The Landings Eagle- June 2023

941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA, LLC

Roni Day Elected to Chair LHCF

The Landings Holiday Charitable Foundation Board of Directors elected Roni Day to lead the organization at its April meeting. She will take office on December 14 th when Henry Rhodes, founder and current Chair’s board tenure expires.

“I am thrilled to have Roni and her passion for the mission of helping children take the reins of the foundation,” said Henry Rhodes. It will be exciting to see the growth under her leadership”.

page 6

FREE COLLEGE: A RETROSPECTIVE

The Landing’s Holiday Charitable Foundation was founded 7½ years ago when Henry received call about a family not having Christmas for their children because of huge medical costs the family was dealing with from a child’s cancer diagnosis. Then, another family was identified and then another. Friends joined in helping families and then the community heard about it and joined by adopting children’s wish lists, donating funds, or shopping for the children. It became a 501c3 (tax deductible) organization in 2018 and has provided thousands of holiday gifts to unfortunate kids during that time. Gifts were provided to 348 specially selected kids from five organizations during the 2022 holiday program.

Roni, and her husband Doug and daughter Katty, have been residents of The Landings for nine years. Roni helped Doug during his time on the LMA board as Family Events Chair beginning in 2015, planning

page 8

DAY TRIPPING: WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

the Family Pool Party and Trick-orTreat Trail. She is a member of The Landings TriCities 3.0 tennis team. She has been an active member of LHCF and currently serves on the board of directors.

“It started in December 2019 with a Christmas wish-list taped on the drive through window at Starbucks,” said Roni. I thought it would be a fun way for my daughter Katty and I to shop together and to give back to others at Christmas.”

“I read about the LHCF holiday party in the Eagle and signed us

page 16

KID’S CORNER: GRAYSON GLASSMAN

up to volunteer as greeters,” she continued. When my daughter handed out cookies and hot chocolate to families, I could see the joy on those kids faces and hers. The joy of giving literally happening before my eyes….I was hooked.”

The Landings Holiday Foundation needs your support to carry out its mission for these kids. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us via the website. Donations can be made year-round at the website or by dropping off a check at the LRC.

Landings Volunteers Who Work for You

This is the ninth in a series of articles highlighting the special volunteers who help to make The Landings such a wonderful community. The Eagle interviewed Robert (Roberto) Manteiga for this issue.

If there ever was an example of a renaissance man, Roberto exemplifies the definition: “a person who is well educated, witty, able to write poetry, loves music, is cultured, engaged in sports and can be competitive”.

We know him as a photographer, pickleball organizer, swimmer, former LMA board member, Eagle committee member, landscape expert, active association board leader, excellent cook, and one who can carry on a great conversation on just about any topic. He also has an extensive collection of LP Albums and bourbons.

Roberto has been active in the general community as the owner of Photos by Beto. His business has included photography and videography. His photos have won awards and appeared in local galleries. He has produced videos for Aviva Senior Living, Sarasota National Cemetery, Big Cat Habitat, the Celery Fields, and of course, for The Landings.

Roberto grew up in a family of Spanish background. His

Grandparents came from Spain to the U.S. via Cuba. Spanish was his primary language growing up in Brooklyn with three generations living in the same brownstone.

The family moved to Teaneck, N.J. when he entered primary school. It was there that he became more fluent using English and began honing his soccer skills (a sport he played and coached for over fifty years).

He was interested in architecture and did his undergrad studies at the University of Virginia where he played soccer and boxed. Two years into his architectural studies, Roberto decided to switch his major to Hispanic Studies. He spent his third year studying abroad at the University of Madrid where he studied Spanish history, art and literature, played for the University’s rugby club, and began cultivating a taste for good wines.

He returned to UVA and completed his degree in Hispanic Studies. He then went on to obtain a master’s degree through a joint program offered through New York University and the University of Madrid.

After a fruitless endeavor of trying to find a decent job in New York City, he decided to go back to UVA to earn a PhD. While completing his thesis, Roberto

taught Spanish as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Rhode Island and Rutgers University.

Upon completion of his thesis, he landed a full-time tenuretrack position at the University of Rhode Island, where he split his time between the Departments of Languages and the Film Media, teaching courses in literature and film.

During his tenure at URI, Roberto headed the Hispanic Studies Program, directed the Comparative Literature Program, and founded and directed the International Engineering Program. Not to waste an opportunity, he also owned a Plant Store and Greenhouse (on the side) while at URI.

While on sabbatical in Spain, Roberto met his now wife Tere who was working for a study abroad program in her hometown of Salamanca, sponsored by URI. She wanted to get her MA Degree and came to the U.S. where she worked as a teaching assistant at URI while completing her studies. Their relationship progressed and the rest is history.

Every summer they spend 2-4 months in Spain visiting Tere’s family.

When living in Rhode Island, Tere always wanted to get out of the cold and move to a beach

Please visit our website for more information and how to support us ww.landingsholidaycharitabl efoundation.org or scan the QR Code for additional information

community by the ocean.

Upon planning retirement Roberto and Tere visited a former colleague and poker buddy who had retired to Sarasota. They decided to retire on the west coast of Florida and after exploring several cities and communities, fell in love with The Landings. They love The Landings, the friendly people, the area’s cultural life and of course, the location.

Yes, Robert Manteiga is indeed a renaissance man. When asked, Tere added the following description: “He is honest, committed, responsible, and passionate”. Wonderful qualities to add to his bio and story for the Eagle.

President’s Report

Dear Neighbors,

Your LMA Board remains hard at work. As of May 15 th , when this letter is written, its all-hands-on deck as the “roads project” enters the final stages of a two-and-a-halfyear journey. The roads committee made a recommendation to the LMA Board at the May 4 th board meeting to accept the offer from Gator Construction to proceed with the project. This set-in motion a process where all board members are involved in one form or the other.

A “Due Diligence” team was appointed with the existing members of the Finance Committee (Harvey Greller, Amy Drachman, Louis Goncalves, Hans Hawrysz, and Jeff Smith) joined by Harry Moser to review all aspects of the recommended project. The team will conduct a PowerPoint

ByJeffSmith

presentation at the May 25 th Town Hall meeting. Three priority items for the team to address are:

- How to finance the relatively narrow gap between the net cost of the project to LMA ($3.9 million) and the anticipated final balance of the road reserve when all assessments are paid ($3.7 million)

- How to manage the spread between the gross amount of the project (an additional $400,000 representing expenses that our associations and the LRC pay for parking spaces and Landings Shopping Center which pays a % linked to their use of the roads that LMA maintains between the Main and North gates and Tamiami Trail

- How to proceed correctly from a legal standpoint

All facets of the project and the roads committee recommendation combined with the Due Diligence

team’s findings will be presented to the community. Thus, the community and the board will have the all the facts to form our opinions as we approach the June 1 st board meeting when a vote on the project is anticipated.

