Powered by pink Engines were not just revving for fun at Cars and Coffee Saturday. They were revving up fundraising efforts for Answer to Cancer SRQ.
University Park’s Eileen Cantarella and Ronni Loundy (pictured above) collected $10 for every car that participated in the car show Oct. 11 at the Mall at UTC.
The funds will go to Answer to Cancer SRQ’s mission to raise $400,000 to fund a research endeavor that focuses on the relationship between breast cancer metastasis and aging.
“We raise money for Dr. Ana Gomes, who has found that breast cancer returns in old age,” Cantarella said. For more information, visit AnswerToCancerSRQ.com.
Picking the perfect pumpkin
Lakewood Ranch 2-year-old Jenna Janota (above) checked out every pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch at University Town Center.
Her mother, Jessica Janota, said anything that allows for her daughter to explore, she is all in. She said they are looking forward to carving pumpkins together and Jenna’s finished pumpkin is bound to become some sort of animal after it is carved.
The Pumpkin Patch at UTC is open at The Green at UTC until Oct. 26. Hours are 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Every purchased pumpkin benefits Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center.
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Should Manatee initiate
Lesley Dwyer
Madison Bierl
Del Webb resident drives kidney research with golf tournament
Del Webb’s Karyn and Jerry Waxman are hosting the PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational Oct. 27 at Lakewood National Golf Club.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
When a doctor told Karyn Waxman, “You have some funny looking kidneys,” she didn’t think much of the statement.
The doctor described her kidneys as too big and not in the right place, but with the caveat that not every kidney is anatomically correct and shaped like its namesake, the kidney bean.
Waxman is 69 years old now, but she was 43 then. She’d been in the hospital for a week for what she thought was just a bad urinary tract infection. She was given an antibiotic, and the infection cleared up. But after returning home, the pain persisted.
When Waxman returned to the doctor, he suggested a PET scan of her kidneys.
“My insides looked like I had grapes all over them,” she said.
Waxman was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a genetic disorder that causes cysts to form on the kidneys and spread to other organs including the liver, pancreas and ovaries.
PKD is a life-threatening illness. Kidneys that are normally the size of a fist can enlarge to the size of a football. Some patients can’t bend over to tie their shoes. The cysts essentially “choke out” the kidneys’ ability to eliminate waste.
When Waxman was diagnosed, there was no cure or treatment, but the PKD Foundation was doing research.
“I honestly was not an outgoing person at all, but I found my soapbox,” she said. “And I found my voice
because I was outraged. This was my life and my kids’ lives on the line, why was nobody talking about it? I felt the need to connect and be vocal to advocate and lobby.”
Waxman said she spent years traveling to Washington, D.C. to lobby for the National Kidney Foundation and the American Association of Kidney Patients, but it was her husband Jerry’s idea to fundraise for research.
The pair have hosted an annual golf tournament since 2001, but this is the first year the PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational will be hosted in Lakewood Ranch. The tournament is Oct. 27 at Lakewood National Golf Club.
The event includes up to $80,000 worth of gifts and giveaways, including a new pair of Puma golf shoes for each player, a $5,000 putting challenge and a contest for the most accurate drive.
The husband and wife duo have raised more than $2.3 million since they started the tournament. Waxman said her husband is “relentless” when it comes to fundraising.
So far, they’ve brought in over $114,000 of this year’s $140,000 goal.
The research has not led to a cure yet, but it has led to a treatment, and Waxman played a part in that, too. She was a patient in a dosing study
for a drug that is now marketed as Jynarque. Waxman had to stop participating in the study because her dose caused a skin irritation, but Jynarque is now prescribed to adult PKD patients to slow the disease’s progression by reducing the size of the cysts.
There is a 50% chance that a parent with the genetic disorder will pass it on to their children. However, Waxman’s parents were not carriers. In about 10% of patients, PKD is caused by a spontaneous mutation.
That does not protect Waxman’s two daughters, Kim (44) and Erica (47), from developing the disease or passing it to their children.
IF YOU GO
What: PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational
Where: Lakewood National Golf Club, 17605 Lakewood National Parkway
When: 9:30 a.m. Oct. 27
Sign up/information: Go to Support.PKDcure. org/event/lakewood-golftournament-2025/e656726
Cost: Entry into the tournament costs $400 for an individual or $1,600 for a foursome
Waxman said she met a family that had 25 members diagnosed with PKD. Her family has been lucky.
“I went with my daughter Kim for a scan once,” Waxman said. “I couldn’t believe how small and sweet that kidney looked. I cried. When I have mine scanned, they’re so large that they don’t fit on the screen. They have to scan quadrant by quadrant.”
Waxman still lives with those two diseased kidneys she described as looking like “sacks of potatoes,” but she added a third kidney six years ago thanks to her personal trainer, Sara Kelly.
