ARCADIAN
Thursday, February 11, 2016- 24 pages / 75 cents
ART OF THE RIVER
THE
“Serving DeSoto County since 1887”
INSIDE
The Arcadian won 2 first-, 3 second- and 5 thirdplace awards in the Fla. Press Club 2015 contest! County Corner................3
Nearly 50 artists came to Arcadia last weekend to participate in the DeSoto Art Council’s annual competition.
PAGE 19
BOCC demands finance info from DMH By STEVE BAUER
ARCADIAN EDITOR The DeSoto Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to request DeSoto Memorial Hospital to reveal a litany of documentation regarding the hospital’s financial health and proof the half-percent sales tax approved by voters last November is being used properly.
Commissioner Bob Miller has been vocal regarding the BOCC’s responsibility to monitor the sales tax funds, and said making regular requests of the hospital’s financial records would help the Board achieve that. “Over the course of 2015, approximately $1 million has been collected and given to (the hospital) with the assumption the money is being used
to pay down the mortgage,” he said. “But the ordinance that was approved by voters says the money is to be used to pay down the total indebtedness — not just the mortgage — of the hospital as of Aug. 12, 2014, and to be honest with you I don’t know what the number is, and I’d like to find out.” Commissioner Gabriel Quave agreed with Miller that the hospital should provide
additional numbers, and included more items he’d like to review. “I think we should have some numbers from the hospital that isn’t just a balance sheet, but an income/expenses document,” he said. “And maybe a two-year prior with percentage change and then this past year with a dollar figure and a
BOCC | 8
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Behind the badge: A glimpse into the life of an APD officer meeting, which allows the officers to communicate their plans and concerns for the upcoming shift. In a matter of minutes, it For a police officer, their uniform is always on. Their work was obvious the officers shared a noticeable camaraderie becomes their life, and their that showed both humor and reputation becomes how they seriousness. The professional are seen not as a person, but as a group of people. In today’s age friendship remained apparent throughout the night. of snap judgment social media, As soon as the ride-along it seems when one cop makes began, Jones was called to a a mistake, all automatically residence east of downtown, become perpetrators. Additionally, they are account- where neighbors were arguing able not just as police officers but with each other over stolen as people, who are always subject items. Jones and APD Officers, to a higher standard and there is Tiffany Shadduck and Harison Miller, helped ease the tension a fine line that dangles between by using direct questions to untheir public and private life. The derstand why the complaint was Arcadian was fortunate to get a originally filed. After 10 minutes glimpse of what a police officer of trying to calm the individuals does during a ride-along with down, officers were able to leave the Arcadia Police Department, and took part in Sergeant Quinn the scene. While Jones patrolled the city’s Jones’ shift recently. streets, he was waved down by a friendly face, who told him What they do, Part I that it was a little boy’s birthday, The night started with a squad and Jones was asked to meet
By COURNTNEY CLAYTON ARCADIAN STAFF WRITER
INDEX Viewpoint .................4 Calendar ...................6 Police Beat ................8 Obituaries .................9 Religion ....................10 Sports .....................14 ůĂƐƐŝĮĞĚƐ .............. 2 0
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him because the boy wanted to be a police officer. He drove through several more streets before returning to the house to meet the young boy, and other kids crowded around. The boy took up Jones’ offer to sound the police siren and sit behind the steering wheel for a few moments. Jones then retrieved a bag of stuffed animals from his trunk (which are kept to give out to children who are victims of domestic violence), and handed them out to the other children. Afterwards, he made contact with two APD Officers, Brandon Bierman and Casey Lambert, at the DeSoto County Fair, who were patrolling the area on a golf cart and on foot to ensure the safety of the fair attendees to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior. Jones patrolled for another 15 minutes until he was called to a domestic violence dispute. Reportedly, a man was yelling at his stepson, and then
the boy called 911. The officers asked for the man to calm down, which he did, and the boy’s mother arrived and apologized for the phone call. Jones continued on his way and said such calls are not uncommon. He then parked along a street near the city’s east side in a less obvious area, and took out his radar. He said the typical threshold to stop someone is close to 15 mph over the speed limit. With 10 minutes, he pulled over a semi-truck that was driving down a street near residential areas, which is illegal. (Commercial trucks are only allowed to drive on the city’s highways.) Jones gave the driver a written warning. While there is a notion that police officers must give out traffic citations to reach a “quota,” the idea needs to be laid to rest. In 2015, Governor
APD | 12
Arcadian | Page 2
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Board, Gary take steps toward resolution By COURTNEY CLAYTON
ARCADIAN STAFF WRITER The DeSoto County School District Board members and Superintendent Dr. Karyn Gary seemed to take a few small
THIS WEEK’S GOVERNMENT MEETINGS The Arcadia City Council will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Margaret Way Building. Topics on the agenda include special event permits and the City of Arcadia Municipal Airport report for December. Prior to the Council’s meeting, there will be an inventory workshop held at 5 p.m. which will include a discussion of the properties owned in Arcadia. The workshop will also take place in the Margaret Way Building. Both meetings are open to the public.
steps forward in resolving unfinished business. The issues included the dissension between Gary and the Board about a contract the Board claims she stamped a facsimile signature without the its approval, and Gary’s right to hire personal legal counsel and when it is appropriate. Referencing the last Board meeting, Gary said, “Multiple comments were taken out of context because we were talking about multiple things.” She went on to say the personnel action form which she stamped a facsimile signature on was “intentionally” written two years, and the mistake was rather in the accidental discrepancy between the PAF list the Board received and the contract Gary approved. Gary continued that she had “no
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intent to mislead,” and “wanted to get people who live in this county, who work for our school system, who are going to be committed (and) who are going to stay in the district.” She said the PAF the Board received represented a one-year contract because PAF’s are usually presented for the fiscal year. School Board attorney Bucky Waldron said the issue revolves around the Board’s authority in approving Gary’s recommendation for personnel and what was represented in the PAF. “The contract did not meet the personnel action form the Board approved,” Waldron said. He also alluded how Gary’s recommendations for personnel have great weight in the Board’s decision-making when it comes to hiring someone, and the Board “cannot arbitrarily not do what (Gary) wants to do without great cause.” But Waldron also asserted that the final action for PAF’s still rests with the School Board members, not Gary. Gary responded, “Are you willing to have a two-year contract, or does the
Board only want an annual contract?” Waldron suggested the Board receive an amended PAF regarding the high school principal to clarify what his contract should state. “I think it was a learning experience; I don’t think it was intentional,” Gary said.
Right to legal counsel? The Board then discussed the matter of attorney’s fees, and whether Gary has a right to hire legal counsel outside of Waldron. Waldron said he took the latest Neola recommendations, (Neola is a private consulting group that works with school districts across America to develop and amend district’s policies and laws in congruence with state statute) and said that in the event the Board determines a conflict and the “Board interests are contrary to Dr. Gary, in those instances Dr. Gary should look for a lawyer and the Board ought to hire them. There needs to be a budget set for that.”
RESOLUTION | 3
ARE YOU GOING TO WESTMINSTER? Leslee Peth is director of advertising for the Charlotte Sun and publisher of the Punta Gorda Herald. She is celebrating her 22nd year of attending the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Leslee shows Salukis and went to her first dog show in Toronto when she was just 8 years old. Three years later, her parents bought her a Boxer, her first show dog, and she has been an avid enthusiast ever since, having been successful as a child in Junior Showmanship and exhibiting her family’s Boxers. Over the years she has also owned and showed Standard Poodles and Italian Greyhounds. Leslee will be in New York covering the dog show for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers. If you or anyone you know will be showing a dog at Westminster this year, please send her an email at lpeth@ sun-herald.com. She’d like to speak with you. For the full Westminster Week schedule, please visit www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
www.sunnewspapers.net Page 3 | Arcadian
An uphill fight against illegal dumping
D
oes community appearance matter to you? This was an area that was considered a high priority for 67 percent of the 123 participants in the annual Community Conversations over the past two years. One aspect of community appearance is the presence of litter along the roadsides. While the county and the Sheriff’s Office have seen the amount of illegal dumping decrease significantly since the implementation of curbside garbage collection, the illegal dumping of large items is still an area that we continue to deal with and continues to cost the taxpayers. Nearly every Monday morning as
County Corner Mandy Hines m.hines@desotobocc.com
I’m driving to work, I take note of large furniture items or a stack of tires that someone has dumped off on the side of the road. Like many of you, I contact our Road and Bridge Department to report the litter so it can be picked up and properly disposed of. I know
PHOTO PROVIDED
Illegal dumping is a crime in DeSoto County, and anyone caught breaking the law is subject to steep fines and a potential court hearing.
RESOLUTION FROM PAGE 2 In other news, a representative from Synergist, who has been working with the District to save money on energy costs, said the District has saved $100,000 in the past year. The Board then unanimously passed the Energy Conservation Resolution, with the request that the Synergist employee continue to update the Board about future progress. DeSoto County Teacher Association President Jerry Mead and labor attorney Shaina Thorpe also presented updates on the collective bargaining agreement between the union and the District.
“We’ve discussed every article in this contract, every definition in this contract, and we still don’t have a collective bargaining agreement. All those billable hours later, still billing hours and no contract,” Mead said. Currently, there are still pieces of 14 articles that need further negotiations between the district and the union before all can be composed. Board member Ronny Allen said there will be an event to re-mount the monument at the original DeSoto High School on Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. PongerGays will be in charge of the actual mounting, while volunteers will be helping to clear out overgrown weeds. The next School Board meeting will take place on Feb. 23 in the Board Chambers on 530 La Solona Ave. at 5:30 p.m.
this is an issue that we have to deal with, but I must admit I was surprised to see just how many tons are picked up by the Road and Bridge Department in a year! In the month just after Christmas, an estimated 70 televisions were picked up in various locations along county roadsides, costing taxpayers $544 in disposal costs. This fiscal year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30), over 6 tons of household debris and over a ton of tires have been removed. During the 2014/15 year, over 17 tons of household debris was removed and over six tons of tires. In the 2013/14 year, over 26 tons of household debris was removed and over seven tons of tires. The county collects this debris and pays the tipping fees for disposal to the landfill, at the expense of the General Fund, which is paid for by taxpayers. In addition to the direct disposal costs, taxpayers fund the working hours of the staff and equipment needed to clean up these messes because some chose to dispose of their unwanted stuff by dumping it onto the side of the road. So what can you and I do? Just be watchful in your area for illegal dumping. If you see someone stopped along the roadside with large items or a bunch of tires, take note of the vehicle’s tag number and report it to the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office at 863-993-4700. Illegal dumping is regulated by local county ordinance and can carry fines and mandatory court appearances. A first offense is $125; second offense is $250; and a third offense results in a mandatory court hearing.
Large items can be taken to the county landfill from 7:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (except holidays). The landfill staff can be reached at 863-993-4829 or information can be found at www. desotobocc.com/departments/landfill. Womack Sanitation also offers bulk pick-up options for a fee. As a general guide, a bulk item that can be handled by one person will cost $10. If the item requires two people to safely lift, the charge is $20. To arrange for pick up, contact Womack Sanitation at 863-494-1580. Thank you for your part in helping to keep our community clean!
Viewpoint DeSoto
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
www.sunnewspapers.net Arcadian | Page 4
Derek Dunn-Rankin — Suncoast Media Group Chairman David Dunn-Rankin — Suncoast Media Group President Joe Gallimore — Arcadian Publisher Steve Bauer — Arcadian Editor E-mail letters to sbauer@sun-herald.com
OUR VIEW
Ineffective in teacher evaluation
OUR POSITION: The latest state teacher evaluation system doesn’t quite cut it.
T
he normal temperature of the human body is 98.6. It’s also the new normal for teacher quality in our region — give or take — and the entire state of Florida. According to data released last week by the Florida Department of Education, the percentage of teachers rated “effective” or “highly effective” this year was: • Charlotte County: 98.7. Some 33 percent were considered highly effective and 65.7 percent effective. • Sarasota County: 98.6. Some 54.6 percent were highly effective and 44 percent effective. • DeSoto County: 98.5. Sixty-one percent on the high side and 37.5 percent merely effective. Overall, awfully close to perfect. But what does the new rating system really tell us? Your guess is as good as ours. It may be true that there are darn few ineffective practitioners teaching in our school systems. That’s what the numbers say. According to the evaluation system, fewer than one in 100 of the classroom teachers in Charlotte and Sarasota “needs improvement.” (Charlotte, 0.9 percent; Sarasota, 0.8 percent.) The statewide average was 1 percent. The number in DeSoto County: 0 percent. As for teachers rated “unsatisfactory,” Charlotte mirrored the statewide average of 2 in 1,000. Sarasota and DeSoto had none. That would be hard to imagine in any organization. But there’s more. While the Education Department’s figures provide what might seem to be a comprehensive view inviting comparisons among school districts, it does not. A portion of the evaluation system is designed to “measure a specific impact on (student) performance outcomes” through the “value-added model.” These use standardized tests and measure a teacher’s supposed effectiveness through the use of a formula that predicts student scores relative to the norm. But the validity of the mathematical formula is open to question. Plus, the process can be buggy. Furthermore, for a significant portion of the evaluation, each district devises its own measurement parameters. So what do you end up with? A system in which Charlotte rates only 33 percent of its teachers “highly effective,” while Sarasota reports 54.6 percent and DeSoto a whopping 61 percent “highly effective.” A valid comparison? Maybe within one district, but
OUR VIEW | 8
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Rand Paul makes ridiculous promise
Editor: This is an off-the-cuff comment relating to a replay of a recent Republican Party debate. Rand Paul,
whom I have never paid too much attention to, made one of the most idiotic statements I have ever heard. Referring to a large, loudly applauding group of so-called millenial supporters, Paul told the moderator, “Those millenials know I’ll never send them
into another war.” If a war should take place similar to WWII, who is he going to send? Their fathers or grandfathers to do it all over again?
George Pratt Arcadia
GRITS & PIECES
Getting ready for Valentine’s Day
R
oses are red, violets are blue; Valentine’s Day is coming for you! Yep, it’s that time of year again when everyone is seeing red, so you might as well order the flowers, pick up some chocolates and skedaddle on down to the store and fight over what’s left of the Valentine’s cards for your sweetie pie. Ain’t love grand? Traditions do have a way of changing down through the years, and Valentine’s Day is no different. For the sake of time and effort, and especially finances, I’m betting some love birds swap texts or tweets instead of what worked for their grandparents. Sounds pretty impersonal to me, but I’ll admit that it’s easy and economical to share a Valentine’s thread on Facebook with the world, rather than seeing how far a box of chocolates will go. Valentine’s Day is generally a major yearly landmark to couples at the beginning of their relationship, and sometimes a test of true love, but that seems to devalue itself after many years. Admit it, a Snickers candy bar is a lot easier on the wallet than a $20 box of chocolates, and easier on the diet too. Remember how a $40 bouquet of her favorite roses would light
Grits & Pieces Luke Wilson trubador55@embarqmail.com
up her smile? And now, many years into the marriage, a handful of periwinkles snagged from the flower bed on the way into the house after work is what some of us guys think will suffice. Remember those mushy Valentine’s cards that went on and on, professing undying vows that would last longer than a milk jug in a landfill? Then as time went by, you began exchanging the silly cards filled with goofy sayings that played funny songs. And now, after decades together, after the kids are grown and gone, after the grandchildren are already swapping cards with their sweeties, you settle for a verbal “Happy Valentine’s Day” and a quick smooch. That still counts, you know. There’s no shortage of ways to show your love to that special somebody.
