East County Observer 10.17.24 by The Observer Group Inc.

Westwinds’ Jimmy Gula stands alongside a pile of now

Daniel Bradshaw, principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary

Hurricane Milton.

How much does a hurricane shelter cost?

School District of Manatee County budgets $1.5 million annually for schools to serve as shelters, but costs can soar higher.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

As Hurricane Milton barreled toward Manatee County, the School District of Manatee County, in partnership with the county’s Emergency Operations Center, opened 16 schools to serve as shelters.

To open the first round of shelters, district staff shifted into high gear Oct. 7 as preparations to welcome evacuees began at 8 a.m.

Every hour a school is used as a shelter costs the school district money.

Knowing this year’s hurricane season was projected to be riddled with storms, the school district budgeted $1.5 million in the 20242025 fiscal year to cover the cost of

HURRICANE IMPACTS

HURRICANE IAN

When: September 2022

Category when by Manatee

County: 4

Shelters opened: 17

Evacuees: 2,500+

*Total cost to school district: $1.38 million

HURRICANE IDALIA

When: August 2023

Category when by Manatee County: 4

Shelters opened: Four Evacuees: 566+

*Total cost to school district: $150,500

HURRICANE DEBBY

When: August 2024

Category when by Manatee County: Tropical storm

Shelters opened: Two

schools serving as shelters, along with potential damages to district facilities.

EOC WORKS WITH DISTRICT

There are 27 schools within the district that can serve as shelters during hurricanes, and the district works closely with Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center to determine how many shelters should open and which schools will be turned into shelters. The Emergency Operations Center ultimately decides what, how many and when shelters open.

It involves hours of preparation for every storm to ensure there is a safe and hospitable environment for people during a storm.

Carol Ricks, principal at Myakka City Elementary School, sat in a

*Total cost to school district: $109,000

HURRICANE HELENE When: September 2024

Category when by Manatee County: 1

Shelters opened: Three

Evacuees: 200

*Total cost to the school district: Still being calculated

HURRICANE MILTON When: October 2024 Category when by Manatee County: 3

Shelters opened: 16

Evacuees: 11,000+

*Total cost to the school district: Still being calculated

*Total cost includes the cost of opening shelters and damages to school district facilities.

folding chair at the entrance to the school’s cafeteria and watched news reports of Hurricane Milton making its way across the Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 8. Next to her was Daniel Bradshaw, principal at Parrish Community High School.

The principals were among 21 School District of Manatee County employees working at Myakka City Elementary as the school had opened as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.

As Hurricane Milton progressed, 16 more shelters opened.

COST

FACTORS DETERMINE

Rachel Sellers, the deputy superintendent of business services for the district, said the cost to the district is dependent on various factors including how many shelters open, how many people evacuate to those shelters, and how many staff members are needed at the shelters.

If a lockdown is called, meaning no one can leave the shelter, Sellers said it increases the cost because often it means people are in the shelters longer.

For example, during Hurricane Ian, 17 shelters were opened, and it cost the district $1.38 million. In comparison, the Emergency Operations Center opened two shelters during Hurricane Debby, which cost the district $109,000.

Sellers said the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not reimburse all costs associated with a hurricane. She expects at least $17,000 of the $109,000 in expenses from Hurricane Debby will not be reimbursed.

School district employees staff the shelters, which is a part of the cost to the district, but it’s not just when the employees are in the shelters that count toward the cost.

For example, FEMA only reimburses 5% of the cost to pay employees during the hours spent

coordinating with the Emergency Operations Center and for district administrators coordinating logistics.

When Hurricane Helene devastated Anna Maria Island, every hour administrators and staff worked during the weekend of Sept. 28-29 to determine a plan to send Anna Maria Elementary School students to Stewart Elementary School contributed to the cost.

Other costs include when maintenance teams have to go to each school after a hurricane to prepare for the students’ return, to survey for any damages and to check for the loss of food at schools that lose power.

Other costs not reimbursable by FEMA are the hours staff members work to conduct district business that needs to occur regardless of a hurricane, such as payroll being due. It’s not directly related to a storm, but it must occur to ensure employees are paid.

FEMA also caps the amount it will cover in damages to facilities, and the cap changes per storm and is determined by FEMA.

Other costs to the district include feeding evacuees. The district serves three hot meals per day in the shelters. The district spent $2,200 on meals during Hurricane

Idalia when four shelters were opened.

The district also has to pay for cleaning supplies, first aid, flashlights, radios and other supplies associated with opening the shelters. Cathy Miley, the district’s finance director, said school employees take inventory of the supplies already in the schools before it opens to become a shelter and again after the shelter closes to determine the cost.

Sellers said it takes several weeks to determine the cost of a hurricane to the district as people need to turn in time sheets, damages need to be assessed and more.

CLAIMS FILED WITH FEMA FEMA sends an award letter that the district fills out and submits. As of Oct. 4, the district had yet to receive an award letter from FEMA for Hurricane Debby, which took place Aug. 4-5, despite the district already having determined costs. Sellers said the district finally is closing out the financial impacts and work with FEMA for Hurricane Idalia, which was in August 2023. That hurricane cost the district $150,500.

Liz Ramos

School District of Manatee County cafeteria staff Erica Maher and Gina Bianchi serve breakfast at Myakka City Elementary School as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.

East County weathers another hurricane

Residents remain resilient despite the latest challenge of Hurricane Milton.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, the strength of the community was being represented in the form of Jimmy Gula, standing next to his severely damaged Westwinds home a day after the carnage.

Gula, whose wife, Jeanmarie, died in 2021, had lived in Lakewood Ranch for 20 years before making the move to Westwinds just 10 days before Milton tore his world apart.

A retired mailman, Gula had served Westwinds and grew to love the small neighborhood just off State Road 70. Being a widower with just his cat Luna for company, he decided he didn’t need his big Greenbrook home anymore. He made the move.

He didn’t expect Milton, which ripped off part of his roof, his carport and lanai — as well as parts of other homes in the community — to dump a huge pile of twisted metal outside his front door.

“This isn’t all mine,” he said, pointing to the debris.

But did the neighbors already pile it up there?

“No,” he said emphatically, shaking his head. “It was the wind!”

Milton, which grew into a Category 5 beast in the Gulf of Mexico, followed a straight-arrow line into the Manatee County coast, blowing over land Oct. 9 as a Category 3 with 100 mph-plus winds. A wind sheer dropped from the north collided with Milton just before it reached shore and dropped it a couple of categories in force.

That reduction in wind saved Gula from losing his entire home.

“I thought I was going to need to put a new home on (the lot),” he said. “But everything inside basically is dry.

“Still, I don’t have insurance. Who did I piss off upstairs?”

It was more of the same throughout East County, homeowners forced to deal with extensive damage to their rooftops, lanais and landscaping. The island communities in western Manatee County were less fortunate, as they had more pain heaped on them after Hurricane Helene had flooded the communities Sept. 26 with storm surge.

Since Oct. 10, Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse has toured “every square foot” of the county.

“There are going to be a lot of needs that must be dealt with,” Kruse said after taking a few moments to take

UNINCORPORATED MANATEE DAMAGE

These are Manatee County’s initial assessment numbers for damages in unincorporated areas of the county as of Oct. 15.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

Destroyed: 70

Major Damage: 3,480

Minor Damage: 2,760

Affected: 5,610

Dollar Loss: $323,268,713

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

Destroyed: 2

Major Damage: 223

Minor Damage: 78

Affected: 193

Dollar Loss: $28,143,776

the hurricane shutters off his GreyHawk Landing home. “We have a lot of people in Bradenton Beach who simply can’t stay in their homes, and we have to find housing. I know we are going to be asking a lot of our resilient community.”

Kruse said Manatee County residents will need to have patience because the cleanup from Debby, Helene and Milton is “going to be a process.”

He noted that while Hurricane Ian crushed Myakka City, the devastation was focused in a small area. The three most recent hurricanes have caused damage “all over.”

“We are going to be making some tough decisions on how to pay for this,” Kruse said. “First, we have to get back on our feet.”

As of Oct. 15, Manatee County estimated the Hurricane Milton residential damage to be at $323,268,713 in just the unincorporated areas of the county alone.

Kruse said some county projects, such as a new park, or a trail system, are likely going to be put on the back burner for a while. Some items will take priority.

“Our port had a lot of damage,” he said. “Our airport doesn’t have a roof.

“It’s going to take the county, the board, the citizens, the entire community to work together.”

While many of East County’s homeowners were working in their yards in the days following Milton, it looked like an army all working together.

Sonny Fumagalli, of Braden Woods, was working with her dad, Matthew Baialardo, to clear the downed trees and limbs off her property. She also had a tree leaning up against her home.

Fumagalli had paid to have approximately 30 trees removed from her land when she moved there two months ago.

“I thought we were good,” she said.

Fumagalli was asked if she regrets her decision to move to Braden Woods.

“I love it here,” she said, grabbing another pile of brush to clear off.

Gula was asked the same question, if he regretted moving to Westwinds.

“I’m very happy right where I am,” he said before heading off to Lowe’s to buy tools. It was time to get to work.

Manufactured homes in East County and their carports were no match for Hurricane Milton.

FEMA CONTACTS

If you want to talk to a FEMA representative in person, go to G.T. Bray Park gymnasium, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton. The hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Manatee County says FEMA no longer has staff at the Lakewood Ranch Library. Also, contact FEMA online at DisasterAssistance. gov, use the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-6213362.

OTHER RESOURCES

RECOVERY CENTER

The Small Business Administration has established a Business Recovery Center at the Rocky Bluff Branch Library, 6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

RAISE THE ROOF

The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened Operation Blue Roof through Tuesday, Nov. 5. Operation Blue Roof is available to impacted residents in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The program is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiberreinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect stormdamaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign up at BlueRoof.gov or by calling 888-766-3258.

COUNTY ASSISTANCE

The Manatee County Online self-reporting tool is at MyManatee.org/MiltonHelp to help citizens who have immediate needs, including food, water, medical assistance or other essentials.

■ Manatee County businesses are asked to also fill out the Business Damage Assessment Survey at MyManatee.org/MiltonHelp.

