East County Observer 5.27.21

E A ST COUNTY

Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998

These gardens are elementary. PAGE 12

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

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FREE THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

VOLUME 23, NO. 28

YOUR TOWN

Brendan Lavell

Manatee blue backed for kindness Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was touched when she heard how the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office granted the wish of a local 5-year-old with neuroblastoma in February, appointing the boy as an honorary deputy.

On May 20, Moody awarded Sheriff Rick Wells and his department a Back the Blue Award for building positive relationships.

“I’ve seen the footage and the videos from that day,” Moody said. “It would make a grown person weep. It is the sweetest, most creative, genuine act of kindness I’ve seen in a long time from a full sheriff’s office.”

Final signal plan comes to light County to begin building two signals at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard’s Country Club entrances in 2022. PAGE 3

TITLE EMBRACE Lakewood Ranch High softball team routs Park Vista 14-4 to win its first state championship.

SEE PAGE 16 Ryan Kohn

Courtesy photo

Saying ‘Aloha’ to kindergarten Aubrey Mann, a kindergartner at Tara Elementary School, sang her heart out during her class’ performance of “First Grade, First Grade,” a parody of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” to celebrate the end of kindergarten and moving onto the first grade.

The song was the finale to the students’ luau themed end-of-kindergarten celebration performed at the school for their parents and family members May 14.

“The reason I did this outside the school building is for parents to watch their amazing and wonderful kindergartners exhibit confidence, fun and talent,” said Josephine Johnson, who is Mann’s teacher.

Olivia Laney, Ella Dodge, Grace Hogie, Cassidy McLellan, Jayla Doust, Addyson Bruneman and Taylor Shepherd celebrate Lakewood Ranch High’s first softball state championship at home plate. McLellan (3) ended the game with a three-run triple in the sixth inning for the final of 14-4 over Park Vista High May 22 at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. The game ended due to the 10-run rule.

A project with honor Liz Ramos

O’Neil Ducharme, a Marine Corps veteran, shares his experiences of serving in the military with April Currie, president of Honor Flight of West Central Florida.

McNeal Elementary fifth graders raise more than $3,000 to donate to Honor Flight.

SEE PAGE 8

A+E

Scaled-down festival begins.

SEE PAGE 14

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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Greenbrook fills CDD seat Peter DeAngelis is the new treasurer for District 4, which governs Greenbrook.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

M

ore than 50 years after first serving as a city councilor, Greenbrook’s Peter DeAngelis is back in public office.

DeAngelis was appointed to the vacant seat on the Board of Supervisors for Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4, which owns and maintains the common areas in Greenbrook, on May 19. He was also named the CDD’s new treasurer.

DeAngelis moved to Greenbrook 10 years ago from Tallmadge, Ohio. DeAngelis wanted to be active in his community like he was in Ohio, where he served as city councilman in Akron from 1966 to 1972 and in Tallmadge from 2001 to 2007.

He started by joining the Greenbrook Village Homeowner Association’s Modification Committee in 2015, becoming its chairman in 2017. He joined the HOA’s board of directors in 2016 and has served as its treasurer since.

“I’m retired, of course, but I can’t sit around the house,” DeAngelis said. “I need to do something, and I enjoy this. I enjoy meeting people, talking at work about problems, maybe (sharing) some ideas, things that I would like to see done.”

DeAngelis said his experience

ABOUT PETER DEANGELIS Age: 84 Year moved to Greenbrook: 2011 Previous hometown: Tallmadge, Ohio (Akron area) Prior government experience: City councilman in Akron, Ohio and Tallmadge, Ohio

on the HOA will benefit him on the CDD because he has been in touch with the wants and needs of people in his community for years already. He said he has attended nearly every CDD meeting for the past three years. CDD 4 Vice Chair Keith Davey agreed.

“It’s like getting a job,” Davey said. “You need to know something about the job beforehand.

You don’t interview for a job and not realize what you’re interviewing for. He’s been active. We look for people who are active, who are committed, who will be attending meetings.”

DeAngelis considered running for CDD in the past, but he liked the job the board was doing and didn’t want to disrupt it by running against one of its members.

“It’s a great board,” DeAngelis said. “They get along well. They look out for us. They seem to know what’s going on.”

A seat opened on the board two months ago when John Freeman moved to another community in Lakewood Ranch. DeAngelis said it was the perfect opportunity to try to join the board. He said one of his strengths will be his knowledge of the CDD and community, which could allow him to assimilate with the board quickly.

“I love the way they’ve handled our money,” DeAngelis said.

“They look out for it. They work well with the (Lakewood Ranch) administration.”

DeAngelis said he has a lot of experience managing money to improve a community and his insurance background means he’s looking out for potential liabilities. Davey said DeAngelis’ experience as the HOA treasurer will serve him well as the CDD treasurer, because he has been reviewing the community’s budgets for years.

DeAngelis also gained experience in finance as part of the Akron City Council’s Finance Committee and as the vice president of Arcade Insurance Agency.

DeAngelis said one of the first things he wants to do is help the community cut down on watering lawns, which would save the CDD money because it buys non-potable water from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch through Braden River Utilities. He plans to wait and get his bearings on the board before pushing for any other ideas.

“When you’re new to a board, you’ve got to go slow,” DeAngelis said.

Brendal Lavell

Peter DeAngelis was appointed May 19 to the vacant seat on the Board of Supervisors for Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4, which owns and maintains the common areas in Greenbrook Village.

DeAngelis said the most important things for constituents to know about him are that he’s always available and dedicated to transparency.

“I want everybody to know what’s going on all the time,” DeAngelis said. “They’re grading us, telling us what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

3

TO DO LIST “That intersection, I think, is wider than most. Balmoral Woods and Lakewood So you have to go quite a Ranch boulevards intersection long way to clear it.” n Addition of traf— Jim Rogoze

TRAFFIC LIGHTS REACH FINAL STAGE The two traffic signals on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard will cost approximately $3.2 million.

Manatee County costs $1.3 million — Estimated cost of improvements at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Balmoral Woods Boulevard $1.1 million — Estimated cost of improvements at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Club House Drive $800,000 — Estimated cost of installing fiber optic cables from University Parkway to Summerfield Parkway, which will be used by both sets of traffic lights

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

For years, Manatee County staff members said there wasn’t enough traffic on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to warrant a traffic light at the intersection of Balmoral Woods Boulevard, according to Public Works Strategic Affairs Manager Ogden Clark III. That changed in March 2020 when the county finished extending Lakewood Ranch Boulevard south to Fruitville Road, a move that has directed more traffic through the heart of Lakewood Ranch.

The county is now planning to install traffic lights and crosswalks at the intersection, among other improvements. Design is 90% complete, and construction is scheduled to begin by early spring 2022.

A sister project is also in the works. One mile down the road, traffic lights are scheduled for installation of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Club House Drive, with construction also planned to begin by spring 2022.

The Balmoral Woods Boulevard project is estimated to cost $1.3 million. The estimated cost of the Club House Drive project is $1.1 million, pending a minor property acquisition. An estimated $800,000 will be used to install fiber optic cables from University Parkway to Summerfield Parkway, which will sync both sets of traffic lights with signals located

Above: Jim Rogoze is the chairman of Lakewood Ra nch Community Development District 6, which governs the western portion of Country Club. He knows people who refuse to make a left turn out of Country Club onto Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

Top: A car sits in the middle of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard while waiting to complete its southbound turn, which began on Balmoral Woods Boulevard. Country Club residents said they fear an accident could happen because of this technique.

on State Road 70 and University Parkway.

Safety is the main reason Country Club residents said they want to see traffic lights installed at the Balmoral Woods Boulevard intersection. They said it is particularly frustrating to make left turns out of their community from Balmoral Woods Boulevard onto Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

KEY Crosswalks

Balmoral Woods Blvd.

Traffic Lights

Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

No Right on Red Water Lily Way

WHAT IT COSTS

Courtesy of Manatee County

This draft, which is subject to change, shows the plan for a traffic signal, right turn lane extension and crosswalks at Lakewood Ranch and Balmoral Woods boulevards. The design is 90% complete.

Costs for Lakewood Ranch CDDs 1 and 6 $10,000 — Estimated cost of removing and relocating two street lights near Balmoral Woods Boulevard

The turn often requires drivers to pull across northbound traffic before sitting in the median on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard waiting for southbound traffic to clear up. Country Club resident Marty Fugardi said he has been worried about what could happen if one driver were to turn left from southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard onto Balmoral Woods Boulevard and crash into a driver sitting in the median who was waiting to merge onto southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.

“You have to get across two lanes of traffic to stop in the middle there,” Fugardi said. “There’s people coming southbound, and they’re usually going pretty fast.

If you have someone trying to turn at the same time, it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Jim Rogoze is the chairman of Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 6, which governs the western portion of Country Club. He said the intersection is so bad, he knows people who choose not to make a left turn out of Country Club onto southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Instead, they turn right and drive north until they can find a place to legally and safely U-turn.

“That intersection, I think, is wider than most,” Rogoze said.

“So you have to go quite a long way to clear it.”

Improvements at the Balmoral Woods Boulevard intersection will include extending the northbound right turn lane on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard from 220 to 360 feet and adding a light-up

“No right on red” sign.

Clark said prohibiting right turns onto Balmoral Woods Boulevard at the red light will make the intersection safer because it will be easier for people stuck in the median on southbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to turn onto Balmoral Woods Boulevard during breaks in thru-traffic.

Though residents from Country Club have said the Balmoral Woods Boulevard intersection was too hazardous — Rogoze said residents have been fighting for some form of traffic control at the intersection for at least six years — Clark said the county long maintained its position that there wasn’t enough traffic there to warrant traffic lights.

The county’s position changed when Lakewood Ranch Boulevard was extended south to Fruitville Road.

Additional improvements to the intersection at Club House Drive include lengthening both left turn lanes from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard onto Club House Drive as well as minor sidewalk and drainage changes.

Extending the right turn lane onto Balmoral Woods Boulevard will require relocation and removal of two streetlights on the right side of northbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. The streetlights are owned and maintained by Lakewood Ranch CDD 1, which governs Summerfield and Riverwalk Village, even though they are located at the entrance to part of Country Club governed by Lakewood Ranch CDD 6. CDD 6 did not exist at the time the lights were installed.

Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Executive Director Anne Ross said removal and relocation will likely cost about $10,000. CDD 1 asked if Manatee County would cover the costs, but the county refused. The streetlights are located on right-of-way owned by the county, meaning the CDD is required to move them if the county wants to use the land for a project.

CDD 1 then offered to split the removal cost with CDD 6 while asking the latter to pay for relocation costs, transferring ownership of the lights from CDD 1 to CDD 6 in the process. CDD 6 accepted, as Rogoze called it generous of CDD 1 to offer to split removal costs.

Currently, visitors are not allowed to use the Balmoral Woods entrance into Country Club until 10:30 a.m. Ross said it has not yet been determined whether that policy will remain in place after the traffic light is installed.

It has been more than three years since Country Club resident Tony Alibrio collected hundreds of signatures on a petition to install four-way stop signs at the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Balmoral Woods Boulevard.

Alibrio said he is glad to see the county planning the traffic control Country Club residents have been seeing for years. However, he’s not quite ready to declare victory. He’s been fighting too long to feel fully satisfied.

“There’s still a bit to go,” Alibrio said. “I don’t want to believe it until I see the poles going in.”

fic lights n Installation of “no right on red” signal for turn from northbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to eastbound Balmoral Woods Boulevard n Extension of right-turn lane from northbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to eastbound Balmoral Woods Boulevard from 220 to 360 feet n Installation of fiber optic cables n Addition of crosswalks n Removal and relocation of two streetlights on the east side of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, south of Balmoral Woods Boulevard Club House Drive and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard intersection n Addition of traffic lights n Extension of both left-turn lanes from northbound Lakewood Ranch Boulevard onto Club House Drive n Minor sidewalk and drainage changes n Installation of fiber optic cables

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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Home sales continue to soar Manatee County’s home sales market continued to soar as statistics released by the Realtors Association of Sarasota Manatee shows the average sales price of a single-family home in the county increased 42.2% in April over April, 2020.

The number of single family homes sold in April was 847 as compared to 499 in April 2020.

The average sales price was $578,162 compared to $406,699 the previous April. The median sales price was up 19.1%, $405,000 from $340,000 in April 2020.

Condo and townhome sales were brisk as well in Manatee County with 415 sales as compared to 183 in April 2020, a 126.8% increase. Average sales price in April was $303,121 as compared to $236,764 in April 2020 while the median sales price was $235,000 as compared to $212,000 the previous April.

In Manatee County, the median price for single-family homes surpassed $400,000 for the first time, according to RASM data.

Half of all homes that go on the market in Sarasota and Manatee counties are selling in eight days or less.

MTC Law Enforcement Academy director honored NOW - JUNE 21, 2021

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Jay Romine, the director of the Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy in Lakewood Ranch, was inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame May 15 during a ceremony at the State Capitol

in Tallahassee.

“I can’t think of an individual more deserving than Jay Romine, or an honor more fitting,” said Melanie Bevan, the chief of police for the Bradenton Police Department, in a release. “He has enriched our profession, earned the respect of his peers, and is a role model to many.”

Romine began his career in 1979 as an auxiliary police officer at Holmes Beach Police Department. He became chief there in 1993 and held the position for 20 years. During that time he founded the Manatee County Law Enforcement Council and was appointed by two governors to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

He retired in 2013 and took the job as director of the Law Enforcement Academy at Manatee Technical College.

Library switches to curb service Braden River Library will be closed for construction causing the library to move to curbside services June 8 through July 24.

The noise, odor and constant changes from the library’s expansion and renovation is the reason for the move to curbside services, according to a news release from the Manatee County Public Library System.

Curbside appointments can be scheduled starting June 1 with pick-ups beginning June 7 during regular library hours.

The library is open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturdays. The library is closed Sundays and Mondays.

For Your Occupational Health and Workers’ Compensation Needs, Consider an Urgent Care Clinic

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

5

Commissioners appoint Hopes to be administrator Commissioners say Hopes’ contract gives them multiple opportunities for separation, if necessary.

STILL SEARCHING The Manatee County Commission was initially scheduled to appoint a second deputy county administrator May 25, but the decision was deferred to the board’s June 8 meeting. The county has been operating with one deputy administrator, rather than two, since John Osborne resigned effective Feb. 17. Karen Stewart is the county’s lone deputy administrator.

BRENDAN LAVELL STAFF WRITER

The Manatee County Commission appointed Scott Hopes as county administrator May 25 by a 5-2 vote, removing the interim tag from his title.

Commissioners said the move essentially creates a tryout for Hopes, citing clauses in the contract they said would provide easy outs if they later decide he is not the right person for the job.

George Kruse and Reggie Bellamy cast the dissenting votes.

The contract includes a 30-day notice for termination with no severance pay and an opportunity to revisit the contract Dec. 1.

If Hopes’ contract is not extended at that date, his term will end June 1, 2022, and commissioners will search for a new administrator in the meantime.

Commissioners said Hopes needs to resign from the School Board of Manatee County as soon as reasonably possible because the administrator position is a strenuous full-time job that shouldn’t be split with other duties.

Hopes said he anticipates he will resign from the school board shortly after graduation and the completion of his evaluation of

Brendan Lavell

Commissioners James Satcher and Vanessa Baugh speak with Scott Hopes on May 25 after the latter was appointed county administrator.

Superintendent Cynthia Saunders on June 8.

Commissioners who voted in favor of appointing Hopes said the changes to his contract were only tweaks, but necessary ones if the county is going to determine over the next six months whether Hopes should continue in the job permanently.

“The reason that we wanted to move forward with this contract was to take out the word ‘acting,’” Baugh said. “Dr. Hopes has been anything but an acting county administrator since he took the board role.”

Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she wanted to remove the restrictions under which Hopes was operating, such as limitations on his ability to hire and fire

staff. Baugh said county employees have enjoyed working with Hopes thus far and he deserved the opportunity to direct staff with autonomy.

“To my knowledge, not one administrator has ever had the restrictions on them that we’ve put on Dr. Hopes,” Baugh said.

Hopes said it will take time for him to get to know and evaluate employees. He said it isn’t wise to make staff changes immediately.

“Actions like that would risk my success,” Hopes said. “If I don’t have the confidence of the staff from every level down, I’m not going to be successful.”

Kruse, who said May 11 he was opposed to making Hopes the permanent administrator without conducting a search first, said

it didn’t make sense to approve a contract so similar to his previous one simply to remove the interim tag from Hopes’ title and raise his salary.

“We can pass this today, and then come back the next meeting and give him 30 days’ notice and he’ll be out the door,” Kruse said.

“There’s nothing to it. We took away a tag on the front of a title, and that’s it. I don’t know why we went through this.”

The contract included a salary increase from $187,000 to $199,000, which Baugh said was negotiated to ensure Hopes was the highest-paid county employee.

“I don’t buy it,” Kruse said. “To say, ‘Well, someone else makes it, so he has to make it,’ you know, he’s been here for less than two months. It’s a 6.5% pay increase to do the exact same job that we technically have him under con-

tract for through next spring. So I’d like to know what we’re getting for $12,000 of additional annual salary for the exact same job.”

Bellamy said he was concerned about appointing Hopes for several reasons. He said the county promised citizens a search.

He also said it was strange to change his title and raise his salary less than eight weeks after he was appointed to the interim role. Bellamy said county directors have a 90-day probationary period when they are hired, and he was worried about the example Hopes’ appointment would set.

County resident Michelle Martin said appointing Hopes was a violation of the process commissioners promised just eight weeks after he was appointed to the interim position. She said the commissioners were acting as if there were urgent reasons to appoint Hopes, but she didn’t think any of the reasons they gave justified the rush.

“The word for this is gaslighting,” Martin said. “‘We’re going to say that he’s a permanent, but he’s actually just an interim. It’s the same contract.’ ‘No no no, he’s an interim, but we’re giving him all the authority of the permanent.’ So right there, it’s confusing. That feels dishonest.”

County resident Andra Griffin liked the contract. She said she was glad there were multiple ways to get out of it if Hopes doesn’t work out, and she said the commission did a good job keeping his salary under $200,000.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Degree of resolve

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Braden River High senior doesn’t let challenges keep him from graduating.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

I

t was in third grade at William H. Bashaw Elementary School when Justin Alderman was given the bad news.

Because he was struggling with a stutter and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which causes hyperactivity and impulsivity, his father, Scott Alderman, set him up with a tutor for extra help. The third grader spent extra hours at Bashaw with a teacher to keep pace.

He even attended summer school to advance with his peers.

But Scott Alderman eventually had to tell his son he would need to repeat third grade.

“I was shocked, and I was really upset,” Justin Alderman said.

Did all the hard work make a difference? Would he ever be a good student?

When Justin Alderman walks across the LECOM Park field to receive his high school diploma June 2 during Braden River High School’s graduation ceremony, he will remember all those struggles, and he will know he overcame them all.

The disappointment of being held back a year pushed Alderman to do everything he could to move forward academically despite any challenges he faced.

Let’s Get SEER-ious Understanding the SEER rating for your A/C

But there is hope. SEER-iously.

Many homeowners today are wellversed in finding energy efficient appliances and fixtures to save on costs. They know to look for the yellow EnergyGuide label, which tells how much it costs to run that appliance with regular usage throughout the year. It also allows you to compare the efficiency of that product to similar models. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills might be.

The same idea applies to your A/C with its SEER rating.

To start, SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. This rating is devised by formulating the ratio of the cooling output of an air conditioner over a typical cooling season, divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. Why does this matter? Well, if you are considering upgrading your air conditioner, or your existing system is showing signs that it’s at the end of its life, the SEER rating is an important factor to consider when shopping for a new A/C. That’s great… but what does it mean?

Understanding your SEER rating is the first step in making sure you are choosing the most energy efficient unit for your budget and your home. To help, the U.S. government introduced a standard, mandating that residential A/C systems made after 2005 should have a SEER rating of 13 as the minimum. The regulation was further amended in 2015, stating that the minimum rating of 14 is required. So, if your air conditioner was installed before 2015, it’s possible that it is much less efficient than it needs to be.

