East County Observer 12.12.24

EAST COUNTY

Party in style

Observer

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Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

VOLUME 26, NO. 17

YOUR TOWN

Fort Hamer widening to cost $190.5M

Project will include another span over the Manatee River. SEE PAGE 3A

Lesley Dwyer

Holiday hospitality

Gardeners Out East members love getting their hands dirty, but they didn’t have to do any digging in December’s meeting.

Carolyn Lowry-Nation (above with member Susan Gimbert) hosted a catered holiday social at her Esplanade home on Dec. 9. Nearly all 41 members of the club attended.

“We talked about our upcoming programs, but this was about hospitality,” Lowry-Nation said. “It was just a fun day.”

The club’s regular programming will resume in January with guest speaker Sean Patton, the founder of Stocking Savvy, an environmental consulting firm specializing in ponds.

In February, the club will be hands-on for a Valentine’s Day flower arrangement make-andtake workshop.

THE RIGHT SPIN ON IT LWR Blues Festival organizers say event was a success despite small turnout.

SEE PAGE 1B Vinnie Portell

It’s wonderful meeting you, Santa Braden River High School gave the community a reason to get into the holiday spirit with its Winter Wonderland on Dec. 9.

The event was free to attend, and people of all ages came out to enjoy the festivities in the high school’s courtyard.

The Winter Wonderland featured a mini petting zoo, an obstacle course, backdrops for photos and photos with Santa Claus, along with dance performances and other holidaythemed activities.

The De La Torre family was one of many in attendance.

Allison De La Torre (above with 2-year-old sister Kylie De La Torre) helped her little sister overcome her nerves and take a photo with Santa despite some reluctance.

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Jay Heater

Naples’ Kaata Mrachek and Bradenton’s Laurence Lederer dance to the beat during the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival on Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.

A+E

Happy times A $22.6 million Marble Park renovation nears completion.

SEE PAGE 4A

Lesley Dwyer

This orange octopus will be assembled and joined by pink flamingos and palm trees on the John Marble Park’s new splash pad, which is on schedule to open by summer 2025.

Quarter-century of miracles.

INSIDE

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Flurry of storms confirms CERT value Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team will continue to focus on growing awareness before disasters hit.

VINNIE PORTELL STAFF WRITER

T

he calendar turning to December signals a joyous time for many people, and that includes members of the Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team.

This was the first year in Lakewood Ranch CERT’s history in which the organization had to prepare for three hurricanes that had a significant impact on the area. Dec. 1 officially marked the end of what had become a long hurricane season.

CERT members celebrated the end of hurricane season Dec. 3 at Inner Compass Brewing Co. with a happy hour.

The members said the severity of the series of storms made it clear that there can never be enough help on hand and never enough ways to connect the community to emergency assistance.

Jim Curran, director of Community Outreach for CERT, enjoyed a beer with his fellow team members at the happy hour, but he said his work for the 2025 hurricane season will begin soon after the holidays.

Curran is heading an effort to increase Lakewood Ranch CERT’s involvement in the community in aspects beyond hurricane relief.

The organization has expanded those outreach efforts in the past, like standing at mile markers with first aid supplies during running events and volunteering as victims at a Duette Fire Department event so the firemen could practice their response skills.

But Curran said he’s trying to dig Lakewood Ranch CERT’s roots deep-

er whether that be simply helping with food pantries, parades or other community events, so the network of aid can grow.

“It will allow people to join in our efforts and we can become a broader contributor,” he said. “So if somebody needs help for something, we might have an avenue to connect with them. We’re trying to broaden it more than just right in the aftermath of a hurricane or other natural disasters.”

This year’s storms especially drove home the point of Lakewood Ranch CERT’s need for a good relationship with the local community.

Though their services might fly under the radar when there aren’t storms impacting the area, Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton reenforced how vital it is to spread the word about preparedness and safety ahead of time.

“We learned this year ... Oh my goodness,” Curran said. “You have to be ready.”

Lakewood Ranch CERT’s members aren’t professional paramedics or rescue teams, but they do have to undergo 20 hours of training that make them valuable during times of need.

That training includes first aid training, lifting techniques, how to detect gas leaks, and many other facets of disaster relief.

“We have mannequins that we train with, we have bandage kits we teach people how to use and we teach how to use tourniquets, which can save lives,” said Pat Knowles, a medical trainer with Lakewood Ranch CERT. LOTS OF INFORMATION

Jim Emanuelson, president of Lakewood Ranch CERT, said the organization led three CERT Basic Training Classes this past year, and many other public information events.

Clinics were offered on topics such as pet emergency first aid, hurricane preparation and new resident orientation.

During Hurricane Milton, mem-

Vinnie Portell

Lakewood Ranch CERT Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran said he wants the organization to be more involved in the community to spread awareness before disaster strikes.

bers of CERT provided damage assessment information to a number of agencies and gave support to neighbors who might not have known where to get help.

One hundred and seventeen CERT volunteers were activated during Milton. Three road blockages were reported to the IDA, and two 311 calls were placed to support residents.

One nonworking traffic signal was reported and a broken water line was reporter at a home.

Although it wasn’t needed extensively, CERT’s radio network worked perfectly at a time when many residents had no cell phone coverage.

Anyone who would like to join Lakewood Ranch CERT’s growing team of 230-some volunteers can

do so at LWRCert.org under the ‘Join Our Team’ section. Those who sign up then take an upcoming basic training class.

“A lot of people in Lakewood Ranch feel like their houses are new enough that they don’t have to worry about it,” Lakewood Ranch CERT Board of Director member Jan Kuhn said. “But then they saw with the flooding from Debbie and the winds from Milton, we do need to have neighbors helping neighbors, and it was incredible.

“I was outside, manning my station, and I was seeing all the neighbors who wanted to help — but they’re not part of CERT yet — just going around and helping people, asking ‘What can I do to help you?’

“It was amazing.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Public peek at Fort Hamer project Manatee County held a public hearing to share its plans for the corridor from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

R

esidents of the Parrish and Lakewood Ranch areas remain unconvinced that traffic on either side of the Fort Hamer Bridge will ease despite Manatee County’s multimilliondollar efforts to widen the roadways.

Work to widen Upper Manatee River Road from State Road 64 to the Fort Hamer bridge began in August.

The corridor is anticipated to be four lanes by fall 2027 and cost approximately $25.7 million.

Manatee County staff members held a public hearing Dec. 4 at Parrish United Methodist Church to present a $190.5 million plan to widen Fort Hamer Road from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301. The bridge portion of the project would cost $77 million alone. Construction would begin in 2028.

The proposal includes constructing a second span of the bridge to four-lane the entire 3.8-mile corridor.

Greyhawk Landing’s Elias Van Schaik attended the meeting with his wife, Denise. He said after the road is widened, it will only take five years before the county needs to increase the capacity again to accommodate all the housing that will have been built in the corridor.

“We’re having difficulty getting into our development now,” Denise Van Schaik said. “Upper Manatee River Road is going to be more congested the more they build.”

Residents on both sides of the bridge matched the Van Schaik’s sentiments.

Twin Rivers’ Tom Thayer moved to Parrish four years ago from Fairfax County, Virginia, which is outside of Washington, D.C. He said the area is completely gridlocked because the county built on every vacant piece of land.

“I see that happening down here,” Thayer said. “They need to put the breaks on. We’re going to have people stacked on top of people just like Fairfax County.”

Thayer’s not opposed to the road being widened. He said the road needs more lanes, but he thinks putting houses on half-acre lots instead of quarter-acre lots would make more of an impact on easing the congestion.

Beyond two extra lanes, the road will also incorporate a raised median, roundabouts, bicycle lanes, a shared use path on one side and a sidewalk on the other.

The roundabouts will be located at Rive Isle Run, Mulholland Road, Old Tampa Road and Golf Course Road.

The project is still in the early stages of a Project Development and Environment Study, which identifies potential improvements, conducts studies and seeks public input. The studies evaluate issues such as noise, traffic, water quality and bridge hydraulics.

The state funded $5.5 million for the study and design. The study cost $1.2 million and is expected to be complete in June 2025. Right-of-

PROPOSED BRIDGE DESIGN This rendering illustrates the proposed design for Fort Hamer Road from the bridge to U.S. 301.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Twin Rivers resident Tom Thayer speaks with Kimley-Horn’s Shari Barnwell. Barnwell is the project manager on the design of Fort Hamer Road.

WEIGH-IN ON THE DESIGN The county is accepting input from citizens online and by email or mail. Comments must be postmarked by Dec. 16 to be included in the public hearing record.

Comments can be submitted online at FortHamerRoad.com, emailed to Info@FortHamerRoad.com or mailed to Anthony Russo, PE, Manatee County Project Manager, 1022 26th Ave. E., Bradenton, Florida 34208.

way acquisitions and construction have not been funded yet.

County staff submitted a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation in October totaling $61.6 million to go toward the bridge construction.

Ogden Clark, Public Works’ communications coordinator, said the county has a good case to justify state funding of the project. Running parallel to Interstate 75 makes it a “vitally important” route.

“In a time of mass evacuation, you need both of those roads to be able to get people out,” Clark said.

On the other hand, Elias Van Schaik said the close proximity to the interstate might be attractive to motorists trying to find an alternate route and draw even more cars to Fort Hamer and Upper Manatee River roads.

Clark agreed that when accidents occur, the route could see an uptick of cars, but on most days, he said the increased capacity will cater to locals.

“A lot of folks are concerned that (four lanes) are not going to be enough,” Clark said, “But short of being able to add really expensive overpasses or expressways, there’s not many options other than adding

Anthony Sciullo isn’t concerned about traffic. He’s concerned that raised roadways and developments create more flooding. Sciullo’s home off Jim Davis Road flooded during Hurricane Debby.

capacity on the existing roads.”

Thayer said he definitely doesn’t want to see Fort Hamer turn into a six-lane road. And Commissioner George Kruse said six lanes will never happen because the county would have to take people’s homes and businesses for the right of way.

Waterlefe resident Kirk Birrell is most concerned about the noise a second bridge will create. He can hear tires hitting the grooves of the one bridge now.

He loves the idea of a pedestrian walkway over the bridge, but fears it will be too noisy to enjoy. He suggested a noise barrier between the roadway and the walkway.

Anthony Sciullo lives off of Jim Davis Road. He has bigger concerns than the traffic the project will or will not alleviate. He called traffic a “nuisance,” but said water will kill people.

Sciullo’s house flooded after Hurricane Debby in early August. He said as more developments and roadways are being built higher in surrounding areas, it’s creating a “bowl” of low lying areas.

“I’m still waiting for the results of the Lake Manatee failures from Hurricane Debby,” Sciullo said. “Those failures, as well as the historic storms that we’ve had, are all spikes in the averages. They need to be taken into consideration for any project, whether it’s a roadway project or a development project.”

Clark said the county should be receiving and sharing the independent report with the public by February.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club resident Kirk Birrell is concerned with the noise a second span of bridge will create.

ESTIMATED COSTS

Manatee County provided estimated costs to widen Fort Hamer Road from two lanes to four from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301. The total project cost for the road and bridge does not include any necessary utility relocations, environmental permits or contamination remediation.

Final design: $12.5 million Wetland mitigation: $1.2 million Acquisition of right-ofway and stormwater management areas: $10.4 million

Total construction cost: $151.4 million Construction engineering and inspection: $15 million Total project cost: $190.5 million

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

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Wisdom Teeth

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Manatee County is putting the finishing touches on the new recreation center at John H. Marble Park, which will be opening toward the end of February 2025.

Five Star Rated

THE RENOVATIONS

The total cost to renovate John H. Marble is $22,646,441.

Renovations are anticipated to be completed by June 2025.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

M

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anatee County is preparing to reopen John H. Marble Park in phases during 2025.

The 27,000-square-foot recreation center that includes a gymnasium, fitness center and three multipurpose rooms is expected to be open by the end of February. A new pool and splash pad are slated to open ahead of summer.

“Summer camp will finally have a home again,” said Molly White, director of Sports and Leisure.

“We’ve been using the schools out east because this has been closed.”

The recreation center services thousands of residents through memberships, programming and camps.

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Repave the parking lot: $908,158 Expand the existing pool deck and construct a picnic pavilion: $1,092,662 Replace the gymnasium: $15,634,862 Replace existing pavilion with restrooms: $364,409 Install a splash pad, including pipes and electric: $852,508 Widen 37th Street East to add two turn lanes: $146,278 Replace the 25-meter pool with an eight-lane version: $2,721,512 Replace the pump room for the pool: $777,883 Replace two restrooms with one Americans with Disabilities Act compliant restroom: $148,169

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Courtesy image

This photo of Parks and Recreation Director John Marble from 1977 is from Manatee County Library’s Historical Digital Collection.

