East County Observer 10.17.24

EAST COUNTY

Observer

Family goals

Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

PAGE 17A

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

VOLUME 26, NO. 9

HURRICANE MILTON

BLOWN AWAY East County residents get to work after Hurricane Milton causes extensive damage. SEE PAGES 3-5A

Jay Heater

Westwinds’ Jimmy Gula stands alongside a pile of now scrap metal that includes his and his neighbors’ carports, lanais and roofs after Hurricane Milton blew through East County.

A+E

The shadow of the bright lights.

INSIDE $1.00

Storms have impact on school district budgets Liz Ramos

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 as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.

Hurricanes can cost district more than $1 million to open shelters.

SEE PAGE 2A

YOUR TOWN

Jay Heater

New date for Bingo Sisterhood for Good was set to have its signature event, Designer Bag Bingo, at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota on Oct. 10, but Hurricane Milton had other plans.

Now, Angela Massaro-Fain (above), founder of Sisterhood for Good, has 50 silent auction baskets sitting in the guest room of her home.

Massaro-Fain said having to reschedule Designer Bag Bingo to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Hyatt Regency isn’t a bad thing, since it gives snowbirds an opportunity to be back in town in time for the event.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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

A

s 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

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

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

*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.

FACTORS DETERMINE COST

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

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.

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.

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HURRICANE MILTON

2A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

HURRICANE MILTON

East County weathers another hurricane Residents remain resilient despite the latest challenge of Hurricane Milton.

JAY HEATER

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

MANAGING EDITOR

I

n 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

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES Destroyed: 70 Major Damage: 3,480 Minor Damage: 2,760 Affected: 5,610 Dollar Loss: $323,268,713

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

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES Destroyed: 2 Major Damage: 223 Minor Damage: 78 Affected: 193 Dollar Loss: $28,143,776

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.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Photos by Jay Heater

“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.

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.

■ 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.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

HURRICANE MILTON

I N T RO D U C I N G

Lab-Created Diamonds

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.

Milton’s power POOL CAGE BLOWN AWAY

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Lab Created Diamonds are not imitation diamonds. They are stones that have the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a mined diamond and are available at a more affordable price.

T

hose 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

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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.”

Tobacco Free Manatee Partnership Meeting October 22, 2024 (3pm - 4pm) We carry Planters, Fountains, Statuary, Wall Art, Mexican Talavera and so much more!

Come and explore our pottery garden and find the perfect piece to add to your oasis.

Building a tobacco-free community one partnership at a time.

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PUBLIC NOTICES The Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County and Longboat Observers meet the legal requirements to publish legal and public notices in Sarasota & Manatee counties, per F.S. 50.011.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

5A

NO RIDING OUT MILTON

MILTON ‘CAME STRAIGHT AT US’

MILTON BEARS DOWN ON MYAKKA

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.

In the 44 years East County’s Monica Welde has lived in Florida, she said Hurricane Milton was the worst hurricane she’s experienced.

She said the winds were “unbelievably powerful,” and the eye going over her home and Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City was scary.

Welde and her family hunkered down, and she thought about her eight bears tucked away in two bear houses.

“It was treacherous. Things were flying through the air. It was pitch black. You could hear noises, and you’re thinking the worst when you live through something like that,” Welde said.

Then came the calmness of the eye.

Welde said she went out to her truck to charge her phone, but she heard winds that made it sound like a train was coming right for her. She ran back inside.

“We closed the doors, and I said, ‘Something’s coming,’ and then it hit,” Welde said. “It was like a wall of wind. It was pushing the front doors of my house and we had to put furniture against the front door.”

At first light Oct. 10, Welde surveyed the damage. She cried seeing the partially removed roof of her welcome barn.

Around the property there were pieces of sheet metal and wood from the welcome barn and another building used for demonstrations.

“I’ve never seen this much intensity from hurricanes and so close to each other,” Welde said of Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which all occurred in two months. “But my family is safe, my animals are safe and that’s what matters. We can always rebuild and repair.”

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.

‘SWEET SPOT’ TURNED SOUR

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.

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.

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.”

Courtesy image

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

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

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

W

ith 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

Medicare: Demystifying the Eligibility and Enrollment Process Navigating the complexities of Medicare can be daunting, and factors such as age, employment status, healthcare needs, and financial status can influence your choices. Making the right decision requires careful planning - which is why JL Bainbridge wants to keep you informed.