While her husband Jerry Waxman “valiantly” offered one of his kidneys, nobody in Waxman’s family was a match.
Kelly was, and doctors were able to bypass Waxman’s own kidneys to make use of Kelly’s healthy one.
“I’m so humbled and grateful that Sara chose me,” Waxman said. “It afforded me the opportunity to enjoy my grandchildren, make the move here (from Memphis, Tennessee) and travel.”
According to the PKD Foundation, polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common and serious genetic diseases with 12 million diagnoses worldwide. It’s the fourth leading cause of kidney failure.
Courtesy image
Del Webb’s Jerry and Karyn Waxman organize an annual golf tournament to raise money for polycystic kidney disease.
IS PUBLIC PREPARED TO PAY FOR STORMWATER PROGRAM?
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
It’s been over a year since flooding from Hurricane Debby destroyed much of Jill Sauchinitz’s home in Summerfield Bluffs.
Her home has been restored, but her faith in Manatee County’s stormwater operations is not quite there yet.
Sauchinitz said she felt “deflated” after watching commissioners discuss a possible stormwater program during a special work session Oct. 8.
“No one was on the same page,” she said. “It just didn’t give me any hope.”
Commissioner Carol Felts was against charging citizens a fee for the program. Commissioner Tal Siddique was concerned about the effects of too much dredging on his coastal district, and Sauchinitz’s district commissioner, Bob McCann, couldn’t attend.
While not present at the meeting, McCann has been in touch with Sauchinitz to inform her of smaller things the county is doing to protect her Summerfield community in the meantime.
Another lift station is being installed in her neighborhood, and the county is replacing a gauge on the Braden River that was removed by the U.S. Geological Survey because of funding cuts.
In regards to an overall stormwater program, McCann told the East County Observer that he doesn’t like the idea of putting another tax on residents when the county is already holding so much money in reserves.
While Sauchinitz wants to see county stormwater operations taken over by a stormwater management district, the county’s staff is proposing a countywide stormwater program instead.
The work session focused on how to fund such a program.
Director of Public Works Chad Butzow gave the presentation to commissioners with the caveat that he was “gun shy” from “battle scars” left in 2019 when a prior attempt to implement a stormwater fee was shot down by residents.
WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP?
When Felts was running for her District 1 seat in June 2024, she told the East County Observer that defeating that stormwater fee made her realize citizens could “make a difference.”
At the time, she and some of her Myakka City neighbors felt the calculation of the fee was unfair to rural residents. She didn’t want the county to charge a fee then, and her stance has not changed now that she is on the other side of the dais.
“I’m not comfortable going to my constituents and asking them to fund something that we could find the money for somewhere else,” Felts said.
Felts suggested increasing development fees near environmentally sensitive lands or funding “one less pickleball court, which is an impervious surface.”
In general, she said it’s time to cut “some frivolous stuff.” She posed a suggestion to all county departments to cut back on something and posed a question to residents: What are you willing to give up so that your streets and houses don’t flood?
“They’re going to want to give something up,” Felts said.
Sauchinitz said she’s lost enough already.
“Why should anyone have to give up anything?” she questioned. “I’m looking for the support of the county to come together and say something needs to change.”
After $140,000 in damages, Sauchinitz will gladly pay a stormwater fee. She pulled up the calculator on her phone — $500 a year from
MAJOR CLEANUP EFFORT
Following the 2024 hurricane season, Manatee County put forth a major effort to clean up its stormwater system and prepare for future hurricanes.
The county’s stormwater division ended the 2024 season with 745 work orders. After a year of stormwater staff working six days a week and the county hiring an outside contractor to perform $10 million worth of debris removal, the work was completed at the end of September. The work required clearing 545 canals that cover over 200 miles, plus additional miles along the Braden River, Buffalo Canal, Cabbage Slough and Gamble Creek.
each property owner would be $41 a month. And the county is proposing less than half that amount.
Anthony Sciullo spent $300,000 making repairs to his small farm in Parrish after Hurricane Debby flooded it. Luckily, his home stayed dry.
He’s not opposed to paying a stormwater fee either because “we’re all in this together,” but he said the county should evaluate where its current utility revenue is being apportioned before seeking additional funds.
Commission Chair George Kruse took issue with Felts suggesting that the staff could find the funding within the county’s current budget.
Potential annual funding needs are estimated at $41.4 million, which is a $20 million increase over the county’s current budget.
“There is no money in our back pocket,” Kruse said. “We are now in a new fiscal year. That budget is now done, so that is not the option on the table until the next fiscal year.”
The county doesn’t have a set plan in place, but an additional $20 million could pay for more frequent maintenance of the 545 canals and
334 ponds the county maintains now and add even more to the list.
The additional funds could expand the current staff of 63 workers and purchase additional equipment. It could also cover outside contractors as needed.
