tight end Lane Tomlinson, senior offensive lineman Carter Dietz, senior offensive lineman Jimie Roden, senior linebacker Holten Graham, senior defensive end Dustin Springfield, junior defensive end Ashton Springfield, junior linebacker Sean Crowley and junior cornerback Bryson Bender. Those players came up the ranks together, starring for the East Manatee Bulldogs youth football program before joining the Bulls.

A 35-28 victory over Braden River High, a budding local rival, in October proved to the players that they were good enough for the playoffs. Though Parrish would lost 42-0 to Naples High (10-3) in the first round, getting to the postseason was a massive step, one that the East County contingent hopes leads to more success in the future.

“This feeling is amazing,” Tomlinson said after the team’s regularseason finale against George Jenkins High. “Setting history for the school, after the struggles we went through, this is awesome.”

Here’s to more awesome moments when the 2024-25 high school sports season begins in August.

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

Ryan Kohn

Braden River High sophomore Nicolas Dieter and freshman Landen Chandler said the soccer field is their happy place.

Courtesy image

Braden River senior Ivy Nguyen said the weightlifting helps people grow as competitors and as people.

CJ McRae II

CJ McRae II is a senior running back on the Lakewood Ranch High football team. McRae had the Mustangs’ lone score, a 46-yard touchdown run, in their 6-0 road spring game win over George Jenkins High May 17. McRae averaged five yards per carry in 2023 and is positioned to be the team’s feature back in 2024.

When did you start playing football?

I started when I was in third grade. I used to play soccer, but I liked hitting people, so my mom (Stephanie Pacheco) suggested I play football.

What is the appeal to you? It’s just fun to play. Like I said, I like being able to hit people without getting in trouble.

What is your best skill?

I feel like I am explosive. Once I’m in the open field, 99% of the time I am going to score. I’m shifty.

What are you working to improve this summer?

My vision. I already have good vision, but when I watch film, there’s some stuff I feel like I could have done differently and had a better result if I saw it.

What is your favorite memory?

During my sophomore year, I was a backup on the varsity team. But when we played Palmetto High, our starting running back (Kevin Everhart) got hurt, so I got to go in for a play. It was a third and 10, and I ran a wheel route and caught the first down. That was a pretty cool moment for me.

What’s the mood of the team after this spring season?

Coach P (Scott Paravicini) has us going down a good path. If we keep working hard, I think we can be a great team.

What are your goals for the 2024 season?

I want to average at least 100 yards a game to hit 1,000 for

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.

the

What is your favorite subject? I like history. Learning about other countries and how different wars went down — it makes me thankful to be a U.S. citizen. We’re blessed to live here.

What are your hobbies? I’ll go fishing all day. I like both bass fishing and saltwater fishing. What is the best advice you have received?

My dad (Cullen McRae) told me that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Trust the process where you are, and don’t worry about anything else.

Finish this sentence: “CJ McRae II is … ” … Humble. I know that anything could be taken away at any moment. I just let my work on the field do the

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

SWIMMING LESSONS

A salute to our heroes

Del Webb Lakewood Ranch’s Bob Sharak, a U.S. Army veteran, was enjoying the free veterans dinner at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall before he headed out to march in the Tribute to Heroes Parade on May 26 in front of thousands of cheering spectators.

“It’s just the acknowledgement of our service,” said Sharak, who was a first lieutenant in the service. “This is tremendous.”

The appreciation by veterans was echoed over and over at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, which once again hosted the parade, one of Lakewood Ranch’s signature events.

“It is great, and this event is getting bigger every year,” said Del Webb Lakewood Ranch’s Paul Roy, who was in the Navy for 23 years.

“This is such an honor for our community’s veterans,” said Dave Daily, the commander of VFW Braden River Post 12055.

John Skeen, a 105-year-old Army veteran, said the outpouring of love and respect during the parade left him feeling “overwhelmed.”

— JAY HEATER

Photos by Jay Heater

Bob Sharak and Paul Roy of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters enjoy the veterans dinner at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

Many of the thousands who attended the Tribute to Heroes parade brought American flags with them.

