Spirit of America 2023

Observer JULY 2023

Spirit of America LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Proud to call the Suncoast home

For 47 years, Michael Saunders & Company has proudly helped people achieve the American dream of homeownership on the scenic Suncoast. We celebrate our nation’s birth and also reflect on our own founding values of independence and community.

We are grateful to share this beautiful place we call home.

Nowhere but here.

MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | 888.552.5228

Licensed Real Estate Broker

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BENCHB M RREKSU ET NG L ISZEED SERV ICE E NACR HK MA R ELTS S U LT• SS•TSRTAT R ATEGIC EGIC M M AARRKK ET I NIG • P •E RPER S O NSONA ALIZED RV I C E

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SIESTA KEY (PENDING SALE)

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LONGBOAT KEY CLUB (RECORD SALE)

2067 H A R BOUR LINKS DR I V E L on g b o a t K e y | O f f e re d a t $ 7 79, 0 MLS# A4178487

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CONRAD BEACH

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Contents 16

22

FIRST IN THE FAMILY

Shelbie Ricks is the first in her family to graduate college, giving her new opportunities.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Alex Ortega’s dedication to Turtles on Little Sarasota Baby has given him the dream of a lifetime.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Manatee and Sarasota nonprofits make it their mission to help community members survive and thrive.

ALSO INSIDE 8 Calendar 10 Guide to the perfect Fourth 12 Fireworks shows

19 Hunting down dreams 28 Speech quiz 30 Holiday cocktails

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

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EDUCATION. CAREER. FUTURE. FIND YOURS HERE

Advance Your Career with a Bachelor’s Degree - Early Childhood Education - Elementary Education - Exceptional Student Education - Health Services Administration - Nursing - Public Safety and Emergency Management - Supervision and Management

APPLY TODAY! SCF.edu/FindYours 941-752-5050

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State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, religion, age, national origin/ethnicity, color, marital status, disability, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its educational programs, services and activities, including admission and employment. Direct inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies to: Equity Officer, 941-752-5599, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207.

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

In celebration of:

Opportunities for all The American dream is alive and well in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

E

very Fourth of July, we dress in as much red, white and blue as possible to show our most patriotic selves.

We enjoy the parades and feast on hot dogs LIZ RAMOS and apple pie. We SENIOR EDITOR might enjoy a beer or two, safely, of course.

Then, we end the night with a patriotic flair as fireworks light up the sky.

But sometimes I wonder if we get so caught up in celebrating that we forget the reasons why we’re celebrating.

We forget the choices and sacrifices made to get us to this point.

We forget the countless hours of hard work and dedication it’s taken for any of us to achieve success or reach our hopes and dreams.

We forget that sometimes simply living in this country affords us opportunities we might not have otherwise.

America is known as the land of opportunity after all.

The U.S. is known for being the place where people can achieve anything if they put their minds to it, no matter who they are.

So this July 4, the Observer reflected on the notion that America, indeed, is the land of opportunity.

We reflect on our region’s history and see how Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch came to be an arts mecca and a top-selling multigenerational, master-planned community. We take a look at a few of the people who influenced these pieces of American paradise.

We often think of the American dream as it pertains to our land of opportunity. It didn’t take us long to find people in the area who have made the most of it.

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Although people differ on the state of education today, individuals like Shelbie Ricks and Alejandro Peralta remind us how far an education can take you.

We see hard working people every day tirelessly dedicating themselves to their jobs, businesses and families.

Whether it’s dedicating your life to a restaurant that gave you the opportunity to build a fulfilling life starting at 16 years old, or being a hunter who wants to educate others, or an attorney helping youth in the justice system, there are plenty of examples of people living their American dream right here in our area.

We’ve seen time and time again the opportunities we’ve had and that we’ve seized and the successes that have stemmed from those opportunities.

More importantly, we’ve seen how people have taken that success and used it to help others, to extend that opportunity chain.

Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch are home to countless nonprofits that are always ready to give a helping hand whenever needed.

So while you’re enjoying your slice of apple pie or watching a kid light up at the sight of a sparkler, take a moment to reflect on your life.

Think about the opportunities you’ve been given, the ones you’ve worked so hard to grasp.

Think about how far you’ve come and how far you can go.

Then, think about what you can do for others.

As President John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Calendar

From races to the classic fireworks, check out these events to help you celebrate Independence Day right.

Tryla Larson, Sharon Gould and Ivan Gould at the 2022 Freedom Fest on Longboat Key.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30 TO SUNDAY, JULY 2

Zoe Sledge has her face painted at the 2022 AllAmerican Cookout.

SARASOTA POWERBOAT GRAND PRIX The Powerboat and AquaX Pro Series jet ski and powerboat racing return for the weekend off Lido Beach. A block party Friday night kicks off the weekend. Race viewing is free. For more information, visit P1Offshore.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 1 TO MONDAY, JULY 3

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL From 2-7 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 3-9 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Drive, Sarasota, celebrate Independence Day at the Suncoast’s largest food truck festival. More than 75 food trucks will be on site, along with a family zone. Admission is $5.

Monday night will end in fireworks.

For more information, visit MallAtUTC.com.

FIREWORKS 5K ON THE LAKE The Fireworks 5K on the Lake race begins at 7 p.m. Race day registration and packet pick-up open at 5 p.m. The race will provide a race shirt and a glow-in-the-dark medal for all participants. Stay for a race after-party with food and drinks.

Fireworks explode over the lake beginning at 9 p.m. Race registration is $30-$40. For the virtual race option, registration is $35. For more information, visit FireworksOnTheLake. com.

TUESDAY, JULY 4

LONGBOAT KEY’S FREEDOM FEST AND HOT DIGGITY DOG PARADE Longboat Key’s annual 15-minute parade along Bay Isles Road begins at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park.

Attendees of all ages will throw on their most vibrant red, white and blue attire for a day of games, patriotism and celebration. Free. Call 383-2466.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND PRIVATEERS FOURTH OF JULY PARADE The Anna Maria Island Privateers will again bring swashbuckling fun to the Fourth of July with its annual public parade. The event is open to all interested parties, including local businesses, families and other salty sea dogs who are looking to live the pirate life. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Free.

Visit AMIPrivateers.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

BOB RIZI MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC Breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m.; shotgun start 9 a.m. at The Meadows Country Club, 3101 Longmeadow, Sarasota $800 per foursome, which includes breakfast, a tee sign and lunch For more information and to register, visit SuncoastSummerFest. org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 File photos

MONDAY, JULY 3

BRADENTON MARAUDERS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Watch the Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders go toe-to-toe with the Threshers in a classic baseball competition. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the game starting at 6:30 p.m. at McKechnie Field at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. The first 1,500 fans will receive a specialty T-shirt, and fireworks will follow the game. Tickets are $10-$14. For more information, visit MILB.com/bradenton.

SUNCOAST SUMMER FEST

“FRIENDLIEST CATCH” FISHING TOURNAMENT By invitation only

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

WAVES & WHEELS KICKOFF PARTY 5-9 p.m. at Joyland, 8341 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota $100 For more information and to register, visit SuncoastSummerFest. org.

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix returns for a weekend of fun.

‘AMERICAN FANFARE’ Choral Artists of Sarasota is joined again by Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble for its annual Fourth of July concert celebration. The concert will be performed at 4:30 p.m. July 4 at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets are $5-$50.

Visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org.

ALL-AMERICAN COOKOUT If you prefer a more natural venue for your July Fourth merriment, check out the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ All-American Cookout. The event will have all-American food for purchase and a number of activities and games before the fireworks.

General admission is free for children 4 and under, $10 for children 5-17, $25 for members and $35 for general public. All-inclusive tickets are also available with valet parking, a buffet, an open bar and prime fireworks seating. Visit Selby. org.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

FUN RUN Registration is 1011 a.m. at Marina Jack. Boats, cars and motorcycles are welcome. $25; $125 for kickoff party, fun run entry and event shirt; $350 for VIP Captain’s Package For more information and to register, visit SuncoastSummerFest. org.

Dogs dress their best for the 2022 Hot Diggity Dog Parade and Costume Contest.

SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

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GUIDE TO A PERFECT FOURTH MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

F

ood, fun and fireworks — there’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the Fourth of July weekend.

With so many events happening in Sarasota and Mana-

tee counties, why only celebrate July 4? Make it a week-

end of American fanfare.