So, which one is right for you?

There are a few factors to consider in determining what A/C SEER rating is suitable for your needs.

First thing is the location of your residence, followed by the climate in your area and inside your home, the size of your air conditioning unit and how long and how often you will be using the air conditioning unit each day. Currently, the SEER highest rating is 25, but most systems range between 14 and 16. If you need to buy a new A/C, know that the higher SEER rating is equivalent to better efficiency. This comes with a price. However, you will usually make up the difference over the years through lower power costs.

How do I know what SEER rating I have now?

If you have purchased a new A/C unit in the last few years, your purchase paperwork will include your SEER rating. If you have an older system or can’t located the paperwork, the AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) Directory of Certified Product Performance has a directory lookup, allowing you to enter the make/model of your unit to find its SEER rating. You can find it at ahridirectory.org.

Liz Ramos

Justin Alderman, a senior at Braden River High School, says his persistence and support from his family and JROTC instructors helped him to graduate from high school.

“It just made it easier for me to work harder and do my absolute most to succeed in life, and I haven’t failed since then,” Alderman said.

Scott Alderman said his son had been struggling academically since preschool, but he had amazing teachers at Bashaw Elementary and Carlos E. Haile Middle School in Florida and East Paulding Middle School in Georgia to help him. He switched schools in middle and high school at times because his mother, Michelle Wiley, lives in Georgia.

When Laura Alderman, who is Justin Alderman’s stepmother, met him seven years ago, she said her stepson had a severe stutter that would bring him to tears.

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ABOUT JUSTIN ALDERMAN School: Braden River High School Age: 19 Year: Senior Family: Father, Scott Alderman; stepmother, Laura Alderman; mother, Michelle Wiley; sister, Caitlin Wilkerson; grandparents, Michael and Lucy Alderman Future College: Southern Regional Technical College, Thomasville, Georgia Future profession: Cell tower engineer or diesel mechanic

“I remember him saying, ‘Please make it go away,’ and it broke my heart,” Laura Alderman said.

With the help of speech therapists, the family saw Justin Alderman’s stutter dissipate.

“He basically told himself, ‘I’m not going to let this defeat me, I’m going to defeat it,’” Laura Alderman said.

During his sophomore year at Braden River High School, Alderman discovered he was a hands-on learner, meaning he performed better when he was able to participate in activities to learn concepts rather than passively reading a book or viewing a presentation.

Scott Alderman said he would see his son working two to three hours on an assignment that would take an average student an hour to complete.

“The last four years have been a battle for him to get to this point, but the reward is when he walks across that stadium and he receives that diploma,” Scott Alderman said. “A few of the kids

he went to school with at Haile didn’t graduate. They dropped out. He said, ‘I’m not going to be like that.’ I’m proud of that.

He wants to make something of himself.”

Besides his family’s support, Alderman found additional support from his JROTC instructors, Lt. Col. James Bradin and Company Sgt. Maj. Matt Collis.

“They helped me push past my limits and showed me that I can do more than what I think I can do,” he said. “They wanted to make sure we were ready for life after high school, and it’s all thanks to them that I am. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know who I would have become.”

The senior said every struggle has made him strong and has helped him persevere.

“I have been so fortunate to watch Justin grow and mature to the outstanding young man he has become,” said Sharon Scarbrough, the principal at Braden River High. “He works tirelessly at school, is very involved with JROTC and works a part time job.

I am so proud of him and look forward to seeing the great things he will achieve in the future.”

He is looking forward to building a successful future, and that will start at Southern Regional Technical College in Thomasville, Georgia.

“I had serious doubts about finishing high school, but in the end, I pulled through,” Alderman said. “Knowing that I’m going to be able to walk with my whole class makes me feel like I’m starting a new chapter in my life that I can’t mess up because I’ve worked so hard.”

“He has a whole beautiful future ahead of him,” Laura Alderman said. “He beat the struggle.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

EAST COUNTY

ABOUT HONOR FLIGHT Honor Flight of West Central Florida, which is a regional hub of the Honor Flight Network, was established in 2010. Honor Flight organizes free trips for veterans to go to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor veterans.

Each flight has 65 veterans accompanied by a volunteer guardian. Honor Flight of West Central Florida has sent nearly 3,000 veterans from the Tampa Bay area to Washington, D.C. since its inception.

Veterans can apply to go on an Honor Flight and people interested in volunteering for the nonprofit can find more information on HonorFlightWCF.org.

Vets get boost from students

“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 / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Associate Publisher — East County Observer / Lori Ruth LRuth@YourObserver.com Executive Editor / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Jay Heater JHeater@YourObserver.com Sports Reporter / Ryan Kohn RKohn@YourObserver.com Staff Writer / Liz Ramos, LRamos@YourObserver.com; Brendan Lavell, BLavell@YourObserver.com Copy Editor/ Kaelyn Adix KAdix@YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; Carol Parker, CParker@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer HSayer@YourObserver.com Photos by Liz Ramos

McNeal class raises $3,468 to help veterans visit memorials in Washington, D.C.

Above: Fifth grader Colt Smith gives Gary Gilchrist, a director of Honor Flight of West Central Florida, a bouquet of flowers.

Left: O’Neil Ducharme, a Marine Corps veteran, and April Currie, the president of Honor Flight of West Central Florida, are surprised by the $3,468 donation Olivia Swartling’s fifth grade class at McNeal Elementary gave to Honor Flight.

LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

A

llee Lowry, a fifth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, sold more than 100 paintings she created to raise money for her class’ leadership project.

She painted canvases, rocks, picture frames, shells and more in red, white and blue in honor of veterans.

“I feel good about [raising money] because I know there’s a lot of people out there that lost some family when they were serving, and people liked the artwork and told me they’re going to keep it forever,” Lowry said.

On May 20, Lowry, along with her 21 classmates, presented the $3,468 they raised and 130 cards they made for veterans to April Currie, the president of Honor Flight of West Central Florida, and O’Neil Ducharme, a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1942 to 1981 and now serves as an Honor Flight ambassador.

Honor Flight is a nonprofit that brings veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to veterans.

Each fifth grade class at McNeal Elementary was tasked with coming up with a leadership project that would exhibit seven habits: Be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw.

Olivia Swartling, Lowry’s teacher, said her class of 22 students brainstormed 35 ideas before focusing on mental health and veterans for their leadership project. At least 15 students in the class have family members that have served or are currently serving in the military.

After the class decided to raise money for Honor Flight of West Central Florida in St. Petersburg, the students came up with ways they could raise money, including having lemonade stands and snow cone stands, doing chores around the house, making and selling dog treats and donating money students personally saved.

“One of my first rules was that this is not, go ask your mom and dad for money; this is you’re going to work for it, you’re going to see what $1 is worth because I want you to earn this feeling,” Swartling said. “It was incredible to watch them all come together.”

The class’ goal was to raise $500, but the students went

Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary fifth graders Judah Casal and Colt Smith show the leadership project board they made to explain their project.

above and beyond their goal.

Besides spending more than 100 hours inside and outside the classroom raising $3,468 for Honor Flight, the class made 130 cards for veterans.

“This project made my heart swell up with joy,” Swartling said.

“They were able to find little wins, so if they weren’t able to donate money, they realized they could donate time. They were able to understand that raising awareness is just as big of a thing as raising money.”

Currie was blown away by the class’s donation, which is enough money to send almost seven veterans to Washington, D.C. through Honor Flight.

Abigail Cobb, a fifth grader and project manager for the class, said what she enjoyed most was making dozens of cards for veterans.

“The cards are definitely my favorite just knowing they would fill a veteran’s heart,” Cobb said.

Currie said veterans who receive cards like the ones the students made will keep them for years.

She said veterans have shown her scrapbooks filled with cards and mail from people like the McNeal Elementary students and are able to say from whom they received each card.

“I never expected that,” Currie said. “To me, the grassroots part of the mission is so impactful.

It makes a difference. It gets the community involved.”

Ducharme, who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, shared how he entered the military and what his experience was like in his 39 years in the Marine Corps. “[Listening to Ducharme] was definitely life changing to know he put in so many years to give my generation freedom,” Cobb said.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

9

JAY HEATER

River Club family masters education

W

e all have stories about our children we tell at get-togethers and family gatherings.

I asked River Club’s Scott Stevens what story he tells about his daughter Sarah, who now is 26.

Sarah and Scott both received their master’s degrees in analytics May 7 in a ceremony at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta.

Although all their classes were online, the father and daughter often were on the same project teams and they took several of the courses simultaneously.

They earned A’s in all of them.

Scott described his daughter by saying she is outgoing, brilliant and organized.

But I wanted Scott to give me an example of what makes her tick.

He bought up “Titanic.”

The story actually was about both Sarah and her sister Megan, who is 23. When they had just finished sixth and eighth grades, the two sisters started talking during the summer about how much they loved the movie “Titanic.”

So they spent three days filming their own version of the movie, playing the roles themselves and sometimes grabbing whoever might be around to help

out. They had costumes and sets and scripts. Scott was the main cameraman, but even he had a cameo appearance.

The final scene was shot in their pool.

“It ended up being 30 minutes long,” Sarah said of their remake, which they still have on a DVD. “When I decide to do something, I’m all in.”

And that was Scott’s point.

That, actually, could be the family’s slogan “We’re all in,” especially when it comes to education.

Scott has two master’s degrees and his wife, Karen, has one.

Both daughters have a master’s degree.

They earned all of them at Georgia Tech. Karen, Sarah and Megan all have undergraduate degrees in industrial engineering. Scott’s bachelor’s degree is in mechanical engineering.

They are goal oriented, and they don’t mind working extra hours to achieve those goals.

It was the spring of 2018 when Scott decided he needed to set a new goal. A data analyst for FCCI Insurance, where he has worked since 2012, Scott, now 54, wanted to improve his skill set.

“These new kids are sharp,” he said of his co-workers. “I wanted

to contribute more at work, so I had to retool.”