Lana and Alex Vovkulin, who own the Foam Gator foam party business of Sarasota, enjoy the bubbles with their 4-yearold daughter, Charlotte, before they get ready to participate in the parade.

World War II veteran John Skeen, 105, enjoys a front-row seat during the Tribute to Heroes Parade.

The Knights of Columbus make their way down Lakewood Main Street.

Graham Ellis and Dave Daily of VFW Braden River Post 12055 enjoy those marching in the Tribute to Heroes Parade.

YOUR CALENDAR

each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), L’Attitude Adjustment (Friday), Al Fuller’s Midnight Movers (Saturday) and Black Snake Bayou Band (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts have a $5 cover; the other concerts are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding. com.

FRIDAY, MAY 31 AND SATURDAY, JUNE 1

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Trevor Bystrom is the featured artist on Friday, entertaining those who stroll through Waterside Place. On Saturday, the performer has yet to be announced. For more information, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

FIT WITH FABLETICS

Begins at 9 a.m. at the Macy’s court at the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Fab and Fit Fabletics: HIT class, led by Abby Smiley-Krause, is a free workout sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and UTC retailers, and offers a conditioning class open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, go to MallatUTC.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

FARMERS MARKET

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

YOGA IN THE PARK Runs 9-10 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota.

BEST BET

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

SEMINAR

Runs from 7-9 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Community Emergency Response Teams are hosting a hurricane preparedness seminar for Lakewood Ranch-area residents that is free and open to the public. For more information, go to LWRCERT.org.

Start the morning off with gentle yoga with lake views. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

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.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 THROUGH SUNDAY, JUNE 9

US ROWING YOUTH NATIONALS

Begins at 8 a.m. each day at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The regatta features more than 3,500 rowers competing in 43 events. For information, go to NathanBendersonPark. org or to RegattaCentral.com.

Jay Heater

Gayle Thurston practices applying a tourniquet on her husband Dave Thurston’s arm during a CERT refresher course May 17 in Summerfield.

Zoe Atwell, a graduate of The Out-of-Door Academy, wanted to live in the moment as she and her friends prepared for their graduation ceremony May 24.

“I want to take it all in and know that it’s OK to cry,” said Atwell, noting it would be the last time she would be in the same room as the 92 other Class of 2024 graduates.

Atwell is headed to University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, while her friends Grace Frazier will go to the University of Alabama, Devon Van Hoesen goes to Florida State University and Emilie McKenna studies abroad for a semester in Italy before attending the University of Tennessee.

“It’s sad, but hopefully the good friendships we’ve made means it isn’t the end, and we’ll visit each other,” Atwell said.

Graduate Olivia Seidensticker, who is going to Wake Forest University, said she’s looking forward to expanding her education and learning about things she wants to pursue. She’s planning to study business and art history.

The Out-of-Door Academy celebrated its largest graduating class (95) in the school’s history.

Deb Otey, the head of school, described the class as talented, passionate, kind, confident and capable.

Trey Naese, valedictorian, is congratulated by Sean Ball, head of the upper school.

Ryan Abernathy is the first to accept a diploma for the Class of 2024 from Head of School Deb Otey.

Madeline Crosby, Abbey Burwood and Olivia Seidensticker

their high school diplomas represent

Photos by Liz Ramos

Ashlynn Calka, Avery Duffy, Ava Banks, Ariel Conway and Emma Arrigo

HEALING POWERS

Owners Myra and Rafier Maldonado opened The Salt Caves and Spa after trying to find holistic treatments for their mothers, who eventually died of cancer.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Lakewood Ranch’s Myra Maldonado wanted to find a holistic treatment to help her mother, Maria DeJesus, who had liver cancer and fallopian tube cancer.

Maldonado said DeJesus decided to stop cancer treatments because she was tired of pumping medicine and chemicals into her body.

Maldonado’s mother-in-law, Annie Candelario, also was suffer-

ing from pancreatic cancer.

That’s when Maldonado started researching holistic treatments, but she struggled to find options that were affordable.

The desire to help her mother and mother-in-law feel better inspired Maldonado and her husband, Rafier Maldonado, to open

The Salt Caves and Spa at Lakewood Ranch, which opened May 1.

