March 2023

“Living in Town Has

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Asolo Rep leAdeRs MichAel donAld

edwARds And lindA diGAbRiele tAke

theiR finAl bow

By Scott Ferguson

DesIGn tRenDs

tRends And pRoducts

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On the COver

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Asolo Rep leaders Michael Donald Edwards and Linda DiGabriele take their final bow.

HOPE MADE WHOLE

In the worst of times, you want the best of care. And you shouldn’t have to travel halfway across the country to get it. At the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, we’re committed to providing world-class care this community needs, right here at home.

For us, that means utilizing the latest technology to diagnose symptoms early and accurately, employing state-of-the-art interventions to provide advanced cancer treatment, and delivering a lifetime of survivorship and follow-up care planning to help our patients live life to the fullest. It means building a radiation oncology center and a dedicated oncology tower—and now breaking ground on a new outpatient cancer pavilion to take you all the way through your journey.

For our patients, that means having access to the expertise they need and the high-touch care they deserve. It means staying close to family when they need it most. And it means always having the most important medicine of all:

Hope

from the • p U b L is H e R

his year has already been quite memorable for me. In an Oath Ceremony in January, I became a US citizen—a major milestone in my life. This dream journey started in 1992 when I was offered US residency. I looked at various opportunities and locations including Oregon, Colorado, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Vermont. My sister, who is now a 30-year Floridian, chose this wonderful state, and I made the good decision to come here as well, but life situations caused me to wait until 2016.

While I was born in Ireland, my family would eventually move to Canada; however, my other relatives were more prominent in the US than in Canada making my attraction to the US quite strong. Throughout my career, I saw distinct differences for opportunities for someone with my background in the US.

What really stood out to me was the self-sufficiency of the American people. The scope of entrepreneurship in this country does not exist anywhere else in the world. It can have significant influences on family prosperity, and it can have a major impact on supporting philanthropic initiatives. Did you know that according to the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index in the last decade America was the world’s most generous country? Not only do we give money, but 72% of Americans help strangers and 42% volunteer. We also grew more generous during the pandemic. Americans’ generosity cuts across religion, location, and age with nearly 60% of Americans giving money last year. We respond to need, and we respond quickly.

My experience living here has shown me just how philanthropic and supportive we are and that the “support your neighbor” culture is indeed alive and well. I was proud along with many others to support several initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. And as a small business owner, I was also fortunate to be the recipient of support. While the government Paycheck Protection Plan assistance had minimal effect on our survival, it was the help of other businesses that stepped up with advertising when things were most difficult that got us through those tough times. Many checked in on me when I had a terrible bout with COVID and continued to offer support.

I want to give a shout out to Homeland Security (DHS) and US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). They kept me informed during the whole citizenship process and when I called with questions, they took the time to answer and guide me to my next steps. On December 10, 2022, the day of my citizenship test, I was scheduled to fly to Canada at 1:30 p.m. to see my grandchildren. My test was at 8:30 a.m. Arriving in an Uber with all my luggage including presents for my grandchildren, I was not very popular with security. Security took everything apart and it took a lot of time, but I must say they took it in stride.

It was getting late and well past my test appointment time, and while they did ask me about my travel timing, I still had to wait my turn. I was

H JOHN KNOWLES, PUBLISHER john@scenesarasota.com

homeowners – discolored, pitted and tarnished exterior door hardware caused by our harsh salt-rich air.

We eventually learn that the tease of “lifetime brass” really means a lifetime of maintenance and repair. There is a practical solution to this common problem – Bronze or Stainless Steel.

TRENDS

Both materials offer excellent salt tolerance and oxidation/corrosion resistance with a minimum of maintenance. A variety of styles and finishes provide a perfect match to existing color schemes including rich patinas of classic bronze, contemporary polished or matte nickel, and black.

many

harsh salt-rich

Beautifully crafted bathroom and

fixtures,

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concerned about getting to the airport on time. Feeling anxious I waited until I was finally called by an officer that was sympathetic to my situation. She said she would be as efficient with the interview as possible. I was nervous and did not want to fail the test all the while thinking of my flight. Priorities, right? Ugh! I had studied for my test which was focused on civics and US history—you can ask any of my friends in Sarasota. I grilled everyone I knew on US history and the make-up of the government. I have to say all were very nice and supportive especially when they steered me to other topics of conversation.

USCIS was addressing the backlog of people eligible to take part in the ceremony and rushed me into the great hall. When one of the agents asked where I was flying that afternoon, I said Canada. I was then ushered out of the great hall and left by myself while three agents had a private discussion. Thinking maybe I had failed my test (you think all kind of thoughts when you are anxious), I waited for someone to tell me the problem. Apparently, I could leave the country, but my paperwork would not have been submitted to allow me to return to the US despite now being a citizen. Their solution was that I could not participate in the Oath Ceremony after passing the test. My official start to being a US citizen had to wait until my return from Canada.

After a wonderful visit with my grandsons Swift and Banks, on my return to Sarasota I received notice that my Oath Ceremony would be held on January 30, 2023. The ceremony in the great hall is everything you would expect from a prestigious occasion. It was my privilege and honor to recite the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America.

The comments many of you have delivered on Facebook and in person have been truly heartwarming and so supportive. Many of you I have seen at events this past month have also acknowledged my major milestone (even those I don’t really know) and offered warm welcomes and congratulations.

I could not imagine living anywhere else in the world. We live in a great country, a great state, and the most wonderful city anyone could ask for. I am truly home.

University Park Country Club

Our exclusive location is minutes from downtown, world-class accomodations, shoppping and dining. Once on the grounds, you’ll feel as though you have been transported to a private enclave. A championship 27 hole golf course is surrounded by breathtaking native Florida landscape, impeccably groomed and designed for exhilarating play whatever your skill level. Enjoy contemporary cuisine in a coastal modern venue with expansive lake views at The Park Grille & Café.

Member perks for non-residents are available now with Annual, Trial and Summer Memberships. Experience the University Park Country Club lifestyle and live. dine. play!

FEBRUARY 12 – JUNE 25

PRESENTING SPONSORS

LEAD SPONSORS

owned and o perated s ince 1957

Vol. 66 No. 3

Publisher/Executive Editor

H John Knowles

Strategic Partnerships

Julie A. Milton

Executive Creative Director

Darcy Kelly–Laviolette

Digital Media & Editorial Content Coordinator

Gina Liga

Distribution

Mike Straffin

Accounting

Sally A. Bailey

Advertising Enquiries

Paul McNamara

Call/Text 917.751.6506 | paul@scenesarasota.com

Sharon Castellano

Call/Text 203.984.7577 | sharon@scenesarasota.com

Community Relations

Alix Redmonde

Contributing Writers

Ryan G. Van Cleave

Christy Pessemier

Simone Knego

Lisa Codianne Fowler

Scott Ferguson

Contributing & Social Photographer

Nancy Guth

Contributing Photographers

Matt Roback

Cliff Roles 1834 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com

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H John Knowles LLC, dba SCENE Magazine publishes 12 issues a year. Address editorial, advertising and circulation correspondence to the above address. Sufficient return postage and self–addressed, stamped envelope must accompany all manuscripts, artwork and photographs submitted if they are to be returned or acknowledged. Publisher assumes no responsibility for care of return of unsolicited materials. Subscription price: $12.95 per year, $19.95 for two years. All contents copyrighted. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

SARASOTA

THE JEAN & ALFRED GOLDSTEIN EXHIBITION SERIES

the L ist

MAR 2023

EVENTS CALENDAR

2

EASTERSEALS ABILITIES SHINING LUNCHEON

Event co-chairs, Johanna Gustafsson, Terri Klauber, and Barbara Najmy invite you to support All Abilities Shining at this annual celebratory event.

Michael’s On East | easterseals-swfl.org

3

TIDEWELL SIGNATURE LUNCHEON

Tidewell’s annual event returns with a salute to our U.S. veterans, featuring nationally recognized speaker, retired Army major and Bronze Star recipient, Dr. Sudip Bose. The Ritz-Carlton | tidewellfoundation.org

4

ASOLO REP GALA

Asolo Rep’s biggest fundraiser of the season honoring Producing Artistic Director, Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director, Linda DiGabriele.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | asolorep.org

7

RINGLING’S WINE + ROSES

Enjoy a moon-lit, rose scented evening in celebration of Mable Ringling’s birthday. This elegant dinner party will feature a lavish multi-course meal with expert wine pairings, a champagne toast, and live music under a full moon. Mable’s Rose Garden | ringling.org

8

TEEN COURT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS DINNER

Nine local teens will share how Teen Court impacted their lives, helped them through a tough time, become a better public speaker, pursue a law degree, help their peers, and make our community a better place.

Michael’s On East | sarasocateencourt.org

8

JFED WOMEN’S DAY

Chaired by Debbie Gordon, Jaime Marco, Courtney Rosenthal, and Irene Ross, this annual luncheon is a celebration of all that makes women wondHERful!  The keynote speaker is Lisa Eisen, Co-President of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.

Art Ovation | jfedsrq.org

12

EIGHT OVER 80 CELEBRATION

This annual event is in honor of our community’s distinguished leaders.

Aviva Senior Living | avivaseniorlife.org

13

RINGLING COLLEGE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION TOWN HALLJOSÉ ANDRÉS

This month’s Town Hall will welcome José Andrés: Chef, Restaurateur, and Humanitarian. José Andrés is an internationallyrecognized culinary innovator, author, educator, humanitarian, and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup.

Van Wezel/SPAC | rclassociation.org

3 GARDEN TO PLATE DINNER

Gather on the Great Lawn of Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus for a casually elegant outdoor garden to plate dining experience. Enjoy fine wines personally selected by Michael Klauber that complement a multicourse dinner designed by Phil Mancini.

Selby Gardens, Great Lawn | selby.org

Connect with Tidewell to build a brighter community by helping those who need it most. Volunteer at Tidewell Hospice. Share a connection with a patient during their most difficult moments. Provide respite to a busy caregiver. Be a source of strength for a grieving child. Donate to ensure all who need the services of Tidewell Hospice receive it. Get involved, and let your light shine through.

Let’s brighten lives together. TidewellFoundation.org

Tidewell Foundation is grateful to our sustaining annual corporate partners for their ongoing sponsorship of the Foundation’s work.

Sustaining Annual

Partners in Excellence

Corporate

Partners Partners in Compassion

16

GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BETTER TOGETHER BLOCK PARTY

Enjoy free activities that celebrate education, arts, health & human services, and the environment. Live performances, music, food and drink for purchase, and fun for all ages. State Street, Sarasota | gulfcoastcf.org

18

RINGLING COLLEGE AVANT GARDE GALA: ROCK THE 70’S

Dust off your groovy 70s threads as the Ringling College campus is transformed into a Boogie Wonderland, back to a time when art didn’t just reflect, but also changed the world. Costumes, cocktails, dinner, dancing, an auction, and more.

RCAD Campus | ringling.edu

21

IMPACT100 SRQ BIG REVEAL

The 5th annual Big Reveal event will announce the total amount of grant dollars available for the 2023 Giving Year. Hear about Impact100 SRQ’s mission, meet grant recipients, connect with members and guests and enjoy light bites and good music.