The timeline right now is for staff to bring back a stormwater program that would be “close to something that could be voted on for adoption and implementation” next summer, Butzow said.
In the meantime, a series of work sessions and community meetings will be held to keep the public informed.
Butzow stressed the importance of letting the public know that this program is something that will “affect their pocketbooks.”
Staff laid out two options of how citizens could cover a $41.4 million stormwater program — either dedicate .58 mills to stormwater or charge each homeowner an Equivalent Residential Unit fee of $15.60 a month or $187 a year.
An additional .58 mills on a $400,000 home works out to $232
a year.
But the major point Butzow made during the presentation was that the plan has to be guided by policy. He laid out six decisions that will have to be made prior to the creation of a stormwater program:
n Scope of properties — Is every parcel charged or only those with impervious areas? Should churches, schools and governments have to pay into the program?
n Basis of fairness— How should each parcel’s share be calculated? Should the calculation be a flat rate or should it be calculated by impervious areas or parcel size?
n Level of service — What level of service should be funded? Should the county meet the minimum compliance requirements or should it provide a moderate or enhanced level of service? Should the service vary between rural and urban communities?
n Collection method — How will the additional revenue be collected, through an annual bill or a monthly utility fee?
n Treatment of tax-exempt credits — How are exemptions and incentives handled? Are taxexempt properties included or excluded? Are credits issued for private investments in stormwater management?
n Alignment with regulatory and community expectations— How will the program ensure it can adapt to changing state and federal requirements? How does the county build community trust in regards to where the dollars are being spent?
Each topic will go before the commission separately for discussion starting in January 2026. The topics will be presented to the public about a month prior through one in-person meeting and one virtual meeting.
Courtesy image
Residents in Summerfield Bluffs are rescued after the Braden River flooded their street following Hurricane Debby in 2024.
Lesley Dwyer
After Hurricane Debby caused their properties to flood in August 2024, Manatee County residents Anthony Sciullo and Jill Sauchinitz say they are willing to pay into a countywide stormwater program.
Out of seven legislative priorities set by Manatee County staff members and commissioners, two are slated for East County — an aging bridge in Myakka City and a new multi-use trail through Rye Preserve. The bridge is on Singletary Road about a half-mile south of State Road 70. It crosses a branch of the Myakka River and was built in 1970.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the average daily traffic count in 2024 was 650 vehicles and the bridge does not meet “the current acceptable standards” for the bridge railings, approach guardrails or the transitions between the bridge and the road.
The substructure, everything underneath the bridge that holds up the road, is rated a seven, which indicates it’s in “good condition.” The deck and superstructure, which
combine to form the road that cars drive over, are both rated at a five, which indicates “fair condition.”
The total cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $3 million. The county is requesting $1.5 million from the state and will be required to match $1.5 million.
When commissioners shifted focus from roads to trails during the final phase of this year's budget season, Clarke Davis, deputy director of Traffic Management, said that one trail was the “closest to construction” — the trail through Rye Preserve. The design is 75% complete. The North-South Gateway Greenway Trail will start at Waterline Road near the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant and run north through the preserve, up to State Road 62. The county is requesting the federal government to fund the entirety of the $6 million cost, split over two years — $3 million in FY27 and $3 million in FY28. Construction would be phased with the allocations.
PRIORITIES OUTSIDE OF EAST COUNTY
Overall, Manatee County is asking for $24 million across seven projects. Here’s a look at the other five projects outside of East County.
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Lesley Dwyer
This bridge on Singletary Road in Myakka City is due for a $3 million replacement.
million to an estimated $40 million. The county plans to start a nonprofit to fund most of the costs but is still seeking both state and federal funding. The request is for $6 million to build a “centralized services and memorial space for veterans and families.” This project will be located at 5431 Buckeye Road in Palmetto.
51st Street West Extension Project
The total estimated cost to extend the corridor from 53rd Avenue West to El Conquistador Parkway is $35 million. Manatee County will ask the state to fund $3 million.
What began as an off-the-cuff comment by Commissioner Tal Siddique that perhaps “some people might feel bad vetoing our appropriation request for Charlie Kirk Road” turned into a serious conversation.
A portion of that extension is slated by commissioners to be named after Kirk, the conservative political activist who was shot to death Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Staff will have to return to commissioners with an official resolution for a vote, but the vote to direct staff to do so was unanimously approved at the Oct. 7 commission meeting.
During the presentation of the legislative priorities to commissioners Oct. 8, Commissioner Amanda Ballard asked that the title be changed from the 51st West Extension Project to Charlie Kirk Memorial Parkway. Because it’s not official, the new name will be added to the materials in parentheses.
Gamble Creek Flood
Mitigation Area
Manatee County is requesting $3 million from the federal government for “flood mitigation, stormwater treatment and support for nearby road projects" at 15150 Golf Course Road in Parrish.
