Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School teachers were on a top secret mission Nov. 11-15.
Could they participate in an “Undercover Spirit Week” without any students catching onto their spirited activities?
One day was “twins day,” while Nov. 12 was “drink from anything but a cup day.” Stephanie Tretolo, an English language arts fifth grade teacher (above), drank from a dump truck, while fifth grade math teacher Katie Flesche sipped from an Orville Redenbacher popcorn kernel container for “drink from anything but a cup day.” Mission accomplished.
Visit an 11-alarm open house
East Manatee Fire Rescue is ready to pull up the garage doors on Myakka City’s new Station 11.
The crew will be celebrating with an open house on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The new station is located at 10215 Wauchula Road, right next door to the old station.
Firefighters will be giving tours and handing out swag, such as the commemorative coin that Firefighter Nicholas Miller is holding (pictured above).
Mission BBQ is providing the food, and EMFR is providing the party.
“We’re going to have all kinds of fun activities for kids and families,” Deputy Chief Paul Wren said. “We want residents to come out and see their new firehouse.”
New commissioners take office
Robert McCann, Carol Felts and Tal Siddique signal a new era for the Manatee County Commission. SEE PAGE 3A
Courtesy image
Braden River High School’s Kirsten Soler and Quinn McGettigan kiss the championship trophy. The Marching Band of Pirates earned its first state championship title in five years.
Liz Ramos
School Board of Manatee County members Richard Tatem, Chad Choate, Charlie Kennedy, Cindy Spray and Heather Felton are ready to serve the School District of Manatee County.
Newly elected Heather Felton joins board, Charlie Kennedy returns and Richard Tatem appointed. SEE PAGE 6A
Farm-City Week tour blooms again
The tour bus visited McKeithen Growers, Taylor Cattle & Citrus, Blackbeard’s Ranch and Mariposa Nursery.
LESLEY DWYER
STAFF WRITER
Bradenton’s Eileen and Robert Schuler have been touring Manatee County farms for 25 years because they like to see how the industry is evolving.
The Schulers were touring McKeithen Growers on Nov. 14. The farm grows 90 varieties of primarily native trees and shrubs. Owners Eddie and Patricia McKeithen led the tour group of about 45 people around the farm, and pointed out different varieties along the way and shared tidbits about each, such as birds are attracted to American beautyberry bushes, and bees love teabushes.
In an example of what Farm-City Week promotes — the vital relationship between farmers and urban communities — the McKeithens are currently ramping up their supply of salt-resistant trees.
After hurricanes Helene and Milton toppled trees along the west coast of the county, Eddie McKeithen said there is now and will continue to be a high demand for varieties, such as seagrapes and green buttonwoods.
Some of the trees on the 25-acre farm looked weathered because they were laid on their sides prior to Hurricane Milton. It took staff two days to get to all of them, but the measure protects the inventory from high winds.
Patricia McKeithen said being on their side only causes the trees cosmetic damage, and by next spring, they’ll all be flushed out and gorgeous again.
The trees were upright during Hurricane Debby, and the water rose above the pot lines. Thanks to an extensive drainage system, the property was drained in under 48 hours.
In addition to the drainage system, the tree farm uses two types of irrigation systems — drip and overhead.
The growers employ the best management practices to prevent overspray and to conserve water.
“To be a farmer today, you have to be well educated to be able to implement all this technology,” Eileen Schuler said.
The rest of the tour featured Taylor Cattle & Citrus, Blackbeard’s Ranch and Mariposa Nursery.
Last year, the Schulers visited Wish Farms in Plant City during the tour.
TAKE YOUR OWN FARM TOUR
Farm-City Week only comes around once a year, but there are plenty of local farms in East County that regularly open to the public year-round.
■ Mariposa Nursery, 5020 Lorraine Road. Mariposa participated in this year’s tour, but the over 20-acre garden center is open to the public six days a week. Visit MariposaNursery. com.
■ Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675. October’s Pumpkin Festival is Hunsader’s signature event, but the farm is open to the public from September through June and features a produce market, U-pick fields, campground, ice cream shop and a petting zoo. Visit HunsaderFarms.com.
■ Dakin Dairy Farms, 30771 Betts Road. Dakin offers tours of the dairy operation, plus a farm market and cafe yearround. During the summer, ages 7-12 can learn more about farm life at Dakin’s summer camp. Visit DakinDairyFarms. com. ■ Heritage Bee Farm, 13339 MJ Road. The bee farm offers one-and-a-half- and three-anda-half-hour tours at its main apiary in Myakka City. The hands-on tours include protective gear and a honey tasting. Visit HeritageBees.com. ■ Mindful Blooms Flower Farm, 14800 Sugarbowl Road. The flower farm offers educational classes and U-pick flower experiences on select days. Check the calendar at MindfulBloomsFarm.com.
water and into a basket.”
For 33 years, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Manatee County Extension has held an agricultural tour to celebrate Farm-City Week, which highlights the relationships between rural and urban communities.
“Most people think of Florida as the beach,” Eileen Schuler said.
“They don’t realize it’s an agricultural state, so it’s a great education. We sometimes bring guests with us because they can see where we live.”
“They had a machine that determined if the strawberry was ripe or not,” Robert Schuler said. “It has a mechanical hand that knows if it should be picked or not. If it picks the strawberry, it goes right into cold
While the Schulers have enthusiasm for the tour, the enthusiasm of the farmers they’ve met is another reason they return each year.
“They love their family, and they love their work,” Eileen Schuler said. “It’s inspiring.”
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Patricia and Eddie McKeithen (on the right) lead a tour through their Myakka City tree farm, McKeithen Growers.
Bradenton’s Eileen and Robert Schuler have been touring Manatee County farms for 25 years.
IN WITH THE NEW ...
East County representatives talk about their priorities as they head into 2025.
With a Republican sweep, the Manatee County Commission remains a one-party board. However, the commission does have a new look.
Carol Felts is the new District 1 commissioner, representing Myakka City and Parrish. Tal Siddique is the new District 3 commissioner, representing the islands and a portion of downtown Bradenton, and Robert McCann is the new District 5 commissioner, representing the Lakewood Ranch area.
All three, along with District 7 Commissioner George Kruse, were sworn to duty by Clerk of Court Angel Colonneso on Nov. 19 in the Patricia M. Glass Commission Chambers of the Manatee County Administration Building.
East County’s Kruse will continue to represent the county at-large. While commissioners are not subject to term limits, Kruse said this will be his last term in office because he personally believes in term limits. Kruse said he is optimistic about what can be accomplished with a new board.
“We spent too much of the board’s time, too much of staff’s time and too much of our dollars on things that the people don’t want, like wid-
ening 59th Street,” Kruse said. “They were in some people’s best interest. They were in special interests’ best interest, but not the public’s.” Kruse has two main goals moving into his second term — to give a voice back to the people and fix the budget that is “a disaster.”
He said the first objective is on track since citizens can once again comment on the county’s social media posts and call in to commission meetings.
The next steps are to get the advisory boards fully seated, to stop adding last minute items to the commission and land use agendas and to start holding Town Hall meetings again so commissioners can engage with their constituents.
“The public wants more of a say in how their government is run,” Kruse said. “This (past) cycle, I think the current government broke the cam-
“The public wants more of a say in how their government is run. This (past) cycle, I think the current government broke the camel’s back, and it showed at the ballot box.”
Commissioner George Kruse
never wavered. She wants a more educated public.
She said people need to know how a cow pasture becomes a condominium. They also need to have realistic expectations as to what commissioners can and cannot do.
She said her new job as commissioner would be easier if everyone was operating on the same level of understanding. If it was up to her, the county’s organizational chart would have the citizens at the top, above the county administrator and commissioners.
Felts said the public is also at a disadvantage when it comes to resources, but developers Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff are citizens, too. She’s as obligated to “equally and effectively” represent them as much as she is anybody else.
“Everybody’s got their right to interpret and apply the law as they see fit, in their best interest,” Felts said. “The job of the representative is to do what is in the best interest of the people as a whole.”
Neal Communities last week held a neighborhood workshop for a proposed development north of State Road 64.
el’s back, and it showed at the ballot box.”
Kruse described the budget as a disaster because the board missed out on “meaningful revenue streams like impact fees in place of charging the public.”
He said until the time when tax dollars are being spent on things that will improve the quality of life in Manatee County, nothing else matters.
EAST COUNTY REPRESENTATION
Like Kruse, commissioner Jason Bearden, who is entering the third year of his four-year term, fills an at-large seat and lives in Lakewood Ranch. The two new East County representatives are Felts and McCann.