Be it cards, candy and flowers, or if you hire a pilot to do some skywriting for them to see. I’d think twice about getting a tattoo of their name, though, just in case it all goes south. The smart answer to that would be buy a gift certificate for them from a tattoo parlor, where you’ve already picked out a design that features your name. That way, it’s on them, quite literally. Another way of celebrating February 14 is going out for fine cuisine. Once upon a time, money was no object and you’d find a fancy restaurant for some wining and dining under the starry skies. Forty years later, you whip through the drive-up window and take it home for some slurpin’ and burpin’ with a side order of fries. Hey, that sort of rhymed, so maybe I’ve still got it! However you decide to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, make it fun and make plans to keep on doing it till they hang the toe tag on you. When Cupid strikes and you first fall in love, somehow he leaves out the part about there being no statute of limitations on this annual acknowledgment of amore. But that’s alright, because the dividends are divine.
LETTER SUBMISSION POLICY Letters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we do have some rules. Please keep them to less than 250 words. Letters will be edited to length as well as grammar and spelling. All letters must be signed with full name - not initials. An address and telephone number must be included; they are not for publication, but must be provided so we may verify authorship if necessary. Due to the number of letters received, we reserve the right to run only one letter per person per month. The Letters to the Editor section is intended as a public forum for community discourse and the opinions and statements made in letters are solely those of the individual writers. The Arcadian takes no responsibility for the content of these letters. Please send or bring correspondence to the Arcadian, 108 S. Polk Ave., Arcadia FL 34266, or fax to 863-494-3533. Readers with access to the internet may e-mail Letters to the Editor at sbauer@sun-herald.com.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
www.sunnewspapers.net Page 5 | Arcadian
Sharing campaign kicks off in DeSoto SUBMITTED By ASHLEY COONE
ASC CONSULTING AND MARKETING For the month of February, you may notice “donation dollars” decorating the walls of your favorite local store or restaurant. These dollars are a part of the 2016 Power of a Dollar Business Challenge benefiting Season of Sharing DeSoto. Throughout the month, over a dozen local businesses will be encouraging patriots to contribute $1 to the cause. Each of these participating businesses are competing to raise the most dollars for this worthy cause. Season of Sharing was created in 2000 as a way to quickly get emergency funding to people in need. To date the campaign has helped an estimated 12,000 individuals and families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Since 2005, more than $587,000 has been contributed to help individuals and families on the verge of homelessness in DeSoto County. Staff of the Community Foundation, area businesses and nonprofit organizations donate hundreds of hours each year for project management, administration and creative planning to ensure that 100 percent of every donation goes directly to help those in need. Catholic Charities is the administrator of Season of Sharing Funds in DeSoto County. All funds raised for Power of a Dollar will directly benefit DeSoto County residents. This year, Florida Power and Light is matching the first $500 raised for Season of Sharing DeSoto. You can contribute to the Power of a Dollar campaign at any of the participating stores: K&J Homegrown Produce and Farmers Market; Magnolia St Seafood and Grill; First State Bank of Arcadia (all locations); Miss Pearl’s Place; Slim’s Bar-B-Q and Grill; Sigy’s Donuts and Kolaches; Joshua Citrus, Inc.; Beef’s Arcadia; Arcadia Printing; and Cliptomania Hair Salon. There are so many ways that our community can contribute. The best part is that it only takes $1. Our dollars, together, can truly help DeSoto County
PHOTOS PROVIDED
During the Arcadia City Council’s Feb. 2 meeting, the Council approved a proclamation recognizing the month as Season of Sharing in DeSoto. Each of the Council members contributed to the Power of a Dollar Campaign.
Staff at Magnolia’s Seafood and Grill hold their Power of a Dollar certificates. K&J Produce is one of many local businesses participating in the Season of Sharing event. families who may be experiencing financial difficulties putting them at risk of becoming homeless. “There are all types of organizations participating in the Power of a Dollar campaign by encouraging all of their members/employees to donate $1. There a so many ways that everyone can contribute!” For more information or to participate, call 863-990-0527, or email ascoone@icloud.com. Donations can be made online as well at www. cfsarasota.org.
The DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners show off their dollar donation certificates during Tuesday’s board meeting.
Arcadian | Page 6
www.sunnewspapers.net
866-413-5337 to register. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food9 a.m. to noon every Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • Kiwanis meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at Beef O’Brady’s. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. for crafts, 9:30-11 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. NOTE: All phone numbers are in Area Code 863 unless • Relaxation Yoga Class every Thursday, 5 p.m. Sign-in stated otherwise. 4:50 p.m. Enjoy an hour of serenity focused on breathing, gentle yoga poses, peaceful stretching and quiet TODAY relaxation. Held in the Health Dept. conference room, 34 • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and other S. Baldwin Ave. Drop-in $7/class, 8-class package $40 ($5 Relations Raising Relations meets monthly on the second per class). Bring your own mat. For more information, call Thursday from 9-11 a.m. at the Friendship Center, 219 W. Christine at 244-1925. Oak St. • DeSoto County Library story time is at 3 p.m. at 125 • The Peace River Soil and Water Conservation District is holding a joint meeting along with Hardee Soil and Water N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia. Call 993-4851 for more Conservation District. The meeting is 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. information. • Faith Mission provides free lunches for anyone in need, in the boardroom at 316 North 7th Avenue, Suite 101 in 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1109 S.E. 9th St., Arcadia. Donations Wauchula. For more information call 773-9644. • The DeSoto County Veterans Council meets the second gratefully accepted. • Alcoholics Anonymous Second Tradition meets at 7 Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. For p.m. at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, 327 W. Hickory St. details, call Ron Jones at 941-806-7108. • Prescription Assistance is at the DeSoto County Health • TEAM Arcadia meets on the second Thursday of the Department Clinic Location: 1031 E. Oak St., Arcadia. Call month at 4:30 p.m. at Mary Margaret’s Tea & Biscuit, 10 to make an appointment or for more information, call S. Polk Avenue. The purpose of TEAM Arcadia is to unite 491-7580 ext. 256. community organizations and coordinate community improvement efforts. • DeSoto County Historical Society meets at noon every FRIDAY • The DMH Women’s Auxiliary will be holding a second Thursday monthly at the Family Service Center annex, 310 W. Whidden St., Arcadia. Lunch is available for Valentine’s balloon sale at the gift shop for $2 each. The “One Touch Bedding” will also be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. $6 at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital’s main lobby. Cash, checks and credit cards • Arcadia-DeSoto County Habitat for Humanity meets are accepted. For more information, call 494-3413. at 6 p.m. second Thursday monthly at the SunTrust Bldg., • The Photography Group of DeSoto Arts and Humanities second floor, 10 S. Desoto Ave. Call 494-4118 or email Council meets the second Friday of each month 3:30 – 5 desotohabitat@embarqmail.com for more information. p.m. at the DeSoto Public Library. Free and open to the • Free blood pressure screenings administered by public. For more information email jamie.pipher@gmail. DeSoto Memorial Home Health at the Friendship Center, com . 219 W. Oak St., every second and fourth Thursday from • Peace River Civil War Round Table meets at 1:30 p.m. 10:30-11:30 a.m. second Fridays monthly at the Emerald Pointe clubhouse, • Free Tai Chi classes, Moving for Better Balance, for 25188 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. Lunch available. For seniors 60+, are held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and will run from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 at more information, call 941-575-4269 or 941-639-0782. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 the Arcadia Garden Club. Pre-registration is required; call a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. • Arcadia Quilt Club meets from 9-11:30 a.m. Fridays at the Palace Dance Hall, 1627 N.E. Floridian Circle, Arcadia. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. Low impact exercises from 9:30-10 a.m.followed by Bingo from 10-11 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • iPads and eBooks - Instruction and assistance with questions about using your digital devices at 3 p.m. every Friday at the DeSoto Public Library. • Walk & Talk: gentle exercise and conversation at 4 p.m. every Friday at the DeSoto Public Library. • Alcoholics Anonymous Hispanic meets at 7 p.m. at 426 N. Brevard Ave., next to El Charro Rest. • Alcoholics Anonymous Second Tradition meets at 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 900 W. Oak St. • Square Dancing classes are held at the Palace Square Dance Hall, 1627 N.E. Floridian Circle, from 7-9 p.m. every Friday. Robert at 813-601-1834 or Mary at 941-380-5336 494-2749 for information. • Faith Mission provides free lunches for anyone in need, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1109 S.E. 9th St., Arcadia. Donations gratefully accepted.
SATURDAY
• DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce Leadership
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Class VII presents “Boots and Bling — Sweetheart Soiree,” a fundraiser for McSwain Park, starting at 6 p.m. at the DeSoto County Fairgrounds Exhibit Barn. For tickets or sponsorship information, call 494-4033, email chamber@ desotochamberfl.com or see any Class Member. • Women in Fellowship Ministry meets every second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 256 S. Orange Ave. Be uplifted, motivated and inspired by God. Free and open to the public. Light brunch is served. • The John Morgan Ingraham House museum, 300 N. Monroe Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month. • DeSoto County Historical Society Research Library is open in the Ingraham Seed House, 120 W. Whidden Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and by appointment. • DeSoto County Library children’s movies are offered at 10:30 a.m. at 125 N. Hillsborough Ave. every Saturday. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 993-4851 for more information. • The Palace Promenaders meet for square and round dance from 7-9 p.m. every Saturday at the Palace Square Dance Hall, 1627 N.E. Floridian Circle. Art Miller, caller, and Jennie Martin, cueing. Call Jennie at 494-2749 or Mary at 941-380-5336 for information. • DeSoto County Library children’s movies are offered at 10:30 a.m. at 125 N. Hillsborough Ave. every Saturday. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 993-4851 for more information. • The Palace Promenaders meet for square and round dance from 7-9 p.m. every Saturday at the Palace Square Dance Hall, 1627 N.E. Floridian Circle. Art Miller, caller, and Jennie Martin, cueing. Call Jennie at 494-2749 or Mary at 941-380-5336 for information.
SUNDAY
• Happy Valentine’s Day to our readers! • Volunteers needed for the Friendship Center open Monday through Friday, 9 .am. – 4 p.m. Call 494-5965 if you have 4 hrs/week to share. Positions available for receptionists (morning or afternoon), help serving meals, help with activities, special talents, and more. • Alcoholics Anonymous Serenity Group meets at Grace Lutheran Church, 900 W. Oak St. (State Road 70) at 8 p.m. Sunday. • Hispanic Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. Sunday at 426 Brevard Ave. next to El Charro Restaurant.
MONDAY
• DeSoto Amateur Radio Club meets at 6:30 p.m. third Monday monthly at the DeSoto County Emergency Operations Center, 2200 N.E. Roan St. • The DeSoto County Republican Executive Committee meets on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Beef O’Brady’s. • The DeSoto County Fair Association meets at 7 p.m. third Mondays monthly in the fair office on Heard Street. The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. • Free Tai Chi classes, Moving for Better Balance, for seniors 60+, are held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and will run from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 at the Arcadia Garden Club. Pre-registration is required; call 866-413-5337 to register. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free meals every Monday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • DeSoto County Oath Keepers will hold a “meet and greet” at 1 p.m. every Monday at the Last Chapter Coffee House, 15 W. Oak St. For details, email Dave “Preacher” Wills at prchusmc@embarqmail.com. • Women of Worship “WOW” Women’s ministry meets at 6:15 p.m. Monday at Freedom Fellowship Christian Ministries, 1528 N.E. Turner Ave. All are welcome. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. Low impact exercises from 9:30-10 a.m. and your choice of games from 10-11 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • Alcoholics Anonymous Second Tradition meets at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, 327 W. Hickory St. at 8 p.m. Monday at 327 W. Hickory St. • Alcoholics Anonymous Brown Baggers Group meets at noon Monday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • Al-anon is a mutual support program for people who are living with, or have lived with, someone whose drinking created problems for themselves or others. The group meets at 7:30 p.m. every Monday at Fort Ogden Methodist Church, 6923 S.W. River St. in Fort Ogden. For information call 1-888-425-2666 or visit www. nfldistrict13al-anon.org. • The DeSoto County Homeless Coalition Community Resource Center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1425 Martin Luther King St. The center provides referrals for mainstream resources, elderly food stamps (by appointment) and computer service. Salvation Army has office space on Wed. by appointment. For more information, call 491-5683. • Prescription Assistance is at the DeSoto County Health
SPECIAL
• Do you know someone who can braid a cow whip, cane a chair or weave a palm frond hat? The DeSoto County Historical Society seeks people who can demonstrate traditional skills or old-fashioned crafts for the 12th Annual Pioneer Day and BBQ Rib Cook-off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 19, at DeSoto Veterans Park on State Road 70, just west of Arcadia. The Society also invites businesses, churches, families, organizations, schools, and others to showcase their history. Space is free for those who provide information only. More details available at www. historicdesoto.org/PioneerDay.html or call 266-5774. • Star Road in Orlando. Pre-register on-line at www. infinitescholar.org. Last year students who attended this event met with several college admission representatives and organizations which awarded more than $8.9 million in full and partial scholarships. Students should bring: multiple copies of transcripts, their ACT or SAT scores; letters of recommendation, a resume; and an essay on “Why I want to attend college.” Sponsored by Infinite Scholars Program serving more than 100,000 students with more than $1 billion in scholarships and financial aid. • DeSoto Arts and Humanities Council is selling 2016 wall calendars featuring original paintings of DeSoto County landmarks and scenery. Only $5 each. Available at The Arcadian, Glass Antique or Not, Not Just Frames, Peddler’s Boutique and Stuff with a Past, or email desotoartscouncilinfo@gmail.com or call 863-703-0373. • A new Lions Club is forming! Arcadia once had a strong Lions Club, and the goal is to once again have a local chapter. For details, call Brandy Newman at 941-539-0742 or visit www.LionsofFlorida.org. • Tickets for the March 2016 Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo are on sale now. Prices range from $15 - $30 per ticket. Dates are March 10 - 13 - they have added a fourth day! Tickets are available at www. arcadiarodeo.com or call 800-749-7633. • The Center for the Needy is desperately in need of essential supplies such as clothing, food, personal hygiene goods, household items, and cash donations. Call 444-0499 for information or pickup. • Veterans — For free transportation to VA clinics, call 993-9670 for an appointment. • Faith Mission provides free lunches for anyone in need, a 1109 S.E. 9th St., Arcadia. They are in need of cash donations to help pay for utility bills and other expenses. • Community Resource Center at the Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak. Large selection of information on resources available to DeSoto residents. Open Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 9 a.m.-1 pm. Fri.