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

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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.

District 1: Ellenton resident Glenn Pearson is a former TV news anchor and reporter.

District 3: Bradenton resident Diana Shoemaker is the former president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manatee.

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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The views and opinions in this Article/Seminar are subject to change and reflect our judgement as of the publication date. This article is for educational and informative purposes and should not be considered a recommendation. Investment Advisory Services are only available to those who become our clients through written agreement. The material provided in this article is believed to be accurate.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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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.”

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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

8A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

EAST COUNTY

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

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 Publisher and President / Emily Walsh, EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth, LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Myakka welcomes new fire station A grand-opening celebration will be held Nov. 23 at 10215 Wauchula Road.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

O

ver the past year, firefighters in Myakka City have watched

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.

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

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

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.

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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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

SIDE OF RANCH

9A

JAY HEATER

Milton raises fear, even on the Ranch A fraid.

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

Jay Heater

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

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.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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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

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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

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■ 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

SPINE ISSUES? Our Team Can Help!

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11A

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

e c n e i r e p Ex

Close ! s r e t n Encou 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.

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.

Come see what everyone’s

going

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

LIZ RAMOS

D L I W

SENIOR EDITOR

W

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,

about!

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

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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

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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

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

Liz Ramos

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

PARENTAL RIGHTS

Courtesy image

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

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,

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.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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.

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!”

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.”

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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

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LETTERS

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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It’s Time to Give Your

MEDICARE COVERAGE A CHECKUP 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.

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.

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) IN-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2025.

 Aetna  Florida Blue  Florida Complete Care  Freedom Health*

 Optimum Healthcare*  Simply  UnitedHealthcare  Wellcare

*Note: These plans are in-network with SMH and FPG Specialists only

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) OUT-OF-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2025.

 Cigna Healthcare  Gold Kidney Health  Ultimate Health  Devoted Health  Humana If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2024.

For assistance with health insurance issues, contact SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can provide one-on-one counseling and information. Call 1-800-963-5337 or visit www.floridashine.org.

This information is not a solicitation and is not intended to persuade you to make any changes to your relationship with any health insurer.

For more information about insurance plans accepted by Sarasota Memorial, go to www.smh.com.

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For more information about insurance plans accepted by First Physicians Group, go to www.firstphysiciansgroup.com.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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

Liz Ramos

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

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

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

O

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

BUSY BEE TUTORING

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

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.

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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.

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

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

E

ast 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.

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

Courtesy images

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.

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.

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.

18A

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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Classifieds 15B Games 14B Real Estate 11B Weather 14B

OCTOBER 17, 2024

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

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.

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

I

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t 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-

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.

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.”

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

Jay Heater

2B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it.

Raise your sail and begin.”

- Gregory S. Williams

Courtesy images

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

From Central Park to New York To all of our customers that were affected by the recent storms, we are here to help with order status, insurance quotes, and storing furniture until your home is ready.

Follow on social media for updates on donation and volunteer sites for our SWFL communities.

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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.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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.”

— Tonya Womeldorph

3B

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.

donate &&shop donate donate &donate shop shop & sh

Building Materials | Furniture | Appliances Building Materials Building | Furniture Materials Building | Appliances | Furniture Materials | |Appliances Furniture | Appli ArtArt | Decorative | Lamps Art | Decorative Accessories | Decorative Art |Accessories Lamps Accessories | Decorative Accessories | Lamps | L

Central Park resident Mia Womeldorph walks the runway for Kayzie Couture.

n 1nLocation n Stores 3 Stores n 13 Location 3 Stores 1 3 Location Stores 1 Location Tuesday -n Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday - Saturday Tuesday 10:00am - Saturday Tuesday -n 5:00pm -nSaturday 10:00am -n 5:00pm 10:00am n Sarasota n Sarasota 2095 17th Street Sarasota 2095 17th Street 2095 17th Street 2095n 17th Street n Saraso

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

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You’re Invited!

Grand opening celebration at The Townhomes at Azario Lakewood Ranch Join us for the Grand Opening of The Townhomes at Azario Lakewood Ranch, a boutique townhome community with exciting, planned amenities that’s walkable to the new K-8 school opening next year!