Citizens who attend or watch commission meetings will recognize the Myakka City resident, as Felts has attended countless commission meetings as a citizen activist.
After eight years standing at the podium speaking to the commission, Felts was emotional from the moment she raised her right hand to take the oath of office.
“She takes it very seriously,” campaign supporter Charlene Kow said. “She’s excited to start up Town Hall meetings to hear from people throughout her district. She doesn’t believe everyone needs to come to her.”
Felts’ main concern stepping onto the dais is that her district has lacked representation for the past seven months. James Satcher was the District 1 commissioner before he was appointed by Governor DeSantis to serve as the supervisor of elections in April.
“We haven’t had a vote,” Felts said. “We’ve got to look at how that affected the reasonable expectation of representation.” Ultimately, Felts’ main goal has
Now that Felts’ role has changed from activist to commissioner, she couldn’t attend the meeting or comment on the project because it hasn’t gone before the board yet. So in general terms, she said Neal did “a good thing” by holding a workshop that the developer wasn’t required to hold.
She gave residents credit for showing up to have the conversation. Felts saw it as an example of at least trying to solve a problem, something everyone in Manatee County is going to have to do moving forward.
The biggest complaint she’s heard from constituents is that the infrastructure is not adequately supporting the growth. She wants everyone to get ready to “tighten their belts,” both the county and its citizens.
“Do you want your trash picked up twice a week or do you want to get to work safely?” she said. “Those are the challenges we’re going to have, and they have to be acknowledged by not just your elected officials, but by the people who elected them.”
Newly elected McCann lives in the River Club. He can now add commissioner to a list of titles including Navy veteran, doctor, lawyer, pilot and scuba diver.
He said in an email that he wants to “stop the building” and restore wetlands, expand infrastructure and focus on disaster preparedness. He supports expanding services, such as local parks and recreational opportunities.
McCann wrote that he wants to see shovels in the ground at Premier Park by April. He listed his campaign promises as managing growth responsibly, improving traffic and infrastructure, ensuring that new developments contribute fairly to the community and maintaining accountability and transparency in government.
“I’m excited to get to work for the people of District 5 because we have a lot of work to do — and undo — from the previous board,” he said in his email.
Three new commissioners are sworn in on Nov. 19. The new Manatee County Commission, from left: Tal Siddique, Carol Felts, George Kruse, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden and Dr. Robert McCann.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Clerk of Court Angel Colonneso swears in Commissioner George Kruse with his wife Jessica Kruse by his side.
Dr. Robert McCann is joined by wife, Rosemarie McCann, as he’s sworn in as the District 5 commissioner.
Myakka City’s Carol Felts gets emotional as she’s sworn in as the District 1 commissioner on Nov. 19.
Cypress, Legacy renovations complete
Heritage Golf Group moves to next phase of renovation at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.
ELIZABETH KING BUSINESS OBSERVER
The first phase of renovations are complete at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, according to the Heritage Golf Group, which acquired the club in March.
In the eight months since the acquisition, the company has updated two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses plus wellness amenities as part of a multimillion-dollar project. It has future plans to renovate the clubhouse as well as its other two golf courses.
Celebration Bermuda grass fairways, newly constructed TifEagle greens, refurbished cart paths and renovated bunkers were among the renovations at the Cypress Links and Legacy golf courses, according to a statement from Heritage Golf Group.
The Legacy course also has multiple new sets of tees, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels.
“Both courses, each unique in design, now feature upgraded irrigation systems, enhanced playability and improved aesthetics,” said Luke Beardmore, Heritage Golf Group’s senior vice president of agronomy, in the statement. Beardmore spearheaded the course renovations.
Cypress Links was more than 20 years old while Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club initially opened in 2001 and that year so did Cypress Links, according to the statement.
The Legacy Golf Course was previously a daily fee course adjacent to the club in Lakewood Ranch. Heritage Golf Group acquired it in March and merged it into the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, which the company had also just purchased.
When The Legacy opens for member play on Nov. 16, Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club will be the only
club in the region offering access to four private golf courses, Heritage officials say. In addition, the company reports adding the course enabled the club to welcome new members from a previously existing waitlist.
“We’re thrilled to mark a new era at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club with the opening of all four golf courses,” Heritage Golf Group COO Jim Oliver said in the statement.
Also part of the club’s phase one renovation are enhancements to its tennis courts and fitness center. New LED systems and resurfacing have improved playability and drainage on the tennis courts, which will total 23 with the addition of three new ones.
New cardio and strength machines as well as group fitness equipment are coming to the 24-hour fitness center as well, according to a statement.
Plans are underway for phase two of the club’s renovation, including the multimillion-dollar transformation of The Legacy Clubhouse. Once completed, this will become the club’s third full-service clubhouse, featuring a member restaurant, patio and pro shop, in addition to other amenities.
Renovations will continue into 2025 and 2026, with scheduled upgrades to the remaining two golf courses, Royal Lakes, and King’s Dunes, each receiving full renovations on a rotating basis.
Based in Herndon, Virginia, Heritage Golf Group includes 37 golf clubs nationwide.
SimplyDwell shares its plans with public
The proposed community would sit on 44 acres near State Road 64 and Uihlein Road.
LESLEY DWYER
STAFF WRITER
SimplyDwell Homes, the newest brand from Neal Communities, shared its East County plans to build 99 single-family homes with the public, some who were not pleased to hear another development was on its way.
The approximately 43-acre proposed site is generally located north of State Road 64, east of Zipperer Road, and just to the west of Lake Manatee.
“We’re angry,” Waterline Road resident Lindsey Ryan said. “Year after year after year, we’re watching everything get plowed down around us.”
About 30 residents attended the
neighborhood workshop held at Bayside Community Church’s Lakewood Ranch campus on Nov. 12.
Commissioners approved a rezone of the site from Mixed Use Community Residential to Residential 1 on Nov. 7, which clears the way for the proposed development to fit within the county’s zoning requirements.
Only Commissioner Jason Bearden was opposed.
The approximate density of the community is planned to be 2.3 dwelling units per acre, but the actual proposal to build 99 homes needs a separate approval from the commission.
Katie LaBarr, principal planner for the consulting firm Stantec, estimated the project will be presented during a public hearing sometime in
spring 2025. If approved, SimplyDwell will break ground sometime between late 2025 and early 2026.
Ryan’s fear is that the development could lead to Zipperer Road being extended because a secondary access point to the new community is planned for 18th Avenue East, which connects to Zipperer Road.
“It would literally run along the side of our property,” Ryan said.
She and her husband, Mike Ryan, operate a nonprofit on the Waterline Road property. DD’s Miracle Minis offers equine and animal assisted therapies, so they said a road would have impacts on more than just their home.
Some residents said a more general fear stems from Hurricane Debby causing widespread flooding in the area in August. Residents who attended the meeting wanted to know how stormwater management would be handled. Matt Morris of Morris Engineering took the lead on explaining the plan.
“We’re not in the business of raising property and just letting the water flow off onto other properties,” he said. “Yes, the property will be raised, but it’ll be graded such that all the water that falls on the property from rain goes into the stormwater ponds we’re constructing.”
Morris said that a typical development in East County reserves between 12% and 15% of the overall acreage for stormwater ponds. The SimplyDwell plan provides nearly double that range with about 23% of the acreage reserved for stormwater ponds.
Another concern brought by residents was on behalf of nesting birds on the property. Residents say they’ve seen owls, crested caracaras and scissor-tailed kites in the area, but none of the three were observed during the wildlife study.
Residents said they don’t believe it, especially when it came to the scissor-tailed kites not being sighted. A collective grumble rippled through the room, and one irritated resident told the staff to “look up” to see the birds.
Residents requested a third-party wildlife study. There’s no answer yet as to whether or not the study will be performed, but LaBarr said the planned habitat preservation is required to be put into a conservation easement.
According to the project’s environmental narrative, 1.18 acres of native wetland habitat and 2.73 acres of native upland habitat will be preserved. In addition to an independent
SIMPLYDWELL HOMES
SimplyDwell Homes is a new brand by Neal Communities.
“Our average Neal home is in the $600,000 to $800,000 range,” Community Affairs Coordinator Katie Alderman said. “Our SimplyDwell product is selling homes from the low $300s to the low $400s.” Broadleaf off of Golf Course Road in Parrish is a SimplyDwell community that’s selling now.
Alderman said residents could go see that community to get an idea of what’s coming to their neighborhood, if the project is approved. The homes, landscaping and amenities will be similar to Broadleaf. Out of 55 sales in Broadleaf, 40 have been to individuals under the age of 40, and 33 of those were first-time homebuyers.