REPEATING HISTORY

The gymnasium can accommodate basketball, volleyball and pickleball.

The splash pad and pool will be under construction into 2025. The goal is to have them finished before summer.

The center sits on seven acres.

Outside facilities will include a pool, splash pad, playground, pavilion and bocce courts.

The tennis courts and basketball courts are being demolished.

Replacements are on a list of “future improvements.”

A long patch of artificial turf parallels the front of the recreation center. It was added after G.T. Bray staff received such positive feedback on its turfed area.

The space will be used for exercise classes, but White said a lot of the feedback came from parents, who said they liked that there was no

The park’s gym features equipment, such as treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines.

mulch for their children to put in their mouths.

The old 25-meter pool will be upgraded from six lanes to eight and include a resurfaced pool deck.

The splash pad will be adjacent to the pool and feature a giant orange octopus, a pink flamingo and a couple of colorful palm trees. Water will spill from the trees’ coconuts.

White said the park has a bocce ball following, too. The Gulf Coast Senior Games hosts a bocce tournament at the park. A newly paved walkway flanked with palm trees leads to the two courts on the far side of the property, both of which

are being replaced.

“Another thing we’re planning on doing (at Marble Park) is putting in a community garden,” District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard said. “The nice thing about these community gardens is that for a low cost, you can build something for the whole community to enjoy that teaches people sustainable skills.”

Ballard said she’s drumming up support but could use the help of some citizens to champion the project.

The name might have changed, but 30 years later, just before summer kicks off in 2025, Manatee County residents will once again be swimming in a brand new pool at John H. Marble Park.

Marble Park was not originally a county park.

The recreation center was built in 1962 by families living in Oneco. It was named the South County Youth and Recreation Center and remained a nonprofit for over 30 years.

Manatee County took over in the mid-1990s and renovated the building in 1999. It was renamed after former Parks and Recreation Director John Marble.

The pool was installed in 1995, just prior to the county taking over. Original plans for the current renovations didn’t include a new pool.

“It would’ve been so sad to have this amazing facility and an old, rundown pool,” Commissioner Amanda Ballard said.

The commission voted to allocate an additional $2.7 million to replace the pool. The new 25-meter pool will have eight lanes instead of six.

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Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan said the approximately $22.6 million center was remodeled to suit the demographics of the area, which has a lot of families with younger children.

There’s a “child watch” room when first entering the building. It sits across the hall from the fitness center and will be staffed, so parents can leave their children to play for up to two hours.

White said the staff will start off with a few hours in the morning, but the goal is to open from 9 a.m. to noon and again from 5 to 8 p.m.

From the start, the recreation center was established for families by families. Citizens of Oneco paid to construct the South County Youth and Recreation Center in 1962.

In a nod to its roots, Oneco Elementary School students were asked to help design the new playground at the now John H. Marble Park.

White said her department avoids using the color red because the color is reported to cause stress. The playground at Marble Park will stand out from other county parks because the kids want to see red.

The elementary students also requested a climbing wall. For safety reasons, a compromise was made.

“We’ll have climbing apparatuses,” White said. “A lot of kids break their arms on climbing walls.”

The main feature of the facility is the double gymnasium. There are two basketball courts with 12 hoops that can also be used as three volleyball courts or six pickleball courts.

The fitness center features an array of equipment, such as treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights.

Each cubby is equipped with an outlet, so they can hold personal items and charge devices.

However, the center is not only intended for recreation. There are three community meeting spaces, plus a catering kitchen. Two of the meeting spaces can be opened to create one big space.

Logan said that space will host community meetings and workshops in the future. Clubs and community members can rent the rooms, too.

Staff members are calling the space in the back of the building “the birthday party room.” It has a door that leads out to the pool area and is attached to the catering kitchen.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

A HELPING HAND

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Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presents 20 grants and honors Humanitarian of the Year.

VINNIE PORTELL STAFF WRITER

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s Lakewood Ranch continues to grow, so do the needs of the people who live in it.

Children need access to food, school supplies, tutoring, structure, scholarships, support and special care.

New parents need educational classes and diapers.

And those with disabilities or medical challenges might need financial aid and access to programs that help them deal with their challenges.

That’s where the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation lends a hand.

The LWRCF awarded 20 grants Dec. 4 to local nonprofits that help in-need residents in all walks of life. It declined to disclose the total amount of grants given.

The foundation celebrated a year’s worth of giving back at a Refreshments and Recognition event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing during which it announced this year’s grants and honored its Humanitarian of the Year, Heather Hackett — founder of Local Relief Inc. “With the growth of the community, you can forget that there’s a human element and there’s needs that are happening because of the momentum of the influx of people,” said LWRCF President Mark Clark.

“It’s all of the socio-economic things that everybody assumes nobody needs help with in Lakewood Ranch.”

The LWRCF had a big year in 2024 thanks to donations and growing partnerships such as Builders Give Back, Community Business Partners and Friends of the Foundation.

The youth of the community was a focus this year when it came to

grants.

The Mark Wandall Foundation will use its funds to send four children to the Comfort Zone Camp — a place for kids aged 7-17 that helps deal with the passing of a parent or guardian.

Sisters Sowing Seeds received its grant to help support 10 highrisk young women at Braden River Middle School who have to navigate life through poverty and traumatic events.

Manatee Children Services received financial aid to help transport 40 foster children in Lakewood Ranch to continue attending their school of origin.

And the list goes on.

“It’s very important for collaboration, teamwork and serving kids early,” said Tom Waters, CEO and president of Easterseals Southwest FL, which received funds that cover the gap of $1,000 per autism diagnostic evaluation for 25 children whose families reside in Lakewood Ranch.

“These grants are critical. I was just talking with the board members about the diagnostics and the technology that can diagnose autism at 18 months. There’s very few in the country that have that. It’s going to help a lot of children and families here in Lakewood Ranch.”

The process for determining which organizations receive grants is thorough and calculated.

Board members and volunteers of the community meet quarterly to review grant applications and each one is rated on a numeric scale to narrow down the options.

Then, the foundation pores over all aspects of the organization, including budgets, social media profiles and the feasibility of stated goals.

“We go in order with the grant that received the highest score and make sure they’re meeting the criteria,” LWRCF Executive Director Kate Mulligan said. “That they’re local to Lakewood Ranch, that we feel like they’re serving either a large number of people or having a great impact on a small number of people, and that we feel that the organization can fulfill that program.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

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From a Simple Refresh to a

Complete Home Remodel Vinnie Portell

Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan (left) and President Mark Clark (right) present Heather Hackett with the C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award.

Breaking Chains Foundation; Forty Carrots of Sarasota, Inc.; Easterseals Southwest FL; Sisters Sowing Seeds; Healthy Teens, Inc.; Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation; Take Stock Manatee; Feeding Empty Little Tummies; Sea of Strengths; The Mark Wandall Foundation; Children’s Guardian Fund; Stillpoint Mission; Tidewell Foundation; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Manatee Children Services; Care Net Manasota; The Outof-Door Academy; Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy; and Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, Inc.

Mulligan was recently hired to her position in September, and she didn’t have much time to settle in before Hurricanes Helene and Milton impacted the area.

Seeing the challenges that many locals were facing, the LWRCF decided to use its Quarter 4 grant money for a hurricane relief fund.

Three organizations — Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Sarasota Manatee Association of Riding Therapy and Habitat for Humanity Sarasota — each received $10,000 to

aid in crucial repairs needed after the busy storm season.

“I reached out to nonprofits in the community and said, ‘What are your needs?’ Two days later, we had a board meeting and voted on getting those funds,” Mulligan said. “The next day, I hand delivered checks, so there was money in hands as it was needed to people who had an urgent and critical need related to the hurricane.”

The theme of hurricane relief continued with one of the final announcements of the night, the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award.

Hackett developed a social media app called Local Relief that helps people find information and resources before, during and after disaster strikes.

“I did sporting event management, and I learned that anxiety for people really comes from a lack of information,” Hackett said during her acceptance speech. “My whole goal was to over-inform and put all of that information together, and the idea for Local Relief was born.

“I didn’t want to just fix disaster for one disaster at one point in time for one area. I wanted to fix disaster for every type of disaster in every area and make sure no one is left behind and everyone has a place to go for that type of information.”

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

EAST COUNTY

Left: Sixth grader Valentina Afonso closely inspects her plants. Each student is responsible for a plant.

“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 Liz Ramos

FFA program takes root Dr. Mona Jain Middle students begin to work with plants and rabbits this semester and will start with chickens next semester.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

J

osalynne Hernandez, a seventh grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle

School, held Queso, a small black and white rabbit, and gently petted him.

Since September, Hernandez has been learning how to properly care for rabbits and has been preparing to show Queso at the Manatee County Fair.

Hernandez said she’s wanted to participate in FFA events and show a rabbit, but it wasn’t until Mona Jain Middle started an agriculture and FFA program on campus this school year that she will have the opportunity.

Principal Kate Barlaug saw the benefits of having an agriculture program on a middle school campus while she was principal at Carlos E. Haile Middle School. When she became principal at Mona Jain Middle in the 2023-24 school year, she pushed to start an agriculture program.

During the 2023-24 school year, administrators polled students to gauge interest. Agriculture teacher Angelica Rivera-Benavides said there was overwhelming interest, so the program was created.

Dozens of students are enrolled in the agriculture course at Mona Jain Middle, and 13 students are involved in the school’s FFA program.

Rivera-Benavides hopes by the end of the school year, students will be able to educate other students with what they’ve learned through the agriculture course, which hopefully will spark an interest in more students enrolling in the agriculture elective or joining FFA. Rivera-Benavides said she receives a range of questions as students are introduced to agriculture. She’s been asked if rabbits can produce milk and if chickens are birds.

“You learn how important agriculture literacy is in our communities and how important it is for kids to know where their food comes from, how it’s processed, what livestock we use, what plants we use and more,” Rivera-Benavides said. “It’s important for us here because we’re not too far off from Myakka City, which is where a lot of production still happens.”

Building a program from the ground up comes with the excitement of a literal blank landscape on which to build but also an overwhelming sense to exceed expectations.

“Not many people get the chance to start a brand new program, and the fact I have the privilege to do so, I was very awestruck at first,” RiveraBenavides said. “I want to do something that will last. I want to build something that when I’m long gone from this school, there can be something stable and that will continue.

It’s building a legacy, which is a lot as a new teacher.”

Rivera-Benavides said she’s proud of the progress the program has made since school started in August.

With the help of Mona Jain’s Technology Student Association students, the program has Earth boxes and other planters outside in a fenced area, giving agriculture students the chance to work hands-on with plants.

If students aren’t able to go outside, Rivera-Benavides has handson lessons for her students to do inside. Students have been able to make edible dirt cups and participate in a lab lesson on butter.

Starting with plants has been an easy way to introduce students to agriculture and teach them responsibility. Students are responsible for planting and tending to the plants to ensure they don’t die.

In September, the FFA program branched out to allow three students to prepare to show rabbits at the Manatee County Fair.

Rivera-Benavides said rabbits are an excellent first step for students who wish to show larger animals at the fair in the future.

Rivera-Benavides said students have to care for the rabbits at home as the school builds a more permanent rabbit hutch.

Next semester, students will start working with chickens. Chicken coups will be built on campus.

RiveraBenavides said i t ’s important to have the facilities c o n s t r u c te d on campus to ensue the program is accessible for all students

knowing not every student can keep an animal at home.

Although the program has progressed, Rivera-Benavides said it hasn’t been without its challenges.

Hurricane Milton delayed work on the land lab as Milton destroyed the shade structure.

Rivera-Benavides worried the damages to the land lab would cause students’ interest in agriculture to fade, but she said constant updates helped keep students engaged and motivated to continue with enthusiasm.

Students planted seeds a week after Hurricane Milton. RiveraBenavides said she’s pleased with the “phenomenal progress” the plants have made in a month.

In the spring, Rivera-Benavides said she might implement lessons using the aquaponics equipment she has, which will give students an opportunity to create a system that will use fish to help sustain the health of plants.

Rivera-Benavides also is focused on the future.

She said fellow FFA advisors and agriculture teachers throughout the School District of Manatee County, especially Jessica Jones at Haile Middle School and Carolyn Gilbert at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, have been instrumental in providing resources and guidance as Rivera-Benavides has started to build the program and curriculum.

