WELLEN PARK
EXPLORE
Ten Year Anniversary
After the initial purchase of land 10 years ago, Wellen Park has become one of the fastest growing communities and best places to live in Florida. EDITED BY BARBIE HEIT
our history
From Thomas Ranch to Wellen Park
TEN YEARS AGO, IN WHAT WAS BILLED AT THE TIME AS A MEGA-DEAL, Mattamy Homes closed on the purchase of the Thomas Ranch property in Southwest Florida— one of the largest real estate transactions in the US in the previous decade. The deal encompassed nearly 10,000 acres. Thomas Ranch, which was rebranded as West Villages and then Wellen Park as it’s known today, is located in the Sarasota metropolitan statistical area, with more than 6,000 acres in the City of North Port and another 3,650 acres in unincorporated Sarasota County. At the time of purchase, the site was primarily undeveloped, with approvals for more than 11,000 homes and 3 million square feet of commercial development. Over the last 10 years, the property has developed from grass and farm-land to a thriving community with three districts, a downtown area, 50 commercial businesses, a major league baseball spring training facility and a hospital, not to mention home to 10,000 residents in 15 communities. And there’s 15 more years of development to come. Let’s look back on how a raw piece of land the size of 12 Central Parks or 7,500 football fields was turned into one of the top-selling masterplanned communities in the US.
PREVIOUS PAGE
The serene waters of Wellen Park’s Grand Lake provide a sense of calm and well being day or night. THIS PAGE Publix and CoolToday Park put convenience and fun at the fingertips of residents.
2014
The Purchase
“Tracts of land that are this size are extremely rare, they don’t come to the market very often,” said Peter Gilgan, Chairman and CEO of Mattamy Asset Management Inc. in the press release announcing the transaction. “What was compelling about the deal was that the property has development timelines that are almost generational in length. And we’re also extremely excited about the growth potential of this part of Florida. We believe that the baby boomer demographic will continue to look to Florida as a place they want to retire, and this parcel of land will serve that need exceptionally well.” Mattamy set out to effectively build a new city on Thomas Ranch. The original vision was for 20,000 homes built over 2530 years and including large parks, schools, road networks, waste-water plants and more. Mattamy is the majority landowner, master developer and a builder within the community. The visioning and entitlement process kicked off quickly, as did other non-traditional activities such as signing cattle leases to raise grass-fed beef— with nearly 1,000 head of cattle.
Play Ball!
our history
In early 2016, Mattamy entered into negotiations with the Atlanta Braves baseball club and Sarasota County for the funding, design and construction of a state-of-the-art spring training destination in Mattamy’s West Villages master-planned community. The proposed campus was envisioned to have training facilities and practice fields as well as a 7,500-seat stadium on a 150-acre site. In October 2017 the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility took place, attended by 200 baseball fans and representatives from the various partners involved. The Braves new spring home would be a $125 million complex, funded by the State of Florida, City of North Port, Sarasota County and the Braves, with Mattamy contributing $4.7 million toward the project, as well as the land and infrastructure. The construction partnership created 140 jobs and an estimated economic impact of $1.7 billion. The facility was recognized as the top regional deal of 2018 by the Florida Economic Development Council. The facility and team celebrated the installation of the highest steel beam atop the new stadium in July 2018. Known as a “steel topping off” ceremony, guests were able to sign the steel beam and watch as it was lifted and taken into the stadium for installation. CoolToday Park opened in 2019 with the inaugural game played on March 24, 2019. In addition to baseball, CoolToday Park hosts a multitude of special events at the facility throughout the year.
2016-17 National Ranking
For the first time, the development is named to the list of the top-selling master-planned communities in the United States. West Villages debuted on the list at fourth in 2016 and continued strong placing at fifth for 2017. Later Wellen Park, the development has remained in the top 10 selling Master Plan Communities.
2020 Bringing the Brand to Life
In a nod to the development’s focus on nature and healthy environments, 26 mature trees were relocated to the welcome center in the downtown core from undeveloped areas of the property. The size and number of trees was rare–the 26 trees ranged from 14” to 93” in diameter, the roots for the two largest trees were 40’ long and the largest canopy was 75’ long. In 2020, a new name and brand for Mattamy’s entire land holdings that encompassed West Villages and the adjacent 7,000 acres of undeveloped land was launched. Going forward the master-planned community would be known as Wellen Park (West Villages became the name of a district within Wellen Park, along with new districts Playmore and Downtown Wellen). The community’s brand and vision are rooted in wellness. Its name is taken from a dual meaning of the word “wellen,” which translates to “waves” in German and “wellness” in Dutch. Wellen Park’s wellness focus was designed to give residents greater opportunities to connect with one another, take care of themselves and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, all within an inclusive, genuine community vibe. The new Wellen Park Welcome Center completed construction–a 5,000 square-foot immersive and interactive community hub for prospective homeowners, visitors and residents. The building was designed as a tangible experience of the Wellen Park brand, offering informational and social gathering areas for people to enjoy and learn more about the community. The Center would later win the prestigious Gold Award for Best Community Welcome Center in the US from the National Association of Home Builders.
our history
2020-21
Downtown Wellen
Luxury rental apartments were introduced to Wellen Park as part of its residential mix. The 13.6-acre complex known as Tropia is located in the Downtown Wellen neighborhood, with more than 250 luxury one, two and three-bedroom residences and expansive indoor and outdoor amenities. In the fall of 2021, ground was broken on Downtown Wellen, the mixed-use development that would become the central hub and gathering place for the master-planned community. Downtown Wellen will feature an 80-acre lake, retail shops, waterfront dining, pedestrian-friendly streets and public community spaces that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors. In 2022, features in its first phase of construction included: a 2.8 mile long walking, running and biking trail that circles the Grand Lake and beyond, Kind Vibes Outfitters, where kayaks, paddle boards, e-bikes and traditional bicycles can be rented, Solis Hall, the town hall and a rentable event venue, lakefront restaurants, Grand Living: an independent, assisted living and memory care community, a one-of-a-kind play yard inspired by nature, a lakefront fountain and splashpad, along with the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events and the Wellen Park Medical Office. Wellen Park was named to ideal-LIVING Magazine’s list of America’s 100 Best Places to Live in 2022, which noted its “beautiful residences and awesome amenities.”
