EAST COUNTY
Lesley Dwyer
Tough decisions if schools referendum fails
Manatee charter school funding, STEM, career and technical education and visual and performing arts programs could be eliminated.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
If voters don’t renew the School District of Manatee County’s 1-mill property tax referendum on Nov. 5, Kevin Chapman said the district will face tough decisions starting Nov. 6.
Chapman, the chief of staff for the district, said knowing the impact the millage has had on students and staff since it was first approved in 2018, as well as hearing the ongoing support from several community organizations and residents, gives the district
confidence that it will be renewed.
Voters initially approved of the 1-mill property tax referendum during a special election in March 2018 with 51.38% of the vote.
Voters renewed the millage during a special election in November 2021 with 69.27% of the vote.
This year will be the first time the referendum is on the ballot during a general election.
The referendum supports teacher and staff salaries, an additional 30 minutes to each school day, STEM programs, visual and performing arts programs, career and technical
education and charter schools.
If renewed, the referendum also will begin supporting early literacy initiatives, school safety and security and athletics.
Chapman said if the referendum isn’t approved, the district will have to begin building its budget without the millage, which has an adopted budget of just more than $75.5 million for 2024-25.
“You have to take each initiative or program and personnel that’s attached to those initiatives and programs in the millage and essentially zero fund them out in that first draft
1-MILL PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM HISTORY
MARCH 2018
Special election for initial approval of millage
Special election for renewal of millage
NOVEMBER 2024
General election for renewal of millage
of the 2025-26 school district budget,” Chapman said.
Chapman said the district’s top priority if the referendum does not pass is to retain its personnel. A majority of the millage is allocated for teacher and staff salary supplements.
Chapman said the millage helps ensure the School District of Manatee County remains competitive with surrounding counties to retain and recruit personnel, especially teachers and bus drivers.
Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Charlotte counties all use a millage to support its school district. Chapman said Pinellas County is raising its millage from .5 mill to 1 mill, and Hillsborough County is bringing a millage referendum before voters for the first time Nov. 5.
“We might significantly lose our talented educators and staff if we take those supplements and not find offsetting cuts for them,” Chapman said. “The issue is, there’s not much in the general fund to offset the millage expenses, which is why we need the millage … If we don’t pass our millage, we have three surrounding counties with a millage, and that’s where our talent is headed if we don’t figure that out.”
Chapman said anything paid for through the millage that doesn’t support the core educational subjects in
which students are tested could be on the chopping block. Core subjects include math, English language arts, science and social studies. Charter schools, which currently have an allocation of 20.97% of the total millage or an estimated $15.8 million, would no longer receive funding through the millage. Next under the microscope would be career and technical education, STEM and visual and performing arts programs and initiatives. Chapman said these programs and initiatives most likely would be significantly impacted, if not eliminated, if the referendum is not renewed.
The millage has given schools an opportunity to support the start of new visual and performing arts programs and purchase instruments. Schools also have purchased STEM equipment including robotic arms, laser engravers and Anatomage Tables. The millage also has funded travel expenses for students to go to competitions and participate in unique opportunities, including choir students performing at Carnegie Hall and participating in Technology Student Association competitions.
Michael Barber, director of communications, family and community engagement for the district, said students will miss out on those unique opportunities because there most likely would not be funds available in the district’s budget to cover the costs. Organizations and programs would have to raise the money to provide opportunities to students.
Chapman said not having the millage would result in a significant impact on the progress the district has made since it was first implemented in 2018 and even more so at a time when the district is increasing in enrollment and expanding with five new schools in the coming years.
The district had the most schools receive an A rating at 24 schools since the 2012-13 school year when it had 23 A schools.
In the 2023-24 school year, the district saw improvements in all achievement categories, including reading, math, social studies, science, middle school acceleration, college and career acceleration and graduation rate.
County isn’t brushing off CLEAN-UP EFFORTS
Over 400,000 cubic yards and over 7,700 truckloads of hurricane debris have been removed so far.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Back-to-back hurricanes left Manatee County lawns and sidewalks littered with debris. More than 7,700 truckloads worth have been removed since Oct. 14, and the effort continues.
“We know it’s trying. We know it’s unsightly, but we’re doing everything we can,” County Administrator Charlie Bishop said.
The county has contracted with out-of-county haulers and set up temporary disposal sites to get the debris removed as quickly as possible.
After Hurricane Ian in 2022, a pile of debris sat in front of Jim and Susan Eicken’s home in River Club for weeks. The debris killed all the grass underneath it.
Hurricane Milton left behind an equally large pile of branches and yard debris. On Friday, the pile was about as high as Jim Eicken, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall. And the Eickens weren’t done adding to the pile.
However, dead grass is not the couple’s biggest concern after such an active hurricane season.
“If another storm hits, we’re worried about it blowing around,” Jim Eicken said. “It could be debris that could hurt us.”
The county had similar concerns as Hurricane Milton approached less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene left the islands covered in sand and littered with debris on Sept. 27.
In the days leading up to Hurricane Milton’s landfall, additional trucks were brought into the county to get rid of as much of the remaining debris as possible.
CNN’s Anderson Cooper was smacked in the face by a piece of flying Styrofoam as he reported on Hurricane Milton from Bradenton’s Riverwalk on Oct. 9. The reporter carried on relatively unfazed, but branches and construction debris can do a lot more damage.
The National Weather Center’s website warns that anything left outside during a hurricane “can
HOW TO PILE DEBRIS FOR PICKUP
These are the Manatee County guidelines for curbside pickup:
■ Do not bag debris.
■ Do not mix debris types.
■ Do not place debris on top of mailboxes, storm drains, water meters or back flow devices.
■ Separate piles by the type of debris: construction and demolition materials, yard waste, appliances and garbage.
■ Electronics and hazardous materials are not collected curbside.
become flying missiles.”
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation from all residents as we navigate through this extensive cleanup operation,” Director of Utilities Patrick Shea said in an email.
“The community’s understanding is crucial as we work to restore normalcy as swiftly as possible.”
Hurricane season doesn’t officially end until Nov. 30. November hurricanes are rare, but they do happen. Hurricane Nicole landed as a Category 1 near Vero Beach on Nov. 10, 2022.
The National Weather Service reports that “Nicole was only the third hurricane on record to make landfall in Florida during the month of November, with the last storm being Hurricane Kate in 1985.”
THE GOAL
By early afternoon on Oct. 29, Manatee County had removed 509,256 cubic yards of debris with 9,678 truckloads.
On Oct. 28 alone, another 41,000 cubic yards of debris was removed.
“Debris trucks are currently operating throughout Manatee County, including Lakewood Ranch, with around 80 trucks working from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week,”
Shea said.
“To ensure efficient service for all residents, we’re strategically picking up debris across the county, focusing on the hardest hit areas while also addressing less impacted neighborhoods.”
Right now, the county has eight temporary disposal sites set up. The sites are strategically placed across the county to speed up the removal process. The trucks don’t have to drive to the landfill at Lena Road
every time they need to dump a load of debris.
Additional sites could be activated as debris removal continues, but the sites would have to be reviewed and approved for environmental safety by the Department of Environmental Protection first.
Eventually, the debris from those temporary sites will be moved to permitted disposal facilities in DeSoto County.
The county is not disclosing the locations of the temporary sites because they don’t want residents dropping off debris. Only contracted haulers can dump on those sites, and each load is scanned in and tracked.
While the majority of pickups are happening on the west side of the county, more than 1,800 truckloads have also been removed from East County, as well.
There are also two sites where Manatee County residents can unload debris themselves at no charge. The Lena Road Landfill is operating daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, and an additional site in Bradenton was opened at 4700 66th St. W., from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
While county staff is working to clear the debris as quickly as possible, no one can say when it will be completely cleared.
However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to reimburse debris collection at 100% for the 90 days following Hurricane Milton. Typically, FEMA only reimburses 75% and leaves the state and individual county to split the remaining 25%.
“If pickup volume continues, it is possible that over 3 million cubic yards of debris will be picked up due to the recent hurricanes,” Shea said. “Our goal is to clear the majority of debris within the 90-day time frame, and we will continue to adapt our efforts based on the situation.”