“We’re really proud of this product and that target group that we’ve been able to sell to,” Alderman said. “We’ve noticed that a lot of the buyer profiles are people who are renting. They’re people that can afford the mortgage payment. They just need to find something that is in that price range.”
wildlife study, residents requested the stormwater management be designed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s new forecasted rainfall levels and the construction dust be kept under control by clear cutting only a few acres at a time.
The neighborhood workshop team couldn’t give residents answers on the spot. Following the meeting, Christine McKelvey, director of marketing for Neal Communities, said in an email that staff had already reached out to neighbors to schedule in-person meetings.
“Our team will discuss the feedback from the meeting and make accommodations if possible,” McKelvey said.
Lesley Dwyer
Mike and Lindsey Ryan live on Waterline Road, near the proposed SimplyDwell Homes community.
This is the preliminary site plan for the proposed SimplyDwell Homes community. If approved,
Primed to serve
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Parrish’s Heather Felton, a newly elected member to the School Board of Manatee County, said she already has started her training by meeting with various district administrators, touring facilities, and seeing all that it takes to run a district that is responsible for educating more than 50,000 students.
On Nov. 19, the work for Felton, who represents District 1, and newly elected District 3 representative Charlie Kennedy, officially began as they were sworn in and joined sitting board members Chad Choate and Cindy Spray on the dias. Richard Tatem, who had resigned his seat to run for the Florida House of Representatives but was not elected to the post, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to retain his seat. He also was sworn in to complete the last two years of his former term.
“My constituents in District 5 elected me, so now I need to fulfill the mandate that they elected me for, so that’s a good thing,” Tatem said.
In a unanimous vote, Choate was named chair of the board. In a 3-2 vote, with Choate and Tatem dissenting, Spray was named vice chair.
WORKING AS A GROUP
Choate said getting “new blood” on the board will bring new perspectives.
“You never want to get caught in a rut and do the same old, same old,” Choate said. “Any time you bring in new board members, you’re going to get some fresh ideas.”
Tatem said Kennedy’s corporate knowledge and previous experience on the board and Felton’s experience as a former teacher will be beneficial to the board.
With eight years previously serving on the board, Kennedy hopes to bring his institutional knowledge and expertise to the board. He helped the board and the district during difficult financial times starting in 2014. He served on the board during the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in superintendents and other challenges.
Felton said her first mission on the board is getting to know her fellow board members, followed by getting to know more district employees, students and their families.
“If you get to know somebody, where they’re coming from, even in their personal lives, it helps you understand where they’re coming from when you’re trying to work together as a group,” Felton said.
Felton said learning each others’ strengths and weaknesses will allow the board members to see what each one can bring to the table.
Spray hopes new board members
will rely on existing board members to take the lead. She said the new members, will have to be caught up with the district’s current state and learn the district’s direction moving forward.
Despite any challenges or disagreements board members might face, they all expressed a desire to “stay boring,” as former board member Mary Foreman said at her last board meeting Nov. 12, by treating each other with respect and kindness.
“I hope we work well together and present a professional attitude to the public,” Tatem said.
PERSONAL PRIORITIES
School board members have ideas on the areas they’d like to see the board address as they begin working together.
All board members said the board will need to address growth, especially as communities boom in the eastern and northeastern portions of Manatee County.
In 2025, the district and board will have to look at rezoning with three new schools opening in August.
Besides addressing growth, Felton said the board needs to ensure employees continue to be paid competitive salaries, especially focusing on nonunion employees. She said
she wants the employees to have everything they need to do their jobs without having to worry about their salaries and how they will care for their families.
“Anything we can do to make their lives easier and show them our support is important to me,” Felton said.
Spray and Choate want a continued focus on early learning, which has been a priority for the School Board of Manatee County for two years.
Choate said the earlier students start in the school district, the better they will be by the time they graduate high school.
Spray would like to see the gains the district has made in reading, math and writing continue. She has been advocating for continued progress to make certain more students are reading on grade level.
Choate also would like to see the board look into ensuring students know all their options after graduation, whether it’s higher education, going into the workforce, entering the military or something else.
“I want to make sure we are showing our students every option for their future, whether it’s internships, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, whatever it is,” he said. “I want to be able to make sure we’re doing everything in our power to
“My constituents in District 5 elected me, so now I need to fulfill the mandate that they elected me for, so that’s a good thing.”
Richard Tatem
provide every option, opportunity to our students in Manatee County.”
Kennedy would like the board to address the substitute teacher shortage, which he said is a challenge for every school in the district. He said support employees at school are being pulled away from their regular responsibilities to serve as substitute teachers.
Tatem wants the board to continue to focus on maintaining “fiscal responsibility while providing a high quality school system and fulfilling our constitutional requirements.” He said he also wants to earn the trust of the community to show that the board and district are good stewards of its resources.
SWEET SOUND OF VICTORY
The Braden River High Marching Band of Pirates wins 2A state title, while the Pride of Parrish Marching Band places fourth.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Leading up to the preliminaries of the state Florida Marching Band Championships, Cliff Dawson had his marching band students participate in a calming exercise.
Dawson, the director of Braden River High School’s Marching Band of Pirates, said he could tell the students were nervous going into the Nov. 16 competition.
Dawson said the band had some good rehearsals but a few shaky moments and they didn’t seem to be sure they would perform well at the competition.
Dawson had his students close their eyes and visualize their entire show, imagining what it felt like to perform correctly and to see people applauding.
Everything they had envisioned became a reality.
Not only did the Marching Band of Pirates have a successful performance in the preliminaries that secured the band a spot in the finals, but the Pirates performed even bet-
ter in the finals, winning the Division 2A state championship.
“The first performance and second performance just kept getting better, so I couldn’t be more proud of the kids,” Dawson said.
Winning the state championship was validation of the band’s ability and hard work, Dawson said.
“It’s been such a crazy year with all of the challenges,” he said. “We as a staff, boosters and an organization just decided we weren’t going to give up. It was validation of the extra effort we put in to make it happen ... that it all paid off.”
The Parrish Community High School’s Pride of Parrish Marching Band also had validation as the band placed fourth overall in the Division 2A state championship.
Lakewood Ranch High School’s Marching Mustangs did not qualify for finals.
Ron Lambert, director of Parrish’s marching band, said placing fourth was a culmination of hard work, resilience and effort.
The band was founded four years ago and has placed in the finals of the Florida Marching Band Championships for the third year in a row.
“We were the little band that could because the other four bands in our class are storied programs that have been class champions in (division) 5A, 4A and 3A multiple times,” Lambert said. “It was four giant programs and then little Parrish, so I’m very
proud to have achieved what we did.”
After placing fourth in preliminaries out of 10 bands, Lambert said the Pride of Parrish Marching Band scored four points higher in the finals and were .3 away from third place after the finals.
“We did that in a matter of hours,” he said. “That’s all will and determination.”
Dawson said Braden River’s victory showed the buy-in from the students, families and everyone involved in the program.
After it was announced that Braden River won the state title, Dawson said the students were in a daze. They were emotionally and physically exhausted.
“You could just tell there was nothing left they could do to even be excited,” he said. “Obviously, they’re pleased and happy about all of it. I think over the next couple of days it’s going to settle in for them, and they’re going to be quite a bit happier.”
This is the first state championship Braden River has won since the band won the Division 3A state championship in 2019, which was its third consecutive state title.
The COVID-19 pandemic left the band in recovery mode, but Dawson said the program has been getting a little better each year since 2020.
“The last time we had a group of kids that didn’t have any kind of success like this was, to me, the start of the three-peat,” Dawson said. “It’s nice to be back and know we didn’t lose that potential for greatness and excellence in the program and we can get back to having that around for the students, the program and the school.”
The fine performances came despite both bands losing significant rehearsal time due to hurricanes.
Parrish’s band had a successful start to the season with a two-week band camp, but then Hurricane Debby and the ensuing bad weather caused the band to not have a full outdoor rehearsal until mid-September.
Then Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton caused the band to lose even more rehearsal time, including a Saturday mini camp, that would have been an eight-hour rehearsal, Lambert said.
Lambert said placing fourth after all the challenges says a lot about the students, the program and the culture former band Director Kendall Carrier put in place when he started the program four years ago.
Now the band members at Parrish are hungry for more, Lambert said.
Looking into next year’s marching season, Lambert said he wants to continue to build on the culture of the program and grow in numbers. The marching band had 58 members this year.
Lambert said there are students whose siblings were his former students when he was director at Lakewood Ranch High School, and half of the marching band’s staff are former students. They all are aware of the family culture of excellence and inclusion Lambert strives to have for each of his bands.
“People want to be in our band room. People want to be on our boosters. They want to be involved because it’s a safe and positive place. We work hard,” he said.