2023-24
Expanding the Offering
Wellen Park expanded its healthcare and medical options for existing and future residents, with plans for an acute-care hospital, 12,000-square-foot medical office and free-standing emergency center. In March 2023, Downtown Wellen’s expansive outdoor recreation areas, including the Great Lawn, Grand Lake and The Yard food and entertainment park, officially opened. Located along the 80-acre Grand Lake, the fully leased Downtown Wellen ushers in an exciting new chapter at Wellen Park with the first phase offering outdoor recreation, dining, entertainment and shopping, as well as a calendar packed with events and activities. Wellen Park opened its first 55+ community, Brightmore, built by Mattamy’s Tampa and Southwest Florida Division. Located in the heart of Wellen Park’s Playmore District, Brightmore is adjacent to CoolToday Park and close to Downtown Wellen, the region’s popular new destination for outdoor recreation, local shopping, dining, events and entertainment. Four new schools have been completed or are under construction, from early childhood development centers to a new high school. In summer of 2024, a new 157,000-square-foot Costco opened in Wellen Park. “The attention to detail at Wellen Park is what makes us different from most master-planned communities in the US, which is why we continue to do so well. I will say this about community — the bricks, roads, and buildings we develop don’t mean a thing without the soul. People create the soul. It starts with our team and is embedded into everything we do and is also transferred to our residents. That’s something I’m really proud of,” says Rick Severance, President of Wellen Park. WPL
The Wellen Park Night Market takes place on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6-9pm in Downtown Wellen Park.
Night Market
Enjoy a unique shopping experience the second Thursday of each month.
COMMONLY FOUND IN PLACES LIKE CHINA, TAIWAN AND THAILAND, NIGHT MARKETS ARE OUTDOOR MARKETPLACES THAT OPERATE IN THE EVENING HOURS. Typically offering local goods, tasty treats, live entertainment and an energetic atmosphere, night markets have become increasingly popular in America, popping up in cities like Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. This July, The Wellen Park Night Market made its debut in the heart of Downtown Wellen.
“Night markets are a staple of community engagement and are a great way to get people out and about,” says Christine Masney, vice president of marketing at Wellen Park. “They are not just about shopping or food alone. They are a vibrant hub of culture and community.” While there are some similarities between farmers markets and night markets, there are also plenty of distinctions. Farmers markets usually operate during the day and primarily focus on fresh produce, local farm products and handmade goods. Products for sale often include fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and other locally sourced items. Night markets obviously operate in the evening and tend to have a lively atmosphere with entertainment like live music. Products for sale are more along the lines of clothing,
crafts, unique artisanal items and prepared foods. The Wellen Park Night Market takes place from 6pm-9pm on the second Thursday of each month in Downtown Wellen Park. Each month, the market features a rotating line-up of independent artists and makers specializing in home decor, fashion, art, design, food and more. Vendors are selected by a lottery process, so there is always an element of mystery and excitement. Shoppers can browse unique goods while enjoying live music from under the Heritage Tree. While shoppers may be familiar with some of the vendors from the Fresh Harvest Farmers Market which runs from 9am-1pm every Sunday, there are also plenty of new and unique vendors and products to explore. WPL For more information, visit wellenpark.com/events/night-market.
WORDS BY KATE WIGHT
BELOW Jetty Boys Rum Cakes is a truly family affair, with owners Rebecca and Josh Jones involving their two sons in every step of the process.
SPOTLIGHT | JETTY BOY RUM CAKES
The most unpredictable things can put you on a new path. For Rebecca Jones and her family–it was a dessert. “One random Sunday one of our really good family friends brought a rum cake over for dessert,” Jones recalls. “We tried it and it was life-changing. It was better than any other dessert I had ever put in my mouth. Every light bulb started going off.” Fast forward about six months and Rebecca, who worked a corporate job, was talking to her husband Josh, who was self-employed. As they discussed the direction they saw their lives taking, they both agreed they wanted to do something they felt more passionate about. “We both looked at each other and we were like, ‘Let’s try rum cakes!’,” she laughs. That was the genesis of Jetty Boys Rum Cakes. It is a true family affair since day one; Rebecca and Josh have involved their sons Brady, 13, and Preston, 11, in every aspect of the business, from recipe development, to cake preparation, to sales. They boys even help harvest sea salt from the north jetty in Nokomis. In addition to their original Rum Cake, Jetty Boys has expanded to include flavors like Toasted Coconut, Chocolate and Key Lime. Regularly found at the Fresh Harvest Farmers Market, Jetty Boys Rum Cakes was proud to be selected as a vendor for the first ever Wellen Park Night Market. Shoppers at the both locales have raved about the fragrant scent of the aromatic cakes, as well as the moist and tender texture and rich, deep flavor. Rebecca’s goal is that everyone who tries a Jetty Boys Rum Cake has a life-changing moment of their own. “That light bulb moment,” she says. “I want people to have that experience every time.” Jetty Boys Rum Cakes, (941) 800-7626, jettyboysrumcakes.com, facebook.com/jettyboysrumcakes.
Sip, Savor and Celebrate
DOWNTOWN WELLEN PARK WAS DESIGNED TO BE A PLACE WHERE THE COMMUNITY COULD COME TOGETHER. Residents can dine at local restaurants, shop at boutiques, wander down scenic pathways or even just enjoy the tranquil view of Grand Lake. They can also attend organized community gatherings, from yoga classes on the Great Lawn to the Fresh Harvest Farmers Market. Now, Wellen Park residents have a new community event to look forward to–the annual Wellen Park Wine Festival, which will make its debut this November. WORDS BY KATE WIGHT
The inaugural Wellen Park Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 1-4pm. At this ticketed event, attendees will be able to sample and shop a variety of wines and also enjoy small bites from featured restaurants against a backdrop of live music from the stage at Solis Hall. In addition to the festival itself, there are two other events. On Friday, November 15, there is an exclusive VIP Dinner and Preview Tasting planned for 6pm-8:30pm and on Saturday November 16, there will be a Wine Tasting 101 seminar preceding the festival between 11am and 12pm.
Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park is the person who truly developed the vision of what downtown Wellen Park could be. Bringing a wine festival to Downtown Wellen was also his idea. “I’m excited that Wellen Park has the opportunity to launch our inaugural Wine Festival,” says Severance. “We’ve put a lot of attention into delivering a high-quality event with great vintners and great food in a great environment.”
Details are still being finalized, but at press time the wine festival is slated to have thirty-two vintner tents and eight culinary tents. Guests who purchase tickets for the festival will receive gifts including a tote bag, a tasting glass and tasting notecard. They’ll be able to circulate to vintner tents to sample wines and chat with vintners. Wines will be available for purchase as well. Guests can also nosh on snacks at culinary tents serving food from local restaurants including Acqua Pazza, The Banyan House, Oak & Stone and Villani & Co.
“You’ll get a chance to sample some of the best cuisine from some of our culinary chefs Downtown,” Severance says. “If you haven’t been able to experience it before, this is a great way to get an opportunity to taste what’s available in downtown Wellen Park so when you come back you know which restaurants you want to visit.”
