In a brief celebration, all of Gene Witt Elementary School’s more than 700 students and staff gathered to sing “Happy Birthday.”
But rather than singing it to anyone in particular, the school community sang to the school itself Aug. 16, as the school observes its 30th anniversary this school year.
Gene Witt Elementary School Principal Connie Dixon made the event feel more like a family reunion by inviting former staff members to attend the celebration, including Myra Russell (above with Dixon), who was a principal at Gene Witt for 19 years. Russell spent 44 years in education, serving as principal of Gene Witt from 1995 to 2014.
Rooting for others
Seeds packed at Grace Church in Lakewood Ranch on Aug. 23 will be in Haiti by next month.
David Balsbaugh, CEO of Hope Seeds, and his wife and executive assistant, Maxine Balsbaugh (above with Grace’s outreach coordinator Bonnie Caulson) brought enough seeds to feed 1,000 families for a year. Each family seed pack includes 13 crops, such as beets, eggplant, cabbage and herbs.
“Vegetables in the family packs are to feed the families, but we also give them extras so they can actually have enough to sell,” Maxine Balsbaugh said. “And they do. It’s pretty neat to hear that feedback from people that they are not just increasing their own nutrition, but also getting money to support their families.”
Foundation finds dream home
Maddox Gaulman, a B.D. Gullett Elementary School third grader, underlines important
Debby has left, but flooding persists
East County streets and properties flood again from heavy rains weeks after Hurricane Debby drowned the area.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Jason Thurber spent $11,000 to repair his driveway after Hurricane Debby tore open the creek that runs underneath it.
Two weeks later on Aug. 20, a 45-minute rain storm washed away most of that work. The situation for Thurber and his neighbors on Waterline Road only worsened as the rain continued.
At the land use meeting on Aug. 22, Deputy County Administrator Evan Pilachowski reported widespread rainfall around Lake Manatee of 3-4 inches and 6-8 inches in isolated areas, all within 36 hours. He noted the soils were already saturated. The stormwater ponds were full, and the culverts were running at capacity.
“When we have that significant rainfall on top of a very saturated stormwater system, that water really doesn’t have anywhere to go,” Pilachowski said. “There’s been some flooding along Waterline Road and Dam Road ... that’s part of the system being saturated and overloaded.” With recent concerns raised about the integrity of the Lake Manatee Dam, Pilachowski stressed that residents should not fear a dam breach. However, he said it would be “prudent” to lower Lake Manatee’s water level.
Lake Manatee is the source of drinking water for Manatee County residents, so the staff has to consider the levels carefully. The reservoir has to be high enough to sustain citizens throughout the county and be low enough to keep residents downriver out of danger. The county made
contact with 14 residents downriver on Aug. 21 because at about 7 p.m., the rainfall was increasing the flow into Lake Manatee at a rate of 3,500 cubic feet per second, which is the rate that starts impacting residents downriver.
“We made direct communication with all 14 of those property owners, and shortly thereafter, the flows continued to increase rapidly where we were looking at 5,000 to 6,000 (cubic feet per second),” Pilachowski said. “It was not an active release. We are simply monitoring the flows in the Manatee River leading into Lake Manatee to at least provide some prior notification to those properties where we know there have been historic impacts.”
Through social media, Pilachowski said the county identified additional homeowners who were also experienced flooding. While the county is being more proactive with its communications post-storm, residents complained that the dam is not the only issue that affects flooding.
“The county is not being accurate,” Waterline Road resident Mark Vanderee said. “Sand Branch Creek is overloaded, but it is due 100% to upstream issues.”
Thurber’s property is on Waterline Road, but it is not impacted by water releases from the dam.
While the county has blamed heavy rain events for the flooding, Thurber and several of his neighbors blame new developments in the area for contributing to the flooding.
Thurber estimates the new developments are raised about four to five feet higher than his property.
“Everything is pitched this way
Southwest Florida Water Management District.
“Waterline Road and Dam Road are flooded like never before — one end to the other,” 30-year Dam Road resident Chris McGuinness said on Aug. 21. “The flooding started as soon as the rain started. It’s never been this bad.”
Vanderee worries the road will eventually wash out, which could affect the water supply pipes that run underneath Waterline Road.
Pilachowski confirmed the water pipes are under the road and could feasibly be washed out but said the staff is continually monitoring the area for any impacts and the pipes are not at risk at this time.
with nowhere else to go,” Thurber said. “We had to move our horses because the stalls were flooded again.”
Ryan Homes at Hillwood Preserve is across the street to the north of Thurber’s property, and Palm Grove is being built to the south. He said he hasn’t contacted the developers. His reasoning is that since the county approved the projects, it’s not the developers’ responsibility to fix the flooding. It’s the county’s responsibility.
Thurber’s driveway is still passable, but he’s been advised not to use it because it could collapse again. Sinkholes left on his property from the storm continue to expand with each rain event.
Thurber wants the county to establish an easement for his property, so county staff will have to maintain the creek from now on. Bill Logan, the information outreach manager for the county, said the county has no authority over Thurber’s property, and he needs to speak with the
Sand Branch Creek, which divides his property in two, rose from about a foot of water to about 5 or 6 feet of water.
“We lost another wall of the creek,“ Thurber said. “(Debby) was called a 100-year storm, but it’s two weeks later. Now what is it?”
Courtesy images
Chris McGuinness takes a photo of flooding on Dam Road on Aug. 21.
Two weeks later after Hurricane Debby, Sand Branch Creek rises as high as it did during the hurricane. Prior to Debby,
Jason Thurber described its flow as a trickle.
Foundation for Dreams works to expand
Manatee County provides 62 acres for the nonprofit to serve children with disabilities.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
An abandoned compound on 62 acres next to Rye Preserve will host more than wild animals by next summer.
Manatee County owns the property at 751 Rye Wilderness Trail, but the county handed over the keys to the Foundation for Dreams in early August.
The property was occupied by the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches from 1988 through February 2022. The structures on the property include a multipurpose building, maintenance building, learning center, three cottages, two houses, a pool and a basketball court.
The Foundation for Dreams serves children, ages 7 through 17, with special needs. Currently, the foundation offers sleep-away weekend and summer camps at Camp Flying Eagle off Upper Manatee River Road.
Southwest Florida Boy Scouts owns and operates Flying Eagle.
“We’re able to run a lot more independently now,” said Elena Cassella, executive director of Foundation for Dreams. “We’re able to collaborate more with other agencies throughout the county and meet more of the needs of the county as they continue to evolve.”
Dream Oaks Camp, which serves children with special needs, will continue to be the foundation’s primary program.
However, another need that was identified within Manatee County is programs for young adults with developmental disabilities. Cassella said the foundation is exploring programming for ages 18 to 30 because there are so few options in the community.
Specialized groups of children, such as those living in foster care, are another demographic the new campus could serve.
“I’ve seen the parents. I’ve seen the kids who are affected by it. It’s just a great organization,” Commissioner George Kruse said. “Due to the county’s growth, some of these big nonprofits are experiencing capacity constraints. The Foundation for Dreams certainly deserves the opportunity to provide a quality camp and experience to as many kids as humanly possible here in Manatee County.”
GETTING UP TO CODE
There’s work to be done before new programs can be introduced. Cassella said it will take a five-year plan and a capital campaign to fully rehab the property.
The structures were built between 1991 and 2001. On top of that, they sat vacant for more than two years. But one of the bigger issues that needs to be addressed is the property is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Since the property is a county
A LAWYER’S LEGACY
The idea for the Dream Oaks Camp came to Eddie Mulock when he was laid up in a hospital bed recovering from a heart transplant in 1995. He wanted to create a place for children with disabilities and chronic illnesses that wasn’t a hospital.
Mulock, a local attorney founded the Foundation for Dreams in 1996. The foundation partnered with the Boy Scouts in 2000. By 2001, the Dream Oaks Camp welcomed 56 campers at Camp Flying Eagle. That fall, construction began on the cabins.
Today, the Dream Oaks Camp serves more than 700 campers annually.
Part of Mulock’s dream for the foundation was for it to find a space to call its own. Mulock died in May 2022 at 78 years old.
“He had a real vision for serving children in this community and a passion for serving children with special needs,” Elena Cassella said.
“I promised him, before he passed, that we were going to do this (make the move), and Devonte and I were able to pull it off with our board of directors. I know he would be super proud of us.”
asset being leased to the foundation, Manatee County will reimburse the foundation up to $1 million for remodeling the buildings up to ADA standards, which will include widening the doorways to allow for wheelchairs.
There are issues outside, as well.
The parking lot is filled with cracks.
The road to the cottages is dirt, and the sidewalks don’t connect the buildings.
“Everything is going to have to become accessible,” Cassella said.
“The cottages will have accessible sidewalks or roads that connect them. A lot of times, those wheelchairs cost as much as cars. We have to make sure that equipment is protected, too.”
Cassella described the pool as being in “rough shape.” It’s also not ADA compliant or large enough for the foundation’s needs.
MOVING FORWARD
Cassella estimates the pool alone will cost $100,000. To get the property up and running will likely cost around $2.5 million. The foundation will be launching a capital campaign to cover the improvements on Oct. 11 at its annual Endless Summer Nights fundraising event.
Beyond renovations, there are additional expenses that need to be covered, such as filling the commercial-sized kitchen with equipment and purchasing a shuttle to transport campers to and from a canoe launch, which is not on site as it was at Camp Flying Eagle.
“We’re able to run a lot more independently now. We’re able to collaborate more with other agencies throughout the county and meet more of the needs of the county as they continue to evolve.”
Elena Cassella, executive director of Foundation for Dreams
“We’re very grassroots. We get county funding, but we don’t receive any state funding,” Cassella said. “We’re hoping that those folks that have trades are able to come in and help us with some of those services if they own a flooring company, a pool company or a window company. Those are the types of trades that we’re looking to partner with.”
Cassella said the foundation isn’t looking for anything free.
It’s looking for true partners, and the foundation has naming opportunities and other ways to let the community know that those companies
are not only in business, but they also give back.
Movers could be useful, too, but they’d be lifting more than boxes.
Foundation for Dreams built seven 2,000-square-foot cottages at Camp Flying Eagle. The structures are on cinder blocks, so staff is looking into moving those, too.
There’s also a 4,000-square-foot playground the foundation invested $250,000 into 10 years ago. If moved, it needs a new cement slab and a new surface.
According to the contract, the foundation has the right to move anything that’s not attached. If the cabins are moved, the number of campers per session could more than double what the foundation can serve now.
At Camp Flying Eagle, the foundation can accommodate up to 45 campers per session with no more than a 3:1 ratio of campers to counselors. The accommodations at the new site, without the cabins being moved, can serve up to 60 campers.
However, serving more campers would require increasing the number of staff members. Cassella stressed this is not a one-year project. This is a project that will happen in phases over the next five years, but the immediate goal is to host campers in the new location by next summer.
First on the list of projects is the director’s house and the multipurpose building, which houses the administration offices. The goal is to have both buildings occupied over the next two months so someone will always be on site as the renovations are underway.
Camp Director Devonte Ousley will live on campus in the director’s house. Ousley started as a counselor nine years ago. Now, as director, he schedules and oversees all the camps.
The move will make his job much easier. Because the foundation currently uses the Boy Scouts’ space, Ousley has to schedule camps up to a year in advance. The new location will allow for more flexible scheduling and additional camp sessions.
“In the past, we were not able to serve anyone other than children with special needs,” Cassella said.
“The county’s goal for this property is to serve the constituents and children in Manatee County. And they know our goal is to be able to expand what we’re doing and work with other agencies.”
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Executive Director Elena Cassella, with Camp Director Devonte Ousley, said the dirt road that runs through the property is one of several improvements that will be made to make the property ADA compliant.
The 5,500-square-foot multipurpose building was built in 1991 and hosts administration offices, as well as a commercial kitchen and dining hall.
Dream Oaks Camp offers outdoor activities such as canoeing and horseback riding.
Key to success: Sustaining progress
After the School District of Manatee County saw academic gains across the board last school year, district leaders say an A rating is within reach.
On the first day of school Aug. 12, Jason Wysong, superintendent of the School District of Manatee County, visited two elementary schools, a middle and a high school. Throughout the day, he went from class to class, and as the day went on, he noticed the teachers moving on from addressing routines and classroom and school policies to instruction.
Every minute of instruction in the school year counts.
After seeing the district make successful gains in every academic component considered in district grading, the only reason the district didn’t receive an A rating was because the Florida Department of Education changed its grading system.
The district received a B rating and was only two percentage points shy of becoming an A-rated district.
Derek Jensen, the deputy superintendent of instruction for the district, said the district would have been an A if the state didn’t include learning gains as new grading components.
So what will it take for the School District of Manatee County to finally become an A district?
Jensen and Wysong both said the answer is sustaining the successes and gains from last school year.