By August 2018, he was taking classes to earn his master’s degree in analytics Meanwhile, Sarah was working for Lockheed Martin, doing data analysis and working on the production of the F135 singleengine strike fighter in Fort Worth, Texas. She thought a master’s in analytics made a lot of sense for her, too, so by January 2019, she was her father’s classmate.

It wasn’t long before they found themselves on the same project teams.

“Projects can be interesting,” Scott said. “You wonder, ‘Will everyone carry their load?’

I always grabbed her. She is organized and she stays on top of everything. Those classes were enjoyable. It is interesting the things you can share with your kids.”

Sarah said she wanted her dad on her project team as well.

“He definitely puts in more work than I do,” she said. “He’s meticulous and industrious.”

Karen said her husband bordered on obsessive when earning his master’s. Quite a few household chores needed to be put on hold.

Scott, an Air Force veteran

Courtesy photo

Scott and Sarah Stevens both graduated with a master’s degree in analytics from Georgia Tech University in Atlanta May 7 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

who worked on missile guidance systems, took over Sarah’s former bedroom and turned it into an office. He would disappear into the room and spend hours working toward his degree. All in.

Sarah was doing the same from Fort Worth, and she had other important things going on in her life as well, such as her marriage to Sam Spanjers.

No matter how busy they were going to be, they both took the time to attend the live graduation ceremony, as did Megan, who works in health systems in Seattle, Washington, and Karen.

“It was cool to be together,” Sarah said. “The four of us are close, and it’s hard not being around each other.”

Scott said he simply wanted to make the education experience

real since the classes were all online.

After the ceremony, Scott pulled out a couple of bottles of André champagne. He reasoned it was smart to buy a cheap bottle of champagne because a lot of it would be thrown around in the celebration.

When they chugged a bit, Scott rued his decision.

The education continues.

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

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Commissioners should consider extreme scenarios The May 13 article about the long-proposed Tara bridge contained a diversity of opinions from Tara Preserve’s residents opposing and supporting it.

One opponent claimed it would destroy animal habitat. Does she think her house was there since creation of the planet? No, the 1,100-plus acres of pristine land that was once animal habitat was destroyed (yet they ironically call the place a preserve) by the construction of Tara’s 2,000 residences, two golf courses and amenity buildings.

Another opponent cited the increased traffic the bridge would bring to the quiet Tara Preserve area. Any increase in traffic would mean a reduction in traffic along the present routes.

Why do selfish people think that the roads in front of their homes are for their exclusive use and force traffic to continue being concentrated onto present congested routes?

One bridge supporter said it would smooth out traffic and for some residents allow them to avoid heavily used I-75. Another made a key point, that it would reduce emergency response times in the area.

Several weeks ago, I found myself in an unfamiliar section of Bradenton in the area of 45th Street East and 34th Avenue East. Despite having a fairly good sense of direction, I got completely lost with all the curvy roads and dead end streets (mainly due to the Braden River that land-locks that area on the north and east). I had to use my

GPS to get back to “civilization.”

My immediate concern was, what if there was a massive hurricane or tornado headed toward that area and evacuation orders were issued? Long-time residents would probably know how to get out, but suppose that in the panic an accident blocked one of the few exit routes?

This situation exists in many other parts of Bradenton. Obviously, the commissioners who approve these developments don’t consider those situations in deciding whether to approve or not, or decide the risk is low enough to take a chance.

Remember what happened the beginning of February in Texas?

A deep freeze in Texas? Impossible, would never happen.

So despite well recognized shortcomings in its electrical infrastructure, the problems in Texas remained unfixed for decades and destruction and deaths occurred.

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Vehicles were prevented from moving into the intersection because traffic was backed up from the signal at S.R. 70. It then took me four traffic light cycles

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

to reach the point where I could cross the S.R. 70 intersection on the next green.

I timed the green time for Lakewood Ranch Boulevard southbound traffic at about 15 seconds. By contrast, S.R. 70 through traffic had almost 2 minutes of green time. Frustrated drivers, including those directly behind me, were leaning on their horns.

I understand the signal timing is set to favor S.R. 70 traffic.

However, the geniuses who run our traffic management system need to revisit this intersection. The fix should be simple.

Just lengthen the green time for southbound LWR Blvd. That 15 seconds is ridiculously short for the traffic volume here.

I would like to visit Winn Dixie and other places in The Green center. However, living south of S.R. 70, this traffic headache is a definite deterrent.

ROGER BONKE LAKEWOOD RANCH

Preserve our natural beauty Those of us who live in East County are witnessing a large amount of new development, especially along State Road 64.

New businesses and residential condos and apartments are being built at a fast pace. We all can agree that this is part of development and growth to serve the community. What is sad to see is all of the clear cutting of forestry, vegetation and trees. It seems none of this original beauty is being preserved.

The parcels near Costco and Dairy Queen are unrecognizable.

I’m sure the new landscaping will look nice but, it is incredibly sad to see these parcels being clear cut.

Which brings me to the controversial parcel at the northwest corner of 117th St. E. and S.R. 64. This is the parcel that Cox Chevrolet is proposing to build a car dealership on and it is being met with extreme opposition from surrounding residents.

A car dealership is not desirable within a residential community. One of the main concerns is flooding. This parcel is already flood prone and there are concerns with the surrounding residential communities.

A paved parking lot would be a flood disaster. Also, there is a natural water tributary that currently runs through the center of this parcel and feeds into the Gates Creek river system.

Development plans have been submitted to the county showing a complete removal and relocating of this natural stream to the west property line.

It seems little or no attention is being made toward green space or new parks during this wave of developments along S.R. 64. This beautiful forest parcel at 117th is attracting more wildlife, such as deer, eagles and osprey because they are being chased out of their natural habitats.

This parcel should be preserved and turned into an East County nature and dog walk park, and just a few paved trails to enjoy what is left of East County’s beauty that is being taken away.

There are not enough parks when compared to the number of residential developments here.

DARYL HAWORTH EAST COUNTY

|

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Changes to the American Rescue Plan increase financial assistance, making more people eligible for help.

There have been several recent changes by the government that allow more people living in Florida to sign-up for affordable health insurance. The COVID-19 relief law (American Rescue Plan) provides additional financial assistance and allows even more Floridians to get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare).

The government has also reopened enrollment in ACA plans until August 15. This means you can take advantage of the new financial assistance options that are available.

Highlights of these recent changes include: n If you are currently enrolled in an ACA plan, you may now be eligible for more financial assistance toward your monthly bill, or upgrade your plan for the same cost. The monthly cost will decrease roughly $50 per person and $85 per policy on average.*

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You can find an agent located in your community ready to help you by visiting FloridaBlue.com/EnrollNow, calling 800-670-9271 or contacting our Sarasota Florida Blue Center at (941) 308-2042 at University Town Center. *Source: Department of Health and Human Services Health insurance is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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Ava Olivero, a kindergartner at Tara Elementary School, picks strawberries.

Gardens sprout at local schools Freedom and Tara elementary schools receive grant to develop gardens.

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After the pandemic put the garden at Tara Elementary School on hold last year, Josephine Johnson, a kindergarten teacher, was excited to get the garden started again.

“This year we went above and

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beyond,” Johnson said. “It was a lot of work, but it was fun.”

Johnson as well as Barbie Lane, a pre-K teacher at Freedom Elementary School, received $500 grants from the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s School Garden Grant program to purchase tools, soil, seeds and more.

Tara Elementary has a kindergarten garden and an edible garden, and is in the process of creating a butterfly garden.

The kindergarten garden and edible garden have various fruits

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

13

IN THE GARDEN

Here are some of the plants growing at Freedom and Tara elementary schools: n Tomatoes n Beans n Peppers n Carrots n Lettuce n Strawberries n Herbs n Sweet potatoes

Nathan Lopez Chang, a Tara Elementary School kindergartner, enjoys some of the strawberries that were harvested from the school garden.

vegetables and show them this is easy, this is something you could do at home, and it could be a fun family project.”

Lane and Johnson hope having the students eat what the gardens produce will help students develop healthy eating habits.

“The kids are more open and trying new vegetables,” Johnson said.

Lane will have her students do taste tests and decide which seeds they would like to grow so they can take it home.

“It’s nice to see when you put in all this time and effort, it does pay off and the kids are enjoying it,” Lane said.

With the three gardens at Tara Elementary, Johnson said the school will start a garden club next year.

“This whole place is going to be a Selby Gardens,” Johnson said.

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and vegetables including lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers and strawberries.

The edible garden is a garden for all students to use, and Johnson hopes teachers will use the gardens to teach science labs and other lessons.

Johnson said the butterfly garden will include native Florida butterfly plants such as milkweed as well as a lemon tree and dill because those plants attract butterflies such as giant swallowtails and black swallowtails.

“I have one plant in the classroom, but I want the whole entire school to see it, and I want it to serve as a lab,” Johnson said.

Almost every day, Lane’s students are asking to go outside and check on the fruits and vegetables they planted after spring break.

They’ll spend time watering, measuring and learning about the plants.

“I personally love gardening and growing things,” Lane said.

“I’m from up north, so I find it a little bit challenging to grow those same things here in Florida.

It’s been a learning process, but I thought if I could share my love of gardening with the kids and introduce them to new fruits and

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Sarasota Music Festival returns with revised format HARRY SAYER

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2021 SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL When: June 12-19 Info: SarasotaOrchestra. org/festival/concerts

effrey Kahane said there’s a certain spirit to the annual Sarasota Music Festival — a sort of consistency that makes the event what it is.

A typical schedule for the Sarasota Orchestra’s annual event features three weeks of concerts, master classes and programs that bring in countless visitors and music lovers to enjoy classic works and pieces from revered artists.

This year, some of that has changed. But, there’s that event spirit shining through, again.

“The circumstances made it impossible for us to do anything approaching the scope and scale of what we normally do,” said Kahane, the event’s musical director. “We decided we needed to do something to create an event that would symbolically stand for the festival and let people know that the festival is alive and represent the main parts.”

He said the 2021 Sarasota Music Festival accomplishes that goal. The eight-day event offers in-person concerts as well as a lecture that Kahane said will evoke the festival proper, albeit in a scaled-down way. It will also include streamed events from Holley Hall.