Whether he’s working alongside his marketing and events teams to envision one-of-a-kind events or building entire communities, Severance is always thoughtful about creating a fantastic user experience by making sure that spaces are accessible and inclusive. “We want to ensure that the festival feels comfortable,” Severance says. “We’ll be
bringing in plants and high-pitched tents as well as farm tables throughout so people have a chance to sit. It can still be hot at four o’clock in November so we have shade elements and seating on the lawn for where the live music is. We’re really trying to create a friendly, accessible environment but the experience will still be more elevated than any other market or festival this area has ever seen. I will say that the rest of Downtown will continue to be open. We are creating a dedicated ticketed portion that’s specific to the wine festival, but people can still come enjoy the restaurants and shopping and experience the live music.”
Tickets for the Wellen Park Wine Festival will be on sale mid-August on wellenpark.com. However, there will be a limited number of tickets available for the Wine Festival itself, and tickets for the VIP Dinner and Wine Tasting 101 are even more exclusive.
“Sometimes inaugural events have a way of getting out of hand,” Severance says, with the wisdom of someone who has organized a lot of festivals in his day. “We’ve chosen to keep the attendance capped for the first year to ensure that the event can be well-executed.” WPL To learn more details about the Wellen Park Wine Festival including when tickets go on sale, visit wellenpark.com/events/wine-festival.
CHRIS KEARNEY’S PRACTICAL WINE TIPS
Chris Kearney knows his way around a wine festival. An Executive Vice President at Pacific Southern Wine Company, he spent thirty years running the fine wine divisions for Republic National Distributing. In that capacity he put on countless wine festivals, many of them charity events. Kearney co-founded the Taste of Key West, an annual food and wine festival that attracts as many as 3,000 guests each year and raises money for organizations that provide healthcare and assistance to people living with HIV and/or AIDS. He also runs the Boca Bacchanal, which raises funds for the Boca Raton Historical Society. Over the past three decades, he has developed some pragmatic advice for people who are new to the wine festival scene. Republic National Distributing is working with Wellen Park to assist in sourcing vintners for the festival.
“I usually try to advise people that when you’re coming to your first tasting or festival and you’re going to be there for the day, don’t go to every table and taste every wine on offer,” Kearney suggests. “Be systematic. If you like chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, go through and taste the white wines first and then maybe you circle back again after that. If you don’t like white wines, start with the lighter reds like pinot noir and build up to heavier ones like cabernet sauvignons and anything in between. It’s helpful for the palate.”
Kearney also emphasizes that guests shouldn’t feel obligated to sample every single wine at the festival, nor should they feel compelled to finish every single sample if it’s not to their liking.
“It’s a wine tasting, not a wine drinking,” he chuckles.
There is a lot of vocabulary associated with wine tasting. Nose refers to the aroma or bouquet of the wine, describing how it smells, while palate refers to the taste of the wine and is inclusive of the flavors and texture. Body is the weight and fullness of the wine on the palate, while finish is the aftertaste that lingers once the wine has been swallowed. It can seem like a lot of new information to process, but as Kearney points out, it’s not entirely unfamiliar.
“Some of the same sensory experiences you have with food can also be applied to wine,” he says. “Paying attention to the aromas and textures–those are things you already know how to do.”While wine festivals do have an educational aspect, Kearney emphasizes that the social factor is just as meaningful.
“You don’t have to feel intimidated if you’re not really a wine drinker,” he says. “You can go there for the music and the food, and oh by the way, there’s also wine. You don’t have to be a Wine Spectator editor to have a great time at a wine tasting.”
Above all else, don’t feel like anyone understands your preferences better than you do, even the experts.
“Don’t let anyone else tell you what you should enjoy,” Kearney says. “The best wine is the wine you like.” WPL
music PianoMan
Blake Guyre shares his love for music as one of the performers at the Dueling Pianos act at Solis Hall. WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
BELOW
Blake Guyre, a performer for his entire life, is one of the performers behind Wellen Park’s beloved Dueling Pianos act.
BLAKE GUYRE IS ONLY 26 YEARS OLD, BUT IF YOU HEARD HIM PLAY YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS IT. It’s not that Guyre, one of the many performers behind Wellen Park’s beloved Dueling Pianos act, appears older than he actually is. It’s the fact that despite being in his mid-20s, he is a veritable encyclopedia of music, a versatile and talented performer just as comfortable playing AC/DC’s Thunderstruck on the piano as he is with Billy Joel’s Piano Man. “I’d say that most pianists have a solid 300-500 songs prepared that they can pull out without having to look anything up,” says Guyre. “Over the last 12 years of performing, I’d say I’ve got roughly a thousand ready to perform off the top of my head, plus I can look up additional requests on my phone. I’d say that Phillip Mahoney, who I regularly partner with in the act, is probably up there around a thousand as well.”
FRIDAY, OCT. 25, 2024
TOGETHER WE ROAR
JOIN US AT MICHAEL’S AT EAST FOR AN UPLIFTING LUNCHEON SHOP POPUP BOUTIQUES 10:30AM | LUNCHEON PROGRAM 11AM-1:15PM
Announcing SRQ Magazine’s 2024 Women Who Roar. Trailblazer Award Recipient Kate White, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine and 2024 Women Who Roar Illuminator Award Recipient New York-based standup comedian, social media influencer and writer Elyse Delucci. Join us as also announce and recognize the Women Who Roar Honorees who will be inducted into the Women Who Roar 2024 Leadership Circle.
AND
KATE WHITE New York Times bestselling author and former Editor In Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.
ELYSE DELUCCI
New York-Based standup comedian, creator of the New York Tawk podcast and writer.
THAT NUMBER MIGHT SEEM STAGGERING, but for Guyre, who started performing professionally at 14 and has never looked back, it’s par for the course. Because while Dueling Pianos may make for easy listening, it is by no means an easy act. In front of a packed house, Guyre and his playing partner must engage the audience for a number of hours. Dueling Pianos is a requests game–while Guyre comes armed with a few songs ready to go, he’ll routinely field hundreds of song requests in a night. Many he knows. Others, well, he has to think on the fly. “I personally don’t read music. Everything that I do is entirely by ear, so if I don’t know a song I’ll go behind the curtain, listen to it once, get the feel for it and then I just look up the words to sing and come back out and perform it,” says Guyre. “It makes the show very interesting. Every show is different and you can never get tired of Dueling Pianos because while you always get the same requests for Piano Man and Sweet Caroline and those types of songs, you’re also going to get some requests for something just so out there that you have to go look it up.”