Department Clinic, 1031 E. Oak St., Arcadia. To make an appointment or for more information, call 491-7580 ext. 256.
TUESDAY
• Arcadia City Council meets at 6 p.m. at the Margaret Way Building, 23 N. Polk Ave., Arcadia. • The Greater Charlotte Harbor Group of the Sierra Club invites everyone to attend our monthly general meeting, which is open to the public. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to discover what your local Sierra Club is all about. Meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building, 1532 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte. For details, call 941-423-2713 or email allainhale@hotmail.com. • DeSoto Public Library has a monthly Library Book Club at 3 p.m. Group book discussion open to everyone. • DeSoto Memorial Hospital offers free blood pressure screenings from 3 to 4 p.m. in the DeSoto Memorial Hospital McSwain Room. Call 494-8432 for details. • The AA District 5 committee business meeting is held at 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at St. Nathaniel’s Episcopal Church, 4200 S. Biscayne Dr., North Port. Visit http://aadistrict5.org for details. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. • Rotary Club of Arcadia meets at noon every Tuesday in the McSwain Room at DeSoto Memorial Hospital. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • Freedom Fellowship Christian Ministries Support Group meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 1528 N.E. Turner Ave. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. Join us for Movie of the Week, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • Every Tuesday night, line dance class at the Palace Dance Hall (17N). Beginners welcome. $3 donation. For more info, call Jennie Martin at 494-2749. • Weight Watchers meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 1509 E. Oak St. For details visit www. weightwatchers.com and “find a meeting” or call 800-651-6000. • Faith Mission provides free lunches for anyone in need, at 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1109 S.E. 9th St. Donations gratefully accepted.
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Family Album FAMILY ALBUM PHOTOS Send us a photo to celebrate a birth, birthday, engagement, wedding, anniversary, etc. The Arcadian will run it free. We must have it no later than noon on Monday. Bring your photo to the office or e-mail to Arcadian.editor@gmail.com
Thank you
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Happy birthday
that’s so desoto
The Arcadian is asking those in the DeSoto community to submit a recent photo for our new section, That’s so DeSoto. Whether it’s a grazing cow, sunset, the animal caught in the best wrong place, or action we just shouldn’t miss, any subject is welcome. Please send your photo along with a brief explanation of where the picture was taken and how you came across the snapshot. Please also include your name, and you may see it and your picture in the following week’s edition. Email your photos to Courtney at cclayton@sun-herald.com.
Good morning! PHOTO PROVIDED
Happy birthday to my knee baby sis (pandy) sip and cuz’s Tamika and Stanley. Love your kids and family G kids. Faye PHOTO PROVIDED
We would like to thank our entire community for all the prayers, love and support during our most difficult time. Everyone who sent a card, flowers and brought food to our home! All the ladies who went above and beyond for Michelle’s Celebration Of Life from St. Edmunds, First Baptist and North Hillsborough Baptist Churches! All our Black Belts that took care of furnishing the meat, as well as their families who did so much. We will forever be grateful to every one of you. Michelle was everything that is good in this world. She will always be UNFORGETTABLE to everyone who knew her and loved her. When you think of Michelle please smile and be happy with your special memory of her! Hug your children for us. With Love to you all, The Cross Family and Grand Parents, Ron & Sylvia Jenkins
Hole in one
PHOTO PROVIDED
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DONNA SLATER
This picture was taken from Donna Slater’s back door on a Sunday morning when the sun began to rise.
Congratulations to Tim Moore for his first hole-in-one Dec. 11, 2015 at the Arcadia Municipal Golf Course. From all the staff at the course, congrats again!
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Report: Man arrested on numerous charges The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office arrested Timothy Lee Evans, 21, of Arcadia, on the charges of sale of listed drugs, smuggling contraband into a detention facility, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession or use of drug equipment, and two counts of violation of probation. EVANS The charges come after deputies noticed a truck sitting in a parking lot in the area of 1000 block of S.E. Vermont Ave. during after hours. According to the report, an unidentified male, (later identified as Evans) exited the truck with a backpack, and then the truck proceeded to leave the parking lot. Deputies were alerted later in the night that Evans was located in the area of 1500 block of E. Oak St., and were advised through dispatch that he also had a local warrant for violation of probation. Upon making contact with Evans, deputies arrested him, and reported his backpack contained drug paraphernalia such as a glass pipe, a small scale and Ziploc baggies. Reportedly, the glass pipe tested positive for methamphetamine. Evans admitted to deputies he was aware they were present while he was in the parking lot, and left the truck in order to avoid authorities because he knew he had a warrant, according to the report. Evans was arrested on Feb. 2 and is being held without bond.
|POLICE BEAT
• Edgar Leonel Gomez, 39, 1000 block of S.E. 4th Ave., Arcadia. Charge: domestic battery. Bond: $100. • Nathaniel Fagan, 41, Fort Myers. Charge: The information for Police Beat is gathered from police, sheriff’s office, Florida Highway Patrol, jail and fire records. Not every arrest habitually driving while license is suspended. Bond: $2,000. leads to a conviction and guilt or innocence is determined by the • Tigeres Nikki Capers, 30, Bradenton. Charges: court system. possession of cocaine, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of a controlled The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office reported substance without a prescription, driving while the following arrests: license is suspended, and possession or use of drug • William Preston Tice Jr., 28, 1500 block of N.E. equipment. Bond: $3,240. Turner Ave., Arcadia. Charge: failure to appear. • Kelly Bruce Acrea, 56, first block of Park Bond: $2,000. Place, Arcadia. Charges: possession of a controlled • Katrina Sue Strickland, 47, unknown, Arcadia. substance without a prescription, and possession or Charges: three counts of failure to appear, use of drug equipment. Bond: $1,120. possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, • Manuel Martinez Barron, 26, 1900 block of S.E. possession or use of drug equipment, and possession Haron Cove, Arcadia. Charges: delivery or distribuof a controlled substance without a prescription. tion of listed drugs, and two counts of possession or Bond: $7,240. use of drug equipment. Bond: $5,240. • Tiffany Ann Stefonek, 31, 11200 block of S.W. • Keith Allen Brown, 49, 100 block of Bridle Welch Ave., Arcadia. Charge: violation of probation. Path, Arcadia. Charges: possession of less than 20 Bond: $10,000. grams of marijuana, and possession or use of drug • Dana Marie Simmons, 21, 3100 block of equipment. Bond: $240. S.W. Fender Ave., Arcadia. Charges: sale of • Margaret Lisa Cobb, 53, 7800 block of S.W. methampethamine, sale of marijuana, trespass, Albritton St., Arcadia. Charges: possession of less and possession or use of drug equipment. Bond: than 20 grams of marijuana, and possession or use $12,770. of drug equipment. Bond: $240. • Chavonte Markese Randolph, 25, 1000 block • Nakeisha Carmella Cosey, 27, 300 block of Citris of S.W. Prince Terrace, Arcadia. Charges: sale of Ave., Arcadia. Charge: failure to appear. Bond: $750. methampethamine, sale of marijuana, trespass, • Juan Antonia Cruz, 49, 17600 block of S.W. and possession or use of drug equipment. Bond: Highway 70, Arcadia. Charge: out-of-county $12,770. warrant. Bond: none. • Antoin Darren Milner, 27, Rotonda West, Fla. • Guadalupe Romero Garcia, 20, 4th Ave., Arcadia. Charges: 10 counts of Lascivious or lewd behavCharge: driving without a valid license. Bond: $120. iour with victim 12-16, and contributing to the • Mario Osorio Gonzales, 24, 4th Ave., Arcadia. delinquency of a minor. Bond: $101,000. Charge: resisting an officer without violence. Bond: • Robert Keith Johnston, 33, Fort Myers. Charges: $750. petty theft, resisting an officer without violence, • Moises Lopez Gonzales, 21, 1300 block of and possession or use of drug equipment. Bond: Martin Luther King Ave., Arcadia. Charge: battery. $1,870. Bond: $500. • Lillie Mae Gray, 31, 400 block of Effie St., • Gerardo Guillen, 18, unknown, Arcadia. Arcadia. Charge: out-of-county warrant. Bond: none. Charges: possession of less than 20 grams of
marijuana, and resisting an officer without violence. Bond: $870. • Jose Carlos Hernandez, 27, 600 block of Magnolia, Arcadia. Charge: driving while license is suspended. Bond: $120. • Teven Elton Layport, 22, first block of Michigan Ave., Arcadia. Charge: aggravated battery where offender knew or should have known victim was pregnant. Bond: $20,000. • Grasiela Maldonado, 28, 200 N. Brevard Ave., Arcadia. Charge: driving while license is suspended. Bond: $120. • Joesph Thomas Leaderhouse, 42, 200 E. Gibson St., Arcadia. Charge: battery. Bond: released on recognizance. • Nekisha Rachelle Tice, 29, 300 block of E. Maple St., Arcadia. Charge: battery. Bond: $1,000. • Christian Ross Wood, 28, 1100 block of E. Maple St., Arcadia. Charge: violation of probation. Bond: Released on recognizance. • Brandy Nicole Hyde, 33, Mountain Home, Ark. Charge: out-of-county warrant. Bond: none. • Martin Edgar Russell, 52, 1200 block of N.E. Cross Ave., Arcadia. Charges: battery on an officer, firefighter or EMT, and resisting an officer without violence. Bond: none. • Alfredo Jose Salcedo, 36, Cleveland, Texas. Charges: violation of probation. Bond: none. • Jeffery Allen Sheppard, 24, 2000 block of S.W. Louis Ave., Arcadia. Charges: violation of probation, and driving without a valid license. Bond: none. • Alex Guadalupe Caballero, 29, 600 block of Polk Ave., Arcadia. Charge: battery. Bond: released on recognizance. • Domenic Francis Macina, 60, Lehigh Acres, Fla. Charges: tampering with evidence, possession or use of drug equipment, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Bond: $360.
Cautioning his fellow members not to become a “pseudo” board to the hospital, Commissioner Jim Selph said the board is tasked with a specific function. “We don’t want to be standing over every decision they’re making, because we’re going to create some animosity there,” he said. Commissioner Buddy Mansfield agreed with Selph, adding,“I don’t think we need to be an overseer by no means, but we need to make sure that the taxpayers’ money is being taken care of, and that’s our responsibility,” Mansfield said. After further discussion the Board voted 5-0 to request specific documentation from the hospital, including some of the following: • Total indebtedness of DMH as of Aug. 12, 2014 • The hospital’s depreciation schedules from 2014 going forward • Balance sheet from 2014 to current time • Three years of incoming expense changes, with total volume dollar
volume and percent changes • A staff income breakout sheet, comparing the staff versus executive salaries, and any changes from 2014 to current. • A statement of the hospital’s cash flows. DMH has 60 days to provide the information to the Board. DMH CEO Dan Hogan was in attendance, but did not speak on the matter. In other business, the Board voted 5-0 to amend the Parks and Recreation Department’s fee schedule to bring it into uniformity with other fees. Among the changes were to reduce the damage deposit from $100 to $75, adding new language regarding organized leagues to pay for lighting costs, and to reduce the cost for damages to fields from $500 to $400. The Board’s next scheduled meeting is Feb. 23 at 3 p.m., followed by a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.desotobocc. com or call 963-993-4800.
OUR VIEW
teacher-rating system that seems unreliable and ripe for criticism. Take, for instance, the local response from area teachers association representatives contacted last week by Sun staff writer Summer Brokaw. Charlotte’s Bryan Bouton called the system “a broken tool.” Sarasota’s Pat Gardner said, “It’s frustrating for teachers to know their evaluation depends on a flawed system.” It’s hard to rate this effective.
BOCC FROM PAGE 1 percentage change. I’d also request a regular staff breakout total, as well as one for executives and contract labor. We just need to make sure things haven’t gotten crazy.” Commissioner Elton Langford said the issue is black-and-white in terms of how the money should be spent. “Our responsibility is to make sure the hospital needs this money to pay that debt. If they get healthy and don’t need it anymore, it’s our job to say to them, ‘Hey y’all, you’re all standing on your own two feet and pulling your little wagon on your own, so now it’s our responsibility to give that sales tax back to the taxpayers,’” Langford said. “That’s what we told the citizens and that’s what they voted on.”
FROM PAGE 4 scoring may vary workplace (school) to workplace. It certainly varies district to district. So the public impression that Charlotte’s teachers are far less effective than Sarasota’s or DeSoto’s? Based, to a degree, on false comparisons. And who can say how much? What we end up with, again, is a
— Compiled by Courtney Clayton
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
| OBITUARIES John Lawhorne John Lawhorne of Arcadia passed away Feb. 8 in hospice in Sarasota. John was a long-time reporter for The Arcadian before he retired in 2009. A service will be held on March 13 at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are by First Presbyterian Church of Arcadia.
Turesa Casto Turesa Casto, 43, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory.
Janis Marie Gainous Janis Marie (nee Cline) Gainous, 73, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away suddenly Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Port Charlotte, Fla. She was born April 4, 1942, at the old DeSoto Hospital to James Elmer and Edna Marie Paulison Cline. As a young child, the Cline family moved to Miami and later returned to DeSoto County, where Janis would graduate from Desoto High School. As a student, Janis was involved in sports, including volleyball and basketball. Janis met and married Byrle Eugene Gainous. Together, they owned and operated Gene’s Auto Body Shop in Arcadia for more than 40 years. She also took great pride in the raising of their daughters and her role as homemaker. After Byrle’s death in 2003, she used her sleepless nights to work the midnight shift at Walmart in Arcadia. Janis enjoyed watching football and considered the Raiders and Steelers to be her favorite NFL teams, and the Seminoles, her favorite college team. She was an animal lover, especially of German Shepherds. Janis’ family considers her to be a spunky, quick-witted “Ball of Fire.” A woman with a zest for life, who although
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she was experiencing some health issues, always considered herself “a winner, either way.” Janis loved her family, her extended family of Walmart, and her church family. She loved spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She left an impression on those whose lives she touched and will be deeply missed. Janis Gainous is survived by her daughters, Debra (James) Taylor, of Arcadia, and Patricia (Buddy) Bishop, of Lakeland, Fla.; brother, James Benjamin (Janice) Cline of Pensacola, Fla.; sisters, Gladys (Sidney) Albritton, of Arcadia, and Dianne (Robert) Petry, of Arcadia; grandchildren, Jennifer Collins (Matthew) Evans, John (Danielle) Taylor, Bradley Allen Bishop, Ronnie Lee Bishop, Suzanne Nicole (David) Lyle, Phillip Chad (Stephanie) Bishop, and James Dudley Bishop; great-grandchildren, Austin Evans, Parker Evans, Kylee Taylor, William Lyle, Alyssa Lyle, Shyanne Bishop, Shannon Bishop, Danniele Bishop, Havoc Bishop, Jace Bishop, Avery Bishop, and Grayson Bishop. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Byrle; their 12-year-old daughter, Tammy Sue Gainous; and nephew, Jimmy A. Albritton. A visitation was held Friday, Feb. 5, at First Christian Church of Arcadia. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m., when her brother, Jimmy Cline officiated. She was laid to rest in Oakridge Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www. skywaymemorial.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Skyway Memorial Funeral Home.