■ A Red Cross shelter is open at First Methodist Church (603 11th St. W., Bradenton), to provide temporary shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Milton.

■ Manatee County has opened two Health and Wellness Centers to serve those affected by Hurricane Milton (nothing in the Lakewood Ranch area). Locations are at Rubonia/ Palmetto (1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto), and (5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach). The locations will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

■ Manatee County residents have been able to take advantage of emergency Points of Distribution across the county, featuring Meals Ready-to-Eat, water and tarps and even fuel. These pods will continue to be available through the coming days. Items available vary by location. Details can be found at MyManatee.org/PODS.

■ Manatee County debris removal efforts will be augmented with additional contractors to ramp up roadside debris removal operations beginning Oct. 14. Removal teams will transport the roadside debris to temporary drop locations strategically placed throughout the county to ensure efficient removal of debris from our neighborhoods. Permanent removal of storm-related debris from the temporary sites will be determined later.

Motorists were bold when it came to navigating roads that are blocked by trees in Braden Woods.

Central Park has a new traffic signal just inside its gates off 44th Avenue in Lakewood Ranch. The signal was hanging on 44th Avenue until Hurricane Milton blew it a block down the road.

Photos by Jay Heater

The pavilion at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch has two fewer columns after Hurricane Milton damaged their facades Oct. 9. The area hosts free concerts and other offerings in the entertainment hub.

Milton’s power

POOL CAGE BLOWN AWAY

Those in East County were counting down. Five ... four ... three. Hurricane Milton was coming right at us, but it slipped enough in strength to be a Category 3 by the time it hit Manatee County. While plenty of trees were down and roofs were destroyed, the biggest impact might have been on our nerves. Here are some of your stories.

Mill Creek’s Joe Wolski was busy cutting up fallen limbs and hauling them to the curb on Oct. 10 following Hurricane Milton’s rampage through East County the previous night.

But if Wolski had his way, he wishes Milton would have taken one more tree.

He pointed to it in his yard.

“I hate that tree,” Wolski said with a laugh.

It was the least the Category 3 hurricane could have done after causing so much damage to his yard and home.

Like many in East County who chose to ride out the storm, Wolski said he feels fortunate despite the damage.

“This is the worst hurricane there has been here,” Wolski said of Milton, which built to a Category 5 hurricane in the gulf before weakening as it collided with a cooler air wind shear from the north.

Still, winds were measured at 100 mph or more in the Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch areas.

Wolski’s son, also Joe, was sitting near the pool late Wednesday when he began to hear the pool cage “creaking.” He just got inside before the pool cage blew apart.

“The wind was howling; it was nuts,” the elder Wolski said.

Even so, he has no intention of moving out of the area.

“Yeah, I’m staying.”

Jay Heater Mill Creek’s Joe Wolski says his son, also Joe, was sitting near the pool when he heard the cage creaking. As soon as his son moved inside, Hurricane Milton blew the cage apart.

NO RIDING OUT MILTON

After seeing Hurricane Milton was projected to hit land as a Category 4, River Club’s Tom Terhorst decided last-minute Oct. 9 to evacuate.

He said he and his neighbors all were planning to ride out the storm, but after seeing the weather projections, they decided to leave.

“We just chickened out in the end,” Terhorst said. “You listen to the newscast meteorologists and National Weather Service, and they really scare you. So many times, the actual storm is less severe than what they’re predicting. I guess that’s the nature of the beast.”

Terhorst was on his way to West Palm Beach but made it as far as Okeechobee, Florida, before he had to find a shelter as tornados were touching down in the area.

When he returned to his River Club home around 11 a.m. Oct. 10, he found his yard littered with downed trees and debris. His house didn’t have any damage, he said.

He compared the damages to what he saw during Hurricane Ian in September 2022, but it was a little worse.

Terhorst’s biggest concern is his one-story villa on Siesta Key.

He was in the process of better preparing that home for storms when Hurricane Milton powered through the coast.

With Siesta Key still closed to residents, he said it could be a few days before he’s able to check on the property.

Hurricane Milton marks the third hurricane in two months for Manatee County.

“It isn’t fair, is it?” Terhorst said. “I spent (Hurricane Debby) in Minnesota, where I spend the summers, but I came down for Helene, and that didn’t seem terrible. This was really bad.”

Jim Johnson, Terhorst’s neighbor down the street in River Club, also evacuated, but he and his family decided to leave Oct. 7.

“In the 32 years I’ve lived in Sarasota, I’ve never seen a hurricane come straight at us like that, which is why this is the first time I ever said, ‘OK, we’re leaving,’” Johnson said. “I told my friends up north that this is the price we pay for living in paradise. You guys pay to come down here to vacation, and we live here year-round.”

Johnson said he was able to stay in a relative’s home in Port St. Lucie. His 10-year-old daughter, Alexa Johnson, considered it a mini vacation as they had dinner with relatives, who also gave her gifts.

“We were very lucky we didn’t have to go through it,” Johnson said. “(Alexa) thought it was awesome. Luckily, we were able to shield her from the scary parts of it all.”

Johnson said he was nervous to see what his house would be like returning home Oct. 10, but he was surprised to see there was only one down tree and some debris.

‘SWEET SPOT’ TURNED SOUR

Westwinds Bill Giallonardo says Bradenton usually is in a “sweet spot” when it comes to hurricanes.

He said the way the homes are situated in his community makes them somewhat resistant to the high winds coming from the south and southeast.

This time, though, was different.

Giallonardo watched the weather reports and saw that Hurricane Milton was a rare storm in that it was coming at Bradenton directly from the west, with a path and 145 mph winds that would take it straight across the state to Florida’s east coast.

GERD can affect people of any age”

Samuel Yelverton, MD General Surgery

Jay Heater East County’s Bill Giallonardo cleans debris from in front of his home in Westwinds in Bradenton. He had evacuated and found his home damaged Thursday due to Hurricane Milton’s heavy winds the night before.

Friends had offered him other places to stay in the community, and he considered it for a day before deciding to evacuate. He said some of the homes he was considering are newer construction and built to handle much higher winds than his home, that was built in 1972.

“It has held up, though, all these years because of the direction the winds come,” he said.

With the storm coming from the west, he said he knew it wouldn’t be pretty when he went home on Oct. 17.

“I knew something would happen,” he said as he carried debris from his home to the curb. “I lost the lanai, the roof.”

SURGEON SHARES GOOD NEWS FOR GERD SUFFERERS

Samuel Yelverton, MD, board certified general surgeon at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center addresses questions related to a common digestive disorder.

Q: WHAT IS GERD?

A: GERD is a gastroesophageal reflux disease, a digestive disorder, caused by either a hiatal hernia or faulty valve between the esophagus and stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter). When the sphincter is too relaxed, stomach acid flows backward causing reflux. This may cause the esophagus to become irritated, and it can result in a painful burning sensation in the throat and chest. GERD affects approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. at least weekly.* While more common in people older than 40, it can affect people of any age, according to Dr. Yelverton.

Q: WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF GERD?

A: The most common symptoms are heartburn, chest pain, upper abdominal pain, nausea,

vomiting, coughing, sore throat, weight loss and difficulty swallowing.

Q: HOW IS GERD DIAGNOSED?

A: Your physician can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and provide a treatment plan. However, if symptoms do not improve, your doctor might order further testing.

Q: WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA AND HOW IS IT RELATED TO REFLUX?

A: A hiatal hernia is a defect in the diaphragm muscle in which the stomach bulges through into the chest. Any size hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up causing reflux.

Q: WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?

A: Your physician may recommend an approach that surgically addresses both hiatal hernia and GERD. The two-part procedure includes a a hiatal hernia repair with concomitant transoral incisionless fundoplication or cTIF.

Q: HOW SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ARE THESE TREATMENTS?

A: The procedure may offer less complications with similar results compared to the traditional hiatal hernia repair and older techniques used for anti-reflux surgery.**

Liz Ramos

River Club’s Tom Terhorst cleans up debris at his home after Hurricane Milton..

Liz Ramos Jim Johnson returns to River Club, after evacuating to Port St. Lucie, to find a downed tree in his front yard.

Courtesy image

The roof of the welcome barn at Bearadise Ranch was torn off during Hurricane Milton.

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Lakewood Ranch Democrats have an at-large option

Sari Lindroos-Valimaki wants to give citizens a Democratic option in the race for District 7.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

With 70,978 registered Democrats in Manatee County, almost half the number of registered Republicans, Sari Lindroos-Valimaki acknowledges she’s an underdog in the race for the District 7 Manatee County Commission seat against incumbent George Kruse.

“If I filed as an NPA, I would’ve had a better shot, but I’m very proud to be a Democrat,” Lindroos-Valimaki said. “I live in District 1, and I have never been able to vote for a Democrat for county commission. I wanted to give that option to somebody else.”

Lindroos-Valimaki moved to Palmetto from Palm Beach in 2018 after her husband, Jarmo Valimaki, got a job in St. Petersburg. He’s a mechanical engineer.

She moved to Palm Beach from Finland in 1983, when she was 15 years old. Her parents would have been considered Republicans, but she said Finnish Republicans are more moderate than in the United States.

When she first moved to Palm Beach, Bob Graham was the governor, and Florida was a blue state.

“I’m a Democrat to the core,” she said. “I very much believe in doing the right thing for everyone. Of course, I believe in the capitalist system, but my grandfather showed us the example that you can be a very successful entrepreneur and have compassion for others.”

Her grandfather, Helg Lindroos, owned grocery stores, and he never let anyone go hungry. He’d give his

DEMOCRATIC CHOICES

One reason Sari Lindroos-Valimaki is running for the commission is because she said she’s never been able to vote for a Democratic candidate in District 1. The party isn’t represented in every race, but here’s a look at other Democratic candidates that will be on this November’s Commission ballot.

1: Ellenton

customers credits at the store when needed. Because of that, her grandfather built a loyal customer base that he said kept his stores in business after the big box stores moved in.

Lindroos-Valimaki is a certified information systems security professional, who spent almost 30 years in IT and cybersecurity. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Nichols College. She still moonlights as a bounty hunter for fun. In the world of cybersecurity, companies will offer monetary rewards to discover vulnerabilities in their security systems. Lindroos-Valimaki said it’s like working on a puzzle.

