Elijah Ioffe (above) is at the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch nearly every Sunday twisting balloons into the likeness of aliens, comic characters, insects and more.
On Jan. 5, the 18-year-old had to skip the market to move into his dorm at Florida Tech, where he’s studying aviation.
Otherwise, Ioffe will be driving three hours back and forth from Melbourne to visit family and keep up with his business, Twisty Balloon Fun by Elijah.
Ioffe started the business when he was just 12 years old. He provides balloon arches for parties, too.
“(The balloon business) paid for my flight training in Sarasota,” he said. “I can do my homework online here.”
He spikes family from heartache
Getting cut from the spring baseball team at the State College of Florida wound up being one of the best things to happen to Josh Davis.
Davis spent his newfound free time helping the SCF beach volleyball team as someone for the players to scrimmage against, and he’s been hooked ever since.
The Sarasota native found his wife, Aurora, through volleyball at SCF, and they now help coach beach volleyball players from high school to the professional level.
The Davis family was out in full force at the sand volleyball courts at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 6, running through drills.
Davis (above) found a way to make the most of his time, too, carrying his infant daughter, Kaya, while coaching.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025
President Brett Hutchens anticipates the development will have its final grand openings in March.
Jay Heater
Jay Heater
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen (with scissors) expects
ribbons for roadways in 2025.
Lesley Dwyer
Vinnie Portell
In 2025, youth will be served in Manatee
County’s parks department tasked with identifying key trends to serve all residents.
VINNIE PORTELL STAFF WRITER
When catering to the recreational needs of a community, Manatee County has a lot to consider. According to the 2020 data compiled by the United States Census Bureau, 29% of the population is 65 years old and older, 17.2% is under 18 years old, and the remaining 53.8% is in the middle.
Add those varying degrees of ages to the vast access to outdoor recreation made possible by the yearround warm weather of Florida, and the possibilities are nearly endless. So how does Manatee County
figure out where to best invest its resources?
SERVING THE YOUTH
“We’ve seen an increase in the youth and families moving to the area,” said Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services Director Molly Knight. “It’s a growing thing, and we want to make sure that we serve those people, as well as (providing) adult amenities.”
Knight also said the county experienced a wave of younger families moving to the area during COVID-19, which means the youth population now is likely higher than what’s reflected in the 2020 census data.
That’s made serving the youth’s recreational and athletic needs a
main focus for the county.
“We’re pushing a lot of projects forward because we don’t want kids to be left out and to have to travel to Sarasota or Tampa,” Knight said.
EMERGING PARKS AND RECREATION TRENDS IN 2025
Richard J. Dolesh wrote a feature for the National Parks and Recreation Association in November 2024 predicting some of the new trends in outdoor activities for this year. Some of the possibilities may be a surprise.
They include:
■ Swimming and aquatics
■ Short mat bowling ■ Walking soccer ■ Therapeutic recreation ■ Arts programming
East Bradenton Park is receiving a facelift with a new splash pad and athletic field. Little League fields are being added to County Club East Park.
And a $22.6 million renovation to John H. Marble Park is scheduled to be completed by June.
The bulk of the John H. Marble Park renovation is a 27,000-squarefoot recreation center that includes a gymnasium, fitness center and multipurpose rooms, along with a new pool and a splash pad.
That means summer camps and youth basketball leagues will have a new home in east Manatee County.
“There aren’t as many gathering places in this part of the county, and we’re extremely excited about prioritizing youth,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard.
Knight said the hope is that adding recreation options for the younger demographic will benefit the community in a multitude of ways.
As youth sports have evolved, Knight said that families now are seeking recreational and sports activities to keep their kids busy while they are on vacation. That makes Manatee County more attractive as a vacation destination.
It’s not as if the younger demographic is the sole focus, however.
IDENTIFYING WHAT’S POPULAR
Knight said the county tracks statewide and nationwide trends from
organizations such as the Florida Recreation and Park Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association.
Pickleball has been one of the hottest trends in outdoor recreation with participation growing 223.5% since 2020, according to USA Pickleball.
Baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and lacrosse remain popular sports in the county, Knight said, which makes multipurpose fields a smart choice for many parks.
One sport that might soon join those ranks of go-to activities is beach volleyball.
The Florida High School Athletic Association sanctioned girls beach volleyball as a recognized sport beginning in the 2021-22 school year.
While there were already some sand courts available at Tom Bennett Park, Knight said the county is looking to expand its offering there within the next couple of years.
Sand volleyball courts already have been added to Blackstone Park and GT Bray Park to give teams — and local residents — practice options away from the beach.
Another project in the works is the $44.2 million Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North.
Groundbreaking will be held Jan. 30, with the project targeted for completion in the summer of 2026.
There are 24 pickleball courts (14 covered) planned for the facility, along with a 50-meter competitionsized pool and a therapy pool.
When the county invests so heavily in its parks and programs, it considers the future as well, in case the community’s interests change.
Take, for instance, pickleball. If interest does wane in the future, the surface is multipurpose, which allows it to be converted into tennis courts, basketball courts, or other sports that may spring into popularity.
“(Needs) have been across the board, quite honestly, which has kind of pushed us to be more creative in our use of multipurpose fields so that people can play more than one sport,” Knight said. “We’ve opened the scope in that way to meet the demands.”
Photos by Vinnie Portell
Jim Levesque is one of many people who take advantage of the tennis courts at Lakewood Ranch Park.
Andejla Radojicic takes part in tennis lessons at Lakewood Ranch Park to help improve her game.
Center Point construction will finish in 2025
Casto will have other key East County projects completed in 2025.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
After six years of construction, Center Point at Waterside is on track to be completed in 2025. Casto, a commercial real estate and development firm, broke ground on the 50-acre mixed-use development that occupies the southeast corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in 2019.
Brett Hutchens, president of Casto Southeast Realty, said the development will be the last of its kind in Lakewood Ranch simply because “there’s no parcel of land where this could be repeated.”
Casto is certainly capable. The company currently manages more than 18 million square feet of commercial real estate.
Since developing Main Street at Lakewood Ranch with SchroederManatee Ranch 20 years ago, Casto has made its mark on East County from University Parkway to State Road 64.
“We’ve got most of the corners on State Road 64 and a few on State Road 70,” Hutchens said. “It’s a very successful business for us.”
Those corners are developed by another branch of the business, Casto Net Lease Properties LLC. They’re smaller parcels developed with single-tenant buildings.
Casto owns corners of State Road 64 at 118th Lane East, Pope Road, White Eagle Boulevard and Lorraine Road.
The next tenant to open will be Wendy’s on the southwest corner of State Road 64 and White Eagle Boulevard. The sign is already displayed on the building. The fast food chain will open this month. On the other side of White Eagle
Brett Hutchens is the president of
“We’ve got most of the corners on State Road 64 and a few on State Road 70. It’s a very successful business for us.” Brett Hutchens
Boulevard, near the entrance to Savanna at Lakewood Ranch, Casto is building approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial retail space and a 12,000-square-foot child care center that will be occupied by the Kiddie Academy.
On State Road 70, Casto cleared a parcel at the intersection of Crossland Trail for future tenants Aldi, Outback Steakhouse, AutoZone and a dentist’s office.
CENTER POINT
But the crown jewel in Casto’s East County portfolio is the Center Point plaza, which includes nearly everything a resident could need in a 50-acre radius — medical offices, restaurants, banks, retail shops, a grocery store, gas station, coffee shop and more.
The coffee shop isn’t open just yet, but it is anticipated that Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii will be open by the end of January. The shop fronts University Parkway, as does Bar Italia.
In December, Hutchens was seated at a table overlooking the bustling dining room of the Italian restaurant.
“I can’t believe the business they’re doing on a Wednesday (afternoon),” he said.
As the name implies, Center Point occupies a prime location in the center of Lakewood Ranch, but that’s not all it takes to pack a restaurant. Hutchens said successfully filling a commercial center requires the right balance.
With restaurants, the team looks to balance both the hours of operation and the cuisines.
The Toasted Yolk Cafe, which is anticipated to open in February, serves breakfast and lunch. Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Owen’s Fish Camp only serve dinner.
SHIFTING FOCUS TO THE WEST
While Center Point will be the last large-scale development for Casto in Lakewood Ranch, the company is partnering with Redstone Investments to develop and lease a retail center on a 400-acre site on the west side of Manatee County near the intersection of Cortez Road and 75th Street West.
The SeaFlower Village Center will be anchored by a 50,000-squarefoot Publix. The center is part of a larger plan for the nearly 1,200-acre SeaFlower community being developed by the Lake Flores Land Co.
The development should break ground sometime in the spring or summer.
“We’re working on all the preliminary stuff right now,” Hutchens said. “It takes a lot of time to get one of these (developments) put together. You have the entitlement, engineering, all the approvals, the leasing, and then you have the construction. The gestation period on these things is long.”
When it comes to competing cuisines, Hutchens said you can’t have restaurants that “cannibalize” one another.
Center Point offers everything from fast food to fine dining, with options ranging from health conscious to indulgent.
Flower Child started construction on a restaurant across from the Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar in December. The restaurant’s motto is “healthy food for a happy world.”
“They’ll go fast and probably be open in March,” Hutchens said. “It’s the first one in Florida. We were really lucky. UTC had been trying to get them, but they’re just not a mall tenant.”
On the more indulgent side, 131 Main will be serving steak and seafood and is also expected to open in March.
Casto is discerning when it comes to its tenant selection, and because of the company’s track record, Hutchens said tenants pretty much come to them at this point.
Owen’s Fish Camp and 131 Main appealed to the leasing agents because there are limited locations, making them a little more special than the average chain restaurant. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is a chain, but Hutchens said it’s one that’s operated well.
Casto also likes to work with companies it already knows. Chamberlin’s Natural Foods was selected to be the center’s grocery store after having leased a space from Casto in Winter Park Village.
The 524,000-square-foot mixeduse development is north of Orlando and just underwent a $52 million remodel.
Chamberlin’s is a health-conscious grocer, carrying only organic produce and a wide array of supplements.
The Thrivery is opening a few doors over. The cafe will serve coldpressed juices, smoothies and “clean eats.”
Hutchens said, in addition to the restaurants, everything else has to have a balance, too.
Center Point has several wellness offerings including medical offices, a Pilates studio and a med spa. Between GoodVets and Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, the services extend to pets, too.
The center is completely leased out with the exception of one smaller space across from Owen’s Fish Camp. Hutchens said there are a few tenants who want the space, but the team hasn’t yet decided which will make the best fit.
The retail tenants are the International Diamond Center, Tommy Bahama, Visionworks and Arhaus, a high-end furniture store.