For Guyre, the confidence needed to command the stage and not fold under the unyielding pressure of the spotlight has been hard earned. He remembers all too well being 14 years old, performing solo in some bar or restaurant, his face flush with embarrassment when he’d have to tell a patron that he didn’t know how to play their request. He still spends hours each day on the piano practicing his craft. He takes vocal lessons with regularity. He travels around the country to play, both as a soloist and with others, he books his own performances, produces his own shows and even writes some of his own music. What audiences see at the Solis Hall Stage in Wellen Park as a part of the foot-stomping, electric Dueling Pianos act is just the tip of the iceberg. “I have never done any other type of work and I love it,” says Guyre. “I like to tell people that I’ve never worked a day in my life, because even though this career is a lot of hard work, it still doesn’t feel like work to me.” Blake Guyre is a performer, in the truest sense of the word. And on the third Thursday of every month, he’s one of the performers who is happy to call the Solis Hall Stage home. WPL Enjoy the sight and sounds of Dueling Pianos in Downtown Wellen Park on the third Thursday of the month on the stage of Solis Hall from 6pm-10pm.
arts BrotherlyLove
Brothers Daniel and Patrick Lazour speak on their path to becoming some of the preeminent creators of musical theater today.
WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
IT STARTED, AS MANY GREAT PARTNERSHIPS DO, IN A MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYWRITING COMPETITION. “When I was in middle school, Patrick was just starting high school,” says Daniel Lazour. “The very first show we made together was for this school play competition and it actually got disqualified because the competition was meant for plays and we wrote a musical. The whole cast was really excited about it, but the powers that be were not. We really ruffled feathers right out of the gate.” For Daniel and his older brother Patrick, that first musical, which was still allowed to be performed on stage despite its official disqualification from the competition, was the first of many stories that they would tell on stage. Today, the Lazour brothers are some of the preeminent voices in musical theater. Their award-winning musical We Live in Cairo, which centers around the 2011 Egyptian revolution, premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in 2019 and is set for another run this fall at the New York Theatre Workshop.
BELOW
The Lazour Brothers collaborating with the first MENA Musical Theatre Project.
We Live in Cairo, however, is just the tip of the creative iceberg for the Lebanese-American brothers who hail from Boylston, Massachusetts. The Lazours, who have recently worked as artists-in-residence at American University in Cairo and as teaching artists at Lincoln Center Theater, are developing a multitude of musically-oriented projects–from their theatrical sing-along experience about cancer patients and their caretakers in Night Side Songs to their musical movie Challenger: An American Dream. This August, Patrick and Daniel, who are Fellows of the Hermitage Artist Retreat located on Manasota Key in Englewood as well as finalists for the 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize, will come to the Hermitage’s beachfront campus to discuss their work and creative process.
Since 1999, the Hermitage Artist Retreat has served as a haven for creatives on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Every year, the organization offers multiweek residences for some of the most renowned creatives from across the world. Artists from a diverse array of backgrounds and disciplines all congregate on the Hermitage’s beachfront campus to work on their craft. While the terms of the artist residency do not demand a result, the organization does ask one thing — for the artist to provide two free programs to the community during their stay at the Hermitage. In these programs, including the upcoming The Lazour Brothers: A Lifelong Collabrotion on August 23, community members can gather to learn about the artists’ process
and even hear snippets of their developing works. It is at this upcoming program that audience members will have the opportunity to learn even more about how the Lazours collaborate and what kinds of stories interest them the most.
“I look back at all of the things we write and I guess Night Side Songs is not quite this, but when you look at We Live in Cairo and Challenger, those are really about youth and the idealism of youth and the disillusionment of growing up. That is one thing that we’re very interested in: the way that a young person can be emboldened to change the world. And how they contend with the truth of the world as years go on,” says Patrick. “With We Live in Cairo, the question that we’re interrogating is ‘How far does one go for the love of one’s country?’ With Challenger, which focuses on a student of Christa McAuliffe, the schoolteacher who was killed in the explosion, is a fantastical story in so many respects, but at its core it’s about how a young person deals with their first bout of disillusionment. Their first uncovering of life’s truths.”
It is through telling these stories of young people experiencing disillusionment that the Lazours have grown up themselves. Now in their early thirties, the brothers began writing We Live in Cairo at nineteen and twenty-three, respectively. So much of who they are has changed since then, from how they work, to how they view their art, to the cultivation of their distinctive soundscapes. “So much of our for-
THE HERMITAGE ARTIST RETREAT
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is a leading national arts incubator and multidisciplinary artist retreat located on the beach in Sarasota County, hosting accomplished artists across all disciplines and presenting more than 50 free community programs on its beachfront campus and throughout the Gulf Coast region each year. Visit their website for all announced programming, program descriptions, times and locations. HermitageArtistRetreat.org
mative lives as composers and writers was given to this show. It’s influenced us. I think about the music we write outside of this show and how the music that we listen to informs our sound generally,” says Daniel. “So now as we’re putting the finishing touches on the score, we’re not thinking that much about ‘Does it sound Arabic enough?’ ‘Does it sound of this place enough?’ Our sound naturally has grown in that direction–in the beginning it was very much a sort of trial and error process.” Writing We Live in Cairo did more than just launch their professional careers, however, it taught them patience--the duo
have written some 22 odd drafts over the years--and how to trust their creative instincts. “When it comes to developing ideas, you’re kind of wrestling a bull down by the horns. You’re talking about it, seeing if it’s a valid idea and if musically it could be a musical event,” says Patrick. “From those conversations there’s several months of just writing into the idea, not worrying about form or structure, but instead just throwing things at the wall and seeing if they stick. The thing before it is always informing what’s currently being written.” WPL
BELOW, CLOCKWISE The Lazour Brothers’ album Two Short Songs in a Minor Key. Other artists being hosted by The Hermitage in 2024 include: Amir El Saffar, music; Randy Redd, theater; Laura Kaminsky, music; Bess Wohl, theater, Shayna Dunkelman, music; and, Etienne Charles, music.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood, Florida.
A Day in St.Pete
Take a trip to the Dali Museum in St. Pete, home to one of the most acclaimed collections of a single modern artist in the world. WORDS BY ELIANA BURNS
JUST OVER AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM WELLEN PARK, DOWNTOWN ST. PETE IS ROOTED WITH AN ARTISTIC VEIN THAT PULSES LIFE AND DEPTH. Alongside the renaissance of arts and culture enthusiasm, the downtown revival has attracted a new revolution of trendy coffeehouses, experiential global cuisine and family activities at the redesigned Pier District. Instilled with a rich art history; museums, art districts and artistic groups are easily accessible including the Museum of Fine Arts, Imagine Museum: Contemporary Glass Art, The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art and the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Arguably the most notable, however, is The Dali Museum.
