SouthShore Life HOME & GARDEN

WELCOME TO OUR WATERSET HOME

These Waterset residents are both Ohio natives. Lea Manningham left Cleveland for Wesley Chappel, Florida, in 2004. She returned to Cleveland after 9.5 years and took a teacher's aid job that coincidentally had become available because teacher's aid Scott Manningham had to leave for three months for medical reasons. When he returned, life and some match-making co-workers brought them together. Serendipity brought them to SouthShore. After having spent two years in Cleveland, Lea was missing Florida. By that time they were married. Once in Florida and Scott had found a good job, they bought the last Waterset townhouse model that was available in 2015. "And I wish we had bought a larger home," said Scott. "And not because we don't love our home. It's because Waterset home values have gone up dramatically!" Their 2,500- square-foot town home has four bedrooms and three baths, in addition to the open-air courtyard.

They enjoy the open plan dining room and living room. A large table from Ashley Home Furnishings in Brandon hosts family gatherings. The kitchen island provides another casual place for snacks, quick meals or morning coffee. When they married, Scott and Lea created a blended family. They have two children in Florida, and two grown children in Dallas, and five grandchildren. They absolutely love life in Waterset.

"There's a very welcoming ambiance here. With the walking trails, the many community events, the schools, the pools and more, people get together. You meet people. There is always something to do."

While the Manninghams love to stay home, they also venture out often to Tampa, Brandon, or farther North, to visit favorite spots for shopping or dining, including CW's Gin Joint in Tampa, 7th & Grove, and New York New York in Ybor City. Favorite visits South to Sarasota include Coopers Hawk Winery and shopping at the UTC mall and surrounding shops and restaurants.

Lea Manningham taking her Girls of the World on a field trip.

Waterset has been good for this couple's personal and professional lives. Lea runs "Girls of the World, Inc.," a non-profit life skills and mentoring program for young ladies. Scott is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with the Department of Juvenile Justice and providing unconventional therapy for young people and families. He also has a private practice, Talk2Me Unconventional Therapy.

"Girls of the World, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides life-skills and mentoring services to young ladies. Our different programs help these young ladies realize their potential & abilities to express their talents, develop a positive sense of identity, self-worth and become better versions of themselves. Girls of the World, Inc. welcomes youth starting at the age of 8 years old and continues through adulthood. We offer weekly educational sessions that cover a wide range of life skills including volunteering and networking opportunities for our young ladies.

Lea had an opportunity for a larger office headquarters at 300 Frandorson Circle. She started a fund-raiser and the community responded immediately with donations.

Lea in her new Girls of the World, Inc. Headquarters.

Lea's determination, dedication and personal commitment has resulted in many achievements and moved her closer to her goals. She was recently the recipient of a donation from the Valencia Lakes Group "100 Who Care." She was nominated by Robyn Payant, Payant Wealth Management Group, and introduced by Melanie Davis of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce.

Scott in his Talk2Me Unconventional Therapy office.

"God has truly blessed us. Scott and I thank the SouthShore community for their vote of confidence and helping us achieve our dreams."