Here’s a way to make the most of your July 4 holiday: JUNE 30-JULY 2 The 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix brings three days of racing fun from June 30 to July 2. Who can resist races between million-dollar cigarette boats?

The event kicks off with a block party June 30.

You don’t need a ticket for the offshore races, which start July 1. For more information about the Powerboat P1-produced race and other Grand Prix events, visit P1Offshore.com.

JULY 2 With a weekend full of fun, you have to keep your energy up. What better way to do that than to stop by the Suncoast’s largest food truck festival?

More than 75 food trucks will be at The Mall at University Town Center from noon to 6 p.m. for the Food Truck Festival, which also includes a family zone.

Admission is $5. For more information, visit MallAtUTC.com.

JULY 3 You might feel like you’ve had too much to eat during all the festivities. Burn off those calories at the Publix Fireworks 5K on the Lake race at 7 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park. There’s also a kids’ dash.

To register for the race and to buy an event-day parking pass, visit RaceRoster.com. The cost for the race, including chip timing, T-shirt and a glow-in-the-dark finisher’s medal, is $45.

What better way to celebrate finishing the race than staying for Fireworks on the Lake, which runs from 5-10 p.m.

Dance to live music by Kettle of Fish, enjoy a kids zone and eat even more from the food trucks.

Finish off the night with a bang.

Fireworks begin at approximately 9 p.m. For more information, visit FireworksOnTheLake.com.

JULY 4 9 a.m.

Start your Fourth of July off early

with Longboat Key’s Freedom Fest and Hot Diggity Dog Parade.

Get decked out in red, white and blue and show off your American spirit.

Check out the furry friends who will put on their most patriotic outfits in hopes of taking home a prize.

The annual 15-minute parade along Bay Isles Road, which has become known as “The Shortest Parade in America,” begins at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park. Following the parade, enjoy a bite to eat and a butterfly release.

For more information, call 3832466.

4:30 p.m.

After an exciting morning of watching canines compete in the parade, take a break and enjoy patriotic sounds at the “American Fanfare” concert.

The Choral Artists of Sarasota, along with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, will perform their annual Fourth of July concert celebration at 4:30 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House Tickets are $5-$50. Visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org.

5:30-9:30 p.m.

Not in the mood for music? Head to Selby Gardens instead for an All-American cookout with familyfriendly activities and games. You can watch the fireworks there.

Upgrade your celebration and enjoy a buffet dinner and open bar in the air-conditioned event center as well as prime seating for the fireworks.

Admission is $35 for the outdoor festivities and $200 for the indoor party. Visit selby.org.

9 p.m.

It’s the time you’ve been waiting for: fireworks.

You can watch fireworks for free at the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, with seating around Island Park, the bayfront and downtown. Visit SuncoastSummerfest.org.

JULY 4: Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, downtown Sarasota

JULY 4: Hot Diggity Dog Parade, Longboat Key

JUNE 30: Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

JULY 3: Publix Fireworks 5K on the Lake, Benderson Park

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MONDAY, JULY 3

FIREWORKS ON THE LAKE Take part in this fireworks show with festivities beginning at 5 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park. The fireworks will begin over the lake when the sun goes down, around 9 p.m. $20-$50 per carload. A VIP experience is available for $75 per person.

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TUESDAY, JULY 4

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SIESTA KEY COMMUNITY FIREWORKS The Siesta Key Community Fireworks show, now in its 31st year, has families and friends flocking to Siesta Key’s white-sand beaches for an evening of fun. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosts the community event on Siesta Key Beach. Fireworks are free, but the event has sponsorships available that provide free parking, free beverages and snacks, as well as preferred seating at the hospitality area for the best view. Viewing area opens at 6 p.m., and fireworks start at dusk. Visit SiestaKeyChamber. com.

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VENICE FIREWORKS There are few better ideas than traveling down Tamiami Trail to catch the impressive fireworks show launch from the south jetty at Venice Beach around 9 p.m. The free 30-minute show can be checked out at several area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis. The south jetty and Jetty Jack’s Refreshment Deck will be closed to the public. Visit VeniceGov. com.

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Friday - Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

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Sunday

9 a.m.-11 p.m.

File photo

People gather at Bayfront Park to watch the show on July 4, 2022.

opment Agency’s annual Fourth of July festival will again be a lively affair, with craft beer and food vendors at Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Live music and kids activities start at 6 p.m., and fireworks will begin at dusk. Event is free. Visit Facebook.com/PalmettoCRA. NORTH PORT FREEDOM FESTIVAL The city of North Port’s annual Fourth of July celebration will begin at 5 p.m. at CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port.

There will be local food and merchandise vendors, as well as kids activities and lawn games. The fireworks show will be approximately 9-9:30 p.m. Visit NorthPortFL.gov.

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Lands of opportunity

which was completed in 1926. By that time, Ringling had also made Sarasota the winter home of his circus. A museum later was added for his extensive art collection. Sarasota had become a haven for art.

As years passed, the community built its arts reputation like none other. Wealthy people moved to the area to enjoy the arts, and arts groups and benefactors moved to the area to be involved in a like-minded community.

“Sarasota is a special community,” said Shaun Greenspan, a Sarasota resident whose “The Sarasota Experience” debuted this spring on WEDU, the region’s PBS member station. “And what do rich people do when they have nothing to do? They go to the arts.”

Greenspan’s documentary (pbs. org/video/the-sarasota-experience-lfc9dr/) covers every facet of the development of Sarasota and it also offers a meticulous and fascinating look at the formation of its arts community along with a look at those who were responsible for building it.

Whether it is strengthening its arts community or its core values, Greenspan said Sarasota’s ability to evolve is perhaps its best quality.

“Sarasota always has been a pioneer town,” Greenspan said. “It still is, in my opinion, a pioneer town.

One thing constant is change. People say, ‘I wish Sarasota would remain the same.’ But because it changes, it always improves itself.”

Among the many arts organizations that have formed a community like none other are the Sarasota Opera, the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the Sarasota Ballet, the Players Center for Performing Arts, the Circus Arts Conservatory, the Urbanite Theatre, the Sarasota Orchestra and the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

Top venues include the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Greenspan said the wealth, the beautiful beaches, the airport all combined to form a “perfect confluence” to build a renowned arts community.

“But it is the wonderful sense of community that I like to talk about,” Greenspan said. “People here have the opportunity to create the city they want.”

While Sarasota built its arts reputation to separate from other beach communities, Lakewood Ranch carved paradise out of the wild.

MANAGING EDITOR

W

ith the July 4 holiday upon us, we celebrate our country’s liberties, which we often translate as giving us the freedom to seize an opportunity.

Yes, the land of opportunity often can mean chasing our personal dreams to build a product, a company or a fortune.

However, it can also mean shaping the lifestyle of a particular area to build a unique community.

Here in our region, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch are shining examples of how the actions of a group of individuals can combine to influence the trajectory of those communities and to eventually set them apart.

Those actions have been responsible for building one of the nation’s top arts and cultural communities and the country’s No. 1-selling multigenerational, master-planned community.

THE TURNING POINT

Two major factors led to Lakewood Ranch transitioning from an actual ranch to one of America’s most desired residential communities.

The first was the opening of the Manatee County section of Interstate 75 in the early 1980s, along with the highway’s final length of completion in 1993.

“It was a point at which opportunities came to our doorstep,” said Laura Cole, a senior vice president for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the developer of Lakewood Ranch. “I-75 put a positive light on the possibilities.”

At the time, SMR was operating cattle ranching, citrus, tree and turf farming and aggregate mining operations. Since the early 1900s, the Uihlein family, an original owner of Schlitz Brewery, owned the 33,000-

acre property.

It was in a word, wild, and not inviting to anyone wanting to build a home and raise a family. With the new interstate, though, thoughts of a residential community gained credence as potential residents would have easy access to several major metropolitan areas and jobs. If a new community was built, those from Tampa to Fort Myers would have easy access to any businesses in the new community.

Still, another push was needed to move SMR forward. That flew into the picture in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Both Manatee and Sarasota counties were concerned about overcrowding at the Sarasota-Manatee Airport and were looking at Lakewood Ranch as an attractive site to build a new, larger airport. Eventually, the airport authority threw out the idea of building a new airport in Lakewood Ranch in 1985.

Cole said government agencies considering an airport for Lakewood Ranch was a “pressure point,” which caused the Lakewood Ranch parent company to consider other options.