“It’s a big community on sharing and exchanging because our students are going to interact with each other at the fair, at FFA competitions,” Rivera-Benavides said.

“Manatee County has a big, strong agriculture education community and agriculture in general. It’s tremendous the amount of support I’ve gotten from our people and from the community.”

In following years, Rivera-Benavides wants to continue to expand the agriculture program, both in numbers and opportunities for students.

Next school year, she would like to have a greenhouse built on campus to allow students to grow and experiment with different varieties of plants.

In the future, she wants to have goats on campus.

While other agriculture programs allow students to have cows and pigs on campus, Rivera-Benavides said with how Mona Jain Middle School is zoned, the school is not allowed to have large animals on campus. With permission, she said students would be able to care for pigs and cows at their homes and show them at the Manatee County Fair as members of Mona Jain Middle’s FFA chapter.

“This year is a bit of a learning curve, but once this year ends, I feel like we should have something stable and something to build on,” she said.

Dr. Mona Jain Middle School’s new agriculture program gives seventh grader Jaiden Morgan and eighth grader Cooper Burke an opportunity to work hands on with plants.

Josalynne Hernandez, a seventh grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, has always wanted an opportunity to show a rabbit in the Manatee County Fair. This school year, she will have her chance as she shows Queso.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

SIDE OF RANCH

9A

JAY HEATER

Should Ranch music fans be singing the blues?

Quality lineup drew only 750 fans at the first Lakewood Ranch Music Festival.

Y

ou have to love Music on Main and the live music that Schroeder-Manatee Ranch supplies for us at that monthly free event.

On the first Friday of the month, the folding chairs start setting up a couple of hours before the show begins and a line of humanity forms down Lakewood Main Street, until it’s difficult from the back row to see the musicians’ facial expressions.

The musicians are good, too.

Regionally, they have big reputations and they draw nice crowds.

In the case of Music on Main, we’re talking thousands.

That being said, I don’t think most of those musicians would take offense if you said they aren’t in the class of the blues artists who performed Dec. 7 at Waterside Place in the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.

Which makes me wonder if this is just another story about affluent people who are willing to stand in an hour-long line to get a free donut, but aren’t willing to walk right up to the counter to pay $7.50 for filet mignon.

Music on Main — thousands.

First Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival — 750.

I don’t get it.

In the 30 years of Lakewood Ranch, I know the SMR brain trust has spent many brainstorming sessions trying to figure out how to enrich the community’s cultural offerings. There was thought put into a theater near the Main Street at Lakewood Ranch hub and an

Jay Heater

Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets into his work during his set at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Place.

attempt to help The Sarasota Players become the Waterside Place Players with prime real estate at that entertainment hub.

I imagine when SMR sold the Premier Sports Campus and acreage to the north of it to Manatee County in 2017 that SMR was imagining some kind of amphitheater or events center on the property.

That hasn’t happened in the seven years since. It might be noted that in terms of the Premier sales agreement, the county must operate the site as a park for at least 25 years, and I hope that clock hasn’t started ticking yet.

Meanwhile, there have been plenty of SMR-backed smaller concerts in parks and regular minor music offerings at the Waterside Place Pavilion. The lifestyle aspect has been a huge concern for SMR, but I would imagine any of us would go nuts trying to figure out what other people want.

Other than Music on Main, there hasn’t been any permanent stage area that can host what you would consider touring musical artists.

Now has come the eight-acre Waterside Place island park, which celebrated its grand opening in April once the restroom facilities,

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play areas, splash pads, volleyball courts and exercise equipment all were in place.

Even with all the amenities, there’s probably a good six acres of open land that could be used to host musical events. The setting on Dec. 7 was gorgeous. Blue skies, temperatures in the 70s, a strip of land bordering Kingfisher Lake, plenty of room for vendors and a short walk to restaurants and shops.

Everyone who attended raved about the setting and about how they were hungry for more. Unfortunately, there weren’t a whole lot of them from Lakewood Ranch.

I am sure music producers Paul Benjamin and Morgan BettesAngell couldn’t have hoped for a better environment to host their first blues festival. It would have been perfect if the crowd had been close to their anticipated target of 1,500.

Bettes-Angell made it clear they were thrilled with the first event, and they were going forward with plans to build an annual event that would get bigger each year.

As Bettes-Angell said, “Everyone loves an event.”

But should it be — “Everyone loves a free event.”

The ticket price for the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival was $75 general admission. That’s a small amount in today’s music world considering the lineup was seven bands that were well known on the national blues scene. Want to see for yourself? Call up Melody Angel, Dylan Triplett, Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s, Kat Riggins, Monster Mike Welch, Vanessa Collier, and the Danielle Nicole Band online.

I would not consider myself a blues fan, but I am a music fan.

While I might not be buying any of their recordings, I have one word for their live concert performances — “Wow.” Of course, maybe the explanation

is as simple as residents of Lakewood Ranch simply don’t like the blues. Perhaps Bettas-Angell would be better off getting Blue Oyster Cult and Alice Cooper? Would we rather see Shakespeare or ballet or jazz?

Bettes-Angell said the producers were in the black after the proceeds were counted from the first Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival, but I wonder if that had more to do with Bank of America’s sponsorship and SMR’s backing. For now, the quality of the programming probably is enough to bring the event back in 2025, but if the community doesn’t respond, how long will it be before another attempt to bring music events to the area dies a quiet death?

What I would like to hear from you, the readers, is what you would like to see, and what you don’t want. If blues is a bad idea, speak up. Did you like the lineup at the blues festival, but something kept you away? Let me know. Parking?

Bettes-Angell had shuttles ready to go, even though they weren’t needed.

The area’s residents are certainly willing to search for parking at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch for the free Music on Main to see regional bands. Why was this different? Was it the $75 ticket? Send me a note at JHeater@YourObserver.com.

Perhaps music isn’t our thing.

Would you be willing to line up at this very cool venue if they were offering a free donut?

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

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Success from within

Make

Manatee district finds success recruiting teachers and administrators from within school communities.

A Plan. I

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

n August 2023, Michelle Sanchez was working in the warehouse section of Marshalls.

She was responsible for receiving the shipping trucks, getting the store ready and more.

Sanchez said she was exhausted by the work and missing out on time with her children, Tiago and Luca.

“I would come home for dinner and say goodbye to everybody because I was tired and had to go to bed,” she said.

When Claudia Ramos, Tiago Sanchez’s teacher at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, encouraged Sanchez to apply to become a paraprofessional, Sanchez was interested.

Sanchez was hired at Bashaw Elementary in August 2023 and said she has no regrets.

Sanchez isn’t the only parent who has changed professions to become an educator for the School District of Manatee County.

Principals are finding one of the best ways to recruit is to look within their school communities, helping to address the shortage of paraprofessionals and teachers.

Kimberlain Zenon, the principal of Braden River Middle School, said she sees parents, paraprofessionals and teachers with the same passion and love for the school and students as she has and encourages them to pursue the next level. She wants to help her paraprofessionals become teachers and teachers become administrators.

“Trying to build that capacity within the school kind of leads to sustainability within the school,” Zenon said. “You’re keeping the same passion, same love all within the building. I wouldn’t be in this

It Makes a Difference.

Liz Ramos

position without that same love being shown to me, because I didn’t see that in myself.”

Before becoming an educator, Zenon was working at Manatee County Rural Health to use her biology degree and later went on to child support enforcement when she learned she could use her biology degree to become a teacher.

It wasn’t until her sons, Jeremy Jones and Josh Jones, were in kindergarten and second grade respectively at Braden River Elementary that she looked into earning a teaching certificate. She had been around Manatee County schools all her life, and she was involved at Braden River Elementary when her boys were there.

In 1996, Zenon started as a science teacher at Braden River Middle and fell in love with education.

There were benefits for Zenon to be working at the school next door to where her sons were learning every day. She could zip over for afterschool activities and conferences and still be involved in the school.

Growing up in Manatee County, Zenon said teachers always were telling her she would like education, but her response was steadfastly that she was going into the medical field with dreams of becoming either a doctor

Michelle Sanchez, a paraprofessional at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, is able to spend more time with her son, Tiago Sanchez, now that she works at his school.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

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or a pharmacist.

“I could have been in the classroom four more years if I would have just listened,” she said.

Zenon said she’s debating whether she could still pursue a doctorate but in the education field rather than the medical field.

Lauren Donnelly was a stay-athome mother to her daughters, Emma, who is now a sophomore at Lakewood Ranch High school, and Reese, who is now a sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School.

While Emma was in elementary school, Donnelly said she was in her classroom as a volunteer constantly.

When Reese was in pre-K, Donnelly was asked if she would be interested in becoming a substitute teacher, and since then, she’s only spent more days in the classroom.

“Once Reese got into elementary school, I decided I’ve always really loved children and I thought it was time for me to get back in the workforce.” Donnelly said. “I thought getting my foot in the door any way possible would be extremely beneficial.”

Donnelly has worked her way up from substitute teacher to classroom aide to classroom teacher.

Donnelly now is in her fourth year serving as a kindergarten teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary School.

“It’s kind of ironic because I was an aide for the majority of these kindergarten teachers, and now I’m part of their team with my own classroom,” she said. “I love kindergarten. I love that they are still at that age where they want to give you a hug when you come in the door. I feel kindergarten is one of the hardest grades to teach but it’s also the most beneficial because they come in as 4-year-old babies not knowing anything and they leave us as big kids.”

Donnelly and Sanchez never saw themselves pursuing a career in education, but it wasn’t until they were in the classroom because of their children that they were inspired.

Before becoming a stay-at-home mother and later an educator, Donnelly was selling medical equipment.

Donnelly said after she graduated from college, the life she expected didn’t line up with what she was seeing in her family. “What you saw

TIPS TO ENTERING EDUCATION Principal Kimberlain Zenon shares tips for entering education: ■ Get a mentor to ask questions and receive guidance.

■ Look into what is necessary to start the process for what you’re looking for.

■ Stay the course and don’t give up.

■ Be ready prepared and study for exams.

career wise doesn’t line up with the life you want for your family,” she said. “Your whole perspective on life changes.”

Now Donnelly and Sanchez are able to have the same hours as their children as well as holidays and summers off with their children.

Sanchez, Donnelly and Zenon all had to make adjustments as they switched careers.

Sanchez said the transition from working at a department store to the classroom as an English for Speakers of Other Languages paraprofessional and classroom aide was somewhat frightening.

But working at the same school her son attends means she’s spending more time with Tiago Sanchez.

They drive to school together, and they’re at Bobcat Care, the afterschool program, together before they drive home.

Sanchez said since she’s started working at the school, her son has been a “different kid” as they spend more time together. She’s seen her son come out of his shell and develop more in school.

Getting to know the students she works with, seeing them progress academically and learning how to best approach each student has been the most pleasurable parts of her job.

Sanchez plans to earn her teaching certificate so she can become an elementary school teacher, which will benefit her future, she said.

“That helps me as a woman, as a mother growing up in my life,” she said. “As a mom, we’re doing so many things for others, and I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m doing something for myself now that makes me happy.’ I’m thinking about the future.”

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State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services and activities, including admission and employment.

Direct inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies to Equal Opportunity Officer, 941-752-5599, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

HOLIDAY SALE Need the perfect gift?

Photos by Vinnie Portell

Ariana Uhlinger made 15 of 25 free throws to win the girls 8- 9-year-old group at the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Hoop Shoot at Carlos E. Haile Middle School on Monday, Dec. 9.

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Winners of each age bracket (8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 for boys and girls) now advance to the district tournament in Sarasota. The overall event is funded by the Elks National Foundation.

From there, they will have the chance to move on to the state, regional and national levels.

Xavier Uhlinger is no stranger to the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Hoop Shoot. He competed in it for the third straight year, making 22 of 25 free-throw attempts to win the boys 12-13 age group.

“I won it last year, but I had a better score this year, so it shows I’m improving,” said Uhlinger, who doesn’t go to bed many nights until he makes at least 20 out of 25 freethrow attempts at the basketball hoop at his house. “There’s a personal pressure.”

Uhlinger was joined by his younger sister, Ariana, who won the girls 8- 9-year-old age group by making 15 of 25 free-throws. Her reward of post-competition ice cream was all the motivation she needed to participate.