The debris contractor plans to add to the fleet of about 80 trucks to meet the goal. The county does not have an estimate of what the total removal will cost right now.
To see live updates on how much debris has been removed, visit the county’s Extreme Weather Dashboard at MyManatee.org/Storm.
Once the debris is removed, the yard waste will be ground into mulch and transported to a compost facility. The yard waste will not be disposed of in the Lena Road Landfill. It will end up in DeSoto County.
The truckloads are sorted by construction and demolition materials, vegetative materials and sand.
“Every piece of debris represents a part of someone’s life that was uprooted,” Shea said. “Homes have been damaged, landscapes altered, and lives disrupted. As we all work together to rebuild and recover, the patience and understanding of those dealing with the aftermath are not just appreciated, but are truly invaluable.”
Neighbors like the Eickens have concerns, but are more than willing to wait.
“We’re appreciative that the county stepped up to pull this waste away, rather than us trying to arrange for it,” Jim Eicken said.
TRUCKLOADS OF DEBRIS REMOVED BY DAY
DATE: 10/15
C+D: 28
VEGETATIVE: 94
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS:122
DATE: 10/16
C+D: 25
VEGETATIVE: 243
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 268
DATE: 10/17
C+D: 27
VEGETATIVE: 485
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 512
DATE: 10/18
C+D: 28
VEGETATIVE: 466
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 494
DATE: 10/19
C+D: 29
VEGETATIVE: 623
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 652
DATE: 10/20
C+D: 83
VEGETATIVE: 656
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 739
DATE: 10/21
C+D: 82
VEGETATIVE: 638
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 720
DATE: 10/22
C+D: 117
VEGETATIVE: 662
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 779
DATE: 10/23
C+D: 104
VEGETATIVE: 650
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 754
DATE: 10/24
C+D: 69
VEGETATIVE: 735
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 804
DATE: 10/25
C+D: 49
VEGETATIVE: 763
TOTAL TRUCKLOADS: 812
*C+D (construction and demolition)
DEBRIS DROP-OFF
If the wait for pickup seems too long, residents can drop off their own debris at the Lena Road Landfill, located at 3333 Lena Road. The landfill is operating with extended hours from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily. Dumping fees continue to be waived for Manatee County residents, but proof of residency is required. Yard waste must be separated from construction and demolition materials.
A pile of branches and logs sit alongside Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
A pile of debris sits at the entrance of Summerfield Glades.
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Jim and Susan Eicken stand in front of the giant pile of debris that’s been mounting in front of their River Club home since Hurricane Milton. They’re happy the county will remove it instead of having to deal with it themselves.
Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks Manatee County
Proceeds from the Nov. 15 concert will support service industry employees who have been displaced by the hurricanes.
JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR
Sweet home Anna Maria; Where the skies are so blue; Sweet home Anna Maria; Lord, I’m coming home to you.
For one night on Nov. 15, sweet home for the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd won’t be Alabama, but instead, Anna Maria Island.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band has agreed to a short-notice benefit performance — Rock ’N’ Support — at the Bradenton Area Convention Center to help gulf island hospitality workers who have been displaced by impacts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“We were talking about what would bring people to a benefit,” said John Horne, who has owned Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants since the first one opened in 1995 on Anna Maria Island. “There is hardly a home on the island that didn’t have some kind of damage. People don’t realize how devastating this was.”
Horne, Elliott Falcione (executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau), and Chris Culhane (executive director of The Center of Anna Maria Island) agreed they would try Lynyrd Skynyrd.
They received an immediate “yes.”
“When we got the call, we were happy to jump on board,” said Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant in a Manatee County release.
“We have family, friends and many fans affected by these storms. If we can raise some money for those in need and take people away for a night of great music, then hopefully that is a ‘win-win’ and brings a little comfort to the community. Let’s go!” According to the release, all proceeds from the event will benefit
IF YOU GO
What: Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marcus King concert to benefit gulf island hospitality workers
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 15 (King begins at 8 p.m. and Lynyrd Skynyrd begins at 9:30 p.m.)
Where: Bradenton Area
Convention Center
Event hosts: The Center on Anna Maria Island and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council
Purchase tickets: Go to CenterAMI.org (tickets, now on sale, $75-$500).
two local nonprofit organizations: Horne’s Shuckin’ Good Cause and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Displaced hospitality workers will then be able to apply for grant assistance through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Blues rocker Marcus King has agreed to open for Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of Rock ’N’ Support.
“This concert will help raise funds for our barrier island hospitality employees — dedicated individuals who have consistently provided first-class service to our residents and visitors,” said Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn in the release.
Jay Heater
Many bars and restaurants on Anna Maria Island were damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Drift Inn sits empty on Oct. 27 as repairs are being done.
benefit concert will raise funds for service workers.
Benderson Park rebounds from Milton
The park’s wave attenuator took the biggest hit this hurricane season, but all events are full-steam ahead.
LESLEY
DWYER STAFF WRITER
Despite a brutal hurricane season, activities at Nathan Benderson Park are “fullsteam ahead.”
“Overall, we were able to recover pretty quickly as a facility,” said Marnie Buchsbaum, marketing director for the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. “We did close for a couple days out of an abundance of caution to make sure the facility was safe and that everything was out of the water and cleaned up.”
The biggest issue facing the park now is putting the wave attenuator back together.
The wave attenuator is a floating bridge that spans over a mile of the lake and reduces waves during competitions. It’s put together like a puzzle, and during Hurricane Milton, some of its pieces scattered.
“Some of our gangways and grates that connect different parts of the
wave attenuator to the docks separated during the storm,” Buchsbaum said. “We were able to locate them, and we’re in the process of having them reinstalled.”
Visible gaps in the wave attenuator can be seen from shore, and several of the missing parts washed up along the southwestern portions of the lake. The pieces are so heavy, it will take a crane to move them.
This is the second hurricane to damage the wave attenuator. The first was Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused about $1.5 million in damage.
“We are in the process of still evaluating and assessing,” Buchsbaum said. “But (the damage) is not to the level that we saw with Ian.”
Only one event had to be canceled the weekend following Hurricane Milton — The Benderson Chase, which is a partnership with the Sarasota Crew team. This year, an Octoberfest was added to the event, but both the Chase and Octoberfest will
return next year.
The park was also able to step in and help a neighboring crew team. The Plant City High Rowing Association moved its annual Halloween Regatta from Tampa to Benderson after reporting that “heavy, high and fast moving water” from Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused conditions to be unsafe.
LEARNING LESSONS
Buchsbaum said each hurricane is a learning lesson for staff members.
Some of the lessons have been to move the floating docks to the canal and better secure the anchor lines that keep the lanes in place.
Still, there’s only so much that can be done. The winds during Hurricane Milton were strong enough to toss the bleachers around. They haven’t been replaced yet.
“Some of our rowing shells that were secured properly, the racks were damaged or split in half,” Buchsbaum said. “We were obviously not here on property during the storm, but you
don’t know if a tornado might have come through or just a huge gust of wind.”
The giant tent structure that covers those racks was still being repaired from Hurricane Helene tearing through the canvas, so the tent and poles were taken down ahead of Hurricane Milton.
Signs were blown down, too, but conditions are safe. The facility is carrying on with its packed schedule of events, which is typically booked out a year in advance.
Pete Harvey, director of sports for Visit Sarasota County, said the park generated an estimated economic impact of $20,421,076 in 2023.
Buchsbaum said there’s no estimate as to how much the damage will cost because as soon as repairs from one hurricane would start, another storm would blow through, and the work started all over again. There’s also not a set time line as to when the repairs will be completed.
“Hurricane damage takes its toll in many different ways, so we’re getting
the facility put back together and then working on the beautification, as well,” Buchsbaum said. “There are signage companies and vendors we have to work with. We’re getting in line with everyone else.”
One thing that isn’t waiting are the designs for an indoor sports complex and boathouse next to the Finish Tower. The Sarasota County Commission earmarked $20 million for the project in January 2022. In July, plans were 30% complete.
“Everything remains on track,” Nicole Rissler, director of Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, wrote in an email. “Neither hurricane has impacted the plans or time line for the sports complex.”
The next project update, which will include construction costs, will be presented to Sarasota County commissioners in spring 2025.
