May 2021 by SARASOTA SCENE Magazine

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CONTENTS features

46 HEAD START SUPERCHARGED Children First: The Organization Helping Children and Families in Sarasota County By William Bradford Nichols 50 MAKING LEARNING A HABIT SunCoast Alliance for Lifelong Learning By Ryan G. Van Cleave 57 EXPANDING YOUR WORLD: The Florida Creativity Conference By Ryan G. Van Cleave

72 36 10

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

62 BRUNCH ON THE BAY Provides Needed Scholarship Funding For Local Students By Shawn Ahearn 68 LEANING IN TO INNOVATION at the Suncoast Science Center By Jordan W. Patterson

72 STORY SPECTACULAR The Sarasota Film Festival Returns By Gus Mollasis

ON THE COVER “Love of Learning” Illustration by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette.

READERS’ CHOICE FIRST PLACE

2021 BEST BUILDER

29 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

SARASOTA MANATEE VENICE

CONTENTS departments

SOCIAL SCENE

20 THE LIST May Events Calendar PARTY PICS 28 The Sarasota Ballet Gala 29 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize 30 SCENE SNAPS Love of Learning

INSIDER 40 THE FIND Mother’s Day 76 SPOTLIGHT Bring on the Show! New Offerings From Florida Studio Theatre By Paige Lyman 82 EDUCATION MATTERS For the Love of Dance: The Sarasota Ballet’s Education Department By Ryan G. Van Cleave

PHILANTHROPY

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

42 FINDING PURPOSE IN GIVING Renée and Walt Eppard and the Tidewell Foundation By Barbara Mackay

INHEALTH

92 INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT By Morgan Callahan, MD 93 MAY IS MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH By Emily F. Arsenault, MD, FAAD

ARTS & CULTURE 86 BEST SEATS Performing Arts Calendar 88 GET INSPIRED Cultural happenings brought to you by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County 90 MEET THE ARTIST Susan Maas 94 LITERARY SCENE A Behind-The-Scenes Look at Sarasota Author Julie Mcgue’s Debut Memoir, Twice a Daughter By Ryan G. Van Cleave 97 LAUGHING MATTERS The Wild World of Animals By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Be Informed Be Entertained Be SCENE scenesarasota.com

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They are powerful, pint-sized super heroes here to battle and prevent infection. Sarasota Memorial’s new Tru-D Robots are slaying superbugs, contagious viruses and pathogens with a disinfecting dose of ultraviolet light. From a single position, Tru-D’s automated 360-degree UVC rays sanitize every surface and crevice, making each room super clean. Ultraviolet robots keeping our patients and the hospital safer - super cool.

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from the publisher

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

–W.B. Yeats

HOW MANY OF US EXPECTED TO SPEND A YEAR NAVIGATING AROUND A PANDEMIC? I certainly didn’t! But fortunately, our brains remain creative and flexible at all ages, and that means we can learn and adapt and grow. For many of us in the community, learning and creativity—remotely or in person—became one of the joys of this past year. Sarasota Scene Magazine has had to adapt as well. While we will always maintain our coverage of the arts, philanthropic events, and special local community topics, over the past year we have welcomed reader-generated content in the form of images, photo essays, recipes, event stories and pictures. Our readers now contribute to the quality and breadth of this publication and help celebrate this vibrant region and readership! In this issue we introduce you to many opportunities for learning and growing at any age. Discover SunCoast Alliance for Lifelong Learning (SCALL)—the umbrella organization for lifelong learning organizations in SRQ & Manatee counties—for new ways to stay vibrant, engaged, and active in our community. Explore the educational programs from esteemed organizations like Children First and The Sarasota Ballet, along with so many other local arts, foundations and not for profit organizations. We also introduce you to the annual Florida Creativity Conference, where participants discover new ways to spark inspiration and innovation. Both in-person and online, Sarasota continues to rank high nationally for our arts, culture, and range of lifelong learning opportunities. You can feel a strong sense of community despite the pandemic. For me, the weekend of April 10 and 11 proved very busy. I very much enjoyed participating in the Hermitage Celebration of its facility and artists, and its support for the artistic community. Sarasota Scene would especially like to congratulate playwright and theater artist Aleshea Harris, recipient of the 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize. That same weekend I also attended the magical, child-centered show at Children First’s Virtual Fairytale Gala, called “The Sparkle Within.” Children First supports the most at-risk children in the community. Philip Tavill and his team continue to provide outstanding service to their member families, made possible by many local donors. I am so pleased for The Sarasota Ballet company that we are able to celebrate their 30th anniversary at an in-person event at the Van Wezel. We are all looking forward to live performances held in our wonderful venues once again. Sarasota Film Festival has returned and is underway. It has been our pleasure to be an ongoing sponsor of this iconic event. This year will see modifications

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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from the publisher to the screening of films. What may be lost in the communal enjoyment of the viewings will be made up for in the presentation of a wonderful line up and viewing flexibility. I am sure this will be a highlight to this season in Sarasota.

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Sarasota Scene has been a long-standing partner of Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation and we take pride in helping to promoting health, wellness and state of the art medical support to the community. At the end of March, we participated in their Women & Medicine Education Luncheon. A truly wonderful outcome of the virtual event was the continued interest and chatter about many of the topics presented during the hour. Those of you who read this column on a regular basis know I am a recovered COVID-19 patient. I’m pleased to report that I got my first vaccine shot for the coronavirus. I had preregistered with Sarasota County Health Department and was called very quickly. I was impressed with the efficiency of the setup at Sarasota Square. Given my history with COVID, I was warned that this would be like a second shot for me. Even so, I was determined to be vaccinated. Sure enough, I had a five-day reaction to my Moderna shot, including one tough day with the severe halo headache, the nausea, and the metallic taste. I look at it as a positive tradeoff for up to a 99% efficacy level and a contribution to herd immunity for the community. However, I ended up missing some events, including Cooking for Wishes and Camelot at Asolo Rep. Still, I cannot stress enough how important it is to participate in eliminating the prevalence of this virus. The team at Asolo Rep was wonderful. They gave my tickets for that night to other show-goers and found alternative tickets for a later date so I could still attend the show. The front of the Asolo Theater was staged, and seating was set with social distancing in mind. The singing was fabulous, the acting superb, and the lightshow (and that is what it needs to be called) was simply eye popping. The spectacle was so intense with great detail, you would have thought the building was burning. If not for the wonderful performances of the actors, the lights would have stolen the show. I hope many of our readers had a chance to attend the performance. Always hit the knowledge Scene – it is a lifetime experience.

Call or go online to schedule your inter-coastal adventure today! Dining: 941.955.9488 • Marina: 941.365.232 MarinaJacks.com 16

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Sincerely, John

Photo: Sorcha Augustine

Photo: Matthew Holler Photo: Cliff Roles

Photo: Cliff Roles

The performing arts raise spirits, provide joy, and spark inspiration for many in our community. We believe it is vital that the show go on, and that it does so as safely as possible. For the safety and confidence of our performers and those attending our venues, we are requiring masks and social distancing for all joining us for live performances.

Thank you for supporting the arts. We hope to see you soon!

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1957 Vol. 64 No. 5

Publisher H John Knowles Editor-in-Chief Wendy Lyons Sunshine Strategic Partnerships Julie A. Milton Art Director Darcy Kelly-Laviolette Social Media & Editorial Content Gina Liga Distribution Mike Straffin

Perfect for those times when you don’t want or have time to cook but still crave something delicious. Morton’s kitchen offers an amazing array of gourmet entrees and comfort foods, all prepared from scratch and packaged to go. Save time, money and effort while savoring the city’s best take-out, hands down. Don’t miss our huge selection of freshly made salads too!

Accounting Sally A. Bailey Contributing Writers Ryan G. Van Cleave William Bradford Nichols Carol Brzozowski Gus Mollasis Barbara Mackay Jordan W. Patterson Paige Lyman Contributing & Social Photographer Nancy Guth 1834 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.365.1119 | Fax: 941.954.5067 | scenesarasota.com

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Serving the Sarasota area for over 50 years Historic Southside Village 1924 South Osprey Ave. Sarasota ∙ (941) 955-9856 MortonsMarket.com 18

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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.

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social SCENE

The LIST MAY 2021

Season is winding down and the schools are letting loose—it’s time to kick off summer! Check out one or all of the many outdoor festivals happening this month. Discover spectacular cars, sand sculpture artistry on the beach, a drive-in sock hop, a rowing championship, and more!

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

1 » Asolo Repertory Theatre Annual Gala 2021: Sock Hop at the Drive In The outdoor event will begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a drive-in “movie” featuring Asolo Rep’s greatest moments, followed by a seated dinner, paddle raise, performance, live music and dancing – all from the safety and comfort of your own drive-in lot. Nathan Benderson Park Tower | asolorep.org 1 » Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpture Contest Bring your pail, shovel and sunglasses to Siesta Key public beach for this annual event. Free and open to all ages of participation. Five cash prizes will be awarded. Siesta Key Beach | escape-to-sarasota.com

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4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

LIVE MUSIC IS BACK the first weekend in May!

1 –2 » Forks and Corks University Master Class Swirl, sip and savor as the passionate and accomplished presenters lead you on a guided tour of fine wine from around the world. Part of Sarasota’s annual Forks and Corks series of events. Michael’s On East Ballroom | eatlikealocal.com

FOLK LEGACY TRIO

2 » Sailor Circus Spring Show The greatest little show on earth! Celebrating the tradition of the circus arts with more than 100 young circus artists. The youth circus uses over 800 costumes along with music from many of your favorite animated classics. Circus Arts Conservatory | circusarts.org

Featuring George Grave, Jerry Siggins and Rick Dougherty

2021 Concert Series 22

1 » Porsches in the Park Some of the most spectacular Porsche cars from all over Florida will be on display. A fun-filled day seeing these beautiful cars up close and personal. St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com

VeniceTheatre.org 140 Tampa Ave. W.

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

2 » Sunday in the Park with Strings Join the award-winning orchestra, Strings Con Brio for an afternoon of light classical and other popular selections. Nathan Benderson Park | nathanbendersonpark.org 4 » Bradenton Marauders 12th Season Opening Game The Marauders will kick off their 6 game series against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. LECOM Park | milb.com 6 » ZD Wine Pairing Dinner Join ZD Wine Representative John Buckey and Chef Paul Mattison as they present an exclusive wine pairing dinner featuring Napa Valley ZD Wines. Chef Paul has crafted a multi-course menu that perfectly compliments the wines in the ZD portfolio. Mattison’s Forty-One | mattisons.com

59 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | www.sarasotawex.com

THANKS TO YOU...

The Exchange has been a proud supporter of the arts of our community since 1962.