Arhaus is relocating from the Mall at UTC to Center Point and is expected to open sometime in February.
Construction on the center began with the medical office building in 2019 because it was an already permitted use of the land.
Casto sold the 77,000-squarefoot medical office building in July 2024 to Anchor Healthcare Properties for $31.8 million.
Hutchens said it took almost two years to change the DRI, which is the plan for a Development of Regional Impact. Construction on the restaurants and retail couldn’t start until 2021.
Center Point was supposed to be finished in August 2024, but Hutchens expects it to be complete this March instead.
Lesley Dwyer
Arhaus, a furniture store, is expected to open at Center Point in March.
Courtesy image
Casto Southeast Realty.
Manatee hosts new running series
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Manatee County will kick off the Run Manatee 5K Series at Tom Bennett Park on April 12.
Director of Sports and Leisure
Molly White said the series is an opportunity to showcase Manatee County’s parks, preserves and beaches.
“We can highlight everything we have in the county, as well as our local businesses and vendors,” she said. “It shows great collaboration throughout the county that will involve community health, wellness, the residents, businesses and county government. They all will be working toward the goal of a happy and healthy county.”
The other two races will take place at Coquina Beach in July and Rye Preserve in November.
Each run will be presented by Run with Purpose Nutrition, and three charities will benefit from the proceeds: Bradenton Kiwanis, Chastenation and Foundation for Dreams. Each will receive 10% of their respective race proceeds.
White said each charity was selected based on its connection to the location. Kiwanis donated $784,000 to the county to build a fully accessible playground at Tom Bennett Park. The park meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and opened in April 2024.
RUN MANATEE 5K SERIES
There are three races in the series. Kids race for free. Adult participants can sign up for one, two or three. If registering as an early bird, each race costs $30. To bundle all three costs $75. After the early bird deadlines, prices increase to $35 per race and $40 on the week of the race.
April 12 — Tom Bennett Park, 400 Cypress Creek Blvd. Visit RunSignUp.com/RunManateeTomBennettPark. Warmup will be provided by Nick Nolting Training, and the yoga cooldown will be provided by Akasha Yoga Room.
July 12 — Coquina Beach, 1495 Gulf Drive South. Visit RunSignUp.com/RunManateeCoquinaBeach. Warmup will be provided by Prosper Bradenton, and the
Chastenation’s mission is to give children with disabilities and their families a break from doctor’s appointments by taking them fishing, so they’ll receive a portion of Coquina Beach’s proceeds.
“Rye Preserve has a new relationship with Foundation for Dreams (which will start offering camps at the preserve this summer),” White said. “And it’s an opportunity to showcase that preserve in a different way because it’s kind of a hidden gem.”
Besides the philanthropic side of the series, the races will be fun. Each race will feature different vendors, which will include food trucks and entertainment.
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November
“Each one will be a little different,” White said. “There will be an end of the 5K party for celebration and stewardship and to just enjoy a nice day out in the different facilities.”
Don’t
A secret garden
Miakka Golf Club built to extraordinary environmental standards.
t was a collection of some of the world’s top golf course designers and builders, but you would have thought the group doing a “walkabout” at the Miakka Golf Club site were members of the local garden club.
The subjects of the special day in December were live oaks, sandcapped surfaces, Lazer and Stadium zoysia grass, soil amendments, filtration basins and indigenous vegetation.
Leading much of the veritable agronomy clinic was Jason Straka, who has a bachelor of science degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University along with a master’s degree in professional studies in agriculture, agronomy and environmental golf course design. He could talk plants and soil with the best of them.
The status of the land surrounding Straka could best be described as “ready for the planting season.” Dirt, dirt and more dirt, with row after row of plants and pile after pile of turf.
But, oh, the potential of Steve Herrig’s 1,100-acre property along the Myakka River.
‘HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE’
“This is one of the highlights of my life,” said Dana Fry, half the Fry/ Straka Global Golf Course Design team that is designing Miakka Golf Club for Herrig with help from Bradenton’s Paul Azinger, a Major
champion on the PGA Tour and former Ryder Cup captain. “This will be the place where all other courses will be judged. I assure you this will look completely natural. It will look like it has been here for eternity.”
Fry’s comment about the Miakka Golf Club design being the highlight of his life is impressive when considering that the Fry/Straka team has top-rated courses throughout the U.S. and the world. The designs include Calusa Pines of Naples, rated the No. 3 course in Florida by Golf Digest and 60th in the nation, along with Erin Hills, the No. 2-rated course in Wisconsin by Golf Digest and one that hosted the 2017 U.S. Open and will host this year’s U.S. Women’s Open.
How can Miakka Golf Club compete with that?
Straka said it starts with Herrig, who said he wanted “the best of everything” when it came time to hire Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design.
What excited both Straka and Fry was that Herrig didn’t want just a wonderful golf course, he was
demanding a layout that would leave the land in better shape than when he came.
Since Straka and Fry are both environmental zealots, they took the job.
“For example, it was Steve and his commitment to having 1,500 trees moved,” Straka said. “Not many would do that kind of thing.”
He said all of Herrig’s demands amounted to a “huge win environmentally.” He said the indigenous vegetation available to him will provide an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors, textures and heights all year round.
“When you play in October, it will look different than in January,” he said.
Straka talked about the system that would prevent water used on the 7,700-yard course to reach the Myakka River.
“There is no direct discharge,” he said, explaining that water used on the course is directed into a 40-acre lake and filtration basins dug on the property.
The ground dug up to form the lake was moved around the course
to build elevation changes.
COURSE FOR ‘REGULARS’ TO THE PROS
He also talked about the actual golf side of the equation.
“This course will have a lot of playability,” he said. “The regulars ... that is who it is built for. Everything
is built almost like a putting green, with no rough.”
With no rough around the greens, and smooth surfaces cascading from the greens, high handicap golfers will be able to leave their pitching wedges in their bags when they have a tight lie and use their putters from off the surface to get close to the hole.
“We can do that without chunking a shot,” he said.
Most of the fairways, some which will be 100 yards wide, will be zoysia grass, which is popular in Asia, and a favorite of Fry/Straka when working there.
Because it is not in demand in Florida, Herrig purchased 1,600 acres adjacent to the course to found a sod farm — Miakka Turf — that will grow the Stadium and Lazer zoysia grass that will be used on the fairways, tees and green complexes.
The grass maintenance requires much less water, fertilizer and pesticides.
Straka said it is an “extraordinarily environmentally sensitive” design. Capillary concrete is used on the putting surfaces because it drains well, while Pro/Angle bunker sand is shipped to Florida from Ohio for the course.
No date has been set for the opening, however, the entire course is expected to be sodded in the next couple of months.
“It is getting exciting,” Herrig said. “You can now imagine what a hole will be like to play. You get a sense of how it is unfolding.”
Emerson Lakes,℠ the distinctive new retirement community by Erickson Senior Living,® is now accepting reservations!
Our first phase of construction is now underway. It includes the beautiful Coral Ridge Clubhouse and three residence buildings: Sandhill Point, anticipated to open in the fall of 2026, followed by Laguna Springs and Mangrove Run, opening in the first half of 2027.
Here are just a few resort-style amenities you can expect when you live at Emerson Lakes:
• Multiple dining venues
• An outdoor pool with a walk-up bar
• A state-of-the-art fitness center
• Pickleball and bocce ball courts
• Outdoor fitness center with meditation garden
• Fire pits
Photos by Jay Heater
Golf Course architect Jason Straka stands in front of stacks of zoysia grass, which is being used on the new Miakka Golf Club course from tee to green.
The 7,700-yard Miakka Golf Club course will be mostly topped with zoysia grass, which is used more in Asia. No opening date has been set.
Still No. 1
Rex Jensen cites well-planned infrastructure as key to Lakewood Ranch’s sales success and that focus will continue in 2025.
anatee County at-large Commissioner Jason Bearden offered the warning to developers as the calendar turned to 2025.
He said he was voting against any proposed developments in which the existing roads didn’t adequately support the added capacity.
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO and President Rex Jensen didn’t need to pay attention. Building infrastructure before homes always has been a way of life for SMR.
“Look at what makes this community great,” Jensen said in late December. “We get ahead of the infrastructure. That will be a huge focal point for us again (in 2025).
We have built 42 miles of roads to date, and we are building another 15 miles.”
On Jan. 7, the real estate consulting firm RCLCO named Lakewood Ranch as the top-selling multigenerational community in the U.S. for the seventh consecutive year. Lakewood Ranch had 2,210 new home sales in 2024.
“Lakewood Ranch’s multigenerational appeal remains its defining strength, while its prime location and thoughtfully planned infrastructure
Lesley Dwyer
Traffic lights on University Parkway at Deer Drive/Legacy Boulevard will be replaced with a roundabout.
offer reassurance to today’s more cautious homebuyers,” said Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch, in a release.
RCLCO’s Karl Pischke said Lakewood Ranch’s ability to weather challenges during a volatile year was impressive.
So what is SMR’s main focus for 2025? Jensen and Cole say building infrastructure remains No. 1.
However, building roads will take on a somewhat different look in 2025 for SMR, which begins to construct a system of 16 roundabouts to support traffic produced by new villages.
“We’re doing roundabouts on Bourneside,” said Jensen, who in 2023 was honored with Builder magazine’s Legend Award for his contributions to the planned community sector. “We are doing roundabouts on 64. We are doing a lot of infrastructure in places where there aren’t any houses yet.”
The strategy of building lots of roundabouts comes from a man who for many years was famously against traffic circles. However, he has read many studies in recent years on roundabouts and also stood on major roads, such as State Road 64, watching the way roundabouts regulated the traffic.
“Before, I didn’t think too much of them,” Jensen said. “But I spent a lot of time watching things work.
“Now I believe that traffic circles are the way to go.”
Jensen also said that it helped to build roundabouts along with new road construction and allow motorists to be familiar with the traffic calming strategy as the roadway experiences expected growth.
Jensen said he expected SMR to build at least 10 roundabouts this year, with construction on more slipping over into 2026.
Although construction costs in building roundabouts have almost doubled in the last five years, he said the investment is worth it for Lakewood Ranch.
“Who else does it?” he said of investing so much in infrastructure before homes are built. “You have Lakewood Ranch ... and you have Not Lakewood Ranch. We build out ahead of time.”
Three of the roundabouts will be built on State Road 64 — at Uihlein Road, Lightwood Trail, and
HAPPENING AROUND HERE: SMR will build series of roundabouts The red circles all represent roundabouts that will be built by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch with many of them beginning construction in 2025. The infrastructure will support more than 5,000 homes that will be built in eastern Lakewood Ranch. The purple circle reflects a roundabout that will be a combined effort by SMR and Manatee County. The two red circles at the bottom left are roundabouts that SMR is building on University Parkway. The red line running north to south is Bourneside Boulevard.