Lesley Dwyer
A crew works to repair the wave attenuator on Oct. 25.
Mark Gordon Bleachers at Nathan Benderson Park are damaged following Hurricane Milton.
SPINE ISSUES?
6202 17th Ave. West Bradenton, Florida 34209 COVENIENT LOCATIONS
Cats say ‘TANKS’ to Myakka City sanctuary
TANKS Inc. is home to 50 cats, seven beagles and five steers.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Whether those in need walk on two legs or four, Cindy McCollough is ready to help.
The former Manatee County paramedic is the founder and operator of TANKS Inc., the Tending Abandoned Needy Kats Sanctuary.
The nonprofit organization has operated out of McCollough’s home in Myakka City for the past seven years, but was started in 2009 at her home in Sarasota.
In 2001, before the 501(c)(3) designation was official, McCollough had taken in 10 cats because she noticed a pattern while volunteering at the Sarasota Humane Society.
“The senior cats would sit there and pine over their owners and just give up,” McCollough said. “I was trying to help, even if I’m the last one that’s holding them before they say goodbye.”
The goodbyes are the hardest part of running TANKS, she said. They’re also a regular part of the work. McCollough only takes in senior and special-needs cats.
TANKS has two board members and one volunteer, in addition to McCollough, so she takes on the lion’s share of caring for 50 cats, which is the sanctuary’s limit.
It costs about $4,000 a month between food, cat litter and flea medicine to care for them, and McCollough said donations dwindled after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and again after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
With five acres, McCollough also has five steers and seven beagles. It takes about two hours each morning to feed the animals and another two hours at night to put them to bed.
Most are outdoor cats that live in the barn, many of which are feral cats that came from Sarasota County
ABOUT THE NONPROFIT
TANKS Inc. Visit: TanksCatRescue.org Mission statement: To rescue senior and special-needs cats from shelters and give them a second chance at life.
Animal Services.
Every cat is spayed or neutered and chipped. While many of them could hop the fence, the majority don’t. Those that do explore and then return to the food source.
Walking around the property, there are cats on rooftops, fence posts, cars and at your feet. One had taken over the seat of the John Deere lawn tractor.
One of McCollough’s next door neighbors keeps chickens just over the fence. Every once in awhile, she sees one of the cats wandering around with them.
All of the animals get along.
Although McCollough said some of the cats behave like teenagers in high school. The orange cats have formed a clique.
There are two cats that live inside. Wink is missing one eye, and Pixie has a brain tumor that causes occasional seizures.
McCollough has cared for cats through mange treatments, kidney
The stage is set
Sights + Sounds is an outdoor showcase of the best instrumental, visual and performing arts the Sarasota region has to offer. Come out for dinner at the town center and stay to enjoy the show!
Photos by Lesley Dwyer This cat found a comfortable seat on the John Deere lawn tractor.
The goodbyes are the hardest part of running TANKS. They’re also a regular part of the work. McCollough only takes in senior and special-needs cats.
issues and cancer. The worst case was a saddle thrombus, which is a clot that stops blood flow to the hind legs.
“I got home, and he was out by the street screaming,” McCollough said. “I was sure somebody hit him. I took him to the emergency vet, and he had a clot.”
Those are the hard times, but the good times come daily. A smile overcame McCollough’s face as she talked about her nighttime routine.
“They like Temptation treats,” she said. “Before I close the barn down at night, I toss the treats, and everybody comes running.”
McCollough is 61 years old and has loved animals since she was a child. Until the age of 8, she lived on a farm in Smithfield, Ohio.
At 9, she moved to Florida with her family. A TV show called “Emergency!” also premiered that year. The
lead characters were paramedics and firefighters.
From that moment on, McCollough knew what she was going to be when she grew up. The only reason she’s not also a firefighter is because she wears contact lenses and didn’t pass the required vision test.
McCollough has sacrificed for the cats. She would have preferred to stay on with Manatee County after 23 years, but staff is required to be on call during disasters. She needs to be on call for the cats during those times.
Instead, she found a happy medium working part time for a private ambulance company. She worked a 12-hour shift on Saturday, and Pastor Lynn Howell from the Myakka Family Worship Center and his wife stopped by to let the dogs out and check on the cats.
The church is one of a few organizations McCollough stocks with pet food and supplies. PetSmart and other stores donate the goods, and McCollough makes the deliveries.
But sometimes even the helpers need help. Two items would pretty much complete McCollough’s wish list: wet cat food for the senior cats with dental issues and nonclumping kitty litter because she changes it out every single day.
“I don’t have kids,” McCollough said. “(The animals) are my kids.”
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• Freedom from worries Our quality construction means you and your loved ones can relax knowing you’ll be safe and comfortable during and after the storm.
• You don’t have to go it alone Our dedicated employees and full-time maintenance team work around the clock in severe weather.
• Life doesn’t stop for the storm Every building on our campus will be connected so you’re just steps away from amenities like the fitness center, restaurants, medical center, and more.
“Our experience with Hurricane Ian was fantastic. All the planning that the staff did kept us very informed. We could go down to the common areas, have meals, mingle with friends, and meet new friends.”
—Kathy F., Resident
Cindy McCollough, founder of TANKS Inc., has a one-on-one with Marmalade. It can take months to build trust with some of the rescues. Others will never let a human handle them.
A culinary adventure
Chefs from Pascone’s and Gecko’s will take guests on a tasteful journey during demonstrations at the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
William Sellner, the chef at Pascone’s Ristorante, is ready to take patrons of the 22nd Suncoast Food and Wine Fest on a culinary journey through Tuscany, Italy.
When choosing a dish, Sellner said he had to take into consideration ingredients, the season and the demographic of the audience at the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest Nov. 2 at Premier Sports Campus.
Sellner wanted to make a meal that reminds people of fall, bringing in the warmth of the season through food. He chose veal spezzatino.
“It’s one of those dishes I love to make when September or October comes and we start to usher in the fall,” he said. “It’s something that has a little bit of warmth or comfort to it, even though it’ll probably be 85 degrees outdoors.”
Veal Spezzatino, a meal that is emblematic of Tuscany at this time of year, is a well-rounded dish that is rich in flavors and exemplifies fall, Sellner said.
“It exemplifies the warmth and the communal atmosphere that we’ll have when we are all together. No matter what separates us in the world, food always brings everybody in this world together,” Sellner said. “For some people, this will expand their palates to a region of the world that seems to be pigeon holed for Bolognese and gnocchis.”
Veal Spezzatino won’t be the only dish on the menu for demonstration at the festival.
Scott Kleinberg, the chef at Gecko’s Grill and Pub, will be demonstrating how to make shrimp pad Thai, a dish he said is “tremendously flavorful” and considered the “hamburger of Southeast Asia” because it’s one of
“It exemplifies the warmth and the communal atmosphere that we’ll have when we are all together. No matter what separates us in the world, food always brings everybody in this world together.”
Chef William Sellner
Gecko’s Grill and Pub chef Scott Kleinberg will share his passion for cooking at the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest during a cooking demonstration.
“I’m over the moon to be involved and to be doing what I can to integrate myself into the community.”
— Chef Scott Kleinberg
the most popular Thai dishes.
Choosing the right dish also means picking one that people can replicate at home.
Kleinberg said it’s a cool experience when he hears someone went home and made the dish he showed them.
“If I can present a simplification, or even the most difficult version, for somebody to try at home and give them the confidence to do it, it’s a lot like when I get my daughter to realize something that I’m trying to teach her,” Kleinberg said. “It’s something I never knew I would have wanted, but it’s rewarding just to be in the room when it’s happening.”
As part of the demonstrations, people in the audience are able to ask questions, and the chefs can engage with them.
Sellner’s experience on the Home Shopping Network has made him comfortable cooking in front of a crowd.
He said he will pepper in a few questions to get the audience engaged while he’s cooking. He will make a show out of it to create a flow.
For Kleinberg, being a chef conducting a demonstration at Suncoast Food and Wine Fest is an opportunity not only to connect with the audience but also his family.
At last year’s festival, Kleinberg cooked in front of his parents, Norman and Karen Kleinberg. He had moved to the area in 2022 from Argentina, and his parents had not seen him cook in a professional setting in 10 years.