In 2023-24, the district had 24 schools receive an A rating, the most since the 2012-2013 school year
Liz Ramos
Todd Richardson, principal of B.D. Gullett Elementary School, helps third graders Oliver Bates and Dylan Berg with a reading assignment.
School District of Manatee County academic scores
The district saw improvements in all
rate.
Third grade reading proficiency, which has been a priority for members of the School Board of Manatee County, increased from 50% in 2022-2023 to 54% in 2023-2024.
Jensen said the district’s successes are a testament to the hard work of teachers, school leaders, students and their families.
“We’re on a positive trajectory, and our students and teachers are putting in the effort,” Jensen said. “It’s about continuing that momentum and building upon it. (We want to) continue to grow our expertise and capacity under this new state assessment, under these new benchmarks and standards, and continue to support students and families as we work toward mastery.”
Even with its achievements in 2023-24, Jensen said the district continues to have work to do, but it’s moving in the right direction.
“Everyone sees a vision and a path toward continuing to support our students toward excellence and toward being an A-rated school district,” Jensen said.
If the district continues to build on the foundation that was set in Wysong’s first year as superintendent, Jensen and Wysong both said finally receiving the A will be in the district’s reach.
ACADEMIC FOCUSES
The School Board of Manatee County has set its eyes on increasing the
Editor’s note: Percentages reflect those performing at their grade level. N/A= State did not compile percentages in that component last year.
number of the third graders who are proficient in reading.
The district has made incremental gains, jumping from 47% proficiency in 2021-2022 to 50% in 2022-2023 to 54% in 2023-2024.
To some, 54% might seem disheartening, but Jensen said the percentage needs to be contextualized.
The highest performing districts in the state are in the mid and high 60s, he said.
There are only two districts — St. Johns County School District and Sarasota County Schools — that have a third grade English language arts achievement score of above 70%. Of the 67 districts in Florida, 46 districts, including Manatee, had a 54% or higher third grade English language arts achievement.
Jensen said the test measures not only basic reading skills but also comprehension and analysis.
“Students are being asked very
School District of Manatee County grade history
complex questions about analyzing a plot, theme or central idea,” Jensen said. “We have very high expectations for our third graders, and I believe with the right support, they can meet those expectations … We need that number (54%) to be much higher because we know when students are proficient in third grade, it leads to strong, long term academic and life outcomes for them.”
Jensen said community initiatives and partnerships assist the district in supporting early literacy programs.
From Soar in 4 to the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch’s Books for Kids and Books for Kids Kindergarten programs, Jensen said the programs support families to be their students’ first teacher or provide volunteers to serve as tutors for students, especially in Title I schools.
The programs are part of laying an infrastructure for literacy support in kindergarten through second
grade that hopes that it will translate into higher third grade achievement scores.
Wysong said a majority of last year’s kindergartners, who are now first graders, were reading on grade level by the end of the year. He said those students are on a trajectory to produce the highest third grade scores in the district’s history.
Another focal point for the district is on the opposite end of the K-12 spectrum: graduation rates. The district sits at 82% of seniors graduating high school, but Wysong said the number should be closer to 90%.
To get there, Wysong said the district will have more “tailored programs for students with unique circumstances” to provide options to meet students’ needs. He said the needs of students at Lakewood Ranch High School, which has a 97% graduation rate, are going to be different than those at Bayshore High School, which has a 72% graduation rate.
Science, particularly in fifth and eighth grades, and social studies also will be a focus for the district.
Jensen said the new textbooks and instructional materials in science and social studies the district has will help support the instructional work the district is putting into civics and U.S. history achievement.
MOVING FORWARD
The district is focused on sustained growth through various skills.
The work began over the summer when Wysong met one on one and in small groups with principals.
Jensen also tours schools and visits classrooms with other instructional district-level administrators and the principals to see first-hand everyday instruction. His instruc-
tional leadership team meets every week to pour over data, whether it’s the latest student achievement data, attendance data or discipline data.
Jensen said teachers are utilizing the state’s progress monitoring system for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking. Students are tested three times per year, and teachers receive results swiftly, allowing them to adjust their teaching methods. New this year: educational rounds. Similar to the medical field, principals and assistant principals in small groups will visit each others’ campuses to build their “capacity as leaders,” Jensen said.
“As a school leader, you’re so focused on your own school that it can be refreshing and enlightening to go to a few other schools and see how those schools do different things,” he said. “Being able to bring back the best of those things to your own school and faculty will only help drive our student outcomes going forward.”
Principals will visit schools across different grade levels, meaning an elementary principal will visit a middle school or a high school principal will visit an elementary school.
“Mr. Jensen and I both feel honored and humbled to get to visit every school and to get to understand how it all fits together, and we want other people to have that opportunity to see that,” Wysong said. “When our elementary and middle school leaders and teachers send us ninth graders who are reading and doing math on grade level, it sets up that on-time graduation rate. The high school graduation rate is a system graduation rate. Yes, the mathematics of it is about how a student does in grades nine through 12, but it tells you the health of the whole system.”
F 8 5
*=Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no school or district grades issues in 2019-2020 and school and district grades were opt-in only in 2020-2021.
Settlement reached on Savanna battle
board) would have been able to deny
The first and second proposals were denied by commissioners in January and June of 2021, but the tides began to shift at the Aug. 15 Planning Commission meeting.
Residents formed a nonprofit called Save Our Savanna at Lakewood Ranch, hired attorney Dan Lobeck, submitted 50 pages of public comments and spoke to the Planning Commission in person. Despite all that, the Planning Commission recommended approval in a vote of 4-1.
“I think this is a good use of the land,” Chair Richard Bedford said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect the entrance of Savanna.”
By the time of the commission meeting on Aug. 22, an agreement between residents and developers had been reached.
er-Manatee Ranch, made two reallocation requests at the Aug. 22 land use meeting. The sites are part of SMR’s Northwest Sector Development of Regional Impact agreement. The site is generally located east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, south of 44th Avenue East, west of Lorraine Road and north of State Road 70.
The first request was to exchange 88 singlefamily residential units and 124,000 square feet of commercial space from the master development plan for 606 multifamily residential units.
The second request was to exchange 88 single-family units for 125 multifamily units.
Lakewood Ranch resident Alex Zappavigna submitted a public comment telling commissioners that trading 88 single-family units for 606 multifamily units is absurd.
“We do not need additional overpriced and poor value housing,” he wrote. “The community, as a whole, would benefit from the commercial investment as the land was originally intended, providing the residents more accessible resources and employment.
Original plans included a gas station, which is no longer allowed under the new terms. The only permitted commercial retail uses are a drive-thru restaurant, convenience store or general retail store. Allowable commercial services include a dry cleaner, bank and veterinary clinic.
The site will be limited to 10,125 square feet of commercial retail use and a 12,000-square-foot child care facility.
The Kiddie Academy has already brokered a deal with Casto to lease the space, which will serve about 200 families in the area.
Both requests were approved by the commission.
Michael Chadwick, managing director of Southeast Development for Casto, said there are no commitments for the retail space yet. Residents didn’t have an issue with Casto per se, but they felt Meritage had been deceptive by selling to Casto. Buyers in Savanna repeated the same argument over and over. When they were sold their homes, that 5.23 acres was labeled as “passive open space.”
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch is outlined in yellow. The red area is where
Beyond First Class™
Lessons from the primary
Negative campaigning ‘moved the needle,’ all right — not the way promoters expected. Other messages: Act like adults; treat people with respect.
And so the pendulum is swinging — from the right to the left, closer to the center, albeit still distant enough from crossing the Maginot line to the progressive left.
You can say that for Manatee and Sarasota counties after the Aug. 20 primary elections.
Perhaps most decisively and for sure, in Manatee, voters said they have had enough of the sleazy, negative campaign flyers and advertisements and, by extension, enough of the candidates who associated themselves with such tactics.
As you can see from the accompanying scorecard, seven of the 10 candidates whom political consultant Anthony Pedicini represented in Sarasota and Manatee lost.
Negative advertising moves the needle, all right.
It’s certainly accurate to say Pedicini’s dirt-stained mailers fueled the rejection of his and the developer-backed candidates.
But voters had plenty of other reasons to motivate them to oust incumbents Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Ray Turner.
Voters apparently were still fuming over the vote to reduce wetland barriers. And clearly, based on the vote counts, there also was the perception — albeit not true — that the incumbent commissioners these past four years were taking orders from homebuilders and campaign funders, Carlos Beruff, owner of Medallion Homes, and Pat Neal, owner of Neal Communities.
In truth, all the clacking about the developers causing “overdevelopment” also is not true. But good luck trying to make that case.
Altogether, the root of the chief motivator for the County Commission election results was Van Ostenbridge — specifically, his behavior over the past four years. Voters clearly refused to tolerate
PEDICINI SCORECARD: 3-7
MANATEE Winners — William “Bill” Conerly, Jon Lynch Losers — James Satcher, Kevin van Ostenbridge, Ray Turner, Steve Metallo, April Culbreath, Alex Garner
SARASOTA Winner — Teresa Mast
Loser — Neil Rainford
another term of his open disdain and disrespect for residents during commission meetings.
By extension, there was guilt by association. Voters dumped any candidate associated with Van Ostenbridge, the majority on the commission, developer campaign funding and/or Pedicini.
All that sunk the chances for Turner, April Culbreath and Steve Metallo and boosted to primary victories Republicans Carol Felts, Tal Siddique and Robert McCann, and fueled the reelection of George Kruse.
We won’t know for two years whether the 2024 primary results will bring a permanent shift in the tone of campaigns. But this primary’s results sent a clear message. Indeed, for the three remaining Republican incumbents on the Manatee County Commission, there are lessons to be gleaned:
■ You are servants; act like it. And act like an adult. Treat all constituents with dignity and respect. That also means tolerating the ignorant (up to a point).
■ Listen and overcommunicate. One of a commissioner’s chief responsibilities is to listen to constituents. Likewise, explain. Overexplain the rationale for your votes, especially on controversial issues.
■ Ugly campaigning reflects negatively on your character. Sure, it has been standard political protocol from the beginning of our republic to tear down the political opposition. But there are dignified ways to do it.
Wouldn’t you rather preserve and maintain your integrity by making the case to voters for your ideas and position on issues and by contrasting your positions versus those of your opponent as a mature adult than talking trash and lies?
Take the high road. Do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.
‘For the people’ populism versus rights of the individual
A common theme among the Manatee County Commission candidates who won their primaries Aug. 20 was a populist tune — the standard election promise to be “for the people.”
Robert McCann, who defeated Ray Turner for the District 5 Manatee County Commission Republican nomination, said on election night, “We’re going to advocate for the people and what they want.”
The same night, incumbent County Commissioner George Kruse, who won the Republican nomination for District 7, said no matter who is elected in the November general election “there are no scenarios where the public side is not the majority.”
Populism is popular. Indeed, voters like to hear candidates and politicians promise with a shake of their fists they “will fight for the people.” For some, that talk can trigger those famous words from Abraham Lincoln: “Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Yeah! That’s what we want — commissioners who will listen to us, the people, and tell that developer “no.” For the people!
While Lincoln defined democracy fairly accurately, he left unsaid what his words actually mean. In truth, democracy “by the people” is majority, mob rule. In a pure democracy, there is no limit placed on the power of the majority. The poor individual who disagrees with the majority becomes subservient, a slave — “slavery of a minority.” And as author Isabel Paterson so ably argued in “The God of the Machine,” “Democracy inevitably lapses into tyranny.”
Here is the point: As the primary election winners and the candidates on the general election ballot make their case, a fervent hope is they temper their populist “people” rhetoric and take to heart:
■ 1) The individual is supreme, not the collective.
In truth, there is no such thing as “the common good.” No one speaks to this better than the late Ayn Rand: “When ‘the common good’ of a society is regarded as something apart from and superior to the individual good of its members, it means that the good of some men takes precedence over the good of others, with
In defense of developers
It was certainly a cringe moment when former Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, then a candidate for the District 3 Sarasota County Commission seat, made this comment about the region’s most prominent developers: “They have a stranglehold on our county. They are as bad as the gangs I dealt with as sheriff.” Oh dear. Really? Gang members? C’mon, Tom. Unfortunately, that apparently is the sentiment of many people. Well, that’s at least the impression you get. And that is the perception and was the predominant theme of the primary election cycle in Sarasota and Manatee counties. It appears pretty black and white. There were only two types of candidates running in the primary.
The black hats: The candidates who are referred to derisively as the “bought-and-paid-for-bydevelopers.”
And the white hats: The candidates who did not have developers’ contributions and who constantly rag about “greedy developers” causing “over development” and harping that the black hats candidates, if elected, are going to do whatever the developers want. Before election results were in, we had no real sense of whether that anti-developer sentiment constituted the majority or minor-
ity. But on election day and before, we prayed the majority voting in the primary would think rationally; think beyond the campaign rhetoric; and reject the notion that developers are greedy, evil bad guys. Sure, there are always bad apples. But if you have ever gotten to know developers or homebuilders, in all likelihood you know they are like most good people and most good business people. They’re calling is to fill a noble need — to provide comfortable places to live. And like all business people, they have a self-interest in doing what they do well. If they didn’t do their jobs well, they wouldn’t exist. They and their employees would lose it all. Likewise, it is in their interest to make the communities in which they build (and live themselves) good places to live. They don’t want to live in a crummy place. They don’t want their names associated with lousy products.