day trip
THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT The exterior of The Dali and the glass interior atrium. The Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg, 727-823-3767. The Rogers Partners / ASD|SKY / Ken Smith Workshop design for the new St. Pete Pier creates a destination that embraces the Pier’s role both as an icon for the City of St. Petersburg and an integral part of the vitality of downtown–a place for tourists and the local community alike, one that honors its history, while establishing a new icon for a 21st century public place, image courtesy of Rogers Partners Architects. St. Pete Pier800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, 703-863-1794
The Dali
As the only museum in the Southeastern United States to be recognized internationally with a three-star rating by the Michelin guide, The Dali is ranked by travel guides as a “don’t miss” destination. Located on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, the surrealism-inspired museum looks out on Tampa Bay and features a massive entryway and skylight, which is referred to as the “Enigma”. This portal invites visitors to leave the real world behind to immerse themselves in Dali’s captivating projects. The museum houses a permanent collection of 2,400 works by the artist, including oil paintings, original drawings, manuscripts and other pieces that envelop Dali’s fluid creative life. The Dali museum takes artistic immersion to a new height with their Dali Alive 360. This multi-sensory experience takes place in the Dali Dome, a new museum space that swathes guests with light and sound as they step into Dali’s artwork and become one with his eccentric landscapes and melting clocks. Have a question for Salvador Dali? Use Dali’s inspired Lobster Phone to talk to an Artificial Intelligence (AI) recreation of the artist that mirrors his personality, humor and style. The Dalí’s Dream Tapestry taps into the phenomenon of dreams using DALL·E, a groundbreaking AI system, to transform personal dreams into artistic visions. We all have deeply personal dreams—unique and irrefutable. Yet they are transient, and until now, we could not instantly manifest those dreams into a tangible vision nor share their splendor. After entering a description of your dream on your mobile phone, your one-of-a-kind Dream Image will be created. It will then be connected with those of the previous Museum visitors to create a collective Dream Tapestry. The result is a dynamic, ever-evolving dream of humanity, presented by Dalí Museum visitors. This year, you won’t want to miss The Dali Museum’s celebration of Dali’s entry into the world of Surrealism with featured exhibitions. Reimagining Nature: Dali’s Floral Fantasies will be showing until October 20, 2024 and presents rarely shown suites of botanical prints made by the artist between 1968 and 1972. The Dali is also presenting a free juried art exhibition for work created by Florida middle and high school students through the middle of August. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply curious about the surreal, The Dali Museum is an unforgettable journey through the mind of one the most inventive artists of his generation. A visit to this museum is bound to spark your passion and appreciation for St. Petersburg’s art scene. WPL
The Pier
No visit to St. Petersburg is complete without visiting the St. Pete Pier. This iconic spot is a 26-acre park equipped with shopping, dining, art and more. Visitors of every age have something to enjoy while basking in the brilliance of Tampa Bay. Shopaholics will thrive in The Marketplace, where local vendors display their wares under a solar paneled roof for shade–who ever said that shopping wasn’t selfless? Check out Uniquely Handcrafted for custom clothing, shoes, jewelry and handbags from Ghana. Hey Mon Caribbean Cooking Magic will personally demonstrate why the vendor’s slogan is “from the sweet to the heat” with signature sauces made with fresh fruits and vegetables. Engage your little ones with Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center’s educational space. The exhibit displays Tampa Bay’s past and present ecosystem, as well as the organization’s work to restore it. With daily programs led by Tampa Bay Watch educators, your child will participate in active learning and might even discover what’s in the touch tank–if they dare. Dining options are available throughout the pier and cater to a variety of palates. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is ranked as TripAdvisor’s #1 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Restaurant for Everyday Eats in the nation. Serving dishes and flavors from the Caribbean, they pride themselves on their fresh seafood and dishes that are prepared in house every day. For dessert, grab some ice cream from Driftwood Café and enjoy the “Bending Arc,” an undulant net sculpture created by renowned Tampa Bay artist Janet Echelman, floating above the Pier district. With so much to do at the St. Pete Pier, it is no wonder why it’s a must-visit destination for a day trip to St. Petersburg. WPL
day trip
Flavors Collide
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE Bohemios Wine & Beer Tapas Bar owner Ronaldo Zeledon prides himself on the eclectic menu blending Spanish and Latin influence with American, Italian and Venezuelan cuisines, Bohemios Wine & Beer Tapas Bar- 875 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, 727-5217253. Hawkers Asian Street Food shares the passion for food and adventure of four childhood friends, Hawkers Asian Street Food- 1235 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, 727-502-3497
In the past decade, St. Petersburg has marinated in the cultural fusion of its visitors and locals. Stuffed with rich history, art, cuisine and nature, it is no wonder why the small peninsula makes the perfect day trip for Wellen Park residents. “When we were approaching the idea of opening our third location, there was a lot of pressure on opening in the neighborhoods that invest in culture and the arts, so St. Pete was on top of that list,” says Kaleb Harrell, Hawkers Asian Street Food’s CEO and co-founder. This authentic Asian street food restaurant began with the friendship of four childhood best friends who share a passion for food and adventure. “In the true spirit of early millennials,” Harrell says, “we spent all of our money on travel.” Oftentimes, the friends and their families would visit Asia, where many of them can trace their heritage. Captivated by Hawker foods, or street food in Singapore and other parts of Asia, the co-founders had the idea to bring this approachable style to America, utilizing recipes that had been passed down through their families for generations. Choosing a favorite dish is like choosing a favorite child for Harrell. However, he admits that everybody secretly has one. On the top of his list is their Curry Laksa Ramen, a Malaysian soup paired with ramen noodles. This spicy coconut curry stew is satiated with shrimp, chicken, fried tofu, veggies and a soft-boiled egg. With sweet and savory flavor notes and an unbeatable texture, the Curry Laksa Ramen at Hawkers Asian Street Food is bound to enchant you with their unparalleled wok technique.
Looking for lighter fare with an unconventional flair? Search no further than Bohemios Wine & Beer Tapas Bar. The bar prides itself on its practice of a nonconformist lifestyle, in the presence of like-minded people, music, art and literature. Adorned with a gallery of paintings by Oscar Correa, based on pastels, oils and acrylics, you are bound to be influenced by its cultivated ambiance. Bohemios’s self-proclaimed eclectic menu blends Spanish and Latin influence with American, Italian, Venezuelan and other cuisines seasoned into their dishes. Owner Ronaldo Zeledon keeps things interesting with his dishes, changing up menus every October. Switching from a menu of half Spanish and half international food to options featuring Spanish tapas and international flavors. Currently, Zeledon’s favorite meal is the Pulpo a la Gallega. The dish is a flavorfully charred octopus and complemented with herb butter, roasted potato, fresh herbs and paprika. Another go-to is the Gamba Scampi. This divine dish includes five jumbo shrimp with sauteed garlic, shallots, tomatoes, white wine, cream and fresh parsley. The mouthwatering dish comes with Bohemios’s fan favorite croquette that is made in Spain and then imported to Zeledon in Miami. “When we were looking to open our second location, we wanted a vibrant and continuous clientele,” says Zeledon. “The people here are amazing and it’s a beautiful city to be in.” St. Petersburg is an ever-evolving landscape, alive with diversity and influence from all over the globe. Whether you’re in the mood for rich Curry Laksa Ramen or the lyrical experience of Bohemios Tapas, lavish in the convergence of cultures and savor every bite. WPL
home design
A Little Piece ofHaven
DESIGNING A MODEL HOME IS A UNIQUE CHALLENGE. While you want to create a space that feels current and fresh for the modern homebuyer, it should also have a timeless appeal so it won’t feel dated in a few years. This balance has been perfectly struck in the Haven model home in Wellen Park’s Everly neighborhood. The Haven model was built by Lee Wetherington Homes, a locally-owned builder specializing in custom luxury homes, while the interiors were the work of the award-winning firm Builders Design. Bri Witmer, the senior designer on Haven, shared some insights on some of the trendier elements Found in Haven.
DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM NATURE
In recent years, it has become increasingly trendy to use natural materials like wood, stone and organic textiles in home decor and design. These materials are valued for their sustainability and durability as well as their ability to bring warmth and a connection to nature into living spaces. Witmer describes the trend as “biophilic living,” and she leaned into it when designing the model. Natural materials abound in Haven, from the wooden beams and feature walls to the concrete floors to the rattan light fixtures, just to name a few. Even touches like the leaf-print wallpaper in the dining area evoke that organic feeling.
THIS PAGE, ABOVE The use of organic materials are immediately evident in the Haven model, from the stone floors to the wooden accent wall in the entryway and throughout the kitchen. Bottom left: The use of organic materials continue in the primary suite where the soaking tub is elevated on a warm-toned wooden platform.
home design
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE Pocket doors completely vanish in the Haven model, creating a natural blend between indoor and outdoor living. Like the living room, the den opens up directly into the outdoor living space for an expansive entertaining experience. Left: @BarbieHeit it looks like maybe you wrote a caption for this below about the pocket doors? Bottom: Equipped with features like a grill and sink, the outdoor kitchen also facilitates the indoor-outdoor living lifestyle.
SEAMLESS TRANSITION FROM INDOOR TO OUTDOOR LIVING
Some interior design trends are specific to certain areas. Florida’s year-round tropical climate has led to an increasing demand for homes where residents can easily move between indoor and outdoor areas without feeling like there’s much of a distinction. Lee Wetherington Homes made a lot of building choices that captured this feeling in Haven. The cathedral ceilings give the interiors an airy feeling, and the bifold doors pull all the way back so it feels like the outdoor space is a natural extension of the living room. “When you’re on vacation at a resort you get that feeling where you can’t even really tell the difference between being inside the space and being outside because the design is so fluid,” Witmer says. “That was the goal of this home.”
home design
BESPOKE SPACES
In the real estate world, people are often encouraged to treat their home as something of a blank slate for better resale value down the road. While this may still be the prevailing opinion, in luxury real estate the trend is for homeowners to really personalize their homes with bespoke spaces that are customized to the way they live. Haven is filled with unique and hyper-specific elements that make the space feel special and one-of-a-kind. Pet lovers will love the dog-feeding station in the kitchen and the dog-washing area in the laundry room. Gourmands and oenophiles will adore the separate galley-style pantry complete with refrigerated wine storage. There’s even a dedicated space for gift-wrapping.
“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve the house design we did without working with a custom home builder like Lee Wetherington Homes,” Witmer says “They wanted us to create a vision for the home, details where you turn the corner and are like, ‘Whoa, that’s so unexpected!’ We don’t always get to do that.”
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE Bespoke spaces like a dog-washing station in the laundry room can really elevate a home. Above right: Touches like a wet bar and stylistically striking tile work gives this home a more custom feel. Below: Separate pantries are a major trend in luxury home-building and the home office is housed within its own glass box.
WELLEN PARK NEIGHBORHOODS MAP
ACACIA
BISCAYNE II
GLADES
JUBILEE
•
•
•
DREAM II WYSTERIA
•
•
•
• Open concept living areas with
• Thoughtfully-designed owner’s suite provides a peaceful retreat
• Expansive covered lanai extends living space outdoors
• Brand new amenity campus
• Spacious & open plan with flexibility at every corner. The Jubilee fits the needs of your family perfectly, offering a flex room and optional bonus room
• Gather with family & friends in the gourmet kitchen, open great room & expansive lanai overlooking the most beautiful views in Wellen Park
• Rest and relaxation awaits in your private owner’s suite with spa-like owner’s bath and walk-in closet
• This four-bedroom plus den home has option to add a second floor with additional bedrooms
• The spacious master suite includes a bedroom with room for a sitting area, an over-sized walk-in closet & a luxurious bath with dual sink vanities, a walk-in shower, oval freestanding tub, recessed ceiling, and private water closet
• Custom luxury single-story home
• Designed to offer the perfect blend of indoor & outdoor living
• Elegant finishes and finely crafted details throughout
• Local custom home builder with 50+ years of experience
•
• Covered
•
• The owner’s suite is at the
• Spacious great room & kitchen filled with natural sunlight
• Sliding glass doors extend living outside to the lanai
• Chef’s kitchen’s wide layout with a corner walk-in pantry & a center island/breakfast bar
• Owner’s suite has two walk-in closets & a spa-inspired bath with luxe soaking tub
• Two guestrooms & den are located off the foyer hallway
• Spacious two-story home with open layout among the kitchen, breakfast nook & Great Room with access to a lanai
• Separate formal dining room & living room for versatile living
• Additional bedroom for guests Second level includes four secondary bedrooms, an owner’s suite & multipurpose bonus room
MYSTIQUE LAKESPUR
PULTE HOMES
• 2-4 bedrooms + flex/den, private owner’s suite, & lanai
• Spacious kitchen & openconcept gathering room
• Sliding glass doors open to the patio for the ultimate indoor/ outdoor living space
• Owner’s suite featuring a spacious bathroom with dual walk-in closets
• Paired
CALENDAR ofEvents Oktoberfest 28
German Dancers Beer & Brats
SEPTEMBER
September 28, 12-8pm Mark your calendar for Wellen Park’s inaugural Oktoberfest celebration at Downtown Wellen Park. This family-friendly event will have a traditional Oktoberfest atmosphere with German dancers, a live polka band, a stein-hoisting competition and more. There will be plenty of beer, brats and other traditional eats. Spend your day in beautiful Downtown Wellen Park with the scenic backdrop of Wellen Park’s Grand Lake as you enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of an authentic Oktoberfest.
LINEUP OF EVENTS
Inaugural Keg Tapping in Partnership with Oak & Stone
12pm-4pm: DJ Jessie Rodriguez
2pm-4pm: German dancers
4pm-8pm: DeLeon Oktoberfest Band and Stein Hoisting Contest in Partnership with Oak & Stone
Polka Band
Visual and Performing Arts Festival
October 26, 12-6pm Wellen Park is proud to partner with the Sarasota Arts Alliance to bring you this showcase of visual & performing arts. This event will celebrate our local performing arts organizations performing on the Solis Hall stage and will encompass a visual art walk creating an unforgettable event highlighting robust local talent. In Kind Sponsor, Sarasota Arts Alliance.