One was building a residential community.

Members of the Uihlein family, SMR’s board and Rex Jensen — now the company’s CEO and president who first joined SMR in 1990 — began taking trips around the country to examine other master planned communities.

“It was the same story, that you needed a group of believers,” Cole said of the thought of building a residential community where most people didn’t think it was possible.

“It took a lot of belief. A thousand people would say it wasn’t viable.

The reality is that you have to make it work.”

SMR, which began its transition to building residential neighborhoods

Courtesy photos

The Sarasota Ballet is just one of the region’s fine arts groups.

SchroederManatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen has helped his company seize opportunities to make Lakewood Ranch one of the most desirable communities in the U.S.

in February 1994, made it work.

Today, Lakewood Ranch has more than 63,000 residents in 33 residential villages.

More than 40% of the 33,000 acres has been set aside as open space or recreation with green space, trails and parks.

“It was nice that (the Uihleins) owned that land,” Cole said. “The family had that land a long time, and it allowed us to accommodate a longer-term vision. With that land, (SMR) didn’t have to maximize profits on everything. Lakewood Ranch was built with less density. It is a great place, a great community with a great lifestyle. The most important elements were the parks and the trails.”

Cole said the other key was forming the stewardship district and the Community Development Dis-

tricts to maintain the community’s infrastructure.

THE ART OF BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Sarasota and its beautiful beaches were destined to become a thriving community based on their pure beauty. But what kind of community?

Would it offer more than a chance to get a tan or to escape winter snow?

While a push to develop a city along Sarasota Bay began in the 1880s, it was in the 1920s that Sarasota received a major boost toward becoming the arts mecca that it is today.

John and Mable Ringling began vacationing in Sarasota in 1909 and they immediately began buying property. John Ringling built a 30-room mansion named Cà d’Zan,

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

They seized opportunities Lewis Colson, John Schroeder and Bertha Palmer were trailblazers in frontier Florida.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

W

hile seizing the opportunity to create thriving, and unique, communities in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch took the proverbial village, three individuals provided the vision to help launch those efforts.

Frontier Florida was not for the faint of heart, so much so that some of the Scottish settlers who arrived in the 1800s decided to return to their homeland.

But the area’s trailblazers didn’t.

They helped build the region into what it is today. They made tangible, lasting changes in their environment and inspired others to do the same.

LEWIS COLSON: FORMER SLAVE MAKES HUGE IMPACT

Former slave Lewis Colson arrived in Sarasota in 1884 and helped map out the city. He became a spiritual leader in the African American community.

Is he well known today for his exploits? Perhaps not.

A man and a woman talking on a bench at Selby Five Points Park probably don’t realize they owe Colson a debt of gratitude, and the same can be said of the man coming out of the Selby Library.

If these Sarasota denizens notice the historical marker in the park at One Central Avenue and take the time to read it, they will learn that Colson worked as an assistant to engineer Richard E. Paulson of the Florida Mortgage and Investment Co. Born in 1844, Colson arrived in Sarasota in 1884. The following year, Colson drove the stake into the

ground at Five Points, which became the center of the city that grew from a fishing village.

There were many firsts Colson’s life. He was the first Black to register to vote in Manatee County. Along with his wife Irene, a midwife, he founded the first African American church in Sarasota after becoming a minister.

Colson was the first minister of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he served from 1899 to 1915.

In 1925, the first hotel was constructed in Sarasota for Blacks. It was named the Colson Hotel. It had 25 rooms, all reserved for African Americans, who were not allowed to stay in other hotels.

Why did Blacks need their own hotel in Sarasota? Like everybody else, they were caught up in the Florida Land Boom of the 1920s, which created work.

“Sarasota was a growing community, and African Americans were learning about job opportunities,” said Vickie Oldham, CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition Inc. Oldham was interviewed for the WEDU PBS documentary, “The Sarasota Experience.”

The days of being first didn’t end for Colson when his life ended in 1922. He and Irene were the first and only Blacks buried in the historic Rosemary Cemetery, which was owned by his former employer.

JOHN SCHROEDER PUT LAKEWOOD RANCH ON THE MAP

John Schroeder is not a household name. But at one time the German immigrant, who arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1846, ran one of the largest lumber companies in the

Lewis and Irene Colson

John Schroeder

Bertha Palmer

U.S. In 1905, Schroeder bought a 45-acre property that eventually spawned Lakewood Ranch. Schroeder was attracted to Florida for its timber, but the friends he sold his land to viewed it as a vacationland.

To keep his Wisconsin lumber mills humming, Schroeder needed wood. He found it in Florida. In 1905, he put together a company called Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, which is the parent company of today’s planned community of Lakewood Ranch.

He began buying parcels of land, assembling a 48-square-mile tract that eventually became known as Lakewood Ranch. After his death, his three sons continued to run the company that bore his name. They decided to diversify into furniture.

But things didn’t work out for the Schroeders in the furniture business.

They needed money, and they needed it fast. Their friends, the Uihleins, bailed them out by buying their land in 1922 for as little as $2 per acre.

But friends being friends, the Uihleins kept the name SchroederManatee Ranch Co., or SMR, for short.

For nearly 70 years after the Uihleins took control, agriculture was the focus, but these activities weren’t always profitable. No matter. The Uihleins used their Florida land primarily for recreation.

In the 1980s, however, SMR began taking the first steps toward building a planned community, and that included holding discussions with Manatee County Commissioners.

It would take until 1994 for SMR to gain the consensus and regula-

tory approvals needed to create its first neighborhood, Summerfield.

Slowly, the community began to take shape with the addition of homes, corporate offices, country clubs, a business and entertainment hub, a post office, a hospital, a sports complex and a polo club.

A lot of the credit for SMR’s transition into real estate development goes to the company’s past two presidents — John Clarke, who retired in 2002, and Rex Jensen, who currently holds the title of CEO. Lakewood Ranch has a population of about 63,000 residents in 33 residential villages. It is considered the No. 1 planned community in the U.S.

After the Fire of 1871 wiped out the Palmer House and other Chicago landmarks, Bertha helped her husband and other city leaders rebuild.

When the widowed Palmer and her family arrived in Sarasota on a luxurious Pullman train car in February 1910, the city’s only hotel was so humble that a newly opened sanitarium was quickly commandeered to accommodate the party.

It wasn’t long before Palmer bought more than 80,000 acres in and around Sarasota.

Palmer proved herself an able steward of the land. She is credited with rolling out innovations that improved the Florida ranching, citrus, dairy and farming industries before she died in 1918. She was no stranger to how draining land could create development potential. It was what her husband and his business partners did to pave the way for Lakeshore Drive and the Gold Coast of Chicago.

Such was Palmer’s influence that other well-heeled Midwesterners followed her lead. One of them was Owen Burns, who gave Burns Court it name.

Burns bought the holdings of the Florida Mortgage and Investment Co. from Sarasota pioneer John H. Gillespie for $35,000, gaining ownership of would be 75% of today’s city limits, according to historian Jeff LaHurd.

“Give the Lady What She Wants,” was the axiom coined by Marshall Field. In the case of Bertha Palmer, the lady gave Sarasota what she wanted — her idea of civilization.

BERTHA PALMER LEFT HER MARK ON SARASOTA

Chicago socialite and Florida land developer Bertha Palmer hasn’t been seen in Sarasota since 1918, but her presence is still felt everywhere.

History remembers her as the wife of wealthy Chicago developer Potter Palmer. But Bertha carved out a new life in Florida as a businesswoman.

The community of Palmer Ranch bears her name. Many of the streets she named are unchanged — Honoré (her maiden name and the name of her first son), Lockwood Ridge, Tuttle, Webber and Macintosh.

Who was this formidable woman?

She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1849 and married Potter Palmer, a man more than 20 years her senior.

He built Chicago’s famous Palmer House Hotel, which still exists today in The Loop. The legendary Chicago department store Marshall Field was originally founded by a consortium led by Potter Palmer.

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A N D R I C K & A S S O C I AT E S

CELEBRATES THE BEST OF AMERICA At this time of year we celebrate our Independence, our Liberties, and the brave men and women who made it possible.

Of all the National Holidays, July 4th may be the most special. It celebrates our Independence and the creation of a Free American Republic to benefit the people it serves.

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The American dream still resonates strongly throughout our population and is a beacon call to many immigrants worldwide.

