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APRIL 2018 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC
Meet Deirdre D’silva Newly Elected President of The LMA Board
SALUTE TO VETERANS
Meet Naval Commander Jim Reese page
By Diana Colson
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VOLUNTEERS
Jim and Sandy Goldman of The Landings volunteer at The Exchange
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KIDS CORNER
Meet Sarah Shea Latta, 9 years old, 3rd grader at Pine View School
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NEWCOMERS Photos from The Landings 2018 Welcome Newcomers event
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www.THELANDINGSOFSARASOTA.com
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The vivacious Deirdre D’Silva has been elected President of the Board of Landings Management Association (LMA), having already served on the Board. Larry Lawrence originally approached Deirdre over a year ago to ask if she might be interested in running for the Board. He felt they needed to add the perspective of a resident with family and kids. Deirdre was delighted. She was elected and served for one year as Secretary on the 9-member Board. Of that first year as a board member, she speaks highly of her associates: “It’s been a very congenial group. I’ve learned a great deal from the people with whom I’ve worked.” “I am honored to now serve as President. It’s not a one-person job. First and foremost, it is a team effort. We have many different volunteer committees. There are so many people involved in taking care of our community.” Her primary goal is to make sure that Assessment Money is being properly used. Since the board serves as caretaker for the community, there are needs to be met, such as redoing the roads and monitoring the lakes and drainage, which is in constant need of care. These lakes are modern-day wetlands which must be kept free of trash and toxic chemicals. Deirdre is passionate about the environment. As a board member, she was surprised to find there was no longer an Environmental Committee at The Landings, so she started up a new one. With the support of her colleagues on the board, a Water goat was installed at Lake 1 to trap the trash coming into the community from Tamiami. Leadership comes naturally to Deirdre. She grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, attended Boston College, and received a master’s degree from the New England School of Acupuncture. She and her husband Ken met and married in Massachusetts, and their three boys were born there: Aidan, Connor, and Brendan. Deirdre was a teacher at the New England School of Acupuncture and worked at Fenway Health giving auricular acupuncture treatments to people dealing with addictions. She also served on the Board of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts. In 2008, Ken and his partner started a financial software company and consulting firm called Opturo, providing financial models and software for asset management institutions. Deirdre’s snowbird parents – who winter in Port Charlotte— suggested the family move to Florida, pointing out the
Getting to Know the Artists of The Landings Page 23
advantages of nearby Sarasota. Because of the semi-tropical weather, Deirdre and Ken considered making the change. They visited Sarasota to scout it out and liked what they found. Says Deirdre, “We were really taken by the natural beauty of The Landings with all its old oak trees. It was obvious to us that the community cared. It was beautiful, tranquil, and quiet. We could see our sons playing safely.” They found their house and moved into The Landings nearly four years ago. Deirdre became more and more involved in her husband’s business. Today she serves as Office Manager for Opturo and helps run its charitable fund which gives a percentage of profits to people in need in various parts of the world. A second charitable foundation has also been set up recently in honor of Ken’s father, Christopher, who passed away in November. The family is very happy with the Sarasota Schools. Aidan, now 13, attends Pineview. Connor, 11, and Brendan, 9, both attend Phillippi Shores. Says Deirdre, “We are very blessed to live in The Landings. It is a wonderful community where people care about each other. The people here are so warm and welcoming.” As the newly elected President of the Board of Landings Management Association, Deirdre will be a positive force. “I’m open to people’s suggestions and hearing from other residents who want to get involved in The Landings Community. “
LANDINGS VETERANS LIST Page 25