When October 19 & 20, 2024 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Stop by anytime!

Where 3137 Novara Lane, Bradenton, FL 34211

Home Features

Be among the first 100 guests to tour our model homes and receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card*. Plus, join us by 3PM for complimentary coffee refreshments from Ryan’s Coffee Truck and face painting for the kids. Come discover all the reasons you’ll fall in love with your new home.

New townhomes now selling from the high $200s

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Complimentary food and refreshments available while supplies last; minors must be accompanied by adults. Ryan’s Coffee and Face Painting will be on site Saturday, 10/19/24 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM only. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE CHANCE OF WINNING. First one hundred (100) Eligible Entrants must register at Taylor Morrison’s Townhomes at Azario Lakewood Ranch Sales Center as of 12:00 PM – 6:00PM on 10/19/24 - 10/20/24 (“Promotional Period”) to be eligible to receive a $10 Chick-Fil-A® The giveaway is open to U.S. Legal Residents only who are at least 18 at time of entry. One $10 Chick-Fil-A gift card per household. Prize Merchant is neither affiliated with nor a sponsor of drawing. All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, school assignments and ratings, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings, tax rates and community development plans) is not guaranteed and remains subject to change, or delay without notice. Quick Move-In Home prices exclude furniture, decorative accessories, as well as closing costs and will include any lot premium, Seller installed options and upgrades; Buyer-selected options will not be available on quick move-in homes. Quick Move-In Homes will be subject to prior sale. Any community improvements, recreational features and amenities described are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change and under no obligation to be completed. Representative Photos above for illustrative purposes only of available plans, features and structural option ideas; not necessarily the actual community or the actual homes that will be available. Any community improvements, recreational features and amenities described are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change and under no obligation to be completed. This is not an offering in any state where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Please see a Taylor Morrison Community Sales Manager for details and visit Taylor Morrison homepage for additional state and community specific disclaimers, licensing details or other information (as applicable). © October 2024, Taylor Morrison of Florida, Inc., CBC1259457 & CGC1529148. All rights reserved. 10/03/24 6857

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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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

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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.

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SUNDAY, OCT. 20

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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.

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.

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THURSDAY, OCT. 17 THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 20

SATURDAY, OCT. 19

Personalized, gentle, and comprehensive patient care is our highest priority

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COMMUNITY

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.

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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,

File photo

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.

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4B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

5B

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new 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.

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YourObserver.com

NEIGHBORS NOTES

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

ARE YOU TIRED OF HIDING YOUR LEGS?

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.

Community Foundation begins Hurricane 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

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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

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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.

Make

A Plan.

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.

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and $35 for nonmembers. Reserve tickets by calling 646-330-2444.

Payment must be received by Oct. 30.

Kathleen Cramer will be the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

Cramer is the executive director of Turning Points, a nonprofit with a mission to prevent and reduce homelessness in Manatee County Cramer will talk about growing up in a family that didn’t qualify for public assistance, yet didn’t have the funds 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.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

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!

Just Listed

Lakewood Ranch Country Club | Lakewood Ranch 7254 LAKE FOREST GLEN $1,049,000 | 3 BR PLUS DEN, 3 BA, 2,661 SF

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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.

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Gloria Bracciano Global Real Estate Advisor 941.229.4000 Gloria.Bracciano@PremierSIR.com No. 7 in sales volume for the Sarasota region of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty.

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PremierSothebysRealty.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission.

Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Property information herein is derived from various sources including, but not limited to, county records and multiple listing services, and may include approximations. All information is deemed accurate and neither suggests nor infers that Sotheby’s International Realty participated as either the listing or cooperating agent or broker in the sale or purchase of the properties depicted. Source: BrokerMetrics®.