Other Board activities include:

- Completion of the five-year plan. A survey has been sent to all residents. The results of the survey will be analyzed and presented to the community as part of the completed plan during June.

- The security appraisal will be completed during June. It will be available to all members of the community. (It will be posted on the web and discussed in the July board meeting

- The Maintenance Committee continues its work preparing for the necessary upkeep of The Landings perimeter

wall. There are issues concerning areas where vegetation must be removed prior to starting the project.

- The Communication and Digital Technology Committee continues to actively work toward the “one database” concept. Finally, I hope you all enjoyed the color insert is last month’s Eagle. We did this to demonstrate how a high-quality insert can be used to maximize the enjoyment of the Eagle as well as to attract additional advertisements. We plan to do this once again, a “Welcome Back Issue” as our part-time residents rejoin us in the fall. At budget time, we will decide if the added expense versus incremental

advertising income makes this effort worthwhile.

Thank you for your support of the efforts of the board of directors. I hope to see you in person or by Zoom at the June 1 st board meeting.

Rental Restrictions in The Landings

As the season ends and many of you are leaving The Landings for the summer months, the LMA wants to remind you about restrictions your specific association might have in place for residential rentals.

Some associations require an application and a fee before executing a lease. No daily or weekly rental are allowed in The Landings.

Under the Uniform Development Code, Sarasota County maintains a general prohibition against leases of less than thirty days. This applies to single-family and multiple-family properties in

unincorporated portions of the county, except for multiple-family properties on the barrier islands. This means that an owner cannot legally operate a short-term (less than 30 days) vacation rental in the county (including The Landings), except on the barrier islands. Any leases 60 days or less is subject to payment by the owner of Sarasota County sales tax, Florida State Tourism taxes and to obtain a license for such rentals.

These include rental properties advertised in such websites as Airbnb, Vrbo, Likibu, and other rental sites.

Earth Day Cleanup

Armed with 14 volunteers, the Nature Trail, from its beginning at Heron Way to the gazebo was cleared of dead palm fronds and debris from Ian. Volunteers included: Richard Greenspan, Tina and Richard Goldsmith, Tia and Jay Tallman, Ethan Cherry, Philippe Maraval, Don Petty, Nick Pocock, Agnes Schipper, Rick Bacchiocchi, Nancy Friedberg, Jim Reese, Bob Golicher, and Paul Weiner, Chairman Landing Landscaping Committee.

Please check with your individual association for rules governing legal rentals for that respective association. The LMA will not issue short term entry stickers or passes for rentals less than sixty days. All renters will be required to enter and exit through the visitor lane at the main gate on Landings Boulevard and provide proof of the rental agreement. The LMA appreciates your help enforcing the county regulations and Landings rental rules. Have a safe and enjoyable summer wherever your travels take you.

LMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

JEFF SMITH President

JUDY GREENE Vice President

HARVEY GRELLER Treasurer

SUE CAMINS Secretary

AMY DRACHMAN Director

HANS HAWRYSZ Director

AMY LYONS Director

ELIDA RAMBERGER Director

HARRY MOSER Director

EMILY RIDDLE Property Manager — Pinnacle Management Company

LMA COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

HARVEY GRELLER ............................. Finance

EDDIE GOLDSTEIN ............ Communications

NORMAN OLSHANSKY .................. The Eagle

MARALYN KAUFMAN ............ Environmental

AMY DRACHMAN ...... Governance Advisory

SUE CAMINS Governing Docs Review

HARVEY GRELLER Hazardous Waste

JEFF SMITH Lakes & Drainage

PAUL WEINER Landscaping

HARVEY CAMINS LMA Property Mgr Needs Comm.

JUDY GREENE Maintenance

JACKIE MASSARI Kayaks

CALI LAMPTON ........................... Nominating

ELIDA RAMBERGER Roads

MIKE KNUPP Safety & Security

AMY LYONS Social/Community Events

HARRY MOSER Standard Op. Procedures (SOP)

June 2023

BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS

GROUP DATE/ TIME/ PLACE

BAYVIEW

EAGLE EDITORIAL

LHA

LMA SAFETY

LRC MONTHLY

SOUTH I

SOUTH III

SOUTH VI

Thursday 6/1, 4 PM Lakeside Room

Tuesday 6/6, 1 PM Poolside Room

Thursday 6/8, 5 PM Poolside Room

Monday 6/12, 4 PM Multipurpose Room

Monday 6/19, 3:30 PM

Lakeside Room

Tuesday 6/20, 9:30 AM

Lakeside Room

Monday 6/5, 11 AM Poolside Room

Monday 6/19, 5 PM Poolside Room

© Serving The Landings Community since 1992|27th State Media, LLC | 941-312-0665 PO Box 35105, Sarasota, Florida 34242. Publishers: Brion Palmer

To advertise in print or on-line call 941-312-0665. Advertising Representatives: Irene Brooks and Brion Palmer. Please note that contributing writers and photographers are acknowledged with bylines accompanying their submissions. We sincerely thank everyone for their contributions.

The Landings Eagle is published monthly and is partially funded by The Landings Management Association & Landings Racquet Club, but is independently edited and reported by Landings residents. The Landings Eagle is published by 27th State Media, LLC, a Florida LLC. Advertising rates and information will be gladly furnished by calling 941-312-0665, We are ready to answer your questions and to assist you in preparing your ad at no extra charge. All advertising and editorial content is subject to editing to conform to our style, and is copyrighted 2020 by 27th State Media, LLC and may not b e reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted under federal law. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy for any reason. 27th State Media, LLC is not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers.

To access each issue of The Landings Eagle, please go to: www.islandvp.com. Simply scroll down to The Eagle image and click on it for the current issue. If you would like to view past issues, click on the text, “TO VIEW PAST ISSUES OF The Landings EAGLE, CLICK HERE”That will bring you to a list of the back issues going back to July 2013. For anything earlier you will need to go to the website: www.landingseagle.com

EarthDayvolunteersthathelpedcleanuptheNatureTrail.

Hurricane Ian debris cleared from Nature Trail.

Landings Social Program Look Ahead!

BySocialChair,PaigePackman

Socialactivitiesarestartingtoslowassomemembersheadnorthforthesummer.

Summer Events:

There is still plenty of LRC activities for the summer with fitness classes, sound bath meditations, and the next Happy Hour scheduled for Wednesday June 14 th . We will also continue Tennis Round Robins in the summer in the cooler 9:30 a.m. Friday timeslot, see dates below.