Other group winners included Liam Goutos (17 of 25 free throws in the boys 8-9 age group), Claire Bullock (20 of 25 free throws in the girls 10-11 age group), London Robinson (20 of 25 free throws in the boys 10-11 group) and Mia Posada-Wilcher (15

Annual Elks Hoop Shoot showcases young basketball sharpshooters.

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ne hundred free throws was all that was standing in the way of kids 8-13 years old from making it into the national spotlight.

Of course, most of those have to go in.

For six Lakewood Ranch-area kids, that number has now been whittled down to 75.

The Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge hosted its annual Elks Hoop Shoot on Dec. 9 at Carlos E. Haile Middle School in East County.

The rules of the Hoop Shoot are simple. Contestants have five warmup free throws before proceeding to shoot two rounds of free throws — one round of 10 shots and one round of 15 shots.

Whoever makes the most free throws in those 25 attempts wins his or her age bracket.

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YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

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TRIBUTES Samuel Anderson “Andy” Reasoner 1954-2024 Samuel Anderson “Andy” Reasoner, 69, of Bradenton, FL passed away quietly on Wednesday, November 27 in hospice care at Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a short hospital stay. A (long-winded) storyteller and generous soul ‘til the end, he will be missed by all who knew him.

Keegan Mulligan lines up his freethrow attempt as his fellow contestants look on at Carlos E. Haile Middle School during the Lakewood RanchSarasota Elks Hoop Shoot on Monday, Dec. 9.

of 25 free throws in the girls 12-13 age group).

However, none of those contestants would have had a chance to compete in this local competition if not for the persistence of event organizer Randy Volkart.

Volkart, a member of the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge, is a former high school basketball player who wanted to restart the Hoop Shoot in the area after it went on hiatus for a few years.

“I started calling every place I could think of,” he said. “I finally found Wave basketball, and I called (Luis Morales), and he was all excited about doing it. This is our third year doing it (since the event returned).

Our first year we hardly had anybody because we didn’t know what we were doing. This is our best turnout yet.”

Morales is the founder and owner of Wave Basketball Academy, an AAU program in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, and he’s been a driving force in reviving the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Hoop Shoot.

He said only about five to six kids showed up for the first year back in 2022, but that’s since grown to 21 participants – most of whom play for one of his Wave teams.

“I love basketball, I love our community, and I want to help it grow,” Morales said. “It’s great to see kids be successful.”

Andy was a fifth-generation nurseryman born in Bradenton, FL on November 28, 1954, to Rae Ferguson and Egbert “Bud” Reasoner.

He went to high school at the Culver Military Academy in northern Indiana where he played football and polo and was a proud member of the Black Horse Troop.

He went on to earn a BS in Tropical Horticulture from the University of FL and served as the class spokesman of the first Leadership Manatee class sponsored by the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce. He did his part to carry on the rich Reasoner family history in Manatee County as owner of Andy Reasoner’s Royal Palm Nurseries. After years of wrangling with county government about property taxes for historic structures, Andy grudgingly sold Beth Salem, the iconic 2-story green Victorian family homestead built in 1896 that had been converted to his business offices located

say that the early years of that project took a decade off his life, but the now-thriving complex was a source of great personal pride and is the legacy he leaves his family.

Outside of work Andy was a Commissioner of the Cedar Hammock Fire Control District, had served as secretary/treasurer of the Southeast HS Athletic Boosters while his son was a student-athlete, was the President and member emeritus of the Southeast HS IB Parent Alliance, loved his time as a volunteer with the Youth Group at First Presbyterian, Sarasota, Bay Haven Odyssey of the Mind and Southeast High School TSA when his children were participants, supported the Manatee County Ag

on SR 70 next to the Sam’s Club near 301. With the sale of that property, which has since been developed as a Racetrac, Andy reluctantly closed Royal Palm Nurseries and finished that chapter of Manatee County’s agricultural history. He worked tirelessly with the Smathers Library at the University of FL to provide old nursery catalogs, ledgers and family communications to offer the public one-of-a-kind research resources for native FL and exotic plants as well as some of the early history of Manatee County. Rather than retire after his horticultural career was over, Andy turned his energies to real estate development and built a 220-unit apartment complex, Royal Palm Terrace in Bradenton. He would often

Museum, the Palma Sola Botanical Park, Yellowstone National Park and every dance school and troupe his daughter performed with.

And lest we forget, he was a life-long avid Gator fan.

Andy is survived by his wife, Beth Byron-Reasoner, his sons Ryan “Addison” (Holmes Beach, FL) and Byron “Tyler” (Los Angeles, CA), his daughter, Lauren who is currently attending the University of South Carolina, and daughter-in-law, Maya. He also leaves behind his brother, Alan “Ward” Reasoner, a sister, Elizabeth Rae Reasoner, sisters inlaw Theresa Reasoner and Laura Pfender and nieces and nephews including Justin and Jesse Reasoner, Evan Reasoner Pfender, and Aidan and Priya Sharma. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, father-in-law, and family dogs Roxy and T-Bow – all of whom he plans on seeking out in heaven.

SERVICE: Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life with a catered reception following at 3:00pm on Sunday, December 15th at First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota. Andy will be cremated, and his ashes will spend eternity throughout Yellowstone National Park.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manatee County Ag Museum (1015 6th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221 or www. manateecountyagmuseum. com/donate or the Palma Sola Botanical Park (P.O. Box 14214, Bradenton, FL 34280 or https://palmasolabp.org/ donate/).

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YourObserver.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Nonprofit fights financial stress of cancer The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation covers the cost of living expenses for patients actively undergoing cancer treatment.

LESLEY DWYER

ABOUT THE NONPROFIT

STAFF WRITER

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hen the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation stepped forward to pay Jessica Mendez’s rent, the single mother of four said the gift put “new air in her lungs.”

“When you don’t pay the rent on time, you can’t sleep,” Mendez said. “I just went to sleep peacefully because I paid my rent.”

Two of her children are grown and out of the house, but her two youngest, Ian and Amanda Huezo, are teenagers still living at home.

Mendez will never forget the day she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was Oct. 18, 2022.

Earlier that year, Mendez decided to make a career change. She wanted to leave the office work at the Florida Department of Education behind and put her master’s degree into practice in the classroom.

She started teaching pre-K at Manatee Elementary School that fall, but on Oct. 18, she hadn’t been with the school district for more than 90 days, so her benefits hadn’t taken effect yet.

Mendez’s doctor scheduled surgery for four days later and said she’d need to stay home for eight weeks. On top of the fear and emotional stress of being diagnosed with cancer, Mendez faced the panic of having no insurance and possibly losing her job.

Mendez wouldn’t be paid for any time missed, and if she stayed home for more than six weeks, she wouldn’t be able to return to her classroom.

After hearing Mendez’s story, a nurse navigator at Sarasota Memorial Hospital referred her to the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, which paid $3,000 to cover six weeks’ worth of rent while

Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, 5985 Silver Falls Run, Suite 210. Visit FCSF.org.

Mission statement: Providing nonmedical, financial assistance to adults undergoing cancer treatment in Florida to allow them to focus on fighting cancer.

Courtesy image

“Not only are they going through active cancer treatment, but they’ve been affected by the hurricanes.”

— Lynn Rasys, Executive Director

Mendez was healing from surgery and undergoing chemotherapy.

Mendez was advised to stay home for eight weeks, but went back to work after five weeks under strict instructions to stay seated most of the day.

She’ll continue to take a chemotherapy drug through May, but Mendez is now cancer-free.

“Florida Cancer Specialists are not giving money only,” Mendez said. “They treated me like family.

Dr. (Elizabeth) Guancial doesn’t know me, but she treated me like a friend and talked to me all the time, step by step.”

The foundation provides financial aid to cancer patients all over Florida, and they do not have to be patients of the Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute.

Ian and Amanda Huezo, Jessica Mendez, Executive Director Lynn Rasys and Mendez’s friend Erica Molinar attend Farm to Table Tampa Bay in November. The event benefited the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation.

The foundation provides “essential everyday living expenses,” which includes rent, mortgage payments, utility bills and auto insurance. Grantees must be 18 and older and undergoing active cancer treatment, which includes 90 days following the last treatment.

Executive Director Lynn Rasys said the foundation gave away over $2 million in financial assistance last year, which was its biggest year ever.

“However, we’re projecting to end 2024 at $2.5 million,” Rasys said. “The cost of goods, living, medical expenses — everything has gone up — and the flood gates have opened. The applications are nonstop.”

The foundation receives about 4,000 applications a year, but not all applicants qualify under the financial requirements. Applicants must have an annual income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and have less than $5,000 in total household liquid assets.

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DECEMBER 12, 2024

SPORTS

“I’m looking forward to hopefully making it to the state tournament. I want to be No. 1 or at least the best that I can be.” — Lakewood Ranch High’s Shawn Maestre

Fast

Break

Courtesy photo

Lakewood Ranch’s Ava DiPasquale holds the Florida Swimming 100- and 200-yard IM records.

L

akewood Ranch resident Ava DiPasquale, a 13-year-old member of the Sarasota Tsunami Swim Team, set the Florida Swimming 100- and 200-yard individual medley records while competing at the 2024 Gator Holiday Classic at the FAST Aquatic Center in Ocala Dec. 6-8. Her times of 59.4 in the 100 IM and 2:07.9 in the 200 IM rank DiPasquale first and second in the nation, respectively.

On the day, DiPasquale won six individual events. … Saraiah Walkes, the Eastern Michigan University senior and Out-of-Door Academy alum, is a star sprinter on the Women’s Track and Field team. Walkes, who was a First Team All-MAC selection in the 2023-24 indoor season and a Second Team All-MAC selection in the outdoor season, ran well in Eastern Michigan’s seasonopening indoor meet, the GVSU Holiday Open at Grand Valley State University on Dec. 6. Walkes ran a personal best 54.79 in the 400 meters, the 10th fastest time in EMU program history and good for a second place finish to teammate Josephine Oloye. Walkes will next race at the Wolverine Invitational at the University of Michigan on Jan. 11. … The Lakewood Ranch High varsity wrestling team earned a second-place finish in the 17-team Mulberry Duals tournament at Mulberry High School on Dec. 7 with a team record of 5-1. Juniors Aaron Rodriguez (106 pounds) Cameron Seems (113 pounds) and Aiden Sanders (120 pounds) all went 6-0 on the day. Lakewood Ranch will next host Parrish Community High in a dual meet for the Mustangs’ senior night Dec. 11. … Runners with the holiday spirit should head over to Nathan Benderson Park for the Sarasota Christmas Glow 5K 5:45 p.m. Dec. 14 Participants will enjoy the dozens of Christmas decorations along the course.

Lakewood Ranch boys golf seniors Henry Burbee, Parker Severs and Luke Wilson led the team to a second-place finish in the state championship golf tournament at Mission Inn Resort and Club on Nov. 20.

WHAT’S NEXT

WAY ABOVE PAR

Three prized seniors lead the Mustangs to a second consecutive runner-up finish at the state tournament.

DYLAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER

A

mong the many banners hanging in the Lakewood Ranch High School gym, three stand out.

They are dedicated to the boys varsity golf team, which won three state titles from 2011 to 2013. Those banners, for head coach Dave Frantz, are reminders of the level of excellence the program constantly chases and the potential it has to be great.

The Mustangs have gotten close to the top in recent years. In 2023, Lakewood Ranch finished second overall in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A tournament. In November, the team (598) finished seven strokes behind Melbourne’s Viera High (591) in the state championship tournament at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-inthe-Hills after winning its district and regional tournaments.

The state tournament is held at the Mission Inn Resort for a reason. The course is tight and heavily wooded, with the rolling undulations for which Florida Hill Country is known. It is also, Frantz said, a course with unique psychological pressures. While many players in the state tournament have played the course individually, they rarely play it in a team setting.

“There’s something about the psychology of not letting your team down that affects everybody, whether you’re an adult or a kid,” Frantz said. “You’ve got woods, you’ve got big, tall trees, wind, hills and team pressure, and you put all of that together and stir. Not to mention that nowadays, more people are playing golf and teams are even stronger than they were 10 years ago.”

SENIOR LEADERS

Leading the charge this season for Lakewood Ranch was senior Parker Severs, who represents the highest echelon of Lakewood Ranch golf.

In November, Severs, a nationally ranked recruit, signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Florida after graduation.

Severs started for Frantz all four years of his high school career, tied for second in the individual standings in both the 2023 and 2024 state tournaments and won the 3A District 11 championship at Jacaranda West on Oct. 28 when he set a course record with a 64. Severs also placed first individually in the Titan Invitational tournament at Hammock Beach on Sept. 20-21.