Dawson said in the coming years, he has plans for the Marching Band of Pirates to explore other competition circuits, even competing outside of Florida. He said the dream competition would be the Bands of America Grand National Championship, which drew 113 bands to this year’s championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“We want to look to start competing in a different circuit that has better competition, better venues, high levels of expectations and excellence,” Dawson said. “That’s our goal. That’s our mission.”
“It’s been such a crazy year with all of the challenges. We as a staff, boosters and an organization just decided we weren’t going to give up. It was validation of the extra effort we put in to make it happen ... that it all paid off.”
Cliff Dawson, the director of Braden River High School’s Marching Band of Pirates
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Parrish Community High School’s Pride of Parrish Marching Band and Braden River High School’s Marching Band of Pirates wait to hear the results of finals at the Florida Marching Band Championships on Nov. 16 at Jupiter High School.
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Braden River High School senior Emma Hubley beams with pride holding the first-place trophy for the Division 2A State Florida Marching Band Championships.
Polo Club resident sets example for the ages
hen
Will a story capture the imagination of both seniors and youngsters? Is it possible to bridge the gap between the generations?
When I visit with the Polo Club’s Tim Hornung, it raises my optimism that all things are possible when it comes to melding the ages.
Although he is 57, Hornung carries along a message that would pique the interest of those of any age. He speaks a universal language.
Money.
But Hornung wasn’t always the wise older guy.
In 1990, when he was 23 years old, Hornung started his own company, Wealth Management, in Cincinnati. It was, obviously, a gamble.
To be successful, he had to gain the confidence of his clients, and they weren’t 20-something aspiring CEOs. He had to pitch his expertise in wealth management to those who had spent a lifetime building a nest egg.
“Being so young was a realistic concern,” said Hornung, who, in October, received the 2024 Five Star Wealth Manager Award from Five Star Professional, a third-party wealth management research firm. “All my clients were 60-year-old multimillionaires.”
At the time, he knew he couldn’t be equal to established and experienced wealth advisors. He had to gobble up every bit of information he could so he could make an impression of just being that much better than the next guy. Today, his message for success is served in a sandwich that includes the somewhat boring layers of hard work, planning, personal fitness, confidence and family. It is a refrain you might have tuned out when delivered by your grandfather, or
your principal or your local politician.
Work hard and the world will be your oyster, complete with lots of pearls.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah.
Resting on the top rail of a corral outside his Polo Club ranch earlier this month, Hornung smiled and was a picture of calm. The trappings of wealth — a multimillion-dollar home, horses, land — were in the background. But when Hornung, an advisor for North South Wealth Management, is around, never are they shoved into your face. They are by-products of a system that Hornung put into place as a young man when he originally learned how to bridge that generation gap. He drew up a blueprint and it has been there for those who so desire to read it. It is the opposite of the solicitor who comes to your door. It’s more like a treasure map left on your front lawn, and you can
check it out when no one is looking. It is all interesting to me, not because I plan on buying the ranch next door — wouldn’t that be nice — but because I don’t want to become the guy who walked five miles to school and back, uphill both ways. When Hornung talks about life, people of all ages listen. I would readily admit that I know very little about wealth management, although I certainly know a lot about financial survival. I don’t understand all Hornung’s awards and certifications — he belongs to the Ameriprise Circle of Success (1994-2023), was inducted into the Ameriprise Hall of Fame in 2017, has been a Five Star Wealth Manager 2012-2024, is a CFP certified financial planner, and on and on — but I do understand 34 years of success. I also understand hard work. He grew up with a grandfather who drove a meat wagon up and down the streets of Fairfield, Ohio, ped-
dling dinner. His dad, also a butcher, grew the business into Hornung Brothers Meats. Tim started boxing eggs for sale at the age of 6, and by 8, he was cutting meat for the family business.
“People were like, ‘I can’t believe that little boy has a knife,’” he said.
Those are the kind of stories that capture my attention as an old guy, but aren’t particularly gripping to young adults.
But after noting that his childhood years made him understand work ethic — “If you were tired or sick, you would hear, ‘I don’t care.’” — Hornung would talk about planning, and how he drew up a blueprint for his career, and how he followed it to a lifestyle of wealth, and how he chased education. Now that attracts the 20-somethings.
He talks about the importance of confidence, and how without it, you aren’t going to relate to those of a different generation. Education and confidence are related in knowing your subject material, so Hornung went all out to educate himself.
He talks about the importance of relying on oneself to get ahead as on one of his first jobs he was handed a notebook and told, “There is your phone.”
“I started calling everyone I knew (looking for clients),” he said. “It truly was ground zero.”
He talks about being focused on the future and not being so worried about how hard you need to work today.
Sticking with his business plan helped him through the great recession years of 2008 and 2009 and through COVID.
“The biggest challenge through those times was the emotional part,” he said. “(His competitors) were pulling the plug at our lowest point.”
And no matter what business, he says it is important to make your clients feel like they are part of a family. “We will go to the ends of
the Earth for them,” he said.
While chatting with Hornung, his 20-year-old daughter Kaitlyn burst into the kitchen. In 2021, I did a feature on Kaitlyn, who was an aspiring songwriter who was headed to Belmont University in Nashville after she graduated from The Out-of-Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch.
Tim and Michelle Hornung never tried to talk their daughter out of a music career, but Kaitlyn kept thinking about the example set by her parents and the professional example set by her dad. She now is a student at USF taking financial planning. It is likely she will join her dad when she graduates.
“I like the customer service aspect,” she said of her father’s occupation.
Tim Hornung was able to connect with the younger generation by setting an example.
“I like the way my dad has provided for the family,” Kaitlyn said. “He is his own boss, he always is meeting new people and he never meets a stranger.”
Tim and Michelle’s daughters Alexa (an 18-year-old currently attending the University of Alabama) and Hanna, 16, have paid attention to their dad’s example.
“He has raised three entrepreneurs,” Kaitlyn said. “He says, ‘Of course you can start your own business.’”
Interesting stuff, and hopefully, a story that connects with everyone.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
Jay Heater
Polo Club’s Tim Hornung has followed a blueprint for success his entire career.
Mill Creek hosts arts and crafts fair
Mill Creek resident, who turned her love of shell hunting into a passion for art, is among the featured artists.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Walking on Pass-a-Grille Beach in May 2020, Mill Creek’s Heather Caudill noticed the beautiful shells in the sand during low tide, so she started collecting them.
Before she knew it, Caudill had to buy a five-gallon bucket with a lid to safely transport the hundreds of shells she collected as she drove back to her home in Maryland.
Two months later, Caudill and her husband, Chris Caudill, moved to Mill Creek, and her shell collection has grown since then.
But what could she do with all these shells?
Caudill, a crafter at heart, decided to put her artistic skills to work. She learned how to use resin and began making wall art. Now she makes a variety of pieces from charcuterie boards to elephants to ornaments, and more.
Caudill will have her pieces for sale during the Mill Creek Market Fair on Nov. 23. The fair is an opportunity for Mill Creek residents who are crafters, artists and home business consultants to share their talents with the community.
In the foyer of her Mill Creek home, Caudill has a display of her shells. On the wall are printer trays filled with some of her best finds and cases showcasing some rare shells, including the Junonia shell. Junonia shells that are not broken can sell for $30 to $40 if they are three inches or smaller. Larger shells could sell for $80 to $100.
Although Caudill only has been able to find one Junonia shell, her husband Chris Caudill has found nine. It’s become a challenge to see who can find the rare shell.
IF YOU GO
MILL CREEK MARKET FAIR
When: 1-4 p.m. Nov. 23
Where: 141st Street East Park, Bradenton
Cost: Free
Details: Mill Creek artists, crafters and home business consultants will showcase their talents at the fair.
More information: Contact Wilma Kroese at WilmaKroese@aol.com.
Next to her display are jars of various sizes filled to the brim with shells waiting to be used in her crafts.
Caudill goes as far south as Marco Island and as far north as Tarpon Springs hunting for shells and participating in shelling tours. She also travels to beaches on the east coast.
“It’s amazing that you’re just wandering the beach, you’re looking down and all of a sudden you come across something beautiful,” she said. “It’s incredible that an animal might have lived in it.”
Over the years, she’s become more picky when hunting for shells.
But not every shell must be in perfect condition for her to use it. Some of her favorite pieces have been broken shells that she does decoupage, using napkins and clear resin.
allows us to help you reach and maintain your desired lifestyle through a comprehensive financial plan encompassing all aspects of your life.
To learn more and to see why we were named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams of 2023, contact us today.