THEMASTERS AVE
Bourneside Road. Then in northern Lakewood Ranch on Bourneside Boulevard will be roundabouts at Saddlestone, 44th Avenue, and Rangeland. Moving to the south, a roundabout will be built at Bourneside Boulevard and University Parkway. Then as Bourneside Boulevard is extended to Fruitville Road to the south, seven additional roundabouts will be built. Those roundabouts will be part of the infrastructure being put into place to support the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast expansion.
Although the Sarasota Coun -
SOUTHBOUND On the horizon SMR will add eight roundabouts as it extends Bourneside Boulevard to the south to support the development planned for Lakewood Ranch Southeast.
WHAT THEY WERE SPENDING
A breakdown of price points for Lakewood Ranch’s 2,210
$299,000
$300,000-$499,000
ty Planning Commission already has recommended approval for one phase of the Lakewood Ranch Southeast project, the rezone for the development is still being contested in court. Jensen said he is confident the suit will be cleared early this year so construction can begin.
SMR also will be building two additional roundabouts at University Parkway and Deer Drive, and University Parkway and Covenant Way. A partnership with Manatee County will lead to a roundabout at Masters Avenue and Bourneside Boulevard.
Then comes the additional 15 miles
of roadway as well. It will be a huge effort in 2025.
Among the projects are the completion of Bourneside Boulevard from State Road 64 to the north, all the way south through to Fruitville Road. A new extension of University Parkway would go east from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard. Extensions of 44th Avenue East and Rangeland Parkway will go from Bourneside Boulevard east through new planned neighborhoods. Cole noted that SMR has other
areas that will demand focus in 2025.
Five Lakewood Ranch schools are on the combined five-year capital plans of the Manatee and Sarasota school districts.
SMR is building out its portion of the planned Gulf Coast Trail system, much of it along Bourneside Boulevard, that Manatee County plans to connect when it comes up with the funds to build its Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail system to link with a Gulf Coast Trail that will stretch from Hernando County to Collier County. SMR is donating its trail efforts to the county.
Cole said SMR will be taking control of programming at its two town centers that previously was run by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
“This is exciting,” Cole said. “Main Street already has received a facelift and a new focus. We need to do our part to drive people there, and then invent reasons for people to come back.”
Cole noted that Lakewood Ranch would continue to expand its diversity of home-buying options that has fueled that impressive sevenyear streak of No. 1 rankings.
Realtors expect steady sales in ’25
Apprehension over storms, politics is fading, they say, while East County has many sales options.
JIM DELA
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
Realtors and other residential housing sales experts are optimistic about the local real estate market in 2025, saying they expect sales to normalize after three named storms and uncertainty over a presidential election caused dips in the regional market late in 2024.
“Nobody has a crystal ball, obviously, but from everything I’ve read, 2025 is going to be a very good, steady market,” said Lakewood Ranch real estate agent Donna Soda. “I don’t think it’s going to be a fast-paced market, but I think it’s going to be steady.”
Many say areas like Lakewood Ranch have an advantage, with robust new construction, solid inventory and a location less vulnerable to effects of hurricanes such as storm surge.
Despite slowdowns through the summer and fall, the overall numbers for 2024 stayed strong, according to Laura Cole, senior vice president of Lakewood Ranch. “I think the market in 2024 is playing out more or less how we anticipated,” she said.
Cole said buyers hit pause from July until after the election. “I think a lot of people went to the sidelines during the election period,” she said, adding that sales picked up through the end of the year.
“I absolutely agree with that,” Soda said. “I will tell you that the election was Nov. 5. On Nov. 6, it was like the floodgates opened. Everybody was busy … They knew that a new administration was coming in, and we were swamped for at least two weeks.”
BUYERS MOVING INLAND
After two months of being battered by wind, rain and storm surge from three named storms, hurricane fatigue has prompted some barrier island residents to seek new roots away from the shoreline.
“After Milton, a lot of my showings were from buyers who were wanting to come off the barrier islands,” said Stacy Haas, an agent with Michael Saunders & Company, who focuses
about hurricanes, Barrett said. “People will continue to want to live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.”
There’s also a significant amount of movement within the community, Soda noted. “It’s almost like every five years, they (buyers) could be upsizing, downsizing. Everybody has a different chapter in life,” which helps propel the market.
AN EYE ON INTEREST RATES
According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage have risen from historic lows of less than 3% in 2020 to about 7% in December 2024. Realtors say that increase has caused many potential buyers to take a wait-and-see posture. Barrett said people have been holding out, hoping for a decline.
“That’s just not reality,” he said. “I think that we’ve seen a gradual decrease in interest rates from their highs a year ago, but we’re definitely not going to see 3 (percent) again. And I think that everybody’s coming to the reality that this is the market that we’re in.”
For the higher-end market, however, buyers are sidestepping the interest rate problem altogether. Cole said her data suggest 40% of homebuyers in Lakewood Ranch are paying cash. “A lot of those buyers are more sensitive to the stock market, and that’s been fairly positive. So those folks are feeling good and they’re buying.”
“I see a lot of cash,” Soda added. “I would say 90-some percent of my deals are cash,” in all price ranges. “Buyers are going to pay cash, because they’re not going to go from a 3% to a 6% (mortgage).”
For people who can’t do that, it’s a waiting game.
“I think that the buyer demand is just going to continue, and if interest rates start to come down, then we’re going to have another fast market again,” Soda said. “I see that more like in 2026 though.”
The interest rate situation favors new home construction, Cole said. “Builders have been able to continue to offer buy-downs and incentives that make it attractive for people to look at new home purchases, versus resale.”
on the Lakewood Ranch area. She has also seen a number of buyers from St. Petersburg, “because St. Pete got hit twice with Helene and Milton.”
Tony Barrett, president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee, has also seen some signs of an exodus from the barrier islands. “I have seen, maybe, a handful of people who are like, ‘Hey, I just moved here, and I don’t want to be involved in this anymore,’” he said.
“Even in my neighborhood, I’ve seen a moving truck in the middle of the night, moving personal property out of a house that just closed three months ago,” he said. “So I know that they were disenchanted with the storms.”
Cole said this phenomenon isn’t new.
“We started seeing this last year, not only from the barrier islands here, but from Fort Myers,” she said. “People who want to stay in Florida, but are looking a little bit inland, areas that are not susceptible to surge.”
Many agents also say for out-ofstate buyers, the lure of warm weather is stronger than the threat of hurricanes. “I think that our demand is going to be steady because people are moving to Florida. They want to be in the Sunshine State,” Soda said.
“I notice they’ve already had some cold weather up north, and my website lights up every time they start to get a snowstorm, bitter cold,” she said.
“People have short memories,”
Construction standards are going to be higher with a new home, which will also lower insurance rates, she said.
“We still need a balanced market, but it (resale) still hasn’t come back roaring and for right now, so the builders have the upper hand in terms of being attractive, given the economics,” Cole said.
That seems to play into Lakewood Ranch’s wheelhouse, which has recently added eight new neighborhoods. “That’s one of the reasons, I think we’ve seen an uptick in sales in just the last month,” Cole said.
“In Lakewood Ranch right now, you can get a townhome for $275,000 … all the way up to $5 million-(plus). So we’re at a point where we have a solid spectrum of offerings for buyers at all price points, and I think that’s helping us.”
Barrett says doing your homework before buying or selling a home will pay off.
“Properties are sitting quite a few days longer on the market, and (sellers) may not be getting the crazy prices that they were getting a couple years ago,” he said.
“You just have to make sure that your sellers and your buyers have realistic expectations going forward,” he said. “But I say that we’re more in a normalized market where the buyers have more opportunity to negotiate with the sellers. And I think that’s healthy.”
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Jay Heater
Donna Soda, of the Schemmel Soda Group and Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, says buyers will continue to come through the doors at a steady rate in 2025.
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Lakewood Ranch’s new construction and solid inventory are predicted to keep sales steady in 2025.
Readers sound off about blues festival
Pknow all the best happy hours in a two-county area.
That being said, I understand the cost of live entertainment.
When I saw that the first Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival was charging $75 apiece for its Dec. 7 lineup at Waterside Place island park, I thought it was reasonable. After all, the festival was offering seven artists who might not have been household names for you and me, but were all well known in the blues community.
An entire day of entertainment — and my opinion was that it was fantastic entertainment — for $150 a couple seemed like a deal to me. In an affluent area such as Lakewood Ranch, I figured that most people would feel likewise. Hey, I have had dinner here at places where two cocktails cost a couple $34. And the bar was full.
But after the blues event, we ran a Dec. 12 column, “Should Ranch music fans be singing the blues?” In the column I asked for readers to give me their feedback about the festival. They did. Lots of them.
And in two-thirds of the responses, the writers said the price was too high for artists who were not household names. It was a common theme that the inaugural festival should have offered a low-cost ticket to introduce the event to local residents.
Interesting, because I never considered that price would be a big factor. It was.
I didn’t consider that people here don’t mind spending money on a known commodity but are cautious when they don’t know what they are getting for their bucks. When you walk into Ruth’s Chris Steak House, you know you are getting a
high quality slab of meat. But if Del Taco opens in Lakewood Ranch, and you’ve never been to one, you might not be willing to spend $2 on a taco until you get a report from a buddy.
This might be the case for the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival. It was wait and see.
The good news is that SchroederManatee Ranch, which was a major sponsor of the festival, was pleased with the first event and wants to make it an annual event. If Bank of America continues its sponsorship, that’s a solid foundation for success with the thought the community will buy into the event beyond the 750 people who attended the first one.
OK, so here are some of the comments of those who responded.
One reader noted, “I didn’t go because ticket prices were high and I am not a big blues fan. I would love to see reggae bands, Jimmy Buffett tributes, jazz bands or Jack John-
son-type bands. Also live holiday bands.”
Another wrote, “There are few acts/bands I will pay $75 to hear, even now, given prices and inflation. I am especially not interested in festivals with greater than three bands that I don’t know of or haven’t heard of. My days of sitting on a lawn chair smoking whatever or drinking whatever are over. I’ll pay twice that to hear one band that is the next Stevie Ray Vaughan or Albert King or Robert Cray.”
One person responded that he preferred male blues singers over females. (Four of the headliners were women.) He also noted that while many local residents are affluent, many are on Social Security with pensions. “I can see several excellent blues performers at Buckingham Blues Bar (Fort Myers) for $20 on a Saturday afternoon.”
Another point was that he said our area has plenty of competition
for entertainment dollars, so he took in another show that day.