Nathan Benderson Park Tower | impact100srq.org

”

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM

Closed Monday

papillonstudiosarasota.com

(917) 951-9895

1288 N. Palm Avenue, Sarasota

10 VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION’S INSPIRATION GALA

An intimate experience featuring exceptional dining and internationally-renowned, Grammywinning musician Kenny Loggins. Van Wezel | vanwezel.org

20 SARASOTA OPERA MOONLIGHT + MELODIES DINNER 3

The last in an immersive themed dinner series, this event highlights composers from the opera season and their contemporaries.  Sarasota Opera House | sarasotaopera.org

Fine Art & Jewelry

“Bicycle Tour” Oil on Canvas, by Georgy Kurasov

ARABIAN NIGHTS GYPSY

24

SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION’S WOMEN + MEDICINE

The 10th annual educational luncheon features informative presentations and a lively interactive panel discussion with female behavioral health professionals.

Michael’s On East | smhf.org

24

SECOND CHANCE LAST OPPORTUNITY HEALING + HOPE

An amazing celebration of strong local women.

Michael’s On East| secondchancelastopportunity.org

25

TEAM TONY JACKETS + JEANS FUNDRAISER

The official fundraiser party for the Team Tony Cancer Foundation is a fun, hip, and entertaining evening that includes creative cuisine, live music provided by Yaya Diamond and The Dream Chasers, and phenomenal silent and live auction items.

Michael’s On East| teamtony.org

25

HISTORY DAY IN THE PARK

VeniceTheatre.org

Vendors of all kinds, authors of Florida history, food trucks, live musicians throughout the day, quilts, a children’s circle of activities, re-enactors, a butter churner, the circus, the Plein Air Painters, who will be selling their artwork, wet off the easels, several historical organizations from around the county, and much more.

Phillippi Estate Grounds | historydayinthepark.com

A TRIBUTE TO JOHN DENVER

25

GARDENS IN PARADISE TOUR

A unique opportunity from Sarasota Garden Club to view gardens at select private homes. sarasotagardenclub.org

27

ASOLO REP SEASON CELEBRATION ON STAGE

A dramatic and interactive dinner on Asolo Rep’s Mertz Theatre stage in celebration of the theatre’s entire season. Asolo Rep | asolorep.org

29

CHILD PROTECTION CENTER BLUE TIES + BUTTERFLIES

Celebrating its 10th year, this signature event for CPC raises awareness and support for the organization’s mission to provide transformational healing to abused children. Generous supporters have given a $100,000 match to kick off the evening’s paddle raise.

Michael’s On East | cpcsarasota.org

A Celebration of Life & Hope for Children and Families Living with Epilepsy

5 Annual Interactive Dinner & Auction

5th Annual Interactive Dinner & Auction

Where YOU can be the Chef!

Where YOU can be the Chef!

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00 PM

Michael’s On East

Michael’s On East

Dinner Chair

Dinner Chair

Sandi Chapnick

Sandi Chapnick

Reservations required by April 7, 2023 Contact Andria Bilan at Info@JoshProvides.org

Reservations required by April 7, 2023 Contact Andria Bilan at Info@JoshProvides.org

Media Sponsor: Use QR code to purchase your ticket today!

28 SARASOTA ORCHESTRA MASTERWORKS DINNER

Masterworks 7 Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and Composer Sarah Gibson, recipient of the 2022 Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commission, will share Sarasota Orchestra’s role in performing the world premiere of a new work by a promising female composer and how the legacy of Virginia Toulmin’s love of the arts lives on.

Michael’s On East | sarasotaorchestra.org

u pcoming e vents

APRIL 1

SARASOTA OPERA GALA

Celebrate the end of the season at one of Sarasota’s premier events! The festivities begin with a Grand Reception where the Sarasota Opera community comes together to toast another fabulous season, followed by a Celebration Concert featuring some of your favorite Sarasota Opera artists. Following the concert is a lavish Gala Dinner under the tent on Pineapple Avenue.

Sarasota Opera House | sarasotaopera.org

APRIL 1

CHILDREN FIRST FAIRYTALE BALL

On April Fool’s Day, enjoy a fantastical fairytale experience like no other as you travel Through the Looking Glass. Explore an alternative world of wonders where you will discover the imagination, heart, and courage of our children and families as they journey on the path to self-sufficiency and success.

Michael’s On East | childrenfirst.net

pAR ty pics

CONSERVATION FOUNDATION PALM BALL

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast’s Palm Ball is always one of the premier events in town. Celebrating 15 years, this year’s theme was The Call of the Wild. Guests enjoyed a breathtaking evening under the stars as they stepped into the wild, experienced untamed beauty, and answered the call to support the organization’s mission to protect the land and water in Southwest Florida for the benefit of people and nature.

Jon Thaxton & Sally Schule

Bill & Christine Johnson

Pauline Wamsler & David Sales

Rosemary Eure & Cornelia Matson

Photography by Bill Cooper

Johan Kobborg’s Production of

CIRCUS GALA

Supporters of the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) gathered for the organization’s 25th Annual Gala. Always a fun event, attendees enjoyed circus performances including a Ukrainian duo straps act, and performances by Sailor Circus Academy and Booker Middle School Magnet Program students. Lots of fun activities, a paddle raise, dinner and dancing completed the evening which

Michael & Terri Klauber, Renee Phinney, & Glenn Reith

Lauren & Bernard Walsh

CATHOLIC CHARITIES BALL

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc. hosted its annual Catholic Charities Ball at the Ritz-Carlton for an evening to create hope for others. The event was accompanied by bagpipes played by Kevin Weigand to the tune of “Amazing Grace.” Emcee Ray Collins greeted the crowd of more than 300 and introduced Catholic Charities CEO Eddie Gloria which was followed by a welcome and invocation by Bishop Dewane. Guests were also treated to a performance by Giovanni, the Emmy-winning pianist, and Sandoval, a GrammyNominated violinist. Photos by Rod Millington.

ART TO WALK ON

16 S Palm Ave • 941.951.5454

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BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS

77 S Palm Ave • 941.954.8651

benjaminfedwards.com

Robert Kahne Financial Advisor

CREATURO GALLERY

1270 N Palm Ave • 941.953.6163

creaturogallery.com

DABBERT GALLERY

46 S Palm Ave • 941.955.1315

dabbertgallery.com

THE ORCHID BALL AT SELBY GARDENS

Guests brought the colors of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass to life at Selby Gardens’ 2023 Orchid Ball. The Feb. 11 event at the Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus celebrated its new Tiffanythemed exhibition. Co-chairs Liebe Gamble, Ashley Kozel, and Retta Wagner joined CEO Jennifer Rominiecki in welcoming guests to an evening of dinner, dancing, and support for Selby Gardens’ outreach programs, conservation, world-class research, and beautiful horticulture displays. Photos by Cliff Roles.

1288 N Palm Ave • 917.951.9895

papillonstudiosarasota.com

SALON FORTY-ONE

41 S Palm Ave • 941.906.9468

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PAPILLON STUDIO Best

Nadia Watts, great-great-granddaughter of Louis Comfort Tiffany

Audrey Robbins

Margaret Wise

Liebe Gamble, Retta Wagner, Ashley Kozel & Jennifer Rominiecki

Elisabeth Waters, Ashley Kozel, Roxanne Permesley & Umbreen Khalidi-Majeed

COMPEER LUNCHEON

Compeer Sarasota hosted its 2023 annual brunch fundraiser, Pooling Our Strengths: A Match for Every Friend on Feb. 5 at Michael’s On East. The brunch started with a speech from Compeer Founder Bunny Skirboll, followed by Honoree Faith Goldman, who is a long-time Compeer supporter and mental health advocate. Compeer promotes mental wellness through one-on-one mentoring and friendship.

INSPIRING HOPE DINNER

Sunshine From Darkness held its Inspiring Hope Dinner featuring the original “Dreamgirl”— Jennifer Holiday—volunteer advocate for the National Mental Health Association. The event featured a keynote and performance by Holiday, performances by young artists

of the Lee & Bob Peterson Legacy Award to Bob and Joan Geyer of the Academy at Glengary. The event raised well over $200,000 in support of local mental health programs,

Robert & Diane Roskamp, with Scott Sensenbrenner

Karen Smith & Donna Hanley

Jeremy Shelby & John Shelby

UNCONVENTIONAL

EVENING

SAM’s annual Unconventional Evening featured an immersive and fluid event with cocktails, dinner, artists and performers flowing throughout each of the museum’s spaces. Guests were invited to interact, activate and “be the art.”

SARASOTA ART MUSEUM

Lora Wey & MaryAnn Meyer

Curator Rangsook Yoon with Larry & Pat Thompson

John Knowles & Virginia Shearer

Marcie Klein & John Meyer

the fin D

By Gina Liga

2.

3.

1.

1. CERAMIC WALL FLOWERS

A trio of ceramic flowers with detailed veining, glazed in fresh Caribbean tones. May be hung on wall or used as tabletop accessory. (Sizes: Sm-11x3x11, Med15x3x15, Lg-18x4x18).

Available in a multitude of colors.

Rugs As Art

Set of 3 for $319 | rugsasart.com

2. ACRYLIC BOXES

As stylish and unique as they are functional, these acrylic boxes are the perfect storage place for all the little things! They also look great as an artistic accent to a coffee table or end table.

Dimensions are 4” x 4” x 2.5”

M A R A Art Studio + Gallery

$65 each | marastudiogallery.com

3. WOOD SCULPTURE

Inspired by themes of personal freedom, Balinese artisans hand-carve this intriguing sculpture of suar wood. Two wings open atop a pyramid base, displaying the beautiful natural grain of the wood. Display it anywhere in your home to represent new beginnings.

Elysian Fields

$130 | elysianfieldsgifts.com

4. LED CHANDELIER

This gorgeous chandelier is giving Mid-Century Modern vibes mixed with minimalist chic. Available in brushed nickel and black.

LyteWorks

$599 | lyetworks.com

5. 637 UTRECHT ARMCHAIR

Designed by a Dutch architect in 1935, this model was created in Amsterdam and represents a modern blend of art, functionality and comfort. An elegant show-piece for any living room. Available in 5 colors.

Home Resource

Call for pricing | homeresource.com

Investing Future in the

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

It was six years ago when Sarasota Scene first got to know Drs. Richard Wharton and Lou Bertha McKenzie-Wharton. At that time, they were recognized for helping provide scholarships to the first 100 freshmen from local schools to attend USF Sarasota-Manatee because they “recognized the relationship between education and such factors as socio-economic success.” Their goal as former educators was to invest in students who might one day contribute their talents to the greater good. Mission accomplished and to be continued.

It’s easy to see where they learned about philanthropy. Dr. McKenzie-Wharton’s mother—Mrs. Myrtle A. McKenzie, though she also went by Mrs. Joseph L. McKenzie—participated in 45 Chicago, IL organizations. She became president in over 70% of the organizations she served in and an officer in the rest. Dr. McKenzie-Wharton’s father, Attorney Joseph L. McKenzie, had his own private practice and law firm and died when she was 19. “He served as president of four different clubs,” she explains, “and they asked my mother to take over when

he died. So, she did, along with her other activities. She became such a well-known civic leader that we sometimes got mail with no address—just her name on it.”

Until she was 30, Dr. McKenzie-Wharton lived with her mother and witnessed the whirlwind of civic activity. “I saw her leadership activities. I understood her mission, and what she wanted to do.” Her mother’s influence continued when Dr. McKenzie-Wharton went to Columbia University to get her doctorate in educational administration and she fell in love with Dr. Wharton, who was earning his own doctorate in the same field.