Understanding you as a person and an investor allows
reach and
From L-R: Ryan, Jackie, Lyn, Jared
Liz Ramos Mill Creek’s
Heather Caudill has her shells on display in the foyer of her home. She has collected hundreds of shells since 2020.
Local politician suffers bad beat
Michael Defferding loses the CDD5, Seat 2 race after drawing a 5 to his opponent’s 10.
STAFF WRITER
It was the tightest election race in Manatee County.
At 11 p.m. Nov. 5, after most of the general election votes were counted, Michael Defferding was listed on Manatee County’s Supervisor of Elections site as the top vote getter in the race for Community Development District 5, Seat 2, by a mere four votes over incumbent Steven Peters.
But also on the site, it said, “unofficial results.”
By the next morning, Peters was up by three votes.
Knowing that overseas voters are given an extra 10 days to get their ballots to the elections office, Defferding’s wife, Sharon, called her friends in Scotland to ask if their three votes had been counted yet.
Sharon Defferding had been told those three votes were, indeed, counted, but three more votes had been tallied for her husband, and the race was tied.
“It was crazy to watch,” Sharon Defferding said.
It all led to a recount by hand, and Defferding was up by one vote when the canvassing board was trying to decide whether to credit Peters with a vote due to an “overvote.”
An overvote happens when both bubbles on the ballot are marked. In this case, the voter marked an “X” over Defferding’s bubble, and wrote “This one” with an arrow pointing to Peters’ bubble.
Both candidates eventually finished with 584 votes, so the winner was decided by a deck of cards, or in official election terms, “drawing lots.”
OVERVOTES
Supervisor of Elections Elect
Scott Farrington said tabulating machines recognize overvotes. The voter is then given the option to either fill out a new ballot or cast their ballot with the exception of that one race.
In the case of the CDD 5 race, the overvote counted because the voter showed “intent.”
While a machine can’t decipher intent, humans can. The voter in this case showed clear intent by marking Defferding’s bubble with an “X” and drawing an arrow over to Peters’ bubble with the words, “This one.”
Had the voter not shown intent, the overvote would not have been counted.
But even with clear intent, that vote still had to be certified by the canvassing board, which consists of the SOE, one county judge and one county commissioner.
Each candidate chose a member of the canvassing board to pick a card on his behalf. Peters’ draw was a 10.
Lesley Dwyer
Michael and Sharon Defferding are active in their Country Club Community. Now, Sharon Defferding will serve on the Community Development District’s board.
NOT THE FIRST TIE IN MANATEE COUNTY
While ties “very rarely” happen, Supervisor of Elections Elect
Scott Farrington said when they do, it’s typically in one of the smaller races.
The last time, and only time, Farrington can remember a tie in Manatee County was in 2015 in Bradenton Beach’s mayoral race.
William Shearon and Jack Clarke were tied with 195 votes each. The final result came down to a deck of card, and an ace of clubs named Shearon the mayor.
With 758 registered voters in Bradenton Beach at the time, only about half cast ballots.
Defferding’s draw was a 5, so Peters was declared the winner.
This will be Peters’ second fouryear term serving CDD5.
“There’s no clear legal definition of what drawing lots is,” said Supervisor of Elections Elect Scott Farrington. “As near as I know, or anybody has ever been able to tell me, it basically means that it has to be a random game of chance.”
Farrington has heard of other election officials using a coin flip to decide a tie.
Defferding has no hard feelings about losing the race. The experience gave him a behind-the-scenes look at the election process.
“It’s about as good of a process as you could have ever hoped for,” he said.
Defferding was able to watch the recount. He said the ballots were brought into the room in a sealed box, and every ballot was examined individually, even the undervotes.
Undervotes happen when a voter opts not to cast a vote for a race and leaves both bubbles on the ballot blank. Even those ballots have to be checked because a partially marked bubble could be a vote that was missed by the tabulator.
“Every vote matters,” Defferding said.
WIFE WINS HER RACE
In another tight CDD5 race, Sharon Defferding beat out incumbent Thomas Leavey for Seat 4 by 25 votes. CDD5 owns and maintains the common areas of the Country Club. The Defferdings moved from Virginia to Lakewood Ranch in 2018.
Michael Defferding is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, who also served as executive vice president at WinnResidential Military Housing Services.
Sharon Defferding is a Department of Defense retiree. Her last position was as she served in was chief of staff for the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.
Michael Defferding currently serves as secretary for the Country Club and Edgewater Village Association, and Sharon Defferding is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team, but neither husband nor wife had ever run for public office before.
“I’ve been on the landscaping committee and safety committee,” Sharon Defferding said. “Mike’s been on the modification committee. (Serving on the board) is about helping your neighbors.”
Sharon Defferding is, of course, a little disappointed her husband won’t be on the board with her. Peters, on the other hand, is somewhat relieved, and not just because he came out the winner.
As elected officials, members of the CDD5 board are subject to the Sunshine Law, which states that two or more board members cannot privately discuss matters that will eventually go before the board.
“It’s not that anybody thought that either one of them would break the law,” Peters said. “We were concerned that someone would start a lawsuit. Evidence isn’t needed to start a lawsuit.”
Out of those who cast votes, the community was practically split down the middle between the incumbents and the husband-andwife team.
However, there were 1,725 registered voters in CDD5 as of May 1, so close to a third of the community didn’t cast a vote for any of the candidates.
IT’S READ EVERYWHERE
SPORTS
Fast Break
Kevin Gyurka, a junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, finished 27th (16:41.5) at the FHSAA 1A-6 Cross-Country State Championships Nov. 16 at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Blake Young of Indian Rocks won the individual title at 15:37.8. Gyurka has been the backbone of ODA’s team all season and was coming off an individual victory (16:31.4) in the District championship in Fort Myers. The Thunder won the team championship at the District meet as Isidro Iturralde placed ninth to back Gyurka.
… The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team defeated the Babcock High School Trailblazers 7-0 Nov. 14. Senior Carson Fisher scored two goals in the victory, giving the Thunder a 2-1-1 record heading into Monday’s matchup against Bayshore High School.
The Lakewood Ranch High School Boy’s soccer team improved to 3-1 after defeating Lake Wales 5-1 Nov. 15. Junior Jaxon Lemus scored two goals. On the girls’ side, the Mustangs raised their record to 2-0-1 after beating Palmetto 3-0 Nov. 14.
LPGA and world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who lives at the Concession, won her seventh tournament of the season at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club on Nov. 17 in Belleair. Korda, who returned to the tour after a two-month absence, birdied five consecutive holes on the back nine to come back from a two-stroke deficit in the final round. Fans of paddleboarding should head over to Nathan Benderson Park this week for the ICF Stand Up Paddleboard World Championship from Nov. 19-24. Junior, senior, and master level athletes will compete in three races — sprint, technical, and long-distance.
On Nov. 16, Sarasota resident Jim Finnerty had a holein-one from 100 yards out with his pitching wedge on No. 5 at University Park Country Club.
BRICK BY BRICK
The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch high school football coaches are trying to cement winning programs.
Brick by brick. That was the mantra Scott Paravicini, the head coach of the Lakewood Ranch High School football team, repeated throughout the year.
He said it to his team, day after day, and to himself as well, as a reminder that the Mustangs were building something. It was a mantra that needed repeating — in Paravicini’s second season as head coach, things weren’t perfect.
The Mustangs went 6-4 and defeated neighboring Braden River High School for the first time since 2013, but posted a meager 1-3 record against opponents within their district. Of their six wins, not one came against a team with a record above .500. So no, the Mustangs’ season wasn’t a resounding success, but after posting a 4-7 record in 2023, it was progress. Brick by brick.
For Paravicini, the Mustangs’ winloss record is far from the only way to measure growth. He said building a culture takes time and patience. It takes an appreciation of what went right, even when the final outcome went wrong, like in Lakewood Ranch’s 21-14 loss to Seminole High School.
“I think for us, in terms of year one to year two, we would’ve struggled to battle back in a couple of the games that we were down early in this year.
That Seminole game, for instance, we went down 21-0 at halftime. The final score was 21-14 and we had a shot with a minute left, but fumbled on the 4-yard line,” said Paravicini.
“We showed some glimpses of okay, some bad stuff happened. How do we fight back? Do we band together or begin to pick at each other?”
Moving forward, the young talent on Lakewood Ranch’s roster keeps Paravicini optimistic about the future of his program.
Returning in 2025, Colton Dempsey and Cooper Orzel, who as juniors, led the Mustangs in rushing yards per game and receiving yards per game, respectively. Quarterback/long-snapper, Liam Fernandez, who threw four touchdown passes on the year, will return next season. Cornerback/wide receiver Ka’marion Jones, a rising junior, led the district in interceptions with six in 2024 looks to be a key part of the defense in 2025.