Horace Hiram Pursell Horace Hiram Pursell, 89, of Arcadia, Fla., passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Arcadia.
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Roger Campbell Ministries
Express your love PHOTOS PROVIDED
New Horizons second quarter responsibility honorees, from left: Joselyn Govea, Lilith Tovar, Zach Gonzalez, Rylan Stallcup, Jack Namik and Jiovani Gutierrez.
New Horizons holds awards celebration SUBMITTED BY
These students at New Horizons VPK were given attention awards for the second quarter. From left: Uzziel Gutierrez, Isabella Contreras, Zayden Gonzalez, Adala Anderson, Ernesto Ramirez-Cardona and Hollen Lyons.
PHYLLIS CLEMONS
The children and staff at New Horizons VPK Program participated in their second quarter awards celebration Jan. 14. Each class performed a favorite song or chant. Areas of focus for this quarter were attention and responsibility. Students from each class were recognized for showing exemplary skills in both areas. We are very proud of our students and their achievements. Below is a short explanation of each area of focus: • Attention — Children explore the world of animals by paying close attention to things in their surrounding environment and being attentive during learning activities. • Responsibility — Children learn about and explore different roles and responsibilities they have as part of their classroom community and the community in which they live.
Deriso finishes second in cooking contest Jillian Deriso took home a silver medal and second place overall in the recent ACF’s Student Chef of the Year competition. The judges included a group of certified master chefs and certified PHOTO PROVIDED executive chefs, who enforced the strictest of standards. The judges were impressed with Deriso’s professionalism, station setup, organization and timing. Along with her teammates, Deriso played an integral part in the student competition team as last year’s FRLA show and also competed in the Chaine des Rotisseurs Best Young Chef completion in 2015. She is a brilliant example of the impact that our team, as educators, mentors and coaches, has on the student experience.
‘D
oesn’t anybody stay together anymore?” are part of the lyrics of a once popular song. Sadly, it’s a question that’s still in tune with today’s marriage miseries. Home breakups are the major tragedy of our time and the trend keeps accelerating. Thankfully, there are some efforts to right the marital ship and stem the tide of this plague that so negatively affects children and those left alone to raise them. The seven days leading up to Valentine’s Day have been designated as Marriage Week in the United Kingdom since 1996 and in the United States since 2002. This special designation is to celebrate the importance of marriage. Julie Baumgardner, director of “First Things First,” believes Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make this emphasis, saying, “We celebrate birthdays and holidays, but when it comes to marriage, people often forget that it’s really something to be celebrated.” My first five words today were spoken to my valentine of more than 50 years “I’m thankful we’re here together,” I said. And my sleepy valentine’s reply made my day: “I’d be thankful to be anywhere with you.” Love makes marriage one of life’s greatest adventures, but married people who ignore the importance of cultivating love through caring words and attitudes miss out on the mutual feeling of accomplishment that results from making a marriage last. A seminary student and his wife were having such serious marital problems that they concluded divorce was their only option. Then, agreeing to give their marriage one more chance, they sought counsel from one of the professors at the seminary. The wise professor advised them to read 1 Corinthians 13 together each day for a month and then report to him on how they were doing. This moving description of love, so often read at weddings, says love is to be patient, kind, giving, forgiving and faithful. At the end of that month-long experiment, the couple had discovered the meaning of love and rescued their marriage, enabling them to have a long and satisfying relationship and share their discovery with others. During my years as a pastor, I developed a counseling approach for couples who came to talk to me about getting married that I hoped would help them keep their love alive. First, I asked the prospective groom why he wanted to marry this woman. His answer was almost always the expected — because he loved her. “Why do you love her?” I then asked. An awkward period of silence often followed, during which I felt sorry for the bride-to-be whose future husband couldn’t think of one reason for loving her. Fortunately, after time to think about it, the groom usually stated good reasons for his love, to the great relief and pleasure of the one he intended to marry. If you haven’t voiced your love to your valentine recently, speak up! Remove all doubts about your love today. — Roger Campbell was an author, a columnist and broadcaster who was a pastor for 22 years. Contact us at rcministry@ameritech.net.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Valentine’s Day in DeSoto
The Arcadian decided to ask leaders of DeSoto County a few questions about Valentine’s Day. Here are their responses, along with ours. Arcadian Editor Steve Bauer Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? My most memorable — which also happened to be my worst — happened in high school. I had a crush on a girl a year older than me, and on Valentine’s Day I sent a dozen roses to the school. To my despair, the flowers sat unclaimed the entire day. As it turns out, she knew the flowers were there for her and were from me, and decided to reject my profession of love by simply pretending it never happened. Needless to say, my failed love connection was the butt of my friends’ jokes the rest of the year. Ugh, good times! Sun Coast Media Group Graphic Artist Jackie Bierman Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? Since having children, my Valentine’s Days have turned into family affairs, which my husband and I enjoy just as much. Chocolate or flowers? Chocolate. Executive Director Habitat for Humanity Jane Breylinger Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? My best Valentine’s Day in DeSoto county was canoing on the Peace river on a warmer day. But my all-time favorite Valentine’s was at a bed and breakfast on the beach on Annabelle Island. My favorite, best gift is time with my sweetheart.
Chocolates, of course. Arcadia City Councilman Joe Fink Favorite place in DeSoto to spend Valentine’s Day? Home. Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? All of them. Best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? Being with the one I love. And dinner in is best because the restaurants are too busy, and dinner out the next night. Other years I would have asked for chocolates first, but this year flowers top my list.
memorable because it was the last Valentine’s Day I spent with my grandpa, “Papa,” and he was the one who helped me get everything in order. He also made me smile when I just wanted to cry.
Arcadian Staff Writer Courtney Clayton
Best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? Nothing comes to mind.
Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? Worst: I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a Valentine’s Day in grade school, and my dad made me travel to a tennis tournament I didn’t want to play in. I complained most of the way to Georgia. Most memorable: In first grade, I was excited about the Valentine’s Day cards I made for my class, only to realize the morning of the day I were to hand them out, that I had written names on the envelopes that were different than the cards I put in. I had to reopen all of the envelopes that I was so proud of, and rewrite the proper names on new envelopes that matched the cards inside. It was also particularly
Dinner out or dinner at home? Home. Chocolates or flowers? It depends on the week. Arcadia City Clerk Penny Delaney Dinner out or dinner at home? Dinner at home. Chocolates or flowers?
Dinner out or dinner at home? Home. Chocolates or flowers? Both.
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
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APD FROM PAGE 1 Rick Scott signed off on a bill, which became Waldo’s law. The law makes it illegal for law enforcement entities to enforce traffic citation quotations. Whether the officer decides to give out a citation or warning is up to his or her discretion. APD Marshal Matt Anderson said he has never set a minimum or maximum for his officers either. Instead, he looks at the individual officer and their statistics. For example, he said if they gave out 100 traffic citations for two years and then that number dropped to 20, he would ask the officer why there is a discrepancy. But facts cannot debunk all the common misconceptions about a police officer’s job. People wonder whether officers are actually “working” when they are seen sitting in their patrol cars, or sitting down for a meal, for example. Jones said he understands people’s concerns over things like whether a police officer should “stop to eat while they are on-duty.” But to Jones, even though he is eating, his eyes and ears stay alert. For example, when he and Waller stopped for dinner, they both noticed a truck was parked outside the restaurant in the fire lane and Waller asked that the driver move it. Jones
ARCADIA AN PHOTOS BY COURTNEY CLAYTON
Corp. Robert McVey makes a suggestion to the other officers during their squad meeting. The meeting, led by Sergeant Quinn Jones, covers safety topics for officerrs, reminders, and a discussion of potential hazards for the night. also said talking to another officer over a meal gives them a chance to recap the shift’s events, and communicate to each other in a way they wouldn’t be able to if each were patrolling the streets and speaking to each other over the scanner. Given teamwork plays an
invaluable role in an officer’s shift, the half-hour when two or more can talk face to face allows them a chance they don’t get otherwise. Furthermore, at any point while they were eating, if the scanner alerted them to a situation, they would leave. Perhaps, then, police officers
The backseat of the APD police cars, where arrested individuals are placed before they are transported to the DeSoto County Jail.
The red light shines over Officer Bierman as he checks information on his computer. The light offers the officer the ability to see inside the car without making themselves visible from the outside.
are never truly “idle.” After dinner, Jones was called to a scene where a truck was seen driving without a tag. Officers arrested the driver for driving on a suspended license. Shadduck and Waller were also on the scene, and while one stayed with the driver, who they determined was going to be arrested, the others began an inventory of the vehicle and called a tow truck company to pick it up afterwards. The drug paraphernalia (which was found between the driver and passenger seats) was placed in a clear plastic bag and was designated as evidence because possession could not be determined. Jones transferred the man to the DeSoto County Jail. But the work was not over for Jones, since he would have to write an arrest report for the incident. Jones returned to the fair where he was alerted that Bierman and Lambert just checked the inside of a trailer which belonged to a man who was in the hospital but also had an out-of-county warrant. While searching the area, Bierman and Lambert noticed marijuana in plain view. They discovered a purse which they suspected had marijuana inside. They used two different drug tests to determine if their suspicions were correct, and one tested positive for marijuana. Once the purse owner arrived to meet the officers, she said she had no idea how the marijuana made it inside her purse. Because she was not actually in “possession” of the marijuana when officers found it, and because it was found in someone else’s trailer, she could not be arrested on the charge of possession or use of drug equipment. At the end of the ride-along, Jones was alerted to another domestic violence situation where there were threats for physical harm. He drove away into the night, where he would remain for many more hours. But Jones admitted that even
when his shift ends, he never feels he is “off-duty.” “A lot of people call me if they have a question, even when I’m not working. It seems like I’m never off work,” he said.
Who they are Some might say it takes a certain kind of person to want to bear the uniform of the police officer, which many will say doesn’t ever come off. Anderson said he looks for particular qualities when hiring someone, and one of the most important traits someone needs to have to be a police officer is to be an effective communicator, especially in situations where people do not see eye to eye. “Two people can tell two different things fom the same event,” APD Lieutenant Kevin Joens said, and added officers must engage in “verbal judo” to discover and decipher the truth and relevant details. When responding to call, Anderson said, “No one is every going to tell you (exactly) what happened,” and it’s up to the officers to communicate not just to citizens but with them to get the most accurate picture of a scene. Officers can’t “talk down to people, (they must) talk to people,” APD Lieutenant Gary Jones said. While every police officer must deal with a variety of personalities, each has a set of strengths and weaknesses that might work for one officer, may not work for the other. “There is not a definition of a good police officer,” Evans said, with Joens adding, “Everybody has their niche. Once you put it all together, things seem to work out.” Additions like body cameras make their jobs easier in terms of making the public feel like they are held accountable. Anderson said law doesn’t mandate that law enforcement use body cameras, but many agencies have made it policy. The APD has started using body cameras, and Joens said
he has seen a difference in someone when he or she is made aware that he has a body camera. Their attitude may shift from one of hostility to one of more cooperation.
Who they are in public becomes their private life Police officers see their public role become their private life sometimes. “Just because we are off-duty we are still a police officer,” Anderson said. He mentioned that even simple things like having a beer with dinner has its consequences. If an off-duty police officer were to sit down and have one alcoholic drink with a meal, he or she might be perceived as breaking the law that they work to enforce (though one drink would still likely keep someone below the legal blood alcohol level to drive). Police officers are suppose to be the “good guys,” Anderson said, and they are expected to enforce the law not to break it. With accessible social media outlets, there is added pressure, because one gaffe or mistake could put someone’s reputation, and therefore, the entire law enforcement community’s reputation, at risk of criticism. That’s the blessing and curse of the uniform. In so many ways, the badge gives someone a power to serve and protect and to become a presence to deter danger. But at the same time, the person becomes their uniform — meaning that any violation of the law becomes not just a citizen’s issue, but a law enforcement issue. Police officers are no doubt, held to a higher standard. But Anderson thinks the APD has an advantage compared to other police departments because Arcadia is a tight-knit community, where officers are often either known by people, or known personally. Though “scrutiny will always be there, the community trusts us,” Anderson said.
Sergeant Jones checks his computer for any changes before the night began. Much of his work, like other officers, is done through a computer. Whether it is typing a probable cause affadavit after an arrest or running a driver’s license through a database, the computer is one of the most important accessories for an officer.
All about Arcadia The APD’s monthly report for January included seven felony arrests,12 misdemeanor arrests, 97 traffic citations and 30 warning citations, and eight out of twelve cases remain under investigation. These numbers reflect the work the APD does within the city’s limits. If there is a crime or suspicious situation outside the city limits, an APD officer will contact the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office. The APD itself employs 26 people. There are 15 police officers from top to bottom that work full-time, four work parttime, three are auxiliary, and there are four office staff, and many of them have particular roots and loyalty to Arcadia. For example, Evans was born and raised in Arcadia, attended DeSoto County High school, then left the area on a track and field scholarship, and returned with a fouryear-degree, and has been working with the APD for 21 years. Joens was also raised in Arcadia, attended DCHS, and has been working with the APD for eight years. Anderson moved to Arcadia in 1988, and has lived in the area longer
than any other place in his life. A newer recruit to the APD team was coached by Anderson in youth sports, attended Florida Atlantic University on a football scholarship, received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and returned to Arcadia looking for a job with the APD. He currently works for the APD and is preparing to take the state exam. Anderson said it is dedication by such individuals, who make the choice to stay and work in Arcadia — their home that they love, that makes the APD special part to the community. While the APD operates with 26 employees, Anderson believes there is room for more, especially when officer presence is a critical deterrent to crime, and officer safety is necessary too. “We can’t be in two places at once,” Anderson said, and noted that being short of manpower limits not only what police officers can do, but also makes an officer vulnerable to more dangerous situations if he or she cannot have the proper back-up. While he wished presence could stop crime, it doesn’t— but it does help. For instance, in
Charlotte County, some patrol cars have dummies put inside of them near traffic stops to keep the traffic violations at bay. According to Anderson, such tactics along with the take-home car program, which allows police offers to take their patrol cards home, are proven to work.