Her background in politics is a bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University. This is her first run at an elected office, which was inspired by a major loss. Her sister, Sapu Lindroos, died

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District

resident Glenn Pearson is a former TV news anchor and reporter.

District

: Bradenton resident Diana Shoemaker is the former president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manatee.

unexpectedly from a heart condition in October 2023.

“She always encouraged me and said I’d be a good representative because I’m always doing the right thing even when it’s not necessarily benefiting me,” she said. “I took (her death) very hard. I had to get out of grief, so finally, I decided to do something different, and this is very different.”

Win or lose, Lindroos-Valimaki is enjoying every minute on the campaign trail. As for her 15 minutes of fame, she said she’s using it to “make some noise” about the environment and things that could be done better.

She wants to see the county collect stormwater fees, and leverage technology better to ease traffic congestion by synchronizing signals. She also fears Manatee County will turn into Palm Beach.

“When I go to Anna Maria Island, it reminds me of Palm Beach in the 1980s,” Lindroos-Valimaki said. “Manatee County is beautiful. It’s a more eco-friendly area, and that’s what’s being destroyed.”

She lived a mile from the shore in Palm Beach, but spends more time

“Manatee County is beautiful. It’s a more eco-friendly area, and that’s what’s being destroyed.”

Sari Lindroos-Valimaki

on the water kayaking now that she lives in Palmetto, partly because of her health.

Lindroos-Valimaki has rheumatoid arthritis, which worsened in 2017. The pain was so bad she couldn’t drive a car or use a computer. At one point, it seemed as if she had early onset dementia, but it was a bad reaction to medication.

In 2022, Lindroos-Valimaki received a KinematX implant in her wrist, which changed everything.

“Sometimes miracles happen, and I’m one of those,” she said. “My whole life was about pain for a long time, so I’m very happy to be alive. I have already won. I’m energetic, pain-free and enjoying life. If this doesn’t work out, I’ll return to my career.”

Courtesy image

At-large District 7 candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimaki lives in Palmetto with her husband, Jarmo Valimaki, and their four rescue dogs.

Myakka welcomes new fire station

A grand-opening celebration will be held Nov. 23 at 10215 Wauchula Road.

Over the past year, firefighters in Myakka City have watched a new $6 million fire station rise from the ground with only a retention pond separating the new and old stations.

“It’s so exciting,” firefighter Ray Sullivan said. “We just look across the pond and stare at it.”

The public is invited to the grand opening of East Manatee Fire Rescue’s brand new Station 11 on Nov. 23. It’s hard not to stare at the approximately 10,000-square-foot station on Wauchula Road, especially with the old station sitting next door.

The original Station 11 is about 6,500 square feet and looks like it could fit inside the new station’s bay. It was built in 1995 by the Myakka City Fire Rescue, which merged with EMFR in 2021.

EMFR Deputy Chief Paul Wren called the new station a “night and day” difference.

“The board, the fire chiefs, Chief (Lee) Whitehurst, they’ve done a great job of making sure that our infrastructure is top notch — new stations, new equipment — these guys have everything they need,” he

IF YOU GO

Station 11 Grand Opening, 10215 Wauchula Road. The open house is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 23.

said. “That wasn’t necessarily the case with Myakka City. They were resource deprived.”

Fire districts are funded with taxes. Fewer residents means less funding.

Some of the equipment was new, but the Myakka City firefighters had to work with what they had, which was a cramped firehouse that wasn’t rated to withstand anything above a Category 3 hurricane.

To personnel who have worked out of other EMFR stations, the new Station 11 will look like the rest. But to firefighters like Sullivan, who started with the Myakka City Fire Rescue, the station will be a major upgrade.

There are nine firefighters, split between three shifts. Each shift of three shares one room in Station 11 now. The crew members will have their own room when they move in next door.

“You don’t have to listen to (Firefighter Steven) Cooley snoring anymore,” Wren joked.

The crew of Sullivan, Cooley and Lt. Ben Carpenter are tight knit, having shared such tight quarters. Carpenter said it works because they all get along so well. Otherwise, it gets “uncomfortable.”

Knowing that a new station is on the way makes the quirks of an old station a joke instead of a hardship. Carpenter jiggled the door of the dishwasher to get it shut, and Sullivan pulled the front door open to set off the squeaky hinges, which are about as loud as an alarm.

“No one can sneak up on us,” he said with a deadpan delivery.

Among the jokes, Wren made sure to note that with a new station on the way, some things were put on the back burner. After moving, all the appliances will be new, not just the dishwasher.

The crew agreed that the next best thing about the new living quarters will be the workout room. Right now, a big rack for weights is tucked into the bay.

The expanded living quarters will also allow for the crews to double and triple up during emergencies.

On Sept. 24, notifications were steadily streaming into Wren’s phone as preparations had begun for Hurricane Helene. The new station already was demonstrating its value.

During Hurricane Ian, Station 11 had to evacuate to Myakka City Elementary School. If Helene strengthens into a Category 3 or higher hurricane, the crew and equipment will move next door.

They’ll also have to move back because the station isn’t quite ready for full-time occupancy yet, but it will be up and running by Nov. 23 for the dedication ceremony and grand opening.

Wren said the fire district hasn’t thrown an open house like what’s being planned for Station 11 in a long time.

“This is truly going to be a Myakka City community event, where we want all the residents to come out and see their new firehouse,” he said. “We’re going to have all kinds of fun for kids and families.”

Mission BBQ is catering. The crew will be giving station tours. Giveaways include commemorative T-shirts and coins. Plus, the kids will leave with goody bags.

“This is truly going to be a Myakka City community event, where we want all the residents to come out and see their new firehouse. We’re going to have all kinds of fun for kids and families.”

EMFR Deputy Chief Paul Wren

Wren understands if residents are leery of a big district coming in and making changes, but he said only the infrastructure has changed because the resources have increased so exponentially.

“If anything, we’re trying to bring a little bit of that old school community feel back into the fire service,” he said.

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A 30,000-gallon water tower sits toward the back of the station. It supplies water for the station’s emergency sprinkler system.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Ray Sullivan, Ben Carpenter and Steven Cooley make up one of the shift crews at Station 11. As good of friends as they are, the firefighters are looking forward to getting their own rooms at the new station.

Milton raises fear, even on the Ranch

Afraid. It was a word I heard over and over on the day after Hurricane Milton blew through East County on Oct. 9. Despite Irma and Ian and Idalia and Debby and Helene, this was the only time I have had so many people utter that particular word in poststorm conversations.

In Braden Woods, I chatted with a 40-something-year-old man who didn’t want me to use his name in the paper. As the drone of heavy equipment filled the air all around us, hauling away toppled oaks, he hesitated a bit, then said it.

“I was afraid.”

In the decade I have lived here, I have learned that East County residents are anxious about storms, but not afraid. Despite the considerable damage I have seen, I would say the residents have been as unwavering as Ian was relentless with its winds or Debby was with its rain.

Those who are in harm’s way due to storm surge heed evacuation orders and leave. Most of them. They follow those instructions, hide from the wind ... run from the water.

But this was different. With Milton, at least for a short time on the back end of the eye, it seemed there was no place to hide as it came through Lakewood Ranch.

It all built up. First was its direction. As we watched on the various televised weather reports, we could see it didn’t look like any of those previous big storms. Usually, we track a storm coming up northward through the gulf, then hold our breath as we wait for the right hand turn into the coast, or lack of, as it heads toward the panhandle.

One man who lived in a manufactured home on State Road 70 told me he had lived here all his life and he never had seen a storm come from that direction. He said he was afraid, and he evacuated. He said he didn’t expect to see anything left on

his lot when he returned and that he expected something very bad to happen. His home suffered about $40,000 worth of damage.

He was right, because Milton was a straight arrow. After it grew to a Category 5 hurricane in the gulf, it threw a major league fastball right into Manatee County. From the moment the weather experts began tracking it, the European model, the American model, heck, even the Monaco model, all were in agreement. You could take out a ruler and draw a straight line into the coast.

Our coast.

Even I, the major procrastinator, took notice. I even put up the hurricane shutters. I was worried, but not afraid. I live in a Pat Nealbuilt home, good to 160 mph winds. What could happen?

But then came the onslaught of hysterical national weather reports

... the ones that have people glued to the television by using that familiar refrain, “You’re going to die!”

That kind of talk sells generators.

OK, I understand that some people won’t heed warnings unless you are emphatic.

But why do they leave off the part, that you are going to die “if you don’t follow mandatory evacuation orders.” My mother was calling from New York in tears. She thought the gulf was going swallow Florida whole.

Thankfully, our local weather telecasters were far more calm. Major kudos as well to Manatee County, which had performed poorly during Hurricane Debby in terms of communications. The county did a 180-degree turn, sending out lots of reports about what was coming, what to do, and

how much water was being held back by the Lake Manatee Dam. Hopefully, this positive trend will continue. I would suggest the county makes its emergency road closure listings a little easier to follow and makes sure its site navigation is as simple as possible. All in all, a very nice effort.

Perhaps more than anything, Manatee County worked to keep residents calm, with officials telling them it was urgent to evacuate, but that they didn’t have to sit in traffic on I-75 to evacuate. They urged residents just to move “tens of miles” inland or to use the shelters that were available.

Here in Lakewood Ranch, we generally are in a safe haven from storms. Like many of you, I tried to relax on the Wednesday that Milton was knocking on my door. Thankfully, the favorite team of my childhood, the New York Yankees, had a playoff game.

So with a cocktail in hand, and the game on TV, I sat in the living room of my Lakewood Ranch home and ignored the incoming monster. Now it was a matter of FPL and Spectrum keeping my TV on and fueling my distraction.

Three times the power flickered as the innings passed, but the coverage continued. Oh goodness, don’t abandon me in the ninth inning.

I did see the Yanks notch the victory, and 10 minutes later, the power went down for the count. My distractions were gone. In the dark, the winds had strangely subsided. Milton suddenly was a lamb.

I resisted the urge to walk around in the eye of the storm, as we all have been told not to do a hundred times. It was tough. I opened my front door and wanted to check out my neighborhood. Did you?