“I feel like when I’m on the field, I’m going to be one of the stronger guys. I don’t think that I’m easy to tackle”
— The Out-of-Door Academy’s Allen Clark SEE PAGE 17A
NEIGHBORING RIVALS
On Sept. 6, Lakewood Ranch defeated Braden River for the first time since 2013, routing the Pirates 41-3. “I’ll always stay true to that the most important game is the next game on the schedule, but obviously this was a nice one for our kids. None of them have been able to say that they’ve beaten Braden River,” said Lakewood Ranch head coach Scott Paravicini. “Braden River is a program that’s going to continue to be around and do great things, so it was a good win for us in a rivalry game.”
“I think each school has to navigate that and build culture. For me, here, that’s
about creating relationships and trust with the players.”
Scott Paravicini
schools just based on our dynamic. The type of kid that we have, the structure of our school and how crowded we are in terms of school choice factors into it,” said Paravicini. “I think each school has to navigate that and build culture. For me, here, that’s about creating relationships and trust with the players.”
BRADEN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
There are things that happen in a football game that cannot be defined by the final score. Parts of a season that cannot be measured by the winloss record. For the Braden River High School Pirates, such is the case for their 2024-25 season, in which the program went just 2-7 in their first season under head coach Jason Grain.
Typically, new coaches have the opportunity to build a culture within their program. For Grain and the Pirates, that culture had to be found in a hurry — Grain became Braden River’s head coach in June, just before the start of fall camp. It was the second coaching change of the year for Braden River. In December of 2023, longtime head coach Curt Bradley left to become Southeast High’s new head coach. His replacement, offensive coordinator Eric Sanders, left the program in May to lead Palmetto High. Grain, who was fresh off leading Oasis High School to its first winning season since 2018, wasn’t afforded a full off season to get to know his players. Grain entered a program that was in crisis management and survival mode, he said.
There are challenges. Retaining players remains dependent on culture as Lakewood Ranch has a slight disadvantage regarding enrollment — unlike some of their competition, only students who live in the district can attend Lakewood Ranch because their school’s capacity is full. Players can — and have — left the school for other programs, rendering the talent pool from which Paravicini can draw from even smaller.
“I think the relationship and trust for us within our program has to be a little bit different than at other
“It’s just an exciting group to be getting back. We started one senior on offense and just a handful on defense. So we’re looking forward to everybody coming back and having a chance to compete again,” said Paravicini.
River High head
“Of course, the kids’ morale is going to be down. Nobody likes change. Change is not comfortable — we were an entirely new staff coming in,” said Grain. “When you’re dealing with teenagers, they want consistency, so when everything flips upside down, it can be difficult.”
While Grain predicts that much of the culture he wants to instill in the program will be developed during the team’s rigorous off-season program — a program that will involve a hefty amount of time spent in the weight room and on the track — there were moments during the season that were indicative of the type of hustle and effort he looks for in his players. Take a play during Braden River’s 39-8 Senior Night victory over Robinson High. The Robinson quarterback broke contain defense and found an open receiver, who broke through three tackles and made it all the way to the Pirates’ 1-yard line before being brought down. The Pirates held fast, however, and prevented the touchdown with a goal line stand.
Grain, who praised his group of seniors, points to the fortitude of players like middle linebacker Aiden Rivera, who led the Pirates in tackles per game despite playing the majority of the season with a torn labrum.
“It doesn’t take talent to show effort,” Grain said, who added that the grit, determination and resilience of his players throughout a tough year showed him that they have what it takes to turn the program around in 2025.
ODA junior boys cross-country runner Kevin Gyurka.
DYLAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER
Braden
coach Jason Grain says coaching transitions can be tough on high school players.
File photos
Lakewood Ranch High head coach Scott Paravicini talks with his team following a 41-3 win over Braden River High. It was the Mustangs’ first win over the Pirates since 2013.
A different path
GreyHawk Landing’s Haley Roberts overcame a loss of confidence to earn a tennis scholarship to the University of Utah.
Hayley Roberts has not led a conventional life.
At first glance, the 18-yearold looks like any other college-bound high school senior, decked out in a black University of Utah shirt and bright white cowboy boots. She’s kind and effusive, socially graceful with a warm smile and long blonde hair. She looks like the prototypical class president or homecoming queen.
Except Roberts has never been to a homecoming dance. She’s never stepped foot in a high school or
HER BEST SHOT
Before Hayley Roberts played at the national hard court championships in San Diego this past August, she wasn’t even on the University of Utah’s recruitment radar. That is, until she sent them an email while sitting at her gate in Tampa International Airport. “She and I were just killing time in the Tampa Airport and she said, ‘Hey, Dad, I think I’m going to just text or email some of these big programs that seem like good schools and see if I can get them to come watch me play at hard courts,’” said her father, Brian Roberts. “So she got on her phone, reached out to several schools, and the Utah coaches responded fairly quickly and said, ‘We’ll see you there’. They were at her first match and I think they watched almost every one of her singles matches at hard courts.”
even a classroom with other students, for that matter. She attends Florida Virtual School and has lived her life between the white lines of a tennis court, traveling across the country from tournament to tournament in the dogged pursuit of her dream to play Division I tennis at a power conference school.
Last week, Roberts achieved that dream, signing a commitment to play tennis for the University of Utah, starting in January 2025. But for Roberts, a four-star recruit ranked 107th in the nation per Tennis Recruiting Network, the path to get there wasn’t easy.
College recruitment had started off hot for Roberts ahead of her junior year. At 5-foot-8, with a powerful serve, Roberts stood out in the ever competitive world of USTA Juniors, dominating opponents with a combination of baseline aggression and athleticism.
“She plays very aggressive tennis. Her athleticism is off the charts. She likes to dictate the game and play very offensive tennis,” said her coach, Ty Braswell. “To me, those are the qualities that separate her as far as her skills on the court and then mentally, she’s just a competitor at heart and loves to fight and get out there and battle with her opponents.”
Asked about her toughest day on the court, Roberts’ smile wanes, but only a little bit. It’s not a question that any young athlete wants to answer, much less an 18-yearold on her signing day to a major Division I program, surrounded by friends and family. For Roberts, however, it’s a reminder of just how far she’s come in the past year.
“I was struggling with the pres-
sures of recruiting, and I felt like a lot of things weren’t going right. There was about a month period where I was mentally just burnt out. I didn’t understand why things weren’t going the way I had always thought they would go,” said Roberts. “I actually lost a match, 6-0, 6-0, and that was probably one of my worst days on the court, because I couldn’t get anything to click. Everything was spraying and going all over the place.”
In a matter of months, Roberts had gone from a five-star to a fourstar recruit, dropping down the rankings as her confidence began to slip. The pressure to perform was compounded by her environment — all around her, her peers were beginning to sign with schools. As her performance slipped, her opportunities to play in high-level tournaments — and display her talent in front of college coaches — diminished.
“There was the pressure of recruiting starting fairly early
combined with just being a teenager that led to a very short period where she had a crisis of confidence. That short period is enough to set you back in junior tennis, because it’s all driven by points to make tournaments. And if you’re not making the tournaments, you’re not getting points,” said her father, Brian Roberts. “So if you take just a step back, you get so far behind in the points that it seems very daunting to catch back up.”
So Roberts went to work. She began seeing a sports psychologist to work on her mental approach during matches. Ever the perfectionist, Roberts struggled with letting go — an unforced error, a lost point had the potential to unravel her. Now, she employs certain techniques, like deep breathing and forcing a smile even when she hits a bad shot. She’s worked extensively on her serve with Braswell — double faults used to be a regularity — now, she’s whittled them down to just a couple a match.
“I think it was a mental thing that would feed into the physical and I’d get really nervous,” said Roberts. “I’d hang onto the ball too long when I tossed it and then it would fly into the air all over the place.”
She’s worked on her fitness, with daily sessions at Absolute Strength to ensure she has the conditioning to stay on the court all day long. She’s worked on shot selection and adding layers to her game. As an “aggressive baseliner,” Roberts has made her mark with long, powerful shots from the back of the court. Over the past year, she’s expanded her skills, looking for balls where she can come to the net and improving her slice serve to set her up for better shots.
To take a step forward, Roberts had to first take one back. Braswell enrolled her in slightly lower level tournaments, competitions that her peers at the top of the class weren’t playing in, because she needed to feel what it was like to win again, he said. Doing so allowed Roberts to regain the points she needed to qualify for her goal tournament, the USTA Billie Jean King 16 & 18 National Championships, held in August in San Diego. It was the work Roberts put in and her drive to succeed that led her to having her best day on the court, in San Diego this past August, for all the coaches to see.