The assaults on Freedom and Liberty have been constant throughout our history; maybe never more than today.

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State Fair as one of the first showmen of the UF Brahman Show Team. They assisted with research to advance the genetics of the UF Brahmans.

Ricks said she tries to use knowledge she has gained to keep her family’s agriculture businesses updated.

“Being able to be knowledgeable with the new, modern technology for beef cattle and being on the forefront of the new genetics that are out there help better our herd and stay on top of diseases and pests that are attacking the industry,” Ricks said.

Ginger Davis said no one in the family has had the horticulture knowledge that Linda Parks, Davis’ mother, has until Ricks went to college.

“We always say if we could clone my mom, we would be in a good place because I don’t have that horticulture knowledge,” Davis said. “But now, Shelbie hopefully can help us.

I’ll be having to text her while she’s working (at school) to say, ‘Hey, what about this plant?’”

ABOUT THE GRAD SHELBIE RICKS Age: 21 School: University of Florida Year graduated: 2023 Degree: Bachelors of science and agriculture education Family: Husband, Britton Ricks; father, Luke Davis; mother, Ginger Davis; grandparents Linda and Jim Parks; siblings Shaylynn Davis, Garrett Vincent and Tristen Karantonis Career: Agriculture teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School

ADDING TO A LEGACY

Courtesy photos

Ricks is looking forward to the school year at Lakewood Ranch High.

“It’s a full circle moment for me,” Ricks said. “I knew I always wanted to come back to Manatee County.

I didn’t know where I was going to be, but it’s definitely something I’ve prayed for.”

When she first started college, Ricks said she wanted to be a large animal vet, but she realized it wasn’t the best path for her because she wanted to raise a family.

Ricks said her love for education began when she was in FFA at Braden River High. She competed in an agriculture education competition where she simulated a lesson plan and delivered a lesson to college students. She was judged on her lesson and the information she was providing. Ricks said it gave her the opportunity to see how creative she can be teaching others.

She also knew agriculture teachers in Manatee County through her family’s businesses and understood the sense of community among the teachers.

Like those teachers, she wants to pass the torch to younger generations.

“There’s a place for everybody in agriculture,” she said.

Shelbie Ricks (center) is the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a degree at the University of Florida.

Building on a legacy Shelbie Ricks will pass on her family’s agriculture knowledge as a teacher at Lakewood Ranch High after being the first in her family to graduate from college.

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

G

rowing up, Shelbie Ricks often was reminded of one of her mother’s sayings.

“Use my ceiling as your floor,” her mom, Ginger Davis, would say, nudging her daughter to set high goals for herself.

Ricks, 21, kept that saying in mind through her days at Braden River High School and now as she begins her agriculture teaching career at Lakewood Ranch High in August.

She is an eighth generation Manatee County resident and a fifth generation rancher.

All her life, she has been involved

in her family’s businesses. Her parents, Ginger and Luke Davis, own an arboriculture business (Olive Branch Tree Care), and her grandparents, Linda and Jim Parks, own a feed and farm supply store (Come See, Come Sav).

In high school, Ricks took dual enrollment classes and graduated from high school in 2020 halfway to her associates degree.

After graduation, Ricks had a choice to make. She could either stay home and help her family with their businesses, or go to college.

She remembered her mother’s words.

“Use my ceiling as your floor.”

“We are so proud,There are no words in the dictionary to express how proud I am.” Jim Parks FIRST IN THE FAMILY

On May 4, Ricks followed through on her mom’s advice.

She walked across the stage to accept her diploma from the University of Florida.

She became the first in her family to graduate from college.

“It kind of leaves me speechless,”

Ricks said. “My family is well known here in Manatee County, so it gives me a sense of pride to add something else to our plate.”

Ricks said she wouldn’t have been able to get to graduation day without the love and support of her family and husband, Britton Ricks.

She told her family she was willing to stay home and work for the businesses instead of going to college, but her family pushed her to pursue her dreams.

Linda Parks said seeing her granddaughter be the first to graduate from college was awesome.

“We are so proud,” Parks said.

“There are no words in the dictionary to express how proud I am.”

At the University of Florida, Ricks joined the Gator Collegiate Cattlewomen’s Association and the UF Block and Bridle Club.

She also traveled to the Florida

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Carrying on the dream Alejandro Peralta, whose parents came from Ecuador to pursue their dreams, continues their story in America.

IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER

A

s Sarasota’s Alejandro Peralta strolled through Johns Hopkins University in March, he knew it was the next step along a path where “every decision, every calculated step,” had led him.

The path began before he was born.

That trail began because of the sacrifices made by his parents, Carlos Peralta and Johanna Jacome, who immigrated from Ecuador.

Because of the hardships his family experienced along the way, Alejandro Peralta wants to make the most of every opportunity.

Carlos Peralta immigrated from Ecuador to the U.S. at 19 years old in 2000. Throughout his life, he had seen college graduates in Ecuador who were underemployed, such as taxi drivers who held doctoral degrees.

“There are private schools that are very good, expensive too, but in the end, you’ve got your degree in a place that you can’t use it most of the time,” Carlos Peralta said about education in Ecuador.

While living in Worcester, Massachusetts, Carlos Peralta met and married Johanna, who was on vacation from Ecuador. Not long afterward, Alejandro Peralta was born.

The couple was filled with dreams, but as undocumented immigrants, the way forward was not easy.

“Every time when we went to work, or to take Alejandro to school, we were risking everything,” Carlos Peralta said.

“We always believed in the American dream,” Carlos Peralta said. “We knew that millions of people did it already before us, so why not us? We knew if we did the right thing, pay-

ing our taxes, living out of trouble, we had a lot of chances to eventually get our citizenship, and that is what happened.”

Carlos Peralta became a citizen in 2017 and Jacome in 2018.

Today, Carlos Peralta works on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for Bay to Bay Test and Balance. He is currently working on systems at NASA. Jacome is a metrology engineer for Omnia Scientific.

A PLAN YEARS IN THE MAKING

From a young age, Alejandro Peralta felt a deep drive to help others as well as a passion for anatomy and the brain.

By fifth grade, he memorized the bones of the body and was working out a pathway to medical school.

“I found out that just researching the brain isn’t enough,” he said.

“I wanted to contribute to society. I wanted to contribute to the betterment of human health, so that’s why neurosurgery was such an attractive option to me. I was lucky to find out so young, so I could be focused on one dream.”

There have been many early mornings and late nights involved, but he has been rewarded by the Father Connie Dougherty Memorial Scholarship Fund and with a merit-based scholarship from Johns Hopkins University. He graduated from Sarasota High School seventh in his class in May. Alejandro Peralta said he took every advanced course available, participating in the School of Excellence in Math, Science, and Technology and Advanced International Certificate of Education programs.

Currently, he is working with tutors on college-level courses.

Alejandro Peralta holds a letter of acceptance from Johns Hopkins University.

Photos by Ian Swaby

Mia Peralta, Johanna Jacome, Santhiago Peralta, Alejandro Peralta and Carlos Peralta are happy to be living their American dream.

“We always believed in the American dream.

We knew that millions of people did it already before us, so why not us? Carlos Peralta His goal is to double major in neuroscience and molecular and cellular biology with a minor in medical Spanish.

Behind his goals, he said, is a sense of gratitude and responsibility regarding the educational opportunities his life, along with his parents’ decision to immigrate to the U.S. “I always have the reminder that if (my parents) were able to get this far, having to work three times as hard as everyone else, I know that in my position, being born here and having those opportunities right here for

the picking, I have no excuse to not reach my goals and even go beyond that as a physician,” he said.

Carlos Peralta said the education his children are receiving in the U.S. is “the most important gift you can give to your kids.”

Alejandro Peralta's acceptance to Johns Hopkins University is a dream come true for everyone in the family.

“That was what we’ve been looking for, what we’ve worked for,” Jacome said. “Every moment that we’ve spent talking to them, always telling them how it’s important to work hard for your dreams, I (can see it happening) right now.”

Due to his goal to increase the accessibility of healthcare everywhere, Alejandro Peralta plans to practice neurosurgery in Ecuador and the U.S. “The American dream really exists,” Carlos Peralta said. “If you work hard, with honesty, eventually the dream becomes a reality.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Peralta wanted to avoid placing financial responsibility for additional educational opportunities on his parents.