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NO O WS SA N HO RA LI N S P Pic OT k-u AW E A T p E in

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539 S. ORANGE | 941-955-7859 | OPEN MON-FRI 9-4 & SAT 10-4 | www.sarasotawex.com MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

8 » A Fairy Mother’s Day Welcoming all magical moms to a Fairy Mother’s Day Tea in the garden. Tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, cupcakes and hibiscus tea will be served. Little ones will create homemade crafts for mom. The Children’s Garden and Art Center | sarasotachildrensgarden.com Through 9 » Sarasota Film Festival Bringing you the latest and greatest new talent independent cinema has to offer! World-class filmmakers. Classic film screenings. Virtual film camps. Shows: Virtual cinema, Virtual Film Education, Film series. sarasotafilmfestival.com 11 » Cooking with Herbs and Spices This online class discusses ways to use cook with herbs and spices, how to properly store them and how to infuse oils with them to inspire different flavors. The University of Florida Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension | sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu 24

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

13 –16 » Harvey Milk Drive-In Festival A pandemic-safe drive-in experience featuring a variety of music, art, theatre and film events. A market of artisan vendors and food vendors as well as beer trucks will also be available. Various locations in downtown Sarasota | harveymilkfestival.org 13 » Alsace Wine Tasting A French wine tasting including 4 courses and 4 glasses of wine. Mademoiselle Paris | mademoiselleparisutc.com 15 » Fishing Funds the Cure Sarasota The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation presents this fishing tournament. The event features a full day of in-shore fishing for redfish, trout, snook and more. Proceeds go to critical research need to find a cure for childhood cancer. Marina Jacks | nationalpcf.org 19 » Meditation in the Park An exploration of finding peace within nature along a mostly silent walk. Red Bug Slough | sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu

21 » Open Water Scuba Course Dive with confidence and safety! Begin your underwater explorations by enrolling in this entry-level certification course. Scuba Quest Sarasota | scubaquest.com 21 –23 » St. Armands Seafood and Music Festival Fresh seafood prepared sustainably by local chefs and live music on the circle. St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com 23 » Jamfest for Veterans Live music, food trucks, biker events, games, prizes and more. Benefitting Sarasota and Manatee County Veterans needing home ownership and housing assistance. Heritage Harbour Golf Club | eventbrite.com/jamfest-for-veterans

For those ready for what’s next

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23 » Aladdin Vadim Fedotov has once again collaborated with the School of Russian Ballet to create his newest ballet. Fedotov has chosen to follow the more classic story of Aladdin which is based off of 1001 Arabian Nights. Sarasota Opera | sarasotaopera.org 29 » Improv Drop-In! Explore creativity, hone presentation skills and build self confidence. Every student learns they already have what it takes to improvise successfully onstage and off. Florida Studio Theatre | floridastudiotheatre.org

PLEASE VISIT WEBSITES FOR OFFICIAL STATEMENTS/UPDATES ON EVENT STATUS DUE TO CHANGING STATE OF FLORIDA AND CDC GUIDELINES.

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Changing the Way the World Ages

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UPCOMING events JUNE 5 – 6 | St. Armands Boat Show Indulge your boating fantasies! Come explore the many options available in today’s world of boating. Whether a first timer or an experienced boater, land lover or sea lover – there is sure to be a boat on display for everyone to enjoy. St. Armands Circle | starmandscircleassoc.com JUNE 8 | World Oceans Day Festival There will be a story time in front of an aquarium, a video of wildlife found while dip netting, a peak inside a microscope and much more. Emerson Pointe Preserve | mote.org JUNE 9 –14 | US Rowing SE Youth Nation Championships The premier youth rowing event in the United States with over 1500 athletes competing in more than 350 crews vying for titles in 18 boat classes. Nathan Benderson Park | nathanbendersonpark.org

V IS IT S C EN ES A R A S O TA . C O M To submit your event for consideration, please send information to scenemagazine@scenesarasota.com 26

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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Pictured top: Jason Cohen, courtesy of the artist; cast of Shades of Bublé, courtesy of the artists; Nathan Yates Douglass and Kimberly Hawkey, Photo by FST. MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

social SCENE Fred & Lynda Doery, Betsy & Bruce Finley, Deborah Kalb & Richard Johnson

Iain Webb & Margaret Barbieri

PARTY pics THE SARASOTA BALLET GALA Benefitting The Ballet’s artistic, educational, and award-winning community engagement programs and celebrating its 30th Anniversary, 350 guests attended this socially distanced black-tie event. Attendees were provided the option of watching the Birthday Offering by Sir Frederick Ashton either inside the Van Wezel theater or outside via live streaming. Paired with the unexpected surprise of Director Iain Webb’s announcement of the Company’s next Season, featuring seven live, in-person Programs, the 30th Anniversary Season Gala was a magnificent reflection on the past, present, and future of The Sarasota Ballet.

John Knowles, Iain Webb & Pavel Fomin 28

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Katherine & Detlef Zimmerman

Jacqueline Morton, Jonathan Coleman, Paul Nucci & Nora Everlove

Bob & Diane Roskamp

social SCENE Elizabeth Moore & Andy Sandberg

Karen & Michael Koblenz

Flora Major, Aleshea Harris. Ellen Berman & Leslie Edwards

Susan Brainerd & Alan Quinby

2021 HERMITAGE GREENFIELD PRIZE

More than 130 guests gathered during a sociallydistanced evening to celebrate the winner of the 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize at Michael’s On East in Sarasota. The evening of entertainment included a welcome video from Tamara Tunie and Black Theatre United; a tribute featuring past Hermitage Greenfield Prize recipients, jurors, and partners; performances of Harris’ work, and a stirring musical closing by Ann Morrison and Joseph Holt.

Bill Epstein, Claudia Cleary, Maggie Davenport, Mary Davenport & Megan McDonald

THANK YOU 2021 SPONSORS SCIENTIST $10,000

Amicus Foundation

RESEARCHER $5,000 Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation Beverly Bartner and Janice Zarro Deb Kabinoﬀ State Street Eating House + Cocktails Jim and Charlie Ann Syprett Take Care Private Duty Home Health Care

941.917.1286 | smhf.org

Robert and Angelia Wood MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Scene Snaps

This month, readers revealed the many faces of educators and learners who grace the Sarasota region. Be dazzled by their commitment and creative spark!

Children F irst Head Start learn ers prepa Kindergart re for en with fu n sensory p la activities. y and clas Lead Teac sroom her Suzan ne Burns dental he explores alth with le arners in th e Blue Cray classroom on .

New C ollege of Florid a stude Ollie M nt urillo, s hown in Ecolog the y Lab w ith Asso ciate Profess or Emil y Heffe rnan, extract s comp ounds from a plant c ollecte d on ca mpus t test wh o ether th e comp ounds have an ti-micro bial eff ects on two str ains of bacteria . She is also tes ting wh ether th e extra inhibit cts seed g ermina tion.

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

rade sixth-g a y b ay ted unity D ascina f m e r m a o C e sect Schiff Colett a and rs an in rshorin e e v H o t c a Adoni is riment onah d r June ader J ry expe r t g is d m schoole n e e o r c ch p e s d , n while Bed” a ased l. Mean llinator o P play-b “ Schoo a ’s n g e in d r r a du dition chool g t’s con in the s n ie t a ap otes on ine. takes n medic n o it n gu learnin

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MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

-hearted clowning Sidlow bring light Chuck and Noriko d throughout ent to young and ol rm we po em g in rn and lea ko.” “The World of Chuc the community via

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sota visit to celebra te his 9th birthday, Anthony Person a sked “Gra mpy” Kenney D eCamp, a ka Dr. Mime, to help him learn to mime. To gether, g randson and gran dfather p racticed moves kn own as “t he wall, pull ing the ro pe, and climbing the ladde r.”

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

with a es fossils s s u c is d O’Brien e Bishop Meghan r to a c u mp at Th d a E C k a re ring B uring Sp another camper d re, while tu a N d n ea logists of Scienc t paleonto a Museum th s e u chniq ractices te sils. camper p earth fos n u d n a r cove use to dis

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lives Double your impact to support early childhood education and family strengthening for at-risk children and families. All gifts will be matched up to $1,060,000 by our Diamond Circle, in honor of Children First’s 60th Anniversary.

childrenfirst.net | MAY MAY 2021 2021 | SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE

33 33

hestra have phony Youth Orc m Sy ce ni Ve e Th ans in 1 The young musici rform live on May ll finally get to pe wi d an ly ek we g been rehearsin , perform in dents, age 8 to 18 stu e Th ic. bl pu e r th ce at a free concert fo arsal space at Veni e Symphony’s rehe th at t ee m d an two ensembles Ensemble Symphonic Strings YO VS e th is ith na Sm rector. High School. Don rings Ensemble Di St t er nc Co e th is e Rawley Director and Nicol

Martin Hollander

, says partner Sand y Siegel, never had piano le ssons as a child. Bu t at age 80, he began study ing it at Fletcher M usic. Now he practices daily an d gets a lot of joy fro m playing popular m usic.

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

cher at n ESE tea a ., .D d E , Maddox hool in Annette entary Sc m le E k c llo arden-Bu n meeting Rogers G have bee s s la c r e n, and h dents Bradento nd her stu a e h s , re e ery day. H ade from online ev ut toys m o b a ll e -t ow-and share a sh . materials recyclable

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More Golf, Gridlock. The ﬁrstLess thing I unpack are my sticks. Break the hustle escape Myaway wife from says kitchen, but Iand told bustle her we and can always to our membership-exclusive, newly renovated eat at the Club. With only 275 golf memberships course. An intimate environment paired with low and no required tee times — I found the perfect club membership capacity assures you can enjoy your for me. Find your club at The Founders Golf Club. game, your way. GREEN TIME. YOUR TIME. TIME . GREEN TIMEON . ON YOUR Ask current aboutnew current incentives Ask about member incentives.

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35 35

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udents at Sta te College o f Florida, SCF’s Symp honic Band, took the sta of the Neel ge Performing Arts Center for an April concert on Fa cebook Live . These stud ents rehears and perform ed ed 6 feet ap art, wearing masks and using flute d efender shie lds, without a live audien Conductor D ce. r. Robyn Be ll says, “I am so proud to have taken th is journey w ith these am azing music students.” members of

al joy flor and en n r a le ssa lub nd Meli Lake C a t e t h e T n f or nts o obin K Reside from R lp e h g with arrangin oms.” Two Blo “ a k a , Estep

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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37 37

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SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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Join us! Enter before May 10 for the theme: Coastal Living and Gardening What does coastal living mean to you? Do you spend time on the water? Or in your garden? Show us the beauty of how you live on the Gulf Coast, and your photos may appear in our June issue! Email photos with a description of what’s in them to wendy@scenesarasota.com by May 10. MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

insider

The FIND Find the perfect gift that your mom will cherish! By Gina Liga

2. 3.

4. 40

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

insider

1. MOTHER'S DAY SIGN BY MAIDEN Make a statement with this 5x5 crafted wooden sign to show your mother the appreciation she deserves. Shelly's Gift and Christmas Boutique $13 | shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com 2. “NWESI” NECKLACE IN PINK MULTI This Elma Felix statement necklace features bright colors and patterns are reminiscent of her upbringing in St. Lucia. The Nwesi necklace features her signature hand-braid linked through copper connectors and a single neck cord. Elma Felix/Ebijou $50 | ebijou.com 3. PINK CACTUS WATERCOLOR PRINT Local artist Shannon Kirsten is known for her handmade stationary, cards and bold floral watercolor prints. This print is 11 x 17 and can be custom framed. Shannon Kirsten Illustrations $32 | etsy.com/shannonkirsten 4. FLORAL SKETCH WISTERIA PLATTER This 15” platter is adorned with hanging pink wisteria blooms, full of elegance and springtime. Perfect for the Mom who loves to entertain! Charlotte’s Grace $95 | charlottes-grace.com

5. HALE BOB ALMA TOP From Hale Bob's new Island Living collection, this top is inspired by the romance of the Mediterranean. Foxy Lady $226 | foxyladysarasota.com 6. CSJ NECKLACE AND EARRINGS A classy combo for mom: this 18K gold fill adjustable chain necklace has a freshwater baroque pearl and pink quartz pendant. Pair it with matching 14K gold fill pendant earrings. Customized Styling by Jessica Necklace: $300 | Earrings: $300 customizedstylingbyjessica.com

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

philanthropy philanthropy

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

philanthropy

giving

FINDING A PURPOSE IN RENÉE & WALTER EPPARD By Barbara Mackay | Photo by Nancy Guth