Calling All Walkers! We would like to start a Landings Walking Group to take regular walks in the neighborhood or at the beach. We need a regular Landings walker to help put some dates on the calendar, I will help you to get this setup on TeamReach. Please contact me at ppackman@gmail.com if you are willing to help organize such a

Tennis Tripples

By: KarenUlrich

A small but enthusiastic group gathered for the final triples of the season. George Ulrich, Neil Goldman, and John Fournier did

group, it will take minimal effort and broaden friendships.

Event Calendar Management: We are lucky to have Olivia Lorenz from the LRC Pro Shop helping to manage our busy event calendar for LRC and Landings-wide events.

If you have any updates for events that you organize or new events you want to plan, please let both Olivia and I know. Olivia can be reached at lrcproshop@gmail.com.

LRC Name Tags: A big shout out to Rich & Betty Greenspan for our snazzy LRC name tags to wear at social events! If you would like to order one or are waiting to pick one up, please contact Rich at rjgreenspan@gmail.com.

Key Fall Dates:

a great job of feeding balls. Fun tennis was followed by a raucous group celebrating Cinco deMayo at the Lakeside deck. Margaritas

Finally, we’ve lined up dates for our biggest fall events, so mark your calendars:

- Halloween Party on Wednesday November 1 st

- Holiday Party on Wednesday December 6 th

How Do I stay in the Loop about Landings Events?

- Email Kevin at lrctennis@ hotmail.com to subscribe to his weekly LRC email update (for LRC members)

- Read the Eagle Monthly Activities Summary

- Join interest groups on Team Reach for Biking (LBS), Kayaking (LKS) and Pickleball (LPBS) Enjoy your summer, whether here at The Landings or up north!

Summer

June 2023 WEEKLY TENNIS CLINICS SIGNUPS KEY: *1-Tennis Director, Mo @707-287-1685, *2-Jen Fiers @805-448-2669, *3-Sandra Cacic @941-730-1240 DAY CLINIC TIME NOTES SIGNUPS (see key above) MONDAYS Adult 2.0 - 2.5 Clinic TBD w/ Sandra Cacic *3 Kids (8 and under) Clinic TBD *2 Kids (10+) Advanced Clinic 5:00 - 6:00 *1 Kids (10+) Clinic TBD *2 Middle School & High School Clinic TBD *2 Advanced Cardio Tennis 6:00 - 7:30 3.5+ and above *1 TUESDAYS 3.0 Ladies Team Clinic 8:00 - 9:30 *only 3.0 ladies team members in ProShop Office 941-923-3886 3.5 Ladies Team Clinic 9:30 - 11:00 *only 3.5 ladies team members *1 Men's Team Practice 3:30 - 5:00 *1 WEDNESDAYS Cardio Tennis 8:00 - 9:30 2.5 and above via Pro Shop on 3rd Friday of current month for next month's dates Kids (8 and under) Clinic TBD *2 Kids (9+) Clinic TBD *2 Middle School & High School Clinic TBD *2 THURSDAYS 4.0 Ladies Team Clinic 9:00 - 10:30 *only 4.0 ladies team members *1 Men's Doubles Clinic 11:30 - 1:30 *1 Kids (10+) Clinic TBD *2 Middle School & High School Clinic TBD *2 FRIDAYS Kids (10+) Advanced Clinic 3:30 - 4:30 *1 Kids (10 and under) Clinic TBD *2

Note: Non-LRC members pay $5 guest fee plus class fee.

Core Mobility

Sound Bath Meditation

Yoga

Water Zumba

RummiKub Group

8:15 –9:15 AM

Monday & Wednesday, Lakeside Room

6 PM Lakeside Room

Plan to arrive at 5:50 pm

June 12, 26,

July 10, 24

8:15-9:15 Fridays Lakeside Room

Tuesday & Thursday 11:30 AM at Pool

$8 per class members, $13 non-members. No signup needed. Questions? Call Sally Sammons at 571-226-7837.

Please signup with Daniele at danjarms@gmail.com

$10 per class, contact Sandy at 941-928-3558

LRC CARDS & GAMES

Only LRC

LRC

Most Wednesdays, 6 PM in Poolside

Thursdays 2-4 PM, in Poolside Room. No experience required!

To signup, email Ron Pierce at rwpierce55@gmail.com

Signup at club, 12 players max. Hosted by Dena Schneider Greene. No fee.

Signup Info Time Class No signup required, meet on court 8. Join PB TeamReach group with code LPBS Mon. Wed., Thurs. 2:30-4:30 Sundays 9:30 –11:30 AM Pickleball No signup needed. Wednesdays, 10–12 PM Multi-purpose Room Ping Pong Signup in advance at LRC. Summer schedule: June 23, July 28, August 25, Sept 22. 9:30-11 AM. Summer Tennis Round Robins Signup in advance at LRC. BYOB social mixer afterwards on Lakeside porch. May 5th, 3:30 PM for Cinco de Mayo -last one of the season. Triples Tennis Social Mixers OUTDOOR RECREATION Signup Info Time Class Signup with Norm at Nfpconsultingresources@gmail.com Contact the Landings “Fish Whisperer” if learn how to fish or fish with a friend. Fishing Reservations required, contact Sue at scault@comcast.net to sign up. Weekly social golf group that plays Thursday afternoons at Serenoa Golf Club. Golf LRC members only.

Water Zumba Classes Continue for Summer Residents

Sandy Bellino, a native of San Paulo, Brazil, has been licensed to teach Zumba since 2009.

In addition to teaching active older adults Zumba & Tai Chi, she teaches Water Zumba workouts, and Aqua Tai Chi for all ages at the Landings Racquet Club Pool. Her classes enhance rhythm and build strength and is low impact in the water.

All welcome to enjoy the water workouts on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. $10.00 per class. Contact Sandy at 941-928-3558

Reviewed January 29, 2023

Ann T via TripAdvisor FRESH, DELICIOUS SEAFOOD

As frequent visitors to Sarasota, we’re not sure how we managed to miss this place in the past. Now that we have found it, we will be back to sample everything.

We tried the stone crab chowder and the grouper tacos. Both were delicious and loaded with fish. Our tacos were dressed with a pineapple, watermelon salsa and accompanied by a side of wheatberry salad which had just the right balance of sweet and tangy. Our son also raved about his broiled tripletail which came with fresh green beans and potatoes. Prices, including beer, were reasonable and portions were plentiful.

Sizzling Summer Sendoff!

BySocialChair,PaigePackman

PhotosbyJeffPackman

The Lakeside Room was abuzz with lively conversation at our May 3 rd LRC Summer Sendoff Happy Hour, with over 80 people attending! Three food tables were overflowing with appetizers and sweet treats to share, while wine and margaritas were frequently sighted.