But, of course, the argument we often heard during the campaign, was: They’re building too many houses and apartments! They’re the cause of over development, crowded roadways and lack of infrastructure! It’s all their fault!
When we shared those charges with Pat Neal, CEO/owner of Neal Communities, the region’s largest home-grown homebuilder, he said: “What we do is serve the market
those others consigned to the status of sacrificial animals.”
In her book, “The Virtues of Selfishness” (a concept most people would think is an impossibility), Rand points out that “society is only a number of individual men.” Or, as Paterson put it, “No group is as intelligent as an individual. No group, as a group, has any intelligence; all intelligence is in individuals.”
Rand further points out how history is littered with failed political systems where the good of society was placed above the individual and individual rights — Pharaoh of Egypt; the democracy of Athens; Emperors of Rome, monarchies of France; and “the gas chambers of Nazi Germany” and “the slaughterhouse of the Soviet Union.”
But when the Founding Fathers came along, they revolutionized the world by subordinating society to individuals and individual rights. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution put limits on the power of the state, as Rand put it: “… as man’s protection against the brute force of the collective.”
“All previous systems,” she wrote, “held that man’s life belongs to society, that society can dispose of him in any way it pleases, and that any freedom he enjoys is his only by the permission of society.
“The United States held that man’s life is his by right, that a right is the property of an individual, that society as such has no rights, and that the only moral purpose of government is the protection of individual rights.”
Thus, when elected officials cast their votes on legislation, their justification should not be on the argument of what is best for “the common good,” but rather on what is best and right for the individual.
■ 2) The people don’t bow to them. They are servants.
With the adoption of the Constitution, the Founding Fathers flipped the role of government from that of ruler to servant.
“The Bill of Rights was not directed against private citizens,” Rand wrote, “but against the government — as an explicit declaration that individual rights supersede any public or social power.”
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home is much cheaper than one-off housing construction. If you want lower cost housing, you are only going to get it with developers.”
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for people who want to be in this wonderful state.”
Adds Medallion Homes owner Carlos Beruff, viewed by many as Enemy Number One in Manatee: “We didn’t create the fact people keep wanting to move here. Maybe remind everyone they live in a house that one of us probably built for them.”
It’s not the homebuilders; it’s population growth — over which developers have no control. Population growth is driving the so-called “over development.”
Neal told us 57% of his customers do not have a Florida address when they make their first purchase; 22% are from elsewhere in Florida.
What’s more, when you’re inclined to huff nasty expletives at developers, flip the coin. Think about what life would be if developers didn’t develop.
The alternative to developers is for individual homeowners to hire contractors to build their homes. But one-off homes provide no amenities like sidewalks, parks, roads, bike trails, etc.,” says Adrian Moore, a resident of Sarasota and vice president of the Reason Foundation.
“There simply is no way to build significant apartment buildings or condo complexes without developers,” Moore adds. “The economies of scale of building housing in large developments means the cost per
Charge No. 2 against developers — and the charge that seems most volatile during election season: Developers buy politicians.
Yes, they contribute hundreds of thousands to city and county commissioner and state legislative campaigns. Asked to respond to this, Neal sent a memo, and in big bold letters the conclusion to his explanation was: It’s “a matter of survival.”
“I think real estate developers are the only people whose lives really, really live and die on what the County Commission does,” Neal says. “The commission is in charge of land use and county policy and culture.”
We have noted this before. Local commissioners and state lawmakers have extraordinary power over individuals’ properties. Every time lawmakers make a decision on a property, they are changing the cost for the individual who may want to sell his property; for the developer and homebuilder; and for the consumer. Says Beruff: “I have spent my adult life supporting people who think like I do. We won’t agree 100% of the time, but if eight out 10 times we’re on the same page, why shouldn’t I support those people?”
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MATT WALSH
Angry Manatee taxpayers release their wrath by voting
t was the last straw for Manatee County voters. In October, five of the seven Manatee County commissioners (George Kruse opposed, and Ray Turner was out of the country) voted to cut wetland protections despite overwhelming protests from the public.
Manatee County voters filled the commissioners’ voicemails with their objections and stuffed the commission chambers to lodge protests. No one, other than Kruse and Turner, seemed to care. It was pure arrogance.
The issue, indeed, was big. Environmental issues are paramount throughout our country, and not just in this Florida county. Red tide, pollution, rapid growth, have most of us scared about what we are leaving to our future generations.
That aside, though, the cut of wetland protections showed obvious contempt for the voters themselves. One commissioner called protestors the “silent minority,” despite the huge numbers who responded. The commissioners stopped representing the people they represented.
And it was all so unnecessary.
District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who switched districts and lost to Kruse in District 7, and James Satcher, who lost to Scott Farrington in his bid to be supervisor of elections after switching jobs from District 1, bore the brunt of the blowback. They didn’t lose the election by votes. They lost it by the approximately 10 yards that would have protected wetlands.
One NFL first down.
If they had rallied to keep that 10 yards of wetland protections in place, it is unlikely the current elec-
tion would have come out the way it did.
In March, I wrote a column about Satcher’s upcoming decision to give up his District 1 Commission seat to take a higher-paying job as supervisor of elections, even though his ability to run such an office was being questioned. It smelled of political wrangling and it seemed Satcher was caught up in his party’s juggling act. I said it was likely to leave Satcher without any position by the time the primary was over. Here we are.
Would Satcher have beaten Carol Felts in the primary Aug. 20 if he stayed in District 1? As a sitting commissioner, he certainly would have had a good chance. In the supervisor of elections race, though, it seemed unlikely he could gain the public’s favor in an office that had a longtime No. 2 man in Farrington also seeking the job.
Hopefully, Gov. Ron DeSantis has learned a lesson about appointing people without doing his due diligence. I understand that politicians have to give a little gravy to those who support them, but in this case, DeSantis had received a letter from longtime Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett, who had informed him of all of Farrington’s qualifications. DeSantis ignored it.
Here we are. I hope Farrington is so well liked in his office that anyone who was dismissed or driven away by Satcher returns in a hurry. Farrington, hopefully, will give back the $841,340 of our tax money that was requested, and granted, by commissioners, to expand the SOE budget. Bennett and Farrington were running things quite nicely without that increase, thank you.
I also would imagine that the dismissal of SOE employees might lead to lawsuits, which also is likely to cost us, the taxpayers, if Farrington doesn’t smooth it over.
The bottom line of the commission part of the election is that after the new commissioners take their seats, Amanda Ballard, Mike Rahn, and Jason Bearden, all will be back, along with Kruse. The District 3 seat, whether Carol Felts wins again in November or NPA Jen Hamey or Democrat Glenn Pearson prevails, is likely to be a more environmentally friendly seat. Tal Siddique in District 3 and District 4 Primary winner Robert McCann also say they will be more environmentally friendly. Siddique is scheduled to face a write-in candidate in Jeffrey Gray and McCann will face NPA Joseph Di Bartolomeo.
Let’s try to remember that Felts, McCann and Siddique are all Republicans, so the notion they will stop growth doesn’t make any sense. That’s OK. Anyone living here knows that growth is going to come and we have to be prepared for it.
We also need to allow our quality builders and developers to do their job, as they always have.
The difference should be that projects that don’t make sense should be red-flagged. We all can live together in this world of growth.
While property rights are of the utmost importance, we have to embrace smart growth. Property rights do not mean the owner can do whatever he or she wants. That’s why we have zoning and growth plans.
Growth rights should not allow landowners to kill this wonderful place we call home.
It was an idea voiced by current District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner, who might have been too honest in saying we need to accommodate future growth. The fact is that he was absolutely right, but most people who live here don’t want anyone to say it out loud.
Turner also wanted the county to be more transparent. The past five years have seen Manatee County develop into a secretive entity where information trickles out, and county representatives are often in a defensive stance when questioned by the media, if the media has access to those who are making the decisions.
It is time for the county to voice its ideas early about projects so the public can offer input. It’s time to allow the public more access to commission meetings and county social media sites, and it’s time the agenda has only the rare last-min-
ute additions.
The election was a statement that the taxpayers are, indeed, paying attention, and they want to be heard and informed. If the commissioners don’t embrace smarter growth plans and more transparency, there might be other changes in two years when Ballard, Rahn, and Bearden need to run for reelection.
The taxpayers have issued their warning. They are paying attention.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
Lesley Dwyer
Janet Reardon was at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on Aug. 20 to show support for Scott Farrington and George Kruse.
Meteorologist storms into CERT seminar
Meteorologist Leigh Spann tells area residents they should continue bracing for an active hurricane season.
LESLEY
The midseason hurricane predic-
tion is in, and the National Weather Service continues to predict an active season with the possibility of 23 tropical systems forming over the Atlantic basin.
“That doesn’t mean we’re going to be impacted by 23 tropical systems. It means there are going to be 23 topical systems that exist (in the Atlantic Basin), starting back in June and going forward,” WFLA meteorologist Leigh Spann said. “Then with 12 (hurricanes), and six of those being a Category 3, 4 or 5, that’s obviously well above average.”
Spann was the guest speaker at a hurricane preparedness event hosted by The Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team on Aug. 24 at Town Hall.
While four tropical systems have already passed through the Atlantic Basin, there are still 19 to go. Spann said warm water is the jet fuel for hurricanes. Record high water temperatures added to the “highest preseason forecast ever.”
“It only takes one,” CERT member Jill Perlin said. “We know that some of our neighbors, literally up the street from here, were pretty heavily damaged after Debby.”
The team didn’t officially activate for Hurricane Debby because the weather forecasts didn’t have the storm hitting the Lakewood Ranch area. President Jim Emanuelson said a number of members walked around on their own the morning of Aug. 5 and didn’t see much at 9 a.m.
“All of a sudden, about noon, we had homes flooded,” he said. “Our communications department spent the entire day on social media and on the phone, trying to tell people what to do because the water came on so
fast. Many residents weren’t notified and didn’t know what to do.”
Emanuelson said the group will look at widening its window of when to activate and be even more proactive for future storms, but CERT members are not equipped to deal with flooding.
On the contrary, team members are taught to stay safe during flooding, Emanuelson said, otherwise, they could add to the chaos by trying to help and then needing to be rescued themselves.
The team acts as middlemen between residents in need of rescue and Manatee County. Spann offered a tip for watching weather reports to better understand the potential impacts.
“You never want to be in, what we call, ‘the right front quadrant,’” she said. “That’s where the winds are going to be onshore.”
If you look at the direction a hurricane is headed, the right front quadrant is placed where the passenger seat is in a car. Spann said a 10-mile deviation to the north or south will completely change where those impacts are seen because the water is either being pushed on shore or back out to the gulf.
However, 50% of hurricane deaths due to flooding are related to fresh water, and 25% between 1963 and 2012 occurred in inland counties.
Lesley Dwyer Lakewood Ranch CERT President Jim Emanuelson stands with WFLA meteorologist Leigh Spann. Spann is the guest speaker at a hurricane preparedness event hosted by the CERT team at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
in which various contributions by M/I and its contractors are combined to go toward cancer research through the nonprofit Pelotonia.
On Aug. 26, Greg Crawford, the area president of M/I Homes of Sarasota, beamed with pride as he
It primarily funds research at James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University, which is one of the biggest cancer centers in the U.S. Pelotonia funds all types of cancer and various types of treatment.
held a check for $140,248 outside the home. The check represented the biggest donation M/I Homes of Sarasota has donated to
Photos by Liz Ramos
nia, which is dedicated to providing funding for cancer research.
Crawford presented a check to Pelotonia’s Eric Olsavsky, vice president of community engagement and partnerships, and Carolyn Appelhans, director of community engagement.
Crawford, Olsavsky and Appelhans were surrounded by dozens of M/I Homes of Sarasota employees to celebrate the donation.
A sign stood in front of the Sweetwater home throughout construction designating the home as a “Benefit Home,” causing neighbors to have questions. Appelhans said it was an opportunity for more people to learn about Pelotonia and its mission.
The Sweetwater home was the second M/I Homes Benefit Home and the first Benefit Home in Lakewood Ranch. Last year, M/I Homes of Sarasota donated $80,000 through its Benefit Home built in Parrish.
“This is by far our biggest donation, and you feel a sense of pride that you’re doing something great for a great cause,” Crawford said. “It’s always rewarding when you do this and you get to finally hand them the giant check.”
Chad Burlingame, the vice president of purchasing for M/I Homes, said the willingness for the homebuilders’ vendors to contribute to the cause demonstrates their “true partnership” in working together to support a nonprofit benefitting cancer research.