Renée and Walt Eppard must be among the most fortunate people in Sarasota. They have been married for 42 years and have a large family, including seven greatgrandchildren. They have had careers that fulfilled and nourished them. And although they have each succeeded financially, they continue to find joy in helping others less lucky than they are. “We both have worked really hard all our years,” says Renée. “We’ve done extremely well and we’re comfortable with our life. We made the decision that we wanted to start giving back. And the rewards of that are tremendous. We just love it.” “I think I enjoy helping people as much as the people we help enjoy it,” adds Walt. For Renée and Walt, one important part of “giving back” means being major donors to the Tidewell Foundation, whose mission is to provide perpetual support for Tidewell Hospice, the largest not-for-profit hospice and home health system in the United States. For 41 years, Tidewell Hospice has offered palliative and hospice care for everyone, including those who have no insurance, are too young for Medicare or earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. The hospice services brighten the lives of patients and families within four counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto. “I first learned about Tidewell Hospice when I lost a good friend,” says Renée. “Another friend of mine was working there. She started me on this wonderful path

of being interested in Tidewell. I got involved with a hospice house that was being built in Lakewood Ranch. Then Tidewell asked me to be on the Board. I began to see how it was possible to make end-of-life issues rewarding emotional experiences.” Renée, who is now Chairman of the Board of the Tidewell Foundation and Secretary of Tidewell Hospice, soon understood what an impact the hospice could have. “I realized how you can bring help into the home instead of having a spouse do everything,” she says. “A large part of telling Tidewell’s story is letting people know what care and help they can access ahead of time, instead of in the last 48 hours of a loved-one’s life. One of the most amazing things is that, through its extensive fundraising, the Foundation covers expenses for world-class service for everyone.” Tidewell is a network of care and support programs wherever patients need them: at home, in the hospital, in hospice homes, or in nursing homes. “In addition to medical help, we have so many auxiliary services,” Renée continues. “We offer veterans’ services, pet therapy, music therapy, Reiki, therapeutic massage, a Humanitarian Fund, and a Wishes Fund, to name just a few. That last is one of my favorites. It helps people do whatever they want most. Recently, we arranged to take a man and his family to a baseball game, for instance. “Also, it’s very hard to find nurses in Florida, because there are so many organizations that need them. So Tidewell has created workforce development programs

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

philanthropy to ensure that hospice and palliative care services are always available. Those programs supported by the Foundation pay stipends and costs to people learning how to become home health aides and certified nursing assistants. Our biggest program is a free 9- month program where R.N. graduates are paid a salary while learning how to be hospice registered nurses.” At the moment, the Eppards are particularly excited about their latest endeavor: expanding Tidewell’s grief counseling program for adults and children. Renée and Walt are proud to be the lead donors for the new Ellenton Family Grief Center, which will repurpose the former Ellenton Hospice House and campus. Scheduled to open in August, this first Tidewell Family Grief Center will house all its grief services and feature many activities, from basketball to meditation. The center is surrounded by extensive grounds, including a pond, pergolas, and butterfly gardens—a perfect indoor and outdoor environment for physical, spiritual, and social healing. Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program, launched in 2018, provides evidenced-based therapy for children from 5 to 18 years old, offering grief counseling if they have lost someone close to them, not necessarily a mother or father. This new facility will provide a dedicated location to serve northern Sarasota and Manatee County youth. In addition to resources for adults, it will host four groups in the Blue Butterfly program: Littles, Middles, Tweens, and Teens. Here, grieving children and teens will find support with peer groups and activities, helping them battle feelings of loss, anger, and confusion. “The program is such a success and it’s needed everywhere,” says Renée. “It’s a stand-alone program that can go anywhere. It brings families together. It offers counseling to adults dealing with kids who have lost loved ones. Children get to deal with other kids who have suffered losses just like theirs. And the people who work with the children and teens are real experts. They are the professionals who are called in whenever there is a crisis and younger people need emotional support.” The Eppards’ involvement in this program came about after a group of children from the Blue Butterfly program did a presentation to the Tidewell Board. “After that meeting, I took Walt to the opening of the first Blue Butterfly facility in Lakewood Ranch,” explains Renée.

“He just loved those kids, and wanted them to have a place where they didn’t have to rent or move all the time. It’s important to Walt that those children have a space of their own.” “I have a particular interest in this Blue Butterfly program,” adds Walt. “Renée introduced me to it and that’s where my personal interest is. The more help those kids can get, the better.” A former resident of Virginia, Walt came to Florida many years ago. “Florida has been good to me,” he says. “We’ve done well and I’m glad we could help fund part of the grief center. It’s rewarding to me to see the children getting help.” In fact, the Tidewell Foundation envisions building more of these grief counseling centers in the future. An engineer by training, Walt also has devoted a lot of time and money to help young people get training in the trades. “There are a lot of people who are just not interested in going to college,” Walt says. “They want to be involved in trades, like air conditioning, electrical, or plumbing. There are many areas where they can advance.” Through his ingenuity and generosity, Walt has helped countless young people find employment. This past year with the pandemic was especially hard on Tidewell. “Initially with COVID, we couldn’t do anything— even have meetings,” says Renée. “But eventually we were one of the few places that took in people who couldn’t go back to their nursing homes or retirement centers once they left them.” “After this year, we’re really looking forward to August, when the Family Grief Center opens,” adds Walt. “The work Tidewell Hospice does is very impressive,” says Debbie Mason, President of the Tidewell Foundation. “All the counties it serves are expanding. Right now we serve 10,000 patients a year. Another 8,000 people per year benefit from free grief counseling. And the new Family Grief Center is tremendously important. We couldn’t do it without the Eppards’ help. They are visionary donors.”

F O R M O R E IN F O R M AT IO N

about the Tidewell Foundation, please visit www.tidewellfoundation.org or call 941.552.7546.

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

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MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

PHILIP TAVILL, CEO OF CHILDREN FIRST

HeadStart

d e g r a h c r e Sup Children First: The Organization Helping Children and Families in Sarasota County BY WILLIAM BRADFORD NICHOLS

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Sixty years ago, women of the Junior League--then known as the Junior Welfare League—asked themselves an important question: How can we best help economically challenged families in the Sarasota community? The answer, they decided, was to provide care for young children, children who had not yet started school. This in turn would enable the children’s parents to return to work or school. From that original idea, Children First was born. Decades later, the fundamental mission of the organization remains: to help families thrive. Children First remains committed to serving pregnant mothers, children, and families in difficult circumstances. They strengthen the quality of families’ lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. They do this with help from volunteers, supporters, and extensive community partnerships. Today, true to their original purpose, the organization still offers Pre-K care. However, their service model has expanded. In 1994, Children First became the exclusive

provider of Head Start in Sarasota County and in 1998 they were chosen to provide Early Head Start. The organization currently offers early childhood education with infant programs that begin at 6 weeks of age. Each family is assigned a case manager who helps parents gain stability in housing, transportation, and vocation, as well as helping them gain access to training and schooling. In addition, classes are offered monthly on topics such as budgeting and parenting, providing the families with necessary life skills. Philip Tavill, CEO of Children First says what they are really doing is providing the parents with structure, encouragement, and linking them to the resources in their own communities. “That way they can be their child’s first teacher,” he says, “and it’s pretty great to see the progress so many of our families make, though they may be coming from very dire circumstances.”

EXPANDING EXCELLENCE

In February of 1996, when Philip Tavill was brought on as CEO, he had just completed a Master’s degree in social

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

work and a Master’s in nonprofit management. Speaking of the events leading up to his working with Children First, Tavill describes them as “serendipitous,” stating that he had always wanted to work with children and families who were facing difficult and challenging situations. “I’ll be honest,” he says, “I didn’t quite know what I was getting into.” He started with the organization the year after Children First received their first grant as part of the Head Start program. They were growing considerably at that time and, understandably, experiencing a lot of growing pains. In 2004, Children First grew again, when they merged with the Helen R. Payne Day Nursery. This greatly expanded their facilities and the number of families and children that Children First are able to help. Since Tavill took the helm, Children First has been named a Head Start Program of Excellence four times. This is a title which only 9 out of the 1800 programs in the country have received. Of that 9, they are one of only two programs to hold that title 4 consecutive times. This is just one of the factors that has helped Children First continue to grow. Tavill credits his dedicated staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors for the success Children First has experienced.

PANDEMIC CHALLENGES

Looking to the future, one of the main things that Children First and Tavill want to conquer is their waitlist. While the preschool waitlist of 3- to 5-year-old children is manageable, they often have over 150 applicants for the infants and toddlers program.

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

“Despite their difficult economic conditions and other circumstances, these families dream and aspire, like all of us do. They want better for their children. They want better for themselves.” Their goal is to serve every child living below the federal poverty level in Sarasota County. Since federal grants only account for about 60% of their funding, they also want to continue to grow their private philanthropy with an emphasis on endowment and planned giving. Private philanthropy is what Tavill believes will keep Children First stable in the years to come. It is the one thing that will help them to fulfill all the unmet needs in the community, regardless of what is happening in the world. “Think about the global pandemic,” says Tavill. “Who anticipated that 108 of our families would, within 30 days, lose their jobs? Or that another 67 families would have their hours greatly reduced?” In preparation for the pandemic, the Board of Directors and Tavill took it upon themselves to order 60 days worth of diapers, wipes, and infant formula. Through their foresight and with help from their community partners, Children First was able to provide drive thru pick-ups of food and baby supply packages for some of Sarasota County’s hardest-hit families. Tavill holds that this would not have been possible without the support of volunteers, private donations, and contributions.

Tavill says that despite their difficult economic conditions and other circumstances, these families dream and aspire, like all of us do. They want better for their children. They want better for themselves. He says that when you provide a person a hand up—when you walk with a person who is coming from a hard situation—they will take the opportunity to be successful. He has seen this happen thousands of times over the last 25 years and likes to share this saying: “Many hands make light work of heavy lifting.”

“Many hands make light work of heavy lifting.”

For Tavill, there are no words that are strong enough to explain how extraordinarily privileged he feels to be working with the volunteers, the volunteer Board of Directors , the staff, community partners, and donors who come together to help the families seeking assistance at Children First. “We’re all a part of a very important safety net,” he says. To that point, Tavill mentions how, during a committee meeting conducted via Zoom earlier that day, he was able to lead off with the story of two beautiful, seven-and-half week old, twin babies who had been helped days earlier as a direct result of the philanthropic spirit of the Sarasota County community. “And they’re spectacular,” Tavill says. “They’re just these beautiful little miracles waiting to happen. It is a remarkable thing and, thanks to the amazing people in this community, this is what we get to do every day.” For more information visit www.childrenfirst.net. MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Making

Learning a Habit

SunCoast Alliance for Lifelong Learning (SCALL) BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE

550 0

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || MAY MAY 2021 2021

For years, our community had a number of individual organizations that each delivered education opportunities to adult learners. But what these groups lacked was an effective way to get the word out—to inform potential students about the offerings, events, and programs. Each group struggled with this exact same challenge. Enter SCALL, the SunCoast Alliance for Lifelong Learning. It was created six years ago by cofounders Sam Samelson and former president, Robert Carlson, to meet the needs of these organizations. Quite simply, the goal of SCALL is to represent lifelong organizations to the hundreds of thousands of learners in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Interim president Samelson adds that “In addition to being part of our thriving arts and culture scene, lifelong learning enhances the quality of life for our residents.” One of the original SCALL member organizations is Sarasota Adult & Community Enrichment (ACE), which serves adults 18 and up, though the average age of their students is 63. ACE

classes are not for credit and don’t have grades, which means they’re purely about the students’ passion and enrichment—a winning combination. Pre-pandemic, they served 16,000 people a year. COVID-19 changed the way they operated, however. “ACE continued to serve the lifelong learning community during times of despair, isolation, and lockdown, says Community Outreach and Marketing Specialist Galina Jordan. “When Zoom was still unfamiliar to many in early 2020, ACE offered free-of-charge training sessions for everyone willing to learn how to Zoom.” Recipients of that training included two dozen ACE teachers, who learned what they needed to begin teaching online by May 2020. ACE students took to the online offerings as well from day one and began joining classes from home and abroad. One student even attended classes from a Sarasota Memorial Hospital bed! One of the hallmarks of ACE is right in their mission: “to provide dynamic and

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Virtual Lifelong Learning Expo, 2020

responsive lifelong learning opportunities to meet the changing needs of the community.” Despite offering 600 classes a year, people sometimes want something that’s not on the books. For example, a few years back, someone called to ask about classes in pickleball. “We didn’t know what it was,” Jordan admits. “No one in the office did.” But they researched it, then hired a qualified teacher and ran a successful pickleball class. Jordan adds, “Lifelong learning is an important component to a physically, cognitively and socially healthy lifestyle. In today’s reality, an overriding priority is the health and wellbeing of individuals. In the summer of 2020, we offered 50 online classes and, in this sense, we believe that all ACE classes are real wellness classes. Something to be proud of, no?” SCALL Board of Directors member Lynne Anast has been a director of lifelong learning programs for over twenty-five years. Since 2007, she’s held that position at Friendship Center for Aging Studies. About SCALL, she says, “It is an amazing organization, a real clearing house for lifelong learning organizations. When senior adults move here, most of them seek out lifelong learning in the area. We make it easy for seniors to navigate the lifelong learning scene in both Sarasota and Manatee Counties.”