The 95-acre property was first considered for purchase in 2024 through the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. The property spans a halfmile along Gamble Creek and another half-mile along an unnamed creek and Frye Canal. It’s also home to threatened species, including gopher
tortoises and swallow-tailed kites. Instead, the property was purchased in April 2025 for $9.5 million using stormwater capital and 2023 bond proceeds. The property provides the needed right-of-way for the future widening of Golf Course Road and can also be used for flood storage.
Fresh Start
Since Manatee County’s Public Works employees will be moving over to the county’s second administration building on Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch, the building the department currently occupies at 1022 26th Avenue East in Bradenton is being renovated for Fresh Start, which will offer services for homeless individuals and families.
The total project cost is estimated at $10 million. Currently, the request is for $2.5 million from the state and an undetermined amount from the federal government.
Anna Maria City Pier
The pier at 103 N. Bay Blvd. suffered severe damages in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The estimated cost to repair and rebuild the pier is $8 million; the request is for $2 million.
While the work session to discuss the priorities took place Oct. 8, the final priorities will be voted on at the Oct. 21 commission meeting.
SENATE BILL 180
Some of Manatee County’s legislative priorities don’t involve financial appropriations. Some involve legislative changes, and Senate Bill 180 landed at the top of the list. The bill that was intended to aid in hurricane recovery prohibits local governments from enacting “more restrictive or burdensome” regulations on all building and development. Three priorities were set in regards to the bill:
n Narrow the scope of the preemption of land use regulations to structures actually damaged by storms for which federal disaster declarations were made.
n Clarify whether the more restrictive and burdensome provision applies broadly to all ordinances or comp plan and land development regulations.
n Eliminate Section 2, which prohibits the county from enforcing Floodplain Management Regulations.
• Top 1% of agents in Sarasota and Manatee Counties
• Members of Coldwell Banker’s Global Luxury Division
• Top 7% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide
• Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists
Lakewood Ranch home sale benefits cancer research
The sale of the M/I Home’s dwelling is going to Pelotonia, a nonprofit that supports cancer research.
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
M/I Homes has built a 3,300-square-foot Lakewood Ranch residence into more than just a home.
It’s a symbol of hope in the fight against cancer. Through its partnerships with Pelotonia, a nonprofit that works to fund cancer research, the homebuilder has turned the sale of the five-bedroom property into a $141,000 donation.
This is M/I Homes’ third benefit home for Pelotonia and the second in Lakewood Ranch. Last year, $140,248 from a benefit home in Sweetwater in Lakewood Ranch was donated as well.
Greg Crawford, the area president of the Sarasota division of M/I homes, has been with the company for 24 years, but transferred to Sarasota four years ago.
“Everybody’s been hit with cancer somewhere along the line with a family or friend, it’s such a widespread disease,” Crawford said. “When we can give something back like this, it just makes you really excited and proud.”
To build and sell a benefit home, the M/I homes purchasing team works closely with dozens of trade partners who donate in some form or another.
“The cost of the homes becomes less and then it allows us to take all of those savings that we get from our contractors to then donate that number,” Crawford said. “The proceeds of the home, plus the savings contributions we get from the trade
Pelotonia was founded in 2008 and since its inception the organization has raised over $300 million, all of which has gone directly to cancer research at The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio.
Walker said Ibrutinib, a drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (a common type of blood cancer) is just one of the forms of research that Pelotonia has funded. It has now been used by over 300,000 patients worldwide.
Erica Walker, the philanthropy and stewardship manager at Pelotonia, traveled from Ohio to be present for the presentation of the $141,000 check. She has been to a few different benefit homes but said Lakewood Ranch stood out to her. She described it as a beautiful community and destination.
“We’re just so incredibly grateful for everybody’s part that they play, because it truly is such a unique thing,” Walker said. “It’s such a great example to other organizations of how they can utilize their business and to think creatively about how they can show support.”
Walker said Pelotonia would not be able to give as much money as it does without funding partners that
THE BRIAN D. JELLISON C ANCER INSTITUTE
The Jellison Cancer Institute stands as a beacon of hope for cancer patients and their families. Today, as our population grows, so does the need for cancer care. The new outpatient Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion will expand critical patient programs and services. Many are fully supported through philanthropy.
You can play a vital role in ensuring that families continue to find the hope and healing they deserve.
Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org
Meaghan Otto
By selling the benefit home in Sweetwater at 17013 Savory Mist Circle, $141,000 will be donated to Pelotonia.
It’s BUTTER than you think
Shell out peanut butter when it comes to rescue donations for dogs.
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
Hootie, an American pitbull mix dog who spent eightand-a-half months at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, is deaf because of previous trauma.
Nate’s staff members didn’t know much about his past, but based on their observations — including his fear of people— he most likely was abused and or neglected.