One reader said he was going to go to the show, but he couldn’t persuade any of his friends to buy tickets at $150 a couple. He said his wife also objected paying $150 for the two of them. He suggested keeping the price at $100 or under for a couple.
Other readers said blues just isn’t the right genre for the area.
One said a 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. festival would make for a long day and could have been seen as a drawback as opposed to a plus.
Another reader agreed.
“I was interested in the Blues Fest, but being there all day was not attractive to me. Maybe when I was younger. I do go to Music on Main and Music at the Plaza and stay about one to two hours.”
Name recognition was noted in several of the emails, with the thought people don’t mind paying for a known commodity.
Of course, not everyone agrees with that thought. One woman said “I don’t think I would have spent $75 on any band or collection of bands that I do like. I think the problem is that there are too many places that I can go to watch live music around Lakewood Ranch or in Sarasota.”
She also said, “I’m old enough to remember the day when ($75) was a full-on concert ticket price for a major league singer or band.
Other readers said I shouldn’t be questioning why more residents didn’t go to the event.
“I was really disappointed in your coverage of what was a wonderful event for our community,” was one reply. “Your headlines as well as your coverage were incredibly discouraging because of its indication that it was far less than a successful event. I guess it is an indication how far media has gone from what it should be, something to inform our community.
“Poor coverage like yours leads to a degradation of what can be offered to our community. It discourages future attendance and makes the sponsors in the future, to not be willing to support such things. Most businesses cannot be expected to begin to really make money for about two years. If this event broke even on its first outing (it did), it was a huge success.”
Wow.
Some readers said they simply didn’t know about the event. I would note that the East County Observer ran a feature, a column and an Arts and Entertainment section feature about the event in advance. A couple of readers suggested a few more advertisements before the event.
Parking at Waterside Place wasn’t an issue during the event, but some responders said they were worried that it would be.
Another reader suggested moving the event a little farther away from the holiday season.
The morning start was brought up on several responses. “Noon is a good start time,” wrote one person who responded. “And six hours is plenty!”
That same person said a couple of streets being closed in Waterside Place with food trucks (there were food trucks and vendors on the island) would have involved the entire community.
Thanks to all who responded! I love that you care about your community.
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
Jay Heater
Blues artist Dylan Triplett ventures into the crowd to perform at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
Even in Lakewood Ranch, abide by the law
Apparently, there are some people on the Country Club-Edgewater Village Association (HOA) who believe the new Florida House Bill 1203 to be a guideline and not something our HOA must follow.
The bill, which passed during 2024, allows homeowners to park their noncommercial pickup trucks in their driveways without prohibition or fines levied by their HOA.
The genesis of not allowing pickup trucks to park overnight in a homeowners’ driveway goes back to the mid-1990s, when HOA covenant rules were written and pickup trucks were generally considered commercial vehicles, used by blue collar tradesmen (plumbers, electricians, etc.), which didn’t fit into the character of the new communities that were being established.
Fast forward 30 years, and pickup trucks are now considered luxury vehicles with sticker prices extending well into six figures. HOA’s were still adhering to their rules of not allowing pickup truck owners to park on their own driveways overnight. A Miami resident sued the HOA claiming discrimination, since SUVs were exempt and noncommercial pickup trucks were not.
A lawsuit was filed, and the Ford Motor Co. got involved as a friend of the court claiming that its vehicles were directly being discriminated against and the law was affecting free commerce. (As a note, the No. 1 selling vehicle for over 40 years has been the Ford F-150
pickup.)
The judge found the HOA guilty of discrimination against the homeowner and the HOA had to pay the court cost of approximately $200,000.
Following this lawsuit, the Florida Senate unanimously passed Bill 1203, which was subsequently signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, effective July 1, 2024. Subpart 720.3075 3(b) of the law dictates that Florida HOA’s may not restrict the ownership or parking of a noncommercial pickup truck in a resident’s driveway. The actual wording of the law is as follows:
“Homeowners’ association documents, including declarations of covenants, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, may not preclude:
(b) A property owner or a tenant, a guest, or an invitee of the property owner from parking his or her personal vehicle, including a pickup truck, in the property owner’s driveway, or in any other area at which the property owner or the property owner’s tenant, guest, or invitee has a right to park as governed by state, county, and municipal regulations. The homeowners’ association documents, including declarations of covenants, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, may not prohibit, regardless of any official insignia or visible designation, a property owner or a tenant, a guest, or an invitee of the property owner from parking his or her work vehicle, which is not a commercial motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(25), in the property owner’s driveway.”
During a CEVA meeting, an attendee stated that they didn’t want a rusty old pickup parked in their adjacent driveway. I think we are all in agreement with that sentiment, just like we wouldn’t want a rusty Chevy Vega or Ford Pinto in our adjacent driveways, but that has not been an issue. We are all responsible homeowners who take pride in our community and maintain our properties.
Recently, officials on the governing HOA sent out notices of violations to some pickup truck owners for parking in their own driveway, citing 60 days for conformance or fines of up to $5,000. This will cer-
tainly lead to a legal matter because who is actually breaking the law here, the owner or CEVA?
A list of legal counsel to provide pro bono help is readily available on any internet search. There is no loss for the homeowner with a pickup truck to fight this, and with case law, they will win. The HOA lawyers will be paid regardless of the outcome, so they have no risk of loss. Apparently, the LWR HOA is willing to gamble on a high-risk lawsuit that could potentially cost the HOA members dearly.
I am a homeowner who does not want to pay legal fees for my HOA to fight an unwinnable case.
Instead of disobeying the law and risking significant litigation costs, the CEVA board should consider stipulating guidelines for truck owners to follow. Examples could include not allowing lifted suspensions or visible work items in the truck bed. I’m sure that reasonable measures can be agreed upon to minimize the concern that pickup trucks do not become an eyesore that could potentially impact neighboring property values.
PETER POHLOT
EDGEWATER
Noise from nightclub will have negative impact on community
Backyard Social, an outdoor latenight dance and party club, received a favorable recommendation from the Sarasota County Planning Commission for permission to allow outdoor music from bands and DJs until 2 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, and until either 11 p.m. or midnight on certain weekdays.
The proposed new club would be located on Professional Parkway in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, near thousands of homes.
We are worried about noise in the evenings when we open a window or sit outside in our backyard. This late-night music would negatively affect our quiet residential neighborhoods.
There is also fear of a “tag along”
effect with other businesses in the Waterside district seeking similar late-night hours of operation as music venues, so they can remain competitive — all to the detriment of the quiet residential neighborhoods in the area. In addition, we fear similar type businesses will be drawn to the area once a single late-night early morning party club is approved.
We are also concerned this type of club will change the character of our community in a negative way, considering the magnitude, frequency and intensity of outdoor live music and DJ noise. Life in nearby backyards and homes will never be the same. It is impossible to have a late-night outdoor music/ bar venue without affecting the lives of nearby families. Once the noise problems begin, they become unsolvable and unending. No amount of desperate noise complaints to the police and to Sarasota County officials will help.
The Waterside Neighborhood Alliance, a group of citizens from The Polo Club, Shoreview at Waterside, Lakehouse Cove at Waterside, Bay Landing, the Alcove and some individual homeowners in the area, plan to oppose this application.
A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15 before the Sarasota County Commission beginning at 9 a.m. at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center Chambers at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. Those interested can email WatersideNeighbors@yahoo.com or call 201-316-7895.
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Helping students see the light
VINNIE
PORTELL STAFF WRITER
When Yulia Morales noticed that science test scores for some students in the School District of Manatee County had room to improve, she decided to do something about it.
Fewer than half of Manatee County students tested at or above their grade level in Grade 5 and Grade 8 statewide science assessments the past two years, according to the Florida Department of Education’s yearly scores.
Morales, a Lakewood Ranch High junior, is a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and thought she could apply those skills she’s learned — and help younger students become interested in science — by creating a monthly science lesson for local students ages 8-12.
Morales and five of her peer volunteers hosted her first lesson, called “Science Stars,” in the workshop room of the Lakewood Ranch Library on Jan. 3. Science Stars is currently scheduled to next take place 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at the same location.
“I began to research what I could do to help benefit my community,” she said. “I thought if I could come here and kind of teach a basic science lesson that maybe I could make some sort of impact.”
Fourteen kids learned how to power a Christmas tree light with a lemon, a penny, a screw, a wire and alligator clips, and they also learned the science behind it.
After some tinkering — and a brief moment in which no one could get the light to work — each group of students was able to power their lights through some collaboration and problem-solving.
“We had a positive science experiment,” Farrah Dalnodar said after her group’s light began to glow.
The idea for Morales’s first Science Stars project came from one of her first inspirations in science — a Smithsonian book with experiments.
ROOM TO IMPROVE
Statewide Science Assessments the past two years
reported this percentage of
School District of Manatee students to be at or above grade level performance in science:
Grade 5 2023: 49%
Grade 5 2024: 49%
Grade 8 2023: 45%
Grade 8 2024: 45%
Biology 1 End of Course 2023: 63%
Biology 1 End of Course 2024: 67%
Though the setting of a library quickly eliminated some of the messier options, Morales soon settled on using a lemon as a battery.
The lesson was as much of an experiment for Morales as it was for the tweens in attendance.
The presentation was capped at 20 pre-registered sign-ups, and most showed up, with 14 of the 20 coming.
But there were lessons that could be used for future projects.
Morales said she might include an additional lesson or go deeper in her lesson plan since her hour-long class ended early.
“Maybe I can inspire some other kids to be interested in it, and think, ‘Science is cool,’” Morales said.
Vinnie Portell Lakewood Ranch
High student Yulia
Morales hosted her first “Science Stars” lesson Jan. 3 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
Chelsi Russell Weight-Loss Surgery Patient of Dr. Sam Yelverton
A NEW LEASE ON LIFE
It’s been about two months since having robotic sleeve gastrectomy (“gastric sleeve”) surgery,* and Chelsi Russell, 29, of Palmetto, is 60 pounds lighter. Russell experienced weight gain after being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome as a teenager. After years of trying dieting, medications and exercise, she turned to weight-loss surgery at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Advanced Surgical Services.
“A sleeve gastrectomy is a minimally invasive procedure,” says Samuel Yelverton, MD, who performed the surgery with the da Vinci Xi® robotic surgical system. “The procedure reduces the size of the stomach to decrease the amount of food the stomach can hold.” Russell also had GERD and other symptoms due to a hiatal hernia, which Dr. Yelverton repaired during the same surgery.
Russell shares that “everything feels better.” Her skin feels better. Her sleep has improved, and she no longer has joint pain. She is looking forward to wearing new clothes and to better overall health. Her goal is to lose 100 pounds in a year, and she’s already more than halfway there!
make an appointment with Dr. Yelverton, call 941-254-6767.