All about the community “You take ownership (in what you do). When you serve a town and community our size, it’s a pride thing ... all of us take
ownership in this town ... I think that’s what makes us different,” Anderson said. For the APD, Anderson thinks the officer’s dedication is what makes all the difference. “If you don’t take ownership, it’s hard to put your heart and soul into something,” he said. But the job has its challenges, not only in the nature of the work, but the emotional aspect of it. “We get frustrated when you are trying to get help for people ... you see a kid that you know is not doing anything, but he’s skirting the line. He’s in places he shouldn’t be,” Anderson said, and added in those cases, he said law enforcement does their best to reach out to the parents and guardians to get the youth counseling and help. But in many cases, the officer’s efforts do not change the outcome. “You wish you could protect every child. You wish you could protect every person,” he said. The ride-along offered a perspective of police officers that showed they both promote peace, and enforce the law. Police officers offer a presence that aims to prevent problems and keep the peace. In uniform, the officers become a symbol of enforcement beyond being individual men and women performing duties — they become a markers of authority, which is intended to ensure the public’s safety as much as possible. If they can try to keep the public safe from the ones who want to break the peace, they are doing their job, and though the job never really ends, that’s OK for the rest of us, because crime doesn’t either.
This is the drop-off site where the APD transports its arrests. Once through the gate, the officer takes the handcuffed individual to the next room where they are searched, padded down and then booked into the DeSoto County Jail.
From left, Marshal Matt Anderson, Lieutenant Gary Evans, Sergeant Danielle Rios, Officer Antonio Washington, Sergeant Troy Carillo and Lieutenant Kevin Joens.
DeSoto
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
EXTRA
SPORTS
WILLIAMS SIGNS Stefan Williams signed to play football for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers next fall.
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Boys’ season ends with district loss to Hardee By STEVE KNAPP
ARCADIAN SPORTS WRITER The 2015-2016 season has been one of living on the edge for the DeSoto County boys’ basketball team. They seemed to fall way behind in most games and then rally to either pull out a win or at least put a scare into the other team. They followed that script to a tee in their 86-80 district loss to Hardee. The Bulldogs had their only lead of the game at 10-9 late in the first period before the Wildcats went on a 15-2 run to give them some breathing room. The Wildcats doubled up the Bulldogs at the end of one period 2412. At the half, the Bulldogs had made a small dent in that lead cutting it to 44-35. The Wildcats had a hot shooter in Chris Cook, who knocked down 17 of his game-high 41 in the first half. Cook was “money” from the line going 12-for-15. We had our own hot hand in Caleb “Woody” Blackwood. After being held scoreless in the opening period, Blackwood hit for 14 points in the second period, including four treys. He connected on seven three pointers in the game as he collected a career-high
ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com
The DeSoto County boys’ basketball team lines up for the playing of the National Anthem before their district game at Hardee. 27 points in the loss. His seven “big bombs” were one short of tying the school record of eight held by a couple of players, including Bulldog coach Darrel Nicklow. “Oh man, I didn’t know that. I wish I’d known that — I would have put up
a few more shots. Wow I really would have liked to have that,” Blackwood said.
Coming up short Blackwood hit another three to cut the lead to just three points at 60-57 late in the third period. The boys in blue traded baskets with the home team and found themselves down by five points with four minutes left in the game. That’s as close as they could come as the officials’ whistles got into overdrive late in the game. The Wildcats kept their distance from the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with a succession of good free throws and won 86-80. The Bulldogs collected a total of 26 fouls in the game, while the whistle blew against the home team just 13 times. Jeffrey Hamm fouled out two minutes into the second half after getting two calls in the space of 10 seconds in the second period. Shawn Campbell, who had 12 points, left the game in the fourth period. Prince Powell, who had been carrying the team in recent games, found a spot next to the coach with just a couple of minutes left in the contest. Powell capped off an extraordinary month
Prince Powell draws a crowd as he puts up a jump shot in the DeSoto County loss to Hardee in the district tournament. Powell was named player of the month for DeSoto County. with 16 points. Four times in the month Powell had set a new career-high including 36 against the powerhouse Port Charlotte team. Powell was named DeSoto County Player of the Month for January. A fourth Bulldog reached double figures as Quay Fudge hit 17, with 14 of those points coming in the second half.
SEASON | 16
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Varsity Lady Dawgs fall on opening day By STEVE KNAPP
ARCADIAN SPORTS WRITER DeSoto County assistant softball coach Keith Wallace gave a good summary to his team as to why they lost their first game of the season to North Port 8-2. “It was pretty obvious; they didn’t make any mistakes,” he said. “You’re going to get tired of hearing me say it, but that leftfielder made a great play when she dove to catch that ball. That’s the kind of effort colleges want to deal with. We didn’t have that effort. We had four errors in one inning that cost us five runs and defense is supposed to be our strength this season. They made the plays and we didn’t and that was the difference in the game. The Lady Bulldogs’ defense put themselves in a hole 5-0 in the second inning. It proved to be too much to come back from. Alyssa Hairston celebrated her 16th birthday as she scored the first Bulldog run in the second. She scored from first on a three-base throwing error by the Bobcat pitcher. Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Bulldogs scored their second run with two out and nobody on. Malyssa Jeter singled and with the meat of the order coming up, it looked as if the Bulldogs were ready to start their comeback. Lauren Rotering and starting pitcher Hannah England both walked to
juice the bases. Michaela Cross singled in Jeter, but the rally died with a ground ball to third to end the inning. A ground ball to third was a common experience for the Bulldogs, as they kept testing the girl on the hot corner all night with no success. She played like Brooks Robinson and started a beautiful 5-4-3 double play in the final DeSoto at bat. Head Coach Mike Jeter noticed the steady diet of ground balls his team pulled to third, too. “We’ve got to start to do some situational hitting. All of our big bats they threw inside because we kept hitting to three (third base),” he said. “All she has to do is step on the bag or turn two like she did that last inning. We’ve got to wait for a pitch out over the plate that we can drive up the gap to right center or hit on the ground to second to score the run from third.” That is a simple part of the game. With a runner on first, a base hit to left puts the runner on second. If the hitter can slap something to right field the runner on first will usually get to third easily. With a runner on third base, there are possibilities to score on an error or wild pitch or sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs didn’t put themselves into that position against the Bobcats. The Lady Dawgs had five
ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com
The DeSoto County varsity softball team watches the North Port players warm up in pre-game drills. The Bobcats downed the Bulldogs 8-2 in the opening game of the season.
strikeouts, with three of them coming from the bottom of the lineup. They put runners on base every inning with four walks and six hits, all singles. Jeter was perfect for the night going 3-for-3 plus a walk. Courtney Bonville and Dekoda Johnson each picked up a single along with Cross’ RBI hit.
DeSoto County first baseman Malyssa Jeter reaches for a throw that was up the line (ball is behind the runner’s head) and allowed the North Port runner to advance to second. Jeter collected half of the Bulldogs’ six hits with three singles and a walk in her other at-bat.
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Strong pitching gives JV girls win By STEVE KNAPP
ARCADIAN SPORTS WRITER The DeSoto County girls’ junior varsity softball team played a little small ball in their 5-3 win over North Port. Clutch pitching along with good defense made up for their lack of offense in their season opener. Starting pitcher Makayla Price worked out of a bases-loaded, oneout spot in the first. Winning pitcher Stephanie Whitmore stopped the Bobcats in a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth inning. The Bulldogs took advantage of their bases loaded opportunities by scoring twice in both the third and fifth innings. Brianna Mansfield had an error when the shortstop back peddled for a first inning pop up. “I tripped over my own feet,” Mansfield said. She landed on her back and the ball landed on her stomach, but rolled to the ground for an error. The next batter hit the 5-6 hole and the bases became loaded when Price plunked the next hitter after she got ahead in the count. Price worked her way out of the jam with an infield pop up and then struck out the next hitter. Price got the Bulldogs’ first hit when she led off the third with a single and stole second. Emma Heitman and Tiffany Burhans both drew a walk to load up the bases. Price got into a rundown between third and home, but scored when the catcher’s throw sailed over the third baseman’s head. Heitman hustled in from second on the play to tie the game at 3 at the end of three.
ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com
DeSoto County catcher Emma Heitman looks back at the umpire to get the call on the pitch. Heitman walked three times in the 5-3 win over North Port and scored the tying run in the third inning. The winning rally in the fifth started on Heitman’s third free pass in the game. Burhans also collected her third walk and Kayla Gibson was safe on a fielder’s choice to load the bases for the third time in the game. Heitman was forced at the plate for the second out. Brianna Gibson came off the bench and found a hole between the first and second basemen. Her single scored Burhans with the winning run and Kayla Gibson with an
Third sacker Tiffany Burhans is ready to play a little defense for DeSoto County in their opener against North Port. Burhans walked three times and scored the winning run in the fifth inning. insurance run. Even with a two-run lead, the game got tense in the top of the sixth. Whitmore gave up three singles to load the bases with no outs. A ground ball to third baseman Burhans forced the runner at the plate. Whitmore struck out the next batter and ended the game when the final Bobcat batter hit a slow roller back to the mound for the final out. Whitmore got the win with three innings of shutout relief of Price. Whitmore also scored the first run of the game in the first inning when Mansfield’s ground ball went through the legs of the Bobcat shortstop. The Bulldogs loaded the bases but the inning ended with two straight strikeouts. Heitman and Burhans are sophomores who were on the team last year. “Most of the girls this year are younger and they are coachable. They do what they are told to do. We play well together and I think we will have a good season,” Heitman said. Burhans added, “They haven’t played as long but they have a lot of potential. I liked last year’s team, but we will bond Makayla Price delivers a first inning pitch as the season goes on and we will have as DeSoto County beat North Port 5-3 in the a good season.” Bulldogs’ season opener.
SEASON FROM PAGE 14 Fudge had several steals as well. Part of the pre-game speech by the Bulldogs’ coach Richard Koonce involved relaxing. “Don’t be afraid, don’t worry about mistakes; just have fun,” he said. “I’m not going to be talking to the referees tonight; everything you get you’ll have to work for.” The game was barely two minutes old when Koonce would be heard saying, “Mr. referee, did you see them hold my boy?”
Then, everything was back to normal. After the game Koonce told his team he was proud of them for the way they played all year. It wasn’t the ending he’d planned, but it doesn’t make them any less of a man to lose the final game of the year. Each senior was given the opportunity to speak to the team for the final time as a member of the Bulldogs’ basketball team. After Powell talked Koonce added. “You younger guys take a look at Prince. You won’t find anybody who works harder than he does. Remember that next year because we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
ARCADIAN PHOTO BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com
The Bulldogs clap for their teammates as the starting lineup is introduced. The DeSoto season ended with an 86-80 loss at Hardee.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Williams signs with Charleston Southern By STEVE KNAPP
ARCADIAN SPORTS WRITER Jamey Chadwell is the head football coach of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers. He was named Big South Coach of the Year for 2015 after the team completed their best season in school history. They defeated No. 1 Coastal Carolina and had a 9-1 record before Alabama beat them. He has the Division 1 team headed in the right direction and knows what he is doing. When Chadwell needed to recruit a linebacker for the Buccaneers, he made a call to DeSoto County. Stefan Williams answered the call and now has a full ride scholarship to the South Carolina school. Williams will take his talents — which not only includes his football skills but his academic abilities — to study applied mathematics. DeSoto County Head Football Coach Matt Egloff said, “I’m just a football coach so I don’t know what applied mathematics is but I know he’ll be good at it.” Williams knows his way around the study table as well as he knows his way around offensive linemen who tried to stop the six-foot, 215-pound linebacker. He would have qualified to enter the Charleston Southern’s math program even without the athletic scholarship. Egloff continued, “This one was easy to get out of here and into a college. They wanted him. He shows what you can do with not only hard work on the field, but also in the classroom. It isn’t often when kids at his age understand that grades are just as important as what you can do on the football field. He understands it.” “They (Charleston Southern) were interested in me in my junior year and
Stefan Williams takes a good shot at a Hardee ball carrier in the game that he claims is his most memorable high school contest. The Bulldogs beat the Wildcats for the second straight year in this game.
after they saw my senior year film, they became more interested. As soon as they saw my film, they put an offer in for me,” Williams said. “I also had an offer from Lafayette in New York, too. It’s nice to get the full ride and that includes a food card, too. I’m excited to go there. I will have the opportunity to do a lot more there than I can in Arcadia. The hard part is leaving everybody I know. Living in a small town everybody knows everybody.” Williams will get his four-year degree and then go to engineering school. He, like many other football players, claim their biggest football memory is beating Hardee in their senior year at Hardee. “I got a couple of pretty good hits in that game and they are at the beginning of my highlight film,” he said. “I never could imagine myself in this ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com position today if not for my coaches. Koonce (Richard) has always been Stefan Williams thanked each of his coaches for their help in getting him into a college. Back row: there for me since I was a freshman. Richard Koonce, Jerome Rudolph, Nate Kilburn and Darrell Nicklow. Sitting next to Williams are He always put me down and told me I Jeff Golden and head coach Matt Egloff. couldn’t do stuff, but it was all just to motivate me and it worked,” Williams Stefan continued. “Goldie (football coach Jeff “Thumpa” Golden) came here about two years ago Williams and I worked out with him in the weight signs his room too. Egloff has been great for me papers too. If any of the coaches ever need to attend something, I’ll be there for them and I Charleston know they’ll be there for me too.” Southern as The Buccaneers will face Florida State his mother, on Sept. 10 and in Williams’ junior year Amy Webb, the team will meet the Florida Gators. and father, “My favorite team,” Williams said with Jimmie a smirk. Williams, In his senior year they will play South watch. Carolina. “Dabbo’s (Darrell Nicklow) college team. The coach said I’ll get some playing time as a freshman; it’s all up to me to be ready physically and mentally,” he added.
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The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Pachuca Arcadia team wins championship
PHOTO PROVIDED
The Pachuca Arcadia soccer team won the adult championship trophy in the Knights of Columbus-sponsored Desoto Soccer Club tournament. Pachuca won in the final game against the team from Queretaro. The event was held Jan. 23 at St. Paul’s Soccer Field. Coordinating this event was Brother Agustin Albiter, Council 7567 Grand Knight.