He became even more afraid during Nate’s attempts to do medical procedures (such as ear exams and visits to allergy specialists) and grooming (trimming nails and bathing).
One thing helped to ease his stress — peanut butter.
“A simple lick mat with peanut butter worked wonders to calm and distract him, turning a stressful experience into a positive one and helping him learn to trust our team,” said Chelsea Fieber, an animal care team member at Nate’s.
Amy Caron, who works as the ranch manager, has worked at Nate’s for 13 years. She said the staff members mostly use peanut butter as a distraction or for enrichment.
The staff uses it in a variety of ways, which include putting the peanut butter on lick mats or in Kong toys.
“The dogs have to work to get the treat out, especially when frozen, keeping their brain stimulated and occupied sometimes for hours,” Caron said. “It is especially important in a shelter environment where animals are in kennels for the majority of the day. Mental stimulation can sometimes be even more tiring than physical.”
Along with Kong toys, they also freeze peanut butter on Frisbees. Staff members attach them to the kennel doors and the dogs keep busy by licking and trying to get to the treat.
“Dogs at the shelter often spend over 22 hours of the day inside their kennel, which is why providing mental stimulation during that time is so crucial to their overall mental health and development,” said Lacy Landers, the marketing manager at Nate’s.
Caron said an unlikely combination of peanut butter and pumpkin makes for a good treat. Pumpkin can regulate digestion and prevent diarrhea and constipation. Another use for peanut butter could be enticing the dogs’ appetite with something sweet if they won’t eat.
With certain peanut butter brands, a sugar substitute xylitol is used, and that can be fatal to dogs. The staff at the shelter check every jar that is donated to make sure xylitol is not on the ingredients’ list. Landers said popular brands Jif and Skippy tend to be safe. They even have two dogs currently at the shelter named after
the brands.
Landers said peanut butter is not a common donation. They only ever get peanut butter when they post on social media requesting it. Then the community usually shows up with donations.
Landers said people don’t realize how useful peanut butter can be, especially in a shelter environment. Eighty to 100 dogs can get daily enrichment, which helps cater to lower stress levels.
In addition to peanut butter, towels, sheets, blankets, dog treats, food, office supplies and cleaning supplies are always needed. There is a drop box at the shelter for these items. It also accepts monetary donations that go toward vaccines, food and lifesaving medical care. Any form of donation is beneficial to the shelter.
“Not everyone has money to give, but even one jar of peanut butter can go a long way for the animals in our care,” Caron said.
PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE
While peanut butter donations can be made direction to Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center at 4951 Lorraine Road, Lakewood Ranch, the rescue doesn't received anything from the currently running Peanut Butter Challenge, which benefits others rescues in the region.
That effort is the UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension's 13th annual Peanut Butter Challenge. The donations can be dropped off at various locations, including the Braden River Library and the Lakewood Ranch Library. The peanut butter will be donated to food banks and animal shelters in the county.
More more information on the Peanut Butter Challenge, call 722-4524, Ext. 1824 or email CCarlson@ufl.edu
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Photos by Madison Bierl
McDonald, a 3-year-old medium mixed breed, flashes a smile with a peanut butter beard after having a morning treat.
Witt, a 5-month-old mixed breed male, gains enrichment through working to get a taste of peanut butter from the lick mat at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
Oakley, a 7-month-old medium mixed breed, licks his lips after gaining enrichment from one of the frisbee treats. Tubbs, a 5-year-old male beagle, likes to bite his peanut butter rather than lick it.
His life’s new chapter
y science fiction tastes always have run more toward the goofier side. Although I wouldn’t pull my ears down to points to do a Spock, I could recite many of the more famous lines in the “Star Trek” series.
And, reluctantly, I would admit to being a “Lost in Space” fan when I was a kid, relishing all those “Danger Will Robinson” moments.
When it comes to something like “Star Wars,” though, I never knew a Han from a Solo. When you get deeper than that, such as “Soylent Green,” or “2001: A Space Odyssey,” I’m lost in space.
So I knew Lakewood Ranch’s Barry Rainwater was going to have trouble leading me through his new novel’s storyline.
Rainwater’s first book is “2525: Gardens and Creeks,” and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble or by going to BarryRainwater.com. The description of the story on the back cover goes like this:
“Inside towering Arcologies, the collective thrives on mind control, genetic engineering, and pleasure optimization. Every need satisfied. Every desire indulged. Every question erased.
“But when lost memories resurface, A12 and T23 begin to question their reality — and the truth.”
Wow.
It’s not the kind of thing you would expect to discuss at your local barber shop — unless Barry Rainwater was the owner.
From 2006 to 2023, Rainwa-
ter and his wife, Lynn, owned JD Barbary Shoppe in Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. If you were in the establishment during that time, as I was, you know that this was a barber shop with an upscale, artistic vibe.