About 30 minutes had passed, and the beast was back. As we have been warned, the 80 mph winds

had turned into 100 mph winds, and while my home had locked out the sounds of previous hurricanes, this one wasn’t to be ignored. The howling winds were ever-present, and yes, like an approaching train. Even inside, where I always had deemed myself safe through previous hurricanes, you could feel the power of this storm. Those scary “what if” thoughts couldn’t be denied.

They say your bathtub is a pretty good place to be in a tornado, but I wasn’t sure if that applied to a hurricane. Besides, mine was filled with water, another tip we are all told to do.

My water bottles lined the freezer. Frozen water bottles, check. Tub filled, check. Shutters, check, Lots of batteries, check. Plenty of canned food, check. I had followed the tips, and indeed, they were helpful.

After a harrowing hour, the storm continued east, and I was safe once again. What had been billed as possibly the worst hurricane in 100 years had caused major damage on the coast, had crushed mobile and manufactured homes inland and had led to a landscape where tree armageddon had occurred. Was I afraid here in Lakewood Ranch? Not really. I was prepared. I actually am more afraid thinking about the future. Is this what our future holds — a regular series of hurricanes each season? Is Milton just a taste of what is coming next? I can’t think about it. The World Series is right around the corner.

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

seeking preventative care or battling an eye condition, Dr. Kansara’s expertise and compassionate care can guide you towards improved vision and a healthier lifestyle. He is dedicated to staying at the forefront of ophthalmic advancements, offering the latest treatments and technologies to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients.

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Hurricane Milton roared through Lakewood Ranch, yanking huge trees out of the ground with their roots attached.

OPINION / OUR VIEW

Observer recommends ...

With the general election almost upon us on Nov. 5, the Observer Media Group recommends you consider these choices.

FEDERAL OFFICES

President — Donald Trump

U.S. Senator — Rick Scott

U.S. Congress, District 16 — Vern Buchanan

U.S. Congress, District 17 — Greg Steube

STATE OFFICES

Representative, District 71 — Will

Robinson Representative, District 72 — William “Bill” Conerly

Representative, District 73 — Fiona McFarland

Supreme Court — Renatha Francis, Meredith Sasso

Second District Court of Appeal — Anthony Black, Edward C. LaRose, Susan H. Rothstein-Youakim

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Amendment 1: Partisan school board elections — Yes

Amendment 2: Right to fish and hunt — Yes

Amendment 3: Adult personal use of marijuana — No

Amendment 4: Limit government interference with abortion — No

Amendment 5: Annual adjustments to the value of certain homestead exemptions — No

Amendment 6: Repeal of public campaign financing — Yes

MANATEE COUNTY

Supervisor of Elections — Scott Farrington County Commission, District 1 — Carol Ann Felts County Commission, District 3 — Tal Siddique County Commission, District 7 AtLarge — George Kruse

MANATEE REFERENDA

■ Continue school ad valorem tax:

Continue 1-mill ad valorem tax from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029; June for school safety and security; recruiting and retaining teachers and staff; student achievement through more instructional time and supports; early literacy programs; career and technical education; STEM, visual and performing arts, athletics; and public charter schools; with oversight by an independent citizen committee to ensure proper use of funds. Yes

■ Tourist development tax: Shall Manatee County Ordinance No. 24-49 be approved authorizing Manatee County to levy an additional 1% Tourist Development Tax from all short-term rentals of all lodging or accommodations to provide additional revenue to fund the improvements and operation of the county’s convention center, sports stadiums, aquariums, beaches, for the promotion of tourism and all other permissible uses as described under the county’s tourist development plan? Yes

SARASOTA COUNTY Tax Collector — Barbara Ford-Coates Charter Review Board, District 1 — Jay Riley Charter Review Board, District 3 — Tom DeSane Charter Review Board, District 4 — Greg “Tex” Bukowski Charter Review Board, District 5 — Jose Jimenez Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 1 — Sharon Wetzler DePeters Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 2 — Kevin Cooper Hospital Board, At-Large Seat 3 — Pam Beitlich

Hospital Board, Central District Seat 1 — Sarah Lodge

SARASOTA COUNTY REFERENDUM

■ Continue school ad valorem tax: Continue the 1-mill per year ad valorem millage to retain and recruit quality teachers; provide workforce training; improve school safety and security; preserve the arts; upgrade technology and classroom resources; fund other education programs and school operational needs. Yes

•

to guarantee that the

and

• Achieving fiscal balance and reducing our debt. - Stop wasting our reserves and precious resources.

• Making sure growth pays for itself.

Robert

School board candidates discuss issues

From the 1-mill property tax referendum to parental rights, school board candidates

Heather Felton and Mark Stanoch share their thoughts.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

hen the winner of the School Board of Manatee County’s District 1 election is sworn in, that person will have to join fellow board members in making difficult decisions.

The board will have to address the results of the 1-mill property tax referendum being on the ballot, the possibility of partisan elections,

parental rights and more.

Parrish’s Heather Felton and East County’s Mark Stanoch, who are vying for the District 1 seat on the School Board of Manatee County, shared their thoughts on issues the district and the board will face if elected.

1-MILL PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM

The referendum is on the ballot again for renewal in November.

In 2023-2024, the adopted budget for the millage totaled nearly $69.3 million and provided funding for salaries, STEM programs, visual and performing arts programs, career and technical education programs, the extension of the school day by 30 minutes and charter schools. Both Felton and Stanoch said the millage is needed, especially for

File photo

Myakka City Elementary School’s Lydia Powell listens to second grade teacher Karen Washington read aloud. School Board of Manatee County candidates for District 1 say the 1-mill property tax referendum is important for supporting teacher salaries.

teachers to be paid fairly and for salaries to be competitive.

In 2023-2024, teachers received a $8,362 supplement from the referendum. Without competitive salaries, Felton and Stanoch said the district will risk losing teachers and exacerbating the teacher shortage.

An ongoing debate since the millage was first approved in 2017 has been why the district depends on a referendum to support teacher salaries rather than paying it out of the district’s general fund.

Felton said she’s heard the debate several times, but “there is no way to do that” as it would “take a serious reworking of the budget.”

“We would need additional funds from the state to be able to cover all of those salaries and to keep them competitive,” Felton said. “Until such time as we get the funding we need into the general fund, it’s not going to happen. People have been saying they’re going to do that for years, since they first came out with the mill, and nobody has been able to figure out how to do it.”

Stanoch said “there has to be a way” to put all salary expenses into the general fund.

“I have to analyze exactly how that dynamic works or better understand it because I can’t see why this should be an exception and not the rule,” he said. “I’m not really sure we can, but I hope we can find a way to pay all of our teachers more than adequately and not have to go to a referendum every four years.”

The current school board has decided to add funding allocations for athletics, early literacy programs and school safety and security to the referendum.

Both Felton and Stanoch said funding for early literacy programs and school safety and security is crucial if the district wants to progress its reading scores and further improve upon the safety of the schools.

But the candidates differed on their thoughts regarding athletics.

Felton said if the district is contributing funds for athletics, the district should provide funds for all extracurriculars because there are many students involved in extracurriculars that don’t involve athletics.

Stanoch said although he would have to look into more of how the

district plans to spend millage dollars on athletics, he said it will be a “great way for the community to get involved with their local school,” which is why he supports adding athletics to the referendum.

PARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD

ELECTIONS?

Residents will vote on a ballot measure that would add party labels to local school board races.

Currently, school board races are nonpartisan.

Felton said the school board races should stay that way.

“Every person, regardless of party affiliation, should want the best education available to our children, so I don’t see how making elections partisan is going to benefit anyone,” she said. “When it comes to things like primary elections, if it’s only two Republicans or two Democrats running for a seat at the primary, then only people affiliated with that party will be able to vote for those candidates. Every person should have a say in who is going to be on their school board because it affects everyone, not just people of one party.”

Stanoch said he’s ambivalent to the measure. He said it’s “great to keep politics out of it” and have people campaign on their beliefs, but at the same time, party affiliation gives a hint as to the candidate’s beliefs.

“I’m leaning more toward it becoming partisan rather than nonpartisan, only because it’s in full transparency,” he said. “We’ve knocked on thousands of doors since the middle of December, and the first question people ask you is, ‘Are you Republican?’ I guess if you give the people the knowledge up front, what the candidates’ party affiliations might help them make their decisions better.”

REMOVAL OF BOOKS FROM LIBRARIES

The removal of books has been a controversy the district has been dealing with for more than a year now. The school board has revised its policy to match the state’s requirements, but the debate continues.

Felton said book banning started as a reactionary response to a small group of people making complaints. Felton said “not every book should stay in every school because age

appropriateness is imperative.”

“That doesn’t mean that classics and books in which young people can find themselves in should be removed because one or two people don’t want children to have access to it,” she said.

She said if parents don’t want their children accessing particular books, they can limit the access, but a parent or citizen who does not have children in the district should not determine for every parent what their children can access.

Stanoch said the district should be focusing on academic performance,

and if there is anything that distracts from that, including inappropriate materials, it should be avoided.

PARENTAL RIGHTS

The removal of books has fallen under the question of parental rights. What are parents allowed to have a say in and control within the school system?

Stanoch said parents are responsible for the health and safety of their children as well as providing them an education, so parents should be “included in all communications and decision making for their children, unless they want to relinquish that.”

“Parents are an integral part of our child’s education, and therefore should exercise their rights as strongly as possible,” he said.

Stanoch said parents have the ability to comment on the curriculum presented in schools, but many parents often don’t know they have a say. The district seeks public input before adopting curriculum and textbooks.

Felton said the state sets the standards and the district needs to meet them, but there are ways in which schools can work with parents to meet their students’ needs, and it should take priority.

She said if a teacher is trying to teach certain literary skills but a parent disagrees with the book, the teacher can find an alternate book that covers the same skills and standards.

Emerson Lakes,℠ the distinctive new retirement community by Erickson Senior Living,® is now accepting reservations!

Our first phase of construction is now underway. It includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.

Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect when you live at Emerson Lakes:

• Multiple dining venues

• An outdoor pool with a walk-up bar

• A state-of-the-art fitness center

• Pickleball and bocce ball courts

• Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden

• Fire pits

East County’s Mark Stanoch is running for the District 1 seat of the School Board of Manatee County. Liz Ramos

Courtesy image

Parrish’s Heather Felton is running for the District 1 seat on the School Board of Manatee County.