He said it was meaningful to see his parents in the crowd.
“I’m not a Michelin star guy. I’ve achieved my goals, but to have them be able to sit down and see me doing what I do was some of the most special stuff I’ve ever done in my life,” Kleinberg said.
This year’s Suncoast Food and Wine Fest demonstration will be even more special for Kleinberg,
ON THE MENU
VEAL SPEZZATINO
Ingredients
■ 1 1⁄2 tablespoons
cornstarch
■ 1 teaspoon paprika
■ 1⁄2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
■ 1 1⁄2 pounds lean veal stew meat
■ 3 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil
■ 1 onion, minced
■ 1 carrot, minced
■ 1 celery, minced
■ 1 fresh Thai chile pepper, minced
■ 1 clove garlic, crushed
■ 1⁄2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
■ 1⁄4 cup dry white wine
■ 4 medium Yukon
Gold potatoes, peeled/ cut in 1-inch cubes
■ 3 Roma tomatoes, cubed
■ 1 1⁄2 cups frozen peas
■ 1 bay leaf
■ 2 tablespoons water, or as needed
Instructions
IF YOU GO
SUNCOAST FOOD AND WINE FEST
When: 1-4 p.m. Nov. 2
Where: Premier Sports Campus, 5895 Post Blvd., Lakewood Ranch
Cost: $95 general admission; $185 for VIP
Details: Enjoy food and wine from local restaurants while supporting the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch. Proceeds will go toward supporting nonprofits in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Sage’s chef, Chris Covelli, will conduct a 30-minute Q&A with audience members between cooking demonstrations.
More information: Visit SuncoastFoodAndWineFest.com.
because his wife, Ileana Fernandez, 8-year-old daughter Erin Kleinberg, and 4-year-old son Jacob Kleinberg will be in the audience. They moved from Argentina in April.
Both Sellner and Kleinberg will be able to share their passion of cooking with the masses at the festival.
Sellner, who has 40 years of experience as a chef, started off in the industry as a dishwasher and worked his way up the ranks.
He said cooking always is something that has “come extremely easy” to him to the point that he’s doesn’t believe he’s truly worked a day in his life. Cooking is second nature to him.
“I’ve just loved the whole journey that has taken me through the eyes and mouths of people,” Sellner said.
Kleinberg started at 13 years old, spending time in the kitchen with his family members cooking around him. He said it was a fun, warm atmosphere that always drew him into cooking.
Kleinberg went on to cook around the world, including the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Argentina and the U.S.
Pascone’s Ristorante chef William Sellner says his passion for cooking has made it so he felt that he hasn’t worked a day in his life.
The fast-paced environment kept him on his toes. He said working with food is like a sculptor with clay.
“When you get disparate personalities together and they don’t know each other, you can spin around in a space smaller than a table and put out 400 covers without a plate back, there’s nothing like that in the world,” Kleinberg said.
Both chefs said they are thrilled to be involved in an event in which all the proceeds will go to supporting nonprofits in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“I’m over the moon to be involved and to be doing what I can to integrate myself into the community,” Kleinberg said. “I like feeling like a part of the community again. Anything I can do that’s communitybased, I kind of do cartwheels to get it done.”
Step 1: Mix cornstarch, paprika, and pepper in a large bowl. Pat veal chunks dry and toss them with seasoned cornstarch to coat. Transfer coated veal chunks to a plate and set aside leftover seasoned cornstarch.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add veal pieces to the pot, one by one, and cook until browned on all sides. Reduce heat slightly and add onion, carrot, celery and chili pepper; cook until fragrant, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Pour in broth and wine. Deglaze the pot using a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom. Add potatoes, tomatoes, peas and bay leaf. Stir and cover.
Step 4: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until veal is fork-tender, potatoes are cooked and liquid has thickened, about an hour. Add some water from time to time to keep stew from burning, but don’t let it get soupy. Add leftover seasoned cornstarch if stew needs thickening at the end.
SHRIMP PAD THAI
Ingredients
■ 6 oz Noodle — Pad Thai
■ 1 oz Chopped garlic
■ 1 Egg
■ 4 oz Bok choy
■ 3 oz Red pepper
■ 3 oz Peanut granulated roasted
■ 2 oz Green onion
■ 1 oz Fresh cilantro
■ 2 oz Vegetable oil/ olive blend
■ 5 oz Pad Thai sauce
■ 0.2 Lime
■ 3 oz Broccoli floret
Instructions
Step 1: Soak rice noodles over night in cold water drain and portion into 6 ounces.
Step 2: Steam broccoli for 1 minute.
Step 3: Using a hot sauté pan add butter, peppers, bok choy, garlic and egg. Cook until veggies are tender.
Step 4: Add pad Thai sauce, broccoli and noodles. Do not put noodles in pasta cooker; cook them in the pad Thai sauce until tender. These should be al dente.
Step 5: Place mix in a large salad bowl and top with scallion threads, cilantro and lime wedge.
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Photos by Liz Ramos
School tax referendum poorly designed, but worth supporting
Thoughts for a fall day with an election approaching.
... Please don’t throw knives at me, but I am losing my patience with the Manatee school district and how this referendum tax, which is on the Nov. 5 ballot, is formed and divided.
I want to make it clear that I will vote in favor of the referendum one last time because I want to see our children have the resources to be competitive in the future.
That being said, when I can vote for a District 5 school board member in 2026 (you might remember that Richard Tatem lost in his bid for representative seat in the pri-
$75,511,751:
$58,625,760: 2022-2023
mary and vacates his seat Nov. 5), I will only support a candidate who falls in line with Cindy Spray, the District 2 school board member.
Spray is on record as saying the district should consider asking taxpayers for a .75 mill instead of a full mill in the referendum because its rake from rising home values has been driven up considerably.
One milll has gone from $37 million in the 2018-19 school year to an anticipated $75 million in 2024-25.
That’s not even considering the district’s general fund has swollen as well. The budget is projected at $1,590,763,809 for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
So what happens when you pump more money into anyone’s budget?
Yes, it gets spent.
Spray is preaching financial accountability, and if nothing else, at least broaches the subject and prompts discussion. Besides talking about referendum strategy, she also talks about being good stewards of the public’s money in the general budget.
She is a lone wolf in that regard.
If you look at the allocations from the 1 mill we tax ourselves, you will see that 71% of it goes toward salaries, whether that means teachers, administrators, bus drivers or support personnel. Are these the extras that we should be voting to support?
WFLA posted a story in July about the Hillsborough County School board suing to try to force a property tax increase being placed on the November ballot.
The media outlet quoted Gov. Ron DeSantis as saying, “Why are you trying to raise property taxes in the midst of some of the worst inflation we’ve seen in the modern history of this country?” Fortunately, we live in an area
where the residents don’t mind going above and beyond in supporting schools. But I might not be the only taxpayer getting annoyed by being responsible for giving district employees a decent salary.
Get the salaries covered in the budget, and move the programs and tools that need to be cut because of it into the referendum tax.
... It will be interesting to see if the Cinderella story of Carol Ann Felts continues. Felts, who had not been competitive in previous commission elections in 2020 and 2022 but wanted to use the platform to stimulate talk about topics such as urban sprawl, found herself as the beneficiary of the perfect storm in the 2024 District 1 Commission primary.
Felts beat big-spending Steve Metallo, who was backed by the political machine headed by advisor Anthony Pedicini. The voters made it known they wanted to get rid of Pedicini-backed candidates, so Felts was left standing after all was
STARTING SALARY INCREASES
A majority of the 1-mill property tax referendum funding has been allocated for salaries. Here is the impact on teachers, bus drivers, custodians and food service works:
TEACHERS
$38,892: 2017-2018 (school year before millage was implemented)
$57,572: 2023-2024
SUPPLEMENT FOR TEACHERS FROM THE MILLAGE
$4,008: 2018-2019
$8,362: 2023-2024
said and done in the primary.
The general election holds a different kind of challenge for Felts. She is facing Jennifer Hamey, who has no political affiliation, and Democrat Glen Pearson. Hamey is an attorney, who has the expertise to handle all the obstacles of a rookie commissioner. In a Republican-heavy district, it is doubtful Pearson can make a successful run.