For Severs, amidst all of the success, these past four seasons have been a period of growth. While Frantz has not been as involved in the mechanical aspects of Severs’ game, the head coach, who taught AP psychology at Lakewood Ranch High for 16 years, has helped him manage the emotional ups and downs that come with the sport.

“I still show a lot of emotion, but in my freshman year, I was perhaps a little more panicked on the course,” Severs said. “Everything had to be perfect and if I had a bad day, it was the end of the world.”

Severs admitted that over these past two seasons, he hasn’t consistently played his best game. However, when the doesn’t play his best, he’s learned to recover midround.

“Even if I’ve had a bad front nine or posted a poor score, I know that I’m still capable of winning the tournament,” he said.

Next on the list is fellow senior Henry Burbee, the team’s only lefty.

Burbee, who tied for 20th at the state

GOAL ORIENTED PAGE 18A

Courtesy images

Mustangs Owen Gellaty, Brett Traver and Luke Wilson work on their bunker play before the state tournament.

Although the three seniors are headed their separate ways, they say the bond they shared on the course will never fade. Parker Severs, Henry Burbee and Luke Wilson all spoke about how much playing at Lakewood Ranch has meant to them. “Although the season didn’t culminate in a state title this year, there’s a lot more to it than just getting the win,” Wilson said. “It’s been a special experience these past four years — from the time school ends to when the sun sets, the team is out there working together, competing and building a great culture together.”

Severs is headed to the University of Florida, Burbee is going to the University of West Florida and Wilson is undecided.

Frantz said Wilson has the talent to play at the collegiate level, but the senior might have a different future planned for himself.

Golf, and the lessons he learned with the team, will always have a place in Wilson’s heart, but for now, he’s planning on taking a gap year after high school with hopes of attending the University of Wisconsin afterward.

tournament and who is committed to play at the University of West Florida, has spent his life on the course.

His father, Joe, is a teaching golf professional and his brother, Jack, is a junior golfer at West Florida. Burbee, who said that the best parts of his game are his ability to drive and putt, played well for the Mustangs all season long, including an individual win at the Lakewood Ranch invitational Aug. 30-31.

“Henry is a workaholic. He’s worked tremendously on his game,” Frantz said. “He’s been a four-year starter for me and has gotten better and better every single year.”

The other senior force on the team is Luke Wilson, who tied for 33rd at the state tourney.

When Wilson was a freshman, he didn’t even make the team — he’d only started golfing competitively that year.

Wilson went to work, however, spending hours each day after school training to improve his game.

As a sophomore, he made the team.

By his junior year, he was starting for the Mustangs in tournaments and by the time his senior year had rolled around, Wilson had become an essential part of the team’s success.

Wilson had his signature moment during the second day of the state tournament, when Viera High was beginning to pull away from Lakewood Ranch.

“I soon realized that one of our other players was having some difficulty and did not get off to a good start,” said Frantz. “I pulled Luke aside and said as a senior, I’m going to need you to be one of our scores (that count). And he played the last back nine one-under-par, shot a 75 and gutted it out. When he made the turn he promised me that he was going to do it and he did.”

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

CAMPBELL’S CORNER

DYLAN CAMPBELL

All calm on the Braden River soccer front B raden River High girls varsity soccer head coach Don Engelberger exudes a calm energy.

Dressed in a tie-dyed T-shirt and blacked-out Ray-Ban sunglasses, Engelberger laughs readily with his team during a practice Dec. 2. For Engelberger, all is right in the world as his team is 3-0-4 and starting to jell.

Despite his placid demeanor, however, Engelberger is not afraid to turn up the heat.

“I hear a lot of chatter out there,” Engelberger tells his players. “I know that you’re all excited to be back after fall break, but if you keep it up, some wind sprints will cut out that talking real quick.”

Ten minutes later, his players were running wind sprints.

For Engelberger, maintaining that balance between levity and discipline is key, he said.

Last season, the Pirates went 11-3-5 before losing to Parrish Community High twice in the playoffs — first in the 5A District 10 championship game and again in the regional quarterfinal of the 5A state championship tournament. This season, Engelberger said Braden River has a more complete roster as it attempts to avenge those losses.

Engleberger said Braden River, which started out its season with four straight draws — including a 2-2 tie against Parrish Community Nov. 14 — is more complete because of its talent in goal.

In seven games, the Pirates have allowed just seven goals. Senior Lorelai Lis, 5-foot-6, started for the Pirates as a sophomore and junior, had nine shutouts last season.

Joining Lis in the net is 6-foot Kaele Smith, a transfer this year

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Braden River features a host of new and returning players that will make an impact in 2024.

■ MF, Maddie Baehr, Jr. ■ MF, Maddie Epperson, Sr. ■ CMF, Abbey Jackson, Sr. ■ D, Samantha Baker, Sr. ■ MF, Laila Johnston, So. ■ STRK, Victoria Caiazzo, So.

Braden River girls varsity soccer head coach Don Engelberger has been leading the program since 2009.

from IMG Academy. Smith, who has 28 saves in four games played this season, is long and lithe and Engleberger said she has unbelievable instincts. Together, Smith and Lis have formed a rock solid foundation for the Pirates defense.

Although the two are competing for playing time, there is no rift between them. At practice, the two are in sync, swapping places for

Photos by Dylan Campbell

Braden River senior goalie Kaele Smith battles with sophomore midfielder Lorelei Bomar during practice on Dec. 2.

equal repetitions in team drills and working together when separated from the team.

“They’re both competitive and they both want to play, but they’re also supportive of each other,” Engelberger said. “I haven’t had the conflict that some teams might have in regards to bringing in someone to compete with an established starter. When one of them makes a save, the other is right there cheering them on.”

Braden River’s success, however, will depend on more than just the strong play of its goalkeepers.

Gone from last season are the Pirates two leading scorers, senior strikers Niley Molina and Carly Stella. Molina and Stella, who scored 14 and 11 goals, respectively, were not able to play this season because of off-the-field work commitments. Replacing that scoring, Engelberger stated, will have to come from a number of different sources, not just one player.

Many of the Pirates’ key players have been moved around the field, switching positions on the fly based on offensive scheme and

the momentum of the game. Junior midfielder Maddie Baehr, who has three goals as of Dec. 4, and sophomore midfielder Cameron Kolbe, who’s scored twice, have shifted back and forth between striker and midfield.

Controlling the midfield, which Engelberger called the “heartbeat” of the team, is senior captain Abbey Jackson. Although Jackson, who shares the title of captain with senior defender Samantha Baker and senior outside wing Maddie Epperson, has yet to score a goal this season, she makes an impact in other ways.

Jackson leads by example, said Engelberger, modeling for the younger players how to not only perform on the field, but in the classroom as well. For Jackson, the transition into a leadership role has been seamless thanks to the strong chemistry within the team.

“We set a certain standard here every year. Coach Engelberger sets the expectation for his captains to earn the respect of their teammates,” said Jackson. “I feel like all of the returning players still respect

that and the new players have meshed really well with everybody else.”

Coming into the fold this season for Braden River are newcomers Madilyn Tumolo, Jordynn Roberts and Victoria Caiazzo. Tumulo, a freshman defender, caught the eye of the coaching staff during tryouts.

“We kept tabs on who is going to make varsity and all three of us had her there,” said Engelberger. “I thought that she was a sophomore when I put her on the roster. She doesn’t play like a freshman. She doesn’t carry herself like a freshman, if she has a bad game, she learns from it.”

Roberts, a midfielder who is a 2028 graduate and is homeschooled yet still plays for Braden River, has three goals on the season and plays with “an air” about her, said Engelberger. The most impactful newcomer, however, has been Caiazzo, a sophomore striker who moved to the area from New York this fall. Armed with a combination of speed, strength and technical ability, Caiazzo has scored a teamhigh six goals in seven games.

It’s a squad that Engelberger feels good about. For within Braden River’s youth, within the roster filled with players taking on different roles, is a willingness to win.

A desire to be great. Engelberger has seen in practice how special his team can be.

“When it all comes together, it’s poetry in motion,” said Engelberger.

“There are frustrating moments when it doesn’t, but the trick is getting the girls to know that it’s OK to make a mistake. Let’s progress from that. I think they’re starting to buy into it.”

Dylan Campbell is the sports reporter for the East County Observer. Contact him at DCampbell@ YourObserver.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Shawn Maestre, a junior at Lakewood Ranch, only started wrestling competitively last season, but has already made an impression on head coach Pat Ancil. Maestre finished 15th in the state in the 165-pound weight class last season.

In the Mustangs’ season opening tournament at Mulberry High on Dec. 7, Maestre finished 3-0, pinning all three of his opponents.

tournament. I want to be No. 1 or at least the best wrestler that I can be.

What’s your favorite movie or television show?

One of my favorite movies is “Ready Player One.” I like anime, so I’d have to go with something along the lines of “Naruto” for TV.

When did you start wrestling and why?

I started wrestling in middle school, around sixth or seventh grade, but I didn’t start wrestling competitively until the beginning of 2024. I started wrestling competitively in high school just to stay in condition for football — I played middle linebacker — but I found out how naturally the sport came to me. I realized that I’m a talented wrestler and football wasn’t really working out, so I decided to just make wrestling my main sport.

What’s the appeal?

I like how competitive it is and how it doesn’t always depend on the team. Instead your success is based on how you perform and how much time you put into it.

What’s your best skill on the mat?

I’d say defending, so hand fighting, sprawling, circling behind and escaping. When I’m attacking, my favorite shot is the head throw.

What’s your favorite school subject?

I like health class. I enjoy learning about CPR and first aid; seems like the kind of thing that’s good to have in my back pocket.

Dive into Daily Crossword Fun!

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Shawn Maestre

If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Dylan Campbell at DCampbell@ YourObserver.com.

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What are your hobbies?

I love playing video games and watching anime. I like to play “Elden Ring,” “Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero” and the “Cyberpunk” series.

What’s the best advice that you’ve received?

To never give up when you’re in a tight situation. Just because you might’ve lost a match, it doesn’t mean that you’re worse than your opponent. You can always get better.

Finish this sentence. Shawn Maestre is …

A tough wrestler.

What’s your favorite wrestling memory?

I used to wrestle with my friend Trey Schwartz. He’s probably the best wrestler I’ve ever wrestled.

He gave me some super competitive matches and helped get me to where I am today.

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What are you most looking forward to this season?

I’m looking forward to hopefully making it to the state

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By the time Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s took the stage at midday, the area in front of the stage was packed. It was the third of seven bands to perform.

Photos by Jay Heater

Blues artist Dylan Triplett gets up close and personal with the fans during the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.

Sing those Waterside blues I

Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch brought energy to the event, playing with Dylan Triplett.

Palmer Ranch’s Jeff Hoffman, who always attended the Bradenton Blues Festival before it folded last year, says he likes the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival venue at Waterside Place better.

t was a quiet, cool morning Dec. 7 at Waterside Place as music fans crossed the footbridge onto the Waterside Park island for the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.

Then, with the very first note, Chicago blues artist Melody Angel burned through the opening set with a flamethrower of selections, injecting energy into a sleepy morning crowd to set the tone. The small crowd was up and dancing to Angel’s “Say It Ain’t So” before she took it up another notch with the Jimi Hendrix version of “Hey Joe.” “It was fun because I didn’t know what to expect,” Angel said. “You catch the vibe and the energy is the thing. The energy from the crowd was there.”

That energy, and the size of the crowd, continued to build throughout the day. About 750 fans attended the inaugural event.

South Pasadena’s Linda Laplante travels to blues events around the country, and she was impressed.

“I’m happy to see such top-name acts,” she said.

“This is a nice venue, and it is different in a positive way. Of course it’s nice to be outside and to be able to see the water. Then you are sitting on grass instead of dirt.”

Palmer Ranch’s Jeff Hoffman said he used to attend the Bradenton Blues Festival, which folded after last year’s final event. Producer Paul Benjamin basically took the festival to Lakewood Ranch.

“It would be a shame if we didn’t have this blues festival,” Hoffman said. “And I like it better here. This is top notch.”

Event co-Producer Morgan Bettes-Angell said she was dealing with the usual inaugural event hiccups, but that she was “super pleased.”

Will there be a second Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival?

“Absolutely,” she said. “This will be an annual event.”

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Melody Angel says, “It was fun because I didn’t know what to expect. You catch the vibe and the energy is the thing. The energy from the crowd was there.”