In 2017, Alejandro Peralta, alongside his now 13-year-old brother, Santhiago Peralta, founded a home care business, BrosSK. As a result, Alejandro Peralta has paid for tutoring, SAT classes, tennis lessons and United States Tennis Association tournaments.

His business also is rewarding due to the time spent with his siblings.

Every afternoon, the siblings do their homework together, with one teaching the other.

They’ve also inspired one another; Mia Peralta, who is 9, and Santhiago Peralta both intend to become neurosurgeons as well.

“It’s like a superpower — just with your hands, you can save people’s lives,” said Santhiago Peralta. “I want to do that with my brother and sister.”

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Switlyk explained. “I realized I could waste 10 years of my life (there).”

LUCK AND NERVE

Courtesy photo

Larysa Switlyk of “Larysa Unleashed” has formed a nonprofit to educate more people on the benefits of hunting.

Hunter takes aim at biggame opportunities Sarasota’s Larysa Switlyk takes a path less traveled to make her mark as an adventure TV host.

JAMES PETER MANAGING EDITOR

“Unleashed Global Adventures” starts in September on the Pursuit Channel (Dish & Direct TV) and Wild TV; Watch Roku on Women’s Outdoor Network

The family rarely fished, even after moving to Longboat Key in 1995.

Switlyk’s exposure to outdoor pursuits was limited to a fishing rod purchased at the Longboat Key Publix and the lucky catch of a flounder on a hand line when she was 11 years old.

Switlyk finished high school at Sarasota High and then attended the University of Florida where she earned bachelors and masters degrees in accounting. She dreamed of working in Manhattan.

She worked as a tax intern the summer of 2006 in New York City.

“It was too much work, stress, too much drinking. It was working 12 hours a day. I watched my manager there miss (making) partner. (He said) ‘I put my life and soul into this,’”

GETTING WILD

She found an unconventional way to fund her passion. She obtained her real estate license and sold houses on Longboat Key. She’d use the money to hunt any chance she had.

It was around this time she saw a show on ESPN called “Get Wild.”

The outdoor program hosted by Cindy Garrison took viewers on hunting adventures around the world.

She gave herself five years to make a TV show.

It took her three.

From the outside looking in, “Larysa Unleashed,” seems like a dream job for a hunter or angler.

Switlyk is quick to point out that it is. But the finished product, a halfhour show about a hunting or fishing adventure, is the result of scripting, storyboarding and painstaking planning. Expeditions are expensive propositions.

“I pushed myself to see what I could try. Bungee jumping, I camped for the first time, skydiving.

I wanted to learn how to fly fish.” Larysa Switlyk “There’s so much more office work behind the scenes. It’s the most work I’ve ever had,” Switlyk said.

EDUCATION UNLEASHED

“People confuse hunting with poaching,” Switlyk said. “Hunting is very regulated. Hunters are the first line of defense in conservation. They protect habitats, they manage populations. Their dollars support it.”

Since she began her show, she has hunted 100 species on trips in 60 countries and has seen up close the positive impact of hunters, she said.

“If not for hunters, all the (game) animals in Africa would be poached,” Switlyk said. “If there’s no value to the animal, there’s no reason to keep the animal around. Hunters add value to the animal. Societies will save these animals because they’re lucrative.”

In hopes of educating more people, she formed a nonprofit, Unleashed Outdoor Education and Wildlife Conservation, in 2022 with a twopronged mission — to educate people about hunting and conservation and to give more people the opportunity to get outdoors, whether it’s as hunters, anglers or hikers.

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he was supposed to be an accountant, or maybe a lawyer.

Instead, she became a professional big-game hunter and the host of her own outdoor adventure TV show.

But Sarasota’s Larysa Switlyk didn’t discover her calling until she was 23 years old — and even then it took a combination of luck and nerve.

“I didn’t have the opportunity to

get outdoors. I made one,” said Switlyk.

As the nation celebrates its freedoms on July 4, Switlyk is a prime of example of having the opportunity to choose a course in life. Does America offer the opportunity to pursue dreams that might be considered unusual or odd to many? Switlyk’s story is proof that it, indeed, does.

Growing up in Albany, New York, and the daughter of two doctors, Switlyk said she had limited opportunities for interscholastic sports and extracurriculars.

WHERE TO WATCH

Switlyk was back in Florida, considering law school and hearing excuses from friends why they couldn’t go on a backpacking trip.

“I’m not going to wait around for anyone,” she said.

She went solo. At 23, she spent six months living out of her bag. First Australia, then New Zealand.

“I pushed myself to see what I could try. Bungee jumping, I camped for the first time, skydiving,” she said. “I wanted to learn how to fly fish.”

She was on South Island, New Zealand in 2007. When Switlyk showed up at the outfitter, the guides told her that fly fishing season was over. Did she want to go on a hunt?

“I didn’t know anything. I’d never shot a rifle before. I showed up with hiking boots and a backpack,” she said.

Before the guide, Shane Johnson, would take her out, he wanted to make sure Switlyk could shoot properly. After hitting a target 100 yards away twice, Johnson took her on a deer hunt, where she bagged a deer on her first try.

When Switlyk returned to the U.S. she wanted to share her newfound passion with her family, but her parents and brothers were confused.

“Why are you killing animals?” they asked.

“They thought something was wrong with me,” Switlyk said.

“Because they didn’t understand it, they didn’t like it.”

She thought she might be able to change people’s perceptions on hunters and educate people about how hunters care about nature and healthy animal populations and how hunting contributes to conservation and the defense of public land access. But first, Switlyk needed to find a way to fund her passion.

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Sometimes opportunity simply means a second chance Stefan Campagna used his second chance to become an attorney and champion Teen Court of Sarasota.

ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER

S

tefan Campagna’s law career began in the courtroom, not as an attorney but rather as a defendant.

He was facing a jury of his peers, which in this case were fellow teenage offenders tasked with deciding what kind of penalty they would impose on the 16-year-old Campagna.

The now 36-year-old Sarasota native and attorney ended up behind bars following a spree of breaking into cars and stealing anything of value. He was charged with 27 felonies, including one charge for taking a stolen vehicle for a joy ride.

His court date was with Teen Court of Sarasota, a youth jury program that employs diversion opportunities for juvenile offenders and opportunities for civic engagement for student volunteers.

“Honestly I fell into that behavior the same way I think that most every teenager does — just poor decision making,” Campagna said. “For lack of a better term, being an idiot in the moment.”

Campagna could have blamed his life situation for his troubles. Along with a younger brother, he grew up raised by a single mother living in a small apartment. He could have said he fell in with the wrong crowd.

Instead, teen court held him accountable for his actions.

Campagna credits his experience in teen court, and the adults who oversee it, with putting him on the track for personal and professional success.

Not only has he built a career in criminal law, but also he is dedicated to giving back to the program that saved him by serving on the teen

Courtesy photos

Stefan Campagna volunteers as a Teen Court of Sarasota County judge in addition to serving as a board member.

NO PUBLIC FUNDING Teen Court of Sarasota Inc. is a nonprofit almost excessively funded through private donations. While teen court serves the county of Sarasota, especially the county judicial system, it receives no funding from the county. Information about how to donate is available on SarasotaTeenCourt.org.

court’s board of directors and volunteering as a judge, which is the only adult role during teen court proceedings. He also serves as the program administrator for the National Association of Youth Courts.

Now as a criminal attorney often defending youths in juvenile court, he said those found guilty in the system need to be held accountable as well.

“A lot of people like to blame it on

divorced parents or bad friends, but poor decision making is why many kids fall under that same umbrella,” he said. “I’m sure their lack of decision making is probably a product of their environment, but what we need to focus on is how do we improve the decisions.”

Campagna’s desire to give back is rooted in the support network that surrounded him inside and outside of teen court.

He credits the principal at the time at Pine View School, Steve Largo, with allowing him to remain enrolled and to eventually graduate. He also cites Heather Todd, the executive director of Teen Court of Sarasota, who was his case worker at the time, along with then-executive director Katie Self and his mother for keeping him on the right path.

That path led to a degree from University of Central Florida and then, after a year off while working for Sarasota County, he went to the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in New York.

Although his record had been expunged with successful comple-

Stefan Campagna returned to his home city to start and raise a family.

tion of his teen court sanctions, Campagna’s brush with the law and teen court experience was the focus of his application essay.

And a scholarship.