“I told my mother that I’d like to finish my dissertation before getting married,” Dr. McKenzie-Wharton says. “She told me, ‘If you’re so smart, you can get married first and do your dissertation later.’ And that’s what happened.” They got married six months later, honeymooned for six weeks in Europe and Africa, and then came back and completed their dissertations and graduated within a year.

• Drs. Wharton and the Community Foundation

QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET (HE WHO TRANSPLANTED STILL SUSTAINS)

After almost 20 years in Connecticut where they were heavily involved in educational administration and community work, Drs. Wharton built a vacation home in Sarasota in 1991 and built a second home and retired to Lakewood Ranch in 2002. Dr. McKenzie-Wharton soon became involved with the Women’s Council of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County and worked with Goodwill Manasota Ambassadors, along with one of their sons. Philanthropy was a family affair!

Additionally, she served as president, vice president, secretary, and board member for the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center, a board member for the New College Foundation, and a board member of the Library Foundation of Sarasota County, to name just a few of the many things she’s done to invest in the future.

Dr. Wharton did his own part, too, by serving on the Board of Advisors for Lakewood Ranch Community Fund, serving on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Manasota, and becoming a member of USF Sarasota-Manatee Community Leadership Committee, in addition to a host of other community-focused things.

Through these efforts, they both got to know and trust the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Dr. McKenzieWharton says, “We actively started working with them a year ago when we had the dream of celebrating our anniversary in a special way.” With the Community Foundation’s help, The Wharton and McKenzie-Wharton Family Foundation was created to be a vehicle through which they could

participate in community and philanthropic activities on a more unified and consistent manner.

THE GOLD STANDARD

Here’s the best part of their five-decade love story. When they celebrated their 50th anniversary at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on December 17, 2022, in lieu of receiving gifts, they asked attendees to instead make donations to their family foundation. Dr. Wharton adds, “We told them we’d match those gifts, and that contributors would receive a letter from the Community Foundation of

“The Community Foundation staff was not only helpful in keeping track of the donations that we received, but they also answered any and all questions that our potential donors had. They’ve been helping us every step of the way. They’re wonderful partners.”

Creating FUTURES

To learn more, contact our Executive Director, Cassandra Holmes, at 941.752.5390 or HolmesC@SCF.edu

SCF-Foundation.org

Sarasota County acknowledging their donation for tax purposes. We also sent personal thank you notes to them.”

Of their friends and family, 97% of those who attended chose to donate. “The Community Foundation staff was not only helpful in keeping track of the donations that we received, but they also answered any and all questions that our potential donors had,” says Dr. McKenzie-Wharton. “They’ve been helping us every step of the way. They’re wonderful partners.”

In the ballroom at the celebration, Dr. McKenzie-Wharton had 14 bulletin boards that chronicled experiences and events that happened during their 20-year retirement in Florida so people who chose not to dance would have something to look at. “We posted a copy of our original wedding invitation and pictures, and photos of our travels. Another bulletin board was for Richard’s father, The Honorable Clifton R. Wharton, Sr. (39+ year career), who had a U.S. Commemorative Stamp created in his honor. He was the first African American to pass the U.S. Foreign Service Officer’s Exam, and the first African American to become a U.S. Ambassador to a Western European country (Norway). Other bulletin boards provided information about the advisory boards as well as boards and organization groups we’d served on,” she says, “but it also included the Sarasota Scene article you wrote.”

While that’s a pretty amazing coincidence, it’s not hard to see why both Drs. Wharton continue to find ways to invest in the future. Through them and their efforts, Myrtle A. McKenzie is still influencing lives today.

“By listening to her, it’s made me more open to listening to others about how you can make a difference,” admits Dr. McKenzie-Wharton. “She helped in every way. She taught me to ask the right questions. How can we best serve? How can we make society better?”

Dr. Wharton puts it plainly. “We go where our help is needed. That’s it. That’s what we do.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Community Foundation of Sarasota County, please visit www.cfsarasota.org or call 941.955.3000.

“Myrtle A. McKenzie helped in every way. She taught me to ask the right questions. How can we best serve? How can we make society better?”

CURTAIN CALL

ASOLO REP LEADERS LINDA DIGABRIELE & MICHAEL DONALD EDWARDS

TAKE THEIR FINAL BOWS

BY SCOTT FERGUSON

When Asolo Repertory Theatre leaders Michael Donald Edwards and Linda DiGabriele step down from their positions at the end of June, they will leave a legacy that reaches far beyond the stage of the venerable institution. For their contributions to the reputation of Sarasota as a mecca for the arts, and to the strength and resilience of regional theater in a challenging time, they are sure to receive a well-deserved standing ovation.

Edwards, Asolo Rep’s producing artistic director since 2006, and DiGabriele, the theater’s managing director who marks five decades in various roles there, had long ago decided that when the time came, they would exit the stage together.

“Michael and I are just completing five-year contracts,” explains DiGabriele. “It was set up for us either to sign new contracts, which the board graciously offered us, or to make space for the next generation and the next new voices. And it seemed to really make sense, coming out of these five years that had so many different and challenging elements to them. So we kind of looked at each other and said, ‘I think this feels right.’”

In April 2022, the team gave Asolo Rep’s board of directors 15 months’ notice that the 2022-23 season would be their final act.

At first the board was “a little scared,” says Edwards. “But then we explained how this is a real advantage to create a new team, and we’re in the midst of doing it right now. As we look at other theaters, this is the age of transition, a time of generational change. A lot of institutions have not done it our way. And it’s been tumultuous for them.”

Asolo Rep Board President Randell Johnson sings the praises of both retiring leaders. “We knew replacing Michael would be a daunting task because he is such a fixture in the community. He is a great storyteller — whether it be in a personal conversation or one of his directed productions on the stage — and an artist with a big heart. For the last 18 years, Michael has been the face of Asolo Repertory Theatre, but he has also been our voice. When Asolo Rep is mentioned, Michael’s face automatically comes to mind. When I see our productions, I’m hearing the stories that Michael has brought to the Mertz Theatre stage.”

Johnson is equally effusive about DiGabriele. “Replacing an icon like Linda is a true challenge. She is an institution at Asolo Rep. Her 50-year tenure has made her the local go-to historian for staff and board members. In addition to being brilliant at her job, Linda is one of the nicest people I know. We all look to her as our friend. She has nurtured the theater over the years, guided it through lean years and celebrated the good years.”

The Edwards-DiGabriele team tally a combined 68 years at Asolo Rep. They made their entrances from different places and at different times, but they share a profound love of the theater.

Edwards credits education and early exposure to the arts for lighting the creative spark in him. “I come from a working-class Catholic family in the Australian Outback. A brilliant education was provided to me, which I have leveraged and actualized. I would never have been able to do any of this without that. Education gave me everything.”

Edwards’ pre-Asolo career includes staging plays and operas in Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. He served as associate artistic director of Syracuse Stage in New York state and artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz in California. He first came to Asolo Rep to direct Michele Lowe’s dark comedy The Smell of the Kill in the 2004-05

season at the request of Howard Millman, then Asolo Rep’s producing artistic director. “That was 18 years ago. And while I was here, Howard said, ‘I’m stepping down. I think you should throw your hat in the ring.’ And I just thought, why not? So that’s where it began.”

DiGabriele started working at Asolo Rep in 1973, after graduating from Florida State University. “Professors from FSU started Asolo Rep — in particular, a man named Richard Fallon, who was my dean when I was studying theater at Florida State. He was known as the father of professional theater in Florida, and he was the one with the vision about what Asolo Rep could be. At that time, students were coming down in the summer and apprenticing. All of us in Tallahassee knew about Asolo Rep.”

She spent a year acting and directing at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre in downtown Sarasota before landing at Asolo Rep, where she served in various roles, including stage manager and director of touring programs. She was named Asolo Rep’s managing director in 1989.

DiGabriele has seen many changes in her five decades with the organization, including the development of the Robert and Beverly Koski Center, a production and rehearsal complex two miles northeast of the theater, near the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

Thanks to the support of forward-thinking philanthropists and board members; a $21 million capital campaign called Staging Our Future; and years of planning and preparation, Edwards, DiGabriele, longtime production and operations director Vic Meyrich and other members of the Asolo Rep team were able to realize Edwards’ vision of moving from an inadequate, rented scene shop and rehearsal facility to purchasing buildings on Tallevast Road as they became available over the years, then expanding by adding a new building. The result is a sprawling four-building campus with 45,000 square feet of scenery, workshops and production offices, the theater’s vast collection of costumes and props, and large rehearsal halls that simulate the conditions of the Asolo Rep stage — right down to space for an orchestra pit.

In addition to creating sets for the theater, the production team builds scenery for Sarasota Opera, The Sarasota Ballet, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Tampa’s Straz Center, Universal Studios and Broadway, as well as television, film and corporate clients. Building elaborate custom sets, as well as renting out costumes and props it has amassed since Asolo Rep’s founding in 1959 — help

the nonprofit company diversify its revenue streams and add to its national reputation for production excellence.

Edwards says that as the production facilities were gradually developed and expanded, Asolo Rep’s supporters and others in the arts world saw tangible results.

“With the new rehearsal hall and other aspects of the Koski Center, we have exponentially added to the profile we have as a place that can create new work as well as creating work for other organizations. That is a vision that has evolved, starting with needing the capacity to create excellence. We can’t be dependent on a rented facility that does not remotely meet our needs and which we could lose the lease on at any moment. So there was a handful of people who responded to the idea that this was the way to stability.”

DiGabriele echoes the importance of “having people in the community with a vision, with the experience, the background, and the understanding of what was involved financially. Our supporters stepped forward and said, ‘This is an opportunity, and we know how to take advantage of this and we’re going to help you do that.’”

2023 Repertory Season

Along with its successes, Asolo Rep has had its share of plot twists and offstage drama. “The Asolo has gone through some crises over time,” DiGabriele says. “We certainly had the economic challenge that everybody went through in 2008 — that was a significant one. Leadership changes have sometimes provided challenges for the institution and for the community. Covid ranks way up there — trying to make sure we were maintaining our commitments to our staff, our artists, and the community, ensuring that we were a thriving enterprise and that we were still going to make a difference all the way through the pandemic.”

Like other organizations whose primary mission is live theater, Asolo Rep had to cancel or postpone productions and shift to producing online videos and audio podcasts, including educational content and highlights of past productions. But the demand for live performances persisted despite the restrictions of Covid, and Edwards and DiGabriele knew they had to find a way to bring live theater back to audiences.

Edwards argues that watching a recorded performance on a smartphone, computer, or TV by oneself is no substitute for the connection between live actors and audiences. “Studies show that our heartbeats tend to sync up when we have a shared experience in the theater,” he says.

Starting in December 2020, Asolo Rep moved outdoors to present shows on the Terrace Stage, a specially constructed, socially distanced venue built in front of Asolo Rep’s home at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts on U.S. 41 in Sarasota. Shows presented over the next few months included the uplifting musical revue We Need a Little Christmas; a concert version of Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot ; and Cheryl L. West’s story of an American civil rights icon, Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer. Audiences cheered through their masks, thrilled to be watching, listening, and reacting in real time to living, breathing professional performers.

“Michael and I are extremely proud of the Terrace Stage,” DiGabriele says. “And we’re also proud that we were able to support people during that time period.”