By STEVE KNAPP
ARCADIAN SPORTS WRITER • The boys’ varsity basketball team lost in the first round of district play to Hardee 86-80. • In the home opener, the junior varsity softball team beat North Port 5-3. They then came back with an 18-3 blasting of North Fort Myers. • The varsity softball team lost 8-2 to North Port and then suffered a heartbreaking loss to North Fort Myers 1-0 in extra innings. It was an outstanding game with each team collecting seven hits. The Bulldogs left 13 runners on base, which was instrumental in the loss. • The varsity baseball team won their preseason game 5-2 over Lakeland. Will Nelson went 2-for-3, while Robb Adams got the win. Adams allowed no earned runs and gave up just two hits and didn’t walk anyone in his 4 2/3 innings of work. The Bulldogs took the lead for good in the third, scoring
ARCADIAN PHOTO BY STEVE KNAPP, sbigdaddyknapp@aol.com
DeSoto County varsity softball coach Mike Jeter gives out last minute instructions and the lineup before the season opener against North Port last week. three times highlighted by an RBI single by Max McKettrick.
7 p.m. games. • The boys’ and girls’ track and field teams host Hardee next Tuesday Upcoming games for the track portion of their meet starting at 4 • The JV softball team p.m. Next Thursday they travels to Charlotte to travel to Hardee to finish participate in the JV the meet with the field Wars hosted by Charlotte events. Both meets begin High School. This is a at 4 p.m. very good tournament • The boys’ tennis team played at Harold Avenue hosts Booker today at Recreation Center, 4 p.m., while the girls’ located just off Kings team travels to Booker Highway. Game times today. for the Bulldogs have not • The JV baseball team yet been posted. The JV is at LaBelle tonight and team will travel to Ida travels to Bishop Verot on Baker next Tuesday, and Monday. Their next home next Thursday travels to game is Feb. 22 with Hardee. LaBelle coming to town. • The varsity softball • The varsity baseball team will play at noon team starts their season this Saturday at home at Ida Baker next Tuesday against Lakewood Ranch. at 7 p.m.. After that road They will also travel to Ida game they will be at Baker on the Feb. 16 and home for the next three to Hardee Feb. 18 for games.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Artists drawn to Arcadia for annual contest By SUSAN E. HOFFMAN
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
ARCADIAN CORRESPONDENT Almost 50 artists came from across Florida last weekend to display their creations and vie for more than $1,900 in awards. The Fourth Annual Art of the River exhibition drew artists from as far as Fort Lauderdale on the east coast and St. Petersburg and Tampa on the Gulf side. Arcadia’s reputation as a fine arts center is growing. The Art of the River competition, sponsored by the DeSoto Arts and Humanities Council, invited artists to depict their visions of Florida’s environment, culture and heritage in paintings, photographs and sculptures. Prizes were awarded in each of the three categories. “I am impressed with the quality of the artwork in this exhibit,” said Cathy Futral, who judged the two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork. Futral is an art professor at South Florida State College in Avon Park, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art. “I had a hard time judging with so many wonderful entries.” Noted photographer and fossil expert, Mark Renz, judged the more than 50 entries in the photography category. “I look not only for technical skill and composition,” he said, “but for
Two-Dimensional: First place – Joanna Karpay, “Settling In” Second place – John Bayalis, “Palmettos” Third place – Elise Zarli, “Seminole Dollmaker” Honorable Mention – Victor Amemiya, Johan Bjurman and Sharon Yarbrough Awards of Merit – Maureen Fulginiti and Thomas Petro
ARCADIAN PHOTO BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN
Pictured are some of the 45 artists who exhibited their creative work at the Fourth Annual Art of the River competition, held last weekend at South Florida State College in Arcadia. Almost $2,000 in prize money was awarded to several of the artists. photos that reveal something of the photographer’s inner passion.” The show opened Friday evening at the DeSoto Campus of South Florida State College with a reception for artists, patrons and invited guests. The first thing people saw as they entered the building was a five-foot-long dragonfly, made by Arcadian Larry Creel out of hundreds of dinner knife blades. The duo of Kenny and Keys
provided musical entertainment as prize money was awarded. Guests wandered on both floors to view almost 150 works of art on display, and some bought their favorite pieces. On Saturday, the exhibit was open to the public, along with displays by the Peace River Chapter of the Audubon Society, and the Florida Trails Association, and an exhibit of handmade art quilts by the Peace River Quilters.
One of the highlights was an exhibit of children’s artwork from Memorial and Nocatee elementary schools, along with art created by DAHC’s program for children at Casa San Juan Bosco. Also on Saturday, DAHC hosted another of its painting sessions, in which instructor Jane Hilton led budding artists in creating their own tropical sunset scene on canvas.
ARTISTS | 22
Three-Dimensional: First place – Larry Creel, “Dragonfly” Second place – Dave Brethauer, “Wenge, Ebony and Holly Vase” Third place – Bruce Trewyn, “Proud Papa” Honorable Mention – Larry Creel, “Putter Birds on a Pole” Award of Merit – Melissa Bruneau, “Pine Needle Vase” Photography: First place – Rhett Butler, “Fakahatchee Sunrise” Second place – Jerry Waters, “Paddling into the Sunset” Third place – Rhett Butler, “Deer and Lily” Honorable Mention – Susan Hoffman and Quinn Bass Awards of Merit – Cindy Rose and Rhett Butler People’s Choice: Elise Zarli, “Seminole Girl” Student: Colton Whisnant, “Snook”
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1090 MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE ARCADIA Sunrise H-P Lot #5 Reduced $22,000 Lot Rent $265 mthly, Furnished, 2B2B, 1200 sq ft living area, more info call 863-993-1908
1320 APARTMENTS FOR RENT MCPINES APARTMENTS 1 & 2 Bedroom Apts., w/AC, Carpet, appliances, spacious closets, window treatments offered at affordable rental rates beginning at $361 Handicap Unit, Income Limits Apply. For rental info & applications McPines Apartments 1514 E. Cypress St. Arcadia 863-494-4811, M-F 9:00AM 5:00PM (TDD 1-800-9558771) Equal Housing Opportunity Provider & Employer
2030 MEDICAL COOK, FULL TIME Responsible, mature cooks who can work independently; Food safety, cleanliness and organization is a must. Days, weekends and holidays. Must have ability to prepare homemade meals, including baking. Fingerprinting required with clearance thru FBI and FDL Call or apply at Arcadia Oaks Assisted Living, 1013 E. Gibson St., Arcadia 863-993-9760
2050 SKILLED TRADES IMMEDIATE OPENINGS
★TOPMAN/TAILMAN ★BACKHOE OPERATOR ★WHEEL TRACTOR OPER exp preferred. For well-established local construction company. Excellent pay and benefits. Apply in person 3801 N. Orange Ave Sarasota, FL 34234. Or send resume to: JobsAtDerr@gmail.com EOE DFWP
PIPE LAYERS, Tail men and laborers needed for Charlotte County Area. 941-697-2047.
2100 GENERAL CAREGIVER NEEDED, for Arc DeSoto, 863-494-2328
3118 NOTICE OF ADMIN. IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA NO.: 2016CP000006 PROBATE DIVISION JUDGE: KIMBERLY BONNER IN RE: THE ESTATE OF CASE MARLENE E. SIMCIC, Deceased. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MARLENE E. SIMCIC, Deceased, File No. 142016CP000006, is pending in the Circuit Court for DeSoto County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal
3118 NOTICE OF ADMIN.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
Representative's attorney are set forth below. BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES ALL INTERESTED PERSONS 2006-2, Plaintiff, and, MEDINAARE NOTIFIED THAT: CENDEJAS, ANA, et. al., are DeAll persons on whom this notice fendants, clerk will sell to the is served who have objections highest bidder for cash at, DESthat challenge the validity of the OTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, Will, the qualifications of the Per- 115 OAK STREET, ARCADIA, FL sonal Representative, venue, or 34266 www.desotoclerk.com, jurisdiction of this court are re- at the hour of 11:OO A.M., on quired to file their objections the 8th day of March, 2016, the with this Court WITHIN THE following described property: LATER OF THREE MONTHS BEGINNING AT THE INTERSECAFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST TION OF THE PROLONGATION PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OF THE NORTH LINE OF LOT 4 OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE OF BLOCK 25, ORIGINAL SURDATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY VEY OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. FLORIDA, WITH THE EAST LINE All creditors of the Decedent OF MONROE AVE; THENCE S 21 and other persons having claims DEGREES W ALONG THE E LINE or demands against Decedent's OF MONROE AVE 80 FEET; estate on whom a copy of this THENCE S 69 DEGREES E 143 notice is served within three FEET; THENCE N 21 DEGREES months after the date of the first E, PARALLEL WITH THE EAST publication of this notice must LINE OF MONROE AVE, 80 FEET file their claims with this Court TO THE PROLONGATED N LINE WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE OF SAID LOT 4; THENCE N 69 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF DEGREES W ALONG THE PROTHE FIRST PUBLICATION OF LONGATED N LINE OF SAID LOT THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS 4, 143 FEET TO THE PLACE OF AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE BEGINNING. OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON Any person claiming an interest THEM. in the surplus from the sale, if All other creditors of the Dece- any, other than the property dent and persons having claims owner as of the date of the Lis or demands against the Dece- Pendens must file a claim within dent's estate must file their 60 days after the sale. claims with this Court WITHIN DATED this 26th day of THREE MONTHS AFTER THE January, 2016. DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICA- GREENSPOON MARDER, P.A. TION OF THIS NOTICE. TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS AND 700 100 WEST CYPRESS OBJECTIONS NOT SO FILED CREEK ROAD WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 The date of the first publication Telephone: (954) 343 6273 of this Notice February 11th, Hearing Line: (888) 491-1120 2016. Facsimile: (954) 343 6982 PAUL BENNETT SEUSY, P.A. Email 1: Attorney for Petitioner alyssa.neufeld@gmlaw.com Kirk D. Simcic Email 2: 203 West Oak Street gmforeclosure@gmlaw.com Personal Representative By: /s/ Alyssa Neufeld, Esq. Arcadia, Florida 34266 Florida Bar No. 109199 504 W. Whidden St. Publish at: 863-491-7285 Office DESOTO SUN HERALD Arcadia, FL 34266 108 South Polk 888-430-5940 Facsimile Arcadia, FL 33821 E-Mail: paul@paulseusy.com 25963.1747 By: Paul Bennett Seusy, Esquire IMPORTANT Florida Bar No. 0690252 If you are a person with a disabilPublished 2/11/16 & 2/18/16 ity who needs any accommoda325434 3277030 tion in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision 3122 NOTICE OF of certain assistance. Please FORECLOSURE contact the Clerk of the Court's disability coordinator at DESIN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE OTO COUNTY JURY OFFICE, 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND 115 EAST OAK STREET, ARCAFOR DESOTO COUNTY, DIA, FL 34266, 863-993-4876. FLORIDA. at least 7 days before your CASE No. 14 2008 CA 001168 scheduled court appearance, or THE BANK OF NEW YORK MEL- immediately upon receiving this LON (F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW notification if the time before the YORK), SUCCESSOR TO JP- scheduled appearance is less MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., IN than 7 days; if you are hearing TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLD- or voice impaired, call 711. PubERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET lished 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 BACKED SECURITIES 2006-2, 146548 3274551 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE Plaintiff, 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND vs. FOR DESOTO COUNTY, MEDINA-CENDEJAS, ANA, et. FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICal., TION DIVISION Defendants. CASE NO: 2010-CA-000194 NOTICE OF BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., FORECLOSURE SALE Plaintiff, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pur- vs. suant to an Order or Final Judg- PENNY JO CROOKS A/K/A ment entered in Case No. 14 PENNY CROOKS; UNKNOWN 2008 CA 001168 of the Circuit SPOUSE OF PENNY JO CROOKS Court of the 12TH Judicial Cir- A/K/A PENNY CROOKS; IF LIVcuit in and for DESOTO County, ING, INCLUDING ANY UNFlorida, wherein, THE BANK KNOWN SPOUSE OF SAID OF NEW YORK MELLON (F/K/A DEFENDANT(S), IF REMARRIED, THE BANK OF NEW YORK), AND IF DECEASED, THE RESUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN SPECTIVE UNKNOWN HEIRS, CHASE BANK, N.A., IN TRUST DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASFOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF SIGNEES, CREDITORS, BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED LIENORS, AND TRUSTEES, AND SECURITIES 2006-2, ASSET- ALL OTHER PERSONS CLAIMC C C S S S G O G O
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
ING BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE NAMED DEFENDANT(S); GENERAL MOTORS ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION; JOHN DOE; JANE DOE, Defendant(s). RE- NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion to Reset Foreclosure Sale dated January 13, 2016 entered in Civil Case No. 2010-CA-000194 of the Circuit Court of the 12TH Judicial Circuit in and for DESOTO County, Florida, wherein BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. is Plaintiff and Crooks, Penny, et al, are Defendants. The Clerk shall sell to the highest and best bidder for cash on the South Door of the Courthouse located at 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, Fl 34266 on March 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes, the following described property located in DESOTO, Florida, as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 9 AND 10, BLOCK 7, FLORACADIA SUBDIVISION, AS PER MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, INAND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN PLAT BOOK 5, PAGE 2. TOGETHER WITH A 2OOO GENE MOBILE HOME, ID NOS GMHGA1110026605A & B, PERMANENTLY AFFIXED TO THE ABOVE DESCRIBED LANDS, AS REAL PROPERTY NO. HUDLABEL HUMBERGO- 1264504GEO- 126405 Property Address: 6231 SW Miami Avenue, Arcadia, Fl 34266 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Dated this 14th day of January, 2016. Clerk of the Circuit Court By: /s/ M. Marshall Deputy Clerk Published 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 371198 3274523
in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes on the 3rd day of March, 2016 at 11:00 AM on the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: Lot 17, Block "I", El Dorado Park Subdivision, as per map or plat thereof recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for Desoto County, Florida, in Plat Book 5, Page 71. 2006 CMH Manufacturing Inc., Serial # WHC015284GA, HUD Label # GEO 1442929. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens, must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Dated this 30th day of November, 2015. CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT As Clerk of the Court BY: /s/ M. Marshall Deputy Clerk If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in a court proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance: Please contact DeSoto County Jury Office, 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266. Telephone: (863) 993-4876. If you are hearing or voice impaired, please call 711. Published 2/11/16 & 2/18/16 338038 3275764