Bridge club names new champ
Members of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Bridge Club say the game is challenging and fun.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Debra Quinn renews her membership to the Lakewood Ranch YMCA every year, but not just for physical fitness. Quinn plays bridge for two hours every Tuesday and Thursday and was recently crowned the 2024 Champion of the YMCA’s bridge club.
“It’s such a fun game for exercising one’s mind,” Quinn said. “At the same time, it’s good for having a few laughs. It’s a good time.”
The bridge club is part of the YMCA’s Active Older Adults programming. Quinn learned to play the game at the YMCA in 2018, but other members learned to play in college or even earlier because their parents played.
While luck of the draw plays its part, Quinn described the game as more strategic than other card games.
Players have to bet on how many “tricks,” or rounds, they can win with the cards they were dealt. They have to play both offensively and defensively to hit their targets and score points. “If you’re relatively patient and
The bridge club currently has 24 members. The club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Any active members of the Lakewood Ranch Branch YMCA can join. Contact Donna Augustyniak at DAugustyniak@ YMCASWFL.org for more information.
have good concentration, it can be an exercise in mindfulness,” player Cynthia Maniglia said. “One guy called it mental gymnastics. Keeping track of what’s in your hand and what’s being laid down, and learning the rules, there’s a lot of skill involved.”
Games at the YMCA are “friendly games,” which means talking is allowed. Bridge can be taken quite seriously. There’s often a “director” in the room, who acts as a referee or umpire to uphold the rules.
Quinn said even on cruise ships, there’s no casual conversation allowed once the game has started — not so at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA.
“The group is so much fun,” Maniglia said. “I feel like I’m at a holiday party with my family, and they’re all making jokes and we bring baked goods.”
Members communicate using the TeamReach app, which keeps track of who’s playing on which days. It also allows them to easily plan birthday parties for each other and track who’s bringing what in terms of snacks.
“They’re my bridge family,” Quinn said. “We organize potluck lunches and share gifts.”
For all the fun that’s had, she said the players can still become quite competitive because “no one wants to be a loser.”
When the club first formed seven years ago, the scores weren’t tracked. Tracking scores and recognizing
the monthly winners and the overall champ for the year started three years ago.
Quinn took the prize away from longtime player and two-time champ Ron Orlando, who happily awarded her with the 2024 trophy clock on Dec. 19 at the annual potluck luncheon.
Maniglia only started playing bridge this year. She likes the scorekeeping because it helps her gauge her own improvement.
Scorekeeping allows for better seating arrangements, too. It ensures a mix of skill levels at each table. Since talking is allowed during play, asking questions is encouraged for beginners.
The YMCA also offers an introductory class in the spring and fall.
In addition to taking the class, Maniglia purchased “Bridge Basics” on Amazon, a book written by Quinn, Orlando and Ed Nebrija, another club member.
They wrote the book sitting in parks around Lakewood Ranch when the YMCA was closed during the COVID pandemic.
For not being able to actually play bridge, Quinn credits that time for honing her skills.
“I’d bring my computer and some baked goods,” she said. “We would just sit and kind of edit and talk through strategy. It was very educational for me.”
The trio also came to terms on which conventions would be used at the YMCA. Conventions are rules. Quinn said hundreds are used in bridge. Which conventions are used in a game mainly depends on the players.
There are also different versions of the game. The club plays Chicagostyle bridge, which consists of four deals per game.
The book covers Chicago-style play and the dozen or so conventions used at the YMCA.
“I’m one of the people who just came in and learned,” Maniglia said. “I’d never played bridge before in my life, and (the club members) were so kind to me. Now, I can hold my own. Hopefully, in 10 years, I’ll be Debra (Quinn).”
Courtesy image
Former champion Ron Orlando hands Debra Quinn the 2024 YMCA Bridge Club trophy on Dec. 19 at the annual potluck luncheon.
A Century of Care, A Future of Hope
In 1925, the people of Sarasota County came together to open a new hospital — their only hospital. With just 32 beds, it was named simply Sarasota Hospital.
One hundred years later, we have grown into something extraordinary: a healthcare system with two full-service hospitals, a Level II Trauma Center, a renowned cancer institute, comprehensive rehabilitation services, a dedicated behavioral health pavilion, and a vast network of outpatient and physician services. Today, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System stands as an award-winning symbol of excellence, recognized nationwide and respected worldwide.
While our name and reach have expanded, our mission remains steadfast. The promise endures: to safeguard our community’s health, to be there for our neighbors in times of need, and to carry forward the trust that has defined us for a century.
Because at our core, we are still a community hospital. And some things will never change.
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CAVE MAN READS OBSERVER: Steve Postle with the East County Observer in the world’s largest cave system in Huangxian cave, Hubei province, China.
SPORTS
Fast Break
Atlanta Falcons center Ryan Neuzil finished his third year with the team Jan. 5, when Atlanta (8-9) fell at home to the Carolina Panthers 44-38 in overtime. Neuzil, a graduate of Braden River High, started eight games for the Falcons in 2024 after starting center Drew Dalman went down with an injury Sept. 23. Nuezil totaled 578 offensive snaps in 2024, finishing the season with a 63.6 pass blocking grade and 60.5 run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus. That pass blocking grade ranked him 33rd out of 64 NFL centers for that period. The Out-of-Door Academy boys varsity soccer team improved to 9-1-2 on the season when it defeated the Imagine School at North Port 8-0 at home Dec. 19. The Thunder scored four goals in each half. Sophomore Quinn Duffy led the way with two goals, while junior Dylan Walker filled the stat sheet with one goal, one assist and five steals. On the girls’ side, the Thunder boosted their record to 6-3-2 when they defeated The Classical Academy of Sarasota 5-0 at home Dec. 19. Freshman Alana Kaplan sophomore Maggie Yull, eighth grader Elle Rice and seventh grader Jessica McDougall all scored one goal. Both the boys and girls teams will have the opportunity to defend their Sunshine State Athletic Association titles on Jan. 10-11. … The Out-of-Door Academy boys varsity basketball team fell to 4-7 on the season when it lost to Dunedin High 64-53 on Jan. 2. Weekend warriors could head over to Nathan Benderson Park on Jan. 12 to participate in the Alpha Win Triathlon from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. A USA-Triathlon sanctioned event, the race features three different race lengths for participants to choose from: Sprint, Olympic and Long. Registration for the event closes on Jan. 11.
THEY’VE GOT THE POWER
Despite heavy losses from graduation, the Pirates work to defend their regional title.
Jordan Borges, the Braden River High girls varsity weightlifting head coach, thought the 202425 season might be a restructuring year for the program.
The Pirates had lost a whopping 12 seniors heading into this season, including four state meet qualifiers in 2024.
It didn’t take long, however, for Borges to realize that wouldn’t be the case. What he found was this year’s roster of 45 weightlifters had the chance to be even more successful than in 2024.
“It was after the first month of our official team practices that we realized that even the young kids, whether they were freshmen or sophomores, had made a massive amount of improvement from all the work that they put in during the off-season,” said Borges. “We saw this year as more of a reload than a rebuild. We reloaded the team with new athletes in some of the places that we were lacking after graduating our senior class.”
The standard, Borges said, has been raised. Last season, the Pirates won their second consecutive Class 2A district title and followed it with a win at the Class 2 Region 3 championship on Feb. 2 at New Port Richey, the program’s first regional title.
This season, Braden River has continued its run of excellence, posting an 8-0 record in the regular season, building upon its run of 25 consecutive dual meet victories.
Some of Braden River’s success has been due to the emergence of newcomers like 119-pound freshman Ellen Lehman. Lehman, who came into the program with previous weightlifting experience, has helped to fill a gap in the lower weight classes left by graduating seniors.
Although only a freshman, Lehman already has broken multiple school records — including a 155-pound snatch — a top five lift on the entire team despite being in the third-lowest weight class.
Borges said more than just her physicality, Lehman’s dogged competitiveness and will to win are what make her a special weightlifter.
“Ellen means business,” said Borges. “She’s intense and I have confidence in her, because you can’t teach the competitiveness that she has. She will do what it takes to make a
“It’s different from all the other sports because you are using your feet instead of your hands.”
weight class.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Braden River is now in the championship season for weightlifting, with hopes of defending its Class 2A regional title and potentially competing for a team state title. Here is what the path forward looks like for the Pirates.
■ County Championship, Jan. 18, 10 a.m., Manatee High School
■ District Championship, Jan. 23, 10 a.m., Lemon Bay High School
■ Regional Championship, Jan. 29, noon, Cypress Creek High School
■ Class 2A State Championship, Feb. 14-15, 10 a.m., RP Funding Center, Lakeland
Mangay-Ayam doesn’t have the stereotypical demeanor of a weightlifter, however. She’s lighthearted, effusive, joking with others until the very moment that she steps on the platform.
“I was quite intense as a competitor myself, so when I started coaching Payton in her freshman year, I thought that she was extremely talented, but the focus wasn’t there,” said Borges. “It wasn’t so much that she had to get used to my coaching as much as I had to get used to her lifting style. I tried to fit her into the mold of what I thought a weightlifter should act like and it didn’t work. If anything it made her worse.”
Last season, Borges took a different approach. Realizing that Mangay-Ayam didn’t need to be pushed — she pushes herself plenty in practice he said — Borges took his foot off the gas, telling Mangay-Ayam to just be herself before stepping onto the platform.
The change in approach paid dividends. Mangay- Ayam finished second
pionship with a 140-pound snatch and 190-pound clean and second in the 2A state final in the Traditional and Olympic classifications on Feb. 17 in Lakeland.
This season, Mangay-Ayam is out for the individual state title— she’s currently tied for the top mark in the state with a 160-pound snatch, 200-pound clean and a 170-pound bench press.
Other upperclassmen include juniors Chloe “Pogo” Pogoda, Taylor Ford, Angelina Nguyen and senior Baylee Hinkle. The four represent the diversity within the team — Hinkle lifts at 199 pounds, Pogoda at 183 pounds, Ford at 139 pounds and Nguyen is at 101 pounds.
Hinkle and Pogoda, who competed at the varsity level for the first time last season as a sophomore, won individual district titles in their respective weight classes and are primed to defend them this season.
River senior weightlifter Baylee Hinkle said her adrenaline spikes during meets, allowing her to lift more in competition than in practice.
More than just the wins and losses, however, Borges values the confidence that weightlifting gives his
“A lot of people underestimate how powerful believing in yourself really is,” said Borges. “People say that there’s a fine line between selfbelief and delusion, but I’m not so sure that they’re all that different. It takes a crazy person to go for a lift, miss it five times in a row and still think that they’re going to make it —
Borges will feel the most successful, he said, when he sees his athletes take what they’ve learned from the time in his gym and apply it to the real world outside of their athletic
— Out-of-Door Academy soccer player Tiernan George SEE PAGE 19A
File photo
Braden River High alum Ryan Neuzil started eight games at center for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.