Co-producers Morgan Bettes-Angell and Paul Benjamin kick off the first Lakewood Ranch Blues on Festival Dec. 7 at Waterside Place.

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With a morning temperature of 48 degrees, runners had a reason to add some festive layers to their usual running attire, although much of it wasn’t for warmth.

Some donned antlers, others Santa hats, and some even wore Christmas lights around their necks as they ran the 5K race that is presented by the Manasota Track Club.

Jonathan Zagroba of Bradenton won the race with a time of 18:18.20. Heather Butcher of Nokomis was the first female contestant to cross the finish line with a time of 19:53.20.

But the end results weren’t much of a focus as many “runners” took up to an hour to finish.

Participants enjoyed bananas, apples, hamburgers, hotdogs and even Kona shaved ice while sharing laughs and support for runners completing their race.

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Join Ring Sarasota for a joyful holiday performance with special guest Sarasota Young Voices

FRIDAY, DEC. 13

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Mall at UTC lower level, Macy’s Court, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School Chorus will be featured as part of the Sounds of the Season free music series at the mall. Other performances are available as well.

Go to MallatUTC.com and click on events to see the schedule.

THE JINGLE 5K Santa Kids Dashes begin at 6:15 p.m., the street party begins at 6:30 p.m., and the 5K begins at 7 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The Publix Jingle 5K Run/Walk returns to Main Street at Lakewood Ranch to benefit the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Foundation and the Big Bill Foundation. Race entry is $45 for the 5K and $20 for the Santa Kids Dashes.

Join the crowd for this festive, family favorite holiday event. The 5K will be run in ambient street and portable lights with snow machines and holiday music along the way. A huge post race party will include food, beverages and activities. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

THURSDAY, DEC. 12 THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 15

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING Runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Soundwave (Friday), Black Snake Bayou Band (Saturday) and Bluestar Band (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5 while the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding. com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14 AND SUNDAY, DEC. 15

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 the Schmizt Brothers on Saturday and Dave Burns on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757.

THURSDAY, DEC. 12 THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 12

SUNDAY, DEC. 15

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 and pickles, among other items. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.

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ICE SKATING Runs Monday through Friday 4-10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Rink at UTC, in the UTC West District next to Ford’s Garage. Lace up the skates for winter fun at the Rink at UTC, presented by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Individual tickets are $17 per skater.

Tickets include skate rental. Group ticket prices are available. For information, email Sarasota@IceRinkEvents.com. All visits must be reserved in advance by purchasing timed tickets. To reserve, go to MallatUTC. com and click on events.

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CHRISTMAS GLOW RUN Run begins at 6 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The Sarasota Christmas Glow Run 5K is a familyfriendly event that features Christmas decorations at the start and finish line and music will kick start your Christmas season. Participants run or walk the lakeside-themed course and complimentary glow products are included with registration. Parking is $10 per car.

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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. Please do not bring coolers or bring outside food or beverages. Go to Waterside.com for more information.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

For a good Claus

The Palm Aire Women’s Club is led by co-President Debi Frock, Vice President Sandy Keir and co-President Carol Darling.

T

he Palm Aire Women’s Club’s monthly luncheon was a little merrier Dec. 5 as the members made like Santa Claus.

Club member Katherine Pike dressed as an elf, and co-President Debi Frock donned a red sequined Santa hat.

More importantly, the approximately 50 guests who showed up carried unwrapped toys for the holiday shop at Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, where victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can shop for free. “(The toys) mean so much to our survivors and their families,” Philanthropy Officer Melissa Ferlazzo said. “Most of them come to the shelter or the administration building, and they have nothing. They’re just trying to get away from the abuse, so for them to have gifts for their kids for the holidays means a lot.”

After lunch, attendees were treated to a holiday performance from the State College of Florida Chamber Choir. The bulk of the club’s annual fundraising goes to scholarships for SCF. The approximately $12,000 helps at least four students a year earn their degrees.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

— LESLEY DWYER

Lurray Myers is the chamber choir’s accompanist. She’s played piano for as long as she can remember and has been with the State College of Florida for 33 years.

Katherine Pike and Rosemarie Tamunday attend the Palm Aire Women’s Club luncheon at the Palm Aire Country Club on Dec. 5.

Meg Garofalo handles publicity for the club. She and club member Syble DiGirolamo celebrate their birthdays in December, so the club sang “Happy Birthday” to them.

New and old members celebrate the holidays together at the club’s December luncheon.

From left to right: Membership chair Pattie Meades, new members Pat Reinhart, Shirley Perdisatt, Mary Gard and co-President Debi Frock.

Holiday WORSHIP GUIDE

Area services and events to celebrate this joyous time of year

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

DECEMBER 24th 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School 435981-1

435608-1

941-921-3673 | www.goodshepherdsarasota.com

Christmas

CELEBRATE

Peace WITH

CHRISTMAS EVE Tuesday, December 24 @ 6 pm

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8010 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL (941) 378-0885 newlifesarasota.org

Live Nativity & Outdoor Music

Tuesday, Christmas Eve, December 24 5:00 pm & 7:00 pm Lessons, Carols, Communion & Candlelight

Peace Presbyterian Church 12705 St. Rd. 64 East, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34212 www.PEACEpcusa.com 941•753•7778

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Wednesday, December 18 @ 5 pm

Sunday, December 15, 5–7 pm The Path to Christmas

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BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE OF HEALING

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(The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) 5659 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL 34233

6B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Holiday WORSHIP GUIDE Christmas

JESUS’ HARMONY FOR SARASOTA’S HEART Christmas Eve services at 5pm and 11pm

at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

December 24 · 5, 7, & 9pm

Live Streamed Service at 7pm www.saklc.com

Lessons & Carols

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Blyth, Pastor Michael J. Bodnyk, Minister of Music

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Prelude concert begins 20 minutes before each service

December 25 10am Worship

December 29th 9am & 11am Worship

40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota, FL 941.388.1234 office@saklc.com www.saklc.com

CH R IST M AS EV E

CANDLELIGHT SERV ICE

DECEMBER 24, 5 PM 435686-1

Holy Communion, Festive Brass & Timpani at all services

2185 Wood Street, Sarasota, FL 941.365.0844 concordiasarasota.org

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Christmas Morning service at 10am

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We invite you and your family to join us for a special Christmas tradition as we celebrate the reason for this holiday season with classic Christmas carols and meaningful candlelight moments.

DR. JOHN CROSS, SENIOR PASTOR

FIRSTSARASOTA.ORG

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key

Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Children’s Christmas Pageant 3:30pm

Christmas Eve Mass 4:00pm

Christmas Music Prelude 6:30pm

Christmas Eve Mass 7:00 pm

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Wednesday, December 25, 2024-8:00am & 10:00am

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Christmas Day

YourObserver.com

7B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

CHRISTMAS EVE

Worship with Holy Communion, 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. with music from the Voices of Faith Choir

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Eve 3pm, 5pm, 10:30pm

REDEEME R

Christmas Day 10am

of the

Childcare available for ages 4 and under at the 3pm and 5pm services.

Downtown Sarasota | 222 S. Palm Ave. | RedeemerSarasota.org

Faith Lutheran Church ELCA

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CHURCH

7750 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL 34238 | 941.924.4664 435606-1

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Worship with Holy Communion, 10:00 a.m.

SIESTA KEY CHAPEL PRESBYTERIAN (USA)

Christmas Eve Services

LIVING LORD

5:30 pm Worship in the Chapel

LUTHERAN CHURCH

Family Service with Live Nativity

8:00 pm Worship in the Chapel

11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 (941) 753-9365

Candlelight Service with Communion

Celebration of His Birth

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

941.349.1166 4615 Gleason Ave. Siesta Key

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siestakeychapel.org

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Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 1031 South Euclid Avenue, Sarasota (941) 953-7044

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

*Livestreamed via our website uccsarasota.com/YouTube/Facebook

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4:00 p.m. ~ Sanctuary (special music) 7:00 p.m. ~ Sanctuary (special music)* 11:00 p.m. ~ Sanctuary (communion)

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Area services and events to celebrate this joyous time of year 435599-1

Both in person and live streamed on Facebook

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at 4:00 pm & 7:00pm.

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Tuesday, December 24

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

PET PICS

REGISTER TODAY!

Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them!

Share them at YourObserver.com/Contests/Pet-Pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

th 25

WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE: Luke, of Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch, became tangled in Christmas lights during the tree trimming process.

ANNIVERSARY

CHALLENGE

JANUARY 17-19, 2025 SPECIAL GRAND PRIZE

Exclusive Dinner, Wine for Four at the famous Maison Blanche

PRE-TOURNAMENT RECEPTION & CEREMONY Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks Thursday, Jan. 16 | 5 to 7 p.m. at The Resort at Longboat Key Spike ‘n’ Tees, Islandside

TOURNAMENT

Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19 Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

NEW FORMAT! OPEN TO ALL

Four Players per Team at Comparable Levels (2 women, 2 men) Two doubles pro sets (men vs. men; women vs. women) Two mixed doubles matches; tie breaker if necessary

$60 ENTRY FEE PER PLAYER

Includes reception, trophies, balls, refreshments Pre-tournament reception: $40/person for non-players

CALL 941-316-8367 TO REGISTER

Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

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SPONSORS

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8B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

9B

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!

Approachable.

Experienced.

We Are The Money Managers.

YOU CAN BET ON THE OBSERVER: In-between poker games, Kirby and DJ Wood took a break to read the East County Observer at the Casino Royal in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

MAIN STAGE HEADLINERS

4

Technology

800+

1 Billion

DECADES IN BUSINESS

CLIENTS

DOLLARS IN ASSETS

*as of November 30, 2024

301 TRAVELERS

BAYSIDE WORSHIP Jan 16

STATE OF THE ART

Jan 18 & 21

ERIC VON Jan 17

BUCKY COVINGTON Jan 23

JOSIAH QUEEN Jan 19

PIRATE MAN DAN Jan 20

LES MCDOWELL Jan 24

Youth Livestock Shows Daily!

HWY 41 SOUTH Jan 22

BAYOU COUNTRY Jan 25

FBC PALMETTO Jan 26

DAILY ENTERTAINMENT Arts and Crafts Carnival Rides & Games Delicious Fair Food Fritzy Bros.

One-Man Circus Purgatory IronWorks

Universal Championship Wrestling The Barnyard Cackle Review

Jurassic Kingdom Dinosaur Show

Petting Zoo

Magic Man TJ Hill

Pirate Man Dan Marc Dobson One Man Band

“Keeping Agriculture Alive in 2025!”

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Schedule, Tickets and More at www.ManateeCountyFair.com

JLBAINBRIDGE.COM 941.365.3435

1582 MAIN STREET SARASOTA, FL 34236

Learn more about what we do.

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Les McDowell

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

handcrafted for your holiday gatherings

Photos by Jay Heater

River Club HOA Board Members Larry Levin, Gary Fischman, Lee Diercks, Sue Johnson, Carolyn Rowland and John Drake all enjoyed a special night with their neighbors at the Rockin’ Reindeer Ball.

River Club keeps its eye on the ball

15% OFF ALL IN STOCK ITEMS

L

IN STOCK FURNITURE + GIFTS

inda and Bill Pretyka talked about how they love attending River Club’s Rockin’ Reindeer Ball, held Dec. 8 at University Park Country Club, because it gives them a chance to visit with their neighbors.

“Linda does get to visit with the neighbors, but I don’t,” Bill Pretyka said.

Why? “I’m a guy,” he said with a laugh.

So does Bill use the social event to make up for lost time?

“He’s Mr. Social,” Linda Pretyka said.

The event, spearheaded by River Club Social Coordinator Maureen Rosin, is a purely fun event meant to bring the neighbors together at a joyous time of year.

It included cocktails, snacks, a sit-down dinner and a disc jockey in LECOM Radio’s Charlie Halley, who kept the dance floor crowded.

20% OFF OUTDOOR POLY FURNITURE IN STOCK FURNITURE + SPECIAL ORDERS

Sale does not include previous purchases, custom, or Miller’s Cabinetry. Sale may not be combined with other offers or discounts. Ends December 31, 2024.

3737 Bahia Vista St. Sarasota, FL 34232 - 941.952.5646 6100 N Lockwood Ridge Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 - 941.960.2942

Fran and John Blaess attend the Rockin’ Reindeer Ball. Fran says she loves seeing everyone all dressed up and John says it is the one time a year he wears a tie these days.

— JAY HEATER

dutchhausfurniture.com 432606-1

Ruth Adcox, Maureen Rosin and Kathi Kohlmeyer worked on hand making the decorations for the ball since this past December.