The festival begins June 12 with a “Voices of Violin” concert from longtime festival participant

Courtesy photos

Jeffrey Kahane will perform in the festival and host a lecture.

Angelo Xiang Yu and pianist Feng Niu performing works of Mozart, Britten and Beethoven. The subsequent three concerts will have performances from senior faculty including Kahane with pieces by Brahms, Chopin, Schumann and more. The final concert will feature the Calidore String Quartet playing Schumann and Men-

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Kahane on June 13 will host a lecture on the Romantic Revolution in which he plans to play excerpts of piano and give an overview of romanticism looking at a generation of composers who pushed each other to grow. It’s a topic Kahane has discussed frequently and is something he says is close to his heart.

“The very end of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century is the period of music where I have lived most deeply and played the most music,” Kahane said. “It seemed like something that’s a natural thing to talk about and share. I haven’t done something like it at the festival before.”

Audiences will then hear music from those composers for the

MEMORIAL DAY save save save

duration of the festival. Kahane said the concerts and performances have a thread of logic and cohesion in their selection and scheduling that almost delivers a narrative for audiences. “... The idea was finding something that wasn’t just a random selection throwing things together but something with a coherence and internal logic for those who want to hear all he concerts will find satisfying,” he said.

It’s not the same as usual but Kahane is thrilled to deliver live music to the orchestra’s guests.

“It’s small in quantity but large in its spirit and symbolism in its message that the festival is very much alive,” he said. “This was the right choice at the right time.”

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MAY 27, 2021

5

Major score for Mustangs Lakewood Ranch’s offense erupts to secure program’s first softball state title.

PITCHING MATTERS, TOO

1

Former Lakewood Ranch High softball player Logan Newton, a sophomore at James Madison University, had a home run and seven RBIs May 14 in a’ 17-0 home win against Delaware.

2

Former Lakewood Ranch High softball player Denali Schappacher, a senior at the University of Central Florida, went 2-4 with an RBI on May 21 in the Knights’ 5-4 road win against Auburn .

3

The Braden River Soccer Club girls U19 team won the 2021 Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup, held May 22-23 in Auburndale.

The Rage defeated the Cooper City Cobras 4-0 in the tournament final.

4

Ted Levin sank a hole-in-one May 18 on the No. 6 hole at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club’s Cypress Links course. Levin used a 7-iron on the 154-yard hole.

Even though Lakewood Ranch rolled to a 14-4 state championship game win against Park Vista High, the team’s pitching staff did its job as well.

Mustangs junior Ella Coiner pitched the game’s first two innings and didn’t allow a run before giving way to sophomore Olivia Laney, who was pitching for the first time since April 29 because of arm soreness. Laney, who gave up five hits, allowed four runs, but only one earned in her three-plus innings.

With one out and two runners on base in the sixth inning, Goelz went back to Coiner to finish the game. It was a 6-4 game at that point.

“Coach just asked me, ‘Are you ready?’”

Coiner said. “I said, ‘Of course, let’s pound the mound, let’s go.’ I was able to get some warm-up pitches in so I wasn’t cold, and I trusted my defense so much.”

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Kim Corrigan (85) won the Ladies Golf Association Individual Low Gross event May 18 at University Park.

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L

akewood Ranch High softball Coach TJ Goelz did not want to see his team get shut out again to derail its quest for a 7A state championship.

But any demons that lingered from past postseason shutouts were officially exorcised May 22 at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont as the Mustangs crushed undefeated Park Vista High 14-4 to win the program’s first state championship.

“Starting way back in October, we talked about playing Park Vista in this game,” Goelz said. “It’s kind of poetic that it happened.

This feels amazing.

“I always felt like we were going to do this, especially after the second Newsome game [in the regional semifinals May 11]. Putting up 15 runs against that team and that pitching, there was just a different aura around the confidence in these kids. You could see it in their eyes. Before every game, I said to them, ‘Let me check the eyeballs.’ I looked around and they were dialed in. They wanted this moment.”

Despite prolific offenses from 2017-2019 (COVID-19 cancelled last year’s playoffs), the Mustangs were shut out 1-0 by Plant City in the 2017 regional finals, 1-0 by Oakleaf High in the 2018 state semifinal and 3-0 by Winter Springs in the 2019 championship game.

Goelz said his 2020 team, which featured eight seniors now playing on NCAA Division I softball teams, would have won a state title if not for the pandemic.

So Goelz decided it had to happen in 2021. His Mustangs, who finished 30-2, had to come up with a different offensive strategy in the playoffs.

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Lakewood Ranch Athletic Director Kent RIngquist shows the Mustangs their state championship trophy. It is the first softball state title in school history and in Manatee County history.

Lakewood Ranch freshman Grace Shaw-Rockey hugs junior Grace Hogie after the state championship win.

Toward the end of April, Goelz said he worked with his players on taking more pitches and force opposing pitchers to throw four to five pitches, at least, to each batter. He wanted his players to be more patient at the plate.

It went against some of the Mustangs’ more aggressive nature, but it was necessary, Goelz said. He said that’s how runs are scored against pitchers at the top level.

The plate discipline approach worked better than even Goelz thought it would. In the team’s state semifinal game May 21 at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont, the Mustangs only needed four innings to defeat Miami Pal-

metto 17-2. The next day, in the state championship game, the Mustangs earned another runrule win, exploding for eight runs in the sixth inning for the 10-run margin of victory against the Cobras.

Cassidy McLellan’s one-out, bases-loaded triple ended the game for Lakewood Ranch in the sixth. It was her second triple of the inning.

“It was a great feeling,” McLellan said of ending the game with her triple. “I knew it was going to score everyone.

Senior outfielder Jillian Herbst, who went 2-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, said the team never forgot the feeling of 2019’s championship game loss.

The Lakewood Ranch offense had 13 hits overall, including seven-extra base hits, and they also took advantage of six Cobras’ errors. The Mustangs had 31 hits in the two games, including two homers, two triples, a single and six RBI from McLellan.

Lakewood Ranch will only lose one championship game starter, Herbst, to graduation.

Herbst, who will play at Colgate University next season, said the state title win was the perfect way to cap her high school career after coming close so many times.

“It’s a much better feeling now, I’d say,” Herbst said with a laugh.

“We’re here. We made it.”

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

17

UNEXPECTEDLY AWESOME ODA’s baseball team upsets heavy favorite to claim 2A state baseball championship.

RYAN KOHN SPORTS REPORTER

W

inning a state title in your first year as a head coach doesn’t leave much room for improvement.

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball Coach Mike Matthews is OK with that trade-off.

ODA (24-3) went to the Class 2A state tournament as underdogs, having never reached the semifinals before, but the Thunder played with the poise of a perennial contender. ODA defeated Trinity Christian Academy 5-2 on May 19 in a state semifinal at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers before beating overwhelming favorite St. Johns Country Day 5-3 in the state title game the next day.

St. Johns entered the game ranked first in Class 2A and fifth in the state, by MaxPreps.

“I don’t know what to say,” Matthews said. “This is a surreal feeling. It’s unbelievable. I am so proud of these guys. I told them before the season started that they were capable of this. They continued to grow throughout the season and execute and do the things I asked them to do every single day.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to win this game. I told them that it was going to be a dog fight and it sure was. To come out on the winning side of it is awesome.”

ODA averaged 8.41 runs per game and hit 21 home runs in 30 games. In the state tournament, however, the Thunder had to tweak its approach.

Down 2-1 against Trinity Christian, the big hits that ODA had smashed all year were not coming, so late in the game Matthews instructed his team to take a small-ball approach.

After a lead-off double by junior Aidan Marino, Matthews instructed his players to bunt.

Three times. Each time — from senior Ryan Kelly, senior Nolan Lewellen and junior Carter Dierdorf — the bunt went for a base hit. Those bunts combined with two walks and the double resulted in ODA scoring four runs in the inning.

In the championship game, ODA took advantage of what was given by St. Johns, scoring two runs in the second inning thanks to three Spartans errors. Then, when the team needed a big hit the most, ODA went back to its SEE ODA, PAGE 18

Photos by Ryan Kohn

ODA senior Tyler Colditz throws his hat and glove after recording a strikeout to end the game and win the state title. Colditz is one of five seniors from the ODA lineup who ended their careers with a state championship.

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roots, getting a two-run homer from junior Aidan Marino in the fourth inning to break the tie.

“It was a long at-bat,” Marino said. “I was battling, trying to see every pitch. He [St. Johns junior Brad Hodges] threw me a mistake and I dominated it.”

Lewellen would add another insurance run on a solo shot in the sixth inning. Lewellen was one of five seniors in the team’s starting lineup. After the win, Lewellen said closing out his high school career with a home run in a state title win was a dream come true.

“I’m just trying to take in every moment,” Lewellen said. “There’s not a better group of guys we could have done this with. A lot of us have been together since we were 9 or 10 years old. This whole day we have been talking about it.

Our goal was [winning] the state championship, and we did it.”

While the Thunder will lose those five seniors, returning will be the team’s top-two starting pitchers. Sophomore Luke Geske is a University of Miami commit and junior Josh Cone is a Stetson

University commit. Both players pitched well in the state tournament, allowing a combined three earned runs in 7.2 innings. The team will also return junior Carter Dierdorf, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief at the state tournament and hit .367 at the plate for the season.

Another deep postseason run is not out of the question, but Matthews and his team are not thinking about that quite yet.

“I knew we had a special group,” Matthews said. “Hats off to these guys for believing. You couldn’t dream this feeling.”

Above: ODA senior Nolan Lewellen rips a home run to left field in the sixth inning to give the Thunder a 5-3 lead on St. Johns.

Lewellen is one of five seniors from the ODA lineup who ended their careers with a state championship.

Left: ODA senior Tyler Colditz slides into home to score the Thunder’s first run of the state championship game.

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MAY 27, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Brendan Lavell

Army veteran Dave Daily, Navy veteran Graham Ellis, Army veteran Bob Moffitt and Air Force veteran Jerry Hufford were grateful for the Tribute to Heroes Concert.

Rockin’ concert honors vets xxxxxxx

Del Webb’s Ernie Durso is an Army veteran who served two years in the Vietnam War. He placed six pins on the map of Vietnam, which was designed for veterans of the war to show where they fought within the country.

354598-1

Greenbrook’s Evelyn Turner, Michelle Sampson and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities Vice President Carlene Smith enjoy the concert.

Lakewood Ranch residents Yardena Babcock and Chaplain Ron Babcock stand at attention during Whiskey Blind’s rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. Ron Babcock served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

W

hen the band members of Bradentonbased Whiskey Blind invited Herman Martinez on stage to play drums with them for a few songs at the 2021 Tribute to Heroes Concert, the U.S. Army and Vietnam War veteran hadn’t performed in about two years.

He quickly felt at home.

“It’s kind of like riding a bike,” Martinez said.

“You might lose the speed, but you still know how to get on and ride.”

Martinez, founder of the Del Webb Association of Veterans and Military Supporters, was one of many veterans to attend. The concert was held

by Lakewood Ranch at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Proceeds from parking and beer sales were donated to local veterans’ groups.

Though Martinez enjoyed the concert, he said Memorial Day is difficult for many veterans, especially those like himself who served in wars with compatriots who died overseas.

“We love to put a smile on people’s faces, because you never know what they’re going through,” Martinez said. “That means a lot to every musician.”

— BRENDAN LAVELL

Army veteran Lenny DeRasmo served in an airborne unit during the Vietnam War.

20

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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Novel approach to memory LIZ RAMOS STAFF WRITER

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ountry Club’s Brooke Diesel left the Brain Health Initiative’s lecture at the Lake Club May 18 a little more at

ease.

She was concerned about some of the memory issues she had been having, especially knowing her father, Weldon Benjamin, died in November 2019 with Alzheimer’s.

After hearing Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist and bestselling author, say forgetting where you put your glasses, why you went to the kitchen or the tasks you needed to complete later in the day were normal, Diesel felt more relaxed.

“What she revealed was just super beneficial in that I’m normal,” Diesel said. “I want to keep moving because that’s important even though I have the genetics involved that could possibly lead to Alzheimer’s. My takeaway is that as long as I keep moving, I will avoid that dreadful illness that affected me.”

The Brain Health Initiative is a collaboration between the Academy for Brain Health and Performance and Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital.

Genova explained the differences between simple forgetfulness that is normal and Alzheimer’s. For example, not remembering where you parked your car is different than not being able to recognize your car when you find it.

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Stephanie Peabody, the founder of the Brain Health Initiative, introduces the initiative’s guest lecturer, Lisa Genova.

“Unless it’s a habit you already have ingrained, you’re likely to forget it,” Genova said.

The lecture helped bring awareness to the Brain Health Initiative’s Brain Health Scholars program, which is a program offered to high school and college students who are 16 or older that gives them an opportunity to help with the Brain Health Initiative’s community brain health prioritization survey and other aspects of the BHI.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

21

Ranchers put pop into lesson

M

Ellie Dauphas, a fourth grade teacher, and Brian Broxson with Blackbeard’s Ranch brand a sign that will go in Dauphas’ classroom. The MacIvey Cow Co.sign is from the book “A Land Remembered.”

Brian Broxson with Blackbeard’s Ranch holds onto Spade as Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader Brylee Barnett pets him. “I love him,” Barnett says.

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Above: Charlie Westrip and Wyatt Lawhun, fourth graders, wear cowboy hats to get in the spirit of learning about life on a ranch.

Left: Gabriella Borko and Maleah Spalding, fourth graders, dress as cowgirls.

Photos by Liz Ramos

Brian Broxson with Blackbeard’s Ranch, shows Ellie Dauphas’, a fourth grade teacher at Gene Witt Elementary School, class about ranch life with Cady Jones, Brian Jones, Cooper Jones and Cassidy Jones.

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ichael Ryan, a fourth grader at Gene Witt Elementary School, grabbed a whip and swung it above his head three times before pulling it back in hopes of forcing the whip to make a popping sound.

When the whip hit the ground and made a popping sound, Ryan gasped in surprise.

“Cracking a whip is harder than it seems,” Ryan said. “Some whips are easier than others.”

Fourth graders learned about the importance of agriculture, how cattle are branded, how to crack a whip and more from Brian Jones, the ranch manager at Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka City, May 19.

Jones came to the school with his wife, Cassidy Jones, and two 10-year-old daughters, Cady and Cooper Jones, and Blackbeard Ranch’s Brian Broxson to teach students about ranch life, which the students were learning about by reading “A Land Remembered.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

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CASUAL CORNHOLE Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities is hosting a casual cornhole league that runs through March 11 for those 18 and up. A fee of $25 covers all sessions. For more information or to register, go to MyLWR.com or call 727-1505.

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wood Ranch. The Mommy and Me playdate is free to Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. The event is for moms and their 3- to 5-year-olds. For more information, go to MyLWR. com

SATURDAY, MAY 29

BACK THE BLUE EVENT Runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 3115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Loaded Cannon Distillery and Supporters of Law Enforcement hosts the Back the Blue event to show support for local law enforcement. The free event live music, vendors ax throwing, raffles, a rock climbing wall and samples of cocktails and beer.

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30

MARKET AT LAKEWOOD RANCH Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, 8330 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. The Market at Lakewood Ranch runs every Sunday through July. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles among other items. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

YOGA IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free yoga workout at Bob Gardner Park.

The event is hosted by The Yoga Shack Florida. Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch. com.

MONDAY, MAY 31

MEMORIAL DAY WORKOUT Begins at 7 a.m. at Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. F3 Suncoast has organized a workout to honor Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2005. The workout is composed of 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats sandwiched around two 1-mile runs and is open to all. The event is free. For more information, go to F3Nation.com.

TUESDAY, JUNE 1

WALKING GROUP Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The casual walk, hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, is for adults 18 and up. The event is free for Lakewood Ranch residents and $10 for nonresidents. For

23

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

more information, go to MyLWR. com.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2

BINGO Begins at 10 a.m. at the Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place, Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosts Community Bingo every Wednesday. Bingo is for those 18 and up. Bingo will be held under the pavilion. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

PUPS AT PREMIER Runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. Independent Jones and Woof Gang Bakery and Dog Grooming present Pups at Premier for dogs and dog lovers. Activities include contests, pageants and races, food trucks, music and more. The event costs $10 per vehicle and proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch and Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida. All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash or shorter. For more information, email info@pupsatpremier.com.

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BARRE IN THE PARK Begins at 9 a.m. at Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd., Lakewood Ranch. The public is invited to participate in a free barre workout at Bob Gardner Park.

The event is hosted by Barre3.

Bring your own mat and water bottle. Mats must be placed 6 feet apart. All participants are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. For more information or to register for the event, go to LakewoodRanch.com.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

BRADENTON 8499 Lindrick Lane 6 Beds 8/4 Baths 15,223 Sq. Ft. Stacy Haas 941-587-4359 A4475594 $10,850,000

HOLMES BEACH 103 75th Street 4 Beds 4 Baths 2,737 Sq. Ft. Kathy Marshall 941-900-9777 A4495220 $3,200,000

BRADENTON 2708 Bay Drive 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,689 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4494263 $2,750,000

SARASOTA 7422 Clark Road 5 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,158 Sq. Ft. Jami Kellogg 941-809-6931 A4499425 $2,695,000

LONGBOAT KEY 431 N Shore Road 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,641 Sq. Ft. Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4497877 $2,400,000

HOLMES BEACH 305 57th Street W A & B 2 Beds 1 Baths 2,423 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4498592 $1,795,000

BRADENTON 541 Fore Drive 5 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,296 Sq. Ft. Debbie Vogler 941-705-3328 A4496407 $1,750,000

BRADENTON 20504 65th Avenue E 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 3,738 Sq. Ft. Aaron Corr & Leslie Emery 941-840-2346 A4489635 $1,699,000

LONGBOAT KEY 651 Broadway Street 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,320 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan & JoDene Moneuse 941-900-8088 A4494571 $1,599,000

SARASOTA 3501 Founders Club Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,836 Sq. Ft. Richard Hearn 941-313-1591 A4497661 $1,599,000

BRADENTON 1908 72nd Street NW 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,368 Sq. Ft. Sharon Ingram 941-224-6447 A4495621 $1,250,000

BRADENTON 524 Mast Drive 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,607 Sq. Ft. Sandi Dietrich 941-704-0697 A4499113 $1,175,000

SARASOTA 3299 Glenna Lane 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,142 Sq. Ft. Phyllis Garfinkel 941-302-6400 A4500028 $899,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 10147 Cherry Hills Avenue Circle 4 Beds 5/1 Baths 3,788 Sq. Ft. Toma Milbank & Rebecca Milbank PLLC 941-720-5174 A4500072 $899,000

SARASOTA 1860 Boyce Street 2 Beds 1/1 Baths 1,372 Sq. Ft. Barbara May 941-312-1302 A4500522 $899,000

BRADENTON 3608 W 54th Drive W J101 & J102 4 Beds 4 Baths 3,776 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4497828 $850,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7051 Vilamoura Place 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,876 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4500092 $848,000

LAKEWOOD RANCH 7363 Divot Loop 14-A 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,748 Sq. Ft. Tina Ciaccio 941-685-8420 A4499772 $825,000

SARASOTA 1151 Annie Laurie Lane 5 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,314 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4498976 $750,000

PARRISH 15405 29th Lane E 4 Beds 3 Baths 3,267 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts & Marie Tutera 941-266-1450 A4499672 $740,000

LONGBOAT KEY 580 Companion Way 2 Beds 3 Baths 1,792 Sq. Ft. Adrienne Scott & Bill Anderson 941-264-5266 A4498694 $609,000

SARASOTA 1835 4th Street Tim Koons-McGee 941-320-7073 A4495690 $585,000

SARASOTA 1771 Ringling Boulevard PH105 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,483 Sq. Ft. Kiley Riccardi, P.a.