The LRC Social Committee is delighted to see the large turnout and new connections being fostered among young and old, singles and partnered members of our community! Building a strong sense of community is why we work so hard to sponsor these events. We wish everyone a wonderful summer, whether near or far!

Outdoor Waterfront Dining!

Open

… $22

Sea Scallops … $22

Shrimp and Seafood Au Gratin … $16

Fisherman Platter … $32

Baby Back Ribs … $24

Orange Pecan Chicken … $16

Filet Mignon … $24

Filet Mignon & Stuffed Shrimp … $34

Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail … $48

Stuffed Shrimp & Maine Lobster Tail … $42

Twin Maine Lobster Tails … $54

FRIED SEAFOOD PLATTERS

Coconut Shrimp … $22

Large Gulf Shrimp … $20

Fish & Chips … $19

Fried Combo … $28

PASTA & BOWLS

Shrimp & Crab Scampi … $24

Salmon Pasta … $21

Chicken & Shrimp Curry … $21

Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken & Shrimp … $22

Pasta Primavera … $16

DESSERTS

Turtle Pie … $9

Key Lime Pie … $9

Sample Platter … $12

Ice Cream Bar … $6

*Prices subject to change*

The Landings Free College: A Retrospective

Story&PhotosbyRobertManteiga

Thanks to the early efforts of Jack Kaghan, the pioneering spirit of Ralph Ricapito, and the diligence and hard work of Irv Kushner, The Landings Free College has been, for more than a decade now, one of the signature events in our community.

It began as a round-table discussion group, gradually morphed into a weekly lecture series, and eventually established itself as The Landings Free College.

How the college got its name is worthy of mention. Back in the mid- 2010s, there was another weekly event held on Wednesday afternoons called The Landings Learning Community, run by Howard and Adrienne Feltman, Selma Savren, and others. I was on that committee. I remember Ralph coming up to me one day and asking how we had the nerve to call ourselves the “learning community” when most of our presentations were musical performances. The real “learning community,” he insisted, was the Thursday lecture series. “Perhaps we can call ourselves the Landings College”. Ralph also couldn’t understand why the Learning Community charged Landings’ residents five dollars to attend their events. “Our events are all free to the public,” he added.

“I’ve got it, we’ll call ourselves The Landings Free College”.

Over the years, I have not only been involved with the college, but also entertained and impacted by the many wonderful talks and presentations I’ve heard. For this reason, I felt that Ralph and Irv

deserved a proper sendoff, and what better way to wish them well than by recalling some of the memorable moments they brought us.

In April of 2017, just a few years after her son Nick walked a cable blindfolded between two towering skyscrapers in Chicago, Delilah Wallenda Troffer spoke to us about what it was like for her growing up in a family of circus performers. What impressed me most about that afternoon was not Delilah’s presentation, which was both interesting and informative, but the fact that there in the audience, sitting in a wheelchair, was Delilah’s daughter, who, just a couple of months before, had suffered serious injuries when a high-wire pyramid act in which she was performing collapsed.

Who can forget the lecture by Kay Rosair, Founder and Director of Big Cat Habitat on the importance of the human-animal bond in the world today? Kay had brought with her a cute little lemur to elucidate her point. Somehow, in the middle of her talk, the pesky critter managed to break off of its leash and began jumping from one attendee’s shoulder to the next, to the astonishment of all those sitting in the audience.

More recently, Michael Crosby, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratories, spoke about that organization’s efforts to protect and preserve our marine environment.

Over the years, there have been several extraordinary presentations on a variety of topics, including The Audubon Society

of Florida, the history of Spanish point, The National Cemetery, Myakka River State Park, Celery Fields, the Florida panther, and countless others. I was fortunate enough to be asked by Ralph to prepare video presentations to accompany many of those events. Some of the most inspirational talks were those given by our own Landings residents. Frank Pipers’ entertaining and, often, controversial lectures, Irv Kushner’s talks on a variety of subjects from art to history to medicine, John Bruno’s recent presentations on mental health, and Don Leidel’s analysis of the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, are just a few of the ones that stand out in my mind.

Irv Kushner cites Inge Stanton’s and Angus Schipper’s presentations on their holocaust experiences, and John McCauly’s talk on the history of The Landings as some of his favorites. This may be the end of an era, but it’s not the end of the show. In the words of that famous philosopher, Yogi Berra, “it ain’t over til it’s over”.

Well folks, it ain’t over yet. The Landings Free College may be no more, but, rumor has it, that the fire of the Phoenix still burns. A group of enthusiastic Landings residents including John Bruno, Teresa Manteiga, Frank Pipers, and Mona Poyta will see to it that, somehow, our cherished Landings Free College, in some shape or form, will emerge from the ashes.

RalphandDeeRicapito

IrvingKushner

Dr.MichaelCrosby,president&CEOofMoteMarineLaboratories

DelilahWallendaTrofferholdingasectionofcablethathersonNickwalkedonduringhishigh-wire performances

Security Update ByAmyDrachman,SecurityCommittee

In April, there was a notable decrease in security incidents compared to prior months. There were only two reported incidents, both of which have been resolved.

Th e fi rst event involved children who live in The Landings who threw bottles at other children in the neighborhood. The other dispute was between two contractors working in The Landings who were involved in a

shouting match.

Security has noted that there has been a recent increase in the number of people who act rudely towards other residents and the security officers. We ask that residents (and their guests) treat the people who work at the front gate respectfully. These individuals are responsible for keeping our cmmunity safe.

Daughter of Landings Resident Appears in Movie

Kate MacCluggage, daughter of Landings residents Reid and Linda MacCluggage, appears in the new film “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” currently showing at theaters everywhere.

A red-carpet premiere for the fi lm was held in Los Angeles in April. Fans

crowded in to see the beloved author Judy Blume, who was recently named one of Time Magazines

Most Influential People of 2023, along with Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Abby Ryder Fortson, who plays the 11 year-old Margaret.

KateMacCluggageattheredcarpetpremiereof“AreYouThereGod? It’sMe,Margaret”

News from the Court

ByAdrian“Mo”Moghina

The famous expression “timing is everything” is especially true in tennis.

Ideally, in tennis you want to hit every ball in front of your body on all your ground strokes, volleys, overheads and serves. That will give you leverage over the ball. This means that you will have to focus on watching the ball to time it correctly.

The serve is the only shot that your opponents can’t affect your timing. You can place the toss out

in front of you where you have leverage over the ball.

On the other shots you are basically hunting a ball on the tennis court that your opponent hit. Your goal is to catch or strike the ball at the correct moment so that the ball is in front of your body and your strings are pointing toward your intended target area.