Donations by the trade partners came in different forms, such as providing materials at a discounted rate or donating labor.
With cancer impacting so many people, Thomas Ryan, a construction manager for M/I Homes, and David Asfur, a senior construction manager at Sweetwater, both said being a small part of a greater cause is rewarding.
Olsavsky said Pelotonia’s funding is not confined to Columbus, Ohio, where the nonprofit has its headquarters.
The homebuilder’s donations will go toward research, he said. Pelotonia primarily funds research at James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University, one of the biggest cancer centers in the U.S.
“Research is not confined to the
M/I Homes’ Greg Crawford expresses gratitude for the work done on the Benefit Home, in which the proceeds went toward cancer research.
four walls of a laboratory,” he said to the dozens of M/I Homes employees at the check presentation. “You are impacting lives globally.”
The family moving from out of state into the Benefit Home will close on the home Aug. 30. The family went through a walk-through of the home Aug. 23. The home originally was projected to be completed by Oct. 1, but M/I Homes was able to finish the home months earlier.
“The last final stages, the cosmetic final attention to detail stage, is really what makes or breaks a house as far as what a homeowner sees through their eyes and (Ryan) did a great job wrapping this one up,” Asfur said.
“It’s a house we’re proud of.”
Olsavsky said the Benefit Home is not only representative of the “beginning of something new” for the family but could be the beginning of something new for cancer research.
“The proceeds of it are potentially creating a new therapy or a new treatment for someone that’s going to beat cancer,” he said. “There’s a synergy there to take a house and the people behind it and have it go to something so meaningful as cancer research. It’s just really neat.”
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Attorney isn’t ready to rest his case
Mill Creek’s Bill Curphey is still active after 50 years as an attorney.
It was early in Bill Curphey III’s career as an attorney when he was putting a theory to work in 1973.
Curphey, who in June received recognition at the Florida Bar Convention in Orlando for his 50 years in the profession, was pushing the courtroom limits as a trial attorney for the Office of the Solicitor of Labor for the U.S. Department of Labor in Cleveland, Ohio.
He was in court, working to prosecute companies and corporations for violations of U.S. labor laws, OSHA regulations, the Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage and overtime), child labor laws and others.
Although he was a young attorney learning on the job, he was facing the cream of the crop of attorneys who were pulling down big bucks.
He needed an edge.
So he would push the legal envelope, making statements and asking questions during the trial that should have led to objections from the opposing attorney.
During one trial, the judge noticed what he was doing.
“The judge was leaning over the bench, staring at me,” said Curphey, who now lives in Mill Creek.
“He said, ‘If the other side wants to object, they should put in an objection now.’”
No objection came, so Curphey pushed forward. Once again, the judge stopped the proceedings and pointed out that he would listen to any objection, if one was made.
By that time, the objections started to come, and Curphey had to back off.
“Still to this day, I will test the opposing attorney,” Curphey said. “I always have found it incredible how badly prepared attorneys are.”
At 76, Curphey still is active as an
attorney, working out of his home with his firm Curphey & Dersch P.A. His job still takes him all over the country and beyond.
“People ask me, ‘Why don’t you retire?’” he said. “I say, ‘What for? I love trying a case.’”
His wife, Joanne Derstine Curphey, said there is no reason for him to stop.
“He loves what he does,” she said. “Although he does tell me not to go into court to watch him because I probably wouldn’t like him.”
About his 50 years as an attorney, Curphey said with a laugh, “I thought it would take longer to get here.”
He loves his work, which has included trying hundreds of cases over the years and speaking around the world on topics such as regulatory compliance, how to avoid employment litigation, and teachering supervisory skills and supervision.
He has loved his job despite the public’s often negative view of his profession.
American author Mario Puzo once said “A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.”
In reality, Curphey helped many of those in need who were being bullied or badgered by their employers, or even the government. Being an
Courtesy image
Bill Curphey was honored by The Florida Bar in June in Orlando for his 50 years as an attorney.
attorney can be a noble pursuit, and he would recommend it as a career for today’s talented students.
On a day when Curphey talked about his long career, he gave tips for young people who might consider a career as an attorney. His own path was a bit different.
He grew up in a farming community in Lexington, Ohio. His father, Bill Curphey II, owned a men’s clothing store, while his mom, Gertrude Curphey, was a nurse. They wanted him to be successful. “You are going to college!” was the common refrain at his home.
As a kid, though, he had other dreams. After receiving his first model train set, he wanted to be a railroad engineer.
“I fell in love with it,” he said. Even today, in his Mill Creek home, is an extensive model train set that still brings out the kid in him.
But he didn’t go down those tracks as a young man.
“In high school, I was really good in science and math,” he said.
So he listened to his parents and went to Ohio State.
However, after getting his undergraduate degree, he still was undecided upon a career. So, on a whim, he took the law school admission test, acing it. He went to Cleveland State after being offered a scholarship, and entered its clinical program where he was in court each day, arguing cases.
He loved the competition, and he also admitted, “I never wanted a job where you had to be there every day. Maybe it was God’s plan because I just fell into it.”
He might have fallen into it, but he had to work to be good at it.
“Law school doesn’t teach you how to try a case,” he said. “You learn that on your own.”
So for the young people who are considering a law career, he offered these tips that helped him have success in a tough profession:
■ 1. Don’t be shy. “Being a trial attorney is what I love the most,” he said. “I like meeting strangers and connecting with them. You need to be able to do that. I love meeting people from all over the U.S. It helps if you understand the current political situation because you have to be able to relate to (the jurors).”
■ 2. “You have got to be able to
make people like you,” he said. “If (the jurors) like you, they will filter out evidence they would normally grab onto. They grab onto evidence that favors you.”
■ 3. Use humor. “I would use humor quite often,” he said. During the jury selection — the voir dire portion (to speak the truth) of the process — attorneys often use humor to relate to jurors, and to see how they respond. “You have to be a people person,” he said.
■ 4. Be a communicator, without notes. Curphey said it can be difficult for an attorney to establish a rapport with a junior if he or she always is breaking up the flow by reading or checking notes. It all is part of preparation. And those English and public speaking classes are important to being a solid communicator. “I have dealt with attorneys who couldn’t communicate,” he said. “Litigators paper a case to death. A trial attorney has to talk to a jury.”
■ 5. Maintain relationships. Curphey said with social media today, it is easier to maintain relationships in your network. You might never know when those relationships can be valuable in the future.
■ 6. Love research. “You need to be willing to do a lot of research,” he said. “For every one hour in a classroom, it takes 10 hours in the library.”
■ 7. Be prepared, even if you think your opponent’s case is ludicrous. He once represented a man who was being sued by a neighbor, who claimed the client was an alien and that in communicating with his alien world, he had somehow made his neighbor ill. Curphey made sure the onus was on his opponent to prove his client was, indeed, an alien. Yes, Curphey won the case.
■ 8. Use your imagination in key moments. In 2007, Curphey was trying to influence a jury to present his client, a Melbourne secretary who was being sexually harassed by her employers, with considerable damages that corresponded to the crime. He told the jurors in his closing argument, “Orlando is the magic world, and I wish you could wave a magic wand and make my client’s pain go away. But you can’t. You can’t restore self-worth and dignity. So we have to do it with money.” She received $1.3 million.
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Hard times reveal the true strength of a community, reminding us that we need to lean on each other and work together to restore the place we call home.
THE DEBBY FLOODS CHALLENGED THE COMMUNITY
The recent flooding crisis that struck the region tested many, but amidst the chaos, Kirkplan Kitchen stood out as a pillar of support for the Sarasota & Manatee communities. Having been a trusted name in the local area for over 25 years, with more than 16,000 completed projects, Kirkplan Kitchen’s reputation for reliability was once again proven.
As the floodwaters rose, inundating homes and causing widespread damage, Kirkplan Kitchen extended a helping hand to those affected.
The collaborative efforts of residents and volunteers showcased the strength and resilience of the community. Together, they worked tirelessly to bring hope and restoration to those impacted by the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, moments of joy and gratitude emerged. The outpouring of support and assistance created a sense of unity and solidarity that transcended the challenges posed by the flooding.
CRAZY ABOUT REMODELING, PASSIONATE ABOUT HOMES
At Kirkplan Kitchen & Bath, visions of dream spaces are transformed into realities, where no project is too major. From the heart of the house to the place of relaxation, they embrace every project with passion and precision. With a commitment to quality, they are your partner in creating homes.
Your dream home awaits. Discover Exclusive Design Solutions
Who could describe better what it means to trust your project with Kirkplan Kitchen than their clients?
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
This wasn’t the first time Kirkplan Kitchen offered crucial assistance to repair damaged properties in the area. In 2022, with the help of GreenSky financing, they worked on properties post-hurricane. Their extensive experience and dedication have earned them a spot as #167 in US Top Remodelers, a testament to their standing in the industry.
As the floodwaters receded and the rebuilding process began, their contribution to the recovery efforts remained a testament to their commitment to serving the community beyond just home remodeling.
“I can attest to this, we just had Kirkplan remodel our kitchen and we love it. Kirkplan is great, from customer service and design consultation to the finale. Great local company with even greater employees who care about their customers.” - M Colberg, Sarasota
“Kirkplan Kitchens did an amazing job on my living room, kitchen and dining room remodel. The part I really liked about the project manager is that he always made sure I was happy. There are so many people coming and going and working and he always kept me updated and informed on what was happening and coming up in the next few weeks. They finished my kitchen yesterday, and as I sit here and look at it - I would not change a single thing.” - Mohlman, Bradenton.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
After a two-year search, Sarasota Orchestra on Aug. 22 named Grammy Awardwinning conductor Giancarlo Guerrero the seventh music director in its 75-year history. Guerrero, music director of the Nashville Symphony, succeeds Bramwell Tovey, who died in July 2022.
Guerrero will serve as music director designate during the 202425 season as he completes his 16th season in Nashville before officially taking the baton at Sarasota Orchestra in its 2025-26 season.
“Giancarlo’s exceptional talent and esteemed reputation will significantly enhance our orchestra’s standing among the world’s most prestigious ensembles,” said Joseph McKenna, president and CEO of Sarasota Orchestra in a statement.
“His visionary leadership, coupled with a fervent commitment to community advocacy, will be critical in further establishing Sarasota as a thriving center for classical music excellence.”
In a Zoom interview, Guerrero said he fell in love with Sarasota when he came in January as a guest conductor for a Masterworks concert featuring Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony and Marimba Concerto by Grammy winner Kevin Puts, whom the maestro calls a friend.
“It was my first time visiting. I fell in love with the institution, with the city,” Guerrero said. “There was a spark, a great chemistry with the musicians. As a conductor, you can work so well with a great orchestra.
As we were rehearsing during the week, we reached greater and greater heights. It was music to my ears.”
Guerrero will replace guest conductor Rune Bergmann at Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks concert on Nov. 8-10 featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, Respighi and American composers Adolphus Hailstork and Jennifer Higdon.
Guerrero will return to the podium from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 for a previously scheduled performance at a Masterworks program of Shostakovich and Arturo Márquez.
SIX GRAMMY AWARDS
During his tenure at the Nashville Symphony, Guerrero collaborated to premiere more than two dozen new works and release 21 commercial albums, harnessing the Schermerhorn Symphony Center’s acoustics.
Meet the maestro
“There was a spark, a great chemistry with the musicians. As a conductor, you can work so well with a great orchestra. As we were rehearsing during the week, we reached greater and greater heights. It was music to my ears.”
— Giancarlo Guerrero
The recordings received 13 Grammy nominations and six Grammy awards.
Together with composer Aaron Jay Kernis, Guerrero spearheaded the development of Nashville Symphony’s biannual Composer Lab & Workshop for young and emerging composers.
Guerrero recently completed a sixseason tenure as music director of the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. With that orchestra, Guerrero recorded the Billboard chart-topping “Bomsori: Violin on Stage” on Deutsche Grammophon and albums of repertoire by Szymanowski, Brahms, Poulenc and Jongen.
Guerrero previously has served as principal guest conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, Miami Residency and the Gulbenkian Symphony in Lisbon, music director of the Eugene Symphony and associate conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Guerrero joins the Sarasota Orchestra as it embarks on an ambitious plan to build a new music cen-
ter at 5701 Fruitville Road, near an entrance to Interstate 75. The stateof-the-art facility is expected to serve as a magnet for the next generation of music lovers and players with its location in the fast-growing eastern part of Sarasota County. Sarasota Orchestra’s current home is at 709 N. Tamiami Trail, where it rehearses and performs its Great Escapes concerts in Holley Hall. Its more formal Masterworks performances take place next door at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a city-owned facility that also hosts touring Broadway productions and other popular entertainment.
When a long-running show like “Hamilton” or “The Lion King” come to the Van Wezel, that two- or three-week period is off limits for Sarasota Orchestra appearances. The Van Wezel also doesn’t have the acoustics that the orchestra’s new music center will provide.