Left to Right: Samuel Yelverton, MD, Alexa Kinder, MSPAP, PA-C and David Dexter, MD, FACS,

To make an appointment please call 941-254-6767

8340 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Suite 290 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 lakewoodranchmedicalgroup.com Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if robotic surgery is right for you. With limited exceptions, physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

9B

PET PICS

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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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10B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7045 Portmarnock Place 6 Beds 6/2 Baths 8,663 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4596573 $6,498,000

BRADENTON 909 143rd Street NE 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 3,376 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4622270 $1,195,000

BRADENTON 13614 Swiftwater Way 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,107 Sq. Ft. Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet 941-993-7087 A4624696 $1,049,000

BRADENTON 5621 Cloverleaf Run 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,079 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4623644 $995,000

BRADENTON 10111 46th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,651 Sq. Ft. Erica Thomas 941-799-9365 A4596105 $975,000

PARRISH 15923 29th Street E 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,972 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4620370 $929,500

LAKEWOOD RANCH 16417 Hillside Circle 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,203 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4624043 $899,000

BRADENTON 14730 1st Avenue E 5 Beds 3 Baths 2,955 Sq. Ft. Angela Adams 941-809-9760 A4621980 $865,000

BRADENTON 17723 Polo Trail 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,455 Sq. Ft. Mark Boehmig 941-807-6936 A4618041 $860,000

PARRISH 1721 Twin Rivers Trail 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,300 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4605624 $795,000

SARASOTA 3982 47th Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,068 Sq. Ft. Bianca Dwyer & Jonnie Dwyer 941-209-2466 A4612171 $775,000

BRADENTON 13408 Ramblewood Trail 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,231 Sq. Ft. Christopher Van Vliet & Jamie Van Vliet 941-993-7087 A4624548 $749,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6438 Watercrest Way 204 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,134 Sq. Ft. Carol Stewart 941-290-9150 A4614255 $724,900

BRADENTON 5135 54th Street W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,964 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4615250 $699,999

PARRISH 2123 123rd Terrace E 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,964 Sq. Ft. Izzy Pollack 941-404-0403 A4622422 $669,000

BRADENTON 9035 Willowbrook Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,909 Sq. Ft. Diane Fogo Harter 941-445-2431 A4607346 $650,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7142 Sandhills Place 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,817 Sq. Ft. Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777 A4613582 $650,000

BRADENTON 4914 Savona Run 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,684 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie 941-376-1717 A4613271 $624,900

LAKEWOOD RANCH 6919 Dorset Court 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,589 Sq. Ft. Ray Rausa 941-228-7614 A4602356 $499,000

PARRISH 11750 Great Brook Lane 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,530 Sq. Ft. Barbara A Milian, PA 941-504-0660 A4623433 $479,990

BRANDON 2160 Brandon Park Circle 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,729 Sq. Ft. Debbie Detweiler 813-527-1653 A4622905 $459,900

BRADENTON 4808 29th Avenue W 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,143 Sq. Ft. Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4611495 $449,000

BRADENTON 5004 45th Street W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,386 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4589817 $425,000

SARASOTA 4939 79th Avenue Drive E 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,661 Sq. Ft. Jonnie Dwyer & Bianca Dwyer 941-812-6283 A4623907 $425,000

BRADENTON 4609 50th Avenue W 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,689 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4606465 $424,999

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BRADENTON 696 Regatta Way 5 Beds 4 Baths 4,686 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4617963 $4,650,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 19443 Beacon Park Place 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,460 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4612407 $2,550,000

PARRISH 11505 Harbourside Lane 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,217 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4624183 $2,495,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home 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

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

SEPT. 30-OCT. 4

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.

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.

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.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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.

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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.

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Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

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

MichaelSaunders.com/New-Homes | 844.591.4333 | Sarasota, Florida Prices as of November 2023

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ADAM HUGHES

REAL ESTATE

Lake Club home tops sales at $3.2 million

11B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

Real estate A Premier Event of the Season!

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.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Michael’s On East, Sarasota Only $39 Includes Lecture & Luncheon!

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.

BELLE YOELI AJC’s Chief Advocacy Officer

International Expert Belle Yoeli, Speaking in Sarasota!

This is Not To Be Missed!!

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.

The State of Jewish Affairs: Around the World with AJC There is never a dull moment for the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Join us for an in-depth conversation as we tackle some of the most challenging current events and how they are impacting our community.

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.

EVENT CHAIRS

David & Edie Chaifetz • Joel & Gail Morganroth • The Benderson Family

Advanced Reservations Required!

To RSVP: Online at: AJC.org/sarasota/fall2024 Or Email: sarasota@ajc.org Or Call AJC: 941.365.4955

MALLORY PARK

GREYHAWK LANDING

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BRADEN PINES

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

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.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

A life-changing destination is here.