The end result likely will be determined by the “R” next to Felts name. None of the candidates raised more than $27,000 in campaign contributions, so I doubt the voters in general will have enough information to make a head-tohead comparison. The “R” is going to hold power on Election Day.
... While voters were stirred up going into the primary, the general election, as often happens in a Republican-dominated region, tends to be somewhat of a foregone conclusion. The Felts-Hamey matchup would tend to be one of the only races that holds suspense. It would figure that Republic George Kruse, who has steadily captured public trust in becoming Manatee’s most popular commissioner, will crush Sari LindroosValimaki, who is a Democrat, for the District 7 seat. Likewise, Robert McCann upset Ray Turner in the District 5 primary and he figures to carry that momentum to a victory over Joseph Di Bartolomeo, who has no party affiliation and who is a
true grassroots candidate. Di Bartolomeo’s biggest challenge is that McCann benefited from the Pedicini blowback to score an upset over Ray Turner in the primary. That victory took all the emotion out of the race, and now it might just be a matter of money spent (McCann has raised five times as much as Di Bartolomeo) and that “R.”
... There is an interesting race for the District 1 school board seat between Heather Felton and Mark Stanoch. Felton earned 6,100 votes in the primary to 4,960 for Stanoch (neither had more than 50% of the vote in the primary and therefore advanced to a runoff) but Stanoch has spent more money in campaigning and might have closed the gap.
... My final thought is that I can’t wait to get past Nov. 5 so my email and my phone will stop being filled with political ads. I do think about voting for the candidates who sent me the least ads.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
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Bowl of relief
Proceeds from annual Empty Bowls will help with hurricane relief efforts.
LIZ
RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
The annual Empty Bowls event this year in Lakewood Ranch will help meet a critical need in the community.
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee volunteers and staff have been working to make sure their event is successful so the Food Bank of Manatee is stocked and ready to distribute food and supplies for hurricane relief efforts.
All proceeds from Empty Bowls on Nov. 8 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch will benefit the Food Bank of Manatee as it helps those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Maribeth Phillips, CEO and president of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, said the nonprofit is “knee deep in hurricane relief” as its volunteers and staff have been all over the county distributing food and supplies.
“We’re going to see people who rely on food distributions by our pantries list for a very long time,” she said. “People lost their jobs, their income, not to mention how much food they’ve lost in their homes and the repairs to their homes. We see this as a very long runway in recovery. This is where the food bank is so critical in Manatee County.”
Phillips said the food bank already had seen an increased number of people coming for assistance since the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by inflation. Devastation from backto-back hurricanes has only made the need more critical.
These events have shown that the food bank is a critical pillar in Manatee County, Phillips said.
When Hurricane Helene ripped through the coast Sept. 26, Phillips said Meals on Wheels Plus staff
IF YOU GO
EMPTY BOWLS
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8
Where: Main Street at Lakewood
Ranch
Cost: Pre-purchased tickets: $35 for general admission; $50 for VIP; day-of tickets $40 for general admission; $60 for VIP
Details: Select a handcrafted bowl to keep and enjoy local restaurants’ soup, bread and desserts.
More information: MealsOnWheelsPlus.org.
and volunteers were going along the coast to address needs.
“You could see the water lines above the houses where they completely flooded and their entire belongings are out in their front yard,” Phillips said. Then after Hurricane Milton pummeled the area Oct. 9-10, Meals on Wheels Plus was out there again and every day since. Phillips said on Oct. 21 alone, the nonprofit distributed food to 14 mobile home parks.
“We are so deeply grateful to this amazing community that helps us to make sure that those people who don’t have food are supported,” Phillips said.
Lesley Dwyer
CEO Maribeth Phillips says Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee serves 96 agencies in the county. This year’s Empty Bowls will be critical to support increased demand due to hurricanes.
Key
and
This Nov. 5, Manatee County
Among those supporting this referendum are the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, the Manatee Community Foundation, the Manatee Education Foundation, and the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange. (Those organizations) are dedicated to strengthening and enhancing our community and fully supporting the renewal of the 1-mill tax.
Our children’s futures depend on the strength of our public schools. A well-funded, highquality, safe and effective education system affects more than the success of our children. It’s paramount for the growth of businesses and the vibrancy and strength of our community.
Renewing the 1-mill will maintain the significant progress our district has made since its initial passage in 2018. Specifically, it will continue supporting teacher hiring and retention in this tight labor market, increasing safety in our schools and much more.
During the past eight years, the district rose 14 spots in the state’s academic rankings based on student test scores. In 2024,
student scores went up in reading, math, writing, science and social studies — and the district had 24 “A” schools — the largest number of “A” schools since 2012.
The 1-mill initiative has received broad endorsement, which reflects our community’s support of students, educators, and our public school system. All funds generated by the 1-mill stay in Manatee County, and these resources directly benefit our students, teachers, and classrooms.
The 1-mill tax will allow our district to:
■ Offer competitive pay to attract and retain high-quality teachers and support staff in Manatee County
■ Retain the added 30 minutes to the school day, which equates to an entire additional year of instruction over a student’s K-12 education
■ Expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs, along with visual and performing arts and athletics
■ Grow early literacy initiatives
■ Increase safety and security measures in schools
■ Support public charter schools
Manatee County voters have increasingly acknowledged the benefits of these added funds and passed the 2021 with a 31% margin. Transparency around how these funds are used has only increased voters’ confidence.
Since the millage first came into effect in 2018, an independent citizens’ committee has overseen the allocation of resources, and all financial information about
referendum budgeting is prominently displayed on the district’s website.
For parents and nonparents alike, a shared truth remains: Today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and community leaders. By investing in them now, we ensure a brighter, stronger future for all.
As key community and business organizations in Manatee County, we strongly support this crucial investment in our children’s futures.
CO-WRITTEN BY
LAKEWOOD RANCH BUSINESS
ALLIANCE
MANATEE COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
MANATEE EDUCATION
FOUNDATION
GULF COAST BUILDERS EXCHANGE
Donald Trump recommendation calls for retraction
Last week, I returned home to Florida to clean up my property from the damage left from the recent hurricane. It was very sobering and sad to see all the damage our community incurred. But then I picked up a copy of the East County Observer and read your publication’s recommendation for the upcoming election. Your recommendations make the hurricane damage seem minor in comparison.
All of the recommendations could be debated intellectually
save one. The recommendation to vote for Donald Trump is the most ridiculous, embarrassing and downright dangerous recommendation the Observer Media Group could have made. Please enlighten me as to how a convicted felon, an election denier, a sexual offender and a man who has spent his entire time in office creating hatred and division among the American people is the Observer Media Group’s best choice?
This recommendation demands your readers question the judgment and motives of the members of the Observer Media Group. I, for one, will discontinue reading the publication until such time as this recommendation is retracted. Either support Vice President Kamala Harris or stay neutral, but please, do not endorse this dangerously flawed individual.
DARYL FALKOWSKI
RIVER STRAND
Recent testing of Lake Uihlein has produced negative toxin results
(Editor’s note: This letter was written in response to residents’ claims the water in Lake Uihlein is unsafe)
The Lakewood Ranch InterDistrict Authority has been directly involved with an incident that occurred earlier this year involving cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae). Although a
small outbreak did occur (in a specific area of the western portion of the lake), it was immediately addressed with successful results. To our knowledge, no persons or pets were harmed by this outbreak. Since April, repeated water samplings (as recent as September) at various locations around the perimeter of the entire lake have been taken and analyzed specifically for toxins associated with cyanobacteria. All samples taken have produced negative toxin results. Sampling will continue to occur until deemed unnecessary. The District’s aquatic maintenance contractor continues to closely monitor the lake paying specific attention for any signs of cyanobacteria. There are currently no indications that the water is unsafe and therefore no reason to post signage indicating such.
The District in which Lake Uihlein resides has set policies prohibiting swimming (or any similar water activity) as well as a policy of “catch and release” for any fish caught in any of its waters. It is incumbent on all who utilize this body of water to adhere to the regulations set forth by its governing parties for their own safety.
Please direct any concerned parties to the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority (941727-0899).