“I played this girl who was very highly ranked and I played well. I competed hard — even though I lost the match, it was close and I felt like I was right there with her,” said Roberts. “I proved something to myself, that I can compete with these top girls and it gave me even more confidence that I could play at a top school.”
Dylan Campbell
Hayley Roberts signed to play tennis at the University of Utah after impressing the coaches at the national hard court championships this August in San Diego.
Dylan Campbell is the sports reporter for the East County Observer. Contact him at DCampbell@
Allen Clark
Junior running back Allen Clark was integral to The Out-of-Door Academy’s success this season, helping lead the Thunder to an 8-1 record. Clark, who also stars on the basketball team, broke the ODA record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,533 rushing yards. He also scored 23 touchdowns.
When did you start playing football?
Sixth grade. I was one of the bigger kids. Some of the eighth graders saw me, and they’re like, ‘You should come out and try it,’ and I went out for it and had fun.
What do you like about being on the football team?
Oh, it’s just something that makes me happy. I can go out and help the team in any way. I like watching it. My dad played it.
What is your best skill?
I don’t really know, to be honest. I feel like when I’m on the field, I’m going to be one of the stronger guys. I don’t think that I’m easy to tackle.
What are you looking to improve upon this off season?
I feel like I can get better everywhere, but I think mainly speed. If I can get a little faster and maintain my strength, that’ll be a good thing.
What’s your favorite food?
Pasta, probably Chicken Alfredo.
What are you watching on TV right now?
I’m not a big TV guy. I’m really more of a YouTube guy.
Do you have a favorite movie?
I’d have to think. “Get Out” was good.
What are your hobbies?
Pretty much just playing sports. I like to play games
If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Dylan Campbell at DCampbell@ YourObserver.com.
like EA Sports College Football on the Xbox. I like to play with Kansas.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Probably just to stay patient when things aren’t going my way.
How have you grown on and off the field over this past year?
I think I’ve grown a lot, mentally, in not getting frustrated when things aren’t going my way, and just staying calm.
Do you have a favorite subject in school?
History. I like learning about where I’m from.
What are you most proud of regarding the team over this past season?
We had another undefeated season which was pretty cool. I think team chemistry, to be honest, though. We look at each other as a family.
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YOUR NEIGHBORS
THEIR FOOTPRINT IN THE SANDIES
After 18 years with the business alliance, Lakewood Ranch’s Cherri Kessler takes home the Networking Queen award.
LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR
Lakewood Ranch’s Cherri Kessler remembered being a part of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance committee that created the Sandies.
She explained the Sandies are named after the Sandhill cranes that roam around Lakewood Ranch.
After 18 years as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Kessler was awarded with her own Sandies award during the annual awards luncheon Nov. 15 at the Grove.
She received the Networking Queen award, which is given to a “female member who embodies the ‘power of connection’ by connecting members with each other and provides referrals for future opportunities.”
Kessler said winning the award was overwhelming.
“It’s just very flattering,” she said. “I’m very honored because I’ve just been a part of this organization for so long. It’s like family.”
Kessler said initially, to her, networking was about simply going into the community to obtain more business. But it has evolved into building connections and relationships and
using all the businesses as tools for her clients, family and neighbors.
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance handed out 10 awards in total.
Eric Konovalov with The Goal Guide won the top award, the Volunteer of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year goes to “a volunteer who has shown the most extraordinary dedication and commitment to the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and its mission throughout the last year.”
Konovalov said the alliance reminded him of the U.S. Marine Corps., which he joined at 17.
“The reason why I don’t even feel like I’m volunteering here is because (Alliance President and CEO) Brittany’s (Lamont) leadership and her small but mighty team embody all those values,” he said.
Maribeth Phillips, who has been guiding Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee through post-hurricane recovery, was awarded the Bull by the Horns award, and Lakewood Ranch Communities’ own Nicole Hackel was presented with the Rising Star award.
■ Lee Kotwicki of State College of Florida, Sarasota-Manatee (Above and Beyond)
■ Jamie Kahns of Bank of America
(Community Champion)
■ Henry Decoo of Entech
(Networking King)
■ River Young of Mauldin & Jenkin (Ray of Sunshine)
Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, congratulates Lee Kotwicki of the State College of Florida, SarasotaBradenton for winning the Above and Beyond award, after Bryan Boudreaux with the Bank of Tampa presents the award.
■ Annemarie Graff of Bank of OZK (Best Rancher)
■ Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (Company Community Champion)
River Young of Mauldin & Jenkin is radiant after receiving the Ray of Sunshine award.
Maribeth Phillips with Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee says she’s shocked to receive the Bull by the Horns award.
Photos by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance’s Sandies award winners celebrate.
Medieval Fair celebrates 20 years of jousting
Sarasota’s Dino Bever had visited the Sarasota Medieval Fair once this season, but after buying an Arctic fox fur stole at the event, he had to return to wear it the following weekend to show it off.
So on Nov. 17, Bever was back at the event, wearing his new stole
IF YOU GO
Sarasota Medieval Fair at the Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 State Road 70. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine, on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 1.
and blowing into an ox horn.
The fair, which runs through Dec. 1, is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, but the excitement never gets old.
Sarasota resident and fair vendor Alison Love always tries to secure a spot close to the entrance because the cement garden statues she sells are heavy. However, there’s another, less practical benefit to such a location.
“I can tell from 100 paces away when someone’s never been to (a Renaissance fair) before,” Love said. “There’s a wonder. It’s just magic.”
— LESLEY DWYER
“I’m not afraid to smile anymore!”
Doctor Jeffrey Martins has changed my whole life. I’m so much more confident now and I feel better about myself. You see, I’ve always had such small teeth, and I was self-conscious about it. I didn’t like how they looked, so I never wanted to smile.
I tried to have my teeth fixed once before. I got some dental work done at another place about five years ago and it helped the situation some, but I wasn’t happy with the results. What they did to fix my teeth didn’t look natural and although I put up with it, the work they did was really only a temporary fix. I put up with it for a long time, but I was still always self-conscious about the way my teeth looked.
When I decided to visit Paradise Dental, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve always been nervous about having my teeth worked on, but everyone there was so friendly and the team really put me at ease. They took the time to listen to all of my concerns and what I hoped to accomplish, then recommended veneers for my front teeth. I liked that they took their time and helped me choose just the right color so my teeth would look more natural and not fake.
Now, everyone comments on my nice smile. I’m so happy about the results, but the best part is that I’m not afraid to smile anymore! They did a wonderful job.” - Rowena B.
PARADISE DENTAL
Rowena B.
SMILE MAKEOVER PATIENT
Martins, DDS
The jousters strike their lances at each other’s shields during the pass.
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota’s Dino Bever blows into a medieval animal horn.
Malia Anderson plays with fire.
Cheryl Lesh and Jacky Deeds travel from Fort Myers every year.
Gainesville’s 5-year-old Titan Watson is knighted by King Arthur.
YOUR CALENDAR
BEST BET
THURSDAY, NOV. 28
FLORIDA TURKEY TROT
Begins with a Kids Dash at 7:15 a.m. followed by the 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. The annual Florida Turkey Trot presented by Publix returns. An estimated 4,000 runners will descend on the park to engage in a holiday tradition. All participants receive a finisher medal and a race shirt and food and drink after the race. The event benefits the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation. For more information, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.
File photo
An event-record 4,000 runners lined up for the start of the 2023 Florida Turkey Trot at Nathan Benderson Park.
THURSDAY, NOV. 21 THROUGH
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING Runs from 3-6 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), A Pirate Over 40 (Friday), Blue Grass Pirates (Saturday) and Al Fuller (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5; the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 23 MUSIC AT THE PLAZA Runs 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place,
1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer/songwriter Mike Williams will entertain those strolling through Waterside Place on Friday night while singer/songwriter Doug Burns will perform on Saturday. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace. com.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22 THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 5 WONDERLAND ILLUMINATE
Runs at various times under the Big Top at UTC, 195 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. Nik Wallenda and the Circus Arts Conservatory present Wonderland Illuminate. The new production takes audiences on a visually stunning journey that brings together the enchantment of the winter holidays. The show combines circus acts, aerial performances and uplifting storytelling. Tickets start at $35. The opening night showtime is 7 p.m., and then showtimes vary. For tickets or more information, go to WonderlandCircus.com/#Tickets.
SATURDAY, NOV. 23 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 24
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 Divebombers on Saturday and Woody on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757
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 continues its 2024 run. Tickets are available online at SarasotaMedievalFair.com.