Ideally, you want to do that with perfect balance and technique. However, if you are off balance

President’s Report ByBethCotner

May at the Racquet Club was a bit more relaxed as many residents headed north for the summer. We still had our final tennis triples event, a cooking class, exercise classes, card games, two Koffee Klatches, and our season finale happy hour. The month ended with a Memorial Day barbecue celebrating our veterans.

The board is working diligently to make needed repairs, including new paint and carpeting, to the fitness center. During May, we added two additional handicapped parking spaces to the club and added a ramp to make the poolside room more accessible.

The roads project has turned out to cost a lot more than we had planned as inflation has taken its toll on raw material and labor costs. The club is financially

responsible for the parking lot as well as several adjacent parking places. We are also anticipating a substantial increase in our insurance. As a result, we are focusing our repairs on items that need immediate attention with discretionary items deferred for the time being.

I hope you will all have a very enjoyable summer!

but your strings are still pointing towards the intended target you can still make the shot.

To work on your timing, try to hit a tennis ball against a wall and aim at a target on that wall repeatedly. You can quickly learn to time your hit and point the strings toward the target. Plus, you learn to hit every ball out in front of your hips while getting the feel of the sweet spot at the same time. This will develop your muscle memory and timing

very quickly.

Another way to develop good timing is to practice hitting the ball in the doubles alley back and forth with a partner. This will help you swing the racquet at the correct moment to keep the ball in the alley. This drill is called rally in the alley and it will improve your timing as well as your footwork and concentration.

Another great way to practice timing is to go on the ball machine

Manager’s Report

ByKevinLechlitner

June is here and the season is officially over. Now it is time for us to do some projects around the Club. You may have already noticed that we added two new handicap parking places on the right-hand side as you leave the Pro Shop. We now have three handicap parking spaces including the one next to the flagpole. We hope this better accommodates our members who need some assistance entering or leaving the Club.

During the month of June, we will replace the carpet floor in the Fitness Center with a new rubber flooring designed specifically for this purpose. The interior walls of the Fitness Center will be repainted as well with fresh, new colors. Considerable time and energy went into the color selection process. I trust most of the membership will approve of the committee’s choices. The tennis court resurfacing project is also coming up, but I will write more about that next month. With summer upon us, that also

means the afternoon thunderstorms will be starting soon. These storms can bring heavy rain and strong winds. Those winds become a problem when the umbrellas on the pool and coffee deck are left open. I would like to encourage members to put the umbrellas down when they are done using them regardless of the time of day they leave. This will help protect them from getting damaged during one of these storms. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

The Club recently purchased a new A.E.D. (Automated External Defibrillator). It had gotten to the point that I couldn’t order replacement parts for our existing A.E.D. like pads and batteries. The updated model will be located on the wall just outside the front door to the Fitness Center.

The staff and tennis pros recently completed a CPR & A.E.D. certification class with the new unit. Daniel Hedgeman from Superhero CPR did a fantastic job teaching the

and try to hit targets on the court. Try to hit deep targets first and then mix it up by trying to hit drop shots near the net.

You will quickly learn that it is a lot of fun to practice your timing and that “timing is everything”. Our next social round robin and pro exhibition will be on Friday June 23 rd from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. You can sign up at the pro shop.

See you on the courts!

NewA.E.D.unitislocatedonwall outsidethedooroftheFitnessCenter.

90-minute class to the staff. At some point in the future, if there is enough interest, I’d like to schedule another certification class for any members that want to participate. I feel the Club will be better prepared for an emergency if more people are up to speed with the latest CPR guidelines and our new A.E.D. The cost for the class is $35 per person. Please let me know if this would be of interest to you.

The Landings Arts Collaborative Open Studio Show

ByMarie-LouiseMcHugh

The newly created Landings Arts Collaborative had its first Open Studio Show on April 23rd after meeting at The Landings Racquet Club for several months during this last winter. Painters (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), fabric artists, beadwork, mosaic, stitchers, and etchers all came together to appreciate one another's works.

The members of this diverse collective created a great reciprocal atmosphere that allowed them to share ideas and techniques. As word spread about their work, the group grew in size and The Landings Arts Collaborative will continue its weekly meetings starting October 19, 2023, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are interested in joining this vibrant group of artists, make sure to save the date!

To date the members are Betty Greenspan, Janet Upton, Mary Rex, Joe Smith, Delarue Fleck, Debra Mitchell, Linda George, Charissa Baker, Allison Small, Carolyn Friday, Malcolm Schwartz, Fern Vaughan, Marie-Louise McHugh, Jen Trotter, Mary Collins, Ginger Mermin, Nancy Friedberg, and Dottie Gleniewicz.

Benderson Adds More Land to Siesta Promenade Project

By adding two holdout parcels to its 28-acre construction site, Benderson Development has resubmitted plans again for its mixed-use Siesta Promenade project at the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

The parcels come in the form of two houses along Glencoe Avenue, accounting for .78 acres.

“Nothing has changed in density –just more square footage, more land, and a little more breathing room,” said Phil DiMaria, a project manager with Kimley-Horn engineering, during a May 1 county-mandated neighborhood workshop conducted online. It was the third of its kind since Sarasota County approved the project in 2018. With the revision, plans must once again go before the county’s Planning Commission (tentatively set for 5 p.m. July 20) and then the Board of County Commissioners for approval.

DiMaria said it’s the final concept

plan. But alas, attendees of the workshop noticed a change that called for the addition of about 35 parallel parking along Glencoe Avenue and part of Crestwood Avenue, in an area once dedicated to landscaping. DiMaria said the stalls would create a traffic-calming measure, noting that a survey on ideas for such a measure sent out to neighbors last year did not meet the response threshold and were thus null and void.

Residents of the neighboring Pine Shores subdivision have argued that the 200 mailings went out to homes either being rented or to snowbird residents who were out of the area.

Regarding the parallel parking, it has apparently opened a new can of worms in the 11th hour.

“Take away the parallel parking and we will all go quietly into the night, and you won’t have any aggravations,” said Sura Kochman, a Pine Shores resident who has led the opposition of the project. “We’re not going to go away, and

we have more people that are angry now than we ever did before on this matter. The neighborhood feels betrayed. I have heard it from so many people.”

Added Pine Shores resident Galina Crites, “You’re creating a hazard. And who wants to look at a parking lot like that? It’s destroying the look of the neighborhood.”

DiMaria defended the parallel parking concept.

“On-street parking is used as a method to slow down traffic. We’ve seen it used to great success,” he said.

Todd Mathes, a consultant also with Kimley-Horn, suggested the parallelparking spots could also be useful to Pine Shores residents who want to visit the Siesta Promenade complex, providing easy access.