The stage is set Sights + Sounds is an outdoor showcase of the best instrumental, visual and performing arts the Sarasota region has to offer. Come out for dinner at the town center

Modern Marimba

and stay to enjoy the show!

Thursday, December 19th @ 6pm

Choral Artists of Sarasota Thursday, January 16th @ 6pm

Check out all of the events happening around The Ranch!

Sarasota Opera Friday, January 24th @ 6pm 436929-1

© 2024 Lakewood Ranch

10B

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

11B

More than a Pro.

A Giver

Of Joy. Today, my Christmas wish comes true.

The season of giving calls.

I’m ready to make spirits bright.

With steady paws and a warm heart. . .

I bring hope, comfort, and joy.

Today, I light up the world as a true gift of hope.

Give the gift of hope this holiday season at dogsinc.org 436764-1

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

YourObserver.com

A Powerful Partnership in Luxury Real Estate JOINS FORCES WITH

We are thrilled to partner with Forbes Global Properties, aligning our brand with one of the world’s most trusted and prestigious names in business.

This exclusive collaboration provides unparalleled global exposure for the exceptional properties we represent, connecting to Forbes’ audience of 140+ million affluent readers worldwide.

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12B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

REAL ESTATE

Concession home tops sales at $3,082,500

13B

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

NOV. 25-29

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in the Concession topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Alexander and Cecelia Cooke, trustees, sold the home at 19443 Newlane Place to Craig Wedge and Linda Jellison, trustees, of Sarasota, for $3,082,500. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,020 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.7 million in 2023.

LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE

Jonathan Kron, trustee, of Boca Raton, sold the home at 1100 Waterline Court to David Macrae and Susan Macrae, trustees, of Sarasota, for $1.15 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,133 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,051,100 in January.

Courtesy image

Lisa Chamberlin Stump and John Stump, of Huntington, West Virginia, sold their home at 15327 Leven Links Place to Rose Mays and Kristin Mays-Corbitt, trustees, of Indianapolis, for $1.05 million. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,479 square feet of living area. It sold for $525,000 in 2020.

GREYHAWK LANDING WEST

Holly Parrott, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, sold her home at 543 Honeyflower Loop to John Rollins and Krisztina Rollins, trustees, of Bradenton, for $830,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,721 square feet of living area. It sold for $590,000 in 2020.

Michael and Kerry Richardson sold their home at 11710 Petunia Terrace to Kenneth Wachsman, of Bradenton, for $830,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,776 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,200 in 2019.

ROSEDALE ADDITION

Xiomara Rivera and Chad Alan Huelsman, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4513 Baltry Court to Kelly Harder and Andrea Zuber, of Bradenton, for $780,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,217 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2022.

MILL CREEK

Jason and Olivia Michaels, trustees, of Roscommon, Michigan, sold the home at 14522 17th Ave. E. to Gregory Wilson, of Bradenton, for $705,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,288 square feet of living area. It sold for $469,000 in 2020.

RIVERSIDE AT TIDEWATER PRESERVE

A Concession home at 19443 Newlane Place sold for $3,082,500. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,020 square feet of living area.

2,147 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2017.

LAKESIDE WOODS

David and Barbara Vincent, of Ocala, sold their home at 5808 Lakeside Woods Circle to Lee Amberg and Amy Amberg, trustees, of Evanston, Illinois, for $580,000.

Built in 1990, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,218 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,00 in 2018.

ESPLANADE

Susan Marla Pomerantz, trustee, of Novi, Michigan, sold the home at 4934 Savona Run to Barbara Blackman, trustee, of Bradenton, for $570,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,692 square feet of living area. It sold for $319,600 in 2014.

COUNTRY CLUB

William and Judith Martin, trustees, sold the home at 6515 Oakland Hills Drive to Lisa Semerly, of Lakewood Ranch, for $525,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,826 square feet of living area. It sold for $400,000 in 2021.

SAVANNA

ROSEWOOD AT THE GARDENS

Sherry Lamb sold her home at 6645 Pleasant Hill Road to Michael and Kathleen Hylton, of Bradenton, for $649,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 14B

In with the new NOW TAKING CONTRACTS

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA SOTA Residences & Hotel | 941.462.3900 | From $1.8M | Visit the Main Street Gallery | thesota.com

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $900,000s | Call for an appointment | Residences400central.com

Joseph and Melissa Befera, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7211 Presidio Glen to Myo Thein, of Fort Worth, Texas, for $480,000. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 2,173 square feet of living area. It sold for $386,600 in 2016.

VINTAGE CREEK

TARA

Gary Miller, of Parrish, sold his home at 8718 53rd Place E. to Andrey Yanoff, of Bradenton, for

$325,000. Built in 1994, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,876 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2018.

Ruth Morford, of Parrish, sold her home at 5336 Vaccaro Court to Eric and Irene Benson, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, for $550,000. Built in 2012, it has three bedrooms, two-and-two-half baths and 1,966 square feet of living area. It sold for $264,600 in 2012.

Michael John Smith and Andrea Renee Smith, trustees, of Ruskin, sold the Unit D condominium at 1278 Riverscape St. to Andrew and Shannon Daoud, of Hillsborough, New Jersey, for $675,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,332 square feet of living area. It sold for $426,500 in 2016.

Kayla Elizabeth Hopper and Johnny Buford Hopper, of Bradenton, sold their home at 3623 Savanna Palms Court to Valerie Mary McLeod, of Sarasota, for $661,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,988 square feet of living area. It sold for $648,700 in 2022.

in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,857 square feet of living area. It sold for $294,800 in 2004.

Carrie Lynn Davenport, of Lithia, sold her home at 4623 Classique Drive to Eric and Holly Hagerman, of Sarasota, for $525,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,701 square feet of living area. It sold for $299,900 in 2017.

Susan Ristow, of Bradenton, sold her home at 5405 83rd Terrace E. to Dorna Navidgocci and Farzad Teimouri, of Sarasota, for $493,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,905 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2021.

GOLDEN GATE POINT En Pointe | 941.685.1598 | enpointesarasota.com | From $2,775,000

LONGBOAT KEY The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

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

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

ROSEDALE

Mary Rose Miller, of Clemson, South Carolina, sold the home at 8640 54th Ave. Circle E. to Christine and Michael Moring, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, for $485,000. Built

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

427679-1

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

14B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Real estate

MAPLE GROVE ESTATES

Ruthann Rebecca Williams, as Personal Representative, sold the home at 8010 Brower Drive to Coral Green Homes LLC for $300,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,218 square feet of living area.

It sold for $239,900 in 2019.

FROM PAGE 13B

GATES CREEK

Marta Grabowska, of Carpentersville, Illinois, sold her home at 313 112th St. E. to Daniel Pugliese, of Bradenton, for $450,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $310,000 in 2021.

STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE HARBOUR

Craig Forsman and Diana Arnezeder sold their home at 8981 Stone Harbour Loop to Andrew Stathis and Victoria Stathis, trustees, of Bradenton, for $565,000. Built in 2005, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,951 square feet of living area. It sold for $324,500 in 2016.

GREENFIELD PLANTATION

Orlando Surca, of Riverview, and Doris Surca, of Tampa, sold their home at 826 Springwood Circle to Mark and Sandra Rosborough, of Bradenton, for $445,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and is 1,597 square feet. It sold for $272,500 in 2017.

INDIGO

DEL WEBB

When costs increase and disaster strikes, food can be the first to go.

Renu Surana, of Bradenton, sold her home at 6931 Dorset Court to James Cahill Jr., of Bradenton, for $415,000. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,458 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in June.

Help put food back in the bag this holiday season.

GREENBROOK

Chrystal and Paul Beckel sold their home at 13543 Glossy Ibis Place to Yulia Lobanova and Dmitrii Kuzhilin, of Lakewood Ranch, for $405,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,603 square feet of living area.

Turn empty plates into ThankFULL Hearts.

LAKE VISTA RESIDENCES

Give today at allfaithsfoodbank.org 941.379.6333

Emerald Vista Enterprises LLC sold the Unit A-402 condominium at 7804 Lake Vista Court to Renu Surana, of Bradenton, for $400,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and 1,762 square feet of living area.

It sold for $260,000 in 2009.

Leonia Croatman, trustee, of Bayside, New York, sold the home at 12746 Coastal Breeze Way to Jaya Kolla, of Bradenton, for $519,000.

Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,528 square feet of living area. It sold for $366,400 in 2019 .

SABAL HARBOUR

Kenia Nunez, of Bradenton, sold her home at 4497 Sanibel Way to William Rivas Castillo, of Sarasota, for $515,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,503 square feet of living area.

It sold for $328,800 in 2021.

AZARIO AT ESPLANADE

Jeffrey and Tami Nielsen, trustees, of Alva, sold the home at 15760 Sacile Lane to James and Diana Slowinski, of Akron, New York, for $510,000. Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,558 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,100 in 2021.

417719-1

EAGLE TRACE

William Bridegroom sold the home at 2115 Crystal Lake Trail to Lawrence and Joanne Wilhelm for $399,900. Built in 2016, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area. It sold for $279,200 in 2016.

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.

432420-1

Learn more.

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

15B

HURRY! THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS EXPIRE 12/27/24

OVER 50 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE

OPEN NOW: 2001 Manatee Avenue E. Ste 104 (Bradenton Pain and Wellness Center)

SARASOTA (941) 667-2577

DELRAY BEACH (561) 453-2734

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)

JUPITER (561) 453-2738 6725 West Indiantown Rd Bay 39 (In Jupiter West Plaza)

Receive $750 discount towards the purchase of a pair of Phonak Audéo Sphere™ Infinio technology. This limited-time offer may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. New orders only. Private pay only (not combinable with insurance or network). 2The Total Care Package as shown is exclusively available with the purchase of Audéo Sphere™ Infinio 90. Other packages are available. Private Pay only. Offer valid until 12/27/24.

1

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BRADENTON (941) 667-2574

16B

YourObserver.com

WEATHER

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST THURSDAY, DEC. 12

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

High: 65 Low: 49 Chance of rain: 1%

FRIDAY, DEC. 13 High: 77 Low: 57 Chance of rain: 7%

Thursday, Dec. 12

7:10a

5:36p

Friday, Dec. 13

7:11a

5:36p

Saturday, Dec. 14

7:11a

5:37p

Sunday, Dec. 15

7:12a

5:37p

Monday, Dec. 16

7:12a

5:37p

Tuesday, Dec. 17

7:13a

5:38p

Wednesday, Dec. 18

7:13a

5:38p

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, DEC. 14 High: 79 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 7%

Dec. 15 Full

Dec. 30 New

Jan. 6 First

RAINFALL

SUNDAY, DEC. 15 High: 80 Low: 58 Chance of rain: 7%

David Ondocin took this photo of a flower along Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.

Dec. 22 Last

Monday, Dec. 2

0

Tuesday, Dec. 3

0

Wednesday, Dec. 4

0

Thursday, Dec. 5

0

Friday, Dec. 6

0

Saturday, Dec. 7

0

Sunday, Dec. 8

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 77.89 in.

2023 23.57 in.

MONTH TO DATE: 2024 0.00 in.

2023 0.06 in.

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

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

IT’LL MAKE YOUR HEAD SPIN! by Shaun Phillips, edited by Jeff Chen

108 DJ performance without men pre-recorded music

44 Weakens, in gamer lingo

110 Carnival game with a

45 So not cool

mallet

50 Elephant or car part

113 Style of movement to

51 Like fingerpainting

music demonstrated by the 54 Morning spectacle figure in this grid ... and a

56 Nocturnal lemurs that

hint to the circled squares

sound like their prominent

117 Astrologer’s prediction

facial feature

118 “Juno” or “Pulp Fiction”

63 Female sheep

119 Tech tablet

65 “Old MacDonald” refrain

120 Never Have I ___ (party

66 Finishes last

game)

67 Dog collar dangler

121 Showbiz quadfecta

(Abbr.)

122 Antioxidant-rich berry

68 Opera cheer

123 Soccer icon

70 Line at the swimming

124 Cravings

pool?

125 Speed Wagons of old

79 Against

autodom

80 “As ___ on TV”

126 Eye of ___ (witches’

81 Actress Issa

brew ingredient)

83 “You betcha”

DOWN

©2024 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 ___ Vegas 4 “Funny!”

8 Outback bird 11 “This won’t hurt ___!”

15 ___ on the Shelf (holiday tradition) 18 Zonked 19 Makeshift knife 20 U-Haul rental 21 Tempo 22 Prefix with “metric” or “graphic” 23 Vitamin abbr.