THE CORNELL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PAVILION The Cornell Pavilion is a safe, welcoming place for those struggling with mental health issues. With evidence-based programs and services, and the most experienced clinicians, lives are transformed, smiles return and our community grows stronger.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS CRITICAL TO ITS SUCCESS Only 17% of SMH’s behavioral health costs are reimbursed.

Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org.

Learn more.

432417-1

2024 FALL LUNCH & LEARN

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.

FROM PAGE 11B

433622-1

12B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

13B

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2807 University Pkwy In Publix Plaza at University Walk

4900 Linton Blvd #3 (In between Poppies Restaurant and Kristi Cleaners)

BOYNTON BEACH (561) 453-2735 4739 N Congress Ave (In between Dollar Tree and Fon Shan Chinese)

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BRADENTON (941) 667-2574

14B

YourObserver.com

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, OCT. 17

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 79 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 1%

FRIDAY, OCT. 18 High: 83 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 4%

Thursday, Oct. 17

7:31a

6:58p

Friday, Oct. 18

7:31a

6:57p

Saturday, Oct. 19

7:32a

6:56p

Sunday, Oct. 20

7:32a

6:55p

Monday, Oct. 21

7:33a

6:54p

Tuesday, Oct. 22

7:34a

6:53p

Wednesday, Oct. 23

7:34a

6:53p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT. 19 High: 84 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 4%

Oct. 17 Full

Oct. 24 Last

Nov. 1 New

Nov. 8 First

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, OCT. 20 High: 85 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 9% Gordon Silver photographed white pelicans in a feeding frenzy along White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

Monday, Oct. 7

1.55

Tuesday, Oct. 8

0

Wednesday, Oct. 9

1.02

Thursday, Oct. 10

0

Friday, Oct. 11

0

Saturday, Oct. 12

0

Sunday, Oct. 13

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/contests. All submissions will be entered for the 2024-25. Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2025, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE: 2024 77.76 in.

2023 22.83 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 12.59 in.

2023 0.69 in.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

FREE FORMS by Kevin Christian, edited by Jeff Chen defense

53 Victuals

114 Professor’s goal

54 Eschews a saddle

115 Like Jack Sprat’s diet

55 Dadaist artist Jean

116 Number of Scrabble

56 Aitch preceder

points for a B, C, M or P

57 Prohibit

117 “That’s a mouse!”

58 Sports org. for Steph

118 Lacking a key, musically

Curry

119 IRS identifiers

60 Some rice dishes

120 Full of attitude

61 Cosmetics company

DOWN

known for door-to-door sales

2 Government revenue enhancer 3 Strove 4 Some French wines 5 “Citizen ___” 6 San Francisco NFL player 7 Crumb-carrying insect 8 Mourns 9 Pacific Northwest airport 10 Wi-Fi annoyance 11 Busy month for CPAs 12 What goes down during a full moon?

13 Wedding exchange 14 Summer office worker 15 Campfire residue 16 “Drivers License” singer 17 Bringing aboard a

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 Arya ___ (“Game of Thrones” character portrayed by Maisie Williams) 6 Scolds repeatedly 10 Riga’s country 16 “I caught you redhanded!”

19 Turkish bigwig 20 Memo heading

genre

85 “You can bet ___!”

31 Grow weary

59 Largest Greek island

86 Poles on ships

32 Comes out on top

60 “Pack my box with

88 Dia de ___ Muertos

36 Took to jail

five dozen liquor jugs,” for

91 Heavy equipment trans-

38 ___ out a living

example

portation item (8)

30 Hardening (to)

39 Means for clandestine

63 Physique, informally

95 Common gas station

33 Superlative suffix

communications (4)

64 Changeling’s ability, and a adjunct

43 Roulette choice

hint for the circled letters

96 “Lovergirl” singer ___

35 Scatter

44 Shocks

69 “___ changed my mind”

Marie

37 Everlasting

47 Lacking brightness

70 Skilled in

97 Put in harm’s way

40 Potato chip brand

72 Best possible

100 Met highlight

41 Muscles worked by planks

73 Wide-eyed

101 Some Halloween decora-

42 Hosp. trauma centers

74 Do well at a comedy club

tions

44 First mo.

75 Cursing (6)

102 Colbert’s network

45 Choose

80 “___ Road” (Beatles

105 Eggs, scientifically

46 Television-watching

52 Detroit NFL players

album)