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Anast always looks forward to the annual SCALL expo that promotes all the member organizations—this typically occurs in November. “Yet in 2020,” Anast notes, “we all faced the issues of COVID-19. A team of us led by [SCALL Board of Directors member] Robyn Levin held our first ever virtual expo. We had entertainment from McCurdy’s Comedy Club and musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra, and several of the non-profit lifelong learning organizations shared how our lifelong learning was converted to Zoom or hybrid learning. It was a big success, and our attendance was amazing.” As of last year, Peter McAllister of Ringling College of Art and Design joined the Board, as well. “All of us at Ringling College value teaching and learning, and value serving the community,” he explains. “It is a natural fit to be part of SCALL with our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) as an important part of the new Ringling College Museum Campus. OLLI supports the mission of the College by offering innovative programs that provide education and professional development opportunities to members of the broader community.” In addition to OLLI, Friendship Center, and ACE, the list of SCALL members is extensive and growing: Historic Spanish Point, Mote Marine Laboratory, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Goodwill Manasota,

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and so many more. The membership list pretty well matches any What to Do in Sarasota? list, with good reason. Sarasota is alive with creativity, cultural, arts, and education. People don’t come here just to passively take it all in. They come here to be part of it. SCALL interim president Samelson continues to be amazed at the sheer number of people who take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities in our community and the wide variety of educational offerings. COVID-19 could’ve been a real issue, but he points out that “SCALL members were able to sustain their sense of community because of the resourcefulness of our members in coping with the restrictions caused by the pandemic and how they all embraced technology so quickly.” Samelson hopes to have a permanent new president in place by the end of the year. In the meantime, his goal is to “to make SCALL better known both to our members and the community as the leader in lifelong learning.” For more information about SunCoast Alliance for Lifelong Learning, please visit www.suncoastlifelonglearning.org or email info@suncoastlifelonglearning.org.

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Caring for the

whole child

Discovery Point Child Development Center By Carol Brzozowski • Photos by Nancy Guth

t Discovery Point Child Development Center in Bradenton, the goal is to instill a lifelong love of learning in children. Discovery Point provides care for children ages six weeks to 12 years old through a “whole child” approach that focuses on education, development, health, and safety. “Our center is unique. It’s designed more like a school to start at one end and progress through each age,” points out owner Dr. Roger Clough. “When you come in, it starts with infants at one end, then toddlers, to our early preschool, to our preschool classrooms, and to our voluntary pre-kindergarten classes.” Also unique is what Dr. Clough brings to the table. In his role at Discovery Point, Dr. Clough applies his 25 years of unique experience as an educator, starting as a kindergarten teacher, first-grade teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal and superintendent of three New York school districts. “This is a natural calling for me,” he says. “You need to have great teachers and a solid curriculum. We have both here at Discovery Point. If you're not keeping kids interested, you’re not going to see kids learn. You’re not going to see the growth. “There is a lot of growth here at Discovery Point. You see kids when they start the first day and then after maybe a week or two, you see their happiness increase. They're learning so many new things. Parents are excited to see what their children are learning.” The value of a child development center that is locally owned with active leadership cannot be underestimated. Dr. Clough and his wife Robin are always on hand to ensure parent concerns are addressed. “I tell parents how important it is to realize that we're here every day, every morning, every night. We visit with the children and their teachers. We know exactly what's going on in each of the classrooms,” Dr. Clough points out. “We have a stake in the Lakewood Ranch/Bradenton

area to make sure that the children here are provided a safe environment and the best education.” The foundation for that success at Discovery Point is the ‘whole child’ approach. Children choose the areas they want to explore in different centers set up for drama, math, science, reading, writing, and more. “We do have lesson plans and curriculum maps to follow,” says Dr. Clough. “But we want them to thrive on what their talents and skills are.” The various in-classroom centers also serve to spark new ideas and innovation for those children who may have not been exposed to a classroom, and as such, help to enrich areas of growth. It starts with infant care. “We keep a very open, easy environment,” says Dr. Clough. “Music is always playing. The teachers do a lot of reading. They do art projects with the children. We have an infant playground where children go out to at least twice a day and they may have tummy time, too. We do baby yoga with them. There’s a lot of movement. They practice fine motor skills and a lot of sensory skills.” Discovery Point teachers recognize each infant has their own personalities and individual needs. “The teachers learn that,” says Dr. Clough. “Some infants want to sleep. Some are on a schedule. We try to keep them on the same schedule as what the parents might do at home. When an infant arrives, each teacher speaks with the new parent. I do the same when I do my tours of the center.” Parents get daily progress reports on feedings and diaper changes. Teachers also send parents pictures of their children. The “beginner” room prepares children for toddler care for children ages 18 to 24 months. The teacher-to-child

ratio is kept low so children always receive the attentive care they need. It is here where the child starts potty training, learns to eat independently, forms words, and learns fine motor skills. Teachers and parents communicate with each other on strategies working inside the school and at home. In the pre-school room, students develop portfolios that focus on language development, literacy opportunities for cognitive development, physical activity, emotional development, and socialization. “Each child grows at their own pace and we have a plan or assessment we look refer to for them,” Dr. Clough points out. “Our lesson plans focus on the benchmarks.” In the pre-school room is where children begin to learn calendar time. They learn about the weather. They go over each other's names. Vocabulary words are explored. “We start to encourage them to say “please” and “thank you,” to raise their hand when they want to speak, and to let somebody else speak,” Dr. Clough notes. In the voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) program, children ages three and four follow Florida educational guidelines, as do all levels of Discovery Point’s programs. The VPK program is designed to help children attain success not only in school, but in life through developing important academic, social, and personal skills. In the before-and after-school programs for which Discovery Point provides transportation, students are given assistance with homework and engage in various learning activities, such as reading, games, and arts and crafts.

Summer camp entails 10 different themed weeks that touch upon art, drama, science, and sports. This summer’s “Summer of Wonder” features the “Wonders of the World” that includes a variety of different places, from the Pacific Ocean to space. The sports week, for example, will tie into the Summer Olympic Games. Children can also enjoy activities – including water play – on one of the center’s three playgrounds and turf areas. Parents can sign up for any week of their family’s choosing. Each week will entail at least one field trip The blending of fun and education is encompassed into field trips such as to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Discovery Point follows strict COVID-19 protocols, with ongoing facility cleaning and sanitization. Plus, teachers continue to wear masks. With many children having spent the last year at home due to the pandemic, it has highlighted the important impact school has on children, Dr. Clough points out. “A lot of the children have been isolated for a year. There’s a lack of fine motor skills, like scissors-cutting and holding a pencil. Kids haven’t been around other kids for a year. Kids are like sponges – they soak up learning and socialization. They definitely benefit from being in a childcare center like Discovery Point. “The learning that’s going on when I walk into the classrooms and the smiles – that makes a difference. That’s what really makes me happy.”

Discovery Point Child Development Center 56

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Call 941-200-4250 for more information and to schedule a tour. www.discoverypoint.com/twelve-oaks MAY 2021

EXPANDING YOUR WORLD THE FLORIDA CREATIVITY CONFERENCE BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE

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“LEARNING HOW CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING WORKS ENABLES INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS TO ENGAGE IN A PROCESS THAT GUIDES THINKING AS THEY ANALYZE SITUATIONS AND REACH GOALS.” —SUZANNE DAMERON

I rarely get to write on-the-spot articles for Sarasota Scene, but once I learned about the Florida Creativity Conference (FLCC) and that its 18th annual conference was in March 2021, I had to attend. I’ve long been fascinated by the subject, having written about it for The Writer magazine, taught a class in creativity at Ringling College of Art and Design, and penned a book about it—Creativity: A Reader for Writers (Oxford UP, 2015). So, yeah—I very much wanted to attend this event, which is run by the Florida Creativity Alliance, Inc. It ran over the weekends of March 12-14 and March 19-21, with the theme “Reset. Restart. Re*Energize.” And while it’s been a face-to-face event in the past with workshops taking place at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Florida Studio Theatre, this time around the conference was a Zoomonly enterprise.

the way, I was able to watch—and in some cases, rewatch!—the presentations at my convenience. First, a little background. The FLCC was launched by the late Dr. Ted Callisto, the late Nancy Myers, and Dr. Kitty Heusner. They had all lived in Sarasota, attended CPSI (the longest-running creativity conference in the world), learned the Creative Problem Solving system (CPS), and found the ideas and strategies incredibly useful both professionally and personally. Together, they decided to share what they learned with others. That impulse blossomed into an annual local conference, and eighteen years later, here we are. Kitty has served as the Conference Chair for many years, and she continues to learn and be reenergized by the sessions and people who share the journey. Let’s talk about the events.