TOM MERRELL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
LAKEWOOD RANCH INTER-DISTRICT AUTHORITY
IT’S READ EVERYWHERE
Headed
PET PICS
Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/pet-pics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!
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LOOK INTO MY EYES: Gabriel strikes a pose in Del Webb in Lakewood Ranch.
SPORTS
The golden (years) rule:
Play pickleball
University Park’s Vince Golden, 95, plays pickleball every morning, rain or shine.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
For 95-year-old Vince Golden, the Fountain of Youth can be found on a pickleball court.
“If everybody in the world played pickleball every morning, they would live longer and live healthier lives,” Golden said. “I’m not a medical person, but I sure do believe that.”
Research backs up Golden’s assertion. Several studies show that racket sports, in general, extend life expectancy.
A 2018 study published by the Mayo Clinic found that in comparison to people living sedentary lifestyles, tennis players extend their lives by 9.7 years and badminton players by 6.2 years.
Jogging, cycling and swimming also extend life expectancy, but each extension was found to be fewer than four years. Golden sticks to a routine. He plays pickleball seven days a week for an hour-and-a-half, rain or shine, starting at 7 a.m. On Sundays, he has a big breakfast at First Watch.
Most days, Golden plays at Longwood Park, which is across the street from his home in University Park. On rainy days, he drives to the Church of the Palms in Sarasota, where there are three indoor courts. Golden has been nicknamed “the Mayor of Longwood Park.”
“He knows everybody and knows what everybody’s doing,” Sarasota resident Barbara Krajewski said. “You’ve got to report in every time you get here.”
On top of that, Golden takes care of the courts as if he was in charge of them. Each day, he comes and cleans the courts with a leaf blower in hand. If the courts are wet, he brings a squeegee, too.
Outside of some hearing loss, Golden is in excellent physical condition.
“His balance is incredible,” University Park resident Dean Matt said. “He’s got great ground strokes, a great serve and he’s just a treasure.”
FIVE FUN FACTS ABOUT VINCE GOLDEN
1. Golden started playing pickleball at 87 years old.
2. Golden grew up driving a team of mules on a sharecropper farm in Missouri.
3. Golden served in the Korean War as a counter-intelligence officer.
4. Golden met former President Harry Truman after he left office in 1953.
5. As an engineer, Golden built latex rubber-glove plants in Malaysia and Thailand.
The Mayo Clinic reports that pickleball also improves hand-eye coordination, strength and agility, and it’s “a source of social (interaction) and improved mental health.”
“I love it, No. 1, for the sociability,” Golden said. “I’ve lived alone now for basically 16 years.”
Golden’s wife, Olive Hull Golden, died in 2010, and she had Alzheimer’s disease leading up to her death.
The couple was married for 52 years. Golden speaks of his wife as if he’s still dumbfounded that he was fortunate enough to marry her. He called her “the most beautiful gal in the world” and spoke of her intelligence, popularity and kindness.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PICKLEBALL
The Cleveland Clinic calls pickleball a “good-for-you game.” Here are five reasons the nonprofit academic medical center backs up Golden’s assertion that everyone should play pickleball.
■ Improves heart health
■ Enhances muscles and bone
strength
■ Increases balance and coordination
■ Boosts brain health
■ Lengthens lifespan
His wife’s uncle was Missouri
Congressman William R. Hull and he set up the meeting with Truman because Golden was such a huge fan of the president. The two shared a similar background of driving mules on Missouri farms, and he told Truman that during their meeting.
“He said, ‘Oh yeah, I spent many a hot day out there in the Missouri sun,’” Golden recalled. “I’ve met a lot of famous people, but that was one of the highlights of my life. Truman did things right, not that I’m a Democrat.”
Golden was a football player as a young man at the University of Kansas. He didn’t start playing tennis until he was 39 years old. From then on, Golden was hooked on racket sports.
He said he performed best at platform tennis, which combines tennis and racquetball. In the senior division, Golden was ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Now, Golden sticks to pickleball because it’s “easy” and pickleball friends are “special.”
“When I played tennis, it was so fiercely competitive that you had trouble toning down your strong desire to win every game,” he said.
“That’s not true of pickleball. It really is a game of sociability, in addition to tremendous exercise.”
Golden has been playing for about eight years now. He started at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. He said anybody can learn to play, but the young players learn faster.
Before pickleball, Golden took long walks around his neighborhood by himself.
Golden’s birthday was on Sept. 29. He had about 30 people to eat cake with. University Park resident Susie Schell threw a party for him at the Longwood courts.
“He’s a bit of a phenom, isn’t he,” she said, gesturing to Golden.
An air of gratitude hangs over everything Golden talks about, from how well the rack system for pickle ball (which determines who is in line for the next game) works at Long wood Park to being drafted for the Korean War. His smile is unceasing.
Sarasota’s Kerry Urell plays pick leball regularly at Longwood Park. She had some overripe bananas sit ting on her counter, so she brought Golden some banana bread. He called it the best banana bread he’s ever had and said he licked the plate.
Urell said she’ll be baking more loaves.
Golden grew up on a sharecrop per farm in Missouri. He only attended school for eight months a year as a teenager because his job was to drive a team of mules through the cornfields.
He attended a one-room schoolhouse, and the family didn’t have enough money to send him to college. Golden considers himself “lucky” to have been drafted for the war.
“I served as a counterin telligence agent, and that just totally changed my life around,” he said. “Then, I had the GI Bill, and instead of being a tenant farm er, I ended up being an engineer and practiced my trade on four conti nents.”
Golden could also be called “the mayor” because he has so many stories to tell in between games. He lived in New York, Boston, Malaysia and Thailand. And he met President Harry Truman right after he left office in 1953.
Lesley Dwyer
Vince Golden and Kerry Urell play pickleball together at Longwood Park. According to Golden, nobody bakes better banana bread than Urell.
Courtesy image
The pickleball players at Longwood Park come together on Sept. 29 to celebrate Vince Golden’s 95th birthday. Vince is standing in the center wearing a blue sweatshirt.
Vince Golden, 95, says pickleball is the key to a long life.
Final slice of Pumpkin Festival
Myakka City’s Danielle Tripp watched as her son, Ryder Tripp, and daughter, Rowan Tripp, rode around in the children’s cow train at Hunsader Farms.
Ryder Tripp, who is 7, threw his arms up in the air while 1-year-old Rowan Tripp smiled as they passed their mom.
Attending the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 26 brought back childhood memories for Danielle Tripp.
She remembered the corn on the cob and other festival foods and drinks when she attended the festival. Her children’s favorite is the lemonade, she said.
The Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival was family fun for thousands in its final weekend.
It was a first for Lakewood Ranch’s Chris and Miya Voigt and their 7-month-old daughter, Freya Voigt. They headed into the pumpkin tent to find the perfect pumpkin.
“We didn’t know it was going to be this big,” Miya Voigt said. “Seeing all the animals and pumpkins is special.”
— LIZ RAMOS
North Port’s Inna Bauman, 2-year-old Jackson Bauman and Rus Bauman try out a tractor.
Photos by Liz Ramos
Matching outfits are a must for Bradenton’s Tim Cloninger, James Winkles, 7-year-old Rogan Winkles and Mercedes Winkles. This year is matching pumpkin shirts.
St. Petersburg 3-year-old Dylan Craig and his 1-year-old brother, Jack Craig, search for the perfect pumpkin. Jack Craig is celebrating his first birthday at Hunsader Farms.
Courtesy image
Tabytha Burrill has fun with her mom, Jess, at Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
Hillsborough County’s Makenzie Strange and 1-year-old Braxton Carroll check out the variety of pumpkins available.
Myakka City 7-year-old Ryder Tripp and 1-year-old Rowan Tripp take a ride in the cow train.
YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, OCT. 31 THROUGH
SUNDAY, NOV. 3
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING
Runs from 4-7 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Al Fuller’s Midnight Movers (Friday), The Koko Ray Show (Saturday) and Flip Flop Dave (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5, while the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 1 AND
SATURDAY, NOV. 2
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Mylon Shamble will entertain those strolling through Waterside Place on Friday night, while singer/musician Frankie Lombardi will perform on Saturday. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace.com.