106 Reckless ___

companion

53 Significant stories of the

82 Actress Richards of “Wild 108 Small battery size

day (5)

Things”

109 Device that can turn

50 Wagers

57 Agent 007’s last name

83 Karma

light into a current

51 Does very well as a

84 Enjoys a good book

113 Grp. concerned with

pitcher

21 Clothing protectors in the 48 Goof 49 CA wine tasting destinakitchen 22 Sass

tion

23 Entrepreneur’s desire for 50 Golf scores that are one over par their business (3) 26 One of the Gershwins 27 Like some jade carvings 28 Greek H 29 Employ

workforce

classic)

30 “The ___ Dead” (1981 cult 58 “The Maltese Falcon”

18 Australia’s national gem 24 Paranormal letters 25 Den

34 Pigeon’s place

49 Postal creed conjunction

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“ZEEUKJVPH GU CX, NX LNU EZBDXD DBRRXKVPH GU ZP ZPVCZO VD LUKDX GNZP Z TXZDG. NX VD GNX ZPVCZO.” ZOZVP JXOUP

62 “What Happens Later” actress Ryan 64 Doesn’t retire quite yet 65 Bale contents 66 “Thus with a kiss ___” (Romeo’s final words) 67 Quagmire 68 Shout before “You’re it!”

“B ITFG H OTKMHCA. FT EJHG? BG’F VNFG FGNWW. OHC’G GHPL BG EBGJ ATN -- CTGJBCD BF HC TXFGHOIL NCILFF ATN FHA BG BF.”

71 Promises 73 Lumberjack’s tool 75 Ivy in Philly 76 Bring together 77 Giant in Greek myth 78 Beret, for example

“ZB’IB RBIB NX IBHBHVAYNB JXF NX NRB EXZBI, NRB EYOOVXL, NRB DJONBIJ YLH NRB DVLVONIJ XT IXAG YLH IXPP.”

79 UFO pilots

CIFAB OEIVLWONBBL

80 Circle segment 81 Stay loose 82 Scat syllable

EHIIA HKTF

Puzzle Three Clue: D equals M

1 Ghost

celebrity cipher

Puzzle Two Clue: M equals P

crossword

426212-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

Puzzle One Clue: R equals F

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2024 NEA, Inc.

86 Threatening sorts 87 FIFA World Cup winner in 2022 88 Storage places 89 Baltimore baseball team 90 ___ Black & Decker

sudoku

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

92 Mark of prestige 93 “Survivor” immunity object 94 Features of oranges 95 “Man of La ___” 98 Brings in, as a salary 99 Slugger’s stat 101 Decline 103 U2’s lead singer 104 Amaze 107 Does something 109 Book fair org.

110 Singer Rita 111 Moray or conger 112 Light brown shade ©2024 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

10-17-24

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

RED PAGES INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Homes for Sale

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

Sporting Goods

Homes for Sale

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

RED PAGES IN PRINT AND ONLINE

A POWERFUL COMBINATION 941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com/RedPages

jobs

Sarasota: Pool home, 4 bed. $649,900 Venice: 2/2 Condo Plantation Golf Club. Call for Price Bradenton: Pool Home, New windows, hvac, Completely Updated $689,900

Gulf Beachfront Home coming soon: 6.9 million

Hours: Mon - Thurs, 9a - 2p.

Salary: $15 - $20 / hr

Brooke O’Malley | Club Realty Call 941-726-2677

Seeking candidate to manage church office with confidentiality/good people skills.

Experience in computer software, accounts payable/ receivable. Create weekly bulletins, newsletters. Answer phones/mail,etc.

Send cover letter, resume, names/ contact info of three references to: New Life Lutheran Church Attention: Dianne Utsinger 8010 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34240 www.newlifesarasota.org 941-378-0885

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Longboat Key: 4 pools, beach access. $465,000

BUY STUFF HERE!

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

GARAGE SALE Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

CALL 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

First 15 words ................ $ 17.50 per week Each add’l word ..... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com Online: YourObserver.com /RedPages

**NEW & PRE-OWNED HOMES FOR SALE** We have a wide range of homes FOR SALE New Homes starting in the low $200’s Pre-Owned Homes starting in the low $100’s NOW offering “Lease to Purchase Program” on select homes.