That’s fine, though—I like to go to conferences in my pajamas. Plus, when life, writing, and teaching got in 58

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Florida Creativity Conference spokesperson Suzanne

Dameron, who also co-presented Creativity and Communications Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly (with colleague Martha Wells of The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature), reminded us that creativity is a vital skill for the 21st century. “We constantly need new and better ideas for almost every aspect of our professional and personal lives,” she explained. “Learning how creative problemsolving works enables individuals and teams to engage in a process that guides thinking as they analyze situations and reach goals. It is a process that defers judgment by using divergent thinking (generating many ideas) followed by convergent thinking (selecting among possible ideas) as people work through problems and challenges. Often referred to as deliberate creativity, it is a process that is set up to help you find solutions that are outside your habitual thinking ‘track.’ There are many strategies and tools that can be used. Not running ahead with the first idea but deferring judgement helps lead to implementing stronger solutions.” One of the exciting things about the conference was the multitude of voices who each had their distinctive way of understanding and talking about creativity. For example, Dr. Roger Firestien led the Creating a Vision for Your Future workshop where he referred to the creative process as a recipe “because it works each and every time.” In his mind, creativity provides the new thinking that can lead to new perspectives, fresh insights, and innovative solutions. Diane Allen—who I’d seen before thanks to her 2019 TEDx talk—had her violin going strong to accompany her Harness the Power of Your Flower Strategy TM for Unlimited Creativity session. For her, the true flow state of creativity “happens at the intersection of a challenge and your skill.” I was intrigued by her skiing metaphor, where the black diamond run is too hard, and the bunny slope is far too easy. It’s the middle path where the magic happens. Standup comic Izzy Gesell’s Bringing Real Creativity to a Virtual World Through Applied Improv presentation had a host of ideas, such as “the way

SUZANNE DAMERON

DR. ROGER FIRESTIEN

DIANE ALLEN MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

we play is who we are,” and “our brains are wired through hands-on interaction with the physical world.” He also gave a convincing argument as to why creativity has specifically helped people to be more resilient. If you can’t tell, this wasn’t a talking-head conference where the audience gets pummeled with information until they become comatose or sneak in some Sunway Surfers on their phone. These sessions were thoughtful and well-paced. They featured a range of approaches and tools, and all had a hands-on, interactive element which surely pleased Izzy Gesell! Dameron adds that she’s surprised more people don’t know about the creative process. It’s been seriously studied since the 1950s, and one thing is clear—creativity doesn’t belong exclusively to artists like Monet, Rembrandt, and da Vinci. It’s also not a roll of the genetic dice. “The science is in. We’re all born creative,” she said. Her own creativity—she’s certified in Creative Problem Solving and specializes in the FourSight creative problemsolving system—comes into play on a daily basis with her company, Lime Communications, founded as the first PR and marketing agency in southwest Florida to serve the environmental sector. Since getting certified, Dameron works with clients integrating communications and creativity from the beginning of projects to the end. So, if it’s not clear from all I’ve shared, the FLCC was well worth the investment. Kanesha Baynard’s The Art of Pop Up Sanctuaries: Using Creativity to Disrupt Burnout and Mental Fatigue and Csaba Osvath’s Playing to Create: Video Games and Creativity were two of my faves, but every single offering delivered quality ideas that have me still thinking. Sign me up for next year, please! If this sounds like a good time—it was!—go ahead and check them out in 2022. It’ll be here before you know it. And it’s never the wrong time to invest in yourself by building up your creativity muscles, which will surely be the case when you bring in a lineup of top-level speakers like they’ve been doing for nearly twenty years. For more information about the Florida Creativity Conference, please visit www.flcreativity.com or call 941.809.3247. 660 0

SARASOTA SARASOTA SCENE SCENE || MAY MAY 2021 2021

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brunch bay on the

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Providing Needed Scholarship Funding For Local Students Jennifer Eubanks

By Shawn Ahearn When Jennifer Eubanks decided to return to college after working for 20 years as an executive in retail, she was faced with many uncertainties. As a wife and mother of a young child, Jennifer was concerned about how she and her husband would afford the cost of tuition and manage other expenses, yet she felt like the time was right to finally pursue her bachelor’s degree. “I am a non-traditional student who went back to school at age thirty-seven,” said Jennifer. “After my father passed away while I was still in middle school, my mom worked hard to send my brother to college. I decided to go straight to work after high school in order to save for college and I started my retail career. I quickly grew within the company, and I kept saying ‘I’m going to go back to school and earn my degree someday.’” Nearly 20 years passed before Jennifer’s dream became a reality and she is now making the most of the opportunity. A re c i p i e n t o f t h e B a d g e r B o b ’s scholarship and the Golden Bull Award given annually in the spring semester

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to students who encompass the spirit of USF and have demonstrated its values, she is an English major at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus with a minor in business. Jennifer also is enrolled in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, where she is writing a thesis on childhood food insecurity in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. “I hope my English major and business minor will enable me to grow in my current field, and that my experiences in the honors program will also help me to focus my volunteer work in serving children and families in our community,” said Jennifer. “I feel there were many opportunities that I may have missed, or I was held back from, because I didn’t have those (degree) requirements,” she said. “Achieving a bachelor’s degree will be instrumental in helping me to grow, and scholarships have been an important part of my success. I couldn’t be where I am today without them. Being able to take the stress of the financial burden away and truly being able to focus on my studies has reaffirmed my decision to go back to school and it’s made all the difference in the world.”

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During the past 26 years, the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus has hosted one of the region’s premier social events, Brunch on the Bay, raising scholarships funds for nearly 1,900 students, most of whom are from the Sarasota-Manatee region and remain in our community to live and work. Thanks to the generosity of Brunch on the Bay scholarship donors, countless students have earned college degrees and now give their time and talent back to the Sarasota and Manatee communities. As COVID-19 has affected the lives of many in our community, college scholarships offer students muchneeded financial support for tuition, books and other expenses needed to continue their studies or start their degree and a new career path. For Jennifer and countless other students, scholarships helped turn dreams of a college education and enriching career into a reality. “When I received the news that I was a Brunch on the Bay Scholarship recipient, I was just over the moon. The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is amazing, I don’t think I could have been as successful without this team and this culture and environment on campus. It feels like home.”

“The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is amazing, I don’t think I could be successful without this team and this culture and environment on campus. It feels like home.” —JENNIFER EUBANKS

The University of South Florida is indeed committed to student success and increasing access to education across the region and the state. The Sarasota-Manatee campus provides a personalized education with a focus on hands-on experiential learning that leverages community partnerships to provide student opportunities, internships and career placement. Many of the students at the Sarasota-Manatee campus are first-generation college students, like Jennifer, and the majority work at least 20 hours per week to fund their education. Scholarships like those funded by Brunch on the Bay help ease financial burdens and remove barriers to educational access. The 27th Brunch on the Bay will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2021, at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Guests will enjoy cuisine from leading local restaurants and caterers while helping students in our region attend college at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Brunch on the Bay could not fund student success stories without the support of our local community, organizations and leaders.

“We are very pleased that USF Federal Credit Union will be the title sponsor of Brunch on the Bay for the next three years, and Elizabeth Moore has agreed to serve as chairperson of the 2021 event,” said USF SarasotaManatee Campus Regional Chancellor, Karen Holbrook, PhD. “We are thrilled to partner with an organization that consistently supports students and the communities in which they do business, and it’s an honor to have Elizabeth Moore leading our planning team.” “It is an honor and privilege to give back to the university through these scholarships,” said CEO and President Richard J. Skaggs. “After all, supporting the educational advancement of future leaders is one of the best investments we could make.” Brunch on the Bay chairperson Elizabeth Moore has established herself as a prominent community leader since moving to the Suncoast from Massachusetts, where she helped run her family’s catering business. As a philanthropist and environmentalist, she serves on several local boards, and immerses herself in supporting

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a variety of important local and global causes. She has a special passion for arts and culture and providing opportunities for others. “I have attended Brunch on the Bay as a guest the past five years and loved it. There’s a young, vibrant energy going on here,” said Moore. “Workforce development in any community is vitally important to boost the economy. USF trains students to become outstanding professionals in our community and supports critical issues that impact our growth and future.” “Our local restaurants and caterers are remarkable supporters of this event as well,” Moore said. “In the midst of the pandemic, when many restaurants were struggling to keep their doors open, they agreed to support Brunch on the Bay. Supporting student scholarships is an important cause, and we are so grateful for their commitment.” Brunch on the Bay is presented by Mary Kenealy Events. To learn more about the event and how you can support student scholarships, please visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/brunch or call Pam at 941.359.4603.

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“USF trains students to become outstanding professionals in our community and supports critical issues that impact our growth and future.” —ELIZABETH MOORE

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Leaning in innovation to

at the Suncoast Science Center

66 8 8 SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE | | MAY MAY2021 2021

robotics class

music science class

By Jordan W. Patterson

“We were open. We never closed during COVID,” says executive director and co-founder Ping Faulhaber. “It was amazing—not only were we able to condition students to be adaptable, but we actually showed them how we’re adapting,” The center has emerged as a pillar of the educational landscape of Sarasota. It hosts educational camps for students from grades 2-8, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Saturdays, and the RC Car Competition, as well making science kits available to local schools through its Science Lending Library. The star of the programs and summer camps is the Faulhaber Fabrication (“Fab”) Lab, comprised of stateof-the-art equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters,

and CNC routers. Many of its programs are designed and managed by high school students. During the pandemic, says Faulhaber, students were able to see firsthand how to adapt to unprecedented situations. Using equipment at the ready inside the Fab Lab, staff and volunteers were uniquely positioned to make a real impact. Initially, they responded by producing a whopping 2,521 face masks and 2,351 face shields that were later distributed to dozens of healthcare facilities, first responder organizations, doctors’ offices, and nonprofit organizations. To complete such a task, more than $40,000 was raised to support the project through the assistance of the Johnson Singer Foundation, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation COVID-19 Response Initiative. The center kept the focus on solutions by initiating and spearheading projects that could assist other businesses and organizations to remain open too. For example, the Student Community Innovation Program (SCIP) set up two teams. The product team worked on antimicrobial touchless door handles for local businesses. The education team

Photos by Nancy guth

Back when the world began shutting down due to COVID-19, the Suncoast Science Center made a decision. Rather than close up shop and cancel their 2020 Summer Camp season, they chose to lean into their specialty of innovation and growth.

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“It was amazing— not only were we able to condition students to be adaptable, but we actually showed them how we’re adapting,” —Ping Faulhaber

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focused on how to relay safety information and protocols to younger students. Twelve students created COVIDudacation.net, an educational platform to teach about dangers of the virus and best practices for remaining safe. By the end of 2020, that website had received more than 2,000 visits. As for their own programming, Faulhaber says the center had to adapt to safely continue Summer Camp and other projects. At first, the summer courses were modified to be partially virtual. However, after instituting common COVID-19 regulations like hand sanitizer accessibility, taking temperatures, and wearing masks, the Summer Camp was able to continue as an in-person learning experience.

A COMMUNITY OF SCIENCE ADVOCATES The center has been able to thrive, especially during the pandemic, in large part due to the generosity of volunteers who give their time. In 2020, hundreds of adult and student volunteers contributed 67,380 hours of work. And interest is

increasing: in 2020, applications to volunteer at the Fab Lab rose 86-percent over the prior year. Many volunteers are students. Now a senior at Pine View High School, Julia Kourelakos began volunteering at the science center during her freshman year of high school. Since then, she has served as a Summer Camp instructor, teaching her own computer science course with a focus on coding and game design, and she now serves on the Student Proposals & Education Committee.

ping with volunteers

“I was just very drawn to how well organized and how committed they were to making STEM and science more accessible,” she says. “From the start of volunteering there, I really got the sense that they were committed to helping us as high schoolers grow as leaders, as people. It wasn’t like other volunteer jobs I had done where we were directed to do a task and weren’t really given autonomy. At the Center, they asked our opinion on things and gave us the opportunity to lead things, which really excited me.” Dr. Janjay Gehndyu began mentoring student instructors at the science center shortly after it opened in 2014. He believes that lessons learned as a student instructor can be relevant to a variety of careers and even everyday life. “We try to teach them that teaching doesn’t always have to be formal learning like in a classroom. It can be informal. Our expectation for them is to see how they grow as people and to see how they’re developing,” says Gehndyu.

Julia Kourelakos helps Coding camper Dr. Janjay Gehndyu helps rc car teams

With COVID-19 still lurking, Faulhaber hopes the science center can continue to grow and innovate, using that secret sauce that makes SSC and the Fab Lab special. “It’s project-based learning.” says Faulhaber. “It’s education, but it’s fun.” MAY MAY2021 2021 | | SARASOTA SARASOTASCENE SCENE 71 71

The Sarasota Film Festival Returns By Gus Mollasis

rita moreno: just a girl who decided to go for it

Years ago I was standing in the lobby of the Hollywood 20 movie theater at U.S. 301 and Main Street, amid the bustle of the Sarasota Film Festival, waiting to interview the incomparable Rita Moreno.