IN THE INTERIM
The sudden death of Tovey, Sarasota Orchestra’s previous music director, in 2022, was heartbreaking for both the institution and its patrons. The much-beloved conductor’s tenure in Sarasota was cut short before it started. Tovey signed a five-year contract in August 2021.
As it searched for a new music director, the Sarasota Orchestra has relied on the talents and services of Creative Partner Peter Oundjian and Artistic Advisor David Alan Miller. Both have played major roles in planning programming, auditioning musicians and conducting.
Oundjian is a Canadian violinist and conductor who is former music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra while Miller has served as music director of the Albany Symphony since 1992. Sarasota Orchestra’s board of
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER
Sarasota Orchestra names Giancarlo Guerrero as its seventh music director.
Courtesy image Nashville Symphony Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero will be the next music director of the Sarasota Orchestra.
For many future musicians and conductors, music is a family affair. Often a parent, grandparent or event an aunt or uncle will help to inspire a child’s love for music. But that wasn’t the case with Giancarlo Guerrero, the incoming music director of Sarasota Orchestra.
“There were no musicians in my family, but my dad used to say I liked to sing. He saw an ad in the newspaper for a youth symphony. It was free so he signed me up as something to do after school,” Guerrero recalls.
Born in Nicaragua in 1969, Guerrero fled the country’s civil war and immigrated with his family to Costa Rica. There he received his musical training as a member of Costa Rica Youth Symphony and the Costa Rican National Symphony Orchestra. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Northwestern University.
Although he is a conductor of classical music, Guerrero says he appreciates all genres. “When people ask me who my favorite composer is, I have a hard time answering. I love it all,” he says. “When people ask me what my favorite piece of music is, I always say it’s the one I’m rehearsing right now.”
Asked if his Latin background will result in greater outreach to Sarasota’s Hispanic community or a greater emphasis on the works of Spanish and Latin American composers, Guerrero said his job is to attract everyone in the community to the orchestra.
“Yes, it’s great to reach out to Latinos, but what about the Asian community, what about the Hawaiian community?” he says. “The Sarasota Orchestra is supposed to reach everyone.”
Guerrero says he and his family plan to keep their residence in Nashville while he wraps up his last year with the symphony there, but that he will spend a
directors voted unanimously to advance Guerrero as the organization’s artistic leader upon recommendation by a search committee chaired by Mark Pritchett, former CEO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, that also included orchestra musicians, board and staff members.
“In the search committee’s work to identify our next music director, it was clear to us that Giancarlo’s time with the Nashville Symphony has been extraordinary,” said Daniel Jordan, Sarasota Orchestra concertmaster and search committee member. “When committee members visited Giancarlo and saw his performances, it was obvious he has the special ‘it’ factor that allows him to truly connect with audiences.”
The organization now known as Sarasota Orchestra was founded as the Florida West Coast Symphony, and held its first music performance in 1949. A decade later, its Youth Orchestra Program was founded through the sponsorship of the Symphony Women’s Association.
One of the most influential music directors in the Sarasota Orchestra’s history was Paul Wolfe, whose tenure ran from 1961-1996. In 1964,
Here’s the scoop on the best ice cream treats in town
lot of time in Sarasota getting to know patrons and donors in addition to his performances.
The conductor and his wife and two daughters also have a condo overlooking Biscayne Bay in Miami. “As a performer who is traveling around the world all the time, you want to be close to an airport offering enough flights so you make it to where you’re going in one trip,” Guerrero says. “Miami offers that.”
Where Guerrero and his wife buy their next residence depends on where his daughter, who is currently in college, decides to settle down, he says.
But there is no danger that Guerrero will be a commuting conductor who spends little time in Sarasota. He stresses that he plans to continue Sarasota Orchestra’s tradition of reaching out to community organizations and to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
“For a long time, some of the high artistic institutions have been derelict in reaching out to some audiences. Everybody needs to feel they belong,” he says.
That means going out in the community, he adds, “knocking on doors and giving talks at the Rotary Club.”
Wolfe organized the Sarasota Music Festival at New College. The music festival merged with the Florida West Coast Symphony in 1985 and has become an internationally recognized institution for training emerging musicians.
Besides Wolfe, other notable music directors in Sarasota Orchestra’s history include Anu Tali (2013-19) and Leif Bjaland (1997-2012).
In his first year of programming, which will be the 2025-26 season, Guerrero says he will depend on the expertise of McKenna, who has been with the orchestra for more than two decades, as well as Gordon Greenfield, chief marketing and communications officer. “Joe and Gordon know the tastes of the community, and I will work closely with them,” he says.
In addition to attending his Masterworks appearances during the 2024-25 season, Sarasota Orchestra patrons and supporters will have the chance to meet Guerrero at the orchestra’s dinner series and its annual brunch event in November, which will celebrate the Sarasota Youth Orchestra’s 65th anniversary.
Beat the heat with sundae bliss in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Anna Maria Island.
EMMA BURKE JOLLY CONTRIBUTOR
Living in Florida during the summer months is like living in New England in winter. But instead of having snow days, we’re stuck inside soaking up as much air conditioning as our dry skin allows. Our vitamin D levels drop as we opt out of melting in the heat and humidity.
It’s weeks like these when I crave a Connecticut summer like the ones I had in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I played softball under the night lights by the beach. My dad, an assistant coach, fought with the umps about calls they made on the pitcher (me). Meanwhile, my mom sat in the stands with the other softball parents and cheered for me while ignoring the scenes made by said assistant coach.
Whether we won or lost, we would pack up the team cars and head to Mr. Frosty’s after the game for a double scoop of whatever flavor we fancied.
I can so clearly see my dad standing at the window, ordering his coffee ice cream, making some silly dad joke to the kids home from college working at the booth, smiling as he dug into his cup.
There was always a reason to get ice cream. Aced a test? Scoop for you. Didn’t get into the college you wanted? A double scoop is in order. The family dog’s birthday? Scoops all around, including one for the pup. My dad was always the first to suggest hopping into the car and indulging your sweet tooth.
With his birthday on Aug. 20 — the first without him — I wanted to raise a cone (a cup, sundae and a milkshake, too) to the man who knew how to chill out, scoop up complete happiness and find the best sweet treats in town.
Here, I serve up three tasty treats in honor of my dad (in addition to Kilwins, his favorite).
Cherry On Top: There are few places in our community that offer that sweet sensation of New England-style ice cream and by golly, Ms. Jolly (Burke) found it. Its delicious density is a taste of nostalgia for me. If you’re feeling rebellious, might I suggest the Boston Tea Party? With its unique vanillabased flavors swirled together,
this is wicked good, as they say up in Beantown. When it comes to unmatchable flavor, you won’t find it anywhere else. Earl Grey tea packs some serious flavor. Then the lemon and golden Oreos drive it home for a delicious scoop of cream.
Cone-Tastic: Choose from 36 ice cream flavors (or edible cookie dough and other baked goods), including Connecticut mocha chip, Rocky Rhode Island, Vermont maple walnut, New Hampshire coffee crunch. See, I wasn’t kidding about New England style. Or stick to flavors like buttah fingah, cookie monstah or Maine moose tracks to feel the way I did during those carefree New England summers of my younger days.
MAIN STREET CREAMERY
1359 Main St., Sarasota; 941-361-2046; TheMainStreetCreamery.com
Cherry On Top: With more than 30 flavors (and five dairy-free flavors) available on location, this is where dairy and dairy-free dreams are made. This downtown creamery serves up Yoder’s Southern Creamery, locally made in Sarasota, that you can churn (soft serve), shake (milkshake) or toast with a topper of marshmallow meringue. But the scoops that get me going are actually the dairy-free, with strawberry at the top of my list and the North American Ice Cream Association award-winning DF peanut butter and cookies a close second.
Cone-Tastic: If it’s evening, I’m getting waffles (in a cone or a bowl). Whatever time it is, this spot has something for every single ice-
screamer. If Dad were here, I’d give him a dish of Sarasota: one scoop of Siesta Sea Turtle (vanilla ice cream filled with brownies, pecans, chocolate flakes and an abundance of caramel swirls) plus another scoop of Key Lime pie, please (pint, $7.75).
Cherry On Top: A beachside bounty of ice cream is the perfect way to cure the summertime blues, if you experience them like me. Driving down the Gulf-side oasis of Bradenton Beach already warms the soul, but knowing the final destination involves ice cream is a sweet treat in itself. Then you enter this quaint shop and your choices are endless. Ever heard of ice cream nachos ($7.95)? Choose three flavors with three sauces, top with whip cream and scoop it all up with homemade waffle chips. Can’t choose? Scoop up a flavor flight ($9.99) with your choice of six flavors.
Cone-Tastic: I’m a milkshake girl, through and through. Feeling meh? Order a milkshake. Missing my dad? Milkshake time. Wrapped another Eating with Emma column? You guessed it! Milkshake is my reward. When you order an Island Scoops milkshake ($6.95), you can choose from any house or rotating flavor. I’ll take one pistachio for lunch, a toasted coconut for dinner and a classic mint chip for dessert.
Courtesy image
Giancarlo Guerrero, the incoming Sarasota Orchestra conductor, was born in Nicaragua and grew up in Costa Rica.
Courtesy image
LWR’s Wicked Awesome Ice Cream Emporium’s flavorful Boston Tea Party ice cream.
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY
DANNY BEVINS
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
A veteran of Showtime’s “Live From Amsterdam,” “Road Dogs with Billy Gardell” and “Sullivan and Son” on TBS, Danny Bevins walks the line between the sacred and the profane. The son of a devoutly religious woman and a Green Beret, Bevins is irreverent, opinionated and loud. Runs through Sept. 1.
‘THE FOUR C NOTES’
8 p.m. at FST’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
DON’T MISS
CLYDE BUTCHER: NATURE
THROUGH THE LENS
If you haven’t seen the breathtaking exhibition of photographer Clyde Butcher at Historic Spanish Point, why not take a morning drive to the 30-acre compound overlooking Little Sarasota Bay? Dotted throughout the campus are large-scale prints of Butcher’s black-andwhite photographs of Florida’s flora and fauna. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Runs through Aug. 31.
IF YOU GO
When: 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 29
Where: at Selby Gardens
Historic Spanish Point campus, 401 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis
Tickets: $20
Info: Visit Selby.org.
For fans of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, the doo-wop sound never goes out of style. With “The Four C Notes,” Florida Studio Theatre continues the tradition of presenting Four Seasons tribute shows inspired by “Jersey Boys” and starring performers from the Broadway smash hit’s touring production. Runs through Oct. 13.
FRIDAY
‘THE MUSIC OF LAUREL CANYON’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
If you know, you know. But not everyone knows about Laurel Canyon, the neighborhood above West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip that became home to folk musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and The Mamas and the Papas. Runs through Sept. 1.
SATURDAY
COMEDY LOTTERY
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
Everyone’s a winner in this FST Improv show where audience members select the night’s lineup of games replete with scenes, sketches and songs designed to provoke laughter. Runs Saturdays through Sept. 28.
MONDAY
‘SKYWAY’ ART EXHIBITION
10 a.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bayshore Road, and the Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $30 at The Ringling (free Mondays); $15 at Sarasota Art Museum Visit SkywayTampaBay.com.
The triennial contemporary Florida art exhibition “Skyway” encompasses five museums in the Tampa Bay area. Even if you don’t have time to visit all five, check out The Ringling Museum of Art and the Sarasota Art Museum. The Ringling features the multimedia works of 13 artists, running the gamut from Caitlin Albritton’s whimsical jewelry to Kiko Kotani’s breathtaking crocheted installations. SAM’s juxtapositions of multimedia works speak to the important contributions of Florida immigrants including Havana native Tatiana Mesa Paján, Sue Havens,
originally from Rochester, New York, and Kirk Ke Wong, who was born in Shanghai. Runs through Jan. 25 at The Ringling and Oct. 27 at SAM.
WEDNESDAY
NEW EXHIBITIONS: PRECIOUS DARLING, TANNER SIMON AND BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MANATEE COUNTY
10 a.m. at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail Free Visit ArtCenterSarasota.org.
OUR PICK
‘THE MOUSETRAP’
Scott Keys directs the Venice Theatre’s production of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, which has been playing in London’s West End since its November 1952 opening. Runs through Sept. 15.
IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Where: Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice Tickets: $35 Info: Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Art Center Sarasota’s latest round of exhibitions features artists Precious Darling, Tanner Simon and teens from the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County. Darling’s show, “How He Sees Me,” uses black-and-white photography and sculpture to focus on the way women are viewed while Simon’s “Big Soup, Big Responsibility” explores the intersection of humor, seriousness and the absurd with large-scale paintings. All three exhibitions run through Sept. 28.
Image courtesy of Renee McVety
image
‘It’s
like Christmas every day’
Urbanite’s Modern Works Festival sparks joy for Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace.
MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER
ARTS +
Summer Dawn Wallace has a small favor to ask.
