bserver O EAST COUNTY FREE • THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
GRADUATION East County schools send off seniors. PAGE 1B
SEASON SPECIAL ER’S THE OBSERV
BUSINESS
UMMER 2014 SOCIETY | S E ARTS AND GUIDE TO TH
Look inside for your guide to this summer’s arts and social events.
Association plans Tara Blvd. safety improvements. PAGE 4A
LEADERSHIP
OUR TOWN
by Amanda Sebastiano | Staff Writer
TEAM EFFORT
+ Second-grader helps the homeless East County second-grader student Anthony Longo, of Saint Joseph Catholic School, recently came up with an idea that would allow himself and his classmates to help the homeless. A member of the K-Kids program, Anthony suggested packing paper bags with nonperishable items to give to homeless while being transported to or from school. The bags include a small bottle of water, crackers, Rice Krispy treats and other small snack items. Anthony came up with the idea after the K-Kids Club collected Ramen Noodle packets for homeless families and began to look for other ways to serve homeless individuals.
Mills backs choice for Lakewood principal
by Pam Eubanks | Managing Editor
ALL HANDS
ON DECK
Volunteer coordinator Karin Weichlein talks with volunteer Irene Leung.
A team of volunteers works tirelessly to make sure the 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals run smoothly. More than 400 volunteers will pitch in to assist with the three-day event.
s Karin Weichlein stood before a crowd of volunteers at the USF Culinary Innovation Lab on Lakewood Ranch Main Street, she took a deep breath and smiled. This meeting would be a call for “all hands on deck,” as Weichlein led more than 100 volunteers May 28 through a 12-sheet packet detailing the volunteer sign-in process, proper shoe and dress, attitude, duties and other details — all required to ensure the 2014 Modern Pentathlon World Cup Finals runs perfectly. The event, for which athletes will compete in swimming, fencing, equestrian show jumping,
EAST COUNTY — Lakewood Ranch High School may soon have a new principal, and it’s likely be someone new to Florida. Cynthia Saunders, executive director of secondary schools, selected Justin Terry, a candidate from Texas, to lead Lakewood Ranch High following the retirement of Principal Linda Nesselhauf this summer. Saunders chose Terry over two internal candidates: Scott Cooper and Tony Losada, who are assistant principals at Bayshore and Manatee high schools, respectively. A newcomer After two to Florida, Dr. days of re- Justin Terry has viewing re- spent his 13 sumes and years as an eduthe surveys cator in Texas completed by schools. the public at community forums — at which candidates fielded questions from faculty members, students and their families — Saunders and the four other members of her interview committee chose Terry as the best fit to replace Nesselhauf. “He was the top candidate selected by faculty, and he came in very strong as well with the community,” Saunders said. “ I took that information to heart; I wanted to select someone the public was comfortable with.” Saunders said she was impressed with the father of three’s 11 years of administration experience.
SEE PENTATHLON / PAGE 8A
SEE PRINCIPAL / PAGE 9A
+ Elks promote child safety Seven Elks club members from Lakewood RanchSarasota Lodge 2855 recently read the book “Let’s B Safe” to first-graders at Freedom Elementary School. The Let’s B Safe program teaches children about the dangers of strangers who might be sexual predators. The book’s main character is a bee. Children each received a copy of the book to take home, as well as a plush bee.
USA Pentathlon Communications Director John Amabile shares details about the pentathlon with volunteers during an “all hands on deck” meeting May 28, at the USF Culinary Innovation Lab.
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+ Art association makes donation The Creative Art Association of Lakewood Ranch awarded $300 to Art Center Manatee to distribute to local youth for scholarships. The club raised the money through membership dues. Carla Neirman received the check from Elaine Vaughn, of Lakewood Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch’s Lydia Kolbas will serve as the site coordinator for the Sarasota Polo Club. Kolbas, an equestrian enthusiast, has volunteered for the World Equestrian Games and other major equestrian events.
If approved by the School Board later this month, Justin Terry will become the new LRHS principal.
INDEX Building permits... 9B Classifieds ......... 12B
Cops Corner........ 14A Crossword........... 12B
Neighborhood....... 1B Real Estate........... 8B
Sports................. 16A Weather.............. 12B
Vol. 16, No. 30 | Three sections YourObserver.com