“The barber shop was just an idea, like writing a book,” Rainwater said. “It was a creative idea.”
The creativity wasn’t reflected in the actual haircuts like a mullet or a quiff, it was reflected in the surroundings.
“We used a lot of images inside of the old English barber shops,” Rainwater said. “We did things like straight razor shaves.
“I am more the creative type, so Lynn worked the front desk and managed the place for 17 years. I was the creative genius, and the
janitor.”
When it came time to retire — Barry and Lynn sold to Modern Gents — Barry retreated to his lounge chair at home, and began to concentrate on his novel, which he actually had started years before.
If you wonder where the complex subject matter for his book originated, then you have to understand the complex nature of his persona.
Rainwater served 12 years in the U.S. Army with Special Forces, went into corporate management, and has taught entrepreneurship at the university level. Then there was the run as a Lakewood Ranch barber shop owner, along with ownership of a surf and skateboard shop.
“Book writing started as a hobby,” he said, noting that he always has been a fan of science fiction and a voracious reader.
He talked about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a train of thought proposed by American psychologist Abraham Maslow, who said people have five sets of basic needs that are related to each other in a hierarchy or pyramid.
The final one, or top of the pyramid, is about self-actualization, or as Rainwater calls it, “The time to finally do things for the fun of it.”
At 67, Rainwater is having fun.
“My interests always have been old books and old movies,” he said.
He admires writers like Jules Verne and Isaac Asimov. He loves watching the “Planet of the Apes” series and movies such as “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Soylent Green,” and “Logan’s Run.” Heck, he even loved “Star Trek.”
But he finally decided it was time to create his own story.
“I sat down in my chair, opened a Word doc, and started typing,” he said. “I started writing this book seven years ago.”
The soft cover edition of the book is 344 pages followed by various sections that include “The People’s Language” vocabulary, a glossary of terms, and various tables. Rainwater notes that this is the first in his “Kallipolis” series.
“I do struggle just writing,” he said. “I am not a writer necessarily. It took me six months to write the
first draft, then I was just improving it.”
He calls his work “hard” science fiction that is as accurate as he can make it.
“I would research one sentence for hours,” he said about making sure things were plausible.
The book’s setting is the Talladega National Forest in Alabama where he grew up.
“The story evolved,” he said. “I didn’t write ... I channeled. It was what was in my head.”
The setting is a residence in a contained habitat. Those who live within that residence in 2025 don’t know what lurks outside the giant monolithic structure.
“People seem content, but they never really are,” he said. “They are made, not born.”
The main characters don’t have names, but numbers. They are not identified, at least initially, by gender.
“All individualism has been removed, and discarded,” he said. “They are numbers.”
He then adds a little humor.
“A12 is a redhead,” he said with a smile.
He went on to mention biologist E.O. Wilson’s Half-Earth Theory, and something about the Muscogee Native Americans along with the book being a mix between “The Clan of the Cave Bear,” the “Last of the Mohicans,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
“Oh goodness, beam me up Scotty!”
I hope the mix of special forces, barber shop, and a Kallipolis series leads to a bestseller, even if it’s all a little over my head. I just wish Barry the best, and say:
“Live long and prosper.”
Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.
Jay Heater
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop
owner Barry Rainwater has launched his career as an author with “2025: Gardens and Creeks.”
This nonprofit never gives
LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER
Celebrities are known to savor the spotlight.
Yet, in the middle of an interview, famous college basketball broadcaster and former coach Dick Vitale stopped talking about himself, pointed across the room and said, “You should go talk to her.”
The person he was pointing toward was Lakewood Ranch’s Marcie Hermann. Hermann had heard there was a fundraiser for the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Bad Ass Coffee on University Parkway Oct. 10, so she stopped to support the cause.
She didn’t know Vitale would be autographing his latest book, “Until My Last Breath: Fighting Cancer With My Young Heroes.”
Hermann and Vitale had never met, but Vitale heard her name and knew exactly who she was — Weston Hermann’s mother.
“Weston’s picture should be in Webster’s Dictionary next to the word ‘courageous,’” Vitale said.
“He inspired me when I was going through my cancer.” (Vitale has survived melanoma, lymphoma, vocal
ABOUT THE NONPROFIT
Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. Visit V.org/ research-overview/specialfunds/pediatrics/
Mission statement: To fund lifesaving cancer research and help make a difference for children and families fighting the disease.
cord cancer and lymph node cancer.)
At just 19 years old, Weston Hermann has battled brain cancer five times. He’s featured in Vitale’s book as a member of his All-Courageous Team. The team is made up of young pediatric cancer survivors.
The team attends the Dick Vitale Gala each year. It’s the event that feeds the research fund, and Vitale’s fundraising is nothing short of “awesome, baby.”
Over the past 20 years, the galas have raised $105.4 million for pediatric cancer research. Vitale’s goal for the 2026 gala is to surpass $120 million.