Our Constitution says ‘We the People’

Before promoting the individual freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights, the preamble to the Constitution clearly lets everyone, except for (Observer Media Group CEO) Matt Walsh and people of his ideological ilk, know that we are engaging in a collective enterprise.

The first three words aren’t “I, me, mine,” but are “We the People,” followed by such Democratic and collective concepts such as the “common defense” and promoting “the general welfare.”

In the colonial world, where we had some 4 million people living on this vast continent, I could burn my trash, shoot my gun indiscriminately and kill all the animals I wanted and as many as I wanted. With 333 million people now here, we don’t have those freedoms any longer.

Our lives are better for those restrictions on our individual liberties. The sad irony is that we should be thanking the “childless cat ladies” because without their choices, we’d probably have another 50 million or so and our freedoms would be even more restricted.

My theory is that our quality of life and the regulations needed to ensure a high standard are in direct proportion to the increase in population. Want more freedom? Quit knocking the childless cat ladies and lionizing the Duggars.

It’s not a good argument to talk about diminishing life expectancy.

That plays into our (people who believe in the collective) hands. Simply put, life expectancy diminished because of COVID-19 and a lack of mandates. In the 1950s, we had polio. A vaccine was created, everyone had to get it, and polio went away. In the “Every man’s a King world” of Matt Walsh, we had COVID, millions refused to get vaccinated, the disease persisted, mutated and will be around killing and harming people as long as millions put their individual rights ahead of society’s.

I don’t want to live in a world where Typhoid Mary gets to put her individual freedoms above society’s.

You write: “The individual is superior to the collective. That principle must be revived. To do otherwise will sentence your heirs to total slavery and despair –except for a few.”

Except for a few?

How does majority rule, or democracy, result in “just a few” benefiting? It’s the exact opposite! Don’t gaslight us!

Yes, I’m aware of de Tocqueville’s concern about the “tyranny of the majority,” but are you arguing that a “tyranny of the minority” or an individual veto over any regulation that is distressing is a better way to go?

And, where is it written that a “majority” is always a “mob?”

That’s a pretty incendiary way of describing democracy.

You quote many people extolling individual liberties.

I’ll top them with the Bible, Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of

selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Or Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. And, if two lied down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Admittedly, it’s complex, so I’ll go with Churchill and say that “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”

MICHAEL GRAHAM

SARASOTA

Vote no on Amendment 3

I’m urging a no vote on Amendment 3 — “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana.”

Think about it, why does marijuana use need to be enshrined in our state Constitution?

What’s so special about recreational access to marijuana that it needs to be in the Constitution? It’s an absurd concept. Why not also “constitutionalize” the right to drink beer or play golf?

We have a state Legislature. If our marijuana laws need changing, its the job of the Legislature.

Why tie the hands of future legislators with a useless constitutional amendment. And, don’t be fooled by the well financed “yes” campaign’s claims it would bring in huge new revenue to state coffers.

What about the cost of the new bureaucracy needed to regulate widespread marijuana access?

Just say “no” to this boondoggle.

ROGER BONKE

LAKEWOOD RANCH

Walsh believes his thoughts are the only ones for normal people

Kudos to John McDaniel for his letter (Disappointed in Observer, Oct. 10), but he was too kind. This time we’re treated to two weeks of (Observer Media Group CEO) Matt Walsh’s drivel — selected takes, not necessarily quotes, from dozens of historical figures selectively cited (comparable to Santa Claus saying “be good”) in another attempt by Walsh to convince us that his thoughts are the only ones normal people should think.

First and foremost, let us not forget that in these pages four years ago, Walsh stated “that any vote for the Democratic party was a vote to reject the principles of the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and implicitly, that Democrats mandated goods and services be delivered by coercion and at the “tip of a gun.”

Now from this new propaganda, from the first paragraph, where he implies that Barack Obama started the dread of everything he fears, i.e., ... frustration, sadness, anger, despair, disgust and fear ...” to the end, where he decides for us that Trump is the better choice.” I don’t know that any analyst can fix 15 years of such issues.

Two excerpts from the new propaganda “going back to 27 B.C. and the start of the decline of the Roman Empire, ‘in almost every instance where the word ‘Romans’ appears you can substitute the word ‘Americans.’”

What?

In response to his “analysis” of the lesser of two evils, I offer an additional checklist: Who failed to “lead” during COVID?

Whose “organization” includes about 20 convicted or indicted “leaders” — grads of Trump U. probably? Who has used the words revenge and dictator in his rhetoric?

On his TV show recently Bill Maher told a joke about Lindsey Graham and Gov. Tim Walz’s son from the DNC. I hope he would not mind my adding Matt Walsh to it. When watching Trump on TV, I can picture him jumping up and down shouting, “That’s my dad!”

GILL RUDERMAN GREENFIELD PLANTATION

It’s Time to Give Your MEDICARE COVERAGE A CHECKUP

This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7.

During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:

 returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)

 joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another

 joining or changing prescription drug plans

Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2025.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”)

Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accepts all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.

To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7. *Note:

If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2024.

Early literacy booked in millage

If approved, part of the funding will go toward expanding literacy programs in Manatee schools.

nce a month, families from across Manatee County head to The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature for a “Soar in 4” event. At Soar in 4, which is in partnership with the School District of Manatee County, families learn to use free materials and books that are distributed with the hope of being

the children’s first educators at home through exploration and play.

But the School District of Manatee County wants to do more to improve early literacy.

If approved at the polls Nov. 5, the school district’s 1-mill property tax referendum will begin to use a percentage of the funds to support expanding early literacy programs for learners from birth to third grade.

The funding allocated will support an Early Learning and Family

IF YOU GO

SOAR IN 4 EVENT

When: 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 6

Where: The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 210 10th St. W., Bradenton

Details: Families will learn how to use free materials and books that are distributed to support learning at home through exploration and play. More information: SoarIn4.org

Support Center that provides free developmental screenings and will focus on pre-K programs.

Improving early literacy has been a top priority for members of the School Board of Manatee County, which is why the board decided to add early literacy to the tax referendum.

Third grade reading proficiency in the district increased from 50% in the 2022-2023 school year to 54% in the 2023-2024 school year.

The highest performing districts in Florida percentage-wise are in the mid and high 60s in third grade reading proficiency. Only two districts in the state — St. Johns County School District and Sarasota County Schools — 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 in third grade English language arts achievement.

Laurie Breslin, executive director of student support and family engagement for the district, said the first five years of a child’s life “are huge as far as brain development and in relation to early literacy.”

“Florida in recent years has strived to become a leader in early literacy skills because as data shows, when you have a child who participates in our (voluntary pre-K) programs, you can see the child’s ability to transition into kindergarten is just heightened tremendously from literacy to social engagement,” Breslin said.

She said a child’s early skills for kindergarten readiness translate through a child’s progression in the school system.

With that in mind, the district is in the process of renovating Harllee Support Center to create a Soar in 4 lab that will be available to the schools and community members.

The renovation project for the lab is budgeted at $695,000 and is funded through the district’s capital fund.

“We want to give students that hands-on experience with learning for age-appropriate, interactive skills,” Breslin said. “We are a leader in our state in early learning, and we’re seeing those benefits through kindergarten readiness as the students continue to progress in our school.”

Breslin said parents will be able to visit the lab with their children, and schools will do field trips to the lab as well.

Children will be able to go through the rooms to participate in different interactive learning experiences that are tied to important skills they need, including math and other educational skills.

Breslin said there will be takehome activities for parents.

“The key for early learning is we want it to extend into the homes as well,” Breslin said.

Breslin said the millage could fund field trips to the Soar in 4 lab and pay for staffing as the lab grows. Millage funds could also pay for future costs associated with the lab.

Community partners with the district are providing materials for the initial opening of the lab.

Harllee Support Center is home to the Early Learning and Family Support Center, which offers free developmental screenings as well as additional support for parents looking to support their child’s learning further.

Funding also could go toward expanding other early literacy efforts.

For example, Breslin said, the district has started creating libraries in front of schools where parents can receive free books. She said it is similar to little free libraries, which are found at Summerfield Community Park and James L. Patton Community Park.

She said the books available are for pre-K through third grade and come in multiple languages.

Liz Ramos

Maddox Gaulman, a B.D. Gullett Elementary School third grader, underlines important lines in a reading passage.

SPORTS

BROTHERS’ GOAL: THE OLYMPICS

East County’s Sean and Christian Laureano get closer to their Olympic dreams by playing for Puerto Rico at the USA Lacrosse Experience in Indianapolis.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

East County’s Christian and Sean Laureano were thrilled when they heard the Puerto Rican team fans cheering for them as they competed in the USA Lacrosse Experience in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Oct. 11-13.

Because their father, Jason Laureano, was born in Puerto Rico, the brothers are eligible to play for the U21 Puerto Rican lacrosse team.

“I think any Puerto Rican would agree that we probably have the best fan base in terms of our lacrosse support,” Christian Laureano said. “They would be waving Puerto Rican flags, and you couldn’t miss the flag or the fact that they were Puerto Rican. There’s a lot of pride in it, and it makes it inspiring to play for a team that has so much support.”

That inspiration made them want to show those in Indianapolis what Puerto Rico could do on the lacrosse field against teams from a much larger population base.

The competition gave the brothers, who both graduated from Cardinal Mooney High, and the rest of their Puerto Rican teammates a taste of what it would be like to compete on the international stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. A new six-on-six format will be used for lacrosse in the Olympics.

Lacrosse hasn’t been a medal sport at the Olympics since 1908, and the last time it appeared as a demonstration sport was 1948. Both those Olympics were held in London.

A FASTER GAME

Sean Laureano, who is a sophomore and plays lacrosse at Rollins College, said “sixes” makes lacrosse, which by some is considered the fastest sport on two feet, an even faster game that is exciting to watch and play.

He said players are constantly running, rather than sticking with a set position. For example, Sean Laureano said his usual position is attack, which involves focusing on offense, but sixes makes him concentrate on both offense and defense.