While at Hofstra, Campagna did some public speaking about teen court and was allowed to start a program in New York, which had none at the time. Eventually, it was two women who would lead him to return to his home town — his mother and wife, Camile.

Returning to Sarasota, becoming involved in teen court was never in question.

Over the past decade, Campagna has guest lectured at high schools, colleges and governmental and community-based forums across the country. He served as a panel member at the American Bar Association’s 2011 Mid-Year Meeting, during which he advocated the successful passage of the ABA Resolution in Support of Youth Courts.

He said teen court participants are offered a second chance with continued support beyond conclusion of the program.

“I’m sure their lack of decision making is probably a product of their environment, but what we need to focus on is how do we improve the decisions.”

Stefan Campagna

“A lot of times if you give somebody a second chance, especially in the criminal arena, they just go right back to what they were doing because that’s what they know,” Campagna said. “So instead of just saying, here’s your second chance, go on out there and try and figure it out by yourself, they’re also given the resources to take advantage of that second chance.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Alex Ortega started building a career for himself at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay when he was 16 years old and new to the country.

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hile some successful people go to extremes to grasp a life opportunity, others toil away for years, working hard to make their American dreams come true.

Such is the story of Alex Ortega, who has created a successful life for both himself and his family through his work ethic.

Ortega described his journey while going through his workday at Turtles Restaurant on Little Sarasota Bay.

9:00 A.M.

Ortega arrives at Turtles and walks the restaurant, inside and out, to be sure everything is clean and ready.

He makes sure the bathroom is stocked, the coolers are set to the right temperatures and there’s no debris in the parking lot.

Ortega knows every inch of Turtles, having worked in the same restaurant since he was 16 years old.

He left his home of Aguascalientes, Mexico for the first time and didn’t speak English. He was hired to wash dishes.

In 1986, two families — the Flanagans and the Kellehers —opened Turtles. The waterfront restaurant on Siesta Key has since been passed down to the next generation.

But there’s a third family that operates the restaurant — the Ortegas.

Just three years after Turtles opened, Alex Ortega joined the staff and has since risen through the ranks. Now at 50 years old, he’s the

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general manager.

His family also calls Turtles home.

His son Ezequiel is the assistant manager and his brother Julian is the kitchen manager. His brother Manuel is the sous chef, and his daughter Maria waits tables part time.

“I felt so motivated that the people I worked with believed in me. Not many people stay in one job for so long.”

9:35 A.M.

Ortega is back out the door to go to the bank and run errands.

He’s used to a fast-paced life, constantly going in and out of the restaurant for errands. He returns to address any customer needs.

He grew up on a ranch outside of Aguascalientes, a city in central Mexico, with his mother, father and six siblings. His father was a teacher, and his mother stayed at home.

It was idyllic until Ortega was 8 years old and his father died of an aneurysm. His mother landed a job in the school system and worked tirelessly to keep seven children clothed and fed. By 15 years old, Ortega was eager to help.

He had cousins living in Ruskin, working in tomato fields. When they came home to visit, they were wearing nicer clothes and Nike sneakers.

Ortega had never dreamed of leaving Mexico, but he suddenly saw the U.S. as an opportunity to help his family.

At the time, it was fairly easy to obtain a green card. Getting to Florida was the bigger challenge. Ortega crossed the border illegally, swimming across a river and walking for two days before feeling safe enough to stop to get food.

He worked in Ruskin for less than a year before moving to Bradenton.

He was still picking tomatoes, but he’d gotten his green card through the rancher for whom he worked.

Four months later, a cousin told him Turtles was hiring. Five years later, Ortega became a U.S. citizen.

Alex Ortega

moving up in the ranks. He moved from the dish area to the prep station and was promoted from pantry chef to sous chef. Eventually, he worked his way up to kitchen manager.

11:50 A.M.

Alex Ortega chips in everywhere at the restaurant. If there’s food sitting in the window, he’ll serve it himself.

Alex Ortega fills in at the hostess stand to greet and seat guests.

He walks around the restaurant checking in on diners.

When James Rainey, the same general manager who hired him to be a dishwasher, retired 15 years ago, it was a given Ortega would take over the position.

“I felt so motivated that the people I worked with believed in me. Not many people stay in one job for so long. I’ve seen so many chefs and managers here,” Ortega said. “What made me stay was my future, my career. I never got a chance to go to school, to have a career. I was so young when I lost my father, and my mom worked so hard to support all of us.”

12:40 P.M.

Alex Ortega starts pouring beer as the tables fill for dinner.

The lunch rush has Ortega back and forth from the hostess stand helping to greet and seat guests.

The only positions Ortega didn’t hold in the restaurant before becoming the general manager were server, bartender and host. Since taking on the role, he’s done all three.

There is nothing Ortega asks of his staff that he’s unwilling to do himself from bussing tables to mixing drinks.

While covering the host stand, he didn’t stop wiping down the menus.

10:15 A.M.

Ortega sees all the deliveries have arrived and the kitchen is ready for lunch service. The kitchen crew is in full swing, chopping vegetables and simmering soups.

Back when he started, Ortega remembered thinking that scrubbing clam chowder out of soup bowls was a step up from making $70 per week picking tomatoes, but he wasn’t content to stay behind the sink. He learned English and began

3:35 P.M.

Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay has become a family-run restaurant over the years.

Ezequiel Ortega is the assistant manager, Alex Ortega is the general manager, and Julian Ortega is the kitchen manager.

Ortega is back upstairs in his office to squeeze in more paperwork before the dinner service.

“I’m the general manager, but I’m also the secretary because I do payroll and help with advertising. My son is in charge of the bar and banquets,” he said.

23

5:15 P.M.

Ortega starts pouring beer and wine as dinner service picks up.

“I just run. I host, run food, bus tables —whatever needs to be done,” Ortega said.

Ortega always has had a fierce drive and a work ethic to match. He knew hard work would pay off.

When he was hired, he was doubled up in a two-bedroom apartment off Fruitville Road, 15 miles from the restaurant. He rode his bike until he could afford to buy his first car, a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. He couldn’t afford the tuition or time off for college, so he went to VoTech, which is now Sarasota County Technical Institute, and obtained certifications as a cook, sous chef, chef and kitchen manager.

7:45 P.M.

The dinner rush is over, so it’s time for Ortega to call it a day.

It’s a day that has earned his family more opportunities. Ortega’s American dream carries on through his children. His assistant manager and son, Ezequiel, graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in biology.

Like father, like son —Ezequiel also started working at Turtles when he was 16. In fact, all four of Ortega’s children have worked at the restaurant at one point or another.

“When my dad was flustered because somebody didn’t show up, he’d ask if we wanted to make a few dollars,” Ezequiel said. “Now, I try to help relieve some of the stress that comes with managing a restaurant.

Whenever he has something going on, I can be here. I’m his son, so I care about his wellbeing.”

Ezequiel originally intended to become a physician’s assistant.

When he was suggested to fill the assistant manager position after graduating, Ortega’s answer was “No, he has other plans,” but the owners made an offer anyway.

“He did some math and said, ‘Dad, I think this is perfect for me.’ He can easily buy his own home now, and he’s 29. He got married, and I’m a grandpa,” Ortega said. “We have such a good relationship. It’s amazing. I can trust my family, so I can take some time off.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

and told her about a boy in the hospital celebrating his birthday the next day but he didn’t have any family to celebrate with him. The pair worked together to bake a cake and make sure the boy would feel loved.

“I saw how much she loved what she did,” Wise said. “I decided to give nursing a shot. I have continued to love it. Nursing is a phenomenal career. There’s so much opportunity.

It’s so rewarding to feel good about what you’ve done at the end of the day.”

Wise attributes her success to her and her team’s work ethic and relationships they build with clients and each other.

“Part of it is continuing to have that rapport and relationship with clients,” she said. “That certainly helped the foundation of my business. It makes it more of a community-centered business where people know that we care and that we go to the extent we do to make sure they have what they need.”

Courtesy photos

Take Care Home Health is run by Sue Wise and two of her daughters, Erika Wise Borland and Courtney Wise Snyder.

Trajedy spurs career of caring The death of her father and brothers in a plane crash led Sue Wise in a new life direction, and she eventually started Take Home Health Care in Sarasota.

STAFF WRITER

A

passion for caring for others’ needs, especially their health needs, was instilled in Sarasota’s Sue Wise at a young age by her parents.