The project will feature 414 apartments and/or condominiums, a 130-room hotel, 133,000 square feet of retail space, and 7,000 square feet of office space.

Day Tripping: Water, Water, Everywhere

ByBettyGreenspan

Finally, the beach is ours! We love going to the beach but dread the thought of fighting for a parking spot! In season, we go to the beach at sunrise. Luckily, we are very early risers. Nothing is as cooling as being on the beach on a hot day, the breeze off the gulf is delightful even though the sand may be burning hot!

We are lucky, Sarasota is blessed with a stretch of amazing beaches.

In 2021, Lido Beach was named the countries best restored beach with the Lido Beach Pavilion being one of the best places. Also, the Lido Island Grill and some of Sarasota’s best beach bars are nearby.

As an investigative reporter, I took it upon myself to taste test some offerings from the Lido Island Grill which features live music Wednesday through Monday 1 -4 p.m., Lido Beach Resort Tiki Bar and the Lido Key Tiki Bar behind the Ritz Carlton.

The most interesting drink was the Kanaloa consisting of several kinds of rum and pineapple juice in a hollowed-out pineapple for $25. Contact me and I’ll give you the recipe!!

Rich approved the Diet Cokes at all three places while I preferred comparing Pina Coladas!

I must say that the prices were reasonable for both cocktails and food at all the places.

In my opinion, the Lido Beach Resort had the best food and atmosphere but was also the busiest. All the bars had amazing views of the beach and you could wander out to the surf with a drink in hand. Parking continues to be a challenge on weekends.

As a #1 ranked beach and a top tourist destination with its wide beach and quartz sand, Siesta Key Beach is a favorite for many.

Siesta Key Beach has a beautiful pavilion, concession stand, and a walkway running down almost to the water. This is very convenient if you have a cart or wheelchair. There are also picnic tables, tennis courts, grills, and a whimsical playground.

You can find yoga classes being held many mornings among the thousands of birds gathered around. An interesting gentleman who collects rubber ducks often typically sits near the green lifeguard stand on the weekends. People from all over stop and give him a rubber duck to add to his collection. You may want to check him out. If you have an extra rubber ducky, consider donating it.

Oh, don’t forget the now famous Siesta Key Drum Circle, which is held every Sunday before sunset, ongoing for over 25 years! It’s quite a happening!

With so many old and new restaurants in Siesta Village it’s hard to decide about where to eat. I love the Bonjour French Cafe, reasonably priced, with beautiful salads and great crepes! I recommend strolling around the village with its shops, eateries, and off course, ice cream offerings!

Point of Rocks, which is off of Crescent Beach one mile south of Siesta Key Beach is a limestone outcroppings that surround tidal pools and coral reefs. This is a fun place to walk during low tide, exploring for shells and snorkeling.

Turtle Beach at the south end of Siesta with its great kayak launch is currently undergoing renourishment and much of the beach (at this writing) is blocked off. There is a wonderful campground owned and operated by Sarasota County. Think “I’ll make a reservation now for next year”. There are several dozen RV and tent sites featuring electric hook ups, picnic tables and grills and a great playground. Lots of shade in the area is a plus. Please note, no pets!

Turtle Beach has three restaurants. Turtles has great dockside dining while The Turtle Beach Grill if you are looking for a quick salad or burger especially after kayaking. Both are very casual with good drink selections. Lastly, for that special occasion, Ophelia’s on the Bay.

For local beach information with Red Tide update visit Mote. org.

More beach exploration next month!

Lido Beach Resort Tiki Bar

SiestaKeyPavilion

Turtle Beach renourishment

Fishing at the Gazebo

You never know what you are going to catch at the gazebo. Lately, the most frequent fish caught have been small mangrove snappers and sheepshead. However, once in a while you catch something rare. Pictured below is a spiny toad. As the waters are heating up, fishing should also pick up during the spring and summer.

The Fish Whisperer loves to take people of all ages fishing and

learning techniques to catch fish at the gazebo. Also pictured below are recent students, Wayne Trotter, Jack Easa age 5 and Lily Easa age 7 with grandfather Kevin Kindelan, catching fish at the gazebo. If you or your guests would like to experience fishing at the gazebo with the Fish Whisperer, you can contact him at nfpconsultingresources@gmail. com.

SpinyToad

SpinyToad

LilyEasawithFishWhisperer

JackEasa

WayneTrotterwithFishWhisper

Kevin Kindelan

COVID Strikes Again; Art Show Rescheduled

By Marie-Louise McHugh

We are sorry to have to announce that because of a major outbreak of COVID-19 at The Landings, all indoor activities at the Landings Racquet Club have been cancelled until further notice. This includes the scheduled return of the Landings Artists Art Show. We have a new date for this event: Saturday, February 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Same artists and same set up in both the Lakeside and Poolside Rooms.

Landings Directory

There is one new owner in The Landings to report: Dr. Richard Ress & Theresa Mahoney, 5224 Landings Blvd. For current owner information, use the online resident directory on The Landings website: www.thelandingsofsarasota. com/login as their source for current directory listings and

Landings information. Directory information is updated on the site no less often than weekly and changes are made to other Landing information when available. A directory, downloadable as a PDF file, dated November 2022 is also available on the LMA home page. If you want current information, use the website’s online directory!

Attention Dog Owners

The Eagle wants to make your dog a star by featuring him or her in the monthly column, Goin’ to the Dogs. However, we need dogs to do this! We have received wonderful feedback from previous dog

articles and are delighted that so many of the owners and neighbors have told us how much they have enjoyed reading about The Landings canines. Please don’t hesitate to call, send a text, or email with a request to

I encourage every resident to check their online directory listing for accuracy. Additions, changes, or corrections to the online directory may be requested by filling out the change form on the online Residents Directory page or by e-mail to: landings.directory@gmail.com.

feature your beloved pet.

Karen Snyder: Eagle Reporter Going to the Dogs

941-855-0347

Grandmalipstick7@gmail.com

Hurricane Supply List

Kayak outing set for Feb. 26

Kayaks galore! There has been so much interest and activity surrounding kayaking activities that another adventure is planned for Sunday, February 26th at 10 a.m., launching from the Nature Trail.

Once again, John McFetridge has agreed to pilot this outing. It has been posted on TeamReach, but we wanted to make sure that all were informed. if you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on TeamReach.

We expect to receive help from other experienced kayakers for those who are

LHA Meeting Notes

The Landings Homeowners Association held its regularly scheduled board meeting on January 12th at 5:00 p.m. at the Landings Racquet Club.

The board approved landscape changes on Pine Harrier Circle and

“newbies.”