“It’s so wonderful that he chose this focus to help kids,” Marcie Hermann said. “After years of chemo and brain surgeries, Weston is thriving, so this is what happens when we put a concentration of money into research for pediatric cancer.”
The research fund operates under The V Foundation, which was founded in 1993 by Vitale’s ESPN colleague and good friend Jim Valvano, who led North Carolina State to a surprise NCAA victory in 1983.
Valvano died of cancer less than two months after he announced the foundation’s creation at the first
ESPY awards on March 4, 1993. Vitale was on stage when Valvano made an iconic 11-minute speech about his career and cancer.
One phrase, in particular, will never be forgotten because it’s now the V Foundation’s motto: “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
People like Vitale and Weston Hermann live by that motto. Vitale’s cancer battle started in 2021. Hermann’s dates back to 2014.
The two formed a friendship because Vitale doesn’t just stamp his name on a gala because he’s a celebrity. He genuinely cares about the children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Vitale met Weston Hermann’s father and stepmother, Jared and Aimee Hermann, in 2017 while out to dinner with his wife, Lorraine.
Vitale doesn’t remember which one, but they were celebrating their anniversary when the Hermanns approached their table to thank Vitale for his work with pediatric cancer.
“I liked them right away,” Vitale said. “So I told them to sit and join us.”
About an hour into dinner, Jared Hermann showed Vitale videos of
Weston Hermann playing hockey. On the way home from dinner, Vitale got Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper on the phone.
Vitale admitted hockey wasn’t his sport, but he thought the kid was good. He asked Cooper for a Lightning jersey that said “Hermann” with a No. 1 on the back.
Cooper responded, “Tell him and the father to call me. He can practice skating with the team.”
That happened long before Vitale would know firsthand what battling cancer feels like both physically and mentally. But now, Vitale and Weston Hermann have something else in common — good scans.
Marcie Hermann said that since her son’s last surgery two years ago, quarterly scans show the brain tumor has not grown back.
“I’m so blessed that I just did a PET scan and they told me that I’m cancer-free,” Vitale said. “Well, until the next one. The nervousness is beyond. I can’t even describe what it’s like waiting for the results.”
The test results came back about two weeks before the fundraiser at Bad Ass Coffee.
While Vitale didn’t have words for the waiting, he easily described the feeling of receiving a cancer-free result.
“For me, a coach, it’s like winning a national championship,” he said.
Lesley Dwyer
Danny Slavin and Michael Miller, owners of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on University Parkway, donate $5,000 to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Fund Oct. 10.
Janet Combs
Aimee and Jared Hermann attend the 20th Annual Dick Vitale Gala with their son Weston, who is part of Dick's All-Courageous Team.
The request is connected to Florida’s Schools of Hope provisions.
ERIC GARWOOD
DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
charter school operator based in Hialeah Gardens has filed requests with the School District of Manatee County to occupy space on two public school campuses in connection with the Florida’s Schools of Hope provisions.
Mater Academy plans to take space at Lincoln Middle School in Palmetto and a repurposed middle school building in western Bradenton — the Sara Scott Harllee Center on Ninth Street East in Bradenton.
to allow charters to occupy rent-free space in under-capacity schools.
Under such an arrangement, the host school district is required to provide the same kind of support as if the conventional public school was at capacity. Cafeteria, office support, gymnasium, utilities and other costs would remain borne by the school district.
On its website, Mater Academy said it “is an approved authorizer for Schools of Hope. This program is designed to promote and open high-quality schools in Federally Designated Opportunity Zones — or within a 5-mile radius of an Underperforming School — as indicated by the State of Florida.’’
Dozens of requests for space in schools around the state have been received in recent days. In Sarasota, three requests were received last week. Brevard County, on the Atlantic coast and east of Orlando, received 27 requests. Hillsborough County received 28.
“Over my dead body are they going to take that building,” Manatee School Board member Heather Felton said during a school board workshop about the Sara Scott Harllee Center in Bradenton.
Mater Academy proposes to serve nearly 1,700 students within five years on the two Manatee campuses, according to documents provided by the school district from the Mater Academy.
“These businesses are not in it for the children,” Felton said.
Like their counterparts in Sarasota, Manatee officials said because the new provisions are not yet in effect, the applications are invalid because charters are barred from seeking space until 14 days after the in-effect date. The rule changes are set to take effect on Oct. 28.
Provisions of Florida’s Schools of Hope program originally allowed charter school operators certified by the state to co-locate on the campuses of chronically underperforming schools. Adapted last legislative session, the program was expanded
School District of Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin said there’s more to consider on those campuses than simple capacity numbers, such as educational programs and more. She told school board members the requests were not completely unexpected.
“We will continue to do our due diligence to be ready to respond to any letter,” Breslin said. “What I don’t want is for our schools that have been named to lose focus on providing the great instruction they provide every day in the classrooms.”