If you’re telling someone about Sarasota’s Urbanite Theatre, please don’t use the word “edgy.”
“Edgy scares some people off,” says Wallace, Urbanite’s co-founder and artistic director. “Our plays would not be considered edgy in New York, Chicago or LA.”
OK. Then what’s the best way to describe the three plays that will be getting a stripped-down production in the black-box theater’s fifth annual Modern Works Festival?
Well, it so happens that all the plays featured in the festival, which runs Sept. 4-8, were written by female playwrights. But only one of them — “A Nice Motherly Person” by Lia Romeo — can truly be called a “woman’s play.”
The other two — “In the Mouth of the Beast” by Baylee Shlichtman and “I’m Saving You a Seat” by Sarah Elizabeth Grace — focus on daughter-father (or stepfather) relationships.
The works promise to be fresh, bold and sometimes raw. As was the case with Brenda Withers’ “Westminster,” which won last year’s Modern Works Festival and was part of Urbanite’s 2023-24 season, the plays are ready to break out and shake up audiences.
If you happen to be sitting in one of the 60 seats in Urbanite’s theater for the festival, be prepared to sit on the edge of said seat. There’s no danger of dozing off. When it comes to the five-day Modern Works Festival, Wallace says, “It’s like Christmas every day.” Seeing staged readings of new plays, mingling with patrons and fellow artists and attending panel discussions brings back the magic of opening up presents under the tree, she says.
Wallace’s excitement is palpable when she talks about this year’s keynote speaker — playwright Lauren Gunderson.
“Lauren Gunderson.” Wallace says the name a second time for emphasis during an interview at Kahwa Coffee, right around the corner from Urbanite in downtown Sarasota. It’s as if she can hardly believe it herself. In case you aren’t familiar with Gunderson’s work, she has been one
of the most produced American playwrights in the last decade or so. She has also racked up a slew of awards, including the Lanford Wilson Award, the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ ATCA New Play Award.
The latter honor Gunderson won twice — once for “I and You” and again for “The Book of Will.”
Reading through the schedule of the Modern Works Festival, it looks like a multiday marathon, with anywhere from one to three plays being staged each day from Sept. 5-8. The festival will generate work for 35 artists during its run.
At the end, panelists, attendees and guest adjudicators will vote for their favorite new work and the winner will take home a prize of $3,200.
Although the Modern Works Festival serves as a pipeline for Urbanite’s productions, none of the participating playwrights is obligated to have their work premiere in Sarasota.
Nor is there a guarantee that Urbanite will produce any of the three finalist plays. “Everything is a consultation between Urbanite and the playwright,” Wallace explains.
Besides “Westminster,” another festival play that made its way to an
Urbanite run was “A Skeptic and a Bruja” by Rosa Fernandez, which had its world premiere in 2022.
Produced in collaboration with
freeFall Theatre of St. Petersburg, the play follows a woman who calls on expert help after encountering the paranormal in a home she hopes
IF YOU GO
Modern Works Festival
When: Sept. 4-8
Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
Tickets: $45-$57
Info: Visit UrbaniteTheatre. com.
to transform into a bed and breakfast. From a playgoer’s perspective, the Modern Works Festival pass is a steal. It’s $57 to attend all the events, including a kickoff party on Sept. 4. For those under the age of 40, the pass is $45. There is a $2 convenience fee.
The Modern Works Festival formally kicks off Urbanite’s 11th season, which includes four fully staged productions. The first is Morgan Gould’s “Jennifer Who is Leaving,” which runs from Oct. 18 through Dec. 1.
The play exploring the toll of caregiving is set in a remote highway location of a Dunkin’ Donuts. (Yes, they changed their name to simply Dunkin’, but old habits die hard.)
Despite its relatively minimalist stage and sets, Urbanite isn’t afraid to experiment with special effects. In “Westminster,” the walls literally started to come tumbling down, while Terry Guest’s “Oak,” the last play of Urbanite’s 2023-24 season, featured rain storms and a spooky creek creature.
Urbanite’s second production of its upcoming season promises to take even greater risks. Leegrid Stevens’ “Spaceman,” about a female astronaut, will give audiences an “immersive” experience. It has the potential to be one of the most talked-about shows in town, Wallace says. It will run from Jan. 3 to Feb. 16. With its black-box interior, Urbanite is the perfect setting for plays that take place in confined spaces, such as living rooms or boxing rings. In Winter Miller’s “No One is Forgotten” (March 21 to April 29), audiences will be transported to a prison cell where two Americans — one a journalist and the other an aid worker — are incarcerated. While other arts organizations in town have recently been extending their seasons with events that run into June, Urbanite has made a tradition of it. This year’s entry in the late-season derby is Nia Akilah Robinson’s “From 145th to 98th Street.”
The play follows a couple’s struggles to keep their son and daughter on the right track after the family’s move to a “better” neighborhood.
Monica Roman Gagnier
Summer Dawn Wallace is artistic director of Urbanite Theatre.
Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine
Deykyi Ronge and Alex Pelletier starred as two longtime friends in Brenda Withers’ ”Westminster,” the winner of the fourth Modern Works Festival that was produced during Urbanite Theatre’s 2023-24 season.
YOUR NEIGHBORS
‘There is no us without
David Perkowski raises money to support cancer survivors, such as his wife and sister-in-law.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
In 2015, Lakewood Ranch’s David Perkowski heard words from his wife, Allison Imre-Perkowski, that shocked him.
“I need to see an oncologist,” Imre-Perkowski told her husband.
She was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.
It wasn’t the first time Perkowski and his wife were ready to fight cancer.
They were alongside ImrePerkowski’s sister, Jennifer ImreJustus, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2019.
Then in 2022, Imre-Perkowski had a double mastectomy as a precautionary measure.
No matter the person or type of cancer, the Perkowskis stayed strong and fought together.
With a cause so dear to Perkowski’s heart, he is participating in Men Wear Pink for the first time Sept. 14 to support the American Cancer Society and educate his children about cancer and the impact it has
her’
MEN WEAR PINK
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 14
Where: Macy’s Court in the Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota Cost: $30 for general admission; $50 for VIP Details: Watch Men Wear Pink ambassadors hit the runway to show off fashion while raising money for the American Cancer Society. More information: MallAtUTC. com
on thousands.
“When someone you love is going through (cancer), it affects everyone, even down to our kids,” Perkowski said.
He said he has financially supported the event and nonprofit for years, but this year, he’s been able to dedicate time to the cause as well.
When he hits the runway at the Men Wear Pink fashion show at the Mall at University Town Center, he said he will be able to share a moment with his wife, who has been an avid supporter of the American Cancer Society. Imre-Perkowski will serve as emcee for the fashion show.
“There is no us without her,” he said of his wife.
His biggest love and pride is his family, including his wife and children, 9-year-old son, Raymond Perkowski, and 3-year-old daughter, Ryan Perkowski.
He said his participation in Men Wear Pink gives him an opportunity to share the story of his wife and sister-in-law, who are just two of the thousands impacted by cancer, while also spreading awareness about the work and research of the American Cancer Society.
“This isn’t just about us,” Perkowski said. “It’s more about everybody that cancer affects. It’s about the masses. It’s about not just our life, but everyone’s lives.”
Perkowski said his family consists of fighters who take on challenges no matter the situation.
“It’s not a ‘poor me’ situation,” he said. “We’re all in this together. Rather than sitting back in a depressive state, we just go head-first into the fight and do what we need to do to get that family member better.”
When Imre-Perkowski first received the renal cell carcinoma diagnosis, the couple was preparing
to go on a cruise.
Perkowski said one of the questions they asked the oncologist was whether Imre-Perkowski would be able to have an alcoholic beverage on the cruise.
The doctor’s response was simple, Perkowski said. He said, “Would you have the cocktail if you didn’t know about it?”
Perkowski said it was in that moment that he and his wife realized cancer wouldn’t rule their lives.
“This doesn’t stop everything. We can still keep moving forward with our life while we battle this,” he said. “Having a good quality of life is everything and continuing that while we fight this.”
The family faced every heartbreaking diagnosis or challenge with levity.
Perkowski said they named ImrePerkowski’s mass in her kidney, Phillip, because it looked like it had a face.
After her partial nephrectomy, Perkowski said they’ve called her scar the shark bite.
Perkowski said he will bring plenty of laughter to the Men Wear Pink fashion show.
He plans to simply have fun and let loose, though he hasn’t determined any poses he will strike at the end of the runway.
“I do a lot of things off the cuff and if the moment strikes,” he said.
IF YOU GO TAKE A SHOT FOR THE CURE When: 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13
Where: Knight’s Trail Park, 3445 Rustic Road, Nokomis Cost: $500 per team; $125 per
person Details: Participate in a clay shooting tournament and raffles and enjoy breakfast and lunch More information: ShotForTheCure.GiveSmart. com/
To help raise money for the American Cancer Society, Perkowski is cohosting two events.
He will co-host with Lakewood Ranch’s Scott Kessler the Take a Shot for the Cure clay shoot at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13.
He’s also collaborating with Geckos Hospitality Group for Barrels for Boobies, which is an already sold out bourbon dinner.
“It’s love of humanity to be able to do these things and utilize my time in such a positive way,” Perkowski said.
Serving as an ambassador for Men Wear Pink is an opportunity for Perkowski to educate his children, he said, as they learn about supporting nonprofits.
Lakewood Ranch’s David Perkowski (right) supports his wife, Allison ImrePerkowski, with the help of other family members.
Courtesy image
Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch’s David Perkowski will hit the runway as an ambassador during Mean Wear Pink, while his wife, Allison Imre-Perkowski, serves as the emcee.
7 Steps to Successful Financial Planning for Retirement
How to work effectively with your financial advisor
1. Vision: Define your retirement vision with your advisor. Consider how you want to spend your golden years. Be honest about your dreams and goals.
Stay motivated by focusing on your retirement dreams.
This vision sets the foundation for your entire retirement plan.
2. Blueprint: Share your values and financial concerns with your advisor. They’ll examine your current finances and understand your relationship with money. This information helps create a blueprint tailored to your retirement needs.
3. Strategy: Your advisor will craft a retirement strategy based on your blueprint. They’ll consider factors like risk tolerance and time until retirement. A good strategy covers investing, income streams, risk management, and healthcare planning.
4. Plan: Your advisor will present their findings and suggestions, possibly using charts or projections. Review your current financial state and test various scenarios. Refine the plan together until it aligns with your goals.
5. Action: Implement your plan with your advisor’s guidance. This may involve adjusting investments, maximizing your retirement contributions, or updating insurance. You’ll need
Planning for retirement is crucial for your financial well-being. By following these seven steps with a financial advisor, you can create a robust plan for a confident retirement. since 1981 1582 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236
to take action, too, like following through on savings commitments. Stay motivated by focusing on your retirement dreams.
6. Progress: Meet your advisor at least annually to check progress. Use these check-ins to make adjustments and inform your advisor about significant life changes. They’ll ensure you’re on track, suggesting tweaks if needed.
7. Updates: Maintain regular communication with your advisor, especially as you approach retirement. As life changes, your plan should evolve. If your goals shift or you face challenges, your advisor can adjust your plan accordingly.
By following these steps with a financial advisor, you’ll create a flexible retirement plan that can adapt to life’s changes. Remember, while your advisor provides expertise, your input and commitment are crucial. With a solid plan, you can approach retirement confidently, knowing you’re prepared to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always wanted.
JL Bainbridge is an independent Sarasota-based family wealth management firm. For 43 years, they have been helping clients manage and control their financial well-being before and throughout retirement.
To learn more about JL Bainbridge, call (941) 356-3435 or visit jlbainbridge.com. You can also download a printable PDF of JL Bainbridge’s yourFuturesm Financial Planning Process at jlbainbridge.com/yourfuture.
(941) 365-3435 jlbainbridge.com
J.L. Bainbridge & Company, Inc.
Disclosure: This information is for educational and informative purposes and should not be considered a recommendation. Investment advisory services are only available to those who become our clients through a written agreement. J.L. Bainbridge & Co., Inc., (JL Bainbridge) is a registered investment adviser. JL Bainbridge is not a broker dealer and does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor for assistance regarding your individual situation. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. For more information on our firm and our investment advisor representatives, please review our Form ADV, Privacy Notice, and Form CRS at jlbainbridge.com and reference the SEC website for more information on the firm and its advisors: https://adviserinfo. sec.gov/firm/summary/108058. Identifying the SEC as our regulator does not imply any level of skill or training.
On the road again
Students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic School of Dental Medicine work on real patients but not until their third year.
“Before we turn them loose on patients, we like for them to practice on people that won’t complain or sue us,” joked LECOM Dean Thomas Yoon. “Our first and second year students spend time learning on mannequins. They’re very lifelike.”
The simulation lab at LECOM was one of three stops on an “Innovations in Healthcare Training” road show hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance on Aug. 23.
The group of about 25 alliance members also stopped at the Manatee County EMS station on Malachite Drive and the Medical Technology and Simulation Center at the State College of Florida’s Lakewood Ranch campus.