Whether it’s working around challenges like Covid or providing opportunities for young people to

experience live performances as Edwards did growing up, Asolo Rep is committed to finding ways for everyone to enjoy the arts.

After a three-year hiatus due to Covid, Asolo Rep is once again bringing students to the theater for matinees. While a swashbuckling production like this season’s The Three Musketeers may not click with every young person, Edwards says, “There’s going to be a cohort that says, ‘I want to do that,’ or ‘I want to see something like that again. This is different from the internet or looking at TV. Oh my God, we’re all laughing at the same thing together.’”

When asked about the legacy he leaves in partnership with DiGabriele, Edwards says, “I think it’s the work itself, as well as building the level of support in the community for it, so that the theater has been able to thrive, which has led to building every aspect of the infrastructure of the theater — by which I mean lighting, sound, all the staging infrastructure, building the exterior infrastructure of the theater, the scene shop, the rehearsal studios, the housing for the artists, and a $25 million endowment. The theater is not the same theater it was 18 years ago.

“WE DID THIS TOGETHER. ASOLO REP WENT FROM BEING WHAT IT WAS TO BEING ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN THEATERS IN THE COUNTRY NOW AND ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE PLACES FOR ARTISTS WHO DO ALL KINDS OF WORK. THEY KNOW WHEN THEY COME HERE, THEY’LL GET TO DO GREAT PLAYS OR MUSICALS AND THEY’LL GET TO DO THEM AS IF THEY WERE NEW.”

Terrace Stage

“We did this together. Asolo Rep went from being what it was to being one of the best-known theaters in the country now and one of the most desirable places for artists who do all kinds of work. They know when they come here, they’ll get to do great plays or musicals and they’ll get to do them as if they were new. They’ll get to reinvent them and rethink about them. We announce a title for an upcoming show and people can’t wait to see what we will do. Rather than thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that before,’ they know they’re going to see it and go, ‘I had no idea.’ We’ve shifted it from revival to reinvention.”

In January 2023, Asolo Rep named Edwards’ successor as producing artistic director. Peter Rothstein is the founding artistic director of Theater Latté Da in Minneapolis. An accomplished director of theater, musical theater, and opera, he directed Asolo Rep’s productions of Ragtime in 2018 and Sweeney Todd in 2019. Rothstein has directed 82 mainstage productions, including 13 world premieres, for Theater Latté Da since its inception in 1998. He also has directed productions at several other venues in Minneapolis, including the Guthrie Theater, the Children’s Theatre Company, the 5th Avenue Theatre and the Minnesota Opera; as well as the Florida Grand Opera

in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale. Before assuming his new role on July 1, he will return to Asolo Rep to direct Man of La Mancha , which runs May 13 through June 11. Rothstein will work with the board and staff to select DiGabriele’s successor, Asolo Rep’s next managing director.

Board President Randell Johnson says, “Peter is a brilliant director and a great storyteller. He is a different personality and a different face for the Sarasota scene; but the stories he tells from the Mertz stage will become his voice in the community. All I can say is...just wait.”

DiGabriele says, “What we would really like for the new people is for them to have the opportunity Michael and I had — to be a genuine team, to be partners and teammates. That partnership made it possible to get through the highs and the lows. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it without Michael.”

“And I feel the same way,” Edwards adds.

For more information about Asolo Repertory Theatre, visit AsoloRep.org.

Peter Rothstein—Asolo Rep’s new Producing Artistic Director

Cocktails, music, gourmet dinner Silent and Live Auction

Dessert buffet under the stars

DESIGN TRENDS

Bold Colors. Statement Furniture & Lighting. Natural Stone. Mixed Metal Finishes. These are just some of the hottest home trends for 2023. Want to learn more? We went to some of our favorite local stores and designers to get their insight into what’s trending.

kitchen & bath

When it comes to the latest trends in kitchen and bath fixtures, Sarasota boasts one of the best and largest (6,000 sq.ft.+) interactive showrooms anywhere—The Plumbing Place (941.378.5678 | theplumbingplace. com)—serving our community since 1986.

Owner John Smithman is always on the cutting edge offering the best kitchen and bath fixtures and accessories as well as architectural hardware from top manufacturers and designers from around the world.

When we asked John what’s trending in the industry, he told us TopZero’s Seamless Edge kitchen sinks made with top grade, non-porous, rust-free brushed satin stainless steel. With many configurations, these seamless and rimless edge sinks are the new alternative to undermount stainless steel sinks, and bring a flawless,

TopZero’s Seamless Edge kitchen sink

vanishing-edge appearance as well as hygiene to solid surface countertops.

Best yet, your outdated undermount sink can be replaced with a TopZero Seamless Edge sink without replacing the countertop, and installation typically takes only one day.

Also trending is Hansgrohe’s SBox—a tidy solution for your pull-out kitchen sink spray. It makes lowering and raising the faucet spray head extremely smooth and easy. We’ve all experienced hoses getting jammed as we try to pull them. This happens because they dangle freely under the sink and often get caught on pipes or other things we keep under the sink. By keeping the hose

contained inside a channel with a “pulley-like” weight, the hose cannot get caught on under sink obstructions plus it expands the hose reach making it easier to water plants or fill tall vases.

For the bath, the Wavecrest vanity collection by Jeffrey Alexander in a cool coastal weathered gray finish creates the perfect “beachy” vibe. With a variety of vanity sizes available, this exceptional quality solid wood vanity creates a light, airy, and upscale look ideal for our Gulf Coast scene. The collection features furniture-style construction, dovetail joinery on the drawers, concealed full-extension drawer slides with soft-close drawers and functional softclose tip-out trays beneath the sink.

Hansgrohe’s SBox

The Wavecrest vanity collection by Jeffrey Alexander

art anchors

There’s no better way to complete a room and make a statement than with a fabulous area rug. They anchor a room and oftentimes are its focal point. When it comes to fabulous area rugs, our town boasts one of the nation’s most prestigious and award-winning showrooms to find exactly what you want—Rugs As Art (941.921.1900 | rugsasart.com).

With 20,000 sq. ft. of showroom space, at this locally owned family business you will find an extensive, eclectic collection of area rugs, carpeting, accent furnishings, art, and accessories with unbeatable prices.

To find out what’s trending, Jesse Murse at Rugs as Art told us it’s a versatile series of modern geometric rugs that combine beauty and functionality. The series includes colors from charcoal grey to pale blue and hues that range from dark to light. In the spirit of minimalist design, the sleek uncluttered patterns focus on clean lines and shapes. These rugs are hand-knotted from 100% wool and are available in a multitude of sizes (2x3, 4x6, 5x7, 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, 10x14).

Lancaster Interior Design (941.365.2342 | lancasterinteriordesign.com) has been partnering with homeowners for the last 45 plus years, offering an abundance of services to create just what you want. At their new showroom at 1851 Hillview St, they added another opportunity for individuals to experience firsthand examples of Lancaster’s attention to detail, which has endeared them to their client families throughout the years.

The experts at Lancaster’s shared with us a couple of recent designs that highlight high quality, beautifully designed examples of ways to update your home.

“This upscale twist on the classic black and white bedroom is one of our favorites. A casual woven rug paired with the traditional black and gold bed and nightstands, creates a moody sophisticated vibe without too much formality. The beauty of this space is layers of textures and fabrics, and the focus on the gorgeous view.”

We live in Florida, so there are few aspects of a home more important than outdoor living. “Sleek modern lines of high gloss white pop off the bright blue background of the Sarasota

Bay. This cantilevered pergola with integrated wood panels creates the feeling of an outdoor room without walls. This simple and classic blue and white color combination is never going out of style.”

Shop local to experience exciting store design and atmosphere, consistently great product quality, products you won’t find anywhere else, and personal touch details. Whether it’s an additional piece, revitalizing your space, renovating, or starting from building inception, Lancaster Interior Design delivers for you.

smart technology

Knowing about Andrew and Andreas Guenther and their company, Advanced ESI (941.554.5000 | Advanced-Esi.net), is like having the secret code to an easier, more beautiful, and smarter life. This highly experienced father/son duo offers the latest technology and ideas to design an easy to operate, state-of-the-art low voltage electronic system in your home.

There’s no better source in town to learn about the latest trends in audio, video, security, lighting, and life safety technologies than Advanced ESI. They have implemented tons of installation solutions for not only homes, but for the most demanding systems in the most complex facilities around.

We asked Andrew and Andreas about some of the latest trends in smart home technology.

“Interactive home security has been with us for some time, and it continues to be in demand,” says Andrew. “With fully integrated systems with cameras that control multiple doors, windows and specific interior areas, homeowners can monitor property via an app or voice commands. Facial recognition is also becoming quite popular. It gives you the opportunity to unlock doors, turn on lights, and monitor security cameras with just a glance. We are seeing more and more clients ask for this technology.”

According to Andreas, advanced technology in automated lighting makes it possible to set up lighting scenes and for lights to automatically switch from task to ambient lighting on a simple voice command. Configuring lighting schedules, dimming lights, and changing lighting color has also never been easier. You can also sync your lights to your alarm clock to wake up for work or get the kids off the school.

When it comes to home entertainment, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based materials are used as furniture upholstery to enable homeowners to create an interactive ambiance by changing colors and textures to suit your mood. You can also add other virtual interactive displays for an entirely immersive experience. If you don’t like the look of your big

screen, with new technology you can cover it in art and put a frame around it.

Not sure what all this looks like or feels like? Well, one visit to Andrew and Andreas at Advanced ESI’s showroom, and you can see for yourself how easy it all is!

hardwood decadence

Miller’s Dutch Haus Furniture (dutchhausfurniture.com) carries a full line of Amish hardwood furniture. Each piece is designed and constructed by skilled craftsmen who take great satisfaction in creating distinctive and superior products. The blend of quality, function, and style means you will receive furniture that provides service and pleasure for generations.

Because Miller’s specializes in made to order furniture, people often customize sizes, styles, or finishes and request unique designs to fit their home spaces.

According to Miller’s, “One common problem people moving into Florida face is adjusting to smaller homes

than they were accustomed to in the north. Plus Floridians tend to host a lot of overnight guests. So one common solution for our customers is a custom designed Murphy bed which helps them create multi-function spaces like this beautiful office/guest room. Our company is thrilled with the opportunity to help our customers transition to the beautiful sunshine state.”

Visit their two Sarasota locations to browse the largest in stock selection of Amish furniture in Florida and experience Miller’s handcrafted quality for yourself.

cool functionality

Who doesn’t love the latest home appliances?

It’s amazing how many cool things they can do for us. For a display of the latest and best, a visit to Mullet’s showroom on Clark Road is the way to go.

Owner Scott Mullet was eager to tell us about SubZero’s 48” French Door Refrigerator that blends functionality, style, and advanced technology. Can a refrigerator be beautiful? We think so! This one certainly is just that. Sleek stainless accents trim the interior, matching the sophistication of the exterior.

“The Split Climate™ intelligent cooling system revolutionizes Sub-Zero’s already superior preservation capabilities, keeping your food fresher for longer,” said Scott. This model is equipped with ClearSight™ LED lighting system that fully illuminates the interior, reducing

shadows. The touch control panel is conveniently located for easy access at the tap of a finger, and Night Mode optimizes the interior lighting based on the detected ambient light, reducing the brightness by 90% in dim environments.