24 “The Little Red Hen” refusal 25 French friend 26 “Kapow!”

27 Classic Pontiac

28 Loud, sustained noises

55 Journalism inits. since

76 Deadlocks

30 French fashion mono-

1851

77 Actor Diggs

gram

56 Actress Jessica

78 Conclude

31 Butter bit

57 Hip-hop’s Dr. ___

79 Yard sale caveat

32 Queasy

58 Greek “P”

81 ___ the Riveter

33 Pre-owned

59 Bovine hidden in “snooze 82 Actor James of “The

34 One with The Force, he

button”

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

was

60 Courteous rural reply

84 Furry “Star Wars” friend

35 Vocational academy

61 Slangy “shady”

87 “The Matrix” hero

38 Male sheep

62 TV’s “Hawaii ___”

88 Brief movie sightings

39 “Famous Potatoes” state 64 First-year law student

89 Oxygen and nitrogen

41 Day celebrating trees

91 ___ Jima

67 “Sure ya did”

42 NFL star ___ Beckham Jr. 69 “The best-laid ___ ...”

92 Professor’s protection

44 Convent resident

71 Reproduce, like salmon

94 Apple ___ (stylus)

46 Boombox button

72 Run-DMC or Beastie

96 Motivational material, in

47 Spirits lifter

Boys

modern lingo

48 Veto

73 “Fiddlesticks!”

97 Actress Moreno

49 Cash dispenser (Abbr.)

74 Long and lean

101 Kid noises?

52 The “E” of STEM

75 “___, Earl Grey, hot” (Cap- 105 Musician Leonard

53 Annoys

tain Picard’s utterance)

106 Betty Crocker product

85 Baby’s boo-boo 86 Munchen : Munich :: ___

1 Apt synonym for “Heav-

: Cologne

ens!”

88 Summertime pond

2 The “A” in A/V

sounds

3 Emphatic rounds of

90 Leave the union

applause

93 Checkout lines? (Abbr.)

4 QVC competitor

95 “I hate that”

5 “Hiya, matey!”

97 Erase

6 Reaches an all-time low

98 “Throw me the ball!”

7 Walled city of Spain

99 Bathroom floor installers

8 Argentinian icon

100 Apt rhyme for “lumber-

9 Sensitive lad

jacks”

10 Price per part

101 World Series org.

11 Advanced H.S. science

102 Better-ventilated

celebrity cipher

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

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“WAVK, SMOVO SO FVO SVATH, PFNO ZR SLWWLTH IA GMFTHO; SMOVO SO FVO VLHMI, PFNO ZR OFRE IA WLXO SLIM.” IX MARI DOIOV PFVRMFWW

“VH ZFBLRS BFXJLB VR BLFB BLR ETNH OFH HEX AFT VFCR JEEM FB FTHBLGTJ GI BE DSFABGAR, FTM BLRT DSFABGAR IEVR VESR.”

DRBR SEIR

“TRN TZ AH SWUUNPJ XTRJMWSDJWTRP JT JBN ADPWX SDPWRNPP WP RTJ PWRUWRU.”

UDWJIMWPJ YDIRN NYYH

Puzzle Three Clue: U equals G

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: Z equals F

426191-1

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

Come Shop our Showrooms!

Puzzle One Clue: V equals R

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

© 2024 NEA, Inc.

sudoku

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

class

103 Settle a score 12 Inflatable “HAPPY BIRTH- 104 Recreational watercraft DAY” decorations

brand

13 “Mine! Mine! Mine!”

107 Country artist Mus-

14 President pro ___

graves 15 Ovo vegetarian deli order 109 SNL segments 16 “Pfft! They can try!”

110 “Indiana Jones” prop 17 Whole ___ Market

111 Wish

29 In need of a pick-me-up

112 Asia’s vanishing ___ Sea

33 Web address

114 “Cool beans!”

36 Makeup touch-up

115 ___ machine (arcade

37 Menopausal treatment,

game)

in brief

116 “Time” traveling in

40 Grand Canyon state

reverse?

43 Representative speci-

©2024 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-12-24

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Homes for Sale

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card 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..

Sporting Goods OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED *1920-1999* ALL Makes & ModelsAny Condition! $ CASH PAID $ Call 845-389-3239 cyclesndmore10@gmail.com

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

Items Under $200

HOLIDAY TRAIN SET Yankees Lionel O gauge $140 (941) 228-6134 LG 50 INCH TV - $150 Great Christmas Present In great condition with beautiful picture.

703-919-7906

Antiques/ Collectibles AVID COIN COLLECTOR paying higher prices than any dealers for coins, silverware, and jewelry: 321-236-1075 ESTATE SALES & Liquidations Free Consultation. Complete Moving & Estate Sales.

978-390-8803

REAL LOCAL STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

STORM ANGELS - Cash or Contract for your property. 48 hrs.

Call Tony 573-216-7000

Rentals Wanted 79 yr old gentleman seeking rented room in Lakewood Ranch.

Background: Senior Developmentalist at University of Washington Contact Bill at lifeisgood03justaddwater@gmail. com

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

Office Space for Rent SPACE AVAILABLE midway between Sarasota/Bradenton near SRQ. Excellent exposure, reasonable rent.

Bayshore Realty Inc. 941-773-1363 / 941-685-5848

Condos/Apts. for Rent

auto

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

Real Estate Wanted

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

Merchandise Wanted

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

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

WANTED TO BUY Vintage/Old Costume Jewelry, Vintage Pottery & Glass.

978-390-8803

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

SEASONAL RENTALS Mainland, convenient to shopping, beaches, & SRQ. Bayshore Realty Inc. 941-755-3701 / 941-685-5848

TREASURES FOUND HERE!

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals 5 STAR NEW CABIN (Bear’s Den) 3 day min. No long term, no Pets. $250 / night. Pool, handicap accessible, 2 bd, full kitchen, 3 tvs, washer, dryer, very clean & nice. 941-322-2627

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

RED PAGES IN PRINT AND ONLINE

A POWERFUL COMBINATION

941-955-4888

YourObserver.com/RedPages

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.

NEW YEAR PAINT & HANDYMAN Pool Deck/Patio/Int/Ext/ Drywall/Odd Jobs (941) 685-3777

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

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

Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured.

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398

This week’s Crossword answers

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.”

TV host Peter Marshall Puzzle Two Solution: “My father taught me that the only way you can make good at anything is to practice, and then practice some more.”

Pete Rose Puzzle Three Solution: “One of my biggest contributions to the music business is not singing.”

Guitarist Duane Eddy

This week’s Sudoku answers

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT YOUROBSERVER.COM/REDPAGES

©2024 NEA, Inc.

stuff

Call 941-955-4888 to place your classifi fie ed ads.

Auto Transport

©2024 Universal Uclick

Issue of 12/19: Deadline is 12/12 Issue of 12/26: Deadline is 12/13 Issue of 1/2: Deadline is 12/17

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

real estate

Sarasota/Siesta Key, East County, & Longboat Key

Motorcycles

You’re only cheating yourself.

Due to the Christmas holiday, The Observer has early deadlines for the issues of 12/19, 12/26, and 1/2.

Merchandise Wanted

peekers’ place

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE

The Premier Golf & Marina Manufactured Home Community The55+ Premier Golf & Marina Active Lifestyle Manufactured Home Community 55+ Active Lifestyle **NEW & PRE-OWNED HOMES FOR SALE** **NEW & PRE-OWNED HOMES FOR SALE** We have a wide range of homes FOR SALE We have a wide rangeinofthe homes New Homes starting low FOR SALE $200’s New Homes starting in theinlow Pre-Owned Homes starting the $200’s low $100’s Pre-Owned Homes starting in the low $100’s NOW offering “Lease to Purchase Program” on select NOW offering “Lease to homes.

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

We’ll SWEEP you off your feet!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

home services

RED PAGES

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Aluminum

Contractor

Health

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

E&E GENERAL CONTRACTING

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

“Your Home, Your Legacy” 941.650.9790 941.650.9790 YoderAluminum.com

435931

Owner /Insured Operator Insured

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

941-529-1768 | eecontractingllc.com

YoderAluminum.com

Attorney

Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

435915

Dustin Yoder

Dustin Owner Yoder/ Operator

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Local Home Improvement Contractor: Kitchen & Bathroom Reno • Tile Floor & Showers Flooring & Trim • Siding & Windows • Fencing

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

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Doors

DON’T let your

Divorce without Lawyers

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

PATIO DOORS be a DRAG or your

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

WINDOWS be a PANE!!

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.

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

Sliding Glass Door Repairs Sliding Glass Door Deadbolts | Window Repairs

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

Home Services

FREE

IN-HOAMTEES ESTIM

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

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

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?

Call us today!

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

Residential

941.628.8579

William J. Leininger, JD

941-705-5468

Commercial

436699

www.ezslider.com

436677

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

Auto Service

ALL PHASES OF INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING

SELL YOUR CAR! GROW

435935

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

YOUR BUSINESS

FAST • EASY • SAFE

Advertise as low as $85 per week.

WE COME TO YOU

941.270.4400

435929

18B

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

Home Watch

5-Star Rated

436678

HoHoBuysCars.com Brick Pavers

Business in Christ

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

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS

Flooring

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

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

Irrigation

Services & Removal

LAWN SPRINKLER SERVICES

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

941-592-0802 Handyman

RIGHT

WITH THE RED PAGES Call to reserve your ad space:

Advertise as low as $85 per week.

941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

435932

JOE DAVIS HD LLC

ON TARGET

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

Advertise your business, starting at only $85 per month.

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES INTERIOR RENOVATIONS & ANYTHING FROM THE GROUND UP

TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772 KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

437010

TIME TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS

• Systems Upgraded & Serviced • Troubleshooting & Repair • Serving Manatee County since 1979 ANDY AVALOS | 941-545-7280

Pegatronics.com

941-735-3362

437059

www.BIC - CC.COM

CALL 941-955-4888

435934

Over 100 Reviews Award Winning Services

436697

941-321-2859

Showcase your products or services.

In a Snap Flooring

Call or text today for a FREE estimate:

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

435936

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

OBSERVER RED PAGES Call 941-955-4888 to reserve your ad YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

Plumbing

Transportation

CALL BEFOREYOU YOU FALL CALL BEFORE FALL

Mark’s Plumbing Service

COMPLETE INSTALLATION PACKAGE

RELIABLE • INSURED

GRAB BARS GRAB BARS

436681

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

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

941.966.0333 LIFETIME GUARANTEE • LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED COVERAGEAREA: AREA:LAKEWOOD PARRISH TO NORTHPORT COVERAGE RANCH TO S. VENICE

941 - 248 - 4734

941-920-8221

435917

235

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

Windows

WITH THE RED PAGES

364556 436701

$249* $235

$

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

Plumbing repairs. Replace toilets, faucets, water filters, water softeners and repair leaks.

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Call to reserve your ad space

DRGRABBARS.COM

941-955-4888

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

SHOWER & BATH MAKEOVERS

410036

Kitchen/Bath Remodeling

19B

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Roofing

Call John 941.377.2940

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

Free Estimates • Sarasota Resident Since 1974

Building & Roofing Contractor

www.showerandbathsarasota.com

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

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

CREATE BUZZ! Advertise your business or services in the Red Pages.

UP TO

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

Landscaping & Lawn

436680

Call 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

Screening

GARDENS

5

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880

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

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

435918

Allison J. Abizaid

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

SPECIAL 00

$

by Allison

Personal Gardening Services | Designer

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

NEED HELP?

Find business and service professionals in the Red Pages.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

436682

No Job is Too Small!

160

25 $

STANDARD WINDOWS

941-626-3194

436702

436700

Cleaned - Regrouted - Caulked - Sealed

20B

YourObserver.com

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024

941.702.0437 | ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBrealty.com | ShanahanLuxuryGroup.com

‘Tis the Season Scan the gifts below to unwrap holiday magic.

ALL LAKEWOOD RANCH

COUNTRY CLUB

CONCESSION

COUNTRY CLUB EAST

DEL WEBB

THE LAKE CLUB

WILD BLUE

LAKEHOUSE COVE

413871-1

Amid the holiday bustle, selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful.

Our concierge-level service ensures a personalized, seamless experience, from expertly showcasing your home to handling all the details with care.

Trust our team to make the process effortless.

Contact us today to get started.

941.702.0437 | ShanahanLuxuryGroup@CBRealty.com