Our Economic Impact Committee puts on the road shows for us,” LWRBA President Brittany Lamont said. “This tour is about healthcare advancements. That Lakewood Ranch gets to be a pilot study for (an emergency drone) is awesome.”
Manatee County commissioners approved a one-year program to test an emergency drone at the Lakewood Ranch EMS station in April.
The drone is stocked with a tourniquet to treat a wound, an automated external defibrillator to stop a cardiac arrest and a bottle of Narcan to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
While it has yet to be deployed, the drone has the ability to cut the average EMS response time from eight minutes to fewer than two.
— LESLEY DWYER
Kent Jimson, a Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance board member, has questions during the tour at LECOM.
LECOM students don’t have to fear hurting their patients when working in the simulation lab. Each student is provided their own simulated patient.
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Debbie Shaffer, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, is excited to see the drone in action.
BEST BET
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
FARMERS MARKET
Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which was just voted as the top farmers market in Florida for the second year in a row, 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.
COMMUNITY
FRIDAY, AUG. 23 AND SATURDAY, AUG. 24
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
YOUR CALENDAR
Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Matt Gerhardt will entertain those who stroll through Waterside Place on Friday as part of the weekly free music series. On Saturday, singer-songwriter Danielle Mohr will perform. For more information, go to WatersidePlace. com.
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
PARENT & ME SOCCER
Runs 8:15-8:45 a.m. at Bob Gardner Community Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Bradenton. This parent-child pre-soccer and movement program is designed for toddlers. The program includes songs, stretches and beginning skills. For more information, visit LakewoodRanch.com.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 3
NEEDLE ARTS STUDIO-OPEN SEW AND KNIT
Runs from 2-4 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. Bring your sew, knit, quilt, crochet or other needle art project and work on it with fellow artists. Participants must bring their own patterns, thread,
fabric and notions, but tools will be provided. For more information, visit MyManatee.org/Departments/ Manatee_County_Public_Library_ System.
SWEAT AND SWAGGER
Runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton. Join Sweat and Swagger instructor Adrenne Quarlena for a cardio dance workout. For more information, visit MyManatee.org/ Departments/Manatee_County_ Public_Library_System.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4
UTC KIDS CLUB WITH MISS JODI
Runs 9-10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Green at UTC, 125 N. Cattleman Road, Sarasota. Kids will be grooving alongside instructor Jodi Sobol of Miss Jodi’s School of Dance during an hour of dance instruction through creative movement games, props and stories. For more information, visit UTCSarasota.com.
SUNSET VOLLEYBALL
Runs 6-8 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota. Join a pickup volleyball game designed for players who can jump in without instruction. For more information, visit LakewoodRanch.com.
“I
had no idea my teeth would look this good!”
“Dr. Jeffrey Martins and the team at Paradise Dental make you feel like you have known them your whole life. They are such warm and caring people.
My teeth were such a mess when I started going. It’s one of those things where life gets busy and you just don’t take care of your teeth as much. I’m 71 and I still work, but I realized I had bad teeth. I had a chip or two, and the teeth in the front were half the size that they are now. They were a mess! So getting them fixed was a major transformation, no question about it!
I chose Paradise Dental because I heard of Dr. Jeffrey Martins’ work and his passion for reconstructive dentistry - and that’s what I experienced. The result was like night and day! I had no idea my teeth would look this good!
Dr. Martins definitely knows what he is doing. He is incredibly knowledgeable, experienced, and friendly. Plus, his whole team is so warm and caring. They make you feel like you are the only one in the room. They are always smiling and making sure you’re doing ok. The whole process was smooth and pain-free.
I never recommend anyone if I don’t truly believe in them. Dr. Martins and his team are what I call HTP - Highly Trained Professionals. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
File photo
Lakewood Ranch Communities’ Morgan BettesAngell and Nicole Hackel love seeing people enjoy the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which was named the No. 1 farmers market in Florida.
Country Club East home tops sales at
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Country Club East topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Stanley Hayes, trustee, of Nokomis, sold the home at 7512 Crosshill Court to Wayne A. Toenjes and Carolyn S. Toenjes Revocable Trust for $2,225,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,970 square feet of living area.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Michele and Brian Allison, of Sarasota, sold their home at 14809 Camargo Place to Anthony Windom, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2.05 million. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.25 million in 2015.
COUNTRY CLUB
Thomas and Loria Marie Delvecchio, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 6831 Dominion Lane to Patrick and Kaitlyn Haidon, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,808,000. Built in 2005, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,533 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,449,000 in 2021.
Cynthia Perrino, of Lakewood Ranch, sold her home at 6618 The Masters Ave. to Mark Caraher, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.1 million. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,897 square feet of living area. It sold for $559,000 in 2020.
Tamera Roulund, of Bradenton, sold her home at 8331 Championship Court to John Casey and Suzanne Casey, of Lakewood Ranch, for $827,500. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,879 square feet of living area. It sold for $670,000 in 2020.
LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE
Nancy Fox, of Knoxville, Tennessee, sold her home at 8128 Grande Shores Drive to Mark Bartlett Klair, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1,617,500. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,718 square feet of living area. It sold for $852,300 in 2020.
LAKEWOOD NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
Gerard Michael McGowan Jr. and Jacqueline Ann McGowan, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5724 Mulligan Way to Ray and Jennifer Albertina, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, for $1.4 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,390 square feet of living area. It sold for $661,000 in 2021.
WATERLEFE GOLF AND RIVER CLUB
Martin and Phyllis Schuler, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4530 Waterlefe Golf and Country Club to Craig Berson and Dana CamachoBerson, of Bradenton, for $1.22 million. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,762 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2003.
R. Douglas and Margaret Townsend sold their home at 625 Foggy Morn Lane to Martin and Phyllis Schuler, of Bradenton, for $680,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,135 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2010.
Jeffrey and Beth Lilley, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sold their home at 9616 Portside Terrace to Qianshan Liao, of Kings Pont, New York, for $460,000. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,549 square feet of living area. It sold for $360,000 in 2021.
$2,225,000
ESPLANADE
Eric and Cynthia Hammersand, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5214 Castello Lane to Kenneth and Tammy Owen, of Bradenton, for $970,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,253 square feet of living area. It sold for $591,500 in 2016.
CLUBSIDE AT COUNTRY CLUB
EAST
Barbara Salenko, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the Unit 14-A condominium at 7363 Divot Loop to Charles and Teri Trafton, of Lakewood Ranch, for $875,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,748 square feet of living area. It sold for $795,000 in 2023.
BRIDGEWATER
Edward Ray Rolquin III and Jenna Kaye Rolquin, of Sarasota, sold their home at 13314 Ramblewood Trail to Andre Eugene Lauzier and Teresa Stutts Lauzier, of Bradenton, for $762,500. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,232 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2019.
DEL WEBB
Beth Pressman, of Brooklyn, New York, sold her home at 17115 Seaford Way to Frank Glick and Kathryn Sullivan, of Apollo Beach, for $750,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,488 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2020.
Loren and Debra Gold, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, sold their home at 17903 Eastbrook Terrace to David Wayne Thompson and Aurella Middleton Thompson, of Lexington, Kentucky, for $650,000. Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,095 square feet of living area. It sold for $489,600 in 2021.
Mark David Brukhartz and Terri Fry Brukhartz, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7632 Kirkland Cove to Neal Douglas Alper and Lucy Levy Alper, of Weston, for $550,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,730 square feet of living area. It sold for $625,000 in 2023.
WINDWARD
Neal Communities of Southwest Florida LLC sold the home at 2617 Star Apple Way to H&K LLC for $688,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,862 square feet of living area.
Heritage HarbourShari, trustee, and Mark Godlewski, of Bradenton, sold the home at 6403 Willowshire Way to Wesley and Brenda Moy, of Bradenton, for $682,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,268 square feet of living area. It sold for $389,000 in 2017.
LENNOX GARDENS Sarasota Getaway LLC sold the home at 6905 Lennox Place to Matthew Lizanich and Lisa SolerLizanich, of Crafton, Pennsylvania, for $640,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,074 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2014.
CROSSING CREEK
Dylan Sexton and Alexis Lyon, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6926 45th Terrace E. to James and Debbie Fix, of Middletown, New York, for $620,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,960 square feet of living area. It sold for $355,000 in 2020.
Ashley Trace at University Place Rohan Jemmott, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8106 Coates Row Place to Patrick and Daniela Boland, of Austin, Texas, for $617,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,125 square feet of living area. It sold for $387,000 in 2020.
Antoinette DeGise, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8111 Coates Row Place to John and Julie Meeks, of Bradenton, for $605,000. Built in 2004, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,084 square feet of living area. It sold for $348,000 in 2015.
ARBOR RESERVE
Chris Quintanilla and Erica Michelle Nantais sold their home at 5724 Arbor Wood Court to Carolina and Daniel Jdanowski, of Bradenton, for $585,000. Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,636 square feet of living area. It sold for $415,000 in 2020.
Courtesy image
This Country Club East home at 7512 Crosshill Court sold for $2,225,000. It has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,970 square feet of living area.
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Real estate
CARLYLE AT THE VILLAGES OF PALM AIRE
Ira and Marjorie Rome, of Sarasota, sold their home at 5224 Creekside Trail to Patrick Gentile, of Sarasota, for $565,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,113 square feet of living area. It sold for $251,300 in 2002.
SUMMERFIELD
Bache Investments LLC sold the home at 12270 Hollybush Terrace to Paul Michael Mullane and Luciene Caldeira Mullane, of Bradenton, for $539,900. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,644 square feet of living area. It sold for $385,000 in April.
CENTRAL PARK
Robert Nowicki sold his home at 4836 Central Park Blvd. to Paul and Teresa Matynka, of Bradenton, for $535,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,877 square feet of living area. It sold for $172,500 in 2020.
OAKBROOKE AT RIVER CLUB
NORTH
Daniel and Carolina Jdanowski, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6631 Oakbrooke Circle to Roberta Hammerich, of Bradenton, for $530,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,030 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2022.
MOTE RANCH
Patricia Fitzsimmons, of Sarasota, sold her home at 6515 Westward Place to Bradley Thompson, of Bradenton, for $525,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,162 square feet of living area. It sold for $224,700 in 2001.
GREENBROOK
Brian and Kristen Valerugo, of Lake Villa, Illinois, sold their home at 6247 Blue Runner Court to Glenn Paul Tortoso, of Lakewood Ranch, for $520,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,534 square feet of living area. It sold for $267,000 in 2020.
Daniel and Rebecca Conway, of Erskine, Minnesota, sold their home at 13406 Purple Finch Circle to Violeta Huesman, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $495,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,109 square feet of living area. It sold for $324,000 in 2019.
Technology Development Consultants LLC, trustee, sold the home at 6227 Blue Runner Court to Rene Branckaert, of Spain, for $445,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms,
two-and-a-half baths and 1,812 square feet of living area. It sold for $259,900 in 2022.
FAIRWAY LAKES AT PALM AIRE
COUNTRY CLUB
Ellyne Brennan, of Charlottesville, Virginia, sold her home at 7525 Fairlinks Court to Mark Patrick Driscoll and Kim Denise Carter, of Sarasota, for $510,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,004 square feet of living area.
WOODBROOK
Mary Balconi, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, sold her home at 4831 Silvermoss Drive to George and Carol Curry, of Hayward, Wisconsin, for $495,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths and is 1,932 square feet.
ARBOR GRANDE Ruth Woodland and Paul Woodland, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 12221 Perennial Place to Kansas City Nevada LLC for $480,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,234 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2018.
GREYHAWK LANDING
Frederick and Maria Cornell, of Bradenton, sold their home at 12651 Cara Cara Loop to Courtney and Skyler Kinney, of Bradenton, for $475,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,975 square feet of living area. It sold for $237,000 in 2004.
Magerick LLC sold the home at 403 Snapdragon Loop to Heather Dunn, of Bradenton, for $470,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,446 square feet. It sold for $544,600 in 2006.
VINTAGE CREEK
Nicholas Luis Chiara Luis and Elizabeth Luis sold the home at 7988 Glenbrooke Lane to Maria Lanahan, of Staten Island, New York, for $475,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,311 square feet of living area. It sold for $329,000 in 2017.
SAVANNAH PRESERVE AT UNIVERSITY PLACE
Bautista Edward Codelia and Annette Kerstan Codelia, trustees, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 8031 condominium at 8031 Saint Simons St. to Roger Stover and Joanna Glass-Stover, of University Park, for $441,000. Built in 2007, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,512 square feet of living area.
SPORTS
Fast Break
Soleta Golf Club, scheduled to open in Myakka
City this fall, has hired
Aaron Crooks as its head golf professional. Crooks was previously the director of golf at Bluejack National Club and Community in Montgomery, Texas, for four years and held the same position at The Concession Golf Club for three years. The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team won the seasonopening 2024 John Ryan Invitational, held Aug. 19 at Capri Isles Golf Club in Venice. The Mustangs shot 11 over par (299) as a team, five strokes better than Cardinal Mooney High (304). Sophomore Brett Traver led the team by shooting one over par (73), good for a fourth-place individual finish.