SATURDAY, NOV. 2
JAZZ CONCERT
Begins at 4 p.m. at Living Lord Lutheran Church, 11107 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch. The “Onion Trio” Fall Jazz event features Tom Pizzi on the piano, Rich MacDonald on the drums and Joe Porter on bass. Also, Scotty Wright adds vocals, while Valeria Gillespie performs on the sax and John DePaola on the trumpet. The suggested donation is $15. For information, call 753-9365.
SATURDAY, NOV. 2 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 3
LINGER LODGE MUSIC
Runs Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court. E., Bradenton. Live, free music at Linger Lodge restaurant includes the STR8 Edge Duo on Saturday and Tom Selletti on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757
SUNDAY, NOV. 3
FARMERS MARKET
Runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch, which was
BEST BET
SATURDAY, NOV. 2 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 3
MEDIEVAL FAIR
Runs 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City. The Sarasota Medieval Fair begins its 2024 run, that will last every Saturday and Sunday in November, in addition to Veterans Day. A wide range of family friendly activities include jousting and human chess performances, fun food (including the classic turkey legs), a children’s realm area, local artisans and craft demonstrations, rides and games, and vendors. Tickets are available online at SarasotaMedievalFair.com.
voted as the top farmers market in Florida for the second year in a row, will run year-round every Sunday. Vendors will be offering seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 6
RANCH NITE WEDNESDAY Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place. Ranch Nite Wednesday features food trucks, dessert trucks, live music, weekly programing, outdoor bars and a recreational cornhole league. Please do not bring coolers or bring outside food or beverages. Go to Waterside.com for more information.
Storm’s fury not all bad
Hurricanes can play an important role in shaping healthy, albeit dramatically changed, ecosystems.
MIRI HARDY
CONTRIBUTOR
Hurricane Milton significantly impacted Myakka River State Park, downing and damaging trees. With water levels in the park already high since Hurricane Debby, Myakka’s floodplain marshes overflowed, flooding most roads in the park.
Thankfully, overall damage was substantially less than resulted from Hurricane Ian. Infrastructure impact to the park, which is minimally developed by design, was relatively minor.
Hurricanes bring with them a fury of strong wind, drenching rain, and even tornadoes. By rapidly driving natural ecological processes such as erosion, debris deposition and vegetational succession, they play an important role in shaping healthy, albeit dramatically changed, ecosystems.
When trees are downed, a hammock’s canopy opens, allowing different plants to grow due to increased sunlight. This process supports new growth as well as biodiversity.
Heavy rainfall, as hurricanes travel inland, increases the levels of water in streams, rivers and floodplains. As these waters flow through a watershed, they bring with them a mixture of freshwater, organic matter, nutrients and sediments. Scientists have found that hurricane-driven redistribution of organic matter in soils provides nutrients needed for natural communities to bounce back from severe storm impacts. By flushing out floodplains, water helps create new plant and wildlife habitats.
Scientists have long predicted that climate change would increase the frequency of extreme rainfall events. In a warmer world, there is simply more moisture in the air above water and land. Natural com-
STILL CLOSED
Myakka River State Park is closed to the public while recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton continue. For updates, please visit FloridaStateParks.org/Parks-And-Trails/ Myakka-River-State-Park.
munities, therefore, have less time to recover between storms, with major implications for ecosystem stability. Moreover, damaged ecosystems don’t bounce back as quickly as they used to because their resilience has been degraded, especially by human development.
With development rapidly encroaching on Myakka River State Park, there is a rising threat of degraded ecosystems and water quality from floodwaters contaminated by pollutants, such as fertilizer, pesticides, oil and bacteria. To protect the park and the river, maintaining adequate buffers from existing and potential development is of utmost importance.
Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, they are protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations. Follow at @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver.
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My teeth were such a mess when I started going. It’s one of those things where life gets busy and you just don’t take care of your teeth as much. I’m 71 and I still work, but I realized I had bad teeth. I had a chip or two, and the teeth in the front were half the size that they are now. They were a mess! So getting them fixed was a major transformation, no question about it!
I chose Paradise Dental because I heard of Dr. Jeffrey Martins’ work and his passion for reconstructive dentistry - and that’s what I experienced. The result was like night and day! I had no idea my teeth would look this good!
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I never recommend anyone if I don’t truly believe in them. Dr. Martins and his team are what I call HTP - Highly Trained Professionals. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
BRINGING JOY BY CREATING SMILES
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Miri Hardy
Though Myakka’s ecosystems adapted to seasonal flooding, increased threats of pollutant runoff from outside the park is concerning.
Carrying the torch for charity
Monika Oberer and Grayson Tullio decided they wanted to carry a different kind of torch during this year’s Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch.
Oberer a longtime supporter of the Lakewood Ranch Running Club event and now its benefitting organizations — The Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch and Tullio’s Another Day for Gray (in support of Duchenne muscular dystrophy) — got together with Tullio to discuss this year’s theme.
They dress in coordination each year in that theme. This year Oberer ran the race dressed as the Statue of Liberty while Tullio was Uncle Sam.
“We think it is important that everyone votes,” Oberer said.
Approximately 560 people participated in the 5K event, which started and finished in the FCCI Insurance Group parking lot. Funds go to the two benefitting organizations.
Tullio said such fundraisers are important in the quest to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Do I wish we were farther along? Yes,” Tullio said. “But they have made substantial progress.”
The race, which used to draw 1,000 runners before COVID, is starting to build back up. Last year’s race drew 480 runners.
— JAY HEATER
Boo Run Assistant Director Stephen Crescenti, Monika Oberer and Race Director Carl Albano join Grayson Tullio (front) before the fundraiser.
Bradenton’s Joseph Farabee has a yabba dabba doo good time in the Boo Run with his dog, Merl.
Parrish’s Dawn Barnett and Lisa Morgan say they were looking for something fun to do, so they put on orange skirts and headed to the Boo Run.
The Florida Premier Under 13 soccer team was represented at the Boo Run, including Bryce Yeater, Luke Mazurkiewicz, Henry Windhorst, Jayden Campos, Connor Mulligan, and Trey Maxey.
Photos by Jay Heater
The 2024 Boo Run is off and running in Lakewood Ranch.
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A night of fright, and fun
The hardest part of attaching a giant skeleton to an old VW bus is figuring out how to drive without an obstructed view.
Getting the oversized bones to hold in place had to be accomplished with vacuum mounts, manufactured by SeaSucker. Owner Chuck Casagrande said normally the mounts would hold down a bike instead of a skeleton leg.
This is the VW’s second drive to Lakewood Ranch for its annual BooFest, which was held on Oct. 25 on Main Street.
The perfectly peculiar bus drew a crowd all night, but the scaredy cats stayed back as clowns jumped out at the brave.
For a less spooky Halloween experience, the Baby Fox Academy operated its bubble machine.
Owner Laurie McCracken wore an inflatable fox costume and danced around, handing out bags of candy.
The academy set up two tents and handed out 800 bags of candy in under an hour.
— LESLEY DWYER
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Colonel Sanders makes a cameo at BooFest. Braden Woods resident Dot Turpin is riding the chicken, and Blane Turpin is the colonel.
Ensley Romdenne and Brooklyn Stosick pose with Beetlejuice at the Adjust Your Life Chiropractic tent.
The vacuum mounts that normally hold down the wheels of a bicycle hold down the skeleton’s legs instead.
Lake Club home tops sales at $2.4 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Lake Club
topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. James Frost and Jorge Morales, of Atlanta, sold their home at 8548 Pavia Way to Wilson and Peggy Li, of Bradenton, for $2.35 million. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,126 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,261,100 in 2022.
ISLES
Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 17950 Palmiste Drive to Pavan Rajanahalli and Likitha Vishnu, of Riverview, for $2,330,900. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, five-and-two-half-baths, a pool and 4,148 square feet of living area.
Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 8231 Nevis Run to Eduardo and Rosana Guimaraes, of Lakewood Ranch, for $951,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,868 square feet of living area.
WATERBURY GRAPEFRUIT
Robert and Lisa Spillman, of Parrish, sold their home at 22230 S.R. 64 E. to 22230 E State Road 64 LLC for $1.45 million. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,855 square feet of living area. It sold for $850,000 in 2021.
PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE
Diana Pilkington Barry and Mark Stephen Barry, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8304 Wisteria Place to Michael Richmond, of Bradenton, for $1.3 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,149 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in January.
EATON PLACE
Larry and Beverly Brown, trustees, of University Park, sold the home at 7326 Eaton Court to Denise and Mark Morris, of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, for $1.15 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,554 square feet of living area. It sold for $334,000 in 1999.
RYE ROAD
Donna King, of Lakewood Ranch, and Sharon Anne Cadet, of Bradenton, sold their home at 345 Rye Road to JEN Tampa 12 LLC for $1 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,362 square feet of living area.
Donna King, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 327 Rye Road to JEN Tampa 12 LLC for $1 million. Built in 1953, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,372 square feet of living area.
Donald and Lynda Temple, of Tam-
pa sold their home at 357 Rye Road to JEN Tampa 12 LLC for $833,300. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, two baths and 1,152 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2006.
411 Rye Road Holdings sold the home at 411 Rye Road to JEN Tampa 12 LLC for $416,700. Built in 1981, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,776 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2006.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Jeffrey Colton, trustee, of Henderson, Nevada, sold the home at 7162 Whittlebury Trail to John Stewart McCullam and Margaret Doris McCullam, of Bradenton, for $865,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,232 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,145,000 in 2022.
COUNTRY CLUB
Robert Segal and Barbara Segal, of Sarasota, sold their home at 11725 Strandhill Court to Michael and Coreen Walther, of Lakewood Ranch, for $800,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,210 square feet of living area. It sold for $495,400 in 2007.
RIVER PLACE
Richard and Jill Simons, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6996 74th St. Circle E. to Jeanne and Dewart Silva, of Clarkston, Michigan, for $700,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,510 square feet of living area. It sold for $531,200 in 2006.
DEL WEBB
James and Patricia Bennett, of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, sold their home at 17541 Colebrook Circle to Bret and Anne-Marie Edwards, of Lakewood Ranch, for $645,000. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,084 square feet of living area. It sold for $461,400 in 2019.
Bruno and April Devaux, of Fairport, New York, sold their home at 17002 Hampton Falls Terrace to Mary Wright, of Bradenton, for $499,500. Built in 2018, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,428 square feet of living area. It sold for $455,000 in 2021.
ROSEDALE Margaret and Larry Credit sold their home at 8744 51st Terrace E. to Ernesto and Laura Martinez, of Bradenton, for $630,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,321 square feet of living area. It sold for $405,000 in 2016.
Fairhomes Imperial Topaz Properties LLC sold the home at 8741 52nd Drive E. to Wayne and Carol Wilson, of Bradenton, for $483,000. Built in 1995, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,003 square feet of living area. It sold for $250,000 in 2013.
CREEKWOOD
David and Beth Saalmann, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7322 52nd Drive E. to Antonio Tripaldi and Linda Jochmann, of Bradenton, for $620,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,828 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,000 in 2005.
Edward William Vacchelli, of Bradenton, sold his home at 4688 72nd Court E. to Ian Alan Swartwood, of Bradenton, for $480,000. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,537 square feet of living area. It sold for $371,000 in 2020.
GREENBROOK
AK Gunnar Aberg and Laurie Aberg, of Bradenton, sold their home at 14107 Nighthawk Terrace to David Rodenhouse and Faye Stavros, of Bradenton, for $600,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,012 square feet of living area. It sold for $870,000 in 2022.
RIVERSIDE PRESERVE
Albert Michael Gore and Rachel Elaine Gore, of Birmingham, Alabama, sold their home at 1017 Fernleaf Run to Bonnie Blair, of Bradenton, for $579,900. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,610 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,900 in 2022.
SUMMERFIELD
David Bouchard, of Myakka, sold his home at 12710 Rockrose Glen to Casey James Smith and Dana Smith, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for $567,500. Built in 1999, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,596 square feet of living area. It sold for $270,000 in 2004.
AH4R Properties LLC sold the home at 12311 Tall Pines Way to American Homes 4 Rent TRS LLC for $440,900. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,909 square feet of living area. It sold for $275,000 in 2017.
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS OCT. 14-18
TAILFEATHER WAY AT TARA
Harold and Judy Tarbuck, of Bradenton, sold their home at 6686 Tailfeather Way to Lynn Boucher, of Bradenton, for $567,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,062 square feet of living area. It sold for $365,000 in 2019.
AVAUNCE
Bakhtiyar Islamov and Irina Islamova, of Maple Valley, Washington, sold their home at 14209 57th Place E. to Hela Helashvili, of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, for $560,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,340 square feet of living area. It sold for $446,600 in 2022.
COACH HOMES AT RIVER STRAND
Larry and Lynn Finck, trustees, of Durant, Iowa, sold the Unit 702 condominium at 8102 Grand Estuary Trail to Steven and Diane Poehler, trustees, for $520,000. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $286,000 in 2016.
GREENFIELD PLANTATION
Darwin and Kathy Montgomery, of Bradenton, sold their home at 519 Turner Lane to Steven Neil Han and Connie Han, of Bradenton, for $500,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,683 square feet of living area. It sold for $210,000 in 2003.
Courtesy image
This Waterbury Grapefruit home at 22230 S.R. 64 E. sold for $1.45 million. It has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,855 square feet of living area.
SWEETWATER
John and Eileen Jonke, of Ridge, New York, sold their home at 17854 Cherished Loop to Laurey Miller, of Bradenton, for $483,000. Built in 2022, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,672 square feet of living area. It sold for $512,000 in 2022.
WHITEBRIDGE COURT
James and Lorene Steffke, trustees, of University Park, sold the home at 7749 Whitebridge Glen to Edward Weigel, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for $475,000. Built in 1995, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,721 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2013.
WOODBROOK
Michael Mongelli, of Bradenton, sold his home at 6425 Autumn Woods Way to Christopher Glindro and Gemmalaine Gorospe Glindro, trustees, of Chino Hills, California, for $435,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,680 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 2018.
HARBORAGE ON BRADEN RIVER
John David Kipp and Donna Raye Kipp, trustees, of Bradenton, sold their home at 5527 Simonton St. to Jeffrey Werdal and Noreen Werdal, trustees, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, for $430,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,636 square feet of living area. It sold for $255,000 in 2018.
VERANDA AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL
Karen Lynn Yesinkus and Carla Jean Ezell, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their Unit 2012 condominium at 5694 Palmer Circle to James and Phyllis Selleck, of Crystal, Michigan, for $425,000. Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,329 square feet of living area. It sold for $247,000 in 2021.
RIVERWALK
American Homes 4 Rent Properties Five LLC sold the home at 7427
Arrowhead Run to American Homes 4 Rent TRS LLC for $422,900. Built in 2001, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,991 square feet of living area. It sold for $265,000 in 2014.
GATES CREEK
Michael Allen Hilliard and Megan Ashley Hilliard sold their home at 11207 Third Ave. E. to John Wolding, of Bradenton, for $410,000. Built in 1997, it has four bedrooms, two baths and is 1,606 square feet. It sold for $230,000 in 2016.
BACCIANO AT ESPLANADE
The Freeman Family Trust sold the Unit 103 condominium at 13810 Messina Loop to Amy and Joel Silver, of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, and Ira Schwartz, of Naples, for $404,000. Built in 2020, it has two bedrooms, two baths and is 1,528 square feet. It sold for $246,400 in 2020.
FAIRFIELD Donna Santangelo, of Bradenton, sold her home at 4936 Maymont Park Circle to David and Michele Schoellig, of Garrattsville, New York, for $395,000. Built in 2014, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,525 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2021.
COACH HOMES AT CUDDY COVE Maria Pugliese, of Sarasota, sold her Unit 304 condominium at 115 Red Fox Court to Darwin Russell Montgomery and Kathy Montgomery, of Bradenton, for $389,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,000 in 2021.
GREENFIELD PLANTATION Chong Sik Kim and Un Son Kim, of Tampa, sold their home at 1303 Millbrook Circle to Pho Nguyen and Duoc Le, of Bradenton, for $385,000. Built in 2002, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,782 square feet of living area. It sold for $165,500 in 2002.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
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MONSTER MASH by Lisa Senzel and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
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