Myra Maldonado said the salt caves are made of salt from Pakistan, and the goal is to create a calm, relaxing environment that

mentally transports people to a “safe haven.”

Although she knows it’s not a cure-all, Maldonado said she hopes the salt caves and infrared therapy can help people feel better in some way.

“If I could help even one person, to me, I’ve done my job,” Maldonado said.

The Salt Caves and Spa is the Maldonados’ latest venture in trying to help others.

The Maldonados started their careers as police officers in Long

Doctor Jeffrey Martins has changed my whole life. I’m so much more confident now and I feel better about myself. You see, I’ve always had such small teeth, and I was self-conscious about it. I didn’t like how they looked, so I never wanted to smile.

I tried to have my teeth fixed once before. I got some dental work done at another place about five years ago and it helped the situation some, but I wasn’t happy with the results. What they did to fix my teeth didn’t look natural and although I put up with it, the work they did was really only a temporary fix. I put up with it for a long time, but I was still always self-conscious about the way my teeth looked.

When I decided to visit Paradise Dental, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve always been nervous about having my teeth worked on, but everyone there was so friendly and the team really put me at ease. They took the time to listen to all of my concerns and what I hoped to accomplish, then recommended veneers for my front teeth. I liked that they took their time and helped me choose just the right color so my teeth would look more natural and not fake.

Now, everyone comments on my nice smile. I’m so happy about the results, but the best part is that I’m not afraid to smile anymore! They did a wonderful job.” - Rowena B.

IF YOU GO

THE SALT CAVES AND SPA

Where: 5200 Paylor Lane, Sarasota Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Island, New York, until surgeries caused them to retire from the force. Rafier Maldonado had back surgery after 12 years on the force, while Myra Maldonado retired after having neck surgery 14 years after joining the police department.

The couple then opened and owned an Edible Arrangements for 15 years. Maldonado said the thought was selling fruit would be a way to encourage healthy lifestyles.

In 2022, the Maldonados decided to sell the business and move to Florida to help care for their mothers. The cancer diagnosis for DeJesus and Candelario was heartbreaking for the family, and the Maldonados wanted to do all they could to help others have positive choices when it comes to dealing with health issues.

Myra Maldonado hopes she made DeJesus, who died of cancer in February, and Candelario, who died of cancer in October 2022, proud by opening their new business.

“What made us do this was hopelessness,” Rafier Maldonado said. “You feel hopeless when you get a diagnosis like cancer and you watch your parents fade away. So you want to help them before it gets to that point. Let’s take care of our bodies before we get to that point … If we can help anybody avert that and not have to go through that hopelessness, that’s what we want to do.”

Salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, helps with respiratory health, skin health, stress, anxiety and more.

Rafier Maldonado said although the therapies cannot cure illnesses,

it can help people get into a healthy mindset. He said they want to educate people on healthy and natural ways they can live at a younger age to avoid issues later in life.

Myra Maldonado said she wants every client to feel at home at The Salt Caves and Spa. She said she hopes halotherapy becomes a part of people’s lifestyles, like going to the gym.

The Maldonados not only want to help people, but they also provide pet halotherapy. They have an infrared halotherapy machine that people can go into with their pets to receive salt therapy.

“It’s funny because people ask why we’re adding that to a spa, but pets are still part of our family too, right?” Myra Maldonado said. “I think we spend more money on our dogs than we do on ourselves. We pamper them.”

Myra Maldonado said her 12-year-old dog, Minion, suffers from allergies, and the halotherapy helps his skin.

She said if the pet halotherapy becomes popular, she hopes to take it on the road in a mobile unit and start to treat more animals, including farm animals.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Myra Maldonado shows the inside of one of the salt caves. The salt came from Pakistan, and the cave was designed to transport people to a calm, relaxing “safe haven,” she says.

Rafier Maldonado and Myra Maldonado opened The Salt Caves and Spa to encourage healthier lifestyles. They opened the business after trying to find holistic treatments for their mothers, who died of cancer.

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

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DOUBLE TALK by Paul Coulter, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos