LWR Life Magazine Spring 2017

LWRLIFE LAKEWOOD RANCH AREA’S COMMUNITY, NATURE, STYLE SPRING 2017

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LWR LIFE

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CONTENTS

SPRING 2017

FEATURES

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LWR LIFE

WALK IN THE PARK Learn more about what the county could bring to an outdoor space near you.

66

LAND STEWARD When Elizabeth Moore bought a 1,100-acre ranch, she didn’t count on the cows.

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GET CULTURED Sarasota’s ripe with arts events this season.

Here are a few worth the drive.

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DEPARTMENTS 18 FROM THE EDITOR

48 56

30 BUZZ How high will track and field star Sophia Falco soar this season?

39 PULSE Less is more when it comes to this resident artists’ work.

44 CHARITY SNAPSHOT SMART celebrates 30 years and a new leader.

48 CALENDAR Don’t miss these Lakewood Ranch events.

56 STYLE Shop around for unique home items that can spruce up your space this spring.

30 77

77 HAVEN The Lake Club’s “Versailles” marries flawless architecture with polished decor.

86 GARDENING Learn more about plants with bite.

86 TENNIS Food is fuel. Push your game to the next level with these eating tips.

94 RANCH SCENE The Players Centre for Performing Arts raises funds for new facility.

98 PARTING GLANCE

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LWR LIFE

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LWRLIFE LAKEWOOD RANCH AREA’S COMMUNITY, NATURE, STYLE

ENTIRE SHOWROOM THRU 3/1/17

Publisher — Emily Walsh

UP TO

EDITORIAL

½FF

Executive Editor — Kat Hughes Managing Editor — Heidi Kurpiela Design — Nicole Thompson

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Contributors Shellie Terry Benson, Pam Eubanks, Jay Heater, Dex Honea, Ryan Kohn, Niki Kottmann and Eric Snider

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To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Kat Hughes at khughes@yourobserver.com.

For advertising inquiries, call 366-3468.

(1.5 miles South of Bee Ridge Road)

LWR Life is a quarterly publication of the Observer Media Group published in May, August, November and February in partnership with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Put it on the list

Anne Patterson’s “Pathless Woods” is like swimming through color.

A

t an event recently, I was chating with a retired couple about their interests when the wife starting firing off the list of events she attends. “I have something to go to nearly every night of the week,” she said. “I’m busier now than I was when I was working!”

Although I’m still in the working world, I agreed with her: There is no shortage of things to do in this area.

Whether it’s attending your favorite fine arts performance or supporting your pet philanthropy, you have endless options of dinners, events and entertainment to enjoy. The trouble seems more to be selecting what to do, particularly during the busy spring months of season.

To help you whittle down your list, we present six arts events that will give you something to talk about at your next dinner party (see Page 72).

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Lakewood Ranch boasts 963 miles of trails, greenways and bike paths.

Topping that list is one you must see: the “Pathless Woods” exhibit at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It’s really just a large room — the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Gallery of Contemporary Art — with 24 miles of colorful ribbon hanging from the ceiling in 15-foot strips.

But the experience of walking through them is something you simply must do to understand.

With lighting just peeking through in places, you will feel instantly like you are in a forest, trying to catch a glimpse of other beings in between the trees. Add in the tactile feeling of having smooth ribbons glide over and around your shoulders, while you take in the calming music that plays, and you have a delightful overload of the senses. You’ll leave feeling energized and somewhat giddy.

It’s trivial, playful and powerful.

And, it’s amazing what a little lighthearted play can do for the soul. Along

those lines, you can get your fill of play without ever leaving Lakewood Ranch. If you haven’t noticed yet, this place is jam-packed with parks.

One of the beautiful things about a master-planned community is open spaces have been built into the area’s DNA. That means residents benefit from miles of connected trails and areas to enjoy wildlife, while also having facilities to do more structured activities, like sports and fishing.

To make sure the county is making the most of the land, it is in the midst of coming up with a master plan for the parks to help guide future amenities. See Page 60 for more information on where the county is in the process, how you can get involved and also to take stock of what you have in this area rich in parkland.

As if you need another thing to do.

Kat Hughes Executive Editor

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A S P E CTAC U L A R V I E W

of Friendship

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nce you see Plymouth Harbor and meet the people who call it home, you will change the way you think about your future.

You will meet active, vibrant, independent-minded people – who share a love of boating, a passion for helping others, and a natural spirit of friendship.

With the proximity to downtown Sarasota, you can just as comfortably enjoy a night out on the town as you can stay in and entertain friends. You will love the beautiful setting that looks like a first-class resort, but feels just like home. And there is always plenty to do.

Start your day with a workout in the fitness center, a soothing Tai Chi class, or a dip in the pool. Maybe you prefer the creative outlet of our woodworking shop or art studio. Join in on a game of bocce or a sit in on an educational lecture. There is so much to choose from, the possibilities are endless. And it is not just a possibility, but everyday life here at Plymouth Harbor. Enjoy a rich myriad of activities surrounded by spectacular views of Sarasota Bay. Come see for yourself – and get a new perspective on retirement living. Call us today for a tour of our award-winning campus, luxury accommodations and amenities.

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BUZZ

NEWS, HAPPENINGS AND PEOPLE

Thunder by the Bay roars into the Ranch.

PAGE 24

BY THE NUMBERS

10,000

Thunder by the Bay attendees estimated on Jan. 8

8

bands that played during the two-day event

150

participants in the 18 Class Bike Show

4

months’ notice to move the event to its new venue

$72,500

raised for charity during 2016 Thunder by the Bay

Roarin’ Ranch

BY LWR LIFE STAFF

A

fter 18 years in downtown Sarasota, the Thunder by the Bay motorcycle festival put up its kickstand and headed east, to the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

Photo by Jay Heater

On Jan. 7-8, thousands of leather-clad festivalgoers rolled in to enjoy the Rockin’ & Ridin’ at the Ranch Festival, which boasted eight bands, including headliner Blue Oyster Cult. Although rain and cold temperatures plagued the bikers on Saturday, Sunday brought some sunshine to dry things out. Organizers estimate about 10,000 people attended that day.

Suncoast Charities for Children puts on the annual festival, which moved from Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch after businesses and city officials in Sarasota complained about the event’s impact on the downtown area. When it looked like Sarasota wouldn’t welcome the event this year, organizers scrambled to find another venue with just four months’ notice. Luckily, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch offered up Premier to host the gathering, which raises money for local children’s organizations.

The result was a successful event that now has room to expand, away from the crowded confines of the downtown Sarasota footprint.

“Lakewood Ranch was very good to us, and we got a lot of good feedback that we can use for next year,” says Lucy Nicandri, executive director of Suncoast Charities for Children. “We see it as a great opportunity for growth in the future.”

Although she is awaiting the final tally of money raised, Nicandri says the festival didn’t lose money, even though its revenues were down this year because of the weather.

More importantly, Thunder now has a home, which Nicandri says opens up new possibilities.

“People took a vested interest that this event was about raising money for charity, and I think people lost sight of that, so that was really refreshing,” she says. “We’re already planning for next year.”

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Images courtesy of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch

Buildings in the CORE project will have high-end, high-tech-inspired architecture to make the project stand out from neighboring developments. The design aesthetic will match the architecture typically seen in life science industry projects.

STRENGTHENING ITS

CORE Lakewood Ranch is

BY PAM EUBANKS | CONTRIBUTOR

positioning itself as

t least once a month, Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty President Kirk Boylston is on the road touting a vision he has for Lakewood Ranch.

At health-industry conferences, he doles out brochures depicting a modern, industrial development where biomedical researchers and medical suppliers mingle against a classic Lakewood Ranch backdrop of wetlands, trees, bridges, pedestrian and bicycling trails.

a biomedical hub.

The vision is already coming to fruition with the construction of a new health-conscious development.

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A

“There’s a lot of bio research hubs,” Boylston says. “We’re just trying to create a smaller version here. It’s a pretty broad scope, so we’re really looking for anything that’s related to enhancing health.”

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch calls the 305-acre project CORE, short for Collaboration Opportunities for Research and Exploration. Located south of Rangeland Parkway, at the northeast corner of State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the project is designed to attract scientific, educational and research institutions. Picture it like a health-tropolis, home to medical suppliers, advanced care facilities, cancer centers, residential, retail, education and hotel space.

“We’re getting a great response,” Boylston says. “It’s an important project for the whole region, as well as for Lakewood Ranch. We’re making good progress, but it’s a lengthy process.”

It will take up to 20 years to fully develop, but when CORE is complete, SMR and Boylston feel it will be a oneof-a-kind research and development Continued on Page 28

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Continued from Page 26 campus, a biomedical destination unlike any other office or medical park in the area.

“We’re not looking to have a bunch of doctors’ offices and urgent-care medical types in this area,” Boylston said.

“We’re being selective about the uses we are putting on this particular site.”

The first piece of the CORE puzzle is already in place: a 40-acre lifestyle development called The Green, slated to open in 2018. Orlando-based Tavistock Development announced in January that it would bring two-dozen restaurants and retailers to the parcel, including an Earth Fare organic grocer and a fitness facility. Renowned for its innovative business parks, Tavistock also signed on to build more than 300 luxury apartments at the site.

“Biomedical is going to take a while to bring in,” says SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen. “To have a really nice lifestyle product makes a difference. I think it will help us attract other businesses that fit the CORE profile.”

SMR already has several office and industrial parks scattered across the ranch, including Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, home to companies such as FCCI, Stantec and State College of Florida. Last year, Tampa-based Harrod Properties solidified plans to build more than 500,000 square feet of flexible industrial space on the east side of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, just south of the Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware shopping plaza. The community’s current office and industrial centers are all economic drivers, but CORE will be different because of what it will offer and how it will look.

SMR officials see the hub as an integral part of the community’s longrange sustainability plan. “New demographic, economic and lifestyle forces are driving the formation and growth of biomedical clusters throughout the U.S.,” Jensen says. “Critical to the success of these centers is the infrastructure, support systems and collaborative environment to nurture their growth. With more than 1,300 companies, Lakewood Ranch is a major job center. Proximity to homes, retail and services is a major advantage, and a must for companies that need to tap into an ecosystem like ours.”

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF CORE: 1. Create a world-class research campus that demonstrates best practices in sustainable development.

2. Attract leading businesses in related fields to a destination site that promotes collaboration and serves as a sustainable model for economic development.

3. Incubate and foster innovation by building a bridge to new discoveries and technologies.

4. Promote environmental stewardship by extending the campus into the surrounding natural amenities.

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch plans to have plenty of walking trails within the boundaries of CORE, staying true to its vision of a walkable community.

Trails and other amenities will differentiate the project from other biomedical hubs across the country.

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Maximum Velocity

Photos by Dex Honea

Nothing can slow down Lakewood Ranch track and field powerhouse Sophia Falco.

BY RYAN KOHN | CONTRIBUTOR

“ G

o-Go So-So” is all grown up now.

Sophia Falco earned her nickname as a toddler. Her mother, Jeanne Falco, gave it to her when she was just nine months old and already dashing around the house — though not always gracefully.

Falco would fall and cut herself open, as children often do, but she wouldn’t cry. She would throw her shoulders

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back and brush it off, pretending like it didn’t happen. “I’m alright,” she would say, wiping away the grime and blood.

Then she would gallop away to rejoin her friends or sisters.

Now the darling of her track and field team, Falco, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, is crushing school records, including those for the long jump (20 feet, 5 inches), triple jump (40 feet, 5 inches), 100-meter dash (11.59 seconds), and 200-meter dash (24.11 seconds).

At 17, she still embodies the unbridled spirit of her childhood sobriquet, though these days she harnesses it differently. The clumsiness is gone. In its place: sheer agility.

On Jan. 18, Sophia was training for an indoor track meet at Kent State University in Ohio, where her sister Talia Falco runs. As she lined up to practice her long jump, Falco looked down and exhaled. She looked up, inContinued on Page 32

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Continued from Page 30 haled, did two sets of standing highknees and then stretched her arms.

She said nothing, but she didn’t have to. “Go-Go So-So” was ready.

Sophia leaned back, leaned forward, sprinted, and leapt.

“Amazing?” She asked.

She phrased it as a question, not a fact, when trying to define herself. Her track and field coach, Mark Napier, says this is typical of Sophia, always downplaying her accomplishments, earnestly unaware of her specialness. The comment would have shocked Napier had the teen not scrunched up her face awkwardly and looked to him for approval, as if to say, “was that too much?”

“Everyone keeps telling her how amazing she is,” Napier says. “I guess she’s beginning to realize it must be true.”

When Talia was on the team, Jeanne Falco told Napier, “Just wait until you see Sophia.” Back then the two-yearsyounger Sophia clung to Talia like a barnacle on a ship. She would dote on her older sister, bringing her water and anything else Talia forgot to take to the track. “She’s got a big heart,” Jeanne says. “She’s extremely humble. She always gives credit to everyone, her coaches, for her success. She gets a little uncomfortable when I talk about her.”

She’s an over thinker. Last year, at the Spoto Spartan Invitational in Riv-

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She’s got a big heart. She’s extremely humble. She always gives credit to everyone, her coaches, for her success.

She gets a little uncomfortable when I talk about her.”

JEANNE FALCO

erview, Sophia came to Napier with a unique problem on the long jump. “I don’t remember how to land,” she said.

She was racked with anxiety and frustration. Meanwhile, Napier couldn’t stop laughing. For a long jumper, forgetting how to land is like forgetting how to walk.

“We went and worked on the most basic landing, something I’d teach a newcomer,” Napier says. “I’ve come across a lot, but I had never come across that one before.”

Sophia finished second, despite the mental block. She and Napier are still laughing about the strange slipup.

She hopes the panic is behind her now. It’s her senior season, and she still has marks to hit as a Mustang before she ships off to Vanderbilt University to run as a Commodore. Her long jump goal is 21.5 feet, her triple jump goal is 41.5 feet and her 100-meter dash goal is 11.40 seconds. Those would all be huge leaps from her current recordsetting times.

She believes in herself with a quiet confidence, acknowledging the pressure of her own ambitions without being rattled by them. Her comfort level comes from constant training.

She started preparing last summer for this year’s track and field season — the earliest she’s ever started. She rises at 4:45 a.m. every day to run. She lifts weights and knocks out 25-pound resistance lunges.

She’s also using video review now.

As a younger runner, she had little interest in the technical aspects of her sport. Now she finds herself fascinated by technique. Watching her movements go right or wrong on video lets her know what she needs to change.

The extra diligence is paying off. Sophia won all three events at the Kent State meet in January.

Napier is not surprised. He says his pupil is “exemplary in the process” of track and field, and believes Sophia can challenge the national long jump record (22 feet, five inches). After all, it is her signature event.

“She has only scratched the surface of her potential,” Napier says. “If she continues to aspire to be the best she can be, and continues to enjoy the sport, there is no ceiling in terms of how far she can go.”

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The

Main Mall Man Jeramy Burkinshaw lands his

dream job in running The Mall at University Town Center.

BY JAY HEATER | CONTRIBUTOR

I

t’s early at The Mall at University Town Center as only a handful of senior walkers can be seen in the corridors. The metal gates remain down in front of stores, and inside employees are vacuuming floors and hanging clothes on the bargain racks.

On the second floor in the administration offices, UTC General Manager Jeramy Burkinshaw has been busy for quite some time planning his day.

Hired in December to his first post as a mall general manager, Burkinshaw wants to get everything just right. He knows he has a big job running the 880,000-square-foot mall.

Burkinshaw’s office lacks the grandeur of the $315 million mall itself, which opened in October 2014 as a crown jewel among Taubman Centers,

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LWR LIFE

Courtesy

which built the mall in partnership with Benderson Development Co. A plain desk. Nothing real catchy on the walls. No mahogany furniture.

It would make sense Burkinshaw hasn’t had much time to put his personal stamp on his working environment. Just before Black Friday in November, Taubman announced Octavio Ortiz, who had been the general manager since the mall’s opening, was out.

Three weeks later, Burkinshaw was packing his bags from his previous job as operations director at Taubman’s City Creek Center in Salt Lake City.

Burkinshaw had been part of the grand opening team for Taubman

when it opened The Mall at UTC, so he was familiar with the property. He knew it was a beautiful center in a beautiful area. He also knew he could have opportunity to mold a center just more than 2 years old. “It’s exciting to shape the role we will play in the community,” he says.

He says successful malls have to be unique. “We don’t want people thinking of us as ‘The Mall,’” he says. “We want people thinking of us as ‘Their mall.’”

Burkinshaw says he has all the ammunition to make that happen.

“The Mall at UTC is unique because Continued on Page 36

Jeramy Burkinshaw took over as the mall general manager in December.

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Continued from Page 34 of the position it holds within the community as a place where family and friends can meet up to shop and dine, spend time together and simply relax,” he says. “We also serve this market by offering a point of difference. There is a great assortment of retailers and over half of our tenants are unique to the Sarasota-Manatee market. Our restaurants are all unique to the market.”

With online shopping the newest threats to malls everywhere, Burkinshaw says they need to offer more than just a shopping experience. People need more of a reason to drive to the mall, such as the Santa’s Flight Academy that thrilled so many at the mall during the holiday shopping season.

“Mall owners must have a compelling retail, dining and experiential offering that appeals to customers on an emotional level, and we must make the physical space appealing and easily accessible,” he says. “That’s why we spent so much time carefully curating point-of-difference tenants for UTC. It’s also why we have an in-center wayfinding app, and speaks to why valet and self-parking is incredibly easy.”

It’s obvious he is going to have a lot of balls in the air. From his last job with Taubman, which hired him five years ago, he has added many more hats. He was responsible for operations in Salt Lake City, but now also will oversee retailer and community relations and marketing. With that responsibility comes the fact that no two days are the same, or at least they haven’t been in his brief time in charge.

“This, more than my previous role, requires me to quickly shift gears across a number of responsibilities all day long,” he says. “It’s actually one of the things I like best about the opportunity. I’m also now responsible for keeping the center’s long-term success in mind at all times.”

Although he only has been with Taubman five years, Burkinshaw has 14 years in the industry. He says he has learned the most his last five, though, citing Taubman’s “incredibly-high operational standards and commitment to customers.” He says it has been an unparalleled training ground.

Part of that experience was opening the Mall at UTC. “It was my hope

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Photo by Jay Heater

AT A GLANCE WHO: Jeramy Burkinshaw WHAT: New general manager at the Mall at University Town Center LIVES: GreyHawk Landing WIFE: Shanna CHILDREN: Brayden, 10; Cohen, 7; Addison, 3

I could transition into a general manager’s position at Taubman,” he says.

“And when the opportunity at UTC was presented to me, I could hardly believe I could make that transition in such a wonderful, vibrant market.”

Two years after its opening, the Mall at UTC has 129 stores and restaurants and a limited number of spaces to be rented. Burkinshaw says he can’t put an exact number to available spaces because one store might require two or three times the space as another, but business is good. “We are fortunate to operate in a market that offers far more opportunities than challenges,” he says.

One of the opportunities will be the 2017 World Rowing Championships Sept. 24 through Oct. 1 at Nathan Benderson Park, adjacent to the mall.

The event is expected to attract 40,000 visitors and add $25 million to the local economy. “Benderson is a great partner, and we loved the environment that surrounds UTC,” he says. “There are so many unique transformations tak-

ing place, particularly in our own backyard. It’s incredible to know the park is going to host world-class events and elite athletes.”

A self-proclaimed “family man,” Burkinshaw and his wife, Shanna, have three children. He says the family-friendly environment and sense of community in Sarasota were big reasons he wanted to relocate to the area.

The one unfortunate aspect of his move out of Salt Lake City is he won’t be able to enjoy his favorite hobby, backcountry snowmobiling. He loves the outdoors, though, and says he is looking forward to trying out new hobbies that Florida has to offer.

But first, he has that big job to do.

“The retail industry overall is incredibly competitive. But what we have that nobody else in the region has is the most dynamic collection of upscale, contemporary lifestyle and fast-fashion brands under one roof.”

So does Burkinshaw have any personal favorites when he gets hungry?

“All of our restaurants have such great offerings, it’s difficult to have any one favorite,” he says. “Whether it’s the ravioli at Brio, scallops at Seasons 52, the club sandwich at Kona Grill, or a fabulous steak at Capital Grille, I’m never short on great dining options.”

On this day, the food would have to wait. The gates of the shops were rising and shoppers were coming through the doors. Burkinshaw says he didn’t have challenges ahead, just opportunities. Decorating the office can wait.

For some, spots are good.

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THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

The art of simplicity.

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class act

LESS IS MORE Lakewood Ranch artist

Donald Myers isn’t afraid to make an understatement.

BY HEIDI KURPIELA | MANAGING EDITOR

S

ome artists thrive in chaos.

They live among odd, dusty collections of flashy objects, busy patterns and bright colors — a reflection of their inner monologues and curiosities. Not Donald Myers.

He’s an avowed minimalist. At 86, the sculptor lives a quiet and orderly life in his mostly whitewashed Lakewood Ranch Country Club home.

What some people see as sterile or overly simple, Myers sees as “truth, beauty and perfection.” He likes clean lines, pared-down geometric shapes and flawlessly executed designs. He doesn’t wear a watch or carry a cell phone. His pockets are always empty and shirts are always plain. His desk is white. His lamps are white. His end tables are white. His sculptures are black — save for one, a 14-inch aluminum piece titled “Attitude,” which he painted bright red to match the color of his favorite 2003 Mini Cooper.

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Photos by Dex Honea

“I’ve always been a minimalist,” says Donald Myers. “Even as a kid I liked streamlined stuff. I couldn’t stand looking back at old art and old furniture. I liked looking forward, not back.

“I like it,” Myers says of the outlier.

“But it doesn’t exactly fit. Everything else in this house is pristine.”

“Attitude,” a skinny statue with outstretched arms and optical art eyes, is the artists’ first work in a new collection of minimal figurative sculptures.

The piece was influenced by Marcel Duchamp’s 1935 “Rotoreliefs,” a series of discs covered in circles that when spun on a turntable created an illusion of depth.

Since making the piece, Myers has pumped out several replicas, all of them shorter than the original and

painted entirely black so they’re easier to display. “I like black,” the artist says bluntly. “It’s extraordinarily neutral.

You can put it anywhere and it’s not going to fight with anything.”

A Korean War veteran and former clothing merchant, the Minnesota native has been plugging away at his art for the past 50 years. He retired at 40, selling his family’s clothing business so he could spend his life doing the things he loved: art, skiing and bicycling — in that order. He was a married fatherContinued on Page 42

the

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Continued from Page 40 of-two when he enrolled in his first art class, an intensive six-week summer course at the Minneapolis School of Art. “We were assigned a printing project without being told the outcome,” Myers says. “I was on my hands and knees for three days printing with a linoleum block. Seeing my frustration, one of the instructors bent down and whispered in my ear, ‘Don’t be afraid to fail. It was the most valuable thing anyone ever said to me.”

It took him years to hone his craft.

He experimented with pottery, welding, stone carving and bronze casting.

He got reckless in the studio only once, smashing a dilapidated pallet with a sledgehammer and assembling the pieces into an abstract form. “It was so good when I put it on a shelf in my classroom, someone threw it away,” he deadpans.

Myers’ work improved over the years. His pieces became simpler and smaller. After battling bladder cancer,

“It’s so stark simple it allows you to have all sorts of relationships to it without clutter getting in the way,” Myers says of his small black sculpture, “The Stroller.”

he removed himself from the fumes of a traditional workshop and employed the help of CAD/CAM software, off-site engineers, welders and painters. He still supplies all the drawings, dimension sheets and models. However, a computer-assisted water jet now cuts each sculpture to his specifications. “The way I’m working is so precise nobody is going to mess it up,” Myers says.

In January, he landed his first gallery representation at Allyn Gallup Con-

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The gallery’s owner, Sheila Moore, describes Myers’ work as “elegant, well made and a wonderful complement to a contemporary setting” — the kind of praise Myers has waited his whole life to hear.

Like many perfectionists, he’s accustomed to taking his time. He was 84 when he bought his first road bike, a carbon fiber Giant that he currently rides 50 miles a week with the Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club.

“I hated other bikers passing me,” Myers says of the decision to upgrade his wheels. “I thought I should go faster. At first it was a terrible experience, then I took it to a bike shop and had it fitted to me. What a difference that made.”

He recently checked his tachometer and noticed he had peaked out at 26 mph going downhill.

“I was surprised I could go that fast,” he says. “I read an article about this 105-year-old French guy who set a world record for his age group. That’s something to aspire to.”

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charity snapshot

Photos by Dex Honea

Bren Wilkinson and Gail Clifton with rider Renee Krisfalusy and SMART’s gentle white therapy horse, Sterling.

Noble Steed SMART celebrates three decades of making therapeutic strides.

BY ERIC SNIDER | CONTRIBUTOR

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S

ixteen-year-old Mallory Schmidt had been sentenced to life in a wheelchair — so said her doctors, so said her therapists. Her mother, Deb Schmidt, wasn’t quite ready to accept that fate. She contacted the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART), and asked if she could get her daughter, who has cerebral palsy, on a horse. It was a Hail

Mary, a shot at giving Mallory a sense of freedom and independence after so many failed therapies. Her faith in the program paid off. Two years later, Mallory, with the aid of a walker, crossed the stage at Robarts Arena to collect her high school diploma. Now 24, she still rides at SMART. “Mallory was angry. Nothing else was working for her,” says Gail Clifton, SMART’s executive director. “As soon as she sat on that horse, she had a smile on her face and was giggling.

Her mom was in tears. The connection Mallory had with the horse made all Continued on Page 46

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Continued from Page 44 the difference. It made her work a little harder, stretch herself.”

SMART’s story vault is full of feelgood tales of strength and healing.

Last year, the nonprofit served 697 children and adults beset by a wide range of physical, emotional and mental disabilities, some mild and some severe. The organization’s staff and volunteers are as impressed by the medical miracles as they are the small successes. One girl with acute scoliosis was told by her doctor that she would no longer need a back brace after a few months of horse therapy. Another rider, a young man with autism, was so excited to do barn chores at SMART that he began offering to do chores at home. “We see even the smallest improvement as a big deal,” says Brandi Ezell, assistant executive director.

One of only three paid employees, Ezell’s 10-year-old autistic son continues to benefit from the program. She’s scheduled to move into the executive director chair in April, when Clifton steps down after 20 years at the helm.

Clifton, who spent all but two months of her tenure steering SMART as a volunteer, says she’s ready to “head back to the barn” as a horse handler.

There used to be no barn. Founded

by Betsey London-Fish, SMART began as the Greenwood Riding Academy in Sarasota before London-Fish reinvented it in 1987 as a horseback riding facility for children and adults with special needs. For many years, SMART existed in little more than a dusty pasture outfitted with a few simple stalls, a makeshift riding area and a feed room fashioned from a donated tractor-trailer. The animals — most with show horse backgrounds — hung around the field together day and night.

In 1993, Sarah Clark took over and moved the operation to her property in Bradenton. She sold the parcel to the Hunsader family, who allowed SMART to remain there free of charge until 2011, when it relocated a second time to an idyllic 23-acre ranch on Waterbury Road in East Manatee County. A far-flung oasis, located 15 miles east of I-75, SMART is now a full-fledged equine therapy operation, home to 14 horses, a vast riding arena, spacious barn and an army of volunteers who

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Clockwise from top: Instructor and barn manager Samantha Toomey gives rider Fillip Wasilewski’s a carriagedriving lesson. SMART families can purchase a brick off the organization’s website and have it engraved. The paved path will eventually go from the parent pavilion to the barn. In April, Brandi Ezell will step in as SMART’s executive director.

lead one-on-one therapy classes for students Monday through Saturday.

Although it’s come a long way since its tractor-trailer feed room days, the nonprofit still has a bucket list. At the top of it: a $600,000 covered arena, equipped with massive fans and a sprinkler system. To cover the cost of the project, the organization launched a $1 million fundraising campaign that will also help offset mortgage costs and expand therapy and scholarship programs.

Fundraising has not come easy. In recent years, SMART has struggled to court (and retain) executive directors with backgrounds in fundraising. Last year, it decided to change course and develop a succession plan with Ezell, who served as Clifton’s administrative assistant for two-and-a-half years.

“Brandi is the perfect person for the job,” Clifton says. “She knows the or-

ganization. More than a fundraiser, we need someone who’s smart and efficient and can run it. She’s definitely ready.”

The grassroots organization turns 30 on March 2. While a three-decade run for any small nonprofit is a testament to astute management and resolve, SMART’s success is rooted in the magic of riding therapy. The horses are the heroes. There’s something about their empathy for vulnerable people that still gives Clifton chills. She says many of the program’s autistic riders are unable to make eye contact with volunteers, yet they forge unbreakable bonds with their giant cantering companions.

“A lot of our participants are looked down upon, physically and emotionally,” Clifton says. “But when they sit on a horse, everyone is looking up at them.

They see that and a big psychological boost comes along with it.”

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calendar spring 2017 MARCH MARCH 1 CLASSIC CAR SHOW Visit Lakewood Ranch Main Street at 5 p.m. to view, sit in and admire classic cars. Cost is $10 per car to compete for trophies and other prizes. n For more information, call 371-1061.

MARCH 3 MUSIC ON MAIN Come to Lakewood Ranch Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m. for a free concert featuring Big Night Out. Proceeds from the event will benefit Care2Tri. Guests are welcome to bring chairs but no coolers. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short leash. n For more information, call 907-9243.

SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT This Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance shooting tournament will provide a day of outdoor fun for gun enthusiasts, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ancient Oak Gun Club, 16800 State Road 64 E. The event is suitable for beginners and experts, and includes lunch and awards ceremony. Cost is $125 per person or $400 for a team of four. n For more information, visit lwrba.org.

MARCH 5 8TH ANNUAL TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN 10K/5K/FUN RUN Take Stock in Children of Manatee County’s annual 10K/5K/Fun Run will start and finish on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. The 10K and 5K are scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. and the fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. (Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.). The postrace party will feature food, entertainment, raffles, age group awards and kids’ activities. All proceeds from this event benefit Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. n For more information, call 713-8935.

CHALK THE PARK Sarasota County will host this firsttime event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at

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Nathan Benderson Park. There will be an amateur chalk-drawing contest open and free to the public starting at 10 a.m., as well as face painting, games, popcorn, snow cones, hot dogs and more in a festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is meant to introduce rowing and the upcoming World Rowing Championships, as well.

Food vendors will have food for sale.

And, there will be a “learn to row and paddleboard” offering. n For more information, call 861-5000.

MARCH 11 IRISH CELTIC FESTIVAL & LUCKY DOG PARADE For those of Irish Celtic descent or those who just want to be Irish for the

day, this event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13400 Adventure Place.

Proceeds from the dog parade benefit the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch. Awards will be given for dogs that are most Irish, cutest and dog/ owner look-alikes. Cost to enter your pimped out pooch is just $5. Bring your little leprechauns to enjoy the “Pot of Gold” scavenger hunt, face painting, spud-head decorating, balloons, park and more. Free admission and parking on site. n For more information, visit lwrcac.com.

Continued on Page 50

The Irish Celtic Festival & Lucky Dog Parade takes place March 11.

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line party includes free food and beer for individuals 21 and up. Walkers are welcome. n Register at active.com.

MARCH 31 MOVIES ON THE GREEN Spread out a blanket and get cozy in a lawn chair for a showing of “Rio” at 7:30 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd. Join in for a family-friendly film, a kids’ zone, food vendors and more. The movie is free, but parking costs $5. n For information, visit premiersportscampus.com.

APRIL

Firefly Gala takes place April 1. Last year’s performer was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

Continued from Page 48 PONIES FOR PUPS Come out from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for an afternoon of tailgating before and during a polo match at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane.

Proceeds benefit Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue. n For information, visit facebook.com/PoniesForPups.

MARCH 18 GUIDE DOG WALKATHON Enjoy a day out with your pooch at 8:30 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park for Southeastern Guide Dogs’ biggest fundraiser of the year. Two- and fourlegged friends and neighbors are invited to participate and fundraise for this event, which includes 10K, 5K and 3K options. The walkathon will have a variety of attractions for the family, including food, music and shopping. n For more information, call 729-5665.

COMMUNITY FUND GALA Put some swing in your step for this foot-tappin’, hand-clappin’ time

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starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. The 2017 Dixieland Jazz Gala encourages festive costumes, but is black tie optional. n For reservations, call 556-5442.

MARCH 19 PEDAL FOR PUPS Bring your bike and participate in this ride and run event at 7 a.m. at Regatta Island at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle.

The pet-friendly event, which benefits Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, offers a choice of 4-, 15-, 32- and 64-mile routes and a kids’ bike route. For runners, there are 1-mile, 5K, 4-mile and 10K options. Following the event, there is an after cycling party. n For more information, visit nateshonoranimalrescue.org.

MARCH 25 BEER BELLY 5K Enjoy a variety of craft beers at every mile at this race at Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Participants receive a race medal and T-shirt and a finish

APRIL 1 FIREFLY GALA The Dart Foundation’s gala starts at 6 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club, 15150 70th Terrace E. This year’s entertainer is Flo Rida. Start the night with cocktails, a silent auction and dinner, followed by the concert at 9:45 p.m. Wedges, wide high heels or flats are suggested for ladies’ footwear. Jackets are recommended for men, but no ties. Jeans are not permitted. Proceeds benefit Forty Carrots Family Center. n For more information, call 365-7716.

APRIL 5 CLASSIC CAR SHOW Visit Lakewood Ranch Main Street at 5 p.m. to view, sit in and admire classic cars. Cost is $10 per car to compete for trophies and other prizes. n For more information, call 371-1061.

APRIL 7 MUSIC ON MAIN Come to Lakewood Ranch Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m. for a free concert featuring Paisley Craze. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Loveland Center. Guests are welcome to bring chairs but no coolers. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short leash. n For more information, call 907-9243.

Continued on Page 52

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Continued from Page 50 APRIL 8 JDRF WALK TO CURE DIABETES This walk is a healthy way to show your support for those living with Type 1 diabetes, while also raising funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Registration for the 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:30 a.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. n For more information, call 720-7354.

EGGSTRAVAGANZA! Bring your baskets and children to the longest-running egg hunt in Lakewood Ranch, which occurs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13400 Adventure Place. More than 12,000 eggs will be spread across the field and separated by your child’s age to maximize the thrill of scooping up as many as possible. The event is for children ages 2 to 13. The egg hunt for children 2 and younger will be held in the skating rink, so families can enjoy the moment of their child’s first egg hunt.

The egg hunt will start at 10:15 a.m.

Cost is $5 for adults; $3 for children; and free for children 2 and younger. n Families should register in advance at lwrcac.com.

APRIL 9 TOUR DE CURE 2017 The American Diabetes Association is hosting its signature cycling event to celebrate life, starting at 7:30 a.m. and

running through 3 p.m. on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Registration fee is $15 and there’s a $200 minimum fundraising requirement. Participants can ride 10-, 20-, 35-, 62- or 100-mile courses. The 10-mile course is designed for families. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. n For more information, call 813-885-5007.

APRIL 15 MY HOMETOWN FEST The Hometown Fest will celebrate down-home food, along with more than 40 craft beers, from noon to 5 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park. The event will feature attendees’ signature recipes to sample. The Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota will disburse proceeds from the event to local nonprofits. n For more information, call 342-5003.

APRIL 22 TROPICAL NIGHTS Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, operator of the Manatee County Food Bank, will host this fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club. n For information, visit mealsonwheelsplus.org.

APRIL 28 MOVIES ON THE GREEN Spread out a blanket and get cozy in a lawn chair for a showing of “Home” at dusk at Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd. Join in for a family-

friendly film, a kids’ zone, food vendors and more. The movie is free, but parking costs $5. n For information, visit premiersportscampus.com.

DISHES FOR WISHES Make-a-Wish Foundation will host this four-course interactive dinner fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop. Proceeds help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. n For tickets or information, visit dishesforwisheslwr.com.

MAY MAY 3 CLASSIC CAR SHOW Visit Lakewood Ranch Main Street at 5 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month to view, sit in and admire classic cars. Cost is $10 per car to compete for trophies and other prizes. n For more information, call 371-1061.

MAY 5 MUSIC ON MAIN Come to Lakewood Ranch Main Street from 6 to 9 p.m. for a free concert featuring The Distractions.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Circus Arts Conservatory. Guests are welcome to bring chairs but no coolers. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a short leash. n For more information, call 907-9243.

MAY 29 MEMORIAL DAY ‘TRIBUTE TO HEROES’ PARADE The celebration takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Floats, marching bands, ponies, Miss Lakewood Ranch, vintage cars and the local Hit Crew of Manatee County will be featured, among others. The festivities include music, face painting, refreshments and vendor booths. The parade will start at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Manasota Operations Troop Support (MOTS).

Please bring toiletry and non-perishable food items to donate. n For more information, visit lwrcac.com.

Eggstravaganza! takes place April 8.

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WHITE ROSE INTERIORS Flower power Flowers instantly freshen up any room, but you need an equally gorgeous vase to show off their true beauty.

Try this trendy aqua-colored ceramic vase to add that “coastal” look to your home — no matter how far you are from the beach. $119

Spring into Style Consider these new items

to freshen up the look of your home.

BY NIKI KOTTMANN | CONTRIBUTOR

I

t’s about time for some spring cleaning, and we have the perfect way to make the tedious process

Playing with fire Shades of aqua and other oceanic blues and greens are all the rage this year, so have fun and mess with the elements via this waterinspired antiquated candle holder. $29.95

more enjoyable. Think of it this

way: The more you get rid of, the more new items you can add to your home.

The easiest way to give your home a fresh feel is to switch up your accessories and kitchenware, so we took a look at what home pieces four stores in the Lakewood Ranch area consider most trendy for spring this year.

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Coastal cute Just because you can’t go scuba diving across the street doesn’t mean you can’t bring the ocean to you. You live in Florida, where any beach-inspired decor is accepted (and encouraged). This 13-inch ceramic bowl is inspired by the most beautiful of marine invertebrates, coral, and will help you cut that beach commute in half via your imagination. $69.95

CROWDER’S GIFTS & GADGETS

Picture perfect You live in paradise, so every day offers a series of Kodak moments. Capture your favorite memories with this nautical rope picture frame, and look at it whenever you’re miserable during a winter visit up north. $14.99

Timeless classic Crowder’s Manager and Buyer Brittany Lush says that clocks have been one of their top-selling items at Crowder’s recently, and we think it’s because old habits die hard. Although we all have cell phones with digital clocks, there’s something comforting about an analog clock — it makes a home instantly warmer. Add a maritime twist and you have the perfect home decor piece for 2017 (and beyond). $147.99

TURTLE TIME WHITE ROSE INTERIORS

Strike a pose Not every item in your house needs to be completely practical — sometimes you just need a little something to spruce up your end table, and this large bronze weathered turtle is the perfect fix. As White Rose Interiors Owner Lynda Nixon says, residents of Lakewood Ranch are all about “coastal, not beachy” style, and what says Suncoast more that turtles? $79.95

WISH The hostess’ best friend Turtles are definitely a beloved motif along the Gulf, and what better way to make the guests at your next dinner party smile than with a serving tray featuring their favorite ocean dweller? This bamboo tray is versatile and could go from holding your favorite aqua-colored candles by day to champagne flutes at night. $68

As good as gold Gold is one of the biggest colors of the season according to Lush, and it was a recurring theme at every store we visited. The pineapple is also a timeless symbol of Florida and its reputation as a tropical location, so this item is a must-have for anyone who wants to show their state pride in a stylish way. $21.99

CROWDER’S GIFTS & GADGETS Lean on me There’s no use stacking your books when there’s a stylish alternative. Natural and reclaimed wood are two of the hottest trends in home decor this year, so stay chic and functional with bookends in the shape of Florida’s aquatic pal. $75.99

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Bold and beautiful Every homeowner needs a dinnerware set for special occasions, but fine China isn’t going to work for everyone’s lifestyle. Whether you have a family of clumsy little ones or a dog who likes to get into the cabinets, this Le Cadeaux salad bowl is made of melamine, so it will withstand most of the dangers of a rowdy home. Opt for the brighter blues and yellows for the ideal springy addition to your kitchenware. $38

HOMEGOODS

Boho chic Bohemian looks are sweeping fashion magazines and home decor publications alike, and the easiest way to get on trend is by accenting your more traditional furniture pieces with some boho accessories. Add a pop of color and sense of free spirit into your home with some exotic-patterned throw pillows in bold colors. $16.99 each

Tea time The MacKenzie-Childs line is one of the most popular dishware sets out there and for good reason — it never goes out of style. This Courtly Check Enamel Tea Kettle is the touch of traditional elegance that your home needs this season. $135

Pearfect table accessory There’s something about fruit and Florida that just go together. Half of our streets are named after them, so why not carry the motif into your home? These Vance Kitira brushed pear candles in some of the year’s most popular colors will instantly brighten up your home. $7

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Eclectic functional Personalized accessories are stylish this season, whether it’s a monogrammed coin purse or this coaster featuring your state license plate in a unique shape. Never forget your roots — or to keep your drink from ruining your wood table. $4.99 for a pack of four

SHOP THE LOOKS

Fabulous foliage This year is all about bringing the outdoors inside through wood accents, stones and greenery. Freshen up (and modernize) any room with this pre-potted faux plant set and bring the 2017 Pantone Color of the Year into your everyday life. $49.99

White Rose Interiors Address: 8141 Lakewood Ranch Main St. Website: whiteroseinteriorsllc. com Crowder’s Gifts & Gadgets Address: 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

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Najji Greene, 14, plays baseball with friends at Lakewood Ranch Park in preparation for upcoming team tryouts.

Photo by Pam Eubanks

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W I D E O P EN S PAC E S Lakewood Ranch’s outdoor enthusiasts have it made in the shade, and the grass is about to get greener thanks to Manatee County’s new parks master plan.

BY HEIDI KURPIELA | MANAGING EDITOR

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THEIR SAY ON PLAY

K

ermit the frog once said, it ain’t easy being green.

Unless of course you live in Lakewood Ranch, then it’s a breeze. A mecca for outdoor play dates; Lake-

wood Ranch is packed with 963 miles of trails and paths and a whopping 6,920 acres of wetland, upland and nature preserves. With its moss-drenched oak trees, baseball diamonds, dog parks, quiet streams and quaint wood bridges, Lakewood Ranch is the planned community to which all other planned communities aspire. It is the Florida equivalent of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Woebegone — minus the Minnesota wind chill.

However, despite its five-star outdoor amenities, many of the community’s parks are 20 years old and ripe for a little sprucing up. Over the past decade, more than 50,000 people have flocked to Manatee County, creating a pent-up demand for more facilities, particularly east of the interstate.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing counties in the state,” says Danny Hopkins, Manatee County’s recreation division manager. “We need to be strategic in our planning to make sure the resources available now will be smartly used for building in the future.”

In November, the county announced plans to seek feedback for a new parks master plan, designed to provide a 15-year blueprint for the development and maximization of recreational facilities and green space. Over the course of December and January, several meetings were held at libraries and recreation centers from Palmetto to East Bradenton.

More than 700 online surveys were completed.

Not surprisingly, many of them came from people in Lakewood Ranch, where the county is already working with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to develop a 20-acre county park on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard, up the street from SMR’s 40.55-acre Community Park slated to open next year in the new Lakewood Centre development.

“When property values dropped (in the late 2000s), very difficult decisions had to be made regarding our budget,” Hopkins says. “The surge is happening again, and we need to be poised to address it. We’re in a good position; our park system is already the envy of many communities, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of the comments we’ve received from the community.”

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We asked four park regulars for their opinion on the future of LWR’s outdoor haunts.

“For two years, I talked to Anne Ross (Lakewood Ranch Executive Director) about installing handicap-accessible swings. We finally got them in Summerfield and Greenbrook. I’m grateful they were so responsive.”

– Diane Herrig, caretaker to 5-year-old Henry Prates, who has cerebral palsy “I’d love a community pool and a shaded splash park like the ones in Tampa.”

– Jeanette Conley “I don’t think they have to change a thing. I like our parks just the way they are. I even like the alligators on the edge of the water. In today’s world, with everything so orchestrated, it’s nice to see parks that are natural without a lot of extraneous stuff.”

– Veronica Belmont “My perfect park has a gigantic playground with a treehouse and a zipline.

There’s a fence around a little hole that leads to a secret passageway where you go over a bridge to a huge pirate ship in a pond with alligators all around it.”

–Five-year-old Lucas Davies

Four-year-old Violet Conley loves the swings at Summerfield Park.

Lucas Davies, 5, lives in Lakewood Ranch’s Greenbrook neighborhood.

He wishes the Adventure Park had a zipline and a secret pirate ship.

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WHAT’S TOPPING RESIDENTS’ RECREATIONAL WISH LISTS? n Aquatics center. “We are definitely building a public pool in East County in the next year or two,” says Danny Hopkins, Manatee County recreation division manager. n Pickle ball courts. The paddle sport craze has caught on with Ranch residents. A hybrid of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, the game requires a badminton-sized court and a lowered tennis net. n Air-conditioned facilities. The county is hoping to partner with the library system to use the half-cent sales tax to fund a library/community/fitness center in Lakewood Ranch, says Hopkins. n Upgrades to tennis courts. Tennis enthusiasts are asking for new courts and LED lighting in public parks. n Artificial turf on athletic fields.

Heavy field use has pounded a lot of nutrients out of the ground at Lakewood Ranch District Park. Replacing the park’s Bermuda grass with artificial turf will allow the park to maximize its field use while keeping maintenance costs down.

Galahad, pictured here at Lakewood Ranch’s busy Paw Park, was named after a knight at King Arthur’s roundtable fame.

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The Braden River Nature Trail runs into Heron’s Nest Nature Preserve, home to Lake Summerfield and Lake Heron.

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The Accidental Cowgirl When Elizabeth Moore set out to conserve a 1,140-acre ranch in Myakka City, she didn’t consider how she’d wrangle the cows on the property.

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Photos by Heidi Kurpiela

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BY HEIDI KURPIELA | MANAGING EDITOR

I

t’s an hour before sunset on Triangle Ranch. The sky looks like the sun ran its fingers through it. The air smells like grass, tractor exhaust and manure. The quiet is rattled only by the sounds of distant birds

and nearby honeybees. To the east, the only things in view: a red barn, wood fence and bales of hay so tightly wound they look like spools of thread. Somewhere beyond the headwaters of the Myakka River, close to 200 cows are grazing — 175 to be exact. Their droppings are everywhere.

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Elizabeth Moore pulls up the drive in a white Tesla and halts in front of the ranch’s old threebedroom home, a vacant dwelling covered ceiling to floor in peeling wallpaper and wood paneling — the last vestiges of the ranch’s previous owners. She steps out of the car in a ruffled dress, pearl necklace and heels. “Sorry I’m late,” she says, kicking off the heels and pulling on a pair of embroidered cowboy boots. “You don’t realize how much traffic you have to fight to get here.”

HOME ON THE RANGE

She’s an unlikely cattle rancher: a 57-year-old mother-of-five, who plays league tennis, lives in West Bradenton and hails from Cape Ann, Mass.

Even by her own admission, she’s not your standard cowgirl. “It’s a major departure from my regular life,” Moore says.

Or maybe it’s not. Moore is something of a double agent — part polished philanthropist, part Indiana Jones. An avowed environmentalist, she and ex-husband Stuart Moore moved to Bradenton eight years ago after building a Boston-based digital consulting and marketing firm that in 2014 sold for $3.7 billion. Countless institutions have benefited from the Moores’ philanthropy, including Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and St. Stephens Episcopal School, where their children went to school.

Moore spent the first half of her career raising children and running a catering company. Now she jets all over the world, ticking adventures off her bucket list: scuba diving with sharks in Cuba, digging for dinosaur bones in Mongolia, studying lemurs in Madagascar and dogsledding in Montana, to name a few.

She purchased the 1,143-acre Triangle Ranch not because she wanted to add cattle rancher to her resume, but because she wanted to protect the land. The cows were just a bonus feature.

She closed on the property in October, thanks to a unique financial partnership between the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which now holds a permanent conservation easement on the property.

“I’m reading E.O. Wilson’s ‘Half-Earth’ right now,” Moore says. “This is like our last chance to get it right before things go horribly wrong. We’re on the tipping point of losing so many species of wildlife. Preserving our lands and watersheds is huge. It’s now or never.”

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

Located off Clay Gully Road in sleepy Myakka City, Triangle Ranch has more than three miles of Myakka River flowing through it. The river, says Moore, is the ranch’s marquee feature.

“Where there is water, there is life,” she says.

It is still a fully functioning cattle operation.

For more than 100 years it belonged to the Carl-

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From top: During the summer, the Myakka River rises, putting much of the property under water. Moore’s right-hand guy, longtime cattle rancher Jason McKendree, plans to move his family into the three-bedroom house on the property. Triangle Ranch sold for $5.5 million in October. The Southwest Florida Water Management District chipped in $2 million for an easement on the land.

ton family, a Manatee County ranching dynasty.

Up until Moore purchased it, Tony and Lela Carlton worked the land, moving cows, breeding cows, buying cows and selling cows. Despite the temptation to turn it over to a developer, the Carltons contacted the Conservation Foundation and waited two years to nail down a buyer. They wanted to preserve it, not pave it.

The land is vital to the health of the Myakka River and Tatum Sawgrass Marsh. It serves as a buffer for one of four large wetlands in the Myakka River Watershed, and is home to more than 120 species of animals, some of them endangered.

In addition to culling the cattle to remedy years of overgrazing, Moore is going to restore parts of the property that have been ditched and diked so Tatum Sawgrass can be restored.

“She is a true conservation angel,” says Christine Johnson, Conservation Foundation president. “She’s not just talking about being a steward of the earth. She’s rolling up her sleeves and walking the walk.”

AN ECOTOURISM DESTINATION

The first thing Moore did after buying the ranch, was hire a cowboy.

“It was one of those things like, ‘Here’s your land and oh by the way, there are 200 cattle out there,’” she laughs. “I thought I better get a tractor, and some help.”

She found her savior in 40-year-old Jason McKendree, East County cow whisperer and former cattle manager for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. A soft-spoken Southern gentleman with a thick twang and a degree in cow psychology, he jokes, McKendree has spent the past five months “cleaning up Miss Elizabeth’s land.” After 26 years working 31,000 acres for SMR, tending to a 100-year-old ranch on the Myakka River has been a joy. He feels like he’s returned to his roots.

“This is some of the prettiest land in the state of Florida,” McKendree says. “We’ve got oak trees so big full-grown men couldn’t wrap their arms around them.” In all his years of cattle wrangling, he says he’s never seen a cattle ranch with three miles of river running through it.

Moore hopes he’s right. She’s eager to share her East County refuge with the public. Ecotourism is on the rise in Florida and Triangle Ranch is ripe for it. She’d like to offer tours and nature packages that include kayaking, campfire cookouts, horseback riding, stargazing and bird watching. She’s already field-tested a lot of these ideas with her kids.

“We had Thanksgiving dinner out here,” Moore says. “We sat at picnic tables and enjoyed the peace. I think when I first bought it they thought, ‘What’s mom up to now?’ But they know me. I always say you’ve got one life to live, so you might as well try everything.”

We’re on the tipping point of losing so many species of wildlife. Preserving our lands and watersheds is huge. It’s now or never.” — ELIZABETH MOORE

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CULTURE SAMPLER The Sarasota-Manatee area is known for its arts, and there’s plenty of culture to check out during the next few months.

See our top picks for arts events you don’t want to miss.

BY LWR LIFE STAFF

Experience Anne Patterson’s “Pathless Woods” at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art through early May.

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1SWIM THROUGH COLOR

You don’t have to be an art aficionado to appreciate artist Anne Patterson’s “Pathless Woods” exhibit.

For this display, The Ringling’s Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Gallery of Contemporary Art has been transformed into a forest of colorful satin ribbons (left). With selective lighting, soft music and even forest-like scents piped into the gallery, the 24 miles of cut ribbon provide a dense sensory experience unlike any other.

IF YOU GO When: During regular museum hours, through early May Where: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota Cost: Included in museum admission: $25 for adults, free for members Info: Visit ringling.org or call 941-359-5700.

2 ENJOY A CLASSIC

If you are a little intimidated by the opera, “Madama Butterfly,” above, may just be your gateway drug. One of the most popular operas of all time, “Madama Butterfly” is set in Nagasaki, Japan, and follows the story of a Japanese girl’s ill-fated love for an American naval officer. The Sarasota Opera’s rendition of Puccini’s famed but tragic story will no doubt be as rich to the eye as it is to the ear.

IF YOU GO When: March 5, 10, 17, 21, 25.

Check website for times.

Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Cost: $29 - $145 Info: Visit sarasotaopera.org or call 941-328-1300.

Continued on Page 74

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Continued from Page 73

3 LOOSEN UP

Although the Players Centre for Performing Arts isn’t quite ready to move to Lakewood Ranch from its current Sarasota location, you can go see what will be a quick car ride away in a couple years. It has a season packed with fun that even lasts into the summer, but its production of “Footloose” will provide lively music accompanied by exciting dancing that is sure to be a crowd-pleasure. This musical, based on the 1984 movie with the same name, follows the story of how kids in a conservative town fight for their right to boogie.

IF YOU GO When: March 22 to April 9 Where: Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota Cost: $20 - $30 Info: Visit theplayers.org or call 941-365-2494.

4 BE FANCY FREE

The season-closing performance of the Sarasota Ballet, “Balanchine, de Valois & Robbins,” has a little something for everyone. The program includes George Balanchine’s “ValseFantaisie” as well as Dame Ninette de Valois’ “Checkmate,” before ending with a Sarasota Ballet premiere of Jerome Robbins’ “Fancy Free.” This ballet, which follows sailors on leave as they hit the town in New York City, explores romance and fun during the era.

Some may recognize its later iteration as musical comedy “On the Town.”

IF YOU GO When: April 28 to 30 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Cost: $30 to $110 Info: Visit sarasotaballet.org or call 941-359-0099.

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5 SEE AND SNIFF

What better way to enjoy a famed painter’s work on botanical beauty than in a botanical garden? Through July, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is hosting “Marc Chagall, Flowers, and the French Riviera: The Color of Dreams” an immersive exhibit of the late modernist painter’s work and personal effects. The exhibit includes reproductions of Chagall’s stained glass nestled among living plants in the glass house conservatory, a collection of photographs taken throughout Chagall’s life, and two private paintings that are making their public debut: “Bouquets of Lilacs at Saint-Paul,” and “Couple with Lilies of the Valley.”

IF YOU GO When: Through July 31 Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 900 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota Cost: Regular admission price of $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-17, free for members Info: Visit selby.org or call 941366-5731.

6 HIT A HOME RUN

If you want to enjoy pop music in the uber-friendly setting of Ed Smith Stadium, home to the Baltimore Orioles’ spring training, you better get your tickets fast. The Sarasota Orchestra’s “Outdoor Pops: Hits and Home Runs” is a perennial crowd pleaser that sells out quickly each year, and how could it not? Attendees enjoy popular hits performed by the professional musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra, all while munching on Cracker Jacks and staring at the stars. If that’s not enough, the evening includes a fireworks display as a night cap.

IF YOU GO When: May 12-13 Where: Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota Cost: Tickets from $15 Info: Call 941-893-6300 or visit sarasotaorchestra.org.

Below: Marc Chagall’s “Bouquets of Lilacs at Saint-Paul (1978)” will be on display at Selby Gardens through July.

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SPOTLIGHTING LIFE ON THE RANCH

The beauty of The Lake Club’s ‘Versailles’ is all in the details.

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The “Versailles of Lakewood Ranch,” a stately, waterfront Lake Club home, is currently listed for $2,625,000.

MODERN Leslie and Alan Rifkin’s sumptuous Lake Club

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SPLENDOR home is fit for a monarchy.

BY SHELLIE TERRY BENSON | CONTRIBUTOR

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A paved sun deck meets an 8-by-21-foot infinity edge pool, which overlooks more than 215 feet of lakefront property.

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here are few homes in Lakewood Ranch dubbed “Versailles” by local residents. The regal 5,500-square-foot manor at 16014 Foremast Place in The Lake Club is one of them.

Like Louis XIV’s French chateau, this kingsized property pulls you in the second you spot it. A strip of grass cuts the driveway in half, drawing your eyes to tall, arched mahogany and glass double doors. Swing them open, and your view jets through an airy foyer, past double arched ceilings, through a living room and out massive 18-foot windows.

Beyond the windows, a towering fountain, framed by Italian cypress trees, directs your gaze to an infinity pool and beyond, where a canal perfectly separates the home from other homes across the lake. This fastidious attention to lines is as deliberate as the home’s $2,625,000 price.

Half constructed in 2005 by the now defunct

Naples-based Landmark Homes, the property began as a model home. When Leslie and Alan Rifkin moved in four years later, they finished it, customizing it into the French Provençal estate it is today.

“It’s a house designed for the property, not a model home,” says Art Paterson, broker/contractor for Paterson Properties. “(Landmark) came up here in a strong way. They got the first selection on lots, and the idea was to increase the value and architectural element.”

Just shy of an acre, the house sits on a prime real estate — a pie-shaped lot bordering 215 feet Continued on Page 82

LIVING & LOVING LAKEWOOD RANCH Lifestyle Specialist

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Belly-up to the bar where the Rifkins’ more rustic style is on display in the open kitchen and family room design.

Continued from Page 80 of lake. It has four bedrooms, a study, a four-car garage and five-and-a-half baths.

Its interior design is Sarasota chic — groutless Jerusalem-honed marble floors, subtle faux finishing and fine silk drapery, masterfully arranged by Dan Proctor, whose firm, Kirk Designs, is based in the couple’s native Baltimore.

“I’m not a minimalist, by any means,” Leslie says. “But sometimes less is more. The architecture of the home is so beautiful; you don’t want to take away from it with overstated design and furnishings.”

The couple selected The Lake Club as their second home (they also live in Baltimore), when Alan Rifkin, attorney for the Baltimore Orioles, was negotiating the relocation and construction of the Orioles’ new spring training facility at Ed Smith Stadium. When they moved to Lakewood Ranch eight years ago, their three children still lived at home. Now empty nesters, they’re looking to downsize to a smaller property in the area.

They listed the house last spring.

With an eye for simple, elegant decor, they opted to offset the home’s European architecture with modern design elements. You won’t find any overstuffed, flashy brocade mega-couches, ostentatious indoor statues or gigantic accessories that dwarf the average human. You will, Continued on Page 84 While most of the home is clothed in subtle ivory and golds, the formal dining room gets a kiss of color.

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WCI. Your Best Address in Lakewood Ranch.

Five designer furnished models now open daily in Country Club East.

Single-family and Carriage Homes from the mid-$300,000s.

Walk or cart from home to the new golf clubhouse or amenity centers.

Incomparable Lakewood Ranch lifestyle.

Single-family model home center | 16605 Berwick Terrace | 941.441.2600 Carriage Home model center | 7561 Divot Loop | 941.441.2626 wcicommunities.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. WCI Communities is not the master developer of Country Club East at Lakewood Ranch or Lakewood Ranch. Lakewood Ranch and Country Club East are registered service marks of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. Certain communities are in the formative stages only and details, plans and initial pricing have not been set. Amenities mentioned may require country club membership and not just residency in Country Club East. All references to clubs and membership opportunities and other amenities are subject to fees, dues and availability. All amenities are subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change and availability without notice. This advertisement does not constitute an offer to sell real estate in any jurisdiction where prior registration or other qualification is required and further information cannot be provided (unless we have already complied with such requirements). Void where prohibited. ©2017 WCI Communities, Inc. All rights reserved. CGC 031523. 211900

Massive built-in custom cabinetry brings warmth and scale to the master bedroom’s 14-plus-foot ceilings.

Continued from Page 82 however, find plenty of wall space to display art in the hallway off the foyer, which doubles as a stunning gallery thanks to multiple arched walls on the way to each bedroom.

Among the Rifkin’s impressive art collection: several paintings by Sarasota artist David Steiner from State of the Art Gallery and a field of serene blues by Maryland painter Sam Robinson, which is currently on display in the dining room.

Custom woodwork by Naples-based New Age Design gives the home warmth and elegance.

Built-in cabinetry in the study, living room, bedrooms and family room are perfectly proportioned to the ceilings. The ceilings — home to sparkling chandeliers and lighting fixtures handcrafted by New Orleans-based Julie Neill Designs — are soaring, measuring 14 to 20 feet high.

It’s an ideal home for entertaining. The open kitchen has stone countertops, a butler’s pantry, Wolf appliances and a wood-paneled wine room with an iron door. It overlooks the family room, which leads to an outdoor kitchen and charming Romanesque loggia, separated by 10-foot pocketing sliders.

“We knew the property was spectacular the first time we saw it,” says Leslie Rifkin. “It’s an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind custom home. We’ll miss the wonderful times we spent there with our family.”

Top to bottom details: The intricate, groutless tile design is mirrored in the ceiling’s faux painting.

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Charles Totonis 941.524.8299 #1 Agent KW Lakewood Ranch Office CharlesTotonis@kw.com CharlesTotonis.com I Sell More Because I Do More!

Achieving Your Lakewood Ranch Dream & Lifestyle!

With 27 years of real estate experience, I will provide you with the most accurate information along with white glove service to help you sell and find your next home.

How Can I Help You? Some of the 50+ Homes I Sold in 2016!

9507 ROYAL CALCUTTA River Club | 4 Bedrooms | Huge Bonus Room | Den

$599,000

Country Club & Country Club East 12807 Deacons Place 13966 Siena Loop 14209 Bathgate Terrace

Edgewater Village/Moorings 6536 Mooring Point 8462 Sailing Loop

Greenbrook & Summerfield 9611 ROYAL CALCUTTA River Club | 3 Bedrooms | Great Room Concept | Saltwater Pool

$565,000

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14722 Bowfin Terrace 6325 Royal Tern Circle 11403 Pine Lilly Place 6230 Warbler Lane

River Club 10006 Cherry Hills Avenue Circle 7412 Pine Valley Street 6902 River Birch Court 6907 Riversedge Street 10022 CHERRY HILLS AVE 3 Bedrooms | Den | Extended Lanai with Pool | 2 Car Garage

$539,900

Country Meadows 510 Country Meadows 14757 2nd Avenue Circle NE

JUST SOLD!

Keller Williams Realty Select

12830 DEL CORSO LOOP Esplanade | 3 Bedrooms | Den | Lanai with Fireplace

$490,000

Each office is independently owned & operated.

Equal Housing Opportunity 224742

Gardening

PLANTS WITH

BITE These bloodthirsty plants are sure

to scare up bugs in your Zen garden.

T

Pitfall plant

LORI WALKER CERTIFIED MASTER GARDENER, VICE PRESIDENT OF LAKEWOOD RANCH GARDEN CLUB

hink you’re the only one in your garden craving meat after a long day in the sun?

Think again. Carnivorous plants have ravenous appetites. They thrive in subtropical wetlands and feast on insects; some plants can devour critters as large as mice and frogs. Lucky for Florida gardeners, we live in a humid all-you-can-eat bug buffet, so there’s no reason you can’t grow a meat-eater.

The most well known species is the Venus flytrap. The plant has long fascinated botanists (and sci-fi filmmakers).

Charles Darwin was so enamored with the species he wrote an entire book about it. If you’ve seen the musical “Little Shop of Horrors,” about a flytrap gone rogue, then you can also appreciate the phrase, “Feed Me Seymour.”

Continued on Page 88

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Venus flytrap

BUILD MORE THAN MUSCLE

KNOCK OUT UNWANTED FAT! NON-INVASIVE FAT RED UCT IO N

BEFORE

Where can you get back into a sport you used to enjoy, take a class with a spouse or child, or enjoy regular time together as a family, while helping your community? At the Y!

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$0 Joining Fee.

A F T ER ( 16 W E E KS)

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Fitness Center with Olympic Training Outdoor Heated Pool with Lap Lanes Group Exercise Studio Cycling Studio Facilities Include Yoga & Dance Studio Indoor Basketball Gymnasium & Pickleball Full Facility Locker Rooms with Saunas Kid Zone, Teen Center and Youth Center

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Join something special.

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MEDICAL DIRECTOR: ROBERT HILLSTROM, MD.

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“Join us for this spring’s biggest and best food and craft beer festival.”

OD FO

BE

MUS IC

FEST FEST ER

Continued from Page 86

FUN

Saturday, April 15, 2017 | Noon-5 pm Nathan Benderson Park 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL Admission Includes:

REGIONAL FOODS Free food samples from hometowns across the US, provided by nearly 40 of our area’s finest restaurants.

60+ CRAFT BEERS Free samples from regional breweries in the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Midwest and West Coast.

LIVE MUSIC Twinkle and Rock. Soul. Radio. ★ Strangeways ★ Other Great Local Bands

REGIONAL ADVENTURES Tampa Bay Bucs Kids Zone ★ ★ Paddle boarding demos ★ Other fun activities for kids & adults

Tickets at MyHometownFest.org Adults - $40 | Under 21 - $10 in advance $20 at the gate Kids 6 and Under - FREE

230687

Proceeds benefit Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota and Sertoma Kids, registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations benefitting children with speech and language needs.

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Venus flytraps consume bugs using Olympic-strength reflexes. The plant secretes sweet-smelling nectar that lures insects into its jaw-like leaves.

Trigger hairs on the flower sense the bug’s arrival, and upon entry, trap it inside. Much like us, the Venus flytrap uses digestive juices to dissolve its lunch. Bug appétit!

Pitfall Plants (or pitcher plants) are even more ruthless. They are a beguiling species with deep red globular flowers that resemble a wine glass. Native to boggy areas in North and South Carolina, pitfall plants use the simplest ruse of all. They simply sit pretty and let the prey come to them. Intrigued by what’s at the bottom of the plant’s “wine glass,” bugs perch on the leaves, where they get slimed by a waxy substance that renders them unable to fly.

Struggling to escape, the now-slippery bug begins its slow death spiral down the gullet of the plant — the ultimate bait and switch.

For those of you who can’t stomach this kind of bug brutality, let me draw your attention to the more genteel French Marigold. The flower — a member of the daisy family — is as common and nonthreatening as a daffodil. It is a menace, however, to nematodes. Nematodes are microscopic roundworms that burrow into the roots of plants, blocking the uptake of nutrients and water. They wreck havoc on vegetables, in particular root veggies such as carrots, beets and radishes. French Marigolds help thwart nematode attacks by producing a compound that kills the worms before they get to the roots. Plant your marigolds in the spring. Space them 12 inches apart and allow them to grow until June. Cut off the tops of the flowers and till the roots into the soil. It’s not exactly a carnivorous act, but the end result is just as deadly.

Marigolds

Caring for the Hearts

of Lakewood Ranch A proud Lakewood Ranch resident, Dr. Calderon provides state-of-the-art cardiology care with a minimally invasive approach.

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LWR LIFE

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Contact Lee Trompke at 941-737-8538

89

2/2/17 1:30 PM

Tennis

Grub for your game Proper nutrition will boost your energy and net you a winning match.

JASON GOLDEN DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS AND SPORTS COURTS, ESPLANADE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

H

uman beings are complex machines, and like all machinery they need to be properly fueled to operate at peak efficiency. As any pro tennis athlete can attest, trying to exert yourself physically on an empty stomach is a rookie mistake — one that will leave you depleted, worn out and worse yet, injured.

The good news is that we now know more than ever about how optimal nutrition benefits athletic performance. The research has enhanced the games of elite players all over the world, but it is also having tangible effects on the weekend warrior and recreational player.

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So what should you be noshing on before, during and after a match to ensure that your body comes out swinging?

Here are a few suggestions:

PRE-GAMING

A healthy breakfast is the cornerstone of the day, regardless of what life has in store for you. You’ll want to eat the “most important meal” about two hours before hitting the courts, and make sure that it includes complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, oatmeal, and low-calorie fruits.

These “good” carbs will give your body a deep store of energy that it can draw from throughout the match.

A small amount of protein is also a good complement to your morning meal, and can come in the form of milk, an egg white or Greek yogurt. But don’t overdo it, as too much protein can weigh you down and lead to sluggish performance.

Continued on Page 92

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April 28, 2017

Polo Grill Ballroom at 6:30pm Snooty the manatee Museum Diplomat

10670 Boardwalk Loop Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Help grant the wishes of local children

prehistoric artifacts florida manatees ice age fossils natural wonders historic relics space shows

For more information and sponsorship opportunities 941-378-WISH (9474) dishesforwisheslwr.com

special events family nights science talks and more!

DI

Up to 6 Guests.

Central and Northern Florida

Not valid with any other discounts or special events.

Expires 5-26-17 LWR-L SP17

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ES

ESFORWISH SH

Planetarium shows & manatee presentations daily Florida’s Story from the Prehistoric to the Present.

201 10th Street W.,Bradenton,Florida 34205 941.746.4131 | www.southfloridamuseum.org

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Enjoy shows in the all-digital Bishop Planetarium Theater and meet Snooty™ the manatee.

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91

Continued from Page 90 Avoid foods high in sugar. They can trigger a premature energy crash. Protein shakes, caffeinated drinks, whole-wheat pasta, nuts, seeds and salads are also all no-nos.

If you find that waiting two hours between eating and playing leaves you feeling hungry, chomp on an energy bar about an hour before you’re scheduled to take the court. They are a good source of carbs, while usually being low in protein.

EATING ON THE COURT

You many have never heard of “glycogen deposit depletion,” but you’ve no doubt experienced it.

Playing tennis requires so much energy that players can use up everything they have in a short burst of time.

Replacing glycogen during a match is easier than holding serve, and can be accomplished by simply eating a banana, which will keep blood sugar levels steady and provide an energy kick.

It almost goes without saying, but players should not wait until they’re thirsty before drinking water. The adrenaline rush of competition can prevent athletes from realizing they’re dehydrating. Drink water every 15 minutes regardless of how you feel in order to replenish electrolytes

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lost through sweating.

Once a match starts, athletes only have 90 seconds during changeovers and two minutes during set breaks to rest, refuel and rehydrate.

That’s why you should always stash energy gels or packets of semifluid sugar in your tennis bag.

They’re convenient and effective. Gels provide some electrolytes and more easily digestible carbohydrates in the form of maltodextrin, which is a quick source of fuel. I tend to avoid sports drinks such as Gatorade. Chug coconut water instead. It’s a good alternative to sugar-filled elixirs, and loaded with electrolytes and potassium.

POST-MATCH

You’re going to expend substantial energy during a match, and it’s important for you to refuel your body within two hours of playing. For muscle recovery, a high amount of lean protein will do the trick. Eat a balanced meal that includes complex carbohydrates and vegetables. Whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, fitness bread (whole wheat 100% grain) with chicken breast or buffalo meat makes for a great post-match recovery meal. Then get some rest, for there’s no substitute in helping the body recharge than a good night’s sleep. After leaving it all out on the court, going to bed should come easy.

THE POWER OF CONNECTION

This is how we create remarkable, one of a kind, #BrilliantOriginals

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Connecting, educating, and strengthening the business community in the Lakewood Ranch region.

Join today at LWRBA.org or call our office at 941-757-1664

Welcome Home!

LEASING DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES TO EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

HOME INTERIORS 228492

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Ask About our referrAl progrAm! LWR LIFE

93

THE PLAYERS CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS FUNDRAISER FRIDAY, JAN. 13, AT THE HOME OF LOU AND ANN MARIE MARINACCIO

Photos by Jay Heater

Above: Sami Blouin, Chip Fisher, Kay Siebold and Carol Johnston give the guests a taste of The Players' talent.

Left: Lakewood Ranch’s Peter and Ann Ward and Michael Williamson and Kathy Weisblat

Lanny and Donna Julian of Lakewood Ranch

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

Whole Child Pediatrics Whole Child Pediatrics Pediatrics Call To Schedule Your Appointment

941-366-2273 mcrhs.org f 228381

A Manatee County Rural Health Services Company.

Most insurances accepted including Medicare & Medicaid 94

LWR LIFE

6040 53rd Ave. East, Suite B Bradenton, FL 34203

BLU MANGROVE

BLU MANGROVE

A slice of upscale tropical heaven! Located in Riviera Dunes Marina along the beautiful Manatee River.

Visualize yourself sipping on a fabulously crafted cocktail while your eyes are mesmerized by the panoramic marina views of yachts, swaying palm trees and beautiful sunsets.You have arrived in PARADISE! Feast on the FRESHEST seafood, chef-prepared entrées, super-fresh raw bar, hand-rolled sushi and so much more. From lite bite snacks to a full course meal, BLU MANGROVE has something to satisfy everyone’s craving!

Excellent to host your next social or family celebration, cocktail party, fundraiser or business meeting. Daily Specials, Live Nightly Music, Indoor & Outdoor Dining, Bars & Lounge Areas.

102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto 941. 479. 7827 | blumangrove.com

ED’S TAVERN

220251

10719 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch 941.907.0400 | facebook.com/edstavernlwr

FULL BELLY STUFFED BURGERS

8742 SR 70 East, Lakewood Ranch 941.727.7111 | fullbellystuffedburgers.com

LV13802

Come check out this family owned & operated “foodie” joint. A one-of-a-kind concept serving up Award Winning STUFFED Burgers like the acclaimed maple bacon & peanut butter burger, unique appetizers such as the belly buster & side dishes (truffle tots anyone?) alongside local cold craft beersit’s a can’t miss! Proudly voted “Best Burger”,“Best New Restaurant” & “Best Kept Local Secret” in our first year, now 4 years later, we continue to bring fun back to the bun. Visit us today or we can come to you with our new full service FoodTruck.

It ain’t a party ‘til someone has a Full Belly!

Open 7 Days: Mon-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am10pm, Sun 12-8pm. HAPPY HOUR: Mon-Fri 4-7pm

DINING OUT

A Jersey Joint in Lakewood Ranch, Ed’s Tavern is the perfect blend of local neighborhood sports bar and family friendly restaurant right in the heart of Main Street (next to the movie theater). The only lakefront dining in Lakewood Ranch! The menu has something for everyone! From Southern favorites like pulled pork and fried pickles to our authentic New Jersey classics like open-faced sandwiches and disco fries. Our newly remodeled full-service bar now includes 20 ice cold draft selections plus over 20 flat screen TVs. Daily Specials, Trivia every Wednesday and Thursday. Live Music every Friday & Saturday night. Mon - Thur 11am - 12am, Fri - Sat 11am - 2am, Sun 11am - 11pm.

229018

OPEN DAILY AT 11AM • Lunch • Dinner • Happy Hour • Special Events Complimentary Valet after 4pm: Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun

228865

RAW BAR • SUSHI BAR • FRESH EXOTIC SEAFOOD • HAND SELECT STEAKS

HANA SUSHI LOUNGE Combining art with traditional Asian cuisine and service to create a unique culinary experience in Lakewood Ranch is what we at Hana Sushi Lounge strive for each day.

With a fusion of artful sushi, inspired kitchen items and handcrafted cocktails, there is always something for everyone to enjoy.

No matter the occasion, our friendly and knowledgeable staff look forward to making your visit special every time.

228885

Happy Hour Every Sun - Thurs, 4pm - 7pm.

8126 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch 941.907.1290 | facebook.com/HanaSushiLounge

228245

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is a full-service restaurant dedicated to providing an outstanding breakfast and lunch experience; a meal where everything is handmade, using the best ingredients available, with fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and dairy products.

Some favorite Keke’s dishes are the Florida Pancakes, topped with fresh strawberries, banana, blueberries and powdered sugar, the Banana, Nut & Caramel Waffle, which features banana and pecans baked in the waffle, topped with more banana, pecans, caramel and powdered sugar, an extensive amount of omelet options such as Greek,Three Meat, and Hawaiian omelets, as well as a complete lunch menu. Additionally, a must-have at every Keke’s visit is a serving of our fresh, hand cut, redskin potato home-fries.

5405 University Pkwy #104, University Park 941.388.8953 | kekes.com

LINGER LODGE RESTAURANT

Restaurant

219524

Nestled along the lazy Braden River, Linger Lodge Restaurant is quintessentially “Olde Florida” at its best. Established in 1945 as a fishing and hunting camp, the Lodge has evolved into a great place to dine, listen to live music and enjoy the great views. Two outside covered and screened decks provide picturesque water views.

A full liquor bar and an inside air-conditioned dining room complete the setting. Dishes range from the ever popular Catfish to the elegant Linger Ettoufee’. Also serving Florida Grouper sandwiches, Burgers, Ruebens, Alligator Bites, Gator Chowder and our award-winning Gumbo.

LV13803

DINING OUT

KEKE’S BREAKFAST CAFE

7205 85th Street Court E., Bradenton 941.755.2757 | lingerlodgeresort.com

MACALLISTERS Owners Greg and Tina Bliss invite you to experience their newly renovated Tavern. With over 26 years of experience, they are committed to fresh ingredients and quality service.

Their new menu features local favorites: Fish n’ Chips and Shepherd’s Pie, plus new dishes sure to please everyone!

From the bar, enjoy a large selection of Scotch and local craft brews on draft. Daily happy hour.

219522

MacAllisters is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. 11:30am - 10pm Sun - Thurs and 11:30am - 11pm Fri & Sat. We also offer patio dining. Kids welcome!

8110 Lakewood Main Street, Lakewood Ranch 941.359.2424 | macallisters.com

MAIN STREET TRATTORIA

8131 Lakewood Main Street #101, Lakewood Ranch 941.907.1518 | mstrattoria.com

TRUMAN’S TAP & GRILL

11161 E. SR 70 #100, Bradenton 941.755.1800 | trumanstap.com

LV13804

230171

With an inviting, warm atmosphere and neighborhood feel, Truman’s is the ideal casual setting to enjoy a sports game with drinks and appetizers with friends or a delicious meal with family. Truman’s is a one-of-a-kind space. The sprawling, custom-made bar is just right for sipping a classy cosmopolitan or frosty mug of brew. The dining room is separated from the bar by a curved rustic brick wall. Open for lunch and dinner daily, Truman’s offers a delightful selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, pastas and hearty entrees.

Check out the daily chalkboard specials for seasonal fare. The staff at Truman’s looks forward to your visit!

DINING OUT

228889

Opened in 2010 by owner Gary Fennessy, Main Street Trattoria in Lakewood Ranch features fresh Italian cuisine including their signature bruschetta focaccia, chicken milanese and hand-tossed thin crust pizza. Make sure you save room for homemade tiramisu and cappuccino for dessert.

Mr. Fennessy created a one-of-a-kind experience for friends and family to gather and dine together. Enjoy our inside/outside bar including our outdoor dining area. You will find live music every Wednesday-Saturday 6-10pm and Sunday 4-8pm. Happy Hour Daily 3-7pm. Takeout and Kids menu also available.

PARTING GLANCE Richard Bottorff took this photo of the sun setting over a pond facing the Rye Preserve.

©2017 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated. ©2017 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

©2017 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.

Experience the before and after Experience Experiencethe thebefore before and and after after

See #CCBeforeAfter Seetheir their space before #CCBeforeAfter space before #CCBeforeAfter

SARAS OTA 1411 1st Street SARAS OTA1411 1411 1st Street SARAS OTA 1st Street TAM PA 2906 West Kennedy Blvd.

TAM 2906 West Kennedy Blvd.

TAM PA PA 2906 West Kennedy Blvd.

226790

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AT I N D I G O !

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941.200.0019

Club Indigo Pool

The Estate Homes at Indigo by Neal Communities offer enticing design features inside and out, with generously proportioned floor plans and highly appealing Tuscan and Spanish elevations.

To learn more about the Wind Star, visit NealCommunities.com

One- and two-story designs Floor plans from 2,395 to 2,980 under roof sq. ft.

3-5 bedrooms and 2-3.5 baths Open concept island gourmet kitchens Design Gallery options to personalize your home Wind Star Model now open!

AT L A K E W O O D R A N C H 64

N

LORRAINE RD

LAKEWOOD RANCH BLVD

• • • • • •

AT L A K E W O O D R A N C H

44TH AVE

12916 Deep Blue Place Lakewood Ranch | FL 34211

70

I-75, exit 217A. Route 70 East.

Left on Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Right on 44th Avenue.

Now Open!

WIND STAR MODEL • 2 elevation style options • Spacious 3-car garage • 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths • Living area 2,878 sq. ft.

• Beautiful open floor plan • Total area 3,725 sq. ft.

.COM SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S MOST EXPERIENCED HOME BUILDER FOR OVER 40 YEARS Prices and availability subject to change without notice. CBC1256375 228456