DYLAN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER
Photos by Dylan Campbell
Braden River senior Alisson Gonzalez was a state meet qualifier last season in the 129-pound
Braden River freshman Payton Hirst has helped fill the gaps in the girls varsity weightlifting team after the departure of 12 seniors in 2024.
Braden
Her life in the fast lane
Ava DiPasquale, a 13-year-old swimmer from Mill Creek, has established herself as one of the nation’s top swimmers.
With 200 NCAA Division I women’s swimming programs giving out approximately 2,800 scholarships each year and almost 200,000 girls competing on high school swim programs, scholarship opportunities are reserved for the most elite athletes.
So when 13-year-old Mill Creek swimmer Ava DiPasquale told her dad, Derek, not to worry about paying for her future college tuition, it would have been easy for him to brush it off as the false hope of an over-eager adolescent. Ava DiPasquale, however, is not like most 13-year-olds.
On Dec. 6-8, DiPasquale, who attends Haile Middle School and swims for the Sarasota Tsunami swim team, competed in the 2024 Gator Holiday Classic at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training center in Ocala. It was a weekend DiPasquale, her team and her family will remember for quite some time. DiPasquale, who was competing in the 12U division, broke Florida swimming records in the 100- and 200-yard individual medley for her age division. Her times of :59.4 in the 100 and 2:07.9 in the 200 ranked DiPasquale first and second, respectively, in the nation for her age group, according to Tsunami Swim head coach Ira Klein. DiPasquale, who won six individual events in the three-day competition, is USA Swimming’s secondranked swimmer in the 11-12 division and is ranked first in Florida Swimming, per SwimCloud.com.
So yes, when DiPasquale told her father that she’d receive a full ride to a Division I college for swimming, her promise had some validity to it.
What’s remarkable about DiPasquale’s story is her background. DiPasquale does not come from a swimming family. Her father, Derek, and her mother, Jen, didn’t play high level sports. She has not been trained in an academy since infancy nor has she swam timed laps in the kiddie pool, her parents manning stopwatches and shaking their heads in disapproval.
DiPasquale didn’t even start swimming until she was 9 years old, when she found herself stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, in need of something to do.
The proposition had started innocuously enough — try an activity to see if she liked it. Her parents had enrolled her in different sports, but nothing had stuck. Then, she took to the water.
It didn’t take long for Derek and Jen to realize that their oldest daughter was different from the rest of the swimmers her age. Ava glided through the water with ease, exhibiting an instinctual level of control over her movements that’s rare among young athletes.
While Derek and Jen knew Ava was good — her coaches at Sarasota Tsunami had told them as much — they weren’t aware of just how good she was until she competed at the same Gator Swim Meet in 2022, right before she turned 11.
“She made cuts for the next age group up and won the entire meet,” said Derek. “We could see that Ava was special. She showed an incredible ability to perform under pressure. I remember talking to her in the garage that night and telling her that I’d do anything I could to help her reach her goals. She pointed to the top times in the country and
MAIN STAGE HEADLINERS
said that’s where she wanted to be, and now she’s there.”
Over the past two seasons, DiPasquale has established herself as one of the top swimmers in the nation in her age group. This past July, she competed in the Florida Age Group Championships in Ocala, winning the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, the 200-meter backstroke, the 200-meter individual medley and the 400-meter freestyle. Later that month, DiPasquale and her father traveled to Odessa, Texas, to race in the Southern Zone Age Group Championships, where she placed first in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 2:28.03.
DiPasquale’s times, Derek and Jen say, are only important to them because they are important to their daughter. Behind the times that DiPasquale records in the pool, are the thousands of hours she’s spent
working toward those goals.
DiPasquale leaves school early every day at 1:30 p.m. to practice with the high school-aged girls on the Sarasota Tsunami. Lakewood Ranch junior Payton Griffin picks her up and drives her to the pool, where Ava spends three hours a day, six days a week striving to get better, keeping pace with girls three, four and even five years older than her.
DiPasquale’s goals are lofty. She wants to make an Olympic trials cut in 2028, with the hope of potentially making the team for the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane. Equally as important as her training, however, is managing the mental aspect of it all — both she and her parents are aware of how draining this can be for a young person.
DiPasquale concedes that she wants to “stay passionate” about
swimming. The pool began as — and remains — a safe space for her. Her parents plan on keeping it that way.
“When I first started swimming, I liked that I could get in the water after a terrible day and instantly feel better,” said DiPasquale. “To this day, I’ve never had a truly bad practice. Even if I’m not that excited to swim, I always come out feeling better than I did before.”
Courtesy Image
Sarasota Tsunami’s Ava DiPasquale steadies herself before competing in the 2024 Gator Holiday Classic on Dec. 6-8 in Ocala. DiPasquale, who turned 13 in December, broke Florida records in the 100-yard and 200-yard individual medley.
Dylan Campbell is the sports reporter for
Tiernan George
Tiernan George is a senior defender on The Out-of-Door Academy girls varsity soccer team. Head coach Wayne Ramsey said George, a senior captain, has been instrumental to ODA’s (6-3-2) success this season and is the glue of the back four defenders.
When did you start playing soccer and why?
I started playing soccer when I was about 4 years old. I had a friend who was playing and it looked interesting, so I gave it a shot.
What’s the appeal?
I like the team aspect of it and the quick pace, as well. It’s one of those sports that focuses on teamwork. It’s different from all the other sports, because you’re using your feet instead of your hands and you have to anticipate what’s going to happen in every moment. I’m pretty cerebral, so I enjoy that aspect of it.
What’s your best skill on the field?
I’d say my IQ and ability to read the field.
What are you working on to improve?
Taking space and controlling the ball. I’m prone to just getting rid of the ball, so just understanding when I have the time and space to hold onto it more.
What’s your favorite soccer memory?
When I was 10 years old, I played in a Labor Day tournament in Jackson ville and won MVP.
What’s going right for your team this season?
A lot of the younger players are starting to step up. Even those who don’t play club soccer and just play for the school have been improving every day and helping us a lot.
What’s your favorite school subject? Math. I’m in AP Calculus AB right now.
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.
What’s your favorite food? Probably a good steak.
What are your hobbies? I love to do puzzles, play with Legos, different mind games like crossword puzzles. Just stuff that lets me focus on something.
What movies or television shows are you currently watching?
I’m watching “Gossip Girl” with my mom. I’m also rewatching “The 100.” I like to watch the “Hunger Games” movies, as well.
What’s the best advice that you’ve received?
To take every opportunity that you’re given. I take that advice into everything from soccer to school and beyond.
Finish this sentence. Tiernan George is … Creative.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
ODA student wins App Challenge
Manav Pulluru’s app, SafeHaven AI, helps the elderly avoid falls.
VINNIE PORTELL STAFF WRITER
The Out-of-Door Academy student Manav Pulluru was first attracted to app development the same way as many other teenagers.
His older brother, Akash Pulluru, developed apps in high school, and Pulluru, who plays video games like Fortnite, Elden Ring and Apex Legends, said he always has been interested in how they work.
After exploring the “fun” side of app development — he made a blackjack game as one of his first experiments with Python, a general-purpose programming language — Pulluru has shifted his focus to making a positive impact.
The ODA junior has spent much of the past year working on a project called SafeHaven AI, an app that helps people aged 65+ assess their risk of falling and learn how they can prevent it.
Pulluru partnered with family friend Ashni Singh, a ninth grader at Choate Rosemary Hall in San Francisco on the project, and the two were recognized for their efforts last month by winning the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Florida’s 16th District.
The Congressional App Challenge
was created by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015 as a way to encourage innovation in computer science – a rapidly growing industry.
Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan visited ODA to recognize Pulluru with the award Dec. 16.
“I am very impressed and heartened to see this young student using his abilities to help our aging population,” Buchanan said in a press release. “Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older, with more than 14 million older adults reporting a fall every year.
With nearly 200,000 seniors in my district and millions throughout the state of Florida, this app has the potential to help lower these risks and keep people safe.”
Pulluru’s inspiration for the app was personal.
His nonagenarian great-grandfather suffered a fall in his home in India in 2020 and fractured his hip, leaving him bedridden and in need of constant assistance.
His great-grandfather eventually recovered from the fall, but many
“I am very impressed and heartened to see this young student using his abilities to help our aging population.”
Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan
elderly people don’t have the same fortune.
Pulluru said he discovered that Singh had a similar experience with her grandfather when the two spent some time together this past summer.
“Once we realized that, we were like, ‘We should do something about this,’” Pulluru said. “This could be a great thing that could be out there.”
Pulluru said he credits a Python class he took at ODA that helped spark his inspiration for computer programming and helped him learn beyond the basics.
“We’ve tried to intentionally develop a service-centered STEM
program where our students are not only learning content, but learning how to apply it to solve real-world problems,” said Caitlyn Dixon, the director of STEM at ODA. “I think Manav’s app that he designed is a great example of how this culture is continuing to grow and develop here, from our marine science students learning about marine ecosystem remediation through the creation and installation of vertical oyster gardens to developing an AI-powered app to keep our family members safe in a community that has a large elderly population.”
SafeHaven AI screens for fall risks by asking its users doctor-approved questions, helps assess the living environment of the user with image recognition software and educates seniors about some of the common ways to prevent falls.
“Most people, they just play it off,” Pulluru said of elderly people often overlooking fall risks. “It’s your home, right? But it’s a very impactful thing because studies show that at home is where the biggest risk is. Like, the floor is wet, you slip and there’s nothing to grab on to.”
According to a report by Raju Vaishya and Abhishek Vaish in the Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, elderly people falling are “on the rise and taking the shape of an epidemic” and “prevention of these falls is far better than the management.”
Developing SafeHaven AI took Pulluru and Singh between five and six months, and their work is still ongoing, with refining needed on the image-recognition portion of the app.
Winning the Congressional App Challenge should make those efforts easier.
SafeHaven AI will be featured on House.gov for one year and CongressionalAppChallenge.us for the “foreseeable future,” according to a press release. It can currently be found at SafeHaven-Tan.Vercel.App.
Pulluru will also receive waived copyright application fees through the Artistic Recognition for Talented Students Act.
The Out-of-Door Academy student Manav Pulluru won the 2024 App Challenge for Florida’s 16th District this past month for the creation of his app.
SafeHaven AI helps people aged 65 and older better understand their fall risks and how to manage them using doctor-approved questions and image recognition of potential hazards.