She grew up in small-town Michigan on a farm that was run primarily by her father and brothers. “(The farm) was very much based on Midwestern ethics and values with the way business was done,” she said. “It was very communitycentered.”

In 1977, her father and brothers were killed in a plane crash. The crash changed her perspective on life and drew her toward pursuing her own dreams in the nursing field.

“I wanted to focus on the private duty side,” she said. “I felt like that was going to give me a lot of opportunities and ways to grow personally and professionally. That’s when I decided to take a chance and open up the company when I moved to Sarasota.”

She started Take Care Home Health in 1995 with an office in Venice and four employees. Now, the company has four offices, one of which doubles as a care management office, and just under 400 employees. The offices are located in Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton and Port Charlotte.

LIFELONG PASSION

Wise’s passion for nursing was influenced by her mother, Ruth. She admired her mother’s passion for

“There’s so much opportunity. It’s so rewarding to feel good about what you’ve done at the end of the day.” Sue Wise her job and the way she often went above and beyond for her patients at the children’s hospital where she worked.

One particular memory that stuck out to Wise involved a birthday cake.

Her mother came home from work

Y Y R T DA TO

Two of her daughters eventually expressed interest in joining the family business as they, too, had found a passion for health care. Courtney Snyder and Erika Borland have taken the responsibilities of president and vice president respectively.

Both Snyder and Borland have held other jobs and pursued other interests before deciding that the family business was what they were looking for as a career.

“They love the community,” Wise said. “They love the entrepreneurial side of the business where you can create and grow. That’s the wonderful thing about the country we live in. It’s in our hands as to how far we want to push it to make it successful and what direction we want to take it.”

Wise said working with her daughters has been an enjoyable experience.

“I have not found it to be challenging,” she said. “Some people say ‘does that make it hard?’ No, I think it makes it enjoyable. It’s an added treat that I spend so much time at work, and I also get to see two of my daughters.”

Working with Snyder and Bowland has allowed her to shift her focus from the business side to her

ABOUT TAKE CARE HOME HEALTH The family-owned and operated company specializes in at-home healthcare and meeting their patients where they are at.

About 65% to 70% of the company’s clients require help with their every day needs outside of medical care, what founder Sue Wise categorizes as unskilled care. The remaining percentage require skilled care, which covers all medical care that a nursing professional would have the skills to do.

“Because we have such a large base of employees, we’re able to provide both skilled and unskilled,” Wise said. “If something were to happen to someone we were providing unskilled care to such as needing wound care or care after surgery, we are able to flip into the skilled care in addition to the unskilled. They won’t have to seek out services elsewhere.”

true passion — caring for those who need it.

The two handle more of the business side such as the company’s website and the potential to pursue additional services.

“I tend to like to be able to be with the clients and deal with the nursing issues,” Wise said. “(Working with them) allows me to focus and hunker down on that while they deal with the direction the company is going and what we might look at differently.”

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mericans have each other’s backs.

It’s an idea taken for granted, often forgotten until someone we know needs help, but it is true that at our lowest moments, someone will be willing to help.

Since assisting each other is a foundation of who we are, here’s a highlight of nonprofit organizations that help this community every day, in various ways. Whether it is by advancing someone’s career, giving someone a place to stay, helping someone improve their communication abilities or just helping someone feel better about themselves when they’re at their lowest, these organizations are making a difference.

CAN'T-MISS SUMMER READ! Relax and enjoy Key Life online as it shines a light on the people, experiences, culture, arts, architecture and business that set the keys apart - and makes them so special.

Harvest House CEO Erin Minor embraces a Freedom client after she receives her graduation certificate.

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Founded: 1992 Mission: To democratize affordable housing, addiction recovery, workforce development and food security to improve economic status and stabilize lives How it accomplishes its mission: By having nine supportive housing campuses and 25 affordable rentals, encompassing more than 400 beds and serving more than 1,000 individuals annually First-hand account: Arianna Adoptante, 28, started abusing substances when she was 18. Over time, Adoptante said her substance abuse caused a lot of issues with her family and led her to years of couchhopping without a place to consider home.

In 2020, Adoptante became pregnant. She tried a different rehab centers, she said, but none were all that effective. The restrictions they placed on her life caused even more pressure and didn’t help her.

Adoptante’s son, Asher, was born in August 2021, and Adoptante was still struggling.

Florida Department of Children and Families became involved, giving Adoptante an ultimatum: get the help she needed or be deemed an unfit mother.

That is when Adoptante decided to try Harvest House, a decision she is thrilled she made.

Adoptante is staying at one of Harvest House’s supportive housing campuses as part of the organization’s addiction services program, where she can stay for up to two years.

Adoptante said the program puts an emphasis on freedom: there are some necessary check-ins, she said, but she’s being allowed to live her life and grow as a person as a result. “(Other places) don’t give you the ability to make your own choices,” Adoptante said. “It’s overwhelming.

There’s a lot of structure and you’re always in meetings or in groups talking about how to get sober. At Harvest House, I actually get to put all those skills I spent learning into practice (on her own) to see how successful I could be. It has been great to have people supporting me while still feeling like I’m in control of my life.”

Adoptante said she has set a goal to have enough money at the end of her stay to afford an apartment for her and her son.

WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER

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Founded: 1979 Mission: To engage, educate, enrich and empower women of all generations.

How it accomplishes its mission: Providing women (and men) with life

Courtesy photos

The Women’s Resource Center was founded in 1979 to engage, educate, enrich and empower women of all generations.

skills training, career planning and educational scholarships in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

First-hand account: Six years ago, Adrianne Luetzow was referred to the Women’s Resource Center after she experienced a disturbance in her family’s home life.

Luetzow, 40, is a mother of five, and after suddenly finding herself alone, was in a difficult position. Her driver’s license was suspended, she said. She was having trouble paying bills. She had been out of the workforce as a stay-at-home mom for approximately a decade.

Working with Regina Morris, a WRC case manager, Luetzow started putting her life back together.

Luetzow said the WRC helped link her with a pro bono attorney who got her license cleared.

They enrolled her in financial literacy classes.

Luetzow met with WRC volunteers who helped polish her work resume.

From there, Luetzow went back to school, taking classes with Sarasota Technical College to obtain an accounting certificate. Separately, Luetzow said, the center offered her counseling for domestic violence.

She’s now been back in the workforce for more than two years, working with Sarasota Medical Products.

“Now, my family is stable, my finances are stable, and we have a vehicle,” Luetzow said. “(The center) was so helpful to me in a time of crisis, just knowing that I could reach out about any area of need.”

MANASOTA BUDS

Founded: 2002 Mission: To provide families with a neutral and supportive forum for sharing and networking, and to promote understanding and acceptance of Down syndrome.

How it accomplishes its mission: Programs and social gatherings designed for everyone from “Baby Buds” (0-2 years old) to “Cool Buds” (adults), giving the opportunity to build meaningful friendships and support one another.

First-hand account: After Patricia Crauwels gave birth to her daughter, Rachel, she only heard the “nos.”

Rachel, now 22, was born with Down syndrome. Crauwels, 64, said the geneticists and other medical professionals she talked to focused heavily on the things Rachel would never be able to do.

“I’ll never forget it,” Crauwels said.

“It was all negative. It was mindboggling, to be honest.”

A group of Buds participates in a painting session.

What Crauwels wanted was a place her daughter would be given positive support, as well as a place where she could work out her own feelings.

Crauwels felt adrift, she said, unsure of what she should be doing.

When she found Manasota BUDS — Bringing Up Down Syndrome — it was a relief for her and for Rachel.

While Rachel participated in things like BUDS’ musical therapy program, Crauwels talked with other parents

SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

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CREARTE LATINO CULTURAL CENTER

Founded: 2012 Mission: To be a creative and supportive hub for the Latino community in Sarasota and Manatee counties How it accomplishes its mission: By giving members of its community the opportunity to learn new skills, either on or off stage, and by offering learning opportunities like English classes First-hand account: Norma Castillo, 46, moved to the U.S. from Mexico City 20 years ago. When she arrived, she did not speak English, barely knowing how to say hello. It made it difficult to interact with the majority of goods and service providers in the area, few of which offered Spanishspeaking services.

Over time, Castillo’s English improved, but she still did not feel confident in her abilities, Castillo said.

Even now, when talking about

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CreArte Latino Cultural Center allows its clients to express themselves though art while also offering enrichment classes like Let’s Speak English.

more complex subjects, Castillo prefers to speak Spanish or go through a translator.