Lakewood Ranch High junior indoor volleyball player Ava Collins had 14 kills and three aces in the Mustangs’ 3-0 season-opening home win over Parrish Community High on Aug. 20. The Mustangs are 4-3 on the season as of Aug. 26. Carolyn Cohn sank a holein-one Aug. 22 on the No. 13 hole of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Royal Lakes course. Cohn used a 6-hybrid on the 82-yard hole.
Former Braden River High and Oregon State University football running back DeShaun Fenwick, who signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, had seven carries for 26 yards Aug. 25 in the Patriots’ 20-10 road preseason loss to the Washington Commanders. Fenwick’s longest run was seven yards.
“We have great chemistry and great game planning by our coaches. They are getting us exactly what we need.”
Mustangs maul Manta Rays in opener
After a sloppy first quarter against Lemon Bay High, the Lakewood Ranch High football team showcased its rushing attack.
RYAN KOHN SPORTS EDITOR
The Lakewood Ranch High football team’s season-opening game against Lemon Bay High on Aug. 23 had an inauspicious start.
In the first quarter, the Mustangs threw two interceptions, allowed a Lemon Bay fourth-down conversion on a dropped punt and extended the same Lemon Bay drive thanks to a “12 men on the field” penalty. Lemon Bay turned those mistakes into two touchdowns, each capped with a two-point conversion.
It was as mistake-filled a quarter as one might expect from a team that barely got to practice the previous four days. Lakewood Ranch head coach Scott Paravicini said his team got “about an hour-and-a-half” of on-field practice time this week due to inclement weather and high temperatures. Paravicini said asking a team to be sharp after spending three days practicing in the cafeteria is difficult.
Yet when the first quarter ended, the Mustangs were only down nine points, 16-7, thanks to a 60-yard scamper by senior running back Cullen McRae II. He parlayed that carry into a six-yard touchdown the following play.
In the following three quarters, Lakewood Ranch would dominate play, keeping the Lemon Bay offense off the board and adding five more touchdowns of its own, on the way to a 42-18 victory.
“We settled into the groove of what we were trying to do,” Paravicini said. “Obviously, there is stuff to clean up, but that’s every week. I’m happy with the way we responded.”
The Mustangs got it done on the ground. McRae had consistent bursts through the Lemon Bay front seven all game and finished with three touchdowns. Junior quarterback Liam Fernandez added two rushing touchdowns and junior running back Colton Dempsey added another.
Paravicini praised Fernandez’s decision making and vision in the second half, as he read the defense well in deciding when to hand the ball to one of his backs and when to keep the ball himself. When Fernandez did keep the ball, Paravicini said, he made good decisions in which lanes to attack.
The Mustangs’ defense largely shut down the Manta Rays’ rushing attack in the final three quarters. Lemon Bay ran a variation of a T-formation offense, also known as a full-house offense, where two running backs and a fullback line up behind the quarterback under center. The formation, one of the sport’s oldest, relies on a lot of misdirection runs and little passing. Paravicini said it is a difficult offense to prepare against because teams run it so rarely, but he was proud of how his defense adapted to it as the game progressed.
Junior defensive back Mike Turner had an interception and junior defensive end Caua Magno forced a turnover on downs when he tackled Lemon Bay’s punter after a botched snap. Magno, who doubles as Lakewood Ranch’s punter, also show cased his strong leg, punting one ball for 59 net yards.
It is the second-straight nice effort by the Mustangs’ defense, which pitched a shutout in its 30-0 preseason win over DeSoto Coun ty High on Aug. 16. While DeSoto County has struggled in recent sea sons, Lemon Bay went 10-2 in 2023 and had a potent attack, averag ing 30 points per game. The Manta Rays beat Lakewood Ranch 20-13 to kick off last season. The improve ment Lakewood Ranch made against Lemon Bay in 2024 is notable. Regardless, Paravicini is not let ting his defensive unit off without a
OTHER EAST COUNTY FOOTBALL RESULTS
■ The Out-of-Door Academy (2-0) won 28-0 over Faith Christian Academy (0-2) at home. Junior running back Allen Clark had 21 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Josey Rubinstein threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Carson Fisher. The ODA defense intercepted three FCA passes and completed its second-consecutive shutout.
■ Parrish Community High (1-0) won 24-3 against North Port High (0-1) on the road. Senior Michael Bell returned an interception for a touchdown. Junior running back Keyon Maxwell and senior athlete Jermaine Edwards each had a rushing touchdown.
■ Braden River High (0-1) lost 38-7 to Gainesville High (1-0) on the road. Senior quarterback Lucas Despot had a five-yard touchdown run for the team’s lone score.
bit of criticism, as he said there were things to be done better.
“There were opportunities to get off the field (earlier),” Paravicini said.
“We were sloppy in the first half in terms of penalties and mistakes. We need to be a little more disciplined.”
The Mustangs will have a chance to continue their hot start in the coming weeks. Lakewood Ranch will play Seminole High (0-1), a 42-20 loser against Tarpon Springs High in week one, on Aug. 30 before playing Braden River High (0-1) on Sept. 6.
— ODA football’s Heath DeRusso SEE PAGE 9B
Courtesy image Aaron Crooks is the new head golf professional at Soleta Golf Club.
Junior quarterback Liam Fernandez runs for a touchdown.
Photos by Ryan Kohn
Lakewood Ranch High junior defensive back Mike Turner intercepts a pass against Lemon Bay High.
Lakewood Ranch senior Cullen McRae II celebrates after his third touchdown run against Lemon Bay High.
These East County alums are fit for fall
These former Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high athletes are ones to watch over the next few months as their college seasons begin.
Welcome to the start of a new sports season.
Fall sports are getting underway, not just here in the East County area, but across the country and at all levels. That means some of our East County alumni will be hitting the field at their respective colleges.
These players grew up here and trained here. They left everything they had on our local fields to get to where they are now, and in many cases, they are making the most of their opportunities.
Here are four such athletes who deserve your attention as their seasons get underway:
CARSON GODA
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
FOOTBALL
Look no further than Carson Goda for proof that determination gets rewarded.
Goda, a Braden River High alumnus, spent three seasons at Saint Anselm University to begin his college career. Saint Anselm is an NCAA Division II school in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and it is not exactly a football powerhouse at its level; the Hawks were 15-14 in Goda’s three seasons. But in 2024, thanks to the internet and film apps like HUDL, players can make themselves stand out no matter where they play or their level of competition.
In three seasons, Goda caught 122 passes for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2023, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound Goda was second in the Northeast-10 Conference in receiv-
ing yards (566) — for all players, not just tight ends.
Goda’s skills as a pass-catcher and as a blocker caught the eye of bigger programs in search of tight end help after spring ball. In May, Goda announced his transfer to the University of Illinois. After years of grinding for an opportunity, Goda will spend his senior season catching passes in the Big Ten Conference — one of the two best conferences in the sport, alongside the Southeastern Conference.
Goda and the Illini will open their season at 9 p.m. Aug. 29 against Eastern Illinois University. The game will air on the Big Ten Network.
GRACIE MARSTON
GEORGIA TECH UNIVERSITY
CROSS-COUNTRY
One half of a twin running duo during her time at Lakewood Ranch High — we’ll get to her sister down below — Gracie Marston now competes in both cross-country and track and field at Georgia Tech University. Marston, a sophomore, competed in five cross-country meets in 2023, including the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships. Her best finish came at the Stan Sims Cross-Country Opener, where she finished 11th and set a personal record in the 5K (17:55.5).
She did just as well during the outdoor track season this spring, again competing in the ACC Championships and setting a personal record in the 800-meter run (2:08.23). Marston also helped the Yellow Jackets get a win in the
4x800 meter relay (8:51.37) at the Pepsi Florida Relays.
With a full year under her belt, Marston is in position to climb the rankings in 2024, starting with cross-country this fall and continuing into the spring track season.
HAILEY MARSTON
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
CROSS-COUNTRY
Like her twin sister, Hailey Marston saw success in both cross-country and track and field in her first full year of college. In 2023, Marston competed in four cross-country meets for Auburn University and set personal records in the 4K (15:03.10 at the Foothills Invitational) and in the 5K (18:41.70 at the Southern Showcase).
During the outdoor track season, Marston won the 1,500-meter run (4:44.12) at the Auburn-hosted Tiger Track Classic in April and
competed in two other meets. She also competed in four meets during the indoor track season, running a 5:04.36 mile at the Vanderbilt Invitational in January.
Entering her sophomore crosscountry campaign, expect even bigger things from Marston in 2024.
REGAN KELLY
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
SOCCER
Kelly, a former captain of the Lakewood Ranch High girls soccer program, has quickly established herself as a key piece of the University of South Florida women’s soccer team.
A sophomore defender, Kelly’s impact is difficult to measure in statistics, but the trust the Bulls coaching staff has in her can be seen in her playing time. Kelly has played in all three of the team’s 2024 games as of Aug. 23, starting one of them
(against Jacksonville University on Aug. 18, a 5-1 win). That is one game shy of the number of games she played as a freshman in 2023. Even in the games she has not started, Kelly has played a lot: She is averaging 51 minutes per game. Though Kelly will likely never score a lot of points because of her position, she did take three shots in the Bulls’ 5-0 win over Southern University on Aug. 21, putting two of them on net. The more she earns playing time, the more likely she will be to get on the scoresheet.
Ryan Kohn is the sports editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.
Ryan Kohn
Former Lakewood Ranch High runner Hailey Marston (356) made an impact on the Auburn University cross-country and track and field teams in 2023, her first full year at the school.
Heath DeRusso
Heath DeRusso is a junior linebacker on The Out-of-Door Academy football team. DeRusso had six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery in the Thunder’s 28-0 home win over Faith Christian on Aug. 23. It was the team’s second-consecutive shutout.
When did you start playing football?
I started with flag football when I was 4 years old, then moved on to tackle football. My family moved here from Northern California before I started high school, and I did not play my freshman year, but Coach (Rob) Hollway convinced me to play again as a sophomore.
What is the appeal to you?
I love the aggressiveness. I love being able to hit people. I love having fun with my boys.
What is your best skill?
Reading the offense. I can pretty much tell what play is coming after our coaches walk us through the other team’s offense during the week. When it comes to game time, I’m seeking out what they are doing.
What have you been working to improve?
Being a leader and getting everybody into our workouts. Just making sure we are working as a team. I tell kids who aren’t starting that they have to work for it (playing time). Nothing is going to be handed to anybody here.
What is your favorite memory?
It has to be winning the (Sunshine State Athletic Association Class
4A) championship last year. Everything was on the line. It was the first football championship in school history. It was an amazing feeling, especially winning it for our seniors’ last year.
What has been the k season on defense?
We have great chemistry and great game planning by our coaches. They are getting us exactly what we need. I think it is the best defense we have had, and we want to keep the shutout streak going.
If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.
What
Well,
Charlie’s (Tack, Furman University freshman linebacker) record for tackles in a season, which is 69.
What is your favorite food?
I love the chicken from Chick-fil-A.
What is your favorite class?
I’m taking sports and entertainment management. I get to learn the financial aspects of the sports world, which is cool.
What is your favorite TV show?
‘Suits’ is my favorite, for sure.
What are your hobbies?
Most of my time is spent playing football right now, but I have also played baseball since I was 3 years old. Besides that, I just have fun with my boys.
What is the best advice you have received?
Coach Hollway, before every game he says, ‘Play hard, play smart and have fun.’ If you follow those three things, you are going to have a good time and you are going to be successful.
Finish this sentence: “Heath DeRusso is … ” … Funny.
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SAY IT WITH A SONG by Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
Gordon Silver took this photo of two deer in Del Webb at Lakewood Ranch.
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Curb Appeal
Landscaping: Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and add fresh mulch or seasonal flowers.
Exterior Cleaning: Power wash the siding, driveway, and walkways.
Lighting: Ensure all exterior (and interior) lights are functional and replace any outdated fixtures.
General Maintenance
Repairs: Fix any noticeable issues such as leaky faucets, loose tiles, or cracked windows.
HVAC System: Service the heating and cooling system; replace air filters.
Roof & Gutters: Inspect and clean gutters; repair any roof damage.
Declutter & Depersonalize
Storage Solutions: Organize closets, cabinets, and storage spaces.
Personal Items: Remove personal photos, memorabilia, and excessive decorations.
Neutralize Bold Decor: If you have bold, personalized decor or paint colors, consider replacing them with neutral alternatives.
Deep Cleaning
Floors: Clean carpets, polish hardwood floors, and mop tile floors.
Windows: Wash all windows inside and out; ensure they open and close easily.
Walls & Baseboards: Wipe down or repaint walls as needed; clean baseboards.