EGOT, in case you don’t know, is someone who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Only 16 people in history have won an EGOT.

There was only one problem—my cameraman didn’t show up.

It’s a rare club. Members include Mel Brooks, Mike Nichols and Whoopi Goldberg.

What was I to do? Give up on the interview?

And Rita Moreno is in it.

Never.

I wasn’t about to give up on my chance to interview this EGOT winner face-to-face. But what she did next was a gesture I shall never forget as long as I live, one that placed this entertainer in an even rarer club.

Instead, I improvised and grabbed a backup camera out of my bag to try and speak with the legendary EGOT winner. 72

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my octopus teacher

Seeing that I was struggling with the camera and knowing I wanted to capture a two shot—of her, the star, with me, the reporter—she offered a solution. “My husband can take the shot,” she said, as she handed the camera to him. Stunned, I sat with the legendary performer in a lobby alive with film goers and enthusiasts who were rushing in from the Florida sunshine to darkened theaters, eager to experience the magic and dreams achieved on the silver screen. They hardly noticed us. Me and Rita Moreno.

Perhaps it’s fitting that amid the many challenges of a pandemic, her documentary, Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It is scheduled to open the 23rd annual Sarasota Film Festival on April 30, 2021. UNDERWATER WONDERS This year’s festival takes place from April 30th to May 9th with virtual and in-person events. A hybrid format combines outdoor public and virtual screenings, plus events including the popular live Q&As and conversations.

But I did. An EGOT winner for sure. But in my book–she’s even bigger than that. A kind human being, a pursuer of dreams, and a cultivator of dreamers who want to tell their stories. In our short but spirited interview, this legendary performer inspired me. And when I asked her best advice to filmmakers and other artists pursuing their dreams, she shared this important lesson. “Never give up,” she said. “I was one Puerto Rican broad that was never going to give up.” Never quit. Ms. Moreno sure didn’t.

Ticket holders will appreciate the “In Conversation With…” series featuring two Oscar nominees: James Reed and Pippa Ehrlich, co-directors of My Octopus Teacher. By the time this article appears, Reed and Ehrlich will know if they’ve won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Whatever the outcome, we can all cheer My Octopus Teacher as this year’s SFF Centerpiece Film and recipient of a special honor. “We are excited to honor James Reed and Pippa Ehrlich with this year’s Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking Award, and to MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Dangerous Ladies

“By echoing their exact words 100 years later, I give voice to their struggle, strength, and ultimate success. I feel I am marching with them shoulder to shoulder.” — Katherine Michelle Tanner

applaud their work with the Academy Award-nominated My Octopus Teacher whose maritime themes and messages are important to the Sarasota community,” says Mark Famiglio, Chairman and President of the Sarasota Film Festival. “We are thrilled to program such engaging and intriguing films that are sure to delight our audiences.” I’ve never begged anyone in print not to miss an event— so this is a first. Please, I’m begging you, go and see My Octopus Teacher, the Netflix gem, even if you watched it on the big screen. You will thank me later. This beautiful and moving work documents filmmaker Craig Foster as he forms an inspiring and unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest. As their relationship unfolds, he learns lessons from an animal who shares the mysteries of her world. 74

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A masterpiece in filmmaking! LOCAL AND NOTEWORTHY I can’t wait to see all the films and get lost in the dark, as artists’ dreams are brought to light. Local filmmakers grace the stage this year with Dangerous Ladies – Voices of the Suffragists—a spotlight film in this year’s festival. Many of this impressive film’s scenes were filmed at Sarasota’s Florida Studio Theatre and adroitly utilize historical photos, dramatic monologues, and even song to look back on the suffragists and their precursors, whose courage ultimately led to women being given the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Dangerous Ladies is directed by FST’s sublime Kate Alexander and the hardest working man from film festivals

Dream horse

past, MeTV’s Charles Clapsaddle, who also produces. “Even with the COVID pandemic trampling our endeavors, I watched the performers sing from empty rooms, play from their heart and dance when no audience was watching,” said Alexander “I was moved beyond tears to witness these silent artistic sentinels perform in honor of their ancient sisters who struggled for 70 years to get the opportunity to have a voice and a vote.” One of the featured actors, Katherine Michelle Tanner, reflected on her experience, “By echoing their exact words 100 years later, I give voice to their struggle, strength, and ultimate success. I feel I am marching with them shoulder to shoulder.” The festival wraps on closing night, May 8, 2021, with Dream Horse starring Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Toni Collette and Emmy Award® winner Damian Lewis. Dream Horse, directed by Euros Lyn, tells the true story of Jan Vokes, a Welsh cleaner and bartender who decides to breed and rear a race horse. I am thrilled to get lost in all these stories and the stories of filmmakers who heeded Moreno’s sage advice. To tell

“this year, (Rita Moreno’s) advice has added weight for us all: to not give up on our own story— until it is well told and told well.” their stories in spite of obstacles. Stories of protagonists and antagonists to admire and despise. Dreams brought to life. And this year, her advice has added weight for us all: to not give up on our own story—until it is well told and told well. For more information visit www.sarasotafilmfestival.com MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

SPOTLIGHT

SOPHIE TUCKER: LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS

Bring on the Show!

A NEW SUMMER BRINGS NEW OFFERINGS FROM FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 76

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BY PAIGE LYMAN

For almost 50 years, Florida Studio Theatre has been making theatre arts accessible to Sarasota residents and visitors alike. Originally founded in 1973, FST started out as an alternative professional theatre company that toured and performed for isolated audiences that included nursing homes, prisons, and community centers. Since finding a permanent home in 1977, FST has blossomed into a village of five different theatres in downtown Sarasota.

insider

THREE PIANOS

In 2020, COVID-19 upended the arts and culture sector across the country, forcing the cancellation of theatrical productions and shuttering theatres for months at a time. FST itself cancelled all of its summer productions last year in response to the pandemic and shifted to alternative programming, such as FST Improv’s Radio Call-In show on Instagram. Available on the popular social media site, the show allows artists from all over the world to call in, discuss a specific theme, and interact with Will Luera, FST’s director of improvisation, every Saturday night. Other innovations during the pandemic included offering FST’s VIP Program online via Zoom. The VIP Program offers theatre classes, free of charge, to those with physical, emotional, and mental challenges. In addition, FST held a socially-distanced summer camp for kids and even offered a number of scholarships to frontline workers and their families. This spring, FST began bridging what they have been calling “the new abnormal” by offering reduced capacity for two new musical revues: Vintage POP! and Three Pianos. Audiences were on the smaller side, with capacity capped at about 38%, according to

VINTAGE POP!

Rebecca Hopkins and Richard Hopkins, FST’s managing director and producing artistic director, respectively. These shows were initially planned to serve as a sort of bridge as they move towards being fully open once more. Now a year on from the start of the pandemic, FST is back and extremely excited about starting production once more.

OPENING BACK UP STRONGLY Rebecca says they “expect to move towards 50% capacities in May.” While still dealing with COVID-19 restrictions, a full lineup is planned for the 2021 summer season, includ ing t hree Mainstage productions and three in the Cabaret. FST was happy to share the news that they will be opening up the Mainstage with the return of “one of [the] biggest hit shows in FST history, Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas, starring Kathy Halenda,” says Rebecca. “Kathy is a powerhouse and is beloved by our Sarasota community. So, it seems like the right time to bring her back as we begin our ‘rebirth.’” Following is Deborah Brevoort’s My Lord, What A Night, based on actual events that occurred between singer Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein

NOW A YEAR ON FROM THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, FST IS BACK AND EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT STARTING PRODUCTION ONCE MORE. MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

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DEBORAH BREVOORT

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE

SHADES OF BUBLÉ: A THREE-MAN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL BUBLÉ

THE SWINGAROOS

in 1937. The Mainstage season finishes with Rounding Third, a comedy that follows the story of two Little League coaches through the trials of fatherhood and friendship. The Summer Cabaret Series kicks off with Great Balls of Fire, a celebration of Jerry Lee Lewis featuring Jason Cohen, who played Lewis in almost 80 cities across the country during the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. In August, watch for Shades of Bublé: A Three-Man Tribute to Michael Bublé, in which three singers bring the hits of Michael Bublé to life for the first time in Sarasota. FST Cabaret favorites, The Swingaroos, return with Jukebox Saturday Night. This all-new show offers a fun twist on classic jukebox hits like “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

NEW PROGRAMS FOR THE SUMMER Suffice to say, FST is coming back strong after a year of darkened stages. Mainstage and Cabaret productions are just the beginning. Rebecca says that their Children’s Theatre has an entirely new program starting up in June. “FST’s People’s Project is designed to engage members of the community in an immersive theatrical experience year-round beginning in June 2021,” says Rebecca. “We will begin piloting the project this summer by touring On the Road Again: A Family Musical Road Trip. This family-friendly musical revue will be performed for free in public parks and outdoor spaces for six weekends

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“OUR SCHOOLS WERE UNDER TREMENDOUS STRESS THIS PAST YEAR, AND WE BELIEVE THE CHILDREN NEEDED

WRITE A PLAY PROGRAM

THIS PROGRAM MORE THAN EVER.” — RICHARD HOPKINS throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties from July through August 2021.” The new pilot program will highlight music to celebrate the diversity that can be found across the USA.

SUMMER CAMP

This summer, FST plans to expand their VIP Program by offering “The Puzzle Project.” This two-week camp is designed for students on the autism spectrum and will offer campers the opportunity to have an engaging, creative experience through acting, improvisation, and music.

REMAINING ONLINE + LOOKING FORWARD With the 2021 summer season on the horizon, FST has an assortment of productions, events, and interactive programs to appeal to theatre lovers of all ages. Along with a return to in-person events, FST also plans to continue events and programs that take place online. FST’s new play development workshops will continue, bringing together playwrights from across the country to develop new work for the FST stage. Two plays that originated at FST will have their own virtual readings: Eleanor by Mark St. Germain on May 27-28, 2021, and Visit Joe Whitefeather by Bruce Graham on June 3-4, 2021.

WRITE A PLAY PROGRAM

Zoom continues to be a valuable tool, enabling playreading workshops with actors from across the country. Moving forward, Rebecca says that FST will “continue to use the virtual world for peeks behind-the-scenes and artist discussions.” Online events open up accessibility to patrons that live elsewhere, including Canada, California, and New York. (continued page 80)

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

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THE SWINGAROOS

FST has worked to improve the theatre experience over the past year for their audience, from refurbishments across all five theatres and new plays to an increased focus on multiculturalism. Last year, with support from individual donors and organizations like The Community Foundation of Sarasota, they offered their WRITE A PLAY program online to Sarasota and Manatee students completely free of charge. “Our schools were under tremendous stress this past year, and we believe the children needed this program more than ever. But the system was overburdened. So, we did everything we could to make it as accessible as possible,” says Richard. He believes that FST “found new meaning” during the pandemic. “We are committed, more than ever, to telling stories of us all,” he says. “I look forward to the days ahead. I look forward to a renaissance at Florida Studio Theatre.” For more information, visit floridastudiotheatre.org. 80

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Savannah Campbell & Israel Ellis in Feira de Castro (Ricardo Graziano). Photo by Frank Atura.