Photos by Vinnie Portell
Neon new year rocks UTC
niversity Town Center was lit up with more than Christmas lights Jan. 2. Funky Bonez brought a “Neon New Year Party” to 2025’s first installment of UTC Live on The Green.
Dressed in head-to-toe neon, the band members glowed on stage. Their headdresses crossed punk rock Mohawks with Day of the Dead sugar skulls.
More importantly, the band had nearly everyone dancing.
Who can sit through the 1980s’ hit “Celebration” by the Kool & the Gang? During “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, lead singer Johnny Bonez stepped off the stage and danced with the crowd.
“The people sitting, we don’t know them,” joked Sarasota’s Nan McArthy. “Everybody from our group is on the dance floor.”
McArthy was with the Sarasota Over 50 Meetup Group. She said it’s not a singles group, but a social group of more than 6,000 residents.
The activities go way beyond dancing. Members meet to bowl, play pickleball, watch football games, you name it.
“Whatever your interest, you’ll find something,” McArthy said.
— LESLEY DWYER
I am very pleased with my first experience using Aqua
Their
and
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and plumbing needs. -Gayle Owens
Sandro Arencibia
Photos by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota’s Johnny Luciano spins Laura Harper on the dance floor.
The drummer’s neon mohawk commands attention from the back of the stage.
HOME ICE STARTS
SATURDAY, JANUARY
We’re
Global harmony
Regular Lakewood Ranch performer Trevor Bystrom unites with African musician for Waterside show.
f musicians Trevor Bystrom and Peter Mawanga were born a couple of decades earlier, there’s a good chance they never would have met.
Bystrom, born and raised on Anna Maria Island, and Mawanga, born and raised in Malawi, Africa, connected through the power of the internet, and both said they were instantly drawn to each other’s music despite the more than 8,000 miles that separated them.
People in attendance at Ranch Nite Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Waterside Place likely didn’t know it at the
time, but they had the unique opportunity to witness the two playing a rehearsed show with a full band — joined by percussionist Benny Maldonado and harmonist Judit Maldonado — for the first time.
For close to five years, Bystrom and Mawanga had to get creative to collaborate.
That meant using WhatsApp and Zoom to communicate and WeTransfer and Google Drive to share sound files.
Sometimes, that would put them at the mercy of frequent power outages in Malawi that could last as many as 10 hours.
Other times, it helped facilitate a blend of music that is hard to find elsewhere.
“(Bystrom) loves reggae music — he describes his music as coastal music — so his influences and his love for African music is so easy to relate to,” Mawanga said. “Even when he first sent me his recordings and I listened to it, I felt like I was speaking
Photos by Vinnie Portell
Local artist Trevor Bystrom and musical partner Peter Mawanga, from Malawi, Africa, perform their music Dec. 18 at Ranch Nite Wednesday at Waterside Place.
to another African musician.
“There wasn’t a huge difference until I realized where he was from. I think our music complements each other. With me bringing traditional instruments, traditional sounds and Malawian rhythms and what it does, it jells together really well.”
Mawanga primarily plays a thumb piano instrument called a nsansi, while Bystrom primarily plays the guitar.
Bystrom said he has been drawn to reggae African music since attending a summer program at the Berklee College of Music in 2016, where he first encountered that type of music.
That eventually led him to stumble across Mawanga three years later in his pursuit to find a musician of that background to work alongside.
Mawanga had toured the United States with fiddler and violinist Andrew Finn Magill from 2015-18, which led Bystrom to think, “If he worked with that guy, he might work with me, too.”
However, those hopes of in-person collaboration were soon dashed when the COVID-19 pandemic struck shortly after they established contact.
Though COVID made performing together impossible, it also cleared each artist’s calendar of any upcoming live shows and allowed them to devote much of their time to their first project — Mawanga & Bystrom,
a six-track extended play.
“We had very similar ideas of how we wanted the music to go, and we gave each other a lot of freedom, so there weren’t many edits,” said Bystrom, who often plays at Lakewood Ranch Main Street and Waterside Place. “He laid down some stuff, I laid down some stuff and he’d be like, ‘Maybe change this,’ and I’d go, ‘Yeah, I hear that too; I didn’t see that.’”
Bystrom and Mawanga finally met in person in August 2022 when Trevor and his wife, Katrina, went to Malawi on their honeymoon.
It was there that Bystrom and Mawanga first performed together. However, problems with power outages and sound problems in the studio meant those performances were limited.
That’s what made the Dec. 18 performance at Waterside Place such a breakthrough moment for the two, who made the most of their first live rehearsal together.
Mawanga is set to return home sometime in early January, but those hoping to experience his music in person could likely have a chance to do so in the near future.
“I’m starting my U.S. tour again, possibly next year,” Mawanga said. “I’m basically doing the groundwork and letting people know that I’ll be coming back.”
Dr. Christian Lorenzo brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Lakewood Ranch II office a wealth of knowledge and experience
Exclusive Dinner, Wine for Four at the famous Maison Blanche
Hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks
Thursday, Jan. 16 | 5 to 7 p.m. at The Resort at Longboat Key Spike ‘n’ Tees, Islandside
Friday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 19
Longboat Key Public Tennis Center
Orlando Health, Orlando,
Cardio-Oncology Fellowship Rotation, University of Pennsylvania Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
Certification: Board Certified, American Board of Internal Medicine
Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
NEW
Four Players per Team at Comparable Levels (2 women, 2 men)
Two doubles pro sets (men vs. men; women vs. women)
Two mixed doubles matches; tie breaker if necessary $60 ENTRY FEE
Percussionist Benny Maldonado (left), harmonist Judit Maldonado and musician Trevor Bystrom perform songs together at Ranch Nite on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Waterside Place before Peter Mawanga joined them on stage.
Dive into Daily Crossword Fun!
we
Love
THURSDAY, JAN. 9 THROUGH
SUNDAY, JAN. 12
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING
Runs from 2:30-5:30 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Soundwave (Friday), Bluegrass Pirates (Saturday) and Santiago (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday concerts are $5; the others are free. For more information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
MOVIE IN THE PARK
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch. This month’s feature for Movie in the Park is “Inside Out 2.” The free series is sponsored by Grace Community Church, which will give one free Chick-fil-A sandwich to the first 300 attendees. For information, go to MyLWR.com.
FRIDAY, JAN. 10 AND SATURDAY, JAN. 11
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
Runs Friday 6-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1560 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Singer-musician Carmen Forte performs acoustic covers for those strolling through Waterside Place on Friday night, while singersongwriter Danielle Mohr will entertain on Saturday. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace.com.
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
WELLNESS EXPO
Runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UTC Mall, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota. The “New Year, New You” health and wellness expo is a free event, that will offer connections with more than 50 local health experts, physicians, and wellness professionals. For more information, go to LWRCA.org.
SATURDAY, JAN. 11 AND SUNDAY, JAN. 12
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
BEST BET
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
BALL HOCKEY AND LIGHTNING WATCH PARTY
Runs from 3-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. The Tampa Bay Lightning will host a Youth Ball Hockey Tournament that runs from 3-6 p.m., followed by a live broadcast of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s game against the New Jersey Devils. The game begins at 7 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring chairs, but no coolers. For more information, go to MyLWR.com.
music at Linger Lodge restaurant includes the It’s Just Us Duo on Saturday and Scotty Yates on Sunday. For more information, call 755-2757.
SUNDAY, JAN. 12
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 voted 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 more. Other features are children’s activities and live music. For more information, visit MyLWR.com.
POLO Gates open at 10 a.m. and the match begins at 1 p.m. at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Lakewood Ranch. General admission is $15; VIP tickets run $20 and up. For more information, go to SarasotaPolo.com.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
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.
Another toy story
Elks toy drive provides 7,500 toys for those in need during the holiday season.
Ruth Perez-Hernandez was sifting through hundreds of toys at the Lakewood Ranch Elks Lodge, a big smile covering her face the entire time.
It was Dec. 16, but you couldn’t tell Perez-Hernandez that it wasn’t Christmas morning.
She was helping Denise Gattuso, the founder and executive director of Prodigal Daughters of Sarasota, pick through donated toys to bring back to those staying at the nonprofit.
Prodigal Daughters is a 24-month residential program for women and children. The nonprofit specializes in helping women and children recover from addiction and other life-altering circumstances, such as abuse. It is faith-based and 100% donation funded.
It was selected by the Elks to be one of the beneficiaries of the annual Elks Toy Drive, which is run by the Elks at both the state level and in the Mighty Southwest District, which has the Lakewood Ranch Elks Club as a member.
More than 7,500 toys were collected at Walgreens stores in Manatee and Sarasota counties, and Elks volunteers picked them up from there, sorted them and made them available to organizations helping children and parents in need at Christmas.
The Elks Lodge was stuffed with toys, everywhere you looked. PerezHernandez and Gattuso were selecting toys for their nonprofit before the next organization came, and the next and the next.
Perez-Hernandez knows firsthand how important these donations will be. She and her two small children are residents at Prodigal Daughters.
“This is their Christmas,” she said of all the children at Prodigal Daughters who would benefit from the Elks
Toy Drive. “I am so thankful for these gifts for my babies. I am trying to restore my life.”
Volunteers from the Myakka City Methodist were waiting to make their selections.
“Without the Elks (and the Elks Toy Drive), I don’t know what we would do,” said Mark Dawn, a lay speaker at the church, which distributes the toys to those in need.
Volunteer Sue Goodman notes that the area has many migrant farm workers who will benefit from the donations, along with even a greater number of those in need due to recent storms.
The Elks Toy Drive was run by co-Chairs Darrin Simone and Faith Frost, who are both past exalted rulers of the club.
“This gives you a warm feeling,” Frost said. “This is the time when you want to give and share.”
Although it is a huge effort, Frost said it is worth every minute of work.
“It pays you back triple,” she said of the joy of giving back to the community.
“We are about community,” Simone said.
The Elks are holding a membership drive Jan. 18, noon to 9 p.m., and Jan. 19 noon to 6 p.m. The lodge, usually closed to the public, will be open those days for anyone who would like to check out the organization. The event includes free music and food. Call 727-2855 for more information.
Jay Heater
The Elks’ Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters’ Denise Gattuso and Ruth PerezHernandez and the Elks’ Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
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!
Lake Club home tops sales at $6.3 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Lake Club topped this week’s sales. SD TLC LLC sold the home at 15315 Anchorage Place to Patrick Mulva and Mary Mulva, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
LAKE CLUB
Stephen and Hazel Pankhurst sold their home at 8012 Bowspirit Way to Richard Hauck, trustee, of Bradenton, for $3,240,000. Built in 2018, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,876 square feet of living area.