Christian Laureano, who is a senior playing lacrosse at Mercer University, described Puerto Rico’s team as gritty with a lot of hustle, which he said will help in sixes.

“There’s not a lot of (time to stop running) or time to kind of regroup, so when we’re out there thinking on our feet, that’s kind of playing into our strengths,” he said.

USA LACROSSE EXPERIENCE RESULTS

Puerto Rico vs. Great Britain: Puerto Rico victory 16-14

Puerto Rico vs. U.S.: U.S. victory 18-6

Puerto Rico vs. Colombia: Puerto Rico victory 17-8

But playing against the world’s best teams will require more than just hustle.

“There’s a lot of work to be done in terms of how we can be better,”

Christian Laureano said.

Sean Laureano said having the sport in the Olympics means the world to him.

His brother agrees. He said representing Puerto Rico would be an honor.

“We’re going to turn a lot of heads in terms of what type of on-field product we can produce,” he said. “I know it’ll mean a lot for all the people back home to be able to turn on the TV and say, ‘Hey, there’s Puerto Rico lacrosse. They’ve worked really hard to get to this point.’ I just want people to be able to watch and be proud of our heritage. I hope we can represent them all in the Olympics.”

At the USA Lacrosse Experience, Christian Laureano said playing against the U.S. team was surreal. He was playing against professionals he had admired and watched growing up and through his college career.

“I remember being 14, 15 (years old) watching these guys on TV and thinking they’re untouchable,” he said. “You idolize these great lacrosse players. You want to prove it to yourself and the island of Puerto Rico that we can compete against these countries with already established lacrosse programs.”

Christian Laureano said the team’s game against Great Britain Oct. 11 was a chance for redemption. The Puerto Rican men’s senior team lost in a tight match against Great Britain during the 2023 World Championship in San Diego, California.

Puerto Rico was able to notch a 16-14 victory against Great Britain at the USA Lacrosse Experience. It was the first time the Puerto Rico men’s team had beaten Great Britain in international play.

“A lot of these guys on this roster played in those World Games, so I think everyone was kind of remembering how that loss felt,” said Christian Laureano, who played in that event while his brother did not. “It was a playoff contention game, so it kind of stung for a lot of us. A lot of us were channeling how that loss felt when we were going into the game to give us a little bit more motivation. We always view it as an opportunity to prove ourselves as Puerto Ricans, as an island, of what we can

do against larger, more developed nations that have been in the lacrosse world for a little bit longer.”

The biggest highlight of the USA Lacrosse Experience for the brothers was playing on the same field together again.

The brothers have been playing lacrosse since they were old enough to hold lacrosse sticks, tossing the ball around in the backyard all the time.

They haven’t played together since the 2022 World Championships in Ireland.

Sean Laureano will play with Puerto Rico in the 2025 U20 World Championships in South Korea. Playing for Puerto Rico has given the brothers opportunities for them to travel the world. He said traveling gives eyeopening and unique experiences.

CONNECTING WITH THEIR HERITAGE

Playing for Puerto Rico has given the Laureano brothers an opportunity to learn more about their Puerto Rican heritage. Neither brother recalled visits to the island when they were younger, but since they tried out for national teams beginning in 2019, they’ve worked to connect with their heritage.

“When I play with all the guys here, it’s just a special thing to be able to play the sport that you love and then also be able to represent your heritage,” Christian Laureano said. “It’s not something everyone gets to do.”

Christian Laureano had the opportunity to travel with the men’s senior team to Puerto Rico in July 2023 to host a lacrosse clinic for a group of children.

OLYMPICS BOUND?

Sean and Christian Laureano hope to play for the Puerto Rico lacrosse team in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.

The game will be played in a new format, sixes, which is a fast-paced version of lacrosse played on a 70-by-36-meter field with six players from each team on the field at once.

The game will consist of four 8-minute quarters and a 30-second shot clock.

“We’re going to turn a lot of heads in terms of what type of on-field product we can produce.”

Christian Laureano

He visited San Juan, the country’s capitol, and saw Old San Juan, toured Castillo San Felipe del Morro and more. He tried new Puerto Rican foods such as mofongo, a dish made with crispy green plantains, garlic, olive oil and usually meat like pork.

The most interesting lesson about his heritage came the moment his plane touched ground. Jason Laureano let his son know of a Puerto Rican tradition when a plane lands — everyone claps.

“I did not realize it was uniquely Puerto Rican, but I remember my dad, when we landed, prepared me,” Christian Laureano said. “He was like, ‘You have to clap because everyone else is going to clap,’ and right on cue, when we landed, we ended up clapping. I always think about doing that when I’m flying in the States, and I think more people should clap and kind of honor the pilot. I thought that was pretty cool.”

But there’s still more for the brothers to learn, including how to speak Spanish.

“Maybe it’s time to sign up for Rosetta Stone by the time the 2028 Olympics come around,” Christian Laureano said.

Besides teaching Puerto Rico children about the sport in a clinic, the brothers had an opportunity to talk about how their participation in the sport pays off. Christian Laureano said he saw future lacrosse players at the clinic.

“You can tell how much they looked up to us in terms of learning the game and understanding what it was about,” he said.

Christian and Sean Laureano play for Puerto Rico lacrosse, connecting with their family heritage while playing the sport they love.

Courtesy images

Brandon Aviles, Owen Fasulka, Joshua Balcarcel, Christian Laureano and Sean Laureano play lacrosse together for Puerto Rico. They won two of their three games at USA Lacrosse Experience.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

IF YOU GO

What: The Boo Run returns for its 21st year

When: Saturday, Oct. 26

Where: 6300 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch (FCCI Insurance Group headquarters)

Times: The Kids Dash (ages 3-12) begins at 7:30 a.m., the 5K run (runners or walkers) begins at 8 a.m. and runners and walkers with dogs begin at 8:10 a.m.

Benefits: The Another Day for Gray Foundation and the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch

Cost: $45; $15 for the Kids Dash

Included: Glow-in-thedark finisher medal, race shirt, age group awards, Tervis tumblers and costume contest

port the race, and it is a community that makes it successful and fun. I look at it as an opportunity to make a difference, and to be part of something larger than myself.”

He said participating in races gives him a greater appreciation of race directors since things don’t always go as planned.

Albano said he tips his hat to FCCI for supporting the race over the years and being a great host for the run.

Boo Run gives charities a boost

Race director has no fear Boo Run will continue to be successful in Lakewood Ranch.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

It was six years ago when Carl Albano moved to the area and began looking for a running club. Only a week passed before he found the Lakewood Ranch Running Club and showed up for his first day to work out.

“I was looking for people to run with,” Albano said. “And they were such a welcoming, great community. On my first day, they were doing marathon training. I expected to run a 5K, and I ran 22 miles.”

It was the perfect group for him.

Six years later, Albano is the president of the club, which has 110 members, and he wants the members to be involved with the community as much as possible.

An example of that commitment is the annual Boo Run, which returns Oct. 26 for the 21st year.

It will be the second year for Albano to be the benefit race’s executive director, after he replaced Jen Tullio, who stepped down due to health rea-

sons last year. Tullio, who is a member of the running club, had been the race director since 2008.

“Generally, we look for races that are community oriented,” Albano said. “We like the proceeds to go to local charities. Hopefully, they also have a fun theme.”

The Lakewood Ranch Running Club was the Boo Run’s founder.

“It was such a fun, Halloweenthemed race, and there were not many such races in the area,” Albano said. “It’s got the fun, the music, a costume contest, interesting vendors. Slim Chickens is the main sponsor, giving out free food like chicken wraps.”

Best of all for Albano is that the Boo Run raises funds for Another Day for Gray and the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch.

Another Day for Gray supports those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and that includes Tullio’s son, Grayson Tullio.

“We give back 100% of the proceeds from this race,” Jen Tullio said.

Tullio was glad Albano took over

as race director, especially with his youth (he is 30) and energy.

“Carl jumped right in,” she said of his effort last year. “He does have a lot of enthusiasm. He is trying to be out there with the club, trying to be in the community. He has this train moving forward.”

Albano believes he did a good job organizing the race in his first year but also added that he was too focused on how he should make the race operate. He said he will spend more time this year getting volunteers to go through the crowd, introducing themselves to participants, and asking them to check out the running club.

The bottom line was that the 2023 race raised $7,000 and had about 500 participants, a 20% increase from the previous year.

Approximately 270 runners have signed up for this year’s race, and Albano is hoping for a big push closer to the event. He said the goal is to have 700 participants.

“These storms have not been helpful,” Tullio said. “It is poor timing.”

Even so, Albano said the future of the race, and the benefit to the nonprofits, is solid.

“Our goal is to continue to grow the race,” he said. “The more people, the more fun. It changes the experience, and besides getting more competition, you get more interaction. That builds more energy.”

Since the causes are so important, Albano said he does feel pressure to maintain the momentum built by Tullio.

“It has been impressive that Jen has carried this race on since 2008,” he said. “It has been impressive for her, the club and the community. In the end, it takes a community to sup-

With the Lakewood Ranch Running Club expanding its membership and having focused on more communication between the members, along with a new website, things are looking up for the Boo Run in the future.

Tullio said the Lakewood Ranch Running Club has amazing members.

“It is easy to find someone to match up with on runs,” she said.

“These are the kind of people who get excited about getting up at 4 a.m. to run 20 miles, and believe that’s the perfect way to start the day.”

The club also is for those who don’t want to run 20 miles in the morning.

Albano’s fiancé, Kayla Capwell, has helped to grow the walking group since she joined the club. They walk three to four miles when the club meets and then they meet for coffee.

“A lot of times, our significant others are runners,” she said, “So the walkers can hang out together without having to run. It’s a great atmosphere, very upbeat.”

File photo

Grayson Tullio, Monika Oberer and Grayson’s dog Panda head to the finish line of the 2022 Boo Run 5K. They dressed in a “Wizard of Oz” theme.

Carl Albano and Kayla Capwell love the Lakewood Ranch Running Club and the Boo Run.