26
OCTOBER
Wine Festival
VIP Winemaker Dinners Wine Tastings
November 15-16 The inaugural Wellen Park Wine Festival will celebrate distinguished vintners and the culinary talents of our Wellen Park restaurateurs for an unforgettable weekend event where attendees can sip, sample, and shop a variety of wines while tasting small bites from our restaurant partners.
LINEUP OF EVENTS
NOVEMBER
Friday, 11/15 from 6pm-8:30pm: Exclusive VIP Dinner and Preview Tasting
Saturday, 11/16 from 11am-12pm: Wine Tasting 101
Saturday, 11/16 from 1pm-4pm: Wine Festival
BUILDING COMMUNITY | ONGOING EVENTS
Wellen Park invites the community to say farewell to summer and hello to fall with a lineup of music and arts, community connections and fun fitness. Most activities are free and open to the public.
Music and Art
Wellen Park hosts a variety of musical genres and musicians throughout each week. These musical gatherings offer an open-door policy, requiring no prior RSVP for attendance. Guests can participate in Wellen Park’s Sip & Stroll program by purchasing to-go alcoholic beverages from Downtown Wellen food and beverage merchants.
Summer Fridays
Concert Series
Fri. August 30
Fri. September 6
Fri. October 4
Fall Fridays
Concert Series
Every Friday 6-10pm, October to December,
Community Connections
Dueling Pianos
3rd Thursday, monthly
Thurs. September 19
Thurs. October 17
Thurs. November 21
Sunday Groove
Every Sunday, 9am-1pm
Wellen Park offers two distinct market days for residents and friends to peruse local makers’ wares. Fresh Harvest attendees can explore over 60 different vendor booths and stock up on a variety of goods with a focus on locally grown and produced food. The Wellen Park Night Market will bring together independent artists + makers specializing in home decor, fashion, art, design and more.
Fresh Harvest Farmers Market
Every Sunday, 9am-1pm
Fun Fitness
Wellen Park Night Market
2nd Thursdays each month
Thurs. September 12
Thurs.October 10
Thurs. November 14
Get your fitness on with a dynamic lineup of weekly activities for the community. Groups will meet in Downtown Wellen, in front of Kind Vibes Outfitters. Zumba classes meet on the Great Lawn.
Walking Group Meet-Up Every Saturday, 9-10am
Cycling Group Meet-Up Every Saturday, 10-11am
Weekly Wellness
Zumba on the Great Lawn Every Monday, 8-9am
Running Group Meet Up Every Monday, 6-7pm
Exercise your mind and body with weekly wellness classes.
Yoga Fitness Class Every Saturday, 8-9am
Tai Chi Every Wednesday, 9-10am
For more details on Wellen Park events, visit: wellenpark.com/events
19 AUGUST Supermoon Kayak
August 19, 7:30pm A breathtaking nighttime kayak under the very special Supermoon which will illuminate the Grand Lake in Downtown Wellen Park. The time of sunset is 8:02pm. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gear such as kayak, lights, and life jacket. Or, rent your kayak from Kind Vibes Outfitters.
Snapshots GREAT AMERICAN PICNIC | PIE CONTEST
Residents gathered in Downtown Wellen to celebrate the second annual Great American Picnic. Despite being rained out for outdoor activities, Wellen Parkers saw to it that their best traditions remain rain or shine. The Pie Bake Off Contest welcomed participants of all ages, awarding rosette badges to the best bakers in town. Traditional family recipes engulfed the room with the buttery fragrance of freshly baked pie crust, bringing up memories of grandma’s cooking for all in the crowd.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL WAGNER | SRQ MEDIA
TOGETHER
HotRod
Wellen Park resident Leo Stetson tells us about his pride and joy–a 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster.
WORDS BY DYLAN CAMPBELL
pastimes
THE DRIVER SLIDES INTO THE CRAMPED, CAMEL-BROWN LEATHER COCKPIT, THE BENCH SEAT JUST BIG ENOUGH FOR TWO. He turns the ignition and the small-block Chevrolet engine roars to life, the power of 410 horses growling out of the back of a chrome-tipped tailpipe. There is neither a hood nor roof atop this beast, its skeletal musculature a mass of shimmering indigo and chrome. He presses the accelerator and the tires squeal as if trying to break free from some unimaginable chains. It wants to go. It was born, bred, built–to go fast. This is Leo Stetson and this is his hot rod.
Stetson, 83, doesn’t drive like that anymore. A massive crash on a drag strip in Tulsa in 1972 put an end to his racing days. He still, however, “bleeds thirty weight motor oil.” His 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster, perhaps the most iconic example of a hot rod, is a testament to his appreciation for cars. “I got my first car in Boulder, Colorado when I was 14 years old. They had a little dirt drag strip there and my dad and I worked on the car,” says Stetson. “We souped it up and did pretty well racing at this dirt drag strip, although with it being dirt you couldn’t go very fast. It was also 1955 and cars didn’t have a lot of horsepower. Still, it was a lot of fun.”
Stetson’s crash in 1972, which not only broke his car and his budget, but most of the bones in his body, moved him away from a life of fast cars. He moved to Florida in 1975 and spent the rest of his career driving pickups, working as a parts manager in the automotive industry. It wasn’t until eight years ago, when he purchased his ‘32 Ford, that owning a car for something other than function
crossed his mind. “When everybody thinks of a classic hot rod, they picture a ‘32 Roadster,” says Stetson. “It was always going to be a ‘32 Roadster.”
Stetson’s roadster is more than just a traditional hot rod, however. It’s an art piece in and of itself. The fenderless chassis, thus giving it “High Boy” designation, rides low to the ground and sits atop chrome wheels wrapped in meaty all-season tires. Sitting behind a tall chrome grille is the powerful Chevy small-block, positioned so that it appears it could jump out of the vehicle and crawl along on its power at any point. The paint job is immaculate, which depending on the angle of the light, toes the line between a deep royal blue and purple. “It’s an automatic, the engine and transmission are late model Chevy and the differential is a nine-bolt Ford. Everything is custom made to fit the car, the basis of the build is an aftermarket frame that’s welded together to support the small-block Chevy,” says Stetson. “Then you start attaching parts to it.”