Kenneth and Julie Swan sold their home at 8009 Bounty Lane to Anthony and Kathleen Constantinou, of Bradenton, for $2.4 million. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,484 square feet of living area.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Thomas and Melinda Weider, of Bradenton, sold their home at 7478 Seacroft Cove to Peter and Jill Risch, of Lakewood Ranch, for $2,525,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,768 square feet of living area.
ISLES Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 8014 Nevis Run to Christine Kimberly Wilson and James Glander, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,868,000. Built in 2024, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths and 5,990477 square feet of living area.
Toll FL XIII Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 7958 Redonda Loop to Allison Adams and Kevin Graham, of Lakewood Ranch, for $963,400. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,915 square feet of living area.
COUNTRY CLUB
LuRo Partnership LLP sold the home at 7535 Mizner Reserve Court to Jeffrey Romeo and Stacie Luders, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,231,700. Built in 2004, it has two bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,644 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,275,000 in 2024.
DEL WEBB
Stephen Turner and Martha Dawn Turner, of Sarasota, sold the home at 18017 Littleton Place to Marilyn and Jerald Schneider, of Bradenton, for $1,115,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,867 square feet of living area. It sold for $747,500 in 2021.
Barry and Terri Wallach, of Northbrook, Illinois, sold their home at 17912 Northwood Place to Dennis McGill and Nancy McGill, trustees, of Colony Beach, for $910,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,478 square feet of living area. It sold for $934,500 in 2022.
BRADEN OAKS
Gregory and Sheryl Sepessy, of Greensboro, North Carolina, sold their home at 3604 62nd St. E. to Edward Sheaffer and Sarah Sheaffer, trustees, of Bradenton, for $1 million. Built in 1993, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,282 square feet of living area.
RICHMOND PARK
Victoria Eckl, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8109 Collingwood Court to Lewis Keith Wansley, trustee, of University Park, for $998,000. Built in 1997, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,409 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,900 in 2012.
MILL CREEK
Kelly Susan Essig and Matthew Lee Essig, trustees, sold the home at 14554 17th Ave. E. to Justin Randall DeArmit and Allene Chernyak, trustees, of Bradenton, for $920,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,811 square feet of living area. It sold for $920,000 in 2023.
Leonard Olson, of Florahome, sold his home at 13634 Second Ave. N.E. to 13634 2nd Ave NE LLC for $720,000. Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,537 square feet of living area. It sold for $469,900 in 2019.
ROSEDALE
Clyde and Marcia Andrews, of Louisville, Kentucky, sold their home at 5232 88th St. E. to Shawn and Linda Barber, of Bradenton, for $890,000. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,354 square feet of living area. It sold for $499,000 in 2015.
Karen Eddy and Ronald Seitz, of Dunwoody, Georgia, sold their home at 5129 88th St. E. to Clay Edward Moore and Katherine Moore, of Bradenton, for $870,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,905 square feet of living area. It sold for $635,000 in 2021.
LAKEWOOD NATIONAL
Robert and Victoria Kyle, of Northfield, Illinois, sold their home at 5905 Cessna Run to Diana Mary Sheller and Mark Douglas Sheeler, of Ontario, Canada, for $875,000. Built in 2017, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,921 square feet of living area. It sold for $750,000 in 2021.
GRAND OAKS AT PANTHER RIDGE Scott and Michelle Talbert, of Palmetto, sold their home at 22508 75th Ave. E. to Kenith and Sabrina Turner, of Lakewood Ranch, for $824,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,905 square feet of living area.
WATERCREST
William Stichter and Mary LiuStichter, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 201 condominium at 6340
Watercrest Way to Charles Clouser and Cindy Cramer Clouser, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $810,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,376 square feet of living area. It sold for $550,000 in 2021.
AZARIO ESPLANADE
Jeffrey Connelly, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, sold the home at 3127 Veneto Court to Earl Larson and Tryla Brown Larson, of Lakewood Ranch, for $790,000. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,920 square feet of living area. It sold for $673,200 in 2022.
Patricia Murray, trustee, of Washington, D.C., sold the home at 4743 Motta Court to Jodi Shinn and David Crockett, of Bradenton, for $755,000. Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,678 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2023.
EDGEWATER
Thomas Bengston Jr., trustee, of Washington, D.C., sold the home at 8044 Waterview Blvd. to Jeanne Grose and Dmitriy and Tatiana Klimov, of Bradenton, for $780,000. Built in 2002, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,852 square feet of living area. It sold for $362,800 in 2002.
RIVERDALE REVISED
Michael Bradbury, of Moore Haven, and Kelly Bradbury, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4604 Blue Marlin Drive to Benjamin Bryant, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,416 square feet of living area. It sold for $535,000 in 2019.
ROSEDALE ADDITION
Nora Skol and Chester Marlon Skol, of Bradenton, sold their home at 9726 Carnoustie Place to Dave Nguyen, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 2021, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS DEC. 16-27, 2024
2,287 square feet of living area. It sold for
MALLORY PARK
Thomas Mack Odom and Michelle Odom, of Windsor, Colorado, sold their home at 3503 Harlowe Run to Maureen McGrath and Bradley Douglass, of Black Diamond, Washington, for $740,000. Built in 2021, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,907 square feet of living area. It sold for $541,100 in 2021.
SAVANNA
Keith and Hope and VanEmmerik, of Parrish, sold their home at 3223 Big Sky Way to Richard and Sheri
Bagley, of Bradenton, for $729,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $458,000 in 2021.
EAST COUNTY
Michael Terrence Hassell and Janalynn Hassell, of Parrish, sold their home at 3006 69th St. E. to Ricardo Rodriguez, of Bradenton, for $725,600. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,883 square feet of living area.
SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 12B
Courtesy of Stock Development
This Lake Club home at 15315 Anchorage Place sold for $6,295,000. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 5,997 square feet of living area.
TIDEWATER PRESERVE
Fred Henry Williams and Connie Lee Williams, of Ocala, sold their home at 1253 Tidewater Court to Judy Lynn Roberson, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for $725,000. Built in 2013, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,249 square feet of living area. It sold for $339,900 in 2013.
BRADEN PINES
Joan Voorhees, of Dover, sold her home at 10616 Forest Run Drive to Douglas Doty, Willetta Doty and Betty Doty, of Bradenton, for $700,000. Built in 1989, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,885 square feet of living area.
STONEYBROOK AT HERITAGE
HARBOUR
Deborah Katzmann sold her home at 8828 Brookfield Terrace to Ronald and Diane Marcella, of Bradenton, for $700,000. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,049 square feet of living area. It sold for $335,000 in 2010.
Tamara Lynn Corso and Steven John Corso, trustees, of Suamico, Wisconsin, sold the home at 8872 Stone Harbour Loop to Taylor and Algasimu Tarawally, of Bradenton, for $635,000. Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,162 square feet of living area. It sold for $555,000 in 2022.
Donald and Nancy Carlson, of Osseo, Minnesota, sold their home at 8725 Monterey Bay Loop to Malissa Kay Smith, of Bradenton, for $579,000. Built in 2006, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,021 square feet of living area. It sold for $495,000 in 2021.
GREENBROOK
Christopher and Lisa Rubal, of Bradenton, sold their home at 15665 Lemon Fish Drive to David Todd, of Bradenton, for $665,000. Built in 2007, it has four bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,572
square feet of living area. It sold for $312,000 in 2013.
RIVA TRACE
Harriet Power, of Sarasota, sold the home at 8009 Rio Bella Place to Kenneth and Loretta Ayotte, of Bradenton, for $640,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,086 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2016.
COPPERLEFE
Christopher and Cassandra Hinman, of Williamsburg, Virginia, sold their home at 11114 Copperlefe Drive to Richard and Yekaterina Ambrose, of Bradenton, for $635,000. Built in 2018, it has five bedrooms, three baths and 3,327 square feet of living area. It sold for $479,000 in 2020.
COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD
NATIONAL
Peter and Lizabeth Anne Davies sold their Unit 521 condominium at 5828 Wake Forest Run to Daniel May and Monica Muenster-May, of Hackensack, New Jersey, for $630,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108 square feet of living area. It sold for $334,000 in 2017.
HERITAGE HARBOUR
Peter and Lisa Brooks sold their home at 7107 Marsh View Terrace to Shawn and Debbie Jean Sodergren, of Bradenton, for $615,000. Built in 2016, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,006 square feet of living area. It sold for $321,300 in 2016.
SABAL HARBOUR Runaways LLC sold the home at 4525 Useppa Drive to Neil Edward Powell and Louise Jane Powell, of Bradenton, for $590,000. Built in 2001, it has four bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,120 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2024.
What Would the Founding Fathers Think of America Today?
It would be nearly impossible to overestimate the reverence afforded America’s celebrated founding fathers. They were real men whose brilliance launched our country, and they vigorously discussed and debated the important political issues of their time.
By focusing on key writings and speeches of founders such as Washington, Jefferson, Adams and others we can certainly speculate what they’d think about the issues of today. That’s the fascinating and unique idea behind the Observer’s upcoming event in Sarasota on February 6th. It will be presented by renowned Brown University Professor Wendy Schiller, Chair of the Department of Political Science.
Here’s an example. The partisan hostility of our two major parties
has certainly frustrated nearly everyone. It turns out that the “Father of our Country” and our very first President was concerned about that very issue. In George Washington’s words from his famous farewell address in 1796, “There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and keep alive the spirit of liberty. But then he went on to assert “the constant danger of excess” and ended by referring to a political party as “ a fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance topresent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume”
Another subject area that was discussed thoroughly at the start of our country and continues to be a major focus today is the role of religion. While many believe
that the Founders felt that religion should be kept entirely outside political life, that’s really not what most of them felt. James Madison wrote that all men are “equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience”. In actuality the founders were less concerned about religious influences on government than they were with any effort to exclude some religions and favor others. That is what they had experienced as citizens of England and was what they were primarily concerned with. One more example would be concerns about economic and wealth inequality. Many think of this as an area of concern only in recent times, e– launched in large part by the now well known “occupy Wall Street” movement in 2011. In fact, it was a subject ad-
vanced by many founders, and some of their thinking was quite advanced. Thomas Paine wrote of the need to “make some provisions for people become poor and wretched not only at the time they become so. Would it not, even a matter of economy, be far better to devise means to prevent their becoming poor?”
And finally, apparently federal spending has been a hot button
Dive into the past with our exciting speaker series, featuring renowned scholars from top universities. Each lecture brings history to life with fresh insights and captivating stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
issue for as long as our country has been in existence. It was Thomas Jefferson who wrote
“That same prudence which in private life would forbid paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public monies” Sounds a lot like something you hear every day on TV!
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