Visit our Website for home listings & Golf information at www.riversideclubFL.com Or call us direct at 877-211-5337 To schedule a private tour OPEN HOUSE (Pre-Owned) 10AM - 12PM EVERY TUESDAY OPEN HOUSE (New Homes) 10AM-2PM 1st Saturday of the month Normal Business Hours Mon-Sat 8AM-5PM Sun 10AM-4PM 2550 Pier Drive Ruskin, FL 33570

SELL YOUR STUFF HERE!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

This week’s Crossword answers

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE! Adult Care Services CAREGIVER - LICENSED CNA 6 years experience w/ dementia & other ailments.

4-12 hrs, 5 days/ week & some weekends. $25-$30/ hr.

Best care for your loved one.

References avail. Marina 786-906-8103

Auto Transport SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service

by Maria. Residential. Meticulous Cleaning. Excellent References.

Free Estimates. Reliable. Lic./Ins. 941-400-3342. www.braziliancleaningbymk.com

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, Vacation Rentals, and Construction Cleaning. Power washing and windows.

Detailed and dependable.

941-744-7983.

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos.

Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

SARASOTA PAINTING, LLC INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST!!!

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “According to me, he who causes suffering to an animal is worse than a beast. He is the animal.”

Alain Delon Puzzle Two Solution: “I lost a company. So what? It’s just stuff. Can’t take it with you – nothing is an obstacle unless you say it is.”

Wally Amos Puzzle Three Solution: “We’re here to rededicate you to the Power, the Passion, the Mystery and the Ministry of Rock and Roll.”

Bruce Springsteen

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2024 Universal Uclick

Merchandise Wanted

POST YOUR AD WITH EASE

Sarasota: 2 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Garage House $350,000

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR New Life Lutheran Church

You’re only cheating yourself.

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Bradenton: Condo, 2 bed, 2 bath$199,900 Pet friendly 55+

Help Wanted

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

BEACH’ N RIDES Electric Bike Shop! eBike Sales and Rentals Ride easy on an eBike with as much exercise or assistance as you want.

Leave traffic and parking problems behind!

13 models available.

Daily and weekly rentals available.

We also repair other Brands.

Open 9 to 5 daily except Sundays and holidays.

12208 Cortez Rd, FL 941-251-7916 Ext. 1

auto

stuff

5 ACRES Lake Barn Near Fruitville I-75 Call for Price

The Premier Golf & Marina Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle

home services

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis..

real estate

Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card

RED PAGES AD RATES

SEARCH the RED PAGES for GREAT DEALS Visit YourObserver.com/RedPages

©2024 NEA, Inc.

Made for where you live. Here!

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

Alterations/Upholstery

Brick Pavers

Nora’s Fabrics

In a Snap Flooring

Services & Removal

Business in Christ

Sales & Installation Laminate • Vinyl • Tile Refinishing/Concrete Coating Driveway • Patio • Garage Water Damage - Demolition - Epoxy

7300 Manatee Ave W Beachway Plaza (941) 545.7319

Call or text today for a FREE estimate:

941-321-2859

Over 100 Reviews Award Winning Services

www.BIC - CC.COM

M-F 10 to 4 / Sat 10 to 1 Aluminum

941-592-0802

Computer

433339

• Paver Sealing • Pressure & Soft Washing • Concrete Coating • Painting

& UPHOLSTERY

433654

Flooring

433661

16B

Handyman

Pegatronics Computer Instruction and Repair It’s Easier Than You Think!

Pegatronics.com

941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

941-735-3362

433188

433189

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

YoderAluminum.com

Attorney

Contractor

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

Let our Network Handle All your Building Needs

Divorce is never fun, but it does not have to be nasty & hateful! Protect your family relationships and assets from expensive Court litigation. Consider Divorce Mediation, the peaceful alternative.

Construction Estimating • Custom Homes • Design Build We Prepare Estimates to Challenge Insurance Companies *Hurricane/Flood/Fire

TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772 KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Health

Email Project Information: PCNestimating@gmail.com 941-527-9414

Call me for a free 30 minute consultation before you call a Divorce Lawyer!

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

We have mediated divorces involving up to 15 million dollars of assets over past 30 years.