While Stetson’s car has a removable canvas top, it hasn’t seen the light of day in eight years. Stetson enjoys cruising around al fresco, typically with the company of his girlfriend, Mary, which he does at least once a week. For Stetson, however, the car isn’t just a way to turn heads—of which it does plenty. Of course the reactions from onlookers is always nice, but the community he’s found through it is even better. “It’s a beautiful car. My girlfriend and I really enjoy it, we go to car shows, I belong to three different car clubs and we love the cruises and get-togethers,” says Stetson. “The car community is really close knit. Everybody appreciates how much work they put into their stuff, so they know how much work other people have done and appreciate that and compliment you on an especially nice car.” WPL
CostcoComes to Wellen Park
Make room in your pantry Wellen Park residents, Costco has arrived. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT
AFTER
MUCH ANTICIPATION, COSTCO FINALLY OPENED ITS
DOORS
IN WELLEN
PARK IN EARLY
JUNE. In addition to the bulk bargains that everyone expects to find, the brand new 157,000-squarefoot membership warehouse also includes a gas station, a tire service center, a hearing aid center, an optical department, a pharmacy and a food court filled with their famous hot dogs, pizza, burgers and churros at reasonable prices. The Wellen Park store is Sarasota County’s second Costco location, with the first located at the Sarasota Mall. While it will certainly be a convenient one-stop shop for Wellen Park residents, many folks are excited about the large number of jobs it will provide–a welcomed benefit amongst the growing development in and around the community. Founded in 1983, Costco employs more than 292,000 people worldwide, including nearly 186,000 in the United States. The North Port location will add hundreds of new job opportunities for those in and around Wellen Park. WPL
PLAN A TRIP
Costco Wellen Park, 11700 Mezzo Drive, Venice, FL. 941-5484712. Typical hours of operation for the warehouse are 10am-8:30pm. Monday through Friday; 9:30am-6pm Saturday; and 10am-6pm Sunday.
residents
PignatoraFamily
Transplants from Buffalo, NY, the Pignatora Family loves living in Wellen Park. WORDS BY BARBIE HEIT
ELISE AND JOE FIRST CROSSED PATHS DURING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK, NOT KNOWING THAT IT MARKED THE BEGINNING OF AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY TOGETHER. Their path has led them through a military career for Joe and the joys of raising four wonderful children, amidst numerous changes and challenges. When an opportunity arose for Joe to relocate from the snowy landscapes of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, they embraced it as their next exciting adventure.
“We figured, why not move to beautiful Florida while we’re young and our kids are young?” Elise shares. “And we’ve been happy ever since. We’re very happy with our choice of Wellen Park and we enjoy everything the area has to offer.”
The Pignatoras moved to the Renaissance neighborhood in 2021. For their family, Wellen Park’s location was a huge draw. “We continue to adventure and enjoy everything the area has to
offer. The proximity to all of the unique beaches is fantastic and we go on a lot of nature hikes. We’re an active family so we try to always be out and about.” In addition to the many natural attractions around Wellen Park, the Pignatoras enjoy exploring nearby destinations such as Sarasota, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and of course, Disney World.
Although they don’t always have to venture away from the area to find fun, their son Luca shares, “We usually come to Downtown Wellen every weekend and I go fishing here all the time.”
The Pignatoras all agree that their favorite events at Wellen Park are the weekly concerts, where their 3 daughters love to dance, sing and turn cartwheels. Any given day in Downtown, the children can meet up with friends from the community and from school. The Pignatoras are building a home in Everly, one of Wellen Park’s most recent neighborhoods to begin development. In addition to giving the family of six more
rooms to spread out, their new home will be within walking and biking distance to the new Sarasota County School Campus (K-8 and High School), currently under development. “We’re excited for the growth. Having the schools right here in Wellen Park is fantastic.” Because of the childrens’ spread in grades, currently first, fourth, and sixth grade, the combined campus will be an extra benefit, especially as it opens to also include grades 9-12. After all, the Pignatoras aren’t planning on leaving Wellen Park any time soon. “We’re very excited to be building in Everly because that will be what we deem our forever home.”
When asked how she feels about Wellen Park, Elise sums it up very simply. “It’s everything. We are so grateful. Really, really grateful.” WPL
BELOW
Primary care physician
Patricia Daneshmand, DO of Millennium Physicians at Wellen Park.
PrimaryPartner
Dr. Patricia Daneshmand of Millennium Physician Group is ready to see Wellen Park patients at her new office. WORDS BARBIE HEIT
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN PATRICIA DANESHMAND, DO, IS AN EXPERT IN PREVENTIVE CARE AND PATIENT-CENTERED SERVICES
PROVEN TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. She is currently accepting new patients at her Venice Millennium Physician Group office where she practices alongside James Pineno, MD in family medicine. She believes in being a connection to a healthier life for those living in and around Wellen Park. Dr. Daneshmand completed medical school at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, Florida and her Family Practice Residency training at Michigan State in East Lansing, MI and when she is not busy helping her patients establish healthy habits and wellness goals, Dr. Daneshmand enjoys outdoor activities and travel.
wellness
AS A PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIAN WITH MILLENNIUM PHYSICIAN GROUP HOW OFTEN DO YOU RECOMMEND PATIENTS VISIT FOR ROUTINE WELLNESS CHECKS? I recommend a yearly wellness visit as this gives us the opportunity to make sure appropriate individualized screening and prevention can be discussed and implemented.
FOR A PATIENT WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES AND/OR HYPERTENSION, WHAT LIFESTYLE CHANGES IN ADDITION TO OR IN PLACE OF MEDICATION DO YOU TYPICALLY RECOMMEND? Get rid of processed foods. If it has ingredients that you can’t pronounce or that do not exist in your cupboard, it’s probably not healthy for you. Try to eat whole and natural foods, playing with other seasoning alternatives to salt, especially using herbs and spices.
YOU HAVE EXPERTISE IN TREATING CHRONIC DIABETES, OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION. CAN YOU SHARE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES OUR READERS MIGHT TAKE TO AVOID THESE CONDITIONS? Prevention of diabetes, obesity
and hypertension include healthy lifestyle changes. Primarily eating a larger quantity and variety of plants especially non-starchy vegetables. Also consistently being physically active with aerobic activity (walking, biking, swimming) and strength training (free weights/resistance bands, calisthenics, pilates, yoga).
IS THERE A CERTAIN PROGRAM YOU GENERALLY RECOMMEND TO YOUR PATIENTS TO STAY HEALTHY? I don’t like using the word diet as really what we aim for is a sustainable lifestyle change. I recommend the Mediterranean “diet” as it tends to be a sustainable lifestyle and incorporates plant based foods and healthy fats.
WELLEN PARK IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY. DO YOU ANTICIPATE TREATING ALL FAMILY MEMBERS IN YOUR NEW LOCATION? I enjoy seeing patients from adolescence and onwards. Building trusting health partnerships with individuals and families is what I look forward to.
CONNECT Millennium Physician Group, 8036 S. Tamiami Trail Venice, 855-6744624, millennium physician.com/ wellen-park-office.
parting shot
ON THE WATERSIDE
Saturday morning Downtown Wellen fun with the Pignatora family at the splashpad.