The refrigerator features lift-up dairy compartments that allow you to store taller items on the shelf below, and it delivers fresh, filtered water through an internal dispenser located discreetly within the refrigerator. You can activate Max Ice Mode to temporarily increase ice production, and the base of the expandable freezer basket conveniently slides out of the way, offering customizable storage for taller items below. The refrigerator is Wi-Fi enabled, providing remote access from your mobile device.

The stainless-steel exterior and tubular or pro handles match other Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products, making it a perfect addition to your kitchen. Whether you’re a large family, entertain frequently, or simply appreciate the finer things in life, the SubZero 48” Classic French Door Refrigerator/Freezer is a must-have appliance that meets all your refrigeration and freezing needs.

tranquility

Girka Design Build (941.223.0349 | girkadesignbuild.com) is a full service remodeling company specializing in kitchen, bathroom and laundry room renovations.

According to their experts, what’s trending in bathrooms is a spa-like setting using a white palette with touches of natural wood. Or a vanity with a fun pop of color paired with a complimentary wood tone.

The bathroom vanity is a perfect place to use natural wood tones. Add unique touches that create a peaceful mood with undercabinet lighting or hanging pendants for a true spa feel.

living comfort

Whether its technology, style, luxurious feel, or statement pieces, the next level of living comfort is trending at Leather Gallery of Sarasota (941.993.1057 | leathergallerysarasota.com).

It’s Himolla’s ultimate combination of comfort technology and high-end German engineering in a range of reclining sofas, armchairs, and innovative corner configurations in colors ranging from subtle tradition to vivid pop. Styles that say, “welcome home” or “art gallery chic”.

Himolla is known for its soft-as-silk leather using only the finest materials with quality that lasts for many years to come. Himolla is art meeting the best of comfort technology backed by the highest standards of German engineering. Rest yourself on one of these recliners and prepare to be seduced. By the softest skin. By gentle curves and supple lines. By flexible engineering that shifts its shape to meet your mood.

So, make a statement with one of these reclining beauties. They say volumes about your sense of style. Your determination to fill your life with objects of the highest quality. Your ability to turn your living space into a gallery—an exhibition of design and indulgence.

landscape design

Sarasota Landscaping Inc. (941.893.7767

| sarasotalandscaping.com) works hard to help bring your dream outdoor space into reality. From classic to modern and anything in between, they strive to create landscapes that make your space stand out and exude serenity.

Owner Craig Franca says one common misconception is the amount of space you actually get using retaining walls. “Retaining walls can be beautiful and functional at the same time. Create more useful space with retaining walls and hardscaping.”

Some more traditional (yet classic) options include using lining your patio with beautiful palm trees and hardscaping to make your backyard a tropical paradise. With professional landscape design and installation, you can elevate the look of your home and have a stunning result.

clear serenity

According to the design team at The Shower Shop (941.927.2535 | theshowershopfl.com), which is family-owned and operated, the trend people have been wanting is more serene, spalike bathrooms. Leading the way for this trend is low iron glass, the clearest glass on the market. This glass allows more light through, to achieve no distortion to the colors of tile in the shower area, making your bathroom vivid and calming.

Another huge trend of the season is frameless style doors on tubs. Featuring sleek and thoughtful designs, are the Sienna Folding Door/Screen, or Mercury Sliding Doors. Brushed gold variables and matte black hardware seem to be here for the foreseeable future. These trends and more can be explored locally at The Shower Shop.

handcrafted furniture

American-made solid wood furniture is always in demand. While it reminds us of traditions of our past, it will always belong in our present and in our future.

There’s no better place to find the real deal than our local Amish furniture retailers. One such store is DutchCrafters (dutchcrafters.com | 3709 N Lockwood Rd.), which sources heirloom-quality furniture from the Amish country in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. When we asked what’s trending, our friends at DutchCrafters had some great pieces to share.

The Looking Glass 1869 Dining Table with Reclaimed Barnwood transports you back to America’s past with its inspirational “Looking Glass” dining tabletop. Discover centuries old craftsmanship with this statement piece that exudes warmth and draws family and friends together to relive the heritage of solid wood from American barns. It is beautifully designed and crafted with pride to give these pieces of solid wood a new life.

Barnwood tables not only look beautiful, but they contribute to a sustainable household by reusing wood versus disposing of it. This piece is an example of the “slow” furniture movement, which promotes sustainability. Plus, no two pieces of reclaimed barnwood are alike. Each bring their own story to tell, with different sunspots, markings, and nail holes. To create the perfect look for your space, select one of several finishes to make it uniquely you.

This Amish Modern Shaker Canopy Bed is always trending. Straight from a storybook and into your home, you will love falling to sleep in this beautiful bed after a long day! Handcrafted and American made from solid hardwood with simple, sleek lines, the classic Shaker style is evident in every detail. It is made with the highest attention to precision craftsmanship in wood and design.

The canopy sits above the headboard and footboard which allows endless ways to create a look you love. Style with sheer linens to add texture for a luxurious or airy feel. Keep the décor minimal for a more classic and traditional look. No matter how you choose to style it, this bed’s presence is sure to serve as the centerpiece of your entire bedroom suite.

One thing that can make or break the look of your home is its flooring. We asked the experts at Your Flooring Warehouse (941.241.0879 | yourflooringwarehouse.com) about the current state of the ever-changing trends for the best quality flooring.

“The hottest look in flooring right now is the European white oak visual,” says Peter Beal, manager of Your Flooring Warehouse. “It has the ‘three C’s’ that Floridians are looking for: clean, casual, and coastal. You can always opt for the real thing, like the Shaw Castlewood. Or, if you want a tougher, lower maintenance option, we suggest Coretec Vinyl Plank Flooring. It’s topically waterproof, very scratch resistant, and with the introduction of new embossing technologies it is incredibly realistic looking.”

FABULOUS INTERIORS

— SPECIAL PROMOTION —

THE FAB 5

Our area is blessed with a most talented, creative, and caring home design team. The ultimate professionals in their fields, they are known for their over-the-top fulfillment of your top-quality dream home. This group will literally deliver fine artwork manifested in exceptional one-of-a-kind designs.

Why The Fab 5?

Here’s the bottom line: 1) They really listen. 2) They are perfectionists in their fields. 3) Your new home will be to your exact liking and unlike any other. 4) Forget stress. They are reliable. They make your important life project a delightful journey. 5) Their good humor is as sharp as their industry expertise.

Meet the Kingpins

Noted real estate developer Elizabeth Seymour gathered the crème de la crème to form this outstanding alliance. The group delivers the highest quality luxury homes to the most discerning clients. Affectionately known as The Fab 5, the team Elizabeth created exemplifies the best of the best. That is, if you are seeking the highest quality builders, the unique designs you have in mind, the most reliable team, and people who sincerely care about you.

Elizabeth has always had a fervent passion for interior and architectural design and fashion, influenced by her European background and world travels. Though her role at The Fab 5 is to oversee each project and make executive decisions, she

PHOTOS BY NANCY GUTH

THE PINNACLE OF CUSTOM QUALITY HOME DESIGN

works seamlessly with the rest of the team. A zealous and dedicated advocate of her clients, she clearly runs the show, but her work reflects the culmination of assembling a brilliant consortium of experts.

Robert Sherman is a Global Real Estate Advisor for Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, and the realtor that was part of the genesis of the group. He and Elizabeth worked together selecting and buying properties. They are meticulous about choosing the appropriate location for a particular structure style. With similar sensibilities, Elizabeth and Robert quickly developed a solid relationship.

Mike Bachman joined the team a couple of years ago and quickly became a key player. Mike is the owner of Elegant Custom Homes,

a custom home building and renovation contracting company. Don’t be surprised if you get a hug from him. He is a delight to work with and has a stellar reputation as a builder. An accomplished homebuilding executive in Florida for more than 20 years, his work continuously demonstrates his artistic talents. He may be “as sweet as pie” but is known to buck his friends at The Fab Five to defend a design element that a client envisions. “Iron sharpens iron,” Mike says with a smile.

The ability to work so comfortably together, Mike says, is the level of trust borne from respect for each person’s area of expertise. “Robert finds extraordinary homesites, so we are able to find the best because of him.” he says. “Wayne Visbeen is an extremely talented architect who thinks through every detail and designs the perfect home for our team to build. Each person plays their role, and they play it very well. We all trust each other.”

Wayne Visbeen, AIA, AIBD, is the owner of Visbeen Architects, where he literally works magic. He live-sketches your home—even in perspective—while you speak with him from wherever in the world you might be. “So, you have all these type A personalities weighing in and jamming,

and the fact that I can design “live” is the only way this would be successful,” he explains. “And you must have the ability to interpret all of that quickly and succinctly. And that’s what I do. I work in big meeting groups where people are all talking and I’m drawing and listening at the same time. And I try to pull all that together and put on paper what they’re all trying to describe.”

Wayne has designed more than 2,000 homes, and worked in 49 states and 13 countries. He’s worked for celebrities including Martha Stewart, and “everybody and his or her mother” as he says.

He describes the synergy of The Fab 5 group in a way we can understand. “I think the fun part is you’ve got a realtor that knows the market incredibly well. You have Mike, a man with a keen sense of how to build things well. And then you have Elizabeth who is a very savvy owner-client advocate. She has impeccable taste, great instincts, and people really appreciate her influence and input. They look up to her and value her advice and suggestions. Even if it takes multiple times to make a decision.”

The final pillar of this powerhouse is Richard Saba, one of Sarasota’s most prominent and effective lawyers. With nearly 40 years of experience, his practice areas include real estate, condominium, business law and estate planning. Elizabeth compares him to a referee, keeping everyone in sync and happy.

The Secret Sauce

Sounds like a lovefest, and it may be a part of why

The Fab 5 is so appreciated. “We feel like when we’re together in the room, the number one is making sure it’s a fun experience between the team and the buyer.” Elizabeth says. “Number two, each of us has so much to bring to the table, between talent, connections and just ideas and visions. And when we are all in the same room, that’s when the magic happens. That’s the secret sauce. All of us together.”

Do you have a dream home in mind? It’s time to meet the Fab 5. To start planning, please contact the team with any questions at 941.313.1301 or at robert.sherman@premiersir.com.

PHOTO BY NANCY GUTH

CLIVE DANIEL HOME

Clive Daniel Home, founded in 2011 by father-son duo Clive and Daniel Lubner, is South Florida’s premier destination for luxury home furnishings and custom residential and commercial interior design services. Since its inception, the brand has won more than 400 awards for design excellence. With over 80 designers, and showrooms in Naples, Boca Raton, Sarasota, and coming-soon to Ft. Myers, Clive Daniel delivers a “total home” experience. They offer an unparalleled level of service and inventory, supplying materials, labor and overseeing the construction on all projects.

According to Timothy Schwering, Director of Construction and Design in Sarasota, “Clive Daniel is a design focused and design centered company that has incredible products. That’s really the difference between us and our competition. We can deliver product, almost everything that’s in the store, within 7 to 10 days, which is almost unheard of in the industry.”

Timothy Schwering has an incredibly diverse design background, having worked nationally and internationally on everything from hotel high rises to high-end residential buildings, timeshares, and multiple theme parks. His qualifications differ from most architects and designers, giving him a unique lens on which to draw upon. Not only does Schwering review and oversee all design projects in the Sarasota office, he also facilitates the construction side of the projects, assisting with contract negotiations, contractor selection, and supervision from start-to-finish.