EXHIBIT “A” The real and personal property involved in this suit comprises those certain tracts of land located in Desoto County and Lee County, Florida that are more particularly described in that certain Mortgage granted by Keystone Grove, LLC (together with its successors and assigns, “Mortgagor” or “Debtor”) in favor of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (“Mortgagee” or “Secured Party”) dated as of February 24, 2006, and recorded as Instrument No. 2006002434, Book 576, Page 2346, et seq. of the Public Records of DeSoto County, Florida, as amended by that Notice of Future Advance, Mortgage Modification and Spreader Agreement dated December 14, 2007 and recorded as Instrument No. 200714012837 in the DeSoto Records, and as Instrument No. 2007000370874 in the Public Records of Lee County, Florida (as further amended, the “Mortgage”) and in Exhibit “B” attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein (the “Real Property”), together with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments, improvements and appurtenances thereof, including all fixtures now or at any time hereafter attached to or used in any way in connection with the use, operation and occupation of the Real Property except that owned by any tenant, occupier, or caretaker thereof, together with all the estate, right, title, interest, property, possession, claim and demand whatsoever as well as in law as in equity of the said Mortgagor of, in and to the same and every part thereof unto the said Mortgagee and its successors and assigns forever; together with the Mortgagor’s interest and estate in all leases, including but not limited to gas, oil and mineral leases, now or hereafter affecting the Real Property or any part thereof, and all rents, issues, income, profits, royalties and bonuses due and to become due thereunder; and together with all citrus and other crops now growing and hereafter grown on the Real Property. EXHIBIT “B” PARCEL 1: (DESOTO COUNTY) The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; the East 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4; and the West 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4, of Section 17, Township 39 South, Range 26 East, DeSoto County, Florida. PARCEL 2: (LEE COUNTY) The Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 27, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee County, Florida. AND The North 1/2 of the South 1/2 of Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee County, Florida. AND The East 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 and the West 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee County, Florida. AND The West 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 34, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee County, Florida. AND The West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 34, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee C SS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2015CA000111AXMA LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. CONSTANCE M. WHIGHAM AKA CONSTANCE WHIGHAM, COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC., DESOTO COUNTY, A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION 1, UNKNOWN TENANT IN POSSESSION 2, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF CONSTANCE M. WHIGHAM AKA CONSTANCE WHIGHAM, Defendants. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure filed November 30, 2015 entered in Civil Case No. 2015CA000111AXMA of the Circuit Court of the TWELFTH Judicial Circuit in and for DeSoto County, Arcadia, Florida, the Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at the south door of the DeSoto County Courthouse, 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, FL. 34266 C
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION Case No. 2015-CA-000231 MLIC ASSET HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Plaintiff, v. KEYSTONE GROVE, LLC, a Florida limited liability company; GEORGE A. WINSLOW, individually; DAROL H.M. CARR, individually; et al., Defendants. AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Uniform Final Judgment of Mortgage Foreclosure dated January 7, 2016, and entered in Case No. 2015 CA 000231 of the Circuit Court for Desoto County, Florida, the Office of the Clerk of the Court of Desoto County, Florida will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at Desoto County Courthouse, 115 Oak Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266, on March 10, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. or as soon as possible thereafter the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment: SEE ATTACHED EXHIBITS “A” AND “B” **ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE SALE. ** /s/ Lori V. Vaughan LORI V. VAUGHAN Florida Bar No. 0154921 lvaughan@trenam.com lkf@trenam.com TRENAM, KEMKER, SCHARF, BARKIN, FRYE, O'NEILL & MULLIS, P.A. Suite 2700, Bank of America Plaza 101 East Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, Florida 33602 Tel: (813) 223-7474 Fax: (813) 229-6553 Attorneys for Plaintiff “
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
www.sunnewspapers.net Page 21 | Arcadian
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
3122 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE
County, Florida, LESS AND EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING: BEGINNING at the Northwest corner of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 34, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, Lee County, Florida; thence run South 89°00'08" East, for 100.00 feet perpendicular to the West boundary of said Section 34; thence run South 41°10'55" East, for 220.00 feet; thence run South 01°50'35" East, for 445.21 feet; thence run North 89°29'00" East, for 701.79 feet; thence run North 24°33'53" East for 190.06 feet; thence run North 89°02'07" East, for 288.07 feet to an intersection with the East line of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of said Section 34; thence run South 00°58'17" East along said east line for 870.55 feet to an intersection with the south line of said fractional section; thence run South 89°17'39" West along said south line for 1319.98 feet to the Southwest corner of said fractional section; thence run North 00°59'52" West along the West line of said fractional section for 1311.67 feet to the Northwest corner of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of said Section 34 and the POINT OF BEGINNING. TOGETHER WITH: Perpetual non-exclusive easement for roadway purposes over and across the Northerly 30 feet of the South 1/2 of the South 1/2 of Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, granted in Official Records Book 1207, page 216, of the public records of Lee County, Florida. TOGETHER WITH: Perpetual non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes over and across the Southerly 30 feet of Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, granted in Official Records Book 1207, at page 216, of the public records of Lee County, Florida. TOGETHER WITH: Perpetual non-exclusive easement for roadway purposes over and across the West 30 feet of the East 32 feet of Section 29, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, granted in Official Records Book 1207, page 216, of the public records of Lee County, Florida. TOGETHER WITH: Non-exclusive easement for right of way purposes pursuant to and described in Official Records Book 1204, page 27, of the public records of Lee County, Florida. TOGETHER WITH: Easement for drainage purposes over and across the West 15 feet of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 and the West 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4, Section 33, Township 46 South, Range 27 East, granted in Official Records Book 1421, page 1431, of the public records of Lee County, Florida. Published 2/11/16 & 2/18/16 335844 3277127
OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. DATED this 5th day of February, 2016. GREENSPOON MARDER, P.A. TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700 100 WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 Telephone: (954) 343 6273 Hearing Line: (888) 491-1120 Facsimile: (954) 343 6982
Email 2: gmforeclosure@gmlaw.com By: /s/ Alyssa Neufeld, Esq. Florida Bar No. 109199 IMPORTANT If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Clerk of the Court's disability coordinator at DESOTO COUNTY JURY OFFICE, 115 EAST OAK STREET, ARCADIA, FL 34266, 863-993-4876. at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Published 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 146548 3274562
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE No. 2015CA000289AXMA REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC, Plaintiff, vs. WILLIAM R. AVANT A/K/A, WILLIAM ROBERT AVANT, et. al., Defendants. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment entered in Case No. 2015CA000289AXMA of the Circuit Court of the 12TH Judicial Circuit in and for DESOTO County, Florida, wherein, REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC, Plaintiff, and, WILLIAM R. AVANT A/K/A, WILLIAM ROBERT AVANT, et. al., are Defendants, clerk will sell to the highest bidder for cash at, DESOTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 115 OAK STREET, ARCADIA, FL 34266 www.desotoclerk.com, at the hour of 11:OO A.M., on the 8th day of March, 2016, the following described property: LOTS 13, 14 AND 15, OF TOWN-N-COUNTRY ESTATES AS PER PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 6, AT PAGE 69, O C CO S O
Email 1: karissa.chin-duncan@gmlaw.com Email 2: gmforeclosure@gmlaw.com
By:/s/ Karissa Chin-Duncan, Esq. Florida Bar No. 98472 IMPORTANT If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Clerk of the Court's disability coordinator at DESOTO COUNTY JURY OFFICE, 115 EAST OAK STREET, ARCADIA, FL 34266, 863-993-4876. at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Published 2/11/16 & 2/18/16 146548 3277123 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE No. 015CA000382AXMA HMC ASSETS, LLC SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF CAM X TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ALDERMAN, WAYNE, et. al., Defendants. NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order or Final Judgment entered in Case No. 2015CA000382AXMA of the Circuit Court of the 12TH Judicial Circuit in and for DESOTO County, Florida, wherein, HMC ASSETS, LLC SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF CAM X TRUST, Plaintiff, and, ALDERMAN, WAYNE, et. al., are Defendants, clerk will sell to the highest bidder for cash at, DESOTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 115 OAK STREET, ARCADIA, FL 34266 www.desotoclerk.com, at the hour of 11:OO A.M., on the 8th day of March, 2016, the following described property: LOT 13, BLOCK 32, KING AND BAKER SUBDIVISION, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT, IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 105, AND RERECORDED IN PLAT BOOK C-5, PAGE 63, INCLUDING ANY REVERSIONARY INTEREST IN THE ALLEYWAY ADJOINING THERETO BY VACATION OF ALLEYWAY AS SHOWN IN O. R. BOOK 115, PAGE 215, PUBLIC RECORDS OF DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, SAID INTEREST BEING DESCRIBED AS TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE ALLEYWAY ADJACENT TO THE WEST BOUNDARY OF SAID LOT 13. TOGETHER WITH A 1990, MERIT MOBILE HOME, ID# LF240F29845A & LF240F29845B, TITLE #48658821 AND 48658824; PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REAL PROPERTY AS EVIDENCED BY REAL PROPERTY STICKERS R0464278 AND R0464279 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. DATED this 26TH day of January, 2016. GREENSPOON MARDER, P.A. TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700 100 WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 Telephone: (954) 343 6273 Hearing Line: (888) 491-1120 Facsimile: (954) 343 6982 Email 1: alyssa.neufeld@gmlaw.com 2
3130 NOTICE OF SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 14-2009-CA-000809 FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND/OR ASSIGNS Plaintiff, v. GUSTAVO G. SCHAGEN A/K/A GUSTAVO SCHAGEN; ROSANA M. SCHAGEN A/K/A ROSANA SCHAGEN; UNKNOWN TENANT (S); AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S), WHO (IS/ARE) NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIM AS HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, SPOUSES, OR OTHER CLAIMANTS; SUNTRUST MORTGAGE, INC. Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Summary Final Judgement of Foreclosure entered on December 9, 2015, and the Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale entered on January 29, 2016, in this cause, in the Circuit Court of DeSoto County, Florida, the clerk shall sell the property situated in DeSoto County, Florida, described as: LOT 13 AND 14, ROSIN AND STROUD’S ADDITION TO ARCADIA, AS PER MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 123 AND IN PLAT BOOK C-5, PAGE 12. a/k/a 502 WASHINGTON STREET, ARCADIA, FL 34266 at public sale, to the highest and best bidder, for cash, at the South door of the Deosot County Courthouse, 115 East Oak Street, Arcadia, FL 34266, on March 10, 2016 beginning at 11:00 AM. If you are a person claiming a right to funds remaining after the sale, you must file a claim with the clerk no later than 60 days after the sale. If you fail to file a claim you will not be entitled to any remaining funds. Dated at Arcadia, Florida, this 29the day of January, 2016. Nadia K. Daughtrey Clerk of the Circuit Court By: /s/ M. Marshall Deputy Clerk Published 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 146641 3274458 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWELFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION Case # 14-2013-CA-000295-CAAX-MA JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Plaintiff, vs. APRIL MARTINEZ; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JOSE MARTINEZ JR; JOSE MARTINEZ JR.; UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF APRIL MARTINEZ; DESOTO COUNTY; STATE OF FLORIDA; CLERK OF COURT FOR DESOTO COUNTY; FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY; JOSE MARTINEZ; UNTENANT #1; KNOWN UNKNOWN TENANT #2 Defendant(s). NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to order rescheduling fore-
3130 NOTICE OF SALE
3132 TAX DEEDS
closure sale or Final Judgment, entered in Civil Case No. 142013-CA-000295-CAAX-MA of Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit in and for DeSoto county, Florida, wherein JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff and APRIL MARTINEZ are defendant(s), I, Clerk of Court, Nadia K. Daughtrey, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT THE SOUTH ENTRANCE OF THE DESOTO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AT 11:00 A.M. ON MARCH 8, 2016, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to-wit: All of Lot 27 and the West 1/2 of Lot 28, Block C, ARCADIA HYLANDS SUBDIVISION, according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 6, Page 56, of the Public Records of DeSoto County, Florida. ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SALE. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the ADA Coordinator; 2002 Ringling Boulevard, 8th Floor, Sarasota, Florida 34237 (941) 861-7811 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification of the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Nadia K. Daughtrey CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT DeSoto County, Florida By: /s/ M. Marshall DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT Published 2/11/16 & 2/18/16 118683 3277049
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED Notice is hereby given that DOLLY COOK the holder of the following certificate has filed said certificate for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it was assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 509 Issuance Date: JUNE 1, 2013 Tax Deed File Number 15-31-TD Description of Property: WEST 50 FEET OF LOT 11, BLK 3 WALDRON’S ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION ACCORDING TO THE MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 23, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA. ROSEVELT MITCHELL 2169 SW POYDRAS AVE ARCADIA, FL 34266 All of said property being in the County of DeSoto, State of Florida. Unless such certificate shall be redeemed according to law, the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the South Courthouse Door FEBRUARY 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Dated this 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2016. MITZIE W. McGAVIC CLERK OF COURT DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA By: CRYSTAL HENDERSON, Deputy Clerk Publication Dates 1/21/16, 1/28/16, 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 112132 3268295
FIND YOUR BEST FRIEND IN THE CLASSIFIEDS! 3132 TAX DEEDS NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED Notice is hereby given that ILENE KLASFELD the holder of the following certificate has filed said certificate for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it was assessed are as follows: Certificate Number:1303 Issuance Date: MAY 31, 2012 Tax Deed File Number 15-30-TD Description of Property: LOT 12, BLOCK 2, AND THAT CERTAIN UNNUMBERED LOT LYING SOUTH OF LOT 12, BLOCK 2, ALL BEING IN H.L. AND Z.S. HOLLINGSWORTH ADDITION TO BROWNSVILLE, AS PER MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN PLAT BOOK 2, PAGE 5. Names in which assessed: GOED CITY INC 199 NASSAU ROAD ROOSEVELT, NY 11575 All of said property being in the County of DeSoto, State of Florida. Unless such certificate shall be redeemed according to law, the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the South Courthouse Door FEBRUARY 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Dated this 19TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2016. MITZIE W. McGAVIC CLERK OF COURT DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA By: CRYSTAL HENDERSON, Deputy Clerk Publication Dates 1/21/16, 1/28/16, 2/4/16 & 2/11/16 112132 3268287
NEED CASH? Have A Garage Sale! NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED Notice is hereby given that MJ & S HOMES INC the holder of the following certificate has filed said certificate for a tax deed to be issued thereon. The certificate number and year of issuance, the description of the property, and the names in which it was assessed are as follows: Certificate Number: 1331 Issuance Date: JUNE 1, 2013 Tax Deed File Number 16-04-TD Description of Property: LOT 7, BLOCK “K”, A.W. GILCHRIST’S SUBDIVISION OF THE SE1/4 OF THE NW1/4 OF SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 37 SOUTH, RANGE 24 EAST, DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS PER MAP OR PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN PLAT BOOK 1, PAGE 63 AND IN PLAT BOOK C-5, PAGE 52. JUANITA WESTFIELD ET AL 1159 SW DEER RUN AVENUE ARCADIA, FL 34266 All of said property being in the County of DeSoto, State of Florida. Unless such certificate shall be redeemed according to law, the property described in such certificate or certificates will be sold to the highest bidder at the South Courthouse Door MARCH 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Dated this 3RD DAY OF JFEBRUARY, 2016. NADIA K. DAUGHTREY INTERIM CLERK OF COURT DESOTO COUNTY, FLORIDA By: CRYSTAL HENDERSON, Deputy Clerk Publication Dates 2/11/16, 2/18/16, 2/25/16, 3/3/16 112132 3277130
6001 ARCADIA AREA GARAGE SALES COMMUNITY YARD SALE 2/20 8am-2pm DeSoto Village, 4810 HWY 72 Many items including baked goods, fried dough, lunch available
SAT FEB 13 8AM-1AM BIG TREE RV PARK Across from Wal-Mart Lunch Available SAT FEB 13 9am-1pm, Second Hand Rose, gently used women’s clothing & acces. Siesta Clubhouse inside Arcadia Village. 2692 Ne Hwy 70.