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
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 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.
Elegance on the runway
Susan Greene, general manager of the Waterlefe Master Property Owners Association, said the time was just right for a walk down the runway.
The Waterlefe Fashion Show, held Nov. 16 at the packed clubhouse, benefited Our Daily Bread, a Bradenton-based program that feeds the hungry.
“Because of the hurricanes, their shelves are empty,” Greene said. “This is important.”
Bags of donated food were delivered to the Waterlefe clubhouse before the event, which featured fashions by Darci Jacob, who owns Darci in Sarasota and who was donating 10% of the proceeds from the event to Our Daily Bread.
“I love the charity,” Jacob said. “This is so worthwhile.”
The activities committee that organized the event was led by Chairman Vicki Joshpe.
All eight models who walked the runway are residents of Waterlefe.
JAY HEATER
Gloria Diaz shows that she knows how to make an entrance during the Waterlefe Fashion Show.
Photos by Jay Heater
Kathy McElligott, Becky Curtain, Nancy Cole, Gloria Diaz, Linda Schultz, Julie Griffin, Jacquelyn Smith, and Susan Greene served as models during the fundraiser.
The styles went from mild to wild as Nancy Cole proves on the runway.
Julie Griffin draws all eyes as she walks the runway during the Waterlefe Fashion Show. Kathy McElligott enjoys her sporty look.
Lake Club home sells for
$6,275,000
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Lake Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. SD TLC LLC sold the home at 15307 Anchorage Place to Frederick Burros Jr., trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $6,275,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,245 square feet of living area.
CONCESSION
Mary Froehner and Emile Schoffelen, trustees, of Califon, New Jersey, sold the home at 20918 Parkstone Terrace to Michael Antinucci and Julie Allgaier Antinucci, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3.25 million. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,189 square feet of living area.
COUNTRY CLUB
Wilder Jay Shupe and Cheryl Anne Shupe, of West End, North Carolina, sold their home at 7222 Desert Ridge Glen to Minje Ha and Samantha Elizabeth Frank, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,825,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,320 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.25 million in 2022.
KJB Properties II LLC sold the home at 7248 Presidio Glen to John and Barbara Esau, of Lakewood Ranch, for $815,000. Built in 2006, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,177 square feet of living area. It sold for $805,000 in 2022.
LAKE CLUB
Wilson and Peggy Li, of Bradenton, sold their home at 8222 Pavia Way to Patrick and Stephanie Kenney, of Bradenton, for $1,825,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,638 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,502,200 in 2023.
CCFD Inc. sold the home at 16307 Baycross Drive to Frank and Dhomonique Murphy, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,772,000. Built in 2008, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 4,766 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.1 million in 2022.
LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE
Brian and Amy Hullinger, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8125 Grande Shores Drive to Eugene Whitcomb Scott III and Kelli Maureen McDonald, of Sarasota, for $1.55 million. Built in 2018, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,850 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,100 in 2018.
Thomas and Sharon Ricketts, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8277 Grande Shore Drive to Rajagopalan and Bernadette Venkataraman, of Cranston, Rhode Island, for $1.5 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,653 square feet of living area. It sold for $799,300 in 2021.
HBT Waterside LLC sold the home at 1012 Waterline Court to Matthew and Denise McDougall, of Sarasota, for $1,225,000. Built in 2023, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,133 square feet of living area.
Robert and Marilyn Radakovic, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, sold their home at 8313 Lake Ibis Way to Adil and Leigh Jaffer, of Sarasota, for $800,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,147 square feet of living area. It sold for $652,000 in 2021.
Rolf and Daniela Wiggli sold their home at 1103 Waterline Court to Susan Hentz, of Sarasota, for $590,000. Built in 2024, it has three
bedrooms, two baths and 1,784 square feet of living area. It sold for $530,500 in May.
PRESERVE AT PANTHER RIDGE
Jeffrey and Carolyn Kuehl, of Bradenton, sold their home at 22354 Panther Loop to Lyman and Amanda Boman, of Castle Rock, Colorado, for $1.33 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,319 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,075,000 in 2022.
RIVER CLUB SOUTH
Rose Mary Maya and Edward Francis Maya and Jocelyn Maya, of Sarasota, sold their home at 7411 Pine Valley St. to Kim Norland and Kelly Lynn Craig, of Bradenton, for $1,283,800. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,758 square feet of living area.
David Johnson and Amy Zeman, trustee, of Elburn, Illinois, sold the home at 7621 Tralee Way to Thomas Schlachter, trustee, of Bradenton, for $1.15 million. Built in 2002, it has five bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,924 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,000 in 2013.
Boris and Natalya Ratner, of Scottsdale, Arizona, sold their home at 7586 Tori Way to Cynthia and Lawrence Sherman, of Lakewood Ranch, for $779,000. Built in 2000, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,574 square feet of living area. It sold for $650,000 in 2021.
MONTEREY
Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2617 Waterfront Circle to Richard and Zorica Mercadante, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,129,900. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,811 square feet of living area.
RIVER CLUB NORTH
Lance and Kendra Bache, of Siesta Key, sold their home at 10317 Baltusrol Place to Stan and Tara Shuck, of Bradenton, for $1,050,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,644 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2021.
RIVER PLACE
Ryan Michael Taft and Shannon Amanda Taft, of Wesley Chapel, sold their home at 6969 74th St. Circle E. to Alexander Mackenzie Williams and Leanna Kay Williams, of Bradenton, for $830,000. Built in 2006, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,306 square feet of living area. It sold for $700,000 in 2021.
GREYHAWK LANDING
David Michael Horwath, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 12839 Daisy Place to Sheriff and Lorie Masry, of Bradenton, for $806,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,647 square feet of living area. It sold for $429,000 in 2020.
GREYHAWK LANDING WEST
Richard Hueber, of Bradenton, sold the home at 617 Rosemary Circle to Falguni and Jayraj Jadav, of Franklin Park, New Jersey, for $750,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,735 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2018.
RIVERWALK RIDGE
Peter and Grace French, of Venice, sold their home at 7018 Honeysuckle Trail to Scott Kirkman and Maria Lidia Saenz-Dall’Orto, of Lakewood Ranch, for $655,000. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,631 square feet of living area.
HERITAGE HARBOUR
Jon Socolof, of Boise, Idaho, sold the home at 8823 Heritage Sound Drive to Linda Kaufmann, trustee, of Denver, for $632,500. Built in 2008, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,840 square feet of living area. It sold for $289,900 in 2008.
TARA William and Deborah Murphy sold their home at 6738 Pleasant Hill Road to David Pagard and Denise Pagard, trustees, of Parker, Colorado, for $625,000. Built in 1994, it
NOV. 4-8
has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,095 square feet of living area. It sold for $339,900 in 2020.
ROSEDALE
Sandra Zimble, trustee, of Bradenton, sold the home at 5047 88th St. E. to Michael and Kelly Schmidt, of Verona, Wisconsin, for $595,000. Built in 1995, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,844 square feet of living area. It sold for $277,500 in 2003.
MILL CREEK
James Arvin, of Bradenton, Zachary Arvin, of Fishers, Indiana, James Arvin, of Australia, Debra Jean Arvin, of Indianapolis, and Valerie Hyde, of Noblesville, Indiana, sold their home at 13821 18th Place E. to AKAN Properties LLC for $575,000.
Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,539 square feet of living area. It sold for $345,000 in 2017.
SAPPHIRE POINT
James Willard Jr. and Traci Carranza sold their home at 6106 Bluestar Court to Jessica Williams-Zhou and Xue Yan Zhou, of San Jose, California, for $575,000. Built in 2022, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 2,638 square feet of living area. It sold for $627,100 in 2022.
Courtesy image
This Lake Club home at 15307 Anchorage Place sold for $6,275,000. It has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 6,245 square feet of living area.
Creativity on display
Lakewood Ranch’s Benisa Jones loved
“I thought
Jones said.
Jones began designing for
of
Associa-
Ranch’s fall art show Nov. 16 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
About 15 artists shared their talents as people perused for pieces that would spark their interest.
Lakewood Ranch’s Kim Longhitano was looking in awe at a resin tray Lake Club’s Lisa Sweeney created.
“These make great gifts because they’re one of a kind,” Longhitano said.
The show was the second for Lakewood Ranch’s Cosette Kosiba, who just joined the group.
“It makes you feel like you have another family,” Kosiba said of the association. — LIZ RAMOS
Photos by Liz Ramos
Lakewood Ranch’s Benisa Jones combines her passions for art and journals to design multithemed journals.
Mill Creek’s Wilma Kroese adds pumpkins to her works of
By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.
Charles Longo
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