Although the Sarasota showroom of Clive Daniel has only been open for about six months, they are garnering attention by creating unique spaces in both commercial venues and in luxury residential homes. Their ultimate goal is to create a relaxing, welcoming environment for their clients. Schwering states, “Clive Daniel is all about the experience. We’re touching people’s lives, because design is just so personal.”

COLLINS INTERIORS

941.383.0131 | 609.658.5308 • CollinsInteriorDesign.com

Instagram: CollinsInteriors • Bvgardner@CollinsInteriorDesign.com

For sixteen years, Collins Interiors has designed residential luxury interiors in Sarasota, New York, Philadelphia, in North Carolina, New Mexico and as far away as Chile, creating spaces that reflect you, your tastes, preferences, and lifestyle, while respecting timeline and your requested investment.

From the best window treatments, furniture, floor coverings, lighting, custom bedding, artwork and accessories, Collins Interiors work is uniquely personalized based on an extensive list of trademarked questions they call The Design Deck.

“We create innovative solutions by staying on top of the latest products and techniques and attending trade shows and conferences from High Point Furniture Market to the New York Design Center to the Maison & Objet conference in Paris,” said Collins Interiors owner Barbara Gardner.

Gardner and her team are known for their impeccable taste as well as their care and commitment to please their clients. Collins Interiors has won numerous awards

for the interior designs created in concert with their many clients.

For the design shown in these photos, Barbara and her team worked with an active couple who moved from New Jersey into a beautiful spacious home on Longboat Key with bay and golf course views. The major renovation of the great room focused on removing tired red tile flooring and replacing it with lovely wood flooring in beachy tones. The homeowners love bright blues, corals, and greens with pops of darker colors that all work well in this airy home that works well for both daily life and entertaining.

The elegant dining room reflects their desire to host dinners for 8 people on a large square table. Collins Interiors designed a custom table with contrasting hammered brass accents and a textured wood top, coordinating beautifully with the stunning glass and brass chandelier by Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture. The iconic ribbon back dining chairs with Schumacher paintbrush seat fabric work well with the stunning artwork in the soft blues and creams used throughout the home.

ANNE FOLSOM SMITH

To listen, understand, and translate the personal tastes and wishes of their clients is both the start and the conclusion of the work by Anne Folsom Smith Interior Design, but never the end of the relationship.

Liaising with architects and landscape designers has brought this in-demand design company in touch with innovation in classic and contemporary trends that they delight in introducing to each client. Working with the environment and fusing individual taste with the work of talented artists, sculptors, muralists and artisans of ceramics and custom furniture, has become more than a joy—it is a passion for every member of the team.

Comfort level is always evident to anyone who enters an interior in which Anne and her design group have created. This beautiful home on the Gulf of Mexico was

designed to provide beauty as well as comfort. From the custom designed waterfall coffee table and quartz floors to the warm inviting fireplace, each item in this room was designed and built to meet the client’s vision of family and entertaining.

Anne’s philosophy is that environments should always convey a sense of understated elegance and comfort. Her main thrust is to enable people to express beauty and serenity in their surroundings. Mission accomplished in this beautiful interior.

Very simply, the process at Anne Folsom Smith Interior Design allows your concepts to become a reality with an experienced staff that are very attentive to detail and work to make your vision a reality.

the ci R cus of life

p ed R o Reis A nd d olly jA cobs of the ci R cus AR ts conse R vA to R y

by ch R isty pesse M ie R

Since the late 1920s, when John Ringling chose Sarasota as the winter headquarters for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sarasota has been famous as a circus town. It’s a big part of the reason the rest of the country has been so fascinated with our unique town since the first “Big Top” wowed audiences.

Though it’s changed a lot since its early days, we are thrilled that the circus still thrives in Sarasota, thanks to legendary circus performers Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs. This dynamic pair are deeply committed to keeping it alive and thriving, and demand has been greater than ever.

“The circus, like everything in life, has evolved,” Reis said. “It was considered a traditional type of entertainment and handed down from generation to generation. Now, the circus arts have become very popular worldwide. There are hundreds and hundreds of circus schools around the world now. I started from a circus school in South Africa, so I am a prodigy of that.”

According to Reis, when he first came to the United States in the 1980s, there were three or four circus schools. Today, there are circus schools in every single state.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “The main change is that the circus arts being taught are more contemporary now, though they’re mingled with more traditional styles.”

As founders of The Circus Arts Conservatory, Reis and Jacobs, a married couple, have known and experienced the circus in a very personal and meaningful way. Reis got his start on the flying trapeze as a teen, and Jacobs was born into it. Her father was the famous and beloved circus clown, Lou Jacobs. The two share a story that sounds more like a movie than real life.

Raised in South Africa, Reis’s parents moved to a suburb in Cape Town when he was twelve years old. The day after he moved in, he realized the YMCA across the street had a flying trapeze program that included a trampoline; and teens were training there to become professional trapeze artists. At just twelve years old, this was a thrilling idea to Reis.

“I got into lots and lots of trouble sneaking in through the fence at night, jumping on the trampoline, and playing in the net,” he said. “One day, I asked if I could go up, and they let me.”

That moment changed his life forever.

“I was hooked,” he said. “Later on, I realized that this could become a career. I just focused and dedicated all my time training as much as I could.”

Jacobs was accustomed to being surrounded by the circus. She enjoyed having a father who was a world-famous clown. It made her popular among kids her age, but she didn’t get to spend much time with him as a young child.

“He was gone most of the year, traveling with Ringling,” she said. “I sat by the window waiting for him to come home.”

Before meeting her father, her mother had been a top Conover model in New York. Jacob’s gift of her mother’s beauty and grace, combined with her father’s expertise for entertaining crowds meant it was only natural that she fit right in as a circus artist.

Jacobs joined Ringling Bros. at a young age as a showgirl and finished her studies with home school.

“It was wonderful to be in a dressing room with women from all over the world,” she said. “I speak fluent Bulgarian, Spanish, a little German, and Polish. It was an incredible education for me growing up. It was priceless.”

Jacobs eventually became a world-renowned aerialist with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She traveled the world performing the “Roman Rings” and touring with The Big Apple Circus. Her unrivaled elegance, grace, and death-defying performances in the Big Top earned

her a reputation as “Queen of the Air” along with many distinguished awards, including Dame du Cirque (Lady of the Circus), and the Silver Clown award at the International Circus of Monte Carlo.

While Jacobs was making her name as an aerialist worldwide, Reis was discovered by the owners of the Ringling Bros while performing in an act called “The Survivors” in Switzerland in 1983.

“They heard about this crazy South African that was doing these dangerous feats—aerial acts without any safety devices,” Reis said.

The owners invited him to come to Sarasota to join Ringling Bros., something Reis said was a “dream come true.”

“At that time, everybody wanted to perform with Ringling, the Greatest Show on Earth. There were only two acts doing this type of feat, and both involved fatalities,” he said.

Reis stunned audiences by bringing back “The Survivors” act in 1984. The last time it had been performed in the United States was in 1952, the same year Cecil B. DeMille’s Oscar winning movie, The Greatest Show on Earth premiered in theaters.

When he came to Sarasota, it was only natural that he would cross paths with Jacobs. But with traveling around the world and rigorous schedules, it would be years before the two realized there was a romantic spark.

In 1990, two days after Reis proposed to Jacobs, while he performed a cloud swing act, a rigging failure caused him to crash into the ground from 30 feet in the air, breaking both his ankles. Normally, Reis was able to secure the rigging himself, but he couldn’t at that time because of the order of the show before him. Jacobs was in the audience and watched in terror.

Though it was a long recuperation and involved 18 screws and two plates in one of his ankles, Reis made a point to go back and accomplish the daring act one more time, giving him the closure he needed. He did a short tour and finished his aerial career performing in the circus.

Jacobs, now retired from performing, continues to teach the aerial arts to emerging circus performers. Both Reis and Jacobs are now intensely involved with the success of The Circus Arts Conservatory.

No matter how talented, it would be hard to beat the combined feats the two have accomplished. Still, looking

“ t he ide A is th A t you’ R e MA ste R in G wh A t you do, A nd you’ R e doin G it to the point whe R e people enjoy

wA tchin G you.

y ou’ R e t A kin G the M on A

back on their careers, Reis doesn’t think of what they’ve done as “daredevil.”

“We weren’t stunt people,” he said. “Yes, we did some things that were thrilling and dangerous, and we got the oohs and ahhs, but I don’t think it was what you would call daredevil.”

Dolly agrees. “We are artists.”

“The idea is that you’re mastering what you do, and you’re doing it to the point where people enjoy watching you,” she said. “You’re taking them on a ride with you, as you’re flying through the air.”

Despite their non-daredevil beliefs, both Reis and Jacobs were famous for not using safety nets or safety belts, often performing over concrete.

To set up Jacobs’ rigging for performances, Reis would sometimes climb 100 feet in the air to secure it. In one engagement, Jacobs performed on the Roman rings, suspended from a helicopter flying 200 ft. above a lake, with 50 mile per hour winds and no safety gear.

“Knowing you did that, there’s a feeling of accomplishment that you can’t buy, and you can’t teach.” Jacobs said.

“That’s part of the enjoyment. That feeling that you’re doing something that you know there’s going to be very few repeats of, and it’s done without nets or safety devices.” Reis added.

In “The Survivors” act, Reis would jump from 40 feet in the air, catch another performer hand-to-hand, swing and do a full somersault, connect again hand-to-hand, and complete a full pirouette over concrete.

“It needs to look effortless,” Reis said. “To make the unbelievable believable or the impossible possible… that’s part of the journey.”

Today, the couple looks back on their journey, proud of what they’ve accomplished—continuing Sarasota’s rich circus history and passing it along, serving the community, and contributing to the circus being recognized as an art form. With The Circus Arts Conservatory, their passion is to pass on their legacy, and to keep the tradition of the circus alive for generations.

This dynamic duo has received numerous awards and accolades with Jacobs being the first circus artist ever to be honored with the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. A highly notable accomplishment, this achievement is recorded in the Library of Congress in Washington DC. Reis has performed in front of royalty and received the prestigious Sarasota County Arts Council’s Arts Leadership Award.

Both Reis and Jacobs have been inducted into the Circus Hall of Fame at the John and Mable Ringling Museum. They are also both recognized and honored with a plaque in the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle.

As far as their work with The Circus Arts Conservatory, Jacobs and Reis couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“We’ve both dedicated our lives to the circus,” Jacobs said. “It’s so heartwarming to hear the generations that went before us share their memories of the circus, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s about making memories for children of all ages.”

To learn more, visit circusarts.org. You can also purchase Reis and Jacobs’ new book about their amazing journey called The Circus Arts Conservatory: The First TwentyFive Years through a link on the bottom right of the home page. Profits from sales of the book support the mission of The Circus Arts Conservatory.

e DU c Ation matters

Head Start. Sullivan immediately enrolled her oldest daughter in the local Head Start program.

CHILDREN

FIRST: STRENGTHENING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES

By Simone Knego

Children First was founded in 1961 as the Sarasota Day Nursery. Its mission was to prepare children from low-income families for kindergarten. Its work changed lives and built a strong foundation for families. The organization became Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start in 1994 and Early Head Start in 1998, and in 2000, the organization’s name changed to Children First.