6035 FURNITURE BED, QUEEN Mattress and Box Brand New will sell. $175 Also have KING. 941-6295550 MATTRESS AND Box. New will sell $100 941-629-5550 COFFEE TABLE Oval, wood. $10 Text 941-467-9985
ASK US HOW you can place a
PICTURE of your item for sale in your classified ad! HEAD/FOOTBOARD Queen size $15 Text 941-467-9985 KITCHEN TABLE Picnic style, wood. $20 Text 941-467-9985
6038 ELECTRONICS 19” FLAT SCREEN Phillips $30 Text 941-467-9985 32” FLAT SCREEN Westin House $45 Text 941-467-9985
6070 ANTIQUES COLLECTIBLES ANTIQUE STAND 2 drawer, wood. $10 941-467-9985
6120 BABY ITEMS CRIB AND MATTRESS Like New 5-in-1 $40 Text 941-4679985 for info
6138 TOYS/GAMES KIDS BOUNCE House Text 941-467-9985
$40
6250 APPLIANCES COFFEE POT New in box $5 Text 941-467-9985 GE FRIDGE & STOVE $100 for fridge, $50 for stove text 941467-9985 for info TOASTER OVEN New in box $10 Text 941-467-9985 WAFFLE MAKER New. $5 Text 941-467-9985
6260 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE SHARKS TEETH/FOSSILS Text 941-467-9985 for info
7030 CADILLAC 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE $4,200 Exc cond. 104k miles 863-990-1021
7190 MERCEDES 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C230 $7,200 Exc Cond. 103k miles 863-990-1021
7260 AUTOS WANTED
WE BUY & PICK UP JUNK CARS 941-661-1928
4010 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
7330 BOATS-POWERED
1993 ICE CREAM TRUCK $30,000 or Best Offer if interested call 863-266-8043
24’ HOUSE BOAT OBO or Trade for Motorcycle 2nd Ave. Arcadia aft 5pm 304--238-4328
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CALENDAR FROM PAGE 6 • DeSoto County Library holds story time at 3 p.m. Tuesdays at 125 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia. Call 993-4851 for more information. • The Peace River Woodcarvers meet at 8 a.m. every Tuesday, at the Turner Exhibit Hall, 2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia. For information, call Dale Weese at 941-740-4790 or Bob Rippner at 244-3657. • Alcoholics Anonymous Second Tradition meets at 8 p.m. at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, 327 W. Hickory St. • AA Hispanic Group meets at 8 pm. at La Clinica, 1901 10th Ave. • Prescription Assistance is at the DeSoto County Health Department Clinic Location: 1031 E. Oak St., Arcadia. Call to make an appointment or for more information, call 491-7580 ext. 256. • Suncoast Community Blood Bank is open from noon to 6 p.m. today at 710 N. Brevard Ave. (U.S. 17 North), Arcadia. For more information, call 993-9366.
WEDNESDAY
• The Friendship Center is holding a free Alzheimer’s disease education program at 1:30 p.m. at 219 W. Oak St. The program is being presented by the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 494-5965. • Hour of Power Prayer time is held at noon at Freedom Fellowship Christian Ministries, 1528 N.E. Turner Ave. • The Arcadia Writers Group meets from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at Arcadia Village in the Cantina Clubhouse, in the small dining room. For more information, call Sarah
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Hollenhorst at 244-1663. • The First Marine Division Association meets at 11:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday at Family Table Restaurant, 14132 Tamiami Trail, North Port. Call Carl Jones, 941-493-1408 for more information. • DeSoto County Traffic Safety Team meets at 1:30 p.m. third Wednesdays monthly at the DeSoto County Commissioners room, 201 E. Oak St., Arcadia. • Hearing Loss Association demonstrates amplified listening devices from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. third Wednesdays monthly at Charlotte County Cultural Center, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. For more information about HLA meetings, call 941-624-2947. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free meals every Wednesday 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. Low impact exercises from 9:30-10 a.m. followed by discussion of Healthy Eating and Recipe Sharing from 10-11 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • Hour of Power Prayer time is held at noon at Freedom Fellowship Christian Ministries, 1528 N.E. Turner Ave. • AA “Brown Bagger” meetings are offered every Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • Alcoholics Anonymous Serenity-Big Book meets at 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 900 W. Oak St. (State Road 70). • “Art for Kids” is at 3 p.m. every Wednesday in the DeSoto County Library’s children’s wing. This free program, sponsored by the DeSoto County Arts and Humanities Council, is for elementary school-aged children.
• Prescription Assistance is at the DeSoto County Health Department Clinic Location: 1031 E. Oak St., Arcadia. Call to make an appointment or for more information, call 491-7580 ext. 256.
THURSDAY
• The All Faiths Food Bank will distribute free food to those in need on the third Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the 7th Day Adventist Church, 2865 SE Ami Drive. • The regular meeting of the Arcadian Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is held at 12:15 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the Arcadia Housing Authority, 7 Booker T Washington Road. Call 494-4343 for details. • DeSoto Cares, a community group dedicated to searching out homelessness needs and solutions, meets on the third Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at the Arcadia Housing Authority Conference Room. For details, call Rev. Ted Hanus at 993-3435. • The DeSoto Amateur Radio Club meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the DeSoto County Emergency Operations Center, 2200 Roan St., Arcadia. Anyone interested may attend. Talk in for the meetings is at 147.180+ DARC repeater. • Family Safety Alliance for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, sponsored by Department of Children and Families, meets at 4 p.m. third Thursdays monthly at Lakewood Ranch Northern Trust Bank’s community room, 6320 Venture Drive, Lakewood Ranch. For information, call Kerri Gibson at 941-316-6129. • Free Tai Chi classes, Moving for Better Balance, for seniors 60+, are held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday and Thursday and will run from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7 at the Arcadia Garden Club. Pre-registration is required; call 866-413-5337 to register. • DeSoto County Historical Society Research Library
is open in the Ingraham Seed House, 120 W. Whidden Street: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays (except for the second Thursday of the month), and second and fourth Saturdays, and by appointment. • The John Morgan Ingraham House museum, 300 N. Monroe Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays, except the second Thursday, and second and fourth Saturdays,. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food9 a.m. to noon every Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak St. • Kiwanis meets at 6 p.m. Thursday at Beef O’Brady’s. •Friendship Center, 219 W. Oak St. for crafts, 9:30-11 a.m. Lunch available with a 48-hr. advance notice; call 494-5965. • The All Faiths Food Bank distributes free food 6-10 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Center for the Needy, 161 S. Orange St. • Relaxation Yoga Class every Thursday, 5 p.m. Sign-in 4:50 p.m. Enjoy an hour of serenity focused on breathing, gentle yoga poses, peaceful stretching and quiet relaxation. Held in the Health Dept. conference room, 34 S. Baldwin Ave. Drop-in $7/class, 8-class package $40 ($5 per class). Bring your own mat. For more information, call Christine at 244-1925. • DeSoto County Library story time is at 3 p.m. at 125 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia. Call 993-4851 for more information. • Faith Mission provides free lunches for anyone in need, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 1109 S.E. 9th St., Arcadia. Donations gratefully accepted. • Alcoholics Anonymous Second Tradition meets at 7 p.m. at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, 327 W. Hickory St. • Prescription Assistance is at the DeSoto County Health Department Clinic Location: 1031 E. Oak St., Arcadia. Call to make an appointment or for more information, call 491-7580 ext. 256.
ARTISTS FROM PAGE 19 John Bayalis of St. Petersburg who won second place in the two-dimensional category with his large, intricate watercolor of palmetto leaves, said, “I am so pleased to be able to enter this show, and winning an award made it even better.” Although the art is now gone, the quilts will remain on display at SFSC through Feb. 29.
Solomon’s creations DAHC continues the art season tonight with a display of the whimsical sculpture of Howard Solomon. If you have been to Solomon’s Castle near Ona, you have an inkling of the kind of amusing and comical creations he concocts. If you haven’t, then you owe it to yourself to see how Solomon turns reclaimed junk into fanciful creatures. The exhibit opens tonight with a reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the
ARCADIAN PHOTOS BY SUSAN E. HOFFMAN
Colton Whisnant, a fourth grade student at Memorial Elementary School, won People’s Choice for his watercolor painting of a snook, for which he won a $25 gift card. Martin Art Gallery, at Martin Realty Co., 207 E. Magnolia Street. The public is invited to meet Solomon and view his unique creations.
Coffee ‘n Canvas, incorporated as part of the Art of the River event, allowed budding painters to explore their creative side as they followed instructions by Jame Hilton to paint a tropical sunset. The Fourth annual event, which celebrates the environment and culture of the Peace River region, was held at South Florida State College.
Gift to the city On Tuesday, DAHC will officially donate a painting, “Historic Majesty,” by Michelle Held to the City of Arcadia.
The painting of the famed Peace River Bridge was created during DAHC’s Plein Air Paintout held last November, and was purchased by DAHC for the city as part of its mission
to bring fine art to the public. The formal presentation will take place at 6 p.m. during the regular City Council meeting at the Margaret Way Building, 23 N. Polk St.
Art students from West and Memorial elementary schools pose with their teachers, Nicole English (back row, left) and Charlotte Bishop (back right). A display of student art was incorporated in the Larry Creel’s “Dragonfly” sculpture, with wings fashioned from the blades of hundreds of dinner Fourth Annual Art of the River exhibit to show what students are learning in art classes. knives, won first place in the three-dimensional category. The sculpture is five feet long.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Need that hard-to-find item? Find it in the Classifieds.
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DESOTO
Dinner out or dinner at home? Dinner out of course.
FROM PAGE 11
Chocolates or flowers? Not just flowers, but a plant.
Arcadia Deputy Mayor Alice Frierson Dinner out or dinner at home? Will be home with a delicious grilled steak, a good wine and Belgium chocolate. Chocolates or flowers? Flowers not necessary — I prefer being with my favorite person! Arcadian Publisher Joe Gallimore Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? The most memorable Valentine’s Day that I have is when my mother was teaching me how to write my name on the cards I was going to give out. I was proud to learn how to write it out, and I remember the special way she helped me. Arcadian Office Manager and Advertising Executive Tami Jewell Favorite place in DeSoto to spend Valentine’s Day? Just spending time with my husband. Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? My best Valentine’s day was when my husband sent me two dozen long-stem red roses and the florist messed up the order and I received four dozen.
The Sun / Thursday, February 11, 2016
Arcadian Sports Writer Steve “Big Daddy” Knapp Dinner out or dinner at home? As far as eating out or eating in, no brainer. Eating out every time so there is no mess to clean up at home and also nobody has to take the time to make the meal. Chocolates or flowers? As far as giving flowers or chocolate? You can’t eat flowers! If I give flowers, there is no reason to be offered one. Now chocolate is a different matter. When somebody gets chocolate they usually offer a piece to the person who gave them, then we both win. Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? My most memorable Valentines day was when I was a single man. I’ll admit it I was a dawg! I liked women and was usually dating more than one lady at a time. There were no commitments so I wasn’t that bad of a guy. The lady at the florist shop was single and her son and my daughter were in the same grade and knew each other from school. She thought it was funny when I sent flowers to some lady and then a week later to a different one. After I sent two arrangements to two different ladies for Valentine’s Day, she remarked, “You know if I put the wrong card with the wrong address you would have a lot of explaining to do.” I asked her why would she do that and she said, “then they’d break up with you and we could go out.” She was beautiful and I always thought she was out of my league. Apparently she had low standards by asking me to go out. Her name was Blanca and we dated for awhile and I don’t remember how it ended. DeSoto County Director of Animal Control Debbie Merkin Favorite place in DeSoto to spend Valentine’s Day? Brownville park or Morgan Park walking in the woods and along the
river taking pictures and having a picnic lunch. Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? Every Valentine’s day when my children were young was always special as I loved all the little crafts, cards and pictures they would make and give me. They are in their 40s and 30s now, and I still have a box in which I have kept every single one of those keepsakes. I would not part with them for anything. Best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? A puppy. Dinner out or dinner at home? Out (side – picnic) Chocolates or flowers? Live plants, especially hanging plants or vines Mosaic Community Rep Heather Nedley Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? Most memorable was when my husband and I were dating. We had a long distance relationship. We flew to Atlanta— met there for the weekend. Ate out at restaurants, roses, candy, presents … he planned the entire weekend and it was memorable. I knew after that trip, I wanted to spend every Valentine’s Day with him and no one else. Arcadia City Administrator Terry Stewart Best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? Before Valentine’s Day one year, my beautiful and very practical and thrifty wife Vivian said that she thought we should not exchange gifts. She opined that we both had everything we needed and that it had become near impossible to figure out new things to give. For her, flowers and a nice dinner out were more than enough. I asked if she was sure and she affirmed that
indeed she was. So the evening before Valentine’s Day I set out her carefully chosen card which included my own personal and loving sentiment, along with a note of where we would enjoy our dinner together. But, as we had agreed, no present. The next morning when I went out to find my card, I also found a very nicely wrapped Valentine’s Day gift with my name on it. Exactly what she had asked for and we had agreed we would not do, she had done. When I challenged her on this, she said that she realized we had made an agreement but she just felt she had to do it, regardless. She also said it was okay that I did not get her a gift, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes and voice. I offered how terrible I felt there was no gift there for her to open and enjoy as well. We shared a tender moment. An hour later, I went into the bedroom closet where I had carefully hidden her nicely wrapped present, brought it out and handed it to her, along with the admonition that although all of my mother’s children may not have been handsome nor beautiful, none of us were stupid. So guys, don’t fall for it! Director of Chamber Programs and Services Jennifer Trace Favorite place in DeSoto to spend Valentine’s Day? On Peace River fishing. Most memorable, best or worst Valentine’s Day? Best, being surprised with a trip to see a Water Circus and dinner, with lots of hugs and kisses. Best Valentine’s Day gift you have received? A handmade necklace with lots of laughter and love put in it! Dinner out or dinner at home? Dinner at Home. Chocolates or flowers? Flowers.