Jay Heater

From Central Park to New York

or a job she only wants to do “on the side,” 16-year-old Central Park resident Mia Womeldorph was given a grand entrance into the field of modeling. The teenager walked in two fashion shows during New York Fashion Week, which ran from Sept. 6-11. Womeldorph has already been invited back to walk during Fashion Week in February. The event is semiannual. Dance is Womeldorph’s main focus and it has been since she was 9 years old. While she started dancing in pre-school, she became serious the same year she saw Michael Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Womeldorph describes the show as a dance-heavy Cirque du Soleil production and her dream job.

“Michael Jackson is one of my biggest inspirations,” she said. “I’d never seen a show like that, and watching it, I just knew in my heart that that’s what I needed to do.”

While it wasn’t a dance gig, the opportunity to walk the runway during Fashion Week came from Womeldorph’s tenacity to make dance her profession.

“She has sacrificed a lot, including school,” mom Tonya Womeldorph said. “She went to Cardinal Mooney her freshman year and was an AllAmerican varsity cheerleader, but she decided that she really needed to focus on dance and her career.”

Last December, Womeldorph was accepted into a mentorship program, Business of Dance with Menina Fortunato, who has three decades of experience in the dance industry. Through that program, she was selected by two designers to walk the runway in Fashion Week.

Courtesy images

Lakewood Ranch resident Mia Womeldorph visits New York City to walk in New York Fashion Week.

The first show was a matinee at

The Bureau for Willow Bean Studio. Womeldorph said it was smaller and geared more toward families.

The second runway she walked was for Kayzie Couture at Runway 7.

“That one was definitely a little more scary,” Womeldorph said.

“There were a lot of people, and it seemed more official, like my mom had to wait outside to get in and past the security guards.”

She attributed the nerves to being in a new environment. Because of her dance background, being on stage comes naturally.

Womeldorph said behind the scenes it was like a movie with everyone running around to get the mod-

“When she got out there and saw the lights and cameras, she was definitely in her element.”

els on the runway in time. She had no idea what she was wearing for Kayzie Couture until 15 minutes before the show.

When the show started, Tonya Womeldorph sat back and marveled at all the people in the room watching her daughter walk a runway.

“It was very exciting and kind of surreal for me as her mom,” she said. “When she got out there and saw the lights and cameras, she was definitely in her element.”

Womeldorph also got a little taste of what it’s like to be a celebrity. During a photo shoot in Times Square for Kayzie Couture, a tour bus took notice of her.

“The tour bus stopped and watched me take pictures,” Womeldorph said.

“Obviously, I’m not famous, but it was funny seeing people’s faces like, ‘Should I know her?’”

Not now, but they might know her in the future. Womeldorph was signed by a Los Angeles-based dance agency in July and will be walking the runway for Kayzie Couture again in February.

Tonya Womeldorph

Central Park resident Mia Womeldorph walks in the Willow Bean Studio show at The Bureau.

Central Park resident

Mia Womeldorph walks the runway for Kayzie Couture.

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, OCT. 17 THROUGH

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

Runs from 4-7 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), L’Attitude Adjustment (Friday), Soundwave (Saturday) and Zoey (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5, while the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, OCT. 18 AND SATURDAY, OCT. 19

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Mylon Shamble will entertain those strolling through Waterside Place on Friday night, while singer Mike Williams will perform on Saturday. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

MAIN STREET MARKET

Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The Main Street Market offers 70 local vendors that offer baked items, candle makers, crafts, live music and more. For more information, go to MainStreetMarketLWR.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 19 AND SUNDAY, OCT. 20

LINGER LODGE MUSIC

Runs Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court. E., Bradenton. Live, free music at Linger Lodge restaurant includes Scotty Yakes on Saturday and Dave Burks on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757

SUNDAY, OCT. 20

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 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,

BEST BET

SATURDAY, OCT. 19 AND SUNDAY, OCT. 20

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. The 33rd annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival returns for what will be the opening weekend of the festival since the first weekend was canceled from Hurricane Milton. The festival features craft shows, live music, pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides, scarecrows, food and drinks, jugglers and fresh produce. Admission is $15; free for kids 10 and younger (cash only). Parking is $5.

among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23

BINGO Begins at 10 a.m. at James Patton Park, 7525 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Weekly Bingo under the pavilion is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. For more information, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

RANCH NITE WEDNESDAY Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place. Ranch Nite Wednesday features food trucks, dessert trucks, live music, weekly programing, outdoor bars and a recreational cornhole league. Go to Waterside. com for more information.

South Florida healthy eating restaurant makes regional debut in Sarasota

Pura Vida opens doors in University Town Center as the first in its chain on the Florida west coast.

Anew healthy dining option has come to University Town Center in Sarasota, outside Lakewood Ranch. Pura Vida Miami is opened in the shopping district Friday, Oct. 4.

The restaurant at UTC marks the first for Pura Vida Miami on the west coast of the Sunshine State, where it has nearly 30 eateries across South Florida. Its flagship location opened in 2012 in Miami’s South Beach, and it also recently grew to include an eatery in New York.

On the menu are acai bowls, superfood smoothies, sandwiches, all-day breakfast, wraps, protein bowls, sides, pastries and salads. Diners order at the register, then food is prepared behind the counter and delivered to the table, where guests are given numbered blocks to identify their orders. All fruits and vegetables are prepped in-house, and leftovers are turned into compost. Soil is then donated to local farms, according to the company.

Pura Vida Miami is at 192 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Uncovering Hidden Health Benefits:

By: Casio Jones, Franchise Operator of Exercise Coach

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linked to improved cardiovascular health, increase strength, mobility, and enhanced mental well-being among seniors.

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Gulfside Bank’s new location off Fruitville Road, east of I-75 is NOW OPEN!

It’s hard to believe that just five short years ago, Gulfside Bank opened its doors to Sarasota’s business community for the first time. We’ve been growing to meet the financial needs of a vibrant, thriving community ever since.

Today, Gulfside can do anything the big banks can do, only faster, with local decision making and a true personal touch you won’t find anywhere else. And we’re just getting started. Come grow with Gulfside.

ELIZABETH KING STAFF WRITER

Elizabeth King

Pura Vida Miami is on North Cattlemen Road near Barnes & Noble at UTC.

NEIGHBORS NOTES

Relief campaign

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has announced a drive to help area nonprofits that are helping people in need after Hurricane Milton.

The Hurricane Relief Community Match Campaign was started with $50,000 put into the campaign by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation board of directors.

“We are looking to help nonprofits that have their footprint based in the Lakewood Ranch area,” said Board President Mark Clark. “We want to help nonprofits that are serving the needs of people. We think that is the best thing we can do to help at this time.”

Clark said the application process by the nonprofits will be equivalent to a grant request and must be Hurricane Milton related.

He said usually fundraising campaigns are held with the community making donations and then an organization offers matching funds. This is the process in reverse, where the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has put the funds in the campaign first and is hoping for matching funds and donations from

the community.

“We are giving away 100% of these funds,” Clark said.

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presented special grants after Hurricane Ian.

Founded in 2000, the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has given more than $1.53 million to 140 nonprofits over the years.

The LWRCF issued a statement on the campaign: “In difficult times such as these, we want to be the philanthropic pillar of Lakewood Ranch. We are here to help deserving nonprofits seeking grants to help our residents and community who have suffered damage and loss, to build back.”

Donors can go to LWRCF.org and click on the “donate” button to complete the form.

Contact the organization through Info@LWRCF.org or call 208-6799 to receive a specific application for the grant opportunity or for more information.

Palm Aire Women’s Club hosts big events

The Palm Aire Women’s Club will host its traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner Nov. 7. The event costs $33 for members

Jay Heater

Pieces of manufactured homes block roads in the Westwinds after Milton. The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation is helping nonprofits that will serve the community.

the

speaker at the luncheon. Cramer is the executive director of

Cramer will talk

for basic necessities. With Turning Points, she works to provide a compassionate environment where such families can secure the resources they need.

Turning Points provides services designed to help individuals and families attain financial stability and independence. It offers employment services, rental and utility assistance, veteran’s services, child care assistance, free medical and dental care for the uninsured and underinsured. Turning Points also provides hot showers, laundry services, clothing and food. More than 10,000 people received help at Turning Points in the past year.

During the luncheon, the PAWC Charity Committee will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Hope Family Services. The gifts are for Hope Family Services’ Christmas gift distribution in which victims of domestic violence can select gifts for their families and children.

The club also has announced that Carolann Garafola will host the ninth annual Holly Jolly Fundraiser at her home on Dec. 15 from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include wine and nonalcoholic beverages.

Melissa Wandall receives achievement award

Melissa Wandall, president of M3 Motivational Concepts, has been presented the Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award at the Governors Highway Safety Association’s annual meeting.

The award recognizes Wandall for her “unwavering commitment, leadership and profound impact in the realm of traffic safety advocacy over the past two decades.”

An M3 Motivational release said Wandall “has been a trailblazer both in Florida and across the nation, spearheading critical initiatives for safer streets. Her relentless fight against red-light running and her dedication to memorializing those who have died or been severely injured in traffic tragedies have driven transformative change. Through her work, Melissa ensures that every life affected by these preventable incidents contributes to a safer future for all road users. Melissa’s advocacy has transcended beyond raising awareness; she has been a catalyst for tangible change, and her pas-

sion and dedication have inspired communities and policymakers to prioritize traffic safety.”

The Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in highway safety. For more information, go to MelissaWandallAdvocate.com, contact her directly at Melissa@MelissaWandall.com or by calling 545-3359.

Making an Impact announces grants

Lakewood Ranch-based Making an Impact, which is dedicated to community navigation to basic needs services, has announced it has received three grant awards to support three new initiatives aimed at guiding those in need to health and human services in our community.

The Bradenton Police Forfeiture Grant will assist Making An Impact’s drive to distribute its Basic Needs Resource Guides to low-income families living in Manatee County Housing Authority low-income housing. The effort is aimed at promoting safety and stability in area neighborhoods.

A grant from the Manatee Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund will help provide local first responders with printed copies of MAI Disaster Recovery Resource Guides, handy water-resistant totes, and QR code wallet cards so that those affected by natural disasters can quickly find assistance to begin rebuilding their lives and communities.

The Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation Inc. provided a grant to support Making An Impact’s collaboration with Mothers Helping Mothers, Inc. and the new CARES Navigation Program. With the funding, Making An Impact will provide care baskets that include a printed MAI Basic Needs Resource Guide in English or Spanish, a baby bottle or sippy cup, and a children’s book. This initiative offers mothers immediate assistance, equips them with self-advocacy tools to find services to support future needs, and promotes literacy for their children.

“We are incredibly grateful to the three organizations for their generous grants and the opportunity to collaborate in uplifting our community. Their support is invaluable, and we’re excited to share updates on these impactful partnerships soon,” said Victoria Kasdan, Board Chair and co-founder of Making An Impact, on a release.

Amounts of the grants were not released. For more information,go to Making-An-Impact.org.

Taking a few moments now can make a significant difference for your loved ones down the road. From removing the stress and financial burdens to fulfilling your exact wishes for your celebration of life, pre-planning is the best gift you can give your family.

We’re here to help.

Give us a call today to start the conversation.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

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

Providing

The team’s surgical services include:

Robotic

Robotic weight loss surgery

Robotic cholecystectomy

Colon surgery

Thyroid, parathyroid surgery • Office procedures

Endoscopy • Breast services • Mediport placement for chemotherapy

THAI THAT BINDS WITH THE OBSERVER: Larry Jacobus, of Braden Woods, has his East County Observer in front of The Silver Temple in Bangkok, Thailand.

PET PICS

Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/petpics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

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Lake Club home tops sales at $3.2 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Ahome in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Gregory and Patricia Janssen, of Sarasota, sold their home at 16023 Topsail Terrace to Joshua Englin and Jeffrey Goldstein, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3.2 million.

Built in 2013, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,226 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,425,000 in 2014.

LAKE CLUB

Victor Bhatt and Mary Doreen Bhatt, of Sarasota, sold their home at 17119 Salerno Drive to Michael Jackson and Rebel Fox Jackson, of Bradenton, for $2.4 million. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,327 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,060,400 in 2021.

Jessica Marie Gaik, trustee, sold the home at 8234 Pavia Way to Jeffrey Pratt, of St. Charles, Illinois, for $1.55 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,423 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,440,700 in 2023.

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

Stephen and Diana Swets, trustees, of Cary, North Carolina, sold the home at 7440 Seacroft Cove to Thomas Begley and Amy Begley, trustees, of Bradenton, for $2.35 million. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,969 square feet of living area.

William Horan, trustee, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, sold the home at 7457 Seacroft Cove to Kimberly Ann Shaw Saltz and Jeffrey Scott Saltz, of Hinsdale, Massachusetts, for $2.15 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,615 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,128,200 in 2016.

Mary Kin Dolan, trustee, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, sold the home at 15408 Linn Park Terrace to Douglas Vernon Zabel and Jennifer Katrin Zabel, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.9 million. Built in 2012, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,947 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,845,000 in 2023.

ISLES

Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 8066 Nevis Run to Hal Sanders Gwin Jr. and Doreen Gwin, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,924,500. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,604 square feet of living area.

Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 8137 Nevis Run to Matthew and Kaitlyn Leake, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.29 million. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and 3,915 square feet of living area.

Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 8223 Nevis Run to Rebecca Manise, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.05 million. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths and 3,569 square feet of living area.

AZARIO ESPLANADE

Laurence Eliot Jackson and Shawan Patterson Jackson, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15106 Derna Terrace to Keith and Wendy Woolery, of The Villages, for $1.9 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,662 square feet of living area. It sold for $941,000 in 2021.

Jerry Alan Hartman and Krista Lee Hartman, of Bradenton, sold

their home at 4720 Arpino Court to Dominique Lemperle and Sharon Phillips, of Bradenton, for $1,325,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,277 square feet of living area. It sold for $683,200 in 2022.

SHOREVIEW

Robert Milford and Mary Lynn Axten-Milford, trustees, sold the home at 7888 Grande Shores Drive to Gerald and Katherine Lindaman, of Sarasota, for $1.6 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,486 square feet of living area. It sold for $805,100 in 2018.

Dennis Richard Bailey and Donna Marie Bailey, trustees, of Castle Pines, Colorado, sold the home at 7753 Mainsail Lane to Gordon and Nancy Rossi, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, for $1.58 million. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,848 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,006,700 in 2022.

PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE

Samuel Allan Larsen and Kimberly Larsen, of Palatine, Illinois, sold their home at 22466 Panther Loop to Major Eugene Geiger and Barbara Lynn Geiger, of Bradenton, for $1,235,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,136 square feet of living area. It sold for $925,000 in 2021.

Encarnacion Vogenitz, trustee, of Plant City, sold the home at 7714 Jay Watch Glen to Michael and Rebecca Workman, of Bradenton, for $860,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,203 square feet of living area. It sold for $480,000 in 2018.

EATON PLACE

Elizabeth Berry and Shawn Michael Berry, of University Park, sold their home at 7530 Eaton Court to Theodore and Suzanne Murphy, of Franklin, Massachusetts, for $1.2 million. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,488 square feet of living area. It sold for $815,000 in 2023.

RIVERDALE REVISED

Billy Dilworth III, of Bradenton, sold his home at 4415 Blue Marlin Drive to Ronald Charles Green, of Bradenton, for $1.11 million. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,687 square feet of living area.

BRIDGEWATER

Ivana Pitcher and Michael Alan Pitcher, of North Canton, Ohio, sold their home at 5672 Cloverleaf Run to John and Kirsten Swenson, of Bradenton, for $1,025,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,139 square feet of living area. It sold for $554,000 in 2020.

Clifford and Victoria Bueno, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 13807 Swiftwater Way to Dolores and Timothy Labeau, of Milford Charter Township, Michigan, for $765,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,372 square feet of living area. It sold for $465,000 in 2018.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Donna Boesl and John August Boesl, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7305 Heritage Grand Place to Joseph Jean Maurice Patry and Wendy Diane Patry, of Northville, Michigan, for $1,025,000. Built in 2011, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,781 square feet of living area. It sold for $579,900 in 2018.

INDIGO

Richard Harmon and John Mathews, of Milton, Delaware, sold their home at 13313 Indigo Way to Meredith Blanco and Wells Fargo Bank, trustees, of Bradenton, for $985,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,758 square feet of living area. It sold for $616,500 in 2020.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

David and Lital Broder, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8102 Sandstar Way to James and Caterina Kacmarzyk, of Lakewood Ranch, for $980,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

SEPT. 30-OCT. 4

pool and 2,132 square feet of living area. It sold for $642,100 in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB

Anthony and Patti Lee, of Greenwich, Connecticut, sold their home at 6801 Turnberry Isles Court to Charles and Sarah Savidge, of Lakewood Ranch, for $950,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,481 square feet of living area. It sold for $567,800 in 2016.

Regina Ruth Johnson, trustee, sold the home at 12046 Thornhill Court to Ellen Connors Curtin, trustee, of San Diego, for $750,000. Built in 2010, it has three bedrooms, two

baths, a pool and 2,194 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2018.

ESPLANADE

Amy Lefkoff and David Lefkoff, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 12820 Sorrento Way to Gina Montanaro and Michael Eckman, of Bradenton, for $950,000. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,244 square feet of living area. It sold for $639,700 in 2018.

Courtesy image

This Lake Club home at 16023 Topsail Terrace sold for $3.2 million. It has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,226 square feet of living area.

GREYHAWK LANDING

Matthew and Kaitlyn Leake, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 12643 Daisy Place to Keith Oliver Blinkinsoph and Katherine Anna Blinkinsoph, of Cave Creek, Arizona, for $925,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,981 square feet of living area. It sold for $433,000 in 2007.

JoAnn Rexroad, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12709 Penguin Drive to Craig Truelock and Jaymi Truulock, trustees, of Bradenton, for $725,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,297 square feet of living area. It sold for $392,000 in 2014.

C. Lance and Tabitha Bullock, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 12606 Daisy Place to James and Tracy Nicklas, of Bradenton, for $675,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,360 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2007.

SAVANNA

Alan David Dolhi and Jessica Lynne Dolhi, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13808 American Prairie Place to George and Yaryna Matei, of Bradenton, for $795,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and is 2,842 square feet. It sold for $392,000 in 2018.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE

HARBOUR

Anthony and Emily Martin, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, sold their home at 7824 Haven Harbour Way to Collin and Sarah Chavous, of Bradenton, for $795,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,351 square feet of living area. It sold for $642,400 in 2021.

BRADEN PINES

Allen and Elizabeth Hegener, of Bradenton, sold their home at 10604 Oak Run Drive to Christopher and Laurie Valentino, of Cedar

Creek, Texas, for $780,000. Built in 1984, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,146 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2007.

MALLORY PARK

Nicholas and Krystyna Versetto, of Frankfort, Illinois, sold their home at 11809 Hancock Drive to Caitlin Michele Lyons, of Bradenton, for $775,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, four baths and 3,570 square feet of living area. It sold for $635,500 in 2021.

DEL WEBB

Robert and Judith Ecklund, of Aurora, Colorado, sold their home at 6748 Chester Trail to Lynda Wagner, of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, for $770,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,042 square feet of living area. It sold for $549,900 in 2020.

ROSEDALE

John and Rosemarie Grizzard, of Lewes Delaware, sold their home at 5241 88th St. E. to Geoffrey and Jane Simon, of Bradenton, for $747,500. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,243 square feet of living area. It sold for $435,000 in 2020.

COUNTRY MEADOWS

Robert and Cathy Klubertanz, of Parrish, sold their home at 513 Country Meadows Way to Johnny and Kayla Hopper, of Bradenton, for $710,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,017 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2016.

TIDEWATER PRESERVE

Mark Stephen Kemper and Carol Ann Kemper, of Carmel, Indiana, sold their home at 925 Preservation St. to Marilyn Anderson, of Bradenton Beach, for $705,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,754 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2023.

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NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FREE FORMS by Kevin Christian, edited by Jeff Chen

By Luis Campos

The

Standing Strong with Our Community

In the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, our hearts are with those affected. As dedicated members of this community, we want to focus on what truly matters –supporting our neighbors, friends, and families through recovery and rebuilding. Our team is here to assist in any way we can. Whether you need guidance, resources, or simply a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Stay safe, stay hopeful.

Katina, Ken, and Tyler Shanahan

East County Observer 10.17.24

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