Doors

DON’T let your

William J. Leininger, JD

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

433636

Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator 677 N. Washington Blvd Sarasota, FL 34236 SarasotaDivorceMediator.com 941-727-5555

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

Professional Contractors Network, Inc.

Divorce without Lawyers

Find anything in the RED PAGES | 941-955-4888

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

Auto Service

FREE

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

SELL YOUR CAR! FAST • EASY • SAFE

Call us today!

WE COME TO YOU

941.628.8579

HoHoBuysCars.com

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

Home Services

www.ezslider.com

5-Star Rated

Are You Having Dryer Difficulties?

• Dryer hot but clothes still wet after (1) drying cycle?

• Dryer gets hot to the touch or doesn’t heat up at all?

433637

941.270.4400

• Doors & Trim Licensed & Insured • Laminate & Wood Over 30 Years Flooring FREE ESTIMATE • Tile Cabinets & Drywall • Texture Paint & Wood Rot 941-929-3000

433655

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

JOE DAVIS HD LLC

433219

“Specializing inin6” Gutters” “Specializing 6” Seamless Seamless Gutters”

Learn Computer Basics Phones/Tablet Help Apple & Microsoft Problems Solved On-Site and Off Much More! Call Today!

433185

Hardware Repair Virus / Malware Cleanup Software & Printer Install New Computer Setups New Purchase Consults Seniors & Beginners

TREASURES

found here.

Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

Take a simple test to see if your vent is clogged. Unhook your dryer vent & compare drying time.

Residential

941-705-5468

Commercial

433667

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

Home Services

Landscaping & Lawn

17B

Screening

GARDENS No Job is Too Small!

ALL PHASES OF INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING

Storm Cleanup • Garden Beds • Landscape Maintenance • Weeds • Trimming

Kitchen - Bathrooms | Windows - Doors - Floor Coverings | Repairs

941-526-5396 | tomtka@tampabay.rr.com www.tkahomeservicesinc.com Licensed & Insured | License #CBC1256062

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

941-400-0431 • gbyallison@yahoo.com • gardensbyallison.com

Painting

Transportation

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

GULF TO BAY

941 - 248 - 4734

P REMIER P AINTING

433639

Licensed & Insured Complete exterior & interior painting Kitchen Cabinet Painting • Deck Stains & Coating Garage Floor Epoxy Coating

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

Windows

Randy Schmidt | 941-702-3262

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

433191

Find anything in the RED PAGES

Mark’s Plumbing Service Small plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

RELIABLE • INSURED

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS INCLUDES22MOEN MOEN STAINLESS INCLUDES STAINLESS STEEL STEELANTI ANTISLIP SLIP CONCEALED PEEN CONCEALED SCREW SCREW GRAB GRAB BARS (16”BARS & 24”)(16” & 24”)

DRGRABBARS.COM

*DRILLING CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR MARBLE, GRANITE OR PORCELAIN. COUPON REQUIRED.

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS 433668

5

$

941-626-3194

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Call John 941.377.2940

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

SPECIAL 00

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

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INCLUDING SCREENS, TR ACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Building & Roofing Contractor

941.966.0333

Advertise your business in the Red Pages. Call 941-955-4888

HEROES found here.

Relax. You’ve got better things to do.

Find a professional here in the Red Pages.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

160

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. 364556 433669

249 235

UP TO

Roofing

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

$ $235

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

941-920-8221

431620

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

433640

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

*

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Plumbing

941-955-4888

$

433671

Lifetime Sarasota Resident & Owner

gulftobaypremierpainting@gmail.com | lwrpainting.com

410036

Home Watch

431621

Allison J. Abizaid

433670

433190

by Allison

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024

941.702.0437 | ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBrealty.com | ShanahanLuxuryGroup.com

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

Committed to the Well-being of our Community

SunCoast Blood Centers 866.972.5663

American Red Cross 941.379.9300

Humane Society of Sarasota County | 941.955.4131

The Food Bank of Manatee 941.747.3663

All Faiths Food Bank 941.379.6333

Community Resources Essential Information on Debris Removal, Open Gas Stations, Comfort Stations, Points of Distribution, and Updates on Utility Services

Sarasota County

Manatee County

Please contact us if you need additional resources.

We’re happy to assist in any way we can.

413862-1

18B