941-720-1147 A4497358 $470,000

PALMETTO 615 Riviera Dunes Way 205 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,696 Sq. Ft. Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450 A4497161 $429,000

SARASOTA 4951 Creekside Trail 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,044 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4500426 $399,000

BRADENTON 310 36th Street NE 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,974 Sq. Ft. Stephanie Okuley 941-773-2677 A4500228 $369,900

LONGBOAT KEY 668 Spanish Drive N 157 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,393 Sq. Ft. Cathy Meldahl 941-724-7228 A4496279 $365,000

LONGBOAT KEY 729 Saint Judes Drive S 2 2 Beds 2 Baths 840 Sq. Ft. Cathy Meldahl 941-724-7228 A4488291 $304,999

SARASOTA 3712 Colby Street 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,250 Sq. Ft. Jeffrey Maglione & Kris Niehaus 941-302-4891 A4500056 $174,900

UNIVERSITY PARK 7320 Barclay Court 4 Beds 5/1 Baths 7,579 Sq. Ft. Bernadette Caswell & Victoria Turner 941-320-8265 A4500081 $3,950,000

SARASOTA 8263 Archers Court 5 Beds 5/1 Baths 6,578 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan 941-900-8088 A4483993 $3,700,000

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ANNA MARIA ISLAND 607, 609, 611 Fern Streets & 610 Rose Street 1,568 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4497933 $5,900,000

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

home in Riverdale Revised topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. David and Karen Faulkner sold their home at 595 Mast Drive to Michael and Tara Flemming, of Farmingville, New York, for $1.35 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,950 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB

Marco and Sonia Alberts, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7209 Greystone St. to Donald and Janette Johannsen, of Palmetto, for $1,025,000.

Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,921 square feet of living area.

Phillip and Susan Harris sold their home at 7804 Rosehall Cove to William and Sheryl Richards, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,404 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $825,000 in 2019.

Windsor Park REO Owner LLC sold the home at 12527 Highfield Circle to Marco Madrid, of Lakewood Ranch, for $915,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,658 square feet of living area.

Mark and Joelle Kuron sold their home at 12013 Thornhill Court to Nickolis Hunzelman and Renee Leslie Hunzelman, of Bradenton, for $425,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,098 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $275,000 in 2015.

Elizabeth Billings, Deborah Ann Russ and Douglas Billings, trustees, of Novi, Michigan, sold the home at 6647 Pebble Beach Way to Ruben and Roberta Bake, of Sarasota, for $410,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,774 square feet of living area.

POMELLO PARK

Karen Williams and Daniel DiTommaso, of Bradenton, sold their home at 22508 67th Ave. E. to Riley Family Ranch LLC for $890,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,896 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $305,000 in 2010.

GREENBROOK

Alessandro and Patricia Giannini, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15110 Sundial Place to Rajesh and Donna Israni, of Boonton, New Jersey, for $860,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,180

25

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

REAL ESTATE

Riverdale home tops sales at $1.35 million

|

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

MAY 10-14

square feet of living area. It previously sold for $665,000 in 2016.

Kathleen Underwood sold her home at 6714 Quillback Lane to Raisa and Aleksandr Sidorenko, of Camas, Washington, for $625,000. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,618 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $423,000 in 2012.

EDGEWATER

Robert and Marianne Hurly, trustees, of Albany, New York, sold the home at 8341 Sailing Loop to Wilhelmina Ferrari, of Bradenton, for $850,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,729 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $710,000 in 2007.

Kathy Gould, of Columbiana, Ohio, sold the home at 8486 Idlewood Court to Jose and Linda Cento, of Bradenton, for $401,100. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,698 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $188,400 in 2000.

LANGLEY PARK

Judith Leventhal, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6923 Langley Place to Gary Wayne Miller and Rebecca Ann Miller, of Vienna, W.Va., for $849,000.

Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,105 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $810,000 in 2007.

RICHMOND PARK

Marilyn Styve sold her home at 8010 Collingwood Court to Kathryn Adele Schumacher, trustee, of University Park, for $777,500. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,604 square feet of living area.

Courtesy photo

This Riverdale Revised home at 595 Mast Drive sold for $1.35 million. It has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,950 square feet of living area.

Bradenton, sold the home at 7006 Lancaster Court to Dean Matt and Luanne Armstrong, of Bradenton, for $670,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,676 square feet of living area.

LINKS AT PALM AIRE

Jeffrey Price, Judith Kovac and Bonnie Price sold their home at 7577 Fairlinks Court to Anastasia Vikanova, and Svetlana Vikanova, of Sarasota, for $590,000.

Built in 1990, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,246 square feet of

living area. It previously sold for $240,500 in 1992.

RIVER CLUB SOUTH

SRP Sub LLC sold the home at 9708 Old Hyde Park Place to Thomas Brian Dyer and Kristi Wade Dyer, of Bradenton, for $587,500. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,187 square feet of living area.

SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 26

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

Longboat Key

WARWICK GARDENS

Stephen Hric and Stephanie Abrams, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 7123 Chatsworth Court to Kenneth and Kristina Schreder, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for $699,000. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,094 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $309,000 in 2015.

Treymore Villages of Palm Aire Louis and Michelle Sposato, of Orlando, sold their home at 6914 Treymore Court to Martin Hill and Terri Keene, of Manchester, Maryland, for $697,500. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,493 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $585,000 in 2018.

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Michal and Mary DuBois, of Lutz, sold their home at 989 145th St. Circle N.E. to Ronald and Lynn Gilpin, of Bradenton, for $683,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,196 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $475,000 in 2015.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

DIVORCE

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ESPLANADE

Edward and Kathleen Donnery, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4928 Tivoli Run to James and Ann Federico, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, for $582,000.

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Steven and Anita Black, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8218 Snowy Egret Place to Prentiss Wayne Adkins and Nancy Lynn Adkins, of Hawi, Hawaii, for $530,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,319 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $250,900 in 2003.

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James and Judy Evans, of Brown Summit, North Carolina, sold their home at 16638 Blackwater Terrace to Lawrence Hopkins Adams and Valenda Wysong Adams, of Lakewood Ranch, for $500,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,830 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $360,000 in 2019.

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Frederick and Karen Mullin, of Parrish, sold their home at 17039 Hampton Falls Terrace to John Gleason, of Clifton Park, New York, for $362,900. Built in 2019, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,574 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $315,600 in 2019.

MILL CREEK

Joseph Vidota III, of Las Vegas, sold his home at 13526 Fifth Ave. N.E. to Ronald and Jennifer Spears, of Bradenton, for $489,900. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,960 square feet of living area.

It previously sold for $300,000 in 2009.

Benjamin and Victoria Hooker, of Punta Gorda, sold their home at 13611 11th Terrace E. to Lawrence Sanders III, Keara Sanders and Michelle Appleby, of Bradenton, for $460,000. Built in 1995, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,024 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $355,000 in 2016.

HERITAGE HARBOUR

Terry Schwarz and Rhoda Marie Schwarz, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 7011 Quiet Creek Drive to Michael and Claire Carew, of Bradenton, for $475,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,006 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $300,300 in 2014.

Bradley Haas, of Cincinnati, sold his home at 6885 Willowshire Way to 6885 Willowshire Way LLC for $379,000. Built in 2014, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 1,908 square feet of living area. It previously sold for $292,000 in 2014.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Essay hooks Elks’ award

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THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Beth Jacobson Multi-Media Account Executive 8 Years with The Observer

River Club 11-year-old earns $1,500 by winning Elks’ patriotism contest.

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Robert E, Willis Elementary teacher Suzanne Tomlin told her fifth grade students to try to “hook the reader” when they began writing for the Elks Americanism Essay Contest.

River Club 11-year-old Luka Schlosberg listened, and because of it, he landed a prized catch.

Schlosberg’s essay, which had to address the theme “How Can Patriotism Be Demonstrated,” won the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge contest, then the Elks Southwest Region contest before capturing first place in Division 1 (fifth-sixth grades) in the Elks state competition.

He received a $1,500 first-place award for the state contest along with a trip with his family to the Elks state convention May 29-30 in Orlando.

Schlosberg started his essay by writing, “Hello, welcome to America. I am Luca, your tour guide.” He then explained ways to demonstrate patriotism and respect. Essays had to be fewer than 300 words.

With his $1,500 award, Schlosberg said he will buy a new desk for his room where he will do more writing.

His mother, Kim Schlosberg, said winning the Elks contest has shown her son that if he takes

Jay Heater

the initiative to work hard, it will bring positive results. She also said she was grateful to the Elks for hosting the contest.

“We need to make kids think about America and how it got to be what it is, and how to keep it that way,” said Jerry Ditty, who is the Exalted Ruler of the LakewoodRanch-Sarasota Elks Lodge.

Kathy Dattilo headed the Elks committee that organized the contest for the Lakewood RanchSarasota Lodge.

“It’s a great contest to promote patriotism in young people,” she said. “The essays were interesting, but Luka had a different approach. His essay showed he put a lot of effort into it.”

Also on the committee were Rick and Kay Thorson and JoAnn Ready.

Schlosberg’s essay now goes to the Elks’ national level. The winner will be announced in July.

Elks Exalted Ruler Jerry Ditty, Luka Schlosberg, Kim Schlosberg and the Elks’ Kathy Dattilo celebrate Luka Schlosberg’s achievement.

Growing!

We’re

New positions are being added to our team.

Outside Advertising Sales Are you an innovative self-starter? Are you persuasive, energetic and focused? Do you build strong relationships? We are looking for a strong sales candidate to sell our complete media offerings including print, digital and niche publications to local businesses in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Top candidates will have a proven track record of overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.

Y R A N I D R O A R T EX e c n e i r Expe

Advertising Sales Coordinator This new position will be responsible for coordinating and supporting our dynamic, fast-paced sales team.

The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, attention to detail, excellent written and communication skills and possess an upbeat, positive attitude.

AT

Marketing Coordinator We are seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and handson Marketing Coordinator to join our team and drive awareness for consumers and advertisers of our print and digital products across Florida.

The ideal candidate will possess a basic understanding of all marketing and advertising communication channels, the consumer experience, plus a burning desire to contribute as part of a team.

Join the Observer Media Group team!

Be part of our success.

For more information: yourobserver.com/jobs Please send resume and cover letter to: Observer Media Group 1970 Main Street, Floor 3 Sarasota, FL 34236 pdigregorio@yourobserver.com

ringling.org 352829-1

357706-1

ONE LOCATION ENDLESS EXPERIENCES

27

28

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

FORECAST

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

THURSDAY, MAY 27 High: 87 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 7%

FRIDAY, MAY 28 High: 88 Low: 72 Chance of rain: 9%

SATURDAY, MAY 29 High: 87 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 15%

Gordon Silver captured this young eaglet getting a flight lesson from a parent bald eagle near White Eagle Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch.

SUNRISE / SUNSET

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, May 27

6:36a 8:18p

Friday, May 28

6:35a

8:19p

Saturday, May 29

6:35a

8:19p

Sunday, May 30

6:35a

8:20p

Monday, May 31

6:35a

8:20p

Tuesday, June 1

6:35a

8:21p

Wednesday, June 2

6:34a

8:21p

MOON PHASES

June 17 First

June 24 Full

July 1 Last

July 9 New

RAINFALL Monday, May 17

0

Tuesday, May 18

0

SUNDAY, MAY 30

Wednesday, May 19

0

Thursday, May 20

0

High: 88 Low: 71 Chance of rain: 17%

Friday, May 21

0

Saturday, May 22

0

Sunday, May 23

0

*Rainfall totals from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

YEAR TO DATE:

MONTH TO DATE:

2021 8.89 in.

2021 0.07 in.

2020 13.37 in.

2020 2.03 in.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC 349220-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

CROSSWORD

941.748.4679 | Venice

F IN FILM CLASS by Matthew Stock; Edited by David Steinberg

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com 114 + 115 “Pinocchio” quote?

120 Originally unflavored chips brand 121 “In that case ...”

122 South Carolina tribe 123 Porsche model with an arachnid-inspired name 124 Showered affection (on) 125 Comes to a end?

54 Fruity dessert 55 Altar words 56 Stray cat’s home, perhaps 57 Vegetables related to radicchio 58 Cause to change course 63 Eagle’s nest 64 Edges of the fashion world?

66 Muslim greeting 67 Tugboat’s task 68 Facing trouble DOWN 70 Chopping tool 1 Table-wiping cloth 73 Former quarterback Tim 2 Bygone anesthetics 3 What you may catch or hold 75 Sandwich not found at a kosher deli 4 Four of clubs, e.g.

76 Touch with a stylus 5 Suffix with “lemon” 77 Bygone airline 6 Goofs 79 Ancient harplike instru7 Kangaroo motion 8 Lang. in which “I” is a raised ments 80 Olympic speed skater pinkie Davis 9 Person with no seat 81 Washed (down) 10 ___ de gallo 82 Walked back and forth 11 Sunflower support 87 Flash drive initials 12 Quarterback Prescott 88 Politician’s chance for 13 Forbidden fruit’s garden 14 When doubled, a fish taco a pic 89 The “heart of Black culture option in Boston” 15 Atomic variant 91 “Two thumbs up from me!”

16 “The usual” 17 Word after “eagle” or “evil” 93 General principle 95 Slows from a canter 19 ___ scheme 96 Corned beef dish 20 “Hey, pops!”

97 Irish poet W.B. 22 ___ Perce 99 ___ to (hint at) 23 Volcano flow 100 Not masculine or 29 Fleeting feminine 30 It’s never a bad thing ©2021 Universal Uclick 101 Shares, as gossip 31 Attempt again ACROSS 29 Hawklike bird of prey 61 Rest atop 85 Sincerely wish 105 “How interesting!”

33 Like hot wings 1 Zoom date need 32 Former soldiers’ hosps. 62 Whitlock Jr. of “Your 86 Poker pot starter 108 It has a low pH 35 Consultation price 7 Hinged fasteners 34 “That punch hurt!”

Honor” 87 Hullabaloo 109 Words per minute, for 37 Church chorus?

12 Downfall 36 Piano key next to A 65 “Go team!”

90 Swanky functions one 39 “Aargh!”

18 Online brokerage 38 “Coco” quote?

66 Sailor’s plea 92 Pet adoption org.

111 “___ no one ever” 19 Sticky note 43 “Other” category (Abbr.) 67 Leans 94 “The Wolf of Wall Street” 40 Skips, as syllables 112 Welcome desk offering 41 Australian bird’s liquid 20 Got one’s voice heard 45 Swipe 69 South Asian lentil dish quote?

114 Study, as for the ACT 21 “Field of Dreams” quote? 46 Get in the way of 71 Shape of flying geese 98 Return to a lower court product 115 RB’s distance units 42 Uncorks, perhaps 24 Enjoy a book 47 You, biblically 72 Greek letter hidden in 102 Cereal container 116 Negative conjunction 44 Game with melds 25 Rep. such as Mazie 49 Assert “talk the talk” 103 Mrs., in Spanish 117 Letters next to cellphone 47 Bat mitzvah’s text Hirono 51 Olympics city where 74 Cut smaller than a 104 Caught on tape bars 48 Japanese fruit candy 26 Person with a mobile Simone Biles won five med- porterhouse 106 Garland traditionally 118 “___ Mubarak” (Muslim brand home? als, briefly 76 Concert passes, for short returned to the earth greeting) 50 Exclusive pass holder, 27 “Day ‘n’ ___” (Kid Cudi 53 Actor’s prompt 77 Long-lasting ‘do 107 Skier’s lift 119 Oolong, e.g. briefly hit) 54 “Interstellar” quote?

78 “Moulin Rouge!” quote? 110 “Do the Right Thing” 52 “... but the price is flexible” 28 The Earth without it is 59 Curved trajectories 83 Chesapeake or Hudson actor Davis (Abbr.) just “Eh” 60 Fist bump 84 ___ Mahal 113 Rep. from the Bronx

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.

“NR EUU WEFR WDKITUEYY MSTKIRY; ADKI YEHP XKYG YRGGURY SH PSMMRIRHG OUEZRY.” DZGEFSE YORHZRI

“B TYUI FJ AYM, DGTT B CBCS’I TYUG BI, B ESYD DXGVG BI BU, IXGVG’U AWUI UYFG YIXGV LWJ CYBSL BI SYD.” MYMRZI LYTCIXDZBI Puzzle Two Clue: E equals K

Sarasota

OUTDOOR KITCHENS, DECKS, WALKWAYS AND MORE

Puzzle One Clue F equals V

PAVERS

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

SUDOKU

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

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

05-27-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Cleaning

DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at Noon

CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

Deadline for classified advertising in the June 3rd issue will be due on FRIDAY, May 28th at 3pm.

EXPENSIVE ROOM Darking Curtains - 4 pinch-pleated curtain panels (2@ 80”wx80”l) and (2@62”wx80”l). Needs cleaning $75 for all. 941-922-4122 GLASS ROUND high top table and 4 arms upholstered chairs, 48” X 36”, dark wood. $200 207-206-5160 LARGE METAL toolbox loaded with tools of all kinds, 2 levels $50 for all. 941-349-4875 ICE MAKER, countertop, $65, Holmes floor fan 3’ tall $30, Keurig coffee maker - new $30, office chair has wheels $30 941-359-8460 PERFECT AA Citron gemstone rectangular 13.5mm x 10.5mm. $199 310-720-7285

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SELL YOUR STUFF HERE! Advertise items less than $200 for FREE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Merchandise Wanted

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

Items Under $200 2013-2014 Ford Focus wheel $125 good condition, do not text. 941-879-7105

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Personal and confidential.

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auto

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING EARLY DEADLINE The Observer will be closed on May 31st in observance of Memorial Day.

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

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RED PAGES AD RATES First 15 words .................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ....... 50¢

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Fax: 941-362-4808 Email: redpages@ yourobserver.com Online: yourobserver. com/redpages

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Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

This week’s Crossword answers

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Cleaning BRAZILIAN CLEANING Service by Maria. Residential.

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Made for where you live. Here!

RED PAGES YourObserver.com/RedPages

©2021 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

CLUB CHAIR drexel heritage oversized, pale red color. $50 Matching ottoman $25 941-351-3166

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE!

peekers’ place

Items Under $200

home services

The East County Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the East County Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

real estate

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

The CRYSTAL CLEAR choice!

RED PAGES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “We all have hourglass figures; your sand just settles in different places.”

Octavia Spencer Puzzle Two Solution: “I lost my job, well I didn’t lose it, I know where it is, there’s just some other guy doing it now.”

Bobcat Goldthwait

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 NEA, Inc.

30

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Aluminum

Construction

Health

THE BEST This Doctor is Among

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“Specializing in 6” Seamless Gutters”

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

YourObserver.com

Lawn Care

Rescreening & Repairs

|

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

31

Roofing

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

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Visit MattamyHomes.com or see a Mattamy New Home Counselor for further details and important legal disclaimers. This is not an offer in states where registration is required. Void where prohibited by law. Prices, specifications, terms, conditions, offers, home site and plan availability are subject to change or revocation without prior notice or obligation. Photographs and videos are solely for illustrative purposes and should never be relied upon. Tour and photos may be from another community and specifications, colors and features may vary. Furniture is not included in the price of the home. Mattamy Homes reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice. Offer may not be redeemed for cash or equivalent. Offers are limited to individuals that purchase their home directly from Mattamy Homes. Copyright © 2021 Mattamy Homes. E. & O.E. Builder’s #CGC1524054 , CBC1261948, CGC1513363 MATTPA366 358551-1

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THURSDAY PRINT DISTRIBUTION 60,000

The Observers* 50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

59,286

Sarasota Observer Longboat Observer East County Observer Siesta Key Observer

Sarasota Herald-Tribune** 31,712 Bradenton Herald*** 18,632

10,000

*Source: Verified Audit Circulation Annual Audit ending March 31, 2020. **Source: Alliance for Audited Media Annual Audit ending Dec. 31, 2019, does not include Venice and North Port in Sarasota or Charlotte counties. ***Source: Alliance for Audited Media, 24 months ending Dec. 31, 2019.

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