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Education MATTERS By Ryan G. Van Cleave

FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE: THE SARASOTA BALLET’S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Like so many businesses and organizations, COVID-19 forced The Sarasota Ballet’s Education Department’s efforts to pause its face-to-face classes in early 2020. But with the resilience that a top arts organization has, they found a way to deliver quality dance training through virtual education platforms. Everything from classes for their acclaimed Sarasota Ballet School and Margaret Barbieri Conservatory to Dance—the Next Generation lessons were available for people from the safety and comfort of their own homes. As a way of both saying thank you and supporting the local community, they didn’t charge families tuition for classes through the summer of 2020. But dance is best taught live, so The Sarasota Ballet created a hybrid situation last year for their International 82

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Intensive summer program. Mornings were small-group face-to-face classes that had very strict health and safety protocols—including masks—and afternoons were online via Zoom. This arrangement worked so well and kept people dancing that by September 2020, they were able to offer even more face-to-face classes, while still keeping virtual options open for those who chose that method. The majority of students are now physically back in the studio, reports Christopher Hird, Education Director, and he couldn’t be more excited about it. “Ballet is such a beautiful art form,” he says. “It’s excellent exercise, for one thing. But it’s also a way to express yourself without using words, and there are so many children who feel uncomfortable expressing themselves in their day-to-day lives. Yet through movement, something is unlocked within them. Through ballet, they are freed.”

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Like all of the teachers they employ, Hird is certified through the American Ballet Theatre®’s National Training Curriculum. He explains, “We strongly believe in professional development for our teachers so they can deliver the best possible training and opportunities for our students.” Hird also oversees and maintains their robust community partnerships to ensure they’re delivering what’s needed, even during COVID-19. “For example, we do a Silver Swans program at Plymouth Harbor and Senior Friendship Centers—this helps keep our elderly population going strong. We also have continued our Joyful Movement Through Parkinson’s program going virtually in collaboration with the Neuro Challenge Foundation.” Like so many others at the Sarasota Ballet—Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri to name MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

Zoom Classes for students of The Sarasota Ballet

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Facebook Live Classes

Hialey Stinchcomb, Savannah Campbell, Terri Jean Thomson, Maggie Bucko and Willa Frantz in Coppelia. Photo by Frank Atura.

just two—Hird studied at The Royal Ballet School in London before joining a dance company as a performer. And like those others, when he retired from the stage, he wanted to stay involved in the ballet world. “I hope to inspire the next generation of dance lovers,” he says, “and my goal is to bring the world of ballet out into the community. Plus, it’s just so rewarding to see a student achieve a particular step that they’ve been working on for weeks.” One of the most exciting programs The Sarasota Ballet offers is Dance—The Next Generation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, the same as the company this year. Over those 30 years, they’ve reached so many students who would never normally even have been introduced to ballet, because the program offers those who are most at-risk for dropping out of school the opportunity to participate in a 10-year, full-scholarship program in dance. The goal isn’t prepping them for a career in dance, but rather to build on core aspects of the training that help them in life, such as selfdiscipline and self-esteem, as well as overall fitness and health. DNG averages about 160 students at any one time, ranging from third to twelfth grade. And for those who complete the program and graduate from high school, there’s an additional scholarship opportunity to State College of Florida or USF Sarasota-Manatee. Hird says, “I hear again and again from our DNG graduates that the program got them to understand the value of striving toward

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Margaret Barbieri Conservatory Trainee Men in Salut des Hommes (Christopher Hird). Photo by Frank Atura.

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“A kid walks into the studio for the first time. Their eyes go wide and they discover their love for ballet. That’s how it starts.” —CHRISTOPHER HIRD

something. Without that, they wouldn’t be a college graduate or in a specific profession. DNG is really a huge success story.” Another success story is how The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory Trainee program—which is the top level offered—doubled in size last year, despite COVID-19. Why is that the case? Hird thinks it’s due to the growing reputation of the company which makes students from around the country want to come and train here. He also thinks that being one of the only American ballet schools in the area to offer the American Ballet Theatre®’s National Training Curriculum is a draw for people. Graduates from the Trainee Program are sometimes invited to join The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company, which is the first step toward a professional ballet career. For many, though, dance isn’t a career goal but instead is a beloved activity that enriches their lives. Those are the people who are the dance audiences of the future, which is a vital part of keeping the art form alive. In early March, the Studio Company and trainees performed the first of a series of Terrace Programs on the outdoor stage constructed by the Asolo Repertory Theatre in front of the FSU Center for the Performing

Arts. “We were thrilled that the dancers got to perform on a real stage after such a challenging year,” says Hird. “We actually had to add an extra performance due to demand.” Terrace Program 2, Voices of Her is scheduled through May 1, though seating is limited to keep audience members appropriately socially distant while they enjoy ballets created and choreographed by the women of The Sarasota Ballet and the Studio Company. Terrace Program 3, Images of Dance will be from May 7-9 and will feature the entire Margaret Barbieri Conservatory. “A kid walks into the studio for the first time. Their eyes go wide and they discover their love for ballet. That’s how it starts,” Hird says about the world of dance that he loves so much. “The future of The Sarasota Ballet’s Education Programs is bright.”

F O R M O R E IN F O R M AT IO N

about the Sarasota Ballet’s Education Department, and to book tickets for the Terrace Programs please visit www.sarasotaballet.org or call 941.359.0099. MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

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Best SEATS PERFORMING ARTS CALENDAR PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY THE ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY. ALL LISTINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

THE CIRCUS ARTS CONSERVATORY 941.355.9805 / circusarts.org A Night at the Movies May 2 FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE 941.366.9000 / floridastudiotheatre.org Vintage POP! Through May 2 HERMITAGE ARTIST RETREAT 941.475.2098 / hermitageartistretreat.org Artists and Writers, Thinking Out Loud May 14 Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens with Composer Rona Siddiqui May 29 MANATEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 941.749.1111 / manateeperformingartscenter.com I DO! I DO! Through May 9

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MOVING REAL PRODUCTIONS tickettailor.com/events/ movingrealproductions Touch Me Real Through May 30 THE PLAYERS CENTRE 941.365.2492 / theplayers.org Virtual Studio Showcase Broadway Rhythm May 28 THE RINGLING 941.360.7399 / ringling.org Learn from a Grad: Carlee Sachs-Krook May 29 THE SARASOTA BALLET 941.359.0099 / sarasotaballet.org Digital Program 7: Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, and Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs May 21 – 25

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SARASOTA OPERA 941.328.1300 / sarasotaopera.org Il Signor Bruschino May 17 Dido & Aeneas May 24 SARASOTA ORCHESTRA 941.953.4252 / sarasotaorchestra.org Music Moves Us Online Latin Grooves May 6 – 11 Moments in Time May 6 – 9 VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL 941.953.3368 / vanwezel.org Titanique: The Maiden Voyage Concert May 2 Bay Music Live: Yesterdayze May 8

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Theatre camps and classes for Ages 8-18

SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL sarasotafilmfestival.com The 23rd Annual Sarasota Film Festival Through May 9

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Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles May 9 One Night of Queen May 15 VENICE SYMPHONY 941.207.8822 / thevenicesymphony.org Patriotic Pops and Fireworks May 29 VENICE THEATRE 941.488.1115 / venicetheatre.org Folk Legacy Trio May 7 – 10 WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE 941.366.1505 / westcoastblacktheatre.org Pipeline — A Virtual Event May 1 – 23

Asolo Rep Summer Sessions are a place for students to be inspired by professional artists, their peers, and themselves. Join us as we create and connect through theatre!

In-person and online programs run July 5 - 31

Visit asolorep.org for details and to learn about our health & safety protocols.

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

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941.951.0620 | 530burnsgallery.com FORWARD MOMENTUM Through May 7 ABSTRACT NARRATIVES May 7 – June 9

ARTCENTER MANATEE 941.746.2862 | artcentermanatee.org The Promise of Spring May 4 – 28

ART CENTER SARASOTA Note: Events are subject to change. Please check event online before attending.

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941.365.2032 | artsarasota.org North Sarasota County Schools Spring Art Show, All Galleries Through May 1 Booker High School VPA Senior Thesis Show, Gallery 1 & 2 May 5 – 14

Cycle 5: Gallery 1 - Nancy Dillen, Gallery 2 - Yamel Molerio, Gallery 3 - Peter Christ, Gallery 4 - TBA Members Only Juried Show May 27 – July 2

DABBERT GALLERY 941.955.1315 | dabbertgallery.com Lasting Impressions May 1 – June 30

MARA ART STUDIO + GALLERY 941.914.8110 | marastudiogallery.com THROUGH THE LENS... perspectives: Collective Photography Exhibition May 7 – June 18

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Sam Gilliam: Selections Through August 15 Saitō Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening Through August 15

SARASOTA MUSEUM OF ART 941.423.6460 | northportartcenter.org Get Inspired by Vacation and Travel May 1 –June 4

941.309.4300 | info@sarasota.art Janaina Tschäpe: Between the Sky and the Water Through May 2 Xaviera Simmons Spring 2021/Fall 2022

THE RINGLING

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941.359.5700 | ringling.org Frans Hals: Detecting a Decade Through May 16 Larry Rivers: Boston Massacre Through May 16 Off to the Races Through May 23

941.374.3492 | spaaces.art Door In The Ceiling | Ringling Student Exhibition May 16 – June 5 Opening Reception: May 15

Have an upcoming visual art event? Send your event details to COMMUNICATIONS@SARASOTAARTS.ORG

Help make higher education possible. Cassandra Holmes 941-752-5390 HolmesC@SCF.edu SCF-Foundation.org MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

arts&culture

Meet Artist

SUSAN MAAS Award-winning artist Susan Maas works in stone, wood, and fiber. Her training includes a Bachelor’s of Fine Art and a Master’s of Fine Art from Florida International University and a Post-Bac graduate certificate from the Maryland Institute College of Art—all with concentrations in sculpture. Originally from Chicago, Susan moved to the Florida Keys in 2000 after retiring from the military. The natural beauty of the Keys inspired her to return to creating art, a lifelong passion that had been put on hold for career and family. Susan now lives with her husband in East Manatee County Florida and continues to be inspired by the forms that can be found in nature and people.

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at home

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

InHEALTH INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT By Morgan Callahan, MD

Interventional pain management is an exciting, new specialty in the world of medicine, where a multidisciplinary approach is taken to not only treat pain but also restore function and mobility. Interventional pain physicians focus on the diagnosis and treatment of your pain while working closely with therapists, primary care physicians and other specialists. Interventional pain physicians treat everything from back and neck pain to cancer-related pain, and even pain from arthritic joints that interfere with your day-today activities. HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD SEE AN INTERVENTIONAL PAIN MANAGEMENT PHYSICIAN? If you have pain that has not improved with conservative treatment such as physical therapy, ice, or rest, and does not improve with Tylenol or other over the counter pain medication, then talking to an interventional pain physician is a great next step. Common procedures like epidural steroid injections can relieve sciatic-type pain. Other procedures like nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablations can treat back and neck pain due to arthritis without the use of steroids. If you are interested in alternative pain management options to avoid surgery, you can speak with an interventional pain management physician about the growing field of natural biological substances, such as platelet rich plasma. WHAT IS PLATELET RICH PLASMA? Platelets play a crucial role in mediating the healing of injured tissue, and thus have become a novel delivery tool for growth factors. Growth factors are peptides that are critical in wound healing and are secreted by numerous substances in the human body, including platelets. A patient’s own blood can be drawn and then put in a centrifuge to concentrate the blood and extract out the platelet rich plasma (PRP). This PRP has four to eight times

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“Interventional pain physicians treat everything from back and neck pain to cancer-related pain, and even pain from arthritic joints that interfere with your day-to-day activities.”