Our January 21st outing at Turtle Beach was quite the success. There were more than 36 people who joined the outing, most of whom then gathered for lunch at a nearby restaurant. John led that with assistance provided by Wayne Trotter.

There have been complications getting the 2023 billing and annual contracts issued by Pinnacle. By the time you read this, it is hoped that we will be back on track.

See you on the water!

a replacement roof on Peregrine Point Drive. The next regular meeting is at 6:00 p.m. February 9th, in the Poolside Room at the Landings Racquet Club followed by the Association’s Annual Meeting of

Members at 7:00 p.m. Meeting material will be mailed or, if the member has so elected, emailed to each member. Please return the proxy or register on-line to be sure we have a quorum for the meeting.

COVID Strikes Again; Art Show Rescheduled

Gopher Tortoise: A Protected Species Living in The Landings

By Marie-Louise McHugh

BySuzanneBeDell

We are sorry to have to announce that because of a major outbreak of COVID-19 at The Landings, all indoor activities at the Landings Racquet Club have been cancelled until further notice. This includes the scheduled return of the Landings Artists Art Show. We have a new date for this event: Saturday, February 11th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Same artists and same set up in both the Lakeside and Poolside Rooms.

The area at the head of the Nature Trail is home to the gopher tortoise, a Florida designatedthreatened species. This terrestrial turtle is a keystone species. It increases or decreases the diversity of an ecosystem, depending on its abundance or rarity. In 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service predicted that 30-40% of the population will be lost in our lifetimes due to urban development and poor habitat management.

We can help manage threats to

the gopher tortoise. Please slow down and watch for the tortoises when driving on Heron Way. Ask contractors, vendors, and delivery people to do the same. Keep dogs on a leash. Stay clear of their burrows by complying with posted signs. Don’t touch a tortoise unless absolutely necessary.

With your help we may be able to sustain our gopher tortoise population and by extension the more than 350 other species that share and depend on their burrows.

John led that with assistance provided by Wayne

Online Ordering for Take out and Delivery

Kid’s Corner ByHeidiBodor

GraysonGlassman,8,2ndgraderatOut-of-DoorAcademy

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

One sister, 15

Do you have any pets? One dog, Archie 9 (a mutt) and some fish

What languages do you speak?

Some Spanish

Do you play any instruments? I take electric guitar and piano lessons once a week. I also play the drums.

What do you like most about The Landings? I like the racquet club, pool, and tennis courts.

Favorites:

Ice cream: Strawberry

School subject: Marine science

Books: Harry Potter series

TV Show: National Geographic

Video game: Minecraft

Sport: Tennis and soccer with friends

Sport Team: Seminoles

Color: Blue Song: Waiting in the Weeds

Movie: Harry Potter

Food: Tofu Chili (I’m vegetarian)

Least favorite food: Bananas

Favorite holiday: Easter because I like collecting all the eggs

Favorite place to be: My room

Favorite thing to do on weekends:

Read

One word to describe you would be:

Curious

What are you curious about? Animals

Any summer plans? I want to go to the San Diego Zoo.

What do you do in your spare time?

Read

What do you want to be when you grow up? A scientist studying animals

Do you take any lessons? Besides

music, I take tennis lessons.

If you could wave a magic wand, what ill in the world would you solve? War

What advice would you give your parents? Let kids have more free time

What do kids your age think about most? “When’s free time?”

If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? My family, my pets, and food/water

Would you rather meet your greatgreat grandchildren or your greatgreat grandparents? I’d rather meet my great-great grand kids to tell them stuff about life.

If you could wake up tomorrow with a superpower, what superpower would you want to have? To talk to animals

If you could be president for a day,

what would you do? I’d make every day Easter

What is something that you don’t understand about grownups? Taxes

What is something that you’d like to learn how to do? Play chess

What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do? Learn how to swim

If you could have any 3 wishes granted, what would they be? 1. World peace, 2. To have a zoo, and 3. To have a pet chameleon

What is your biggest dream? To own a zoo

Who is the most inspiring person you know? My mom

One thing you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet? Go to Canada

If you could live in a house shaped like anything, what would it be? A square

because I want a normal house.

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do? Become a superhero

If you could, what two animals would you combine? A dolphin and a chameleon – a “chadolphin”

Best thing about being a kid? No taxes

Who is someone in history that you’d like to be friends with? Why? Albert Einstein because he’s smart and I think really cool.

What’s the greatest thing ever invented? Books

If you had a band, what would you name it? The Cardinals (like the Eagles) Grayson would like to finish his interview with an original joke. “Why are fisherman such great actors?” “They have a full cast.”

Trout Almondine, Macadamia Nut Encrusted Grouper, Cult favorites like Pizzas, Duck, Fish Tacos

Exec Chef Mike Yoder, one of the best chefs in the world

GM, Jacob Butler, and our friendly staff will provide a most entertaining experience.

Clayton is a fun, spirited, community guy and lifelong resident

Eatery

High School mentoring program teaching work ethic

A Taste of Turkey Comes to Gulf Gate

ByJaneBartnett

Here’s a summer travel tip, of sorts. Thanks to Gulf Gate’s eclectic business district, international destinations continue to be found in our own back yard.

So, drop in at Divan, the new Turkish restaurant on Superior Avenue, and discover the wonders of Turkish cuisine. Spending a few hours in this intimate dining spot is almost like taking a trip to Istanbul.

Ugur Sariyar is the owner and the restaurant’s chef. “We make everything fresh and from scratch,”he told me on a recent visit. “The hummus, the baba ganoush, the shakshuka -- a traditional Mediterranean dish created from eggplant, tomato sauce, green peppers, onion and garlic -- and much more,” he said.

As we sat in a comfortable booth with a colorful mural of the city of Istanbul behind us, a steady flow of diners filed in for a late lunch. After opening in March, the restaurant has gained a strong following.

Colorful Turkish stained-glass chandeliers hang from the ceiling and create a warm glow. “My parents brought the lights from Turkey,” Sariyar said with pride. “Come and meet them,” he added as he brought me into the busy kitchen.

The pair smiled and said hello as they went to work preparing classic Turkish dishes. As we continued our conversation, I learned more about this exotic land and its cuisine.

“I want this to be a comfortable place where people enjoy visiting,” said the young restaurateur.

Khalida Sariyar, Ugur’s wife, told me the definition of the word “divan” is couch or sofa. Her husband named the restaurant Divan, she said, to imply a welcoming and inviting place. Having never experienced Turkish cuisine, I did a bit of research before my visit. Culinary experts agree that Turkish food is at the heart of Mediterranean cuisine. The dishes of this place where Europe, the Middle East and Asia meet tell a fascinating story of a people and a rich agricultural history. The food, Sariyar explained, reflects the bounty of a country where spices, fresh vegetables and natural oils are a part of everyday dishes.