Kathleen Sullivan, VP of Programs for Children First, heard about the Head Start program for the first time while she was pushing her three-year-old daughter on a swing at the family student housing playground at UC Santa Barbara, where her husband was a graduate student. Sullivan and her husband lived in family student housing, had student loans, and their income was $5,000, well below the Federal Poverty Level at the time.

She told another mom at the playground she wished she could afford to put her child in preschool. That friend told Sullivan about

“From a personal standpoint, the Head Start program changed my life,” shared Sullivan. “The comprehensive services, including the mental health support and social work, were the pivotal pieces for us as a family that enabled Lance and me to be the best parents we could be.”

Early care, early education, and family strengthening are the three major pillars of the work at Children First. “We recognize that children thrive within the context of their family,” says Sullivan. “This philosophical approach to early care and education has led to the expansion of our comprehensive services. We address the needs and aspirations of families as a whole.” This maximizes each family’s capacity to support their child in reaching their fullest potential.

Sullivan says Children First is a learning and growing institution that has adopted this philosophy knowing that “each of us can and

should continue to learn and grow even as we conduct our work in our chosen field.”

Children First participates in the Teach Early Childhood Scholarship Program, which is a partnership with the Children’s Forum. It allows their educational staff to continue their education from the most basic early care and education certification to a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. There are minimal costs for degrees that are earned, and most graduates from the Teach program will have no debt when they complete their degrees. As the agency participant in this scholarship program, Children First pays a portion of the employee’s fees and offers paid study time to ensure candidate success.

The Early Head Start program serves expectant families and infants and toddlers from birth to three years old. This program promotes healthy prenatal outcomes and enhances the development of infants and toddlers.

“Our best-case scenario is when we can enroll an expectant family,” Sullivan said. “We ensure that they have access to the services they need for a healthy pregnancy and for a safe and stable home into which the child will be born. After the child is born, we conduct a two-week newborn visit. And at

“We recognize that children thrive within the context of their family. This philosophical approach to early care and education has led to the expansion of our comprehensive services. We address the needs and aspirations of families as a whole.”

Helping Children Diagnosed With Epilepsy

six weeks, we welcome the child into our center. So for us, education and innovation are really at the forefront of everything that we do and all of the services we offer.”

The Head Start program, which focuses on school readiness, serves children from three to five years old. This program helps children learn the cognitive, social, and emotional skills they need for success in kindergarten and beyond. The preschool curriculum emphasizes intentional play-based learning and promotes independent decisionmaking, cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving in young children.

Early Head Start and Head Start services are for families who live at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Inclusion is a priority for Children First. Children who are homeless or in foster care are automatically eligible for our program, while those with diagnosed disabilities may be eligible regardless of economic status.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can strike ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. In fact, 1 in 26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime. The stigma and social isolation; the uncertainty of when the next seizure might occur; and the fear of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) are the frightening realities for many families in our community. JoshProvides pulls back the curtain on epilepsy, through community awareness, education, offering a monthly Epilepsy Support Group, and providing seizure detection & alert devices, transportation assistance and assistance with medical services. Our families are NOT defined by their disorder… they are warriors who will overcome these obstacles thanks to your support!

Mission: To improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

(800) 706-2740 | JoshProvides.org

After graduation from Children First, students and families may be eligible for continued support through Children First’s RISE program. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are enrolled in the RISE program at Emma E. Booker Elementary School receive weekly, one-on-one literacy support with a volunteer mentor during the school day. Families also receive advocacy services to support continued family well-being.

Family strengthening is one of the critical features of the program at Children First. Early intervention with young children absolutely paves the way for their trajectory in their later educational life and in their current happiness.

Children First provides Family Advocates, many of whom are trained social workers who strengthen the capacity of parents to navigate resources in our community. Knowing that stable families create stable homes in which children thrive, the Family Advocates partner with parents to develop goals and then work on them over time. Parents

determine their own goals and the objectives by which they will be measured.

Maria Somera is an excellent example of one of Children First’s many success stories. When Maria’s first child, David, was diagnosed with a hearing delay, she and her husband, Jorge, were directed to Children First. Soon, with proper healthcare screenings and guidance from the agency’s comprehensive services staff, David received the support he needed to thrive.

David and his sister, Anna, were both able to receive a high-quality education and gain access to an array of support services to help them grow. This allowed Maria and Jorge to focus on their careers and continue their own education. Maria enrolled in classes with the agency’s Families First Institute, learning about career readiness, financial management, positive parenting, and more. Maria was also elected by her fellow parents as Chair of Children First’s Policy Council, helping to lead the agency in making family-based decisions.

During the 2022-23 school year, Maria was named the Florida Head Start Association Parent of the Year for her impact in elevating excellence in Florida’s Head Start Community, representing nearly 43,000 children, 40,000 families, and 11,000 staff members across 134 programs.

“Children First has made a great impact on my life and the lives of my family,” says Maria. “My time with the program has helped me to discover that behind great nonprofit institutions are wonderful, loving people who are deeply committed to the power of community.”

Children First partners with families to help them reach their fullest potential. That’s its aim; that’s its mission. When a family is thriving, the community as a whole is positively impacted because they are now contributing to the well-being of our local environment. Children First operates at 15 sites throughout Sarasota County and impacts the lives of nearly 2,000 children and families annually.

Children First is always in need of volunteers to support their mission and services. There are many opportunities to help, including cuddling babies and reading to the children in the various classrooms.

please contact volunteer@childrenfirst.net or visit www.childrenfirst.net/volunteer.

Nicci Kobritz, President

se A ts

BMARCH 2023 | PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR

artist series concerts

941.306.1200/artistseriesconcerts.org

Daniel Soloway, Clarinet and Milana Strezeva, Piano

Mar. 5-6

Michelle Cann, Piano

Mar. 7

Music Under the Stars

Mar. 16

asolo rep

941.351.8000/asolorep.org

Chicken + Biscuits

Through Apr. 13

Silent Sky

Through Mar. 5

Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers

Through Mar. 26

Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Mar. 15-Apr. 22

circus arts conservatory

941.556.5349/circusarts.org

Circus Sarasota

Through Mar. 5

Cirque de Voix

Mar. 10-12

Sarasota Jazz Festival

Mar. 13-18

florida studio theatre

941.366.9000/ floridastudiotheatre.org

WINTER MAINSTAGE: Network

Through Mar. 19

WINTER CABARET:

A Place in the Sun:

A Tribute to Stevie Wonder

Through Mar. 26

hermitage artist retreat hermitageartistretreat.org

Comedy + Community with Madeline George Mar. 10

Sofía Rocha: Making Musical Waves

Mar. 16

Hermitage Turns 20: Andy Sandberg + Broadway Friends in Concert Mar. 20

key chorale

941.921.4845/keychorale.org

A Sea Symphony Masterwork by Vaughn Williams

Mar. 6-Apr. 2

Circus of the Voices

Mar. 10-12

lemon bay playhouse

941.475.6756/lemonbayplayhouse.com

Dinner at the Flemmings

Mar. 8-Apr. 2

manatee performing arts center

941.749.1111/ manateeperformingartscenter.com Company

Mar. 2-12

Sinatra! The Musical

Mar. 18

mccurdy’s comedy theatre

941.925.3869/mccurdyscomedy.com

Josh Sneed

Mar. 1-4

John Carfi

Mar. 5

Darryl Lenox

Mar. 8-12

Dale Jones

Mar. 15-19

Humor Institute Class Performance

Mar. 22

Al Earnst

Mar. 23-25

Drag Queen Bingo

Mar. 26

Open Bar Comedy

Mar. 28

Dean Napolitano

Mar. 29-31

the players center for performing arts

941.365.2494/theplayers.org

Godspell

Mar. 9-19

the sarasota ballet

941.359.0099/sarasotaballet.org

Program 6: La Sylphide

Mar. 24-25

sarasota concert association

941.225.6500/scasarasota.org

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti, Music Director

Mar. 1

English Chamber Orchestra, José Serebrier, Conductor

Mar. 12

sarasota contemporary dance sarasotacontemporarydance.org

In-Studio Series:

Ann Morrison and Blake Walton

Mar. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18

In-Studio Series: Tania Vergara Perez

Mar. 24-25

sarasota jewish theater sarasotajewishtheater.org

Family Secrets

March 22-27

sarasota opera

941.328.1300/ sarasotaopera.org

Ernani

Mar. 11-26

Thérèse

Mar. 17-25

Madama Butterfly Through Mar. 24, Don Giovanni Through Mar. 25

sarasota orchestra

941.953.4253/ sarasotaorchestra.org

Gershwin, Berlin and Friends

Mar. 2-4

Yo-Yo Ma

Mar. 2

American Vibes

Mar. 8-12

urbanite theatre

941.321.1397/urbanitetheatre.org

Backwards Forwards Back

Mar. 24-Apr. 23

van wezel performing arts center

941.953.3368/vanwezel.org

Neil Bergs 113 Years of Broadway

Mar. 6

Pilobolus

Mar. 7

Mar. 8

The Mikado

Mar. 9

Kenny Loggins

Mar. 10

On Your Feet

Mar. 14-15

Ireland with Michael

Mar. 16

Gordon Lightfoot

Mar. 21

Michael Bolton

Mar. 26

Jay Leno

Mar. 28

Paul Anka

Mar. 29

venice performing arts center

941.218.3779/

veniceperformingartscenter.com

The Texas Tenors

Mar. 4

The Rocket Man Show

Mar. 5

Shen Yun

Mar. 11

The Venice Symphony: A Celtic Celebration

Mar. 17-18

The Temptations and The Four Tops

venice theatre

941.488.1115/ venicetheatre.org

The Texas Tenors

Mar. 4

The Rocket Man Show

Mar. 5

Shen Yun

Mar. 11

The Venice Symphony: A Celtic Celebration

Mar. 17-18

westcoast black theatre troupe

941.366.1505/ westcoastblacktheatre.org

Dreamgirls

Through Apr. 9

VISIT SCENESARASOTA.COM

to submit your event for consideration, please send information to gina@scenesarasota.com

Portugese & Italian Cuisine

art avenue

440.227.4592 / artavenueflorida.com

International Art:

Dali, Picasso, Turovsky

Current

Local Artists: Vicki Chelf, Richard Moravits, Elin Li

Current

art center sarasota

941.365.2032 / artsarasota.org

Luca Molnar: Same Source

Eugene Ofori Agyei: Both Ways

Marlon Tobias: To Come Together, To Get Together

Annual Juried Members Show

Through Mar. 11

Jeanne Guertin-Potoff:

Adjusting Focus

Mar. 23-Apr. 29

Juried Exhibition: Large Scale

Mar. 23-Apr. 2

art uptown

941.955.5409 / artuptown.com

Maro Lorimer: Peace Time Through Mar. 31

chasen galleries

941.260.5787 / chasengalleries.com

Colorful Inspirations

Mar. 16

clyde butcher

venice gallery and studio

941.486.0811 / clydebutcher.com

Venice Art Walk

Mar. 2

Meet Clyde & Niki Butcher

Mar. 11

dabbert gallery

941.955.1315 / dabbertgallery.com

Inspired to Imagine Through Mar. 31

embracing our differences

941.404.5710 / embracingourdifferences.org

Exhibit at Bayfront Park

Through Mar. 12

harmony gallery @ sarasota orchestra

941.487.2746 / sarasotaorchestra.org

Student Exhibition: Booker VPA

Through Apr. 3

island gallery west

941.778.6648 / islandgallerywest.artspan.com

Terri Westbrook: Serene Scapes

Through Mar. 30

marie selby botanical gardens

941.366.5731 / selby.org

Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature

Through Jun. 25

ringling museum

941.359.5700 / ringling.org

The Marvelous Marbling of Matsui Kōsei

Through Apr. 23

Reclaiming Home:

Contemporary Seminole Art

Mar. 18-Sep. 4

Gods & Lovers:

Paintings & Sculptures from India

Through May 28

June Clark: Harlem Quilt

Through Mar. 26

Art Uptown State of the Arts Gallery

Harmony Gallery

Island Gallery West—Terri Westbrook

SPAACES

Art Center Sarasota

MARCH 2023 | VISUAL ARTS CALENDAR

sarasota art museum sarasotaartmuseum.org

Richard Benson: The World is Smarter Than You Are Through May 7

Sara Berman’s Closet

Through May 7

A Beautiful Mess: Weavers & Knotters of the Vanguard Through Jun. 25

studio on 5th

941.330.8091 / susancronkart.com

Susan Cronk Original Art: Pure, Figurative & Still Life

Current

the southern atelier

941.753.7755 / southernatelier.org

See Website for Classes & Studios

SPAACES

941.374.3492 / spaaces.artMetaphors: Finding the Poetic in the Mundane

Feb. 1-14

stakenborg/greenberg fine art

941.487.8001 / stakenborgfineart.com

“Go Figure” Figurative Art

Current

Newly Acquired Monotypes by Mid-Twentieth Century German Expressionist, Otto Neumann Current

state of the arts gallery

941.955.2787 / sarasotafineart.com

SABI

NATURREL

gallery

941.388.5331 / wylandgalleriesofthefloridakeys.com

Michael Dewulf

Mar. 3-5

David Wight

Mar. 10-12

TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT/EXHIBITION FOR CONSIDERATION , please send information to editor@scenesarasota.com

The Ringling Meg Krakowiak

Dabbert Gallery

meet the artist Karen a rang O

Karen Arango is a Sarasota-based visual journalist commissioned by several local and national magazines and organizations. These include the following: The San Francisco Chronicle, Your Observer, The Community Foundation of Sarasota, Manatee Community Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, United Way Suncoast, Goodwill Manasota, Ringling College of Art and Design, and others. Her work focuses on collaborating with local non-profits to create visual stories that promote awareness of the community’s social needs.

Karen earned a Digital Journalism Master’s degree from the University of South Florida, a Photography and Imaging Bachelor’s degree from Ringling College of Art and Design, and a photography certificate from the International Center of Photography. Karen is mainly interested in adopting her visual skills to positively impact her community and beyond. Karen has exhibited her photography work internationally; her video “Faces of Goodwill” won a silver Telly Award, and local film festivals have featured her film, “Families Together”.

Karen’s upcoming show at Sarasota Art Center is an exploration of personal stories of local Hispanic individuals and their journey battling with Mental Health and Mental Health Care. Mental Health is highly stigmatized within the Hispanic community due to immigration, religion, and personal relationships. These photographs shed light on the struggles endured, and open up conversations about Mental Health and Mental Health Care, both within and outside of the Hispanic community. It is important to have these conversations, to better understand the Hispanic culture and their needs as part of this society.

m O h S m IC r O gra P h IC

By Joseph F. Greco, M.D.

W hat IS m O h S m IC r O gra P h IC S urgery ?

Earning the name from its pioneer, Dr. Frederic Mohs, the Mohs micrographic surgery procedure involves surgically removing skin cancer that we can clinically see in precise, thin layers and then microscopically examining it to make sure there’s no residual tumor remaining. That process repeats itself until the skin cancer is totally removed. One hundred percent of the peripheral and deep margins are examined leaving the smallest possible defect, and subsequent smallest possible scar. Considered to be the gold standard for treating skin cancer, Mohs micrographic surgery is hailed for its ability to spare as much healthy tissue as possible and may yield success rates up to 99%, the highest potential for most skin cancers.

W h O IS a C and I date f O r m O h S S urgery ?

Candidates for Mohs surgery include individuals with biopsy proven skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, in cosmetically sensitive areas such as the scalp, face, neck, hands and feet; skin cancers that are large or have histologically aggressive features seen under the microscope among other indications.

the I m PO rtan C e O f fe LLOWS h IP tra I n I ng

Why does this matter? A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon must undergo a highly competitive application, review, and selection process to be chosen for training. Training includes a 1-to-2year period of extensive and intensive hands-on direction and education from highly qualified surgeons who are themselves skilled practitioners of the Mohs procedure. During this period the fellow will be exposed to rare tumor pathology, difficult tumor locations, and highly complex wound reconstruction to build a unique and comprehensive surgical skillset.

the P r OC edure

A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon will function in all phases of the Mohs surgery procedure and serve as the oncologic

S urgery

surgeon, dermatopathologist, and reconstructive surgeon on the same day.

The area to be treated will be cleansed and local anesthesia will be administered. The visible tumor will be precisely removed along with a thin layer of surrounding tissue. This tissue will be taken immediately to the Mohs lab, processed, and placed onto slides so that it can be assessed by the surgeon under a microscope.

If evidence of cancer is seen, it will be precisely noted and matched to the exact location on the skin and another layer of tissue will be removed in the same manner. Layer after layer of tissue may be examined until no more cancer is detected within the tissue. This process ensures that only cancerous tissue is removed, which preserves as much healthy tissue as possible.

During the period while the tissue is being processed, the patient waits comfortably and privately in the exam room, with the ability to watch TV, listen to music, read, or quietly relax.

W hat IS d O ne O n C e the C an C er IS rem Oved ?

Once the skin cancer is completely removed, your Mohs surgeon will immediately discuss the next steps to address the surgical wound with you. Small, superficial wounds may be allowed to heal on their own while some may be closed in a simple sideto-side manner. More challenging defects may require a skin graft or skin flap to preserve functional capabilities and maximize the aesthetic outcome. Reconstruction and closure are most often performed immediately after the skin cancer is clear.”

Joseph F. Greco, M.D., medical director of Greco Dermatology (grecodermatology.com), is a double-board certified dermatologist and fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. During his 15-year period at UCLA, Dr. Greco performed over 20,000 surgical procedures and participated in the training of 14 Mohs micrographic surgery fellows.

l I terary s cene

By Ryan G. Van Cleave • THREE BOOKS FOR TWEENS AND TEENS

the en C hanted LI fe O f va L ent I na me JÍ a

by Alexandra Alessandri (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, February 2023)

If you pitch me a middle grade fantasy that’s “Encanto meets The Chronicles of Narnia by way of Colombian folklore,” I’m in, and that’s why I jumped at a shot to read The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía. The story’s main character is twelve-year-old Valentina who simply wants to get into art school one day. Her father, however, is always on the hunt to prove the existence of magical creatures. When he learns about the possible sighting of a patasola—a one-legged vampire woman—deep in the Andes, off he goes, and he takes along Valentina and her younger brother Julián. They’re absolutely unthrilled to be part of this quest.

Things get wild when an earthquake swallows their father, and also opens up a pathway to a Colombia-not-Colombia that’s teaming with magic and is untouched by drought and other natural disasters. In this strange place, the two siblings must find a way to get along and work with distrustful creatures of the realm to rescue their father and get back home. The real challenge is that in this realm, humans are the intruders, so no one’s that eager to help out.

Valentina’s a plucky character well worth following, and the author’s handling of family and myth is skillful. In short, it’s a fast-paced adventure that could be enjoyed by people far beyond the intended middle grade audience. The ending, too, is a crowdpleaser that I’ll say nothing more about—discover it on your own!

RYAN’S RATING:

n Ot an ea Sy WI n by Chrystal D. Giles (Joy Revolution, January 2023)

In Not an Easy Win—author Chrystal D. Giles’ second book—we follow Lawrence as he moves with his sister and mom from Charlotte, NC, to Larenville, NC to live with his unwelcoming granny. Lawrence has it pretty rough beyond the living situation. His father’s in prison, and while his former school mostly had Black kids, the new school is the opposite. He just doesn’t fit in anywhere, and even worse, a fight he didn’t start gets him expelled from that new school. Welcome to the world of online education, where you can’t cause problems for others because you’re stuck at home!

His gran doesn’t want him loafing around, though, so she connects him with a neighbor, Mr. Dennis, who could use help at the rec center. Lawrence gives it a shot. He avoids another fight at the rec center and manages to make a friend of this potential enemy. He also meets Twyla, a potential love interest. She’s into chess, so he gives it a shot as a way to impress her and gets good enough to be invited to be part of a team that’ll participate in a tournament back in Charlotte.

Creating FUTURES

without a shadow of

doubt.

Eventually, it’s clear that Lawrence isn’t the lost cause so many believe. It takes time, but in the right situation with the right support, Lawrence learns how to make better moves both in chess and in his own life.

Along the way, readers discover what it’s like to be part of a family that struggles to put food on the table and how a pretty good kid might reasonably struggle with his emotions when the deck is stacked against him. As the title promise, the wins aren’t easy, but the ones in this story are authentic and heartwarming. Lawrence is someone you can’t help but root for from the start.

RYAN’S RATING:

Help Make Higher Education Possible.

To learn more, contact our Executive Director, Cassandra Holmes, at 941.752.5390 or HolmesC@SCF.edu

SCF-Foundation.org

L a Sagna mean S I LOve yO u

by Kate O’Shaughnessy (Knopf, February 2023)

This book is about the recipes that makes up family, and for eleven-year-old Mo, nothing could be more important. Having just lost Nan, Mo ends up in foster care because Uncle Billy’s in the military and doesn’t want to give that up to care for her.

Her foster family isn’t all that bad, but it’s not the same at all as having a REAL family. So, all Mo has are memories and Nan’s advice for her to get a hobby. At one point, Mo discovers an old recipe book and becomes fascinated not so much by the actual recipes but the stories around them. She even begins a website to showcase the stories around family recipes of anyone who’ll talk to her. It seems clear that by doing this, she’s hoping for a family recipe of her own.

Mo’s online success comes a little more easily than most find in the real world, and the book’s resolution feels bullseyed early on, but most readers will be taken by the tenderness of the plot and Mo’s earnestness to the point that those things won’t be an issue. Did I mention that the book is told entirely in “Dear Nan” letters? Or that recipes are included throughout the book? Insert the heartfelt “Awwwwww” now.

Following Mo’s journey to the new beginning she wants for herself is a rewarding, pleasurable read.

RYAN’S RATING:

Building on the huge success of last year's Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open, the tournament  will once again be held downtown at the centrally located Payne Park Tennis Center. Thanks to the support of the City of Sarasota, Payne Park got a substantial renovation with new lights, fences and upgraded courts. This year there will be expanded shaded bleachers as well as an expanded VIP hospitality tent.

Local vendors of food and other services will be selling and showcasing their products in the Vendor Village. Boosting the local business environment is an important mission of the new owners Remington Reynolds, Steve Gareleck, Kenneth Paslaqua and Elizabeth Moore, as well as Tournament Director Casey Brown.

The ATP has approved a higher 125point level ATP tournament, the only 125 point tournament in the US which carries an increased winnings purse and allows for players ranked up to 11 world-wide. This 2023 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open will be the best yet of its 15-year history! Come one, come all and watch some exciting match play! Sarasota is rapidly becoming a mecca for high level professional and amateur tennis!