the concentration of platelets found in normal blood. Growth factors have been shown to cause tissue repair, but their effects are confined mostly to the site of delivery. WHAT CAN BE TREATED WITH PLATELET RICH PLASMA? PRP can be injected into arthritic joints, for example, and will begin to release growth factors within minutes. Numerous large, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that PRP injections in knees leads to improved physical function and decreased pain or stiffness when compared to intra-articular steroid and viscosupplementation injections in the knee. Most importantly, these studies have demonstrated that PRP injections are safe. PRP is a great option to expedite healing and recovery from injured muscles, ligaments, or even arthritis, and is a great alternative for surgery. Pain Medicine Group Morgan Callahan, MD 2621 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232 941.328.8276 www.painmedicinegroup.com

InHEALTH MAY IS MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH By Emily F. Arsenault, MD, FAAD

Aggressive malignant melanoma is on the rise. In the past decade alone, the number of new cases of this deadly skin cancer increased by an incredible 44%. That’s over 200,000 people diagnosed every single year! So what is melanoma and how do you protect yourself from this aggressive form of skin cancer that claims the lives of thousands of people each year? WHAT IS MALIGNANT MELANOMA? Melanoma is a skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, which are a normal part of everyone’s skin. Melanocytes are the normal cells that give your skin its color. A combination of the genes you inherit, as well as your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, can create a perfect storm where a normal melanocyte changes into a deadly cancer. While fair-skinned people are at highest risk, even skin that rarely sees the light of day—such as inside the eye are possible sources. Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for this deadly disease. WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP IN PROTECTING AGAINST THIS SKIN CANCER? Wear your sun protection! Floridians are at especially high risk because our sun exposure is a significant factor. Sun damage plays the largest role in all skin cancers, not just melanoma. And the fairer your skin, the easier it is for the sun to get past the melanocytes and into the cell’s nucleus. Once the DNA inside the nucleus is corrupted, the cell can permanently change into a skin cancer cell. So your first line of defense is to make it harder for these rays to penetrate. Fortunately, you have options. Layering these options together greatly increases the protective effects. Wear sun-protective hats, clothing and suncreens with a UPF 50+ rating. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide effectively block both UVA and UVB rays and are well-tolerated. Seeking shade and reapplying sunscreen every 90 minutes is key.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO AVOID MELANOMA? Protecting yourself from the sun while outdoors is just the beginning. Leading experts also recommend a combination of monthly self-skin checks and regular visits to your dermatologist for a comprehensive examination. Selfchecks can be performed at home. Look out for new or changing moles. Since diagnosing melanoma in its earliest stage can mean the difference between life and death, one of the best recommendations is to see your dermatologist on a regular basis. HOW CAN MY DERMATOLOGIST HELP KEEP ME PROTECTED? Dermatologists are well-trained, experienced and can discover small, subtle signs of the early disease that most patients may miss at home. Techniques such as tracking the size and shape of moles over long periods of time (think years), examining the skin closely using a handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope, and taking a small sample of your mole (biopsy) to be examined under a microscope work all together to provide the best safety net modern medicine can provide. While the number of malignant melanoma cases are on the rise, protecting your skin and getting frequent checks can dramatically reduce your risk of dying from this extremely dangerous skin cancer. By combining a robust sun protection plan along with self-skin checks and regular full-body skin exams by your dermatologist, you can greatly reduce your risk and more safely enjoy our amazing Florida lifestyle! Arsenault Dermatology Emily F. Arsenault, MD, FAAD 8926 77th Terrace East, Unit 101 Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941.907.0222 www.arsenaultdermatology.com

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

arts&culture

LITERARY Scene By Ryan G. Van Cleave

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT SARASOTA AUTHOR JULIE MCGUE’S DEBUT MEMOIR, TWICE A DAUGHTER Instead of offering our normal trio of book reviews, this month’s Literary Scene focuses on a local author whose debut book, Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging, is being published in May 2021 by She Writes Press. Have you always considered yourself a writer? I always kept a journal. I think I always felt that I had a book in me. But I raised four kids, and three of them played college sports. So, we were all over the place—I was following them around and participating. It kind of put writing on the back burner. The adoption story was just a natural way to get back into something I would’ve gotten to. Eventually! But this is your first book? This memoir is my debut book, yes. Though I’ve been blogging for three years, so it’s not my first foray into the literary scene.

“…it’s really important to understand how everybody fits together and try to appreciate the decisions that they make. Because if you don’t do that, you don’t give yourself the capability to forgive.”

With a phrase like “literary scene,” this is clearly the right place for you to be! So, how did Twice a Daughter come about? The book came about because I have a twin sister, and we were both adopted together. When I was in my late 40s, I had a suspicious mammogram and got sent for a biopsy. Up until that point, I played with the idea of looking for my birth parents but didn’t get anywhere because it was a closed adoption. There were all sorts of legal ramifications to trying to get at that. But the breast biopsy kind of said, “You can’t mess around with this. It’s time to figure out what your family medical history is.” How did everyone accept that new plan? My sister supported it, but my parents were lukewarm. My dad was great. My mom was not. She really didn’t expect at my age that I was going to do that. How long did the search take? The whole saga lasted five years. We ran into one obstacle after another. What were some of those obstacles? Not only was my adoptive mom unhappy that I was searching, but my birth mom didn’t want to be found. Plus, I still had this pressure of trying to figure out my medical history. (continued page 96)

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“As I sat around the table with other members, I found that not only was my story a personal story, but it was also the story of so many others, too.” I ended up using both a search agency and a PI, then I connected with a confidential intermediary program which the state of Illinois instituted to help people like me. When the intermediary opened my closed adoption records and found my birth mom, it took her a while to change her mind. You had some low points along the way, didn’t you? At one point, my adoptive mom almost asked me to choose. I simply didn’t choose between my families because I felt that I should be able to have as many family members in my life as I wanted. I agree completely. Now, what did you find most surprising about the process of writing the book? My capacity to understand my birth mother’s experience as well as my adoptive mother’s point of view. If you had to sum up the book’s message, it’d be that… …it’s really important to understand how everybody fits together and try to appreciate the decisions that they make. Because if you don’t do that, you don’t give yourself the capability to forgive. How did your own family react to the book? I have three daughters and one son. They were like, “Oh, yeah, Mom’s trying to find her birth relatives.” You know teenagers—they’re not really that engaged with what their parents are doing. They kind of know and they kind of listen, but it’s not really meaningful to them. Then I gave my son an advance reading copy of the book. When he was reading it, he started sobbing. He’s 31 years 96

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old! He’s a big football-player-sized kid. I asked, “Are you okay?” And he answered, “Mom, I just had no idea. You went through all this?” It sounds like he had an important AHA moment there, which books can sometimes deliver in a way few other things can. Absolutely. What was your primary motivation for writing the book? And did it change over the course of doing it? The first goal was to get the story on paper and get it out. But one of the things I did during the course of the search journey was enter a post-adoption support group through Catholic Charities. As I sat around the table with other members, I found that not only was my story a personal story, but it was also the story of so many others, too. What’s the most important lesson that you learned over the course of writing Twice a Daughter? That this was something I could get through. And that people can learn to be better listeners. What was the most challenging aspect of writing a memoir? What to leave in and what to leave out. There were a lot of stories that I would’ve liked to include, but the book would’ve probably been 600 pages, if that were the case. And so it was ultimately just about the search, and not about those other things, such as what it’s like to grow up as a twin and what it’s like to be an adoptee. I guess that’s for the next memoir!

arts&culture

Laughing MATTERS THE WILD WORLD OF ANIMALS By Ryan G. Van Cleave | Illustrations by Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

old onto your ten-gallon hats, partners, because I’m about to wow you back to the Old West.

Here goes: Horses do not breathe through their mouths. I know this bizarre statement is true because I got a little stir-crazy last month and skedaddled over to the nearest horse ranch for some COVID-19 riding therapy. (Thus, the cowboy-style lingo at the top!) While saddling up my trusty steed, the owner matter-of-factly just told me, “Hey, did you know that horses do not breathe through their mouths?” To which I said, “Whuuuut?” If that were true, I reckoned, then clearly I didn’t know Thing One about horses. I mean, I had about as much animal IQ as a ghost town has people. I’ve since Googled that horse breathing thing. It’s true! They breathe entirely through their noses. And I’ve discovered that there’s more high-falutin’ weirdness to horses than I ever suspected, such as how a horse’s teeth take up more space in their heads than their brains. And they can get a sunburn. Plus, this—a horse’s closest relative isn’t the pig, cow, or goat. It’s the rhinoceros.

To keep you from being embarrassed at parties by not knowing what everyone else except me seems to, I’ll share 10 of the most useful animal facts I learned: 1. Butterflies taste with their feet. 2. Flamingos are naturally white—their diet of brine shrimp and algae pinkifies them. 3. Reindeer eyeballs turn blue in winter to help them see better in low-light situations. 4. Baby elephants suck their trunks for comfort. (Awwwwwww!) 5. Nine-banded armadillos ALWAYS give birth to identical quadruplets. 6. Male ring-tailed lemurs stink-fight by firing a stench at each other. 7. Some turtles breathe through their butts. 8. Dolphins handle toxic puffer fish on purpose to get high. 9. Cowbirds—which lay their eggs in other bird species’ nests to be cared for—have a secret password they use to call the young ones back home. 10. To display social status and attract mates, male capuchin monkeys cover themselves with their own pee.

I wondered: if I knew so little about horses, what didn’t I know about other animals? So, I’ve decided to remedy my animal ignorance by doing what every good American citizen should do once in their lifetime. I took out my friendly neighborhood zoologist for a smoothie. Clarification 1: zoologist = dude I knew who went to veterinary school at UF for half a semester Clarification 2: friendly neighborhood = willing to go if I paid for the smoothies Clarification 3: smoothie = beer

MAY 2021 | SARASOTA SCENE

While those are amazing things, no doubt, did you know that a trained pigeon can tell the difference between the paintings of Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet? (So says my animal-knowing friend over his second freebie drink). I totally believe it because I once had a hermit crab—Hermes!—who would clack his claws to every single song on Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet album but would shrink up into his shell at the first downbeat of any—and I mean ANY—Bee Gees song. It might’ve been because Hermes’ shell was the exact same shade as Barry Gibb’s beard and my little crustacean buddy felt insecure about that.

in the key of F. What’s all that about? What terrible secret lurks at the heart of all this strangeness?

Hermes might also have been driven bonkers by the ridiculous falsetto yelpings of any English-Australian disco era band, too. You know how judgy-judgy hermit crabs can get.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going to ambulate over to my big-screen TV and erase the Animal Channel from its memory, and I’m cancelling my subscription to Horse & Hound magazine. It’s clearly a prairie full of weirdness out there, and I, for one, am steering clear.

At one point during that out-with-a-zoologist scenario, I got to wondering if my childhood pet rabbit—Lady Bunnicula von Dracula, the Eater of Souls—was perhaps not looking at me so adoringly from her habitat when I woke up each night and saw her red eyes beaming through the bedroom darkness. Hmmm. I don’t mean to be an animal alarmist, but c’mon! I now know for darn-tootin’ that most butterflies will drink blood if given the chance. And the closest living relative to the T-Rex is a chicken. Plus, houseflies hum 98

SARASOTA SCENE | MAY 2021

Anyway, I told my animal pal I had to be moseying along. He slurped down his third freebie drink and gave me an I-know-something-you-don’t-know smirk. Then he said, “Grizzly bears have been clocked at 30+ miles per hour.” He went on to explain that snow leopards can leap 50 feet in the air in a single leap, and that even after having its head bit/ripped/yanked off, a cockroach can live for weeks.

I might even have to get rid of my lizard-green stuffed Baby Yoda on principal alone. Okay. Maybe not that.

If you have first-hand information proving that a locust swarm can be 450 square miles in size and can gobble up 400 million pounds of plants in a day, please reach out to me now at ZebraFartsArentFunny@SceneSarasota.com. I’m gathering information for a Very Secret Project and you might be just the special person I’m looking for.

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