But Castillo hopes that is beginning to change.

Castillo said she has been involved with CreArte Latino for about two years, ever since she dropped off her daughter, Carla, to participate in one of the organization’s children’s theater workshops.

Castillo said her daughter had such a great time, the rest of her family has become involved, too. Castillo started going to the organization’s Let’s Speak English classes in the hopes of becoming a more fluent and confident speaker.

Castillo said CreArte has enriched her life in other ways, too. After seeing the plays the organization gave a spotlight — plays that focused on the culture of many Latino communities across the world — she was moved to give it a shot.

Castillo acted in a multilingual play called “Agridulce,” which translates to bittersweet. The play focused on immigration, which Castillo said meant a lot to her given her own experiences.

“I felt many emotions,” Castillo said of the acting experience. “I was happy to represent my history in a play that told so many stories.”

Castillo said her involvement in CreArte has allowed her to feel more connected to Sarasota-Manatee as a whole — English and Spanish speakers alike — and is excited about what her new communication skills, and confidence, will take her.

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about all the questions and concerns she had: what worked for someone else when trying to solve a delayed speech issue or which doctors were best for a given issue.

Crauwels said the group was an invaluable resource, especially for the first seven years of Rachel’s life, while Crauwels learned how to best care for her.

Today, Crauwels is on the organization’s board and is happy she can contribute to an organization that helped her throughout the years.

As Crauwels knows, it is the seemingly little things that can mean the most.

She and Manasota BUDS recently hosted a picture day for families at the organization’s office. Many families with children with Down syndrome don’t typically have family photos, she said, partially because it is difficult to find a photographer patient enough to work with the children.

At the BUDS’ organized picture day, Crauwels said, that wasn’t an issue, and the families were grateful to finally have that opportunity.

Events like that are what made the organization so important, Crauwels said.

“It’s an amazing thing,” Crauwels said. “You immediately have your support group.”

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Quiz: Who said it?

LIZ RAMOS

Many speeches have become memorable throughout history. Can you match these quotes from famous speeches to the American who said them?

Harry Truman — Special message to congress Hillary Clinton — Remarks to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Patrick Henry — Addressing the General Assembly Malcom X — “The Ballot or the Bullet” John F. Kennedy — Inaugural address Gerald R. Ford — Address to a joint session of congress on the economy

Patrick Henry — Addressing the General Assembly Barack Obama — Super Tuesday speech Donald Trump — Inauguration speech Susan B. Anthony — Speech in San Francisco Abraham Lincoln — The Gettysburg Address Richard Nixon — Checkers speech George W. Bush — Sept. 11, 2001 address to the nation

ANSWERS

Jimmy Carter — Televised speech on energy

Franklin D. Roosevelt — First inaugural address

1. Patrick Henry — Addressing the General Assembly

“We must whip inflation right now.”

A:_______________________________

Martin Luther King — “I Have a Dream”

2. Abraham Lincoln — The Gettysburg Address

8

MATCH THE NAME TO THE QUOTE

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt — First inaugural address

7

“I feel that the people have got to have confidence in the integrity of the men who run for that office and who might attain them.”

A:_______________________________

“America was not built on fear.

America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

A:_______________________________

4. Martin Luther King — “I Have a Dream”

6

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

A:_______________________________

15

5. John F. Kennedy — Inaugural address

“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”

A:_______________________________

“We are one nation and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams and their success will be our success. We are one heart, one home and one glorious destiny.”

A:_______________________________

6. Barack Obama — Speech on Super Tuesday in 2008

5

“Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.”

A:_______________________________

14

7. Richard Nixon — Checkers speech

11

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed — we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

A:_______________________________

“This is why I say it’s the ballot or the bullet. It’s liberty or it’s death.

It’s freedom for everybody or freedom for nobody.”

A:_______________________________

8. Gerald R. Ford — Address to a joint session of congress on the economy

4

3

13

9. Jimmy Carter — Televised speech on energy

“First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

A:_______________________________

“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”

A:_______________________________

“I declare to you that women must not depend upon the protection of man but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.”

A:_______________________________

10. George W. Bush — Sept. 11, 2001 address to the nation

10

12

11. Hillary Clinton — Remarks to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

A:_______________________________

“It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.”

A:_______________________________

12. Susan B. Anthony — Speech in San Francisco in 1871

2

9

13. Malcom X — “The Ballot or the Bullet”

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

A:_______________________________

14. Donald Trump — Inauguration speech

1

15. Harry Truman — Special message to congress

SERVICES FOR LOCAL VETERANS Goodwill Manasota responds to the multitude of challenges facing veterans, their families, and the families of those who serve on active duty.

Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services Program focuses on providing comprehensive case management and vocational services.

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Sarasota Program

Third Wednesday of every month, 6 - 8 PM, at Disabled American Veterans 97 (7177 Bee Ridge Rd.)

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First Tuesday of every month, 6 - 8 PM, at American Legion NOVEL Post 159 (1770 E. Venice Ave.).

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SPIRIT OF AMERICA | JULY 2023

Just add fireworks These three patriotic drinks will guarantee a starspangled holiday.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

T

o celebrate our nation’s birthday, we asked MADE Restaurant mixolo-

gist Rhiannon Cicconi to create three patriotic cocktails. She came through with flying colors — red, white and blue, of course.

Few places in Sarasota exude more of an Americana vibe than MADE, located at 1990 Main St. MADE serves up locally sourced American comfort food in a comfortable setting.

Cicconi, who has been at MADE for two years, is a Pittsburgh native and has been in the restaurant business for 19 years. She is working with MADE owner, operator and chef Mark Woodruff on a new craft cocktail menu they plan to roll out for the July 4 weekend.

The first July 4 cocktail Cicconi created is The Red, White and Blue.

It’s a rum-fueled milkshake that gets its name from a garnish of whipped cream and fresh strawberries and blueberries. There’s also some red via grenadine syrup and blue from

Monica Roman Gagnier

Rhiannon Cicconi, MADE Restaurant mixologist

blueberry thyme puree. You can serve it for dessert but why wait?

The second July 4 selection, Straight Up Americano, is an easyto-make coffee vodka martini that uses locally sourced Java Dog cold brew. Served in a coup glass, it’s sure to win fans among coffee drinkers or those who need a jolt of caffeine to keep going for fireworks. “Everyone loves it,” Cicconi says.

Cicconi describes the last July 4 cocktail she created, Amber Waves of Grain, as an “elevated” version of the classic Old Fashioned because highquality ingredients raise the alcohol level. Cicconi uses Redwood Empire Rye Bourbon to give the drink a lift.

It’s topped with Freedom Tower Amber Ale from Miami’s Tank Brewing Co., which gives it a foamy head.

You’re sure to have a stirring Fourth when you serve one —or all — of Cicconi’s holiday-themed cocktails. Here’s to the Land of the Free!

AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN

STRAIGHT UP AMERICANO

Ingredients ■ 2 oz. Redwood Empire Rye Bourbon ■ 1 oz. cashew infused simple syrup ■ angostura bitters, cinnamon and lemon zest ■ Tank Freedom Tower Amber Ale

Ingredients ■ 1.5 oz. Tito’s vodka ■ 1 oz. Java Dog espresso cold brew ■.5 oz. Aperol ■.5 oz. Kahlua ■.5 oz. water Directions ■ Shake ingredients hard and double strain into a coup glass with a brown sugar rim.

■ Garnish with two dashes of orange infused bitters, a fresh Florida orange peel and espresso beans.

Directions ■ Build cocktail like a traditional Old Fashioned in a glass mixing carafe.

■ Stir long enough to make cocktail ice cold without diluting.

■ Top with Freedom Tower Amber Ale by Miami’s Tank Brewing Co. ■ Finish with two extra dashes of angostura bitters, a touch of cinnamon dust and fresh lemon zest.

THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE Ingredients ■ 2 oz. Papa’s Pilar light rum ■ 1 oz. heavy whipping cream ■ 1 oz. fresh blueberry thyme puree ■ 1 oz. simple syrup Directions ■ Paint red stripes inside of a goblet glass with grenadine syrup and freeze in a glass chiller.

■ Shake ingredients hard in a shaker and strain into a goblet.

■ Pack with ice.

■ Top with homemade whipped cream and fresh blueberries and strawberries.

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