“We make our own seasonings from zaatar, a curry-like mix of seasonings, rosemary, as well as oregano and thyme,” he said. “Everything here is fresh. Olive oil is used in everything. It’s the Mediterranean influence.”

When I told him that he was talking to someone who never cooks, he laughed and said “OK, everything is my own interpretation. It’s Mediterranean, but more Americanized.”

Sariyar’s own interpretation of classic Turkish and Mediterranean dishes reflects his training as a chef. After studying the culinary arts at Istanbul Arel University, he went on to hone his craft at Istanbul restaurants. “I also spent

time in Bolu,” he said. “That is a place that is famous for its chefs.”

After settling in the New York City area, in 2017 Sariyar opened a popular and successful Turkish restaurant called Pasha Mezzo Grill in the northern New Jersey suburb of Parsippany.

“We made it through COVID with a lot of take-out,” he said.

In 2021, he made the decision to close the restaurant and on a visit to Sarasota he discovered our island. “I was drawn to Siesta Key,” he said.

When restaurant space became available in Gulf Gate, he decided that the Siesta Key region would be a good place to open a new restaurant. “I also met my wife here,” he said.

The couple married a few weeks after Divan’s opening and Khalida now works with her husband in the restaurant.

“Yes,” he said happily, “it’s been a lot of things happening at once, but it’s all good.”

Before my visit with the chef, I had lunch at Divan with friends. We enjoyed a selection of “mezze” (appetizer) dishes that included a sampling plate of tzatziki (grape leaves stuffed with rice), humus, baba ganoush, and a falafel wrap. On our next visit, we’ll try the traditional Turkish baklava, imported from Turkey. “There are 72 layers in each baklava and they are delicious,” Sariyar noted.

Other tempting pastries and sweets are also on the menu.

A selection of red and white

Turkish wine along with beer, soft drinks, Turkish and American coffee and tea is available. Diners can choose to sit at tables, booths, or at the restaurant’s small bar. Boxed Turkish candy, coffees and other treats are sold at the front of the restaurant.

After visiting Divan, I wanted to learn more about this exotic place that is steeped in history. I discovered a great way to take an armchair tour: order a copy of Lonely Planet Istanbul, by a wonderful writer and leading expert on the region named Tom Brosnahan. Find the book on Amazon.

Divan Turkish Cuisine is open for lunch and dinner at 6525 Superior Ave. For hours and reservations, visit divanturkishcuisine.com or call (941) 924- 3030.

Ugur Sariyar and his wife Khadija share a light moment in the kitchen.

Charcoal grilled Spanish octopus appetizer.

Divan, the new Turkish restaurant in Gulf Gate at 6525 Superior Avenue, welcomes diners for lunch and dinner.

Siesta Key Watermelon Mojito Popsicles Made with Siesta Key Silver Rum

The Siesta Sand presents this monthly column that features a Siesta Key Rum cocktail recipe that can be made at home or at a local Siesta Key area establishment.

Key Cocktails is sponsored by Siesta Key Rum, Florida’s finest craft rum producer that uses all natural ingredients in its distillery process.

Siesta Key Rums are smooth enough to be enjoyed on their own but also make a great base for cocktails!

It’s the start of summer! June signals the beginning of back yard barbecues.

It’s time to enjoy some cool treats to beat the heat. Your guests will enjoy an icy cold and positively delicious, easy-to-prepare, Siesta Key Watermelon Mojito Popsicle, made with Siesta Key Silver Rum. Make a batch and keep them in the freezer for a cool treat at the end of the day when guests drop in.

Ingredients

5 oz Siesta Key Silver Rum

3 cups of watermelon, cubed.

4 oz Lemon juice freshly squeezed.

4 oz Simple Syrup

12 Mint Leaves

Note: Servings sizes will vary according to popsicle sizes.

Preparation -

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks.

Freeze overnight.

Enjoy Siesta Key Rum cocktails by purchasing Siesta Key Rums at Siesta Village Liquors, Dive Wine & Spirits, Total Wine & More, Siesta Spirits and Publix Liquors near the Sarasota Pavilion as well as many other liquor stores in the immediate area. Tour the Siesta Key Rum distillery and discover many more Siesta Key Rum cocktail recipes at SiestaKeyRum.com.

Just For Laughs

As you celebrate your dad this year, whether his jokes are funny or not, just laugh as loud as you can. He will appreciate it!

Son: For $20, I’ll be good.

Dad: Oh yeah? When I was your age, I was good for nothing.

Sonny: I have a lot of my dad’s

Compiledby: DeeRicapito

half-brother.

genes.

Gary: Really? I bet they don’t fit.

Joe: What does your father do for a living?

Mo: He’s a magician. He performs tricks like sawing people in half.

Joe: Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Mo: Yep, four half-sisters and a

It’s inappropriate to make a ‘dad joke’ if you’re not a dad. “It’s a faux pa.”

When does joke become a dad joke? “When it becomes apparent.”

My wife said I should do lunges

Kitchen Ladies Recipe Corner

Compiledby: DeeRicapito

Roseanne Clark’s Tasty Eggplant Recipe

Ingredients:

- 1 medium onion, chopped fine

- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/4 cup of olive oil

- 1/2 teaspoon of salt

- 1 large eggplant, cut in 1 inch cubes

- 3 teaspoons of tomato paste

- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar

- 1 cup of green olives, chopped

- 1 6 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained (I use more)

- Tarragon, Basil, Oregano, a pinch each.

Directions:

Sauté onion & garlic in olive oil w/salt until onions are browned.

Add eggplant, stir, and cover 15-20 minutes until well done. Stir occasionally. Add tomato paste and vinegar. Then, add olives and remove from heat. Add artichoke hearts and herbs.

Enjoy.

KEITH LOSEY

to stay in shape. “That would be a big step forward.”

Dad’s wisdom: I gave my dead batteries away today … free of charge!

My dad told me a joke about boxing. “I guess I missed the punch line.”

Dad’s wisdom: Why, in a country of free speech, are there phone bills?

Florida’s

If your dads got all the jokes or if you’ve heard them a million times before, it’s hard not to laugh (or, well, roll your eyes). It’s his day. Happy Father’s Day … that is no joke!!!

The Fish Whisperer always enjoys teaching people how to fish. While most of his students are children, Bruce Reznick, a new homeowner in The Landings, had a great day for his first time fishing at the gazebo. If you want to learn how to fish, or just want to have an experience fishing at the gazebo, contact the Fish Whisperer at nfpconsultingresources@gmail.com.

Rugs