Photo by Madison Bierl
Board Member Heather Felton says that Mater Academy will get space in the Sara Scott Harllee Center “over my dead body.”
SPORTS
FAST BREAK
Jack Nelson Edouard Chaput throws the ball during warmups before ODA’s Oct. 3 game against Faith Christian. He paces the Thunder’s offense with a team-high 1,038 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Out-of-Door Academy football team (7-1) survived a defensive slugfest Oct. 10 against Seffner Christian (6-2) with a 19-7 victory. The Thunder completed the home portion of their regular-season at 4-0. They limited the No. 3 Crusaders, which had scored 48 or more points in their last three games, to their fewest points all season. Senior running back Allen Clark scored the goahead touchdown on a 45-yard sprint in the third quarter, while sophomore safety Kingston Kokoefer had two interceptions. Junior safety Devin Erdei’s 40-yard pick-six as the clock expired in the fourth quarter sealed the win. ODA visits St. Petersburg Catholic (7-0) on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. for its regular-season finale.
...The Lakewood Ranch High football team fell to 2-5 with a 42-7 loss at Palmetto Oct. 10. After defeating Lemon Bay and Seminole to start the season, the Mustangs have lost five in a row. Lakewood Ranch finishes its four-game road trip Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Gateway (2-6).
...Braden River High’s football team (3-4) suffered its third defeat in its last four outings, 3516, to visiting Pinellas Park (4-4). The Pirates’ offense has scored 29 combined points through those three losses. Next up for the Pirates is a visit to Southeast (5-2) on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. ...FHSAA girls’ volleyball district tournaments are underway, and run from Oct. 13 through 17. All three area teams posted winning records in the regular season, as Lakewood Ranch (Class 6A, District 11) finished 17-8, Out-of-Door Academy (2A8) went 16-8 and Braden River (5A-12) ended at 15-10. Regionals will begin Oct. 21.
...At the University Park Country Club, Robert Klinetop sank a hole-in-one Oct. 11 with a 5-wood on the 170-yard, eighth hole. Maureen Hicks and Risa Benoit posted Ladies Golf Aassociation victories on Oct. 7 and 9, respectively. Hicks shot a five-under-par at the “Just Golf” event in 9-hole play, while Benoit scored a firstplace 25 at the “Individual Low Putts” event.
“There’s never a dull moment. Every practice is always fun, everyone’s just together. It’s a really good community.”
WELCOME TO PARADISE
JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER
Playing days are well behind Mika Elovaara. It has been more than 20 years since he suited up competitively.
Even so, the longtime soccer coach still finds time to put on a pair of cleats and trot up and down the pitch, with the ball practically glued to his feet.
The spirit of a 5-year-old still burns within him, as he is endlessly enamored with that adrenaline rush of sprinting toward the net without a defender in sight.
“There’s no way you can be involved in professional sport unless you actually really love it,” Elovaara said. “My love for the game and my love for playing the game has not subsided at all.”
His newest adventure won’t ask the 50-year-old to make any slide tackles or take any penalty kicks. Instead, he’s been tasked to navigate a historic moment.
The Sarasota Paradise, which is based at Lakewood Ranch’s Premier Sports Campus, named Elovaara its head coach and technical director on Oct. 8 ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the United Soccer League’s League One.
Founded in October 2022 by current CEO Marcus Walfridson, the Paradise formerly competed in the South Florida Division of USL League Two for three seasons. It was an amateur team during that span, drawing from a local pool of collegiate players and aspiring professionals.
The club was promoted to League One — a professional league — this past February, with its first season in that new setting slated to begin in March 2026.
“In Mika, we get someone who’s very intelligent,” Walfridson said.
“He’s very, very good at tactics, he’s very good at methodology, and he’s very good at pedagogics. So we get someone who is more than just a head coach and who wants to and will win games. We also get someone who can help me build the entire club.”
Elovaara was previously the Richmond Kickers’ head assistant coach, as well as the team’s director of player development and methodology, dating back to 2019. His introductory season there coincided with the Kickers’ first in USL League One, and
in 2022, he helped them to the best regular-season record while setting what was then the league’s singleseason goals record.
He also boasts a multi-destination, multi-year stint of coaching at the NCAA Division I level. From 2014 to 2017, Elovaara was the Richmond women’s soccer associate head coach. That followed his time as an assistant for UNC Wilmington women’s soccer spanning from 2008 to 2011.
There was a time, though, when none of those experiences were even imaginable.
Growing up in Oulu, Finland, he was just a boy who fell in love with the game by joining his first team at 5 years old. It was only when he got into his late teens that he considered moving to the United States to live and compete.
Elovaara was a three-time national champion and team captain at Kastelli Sports Academy in Finland. But when his top teammates began focusing on the pro pathway and looking at Division I programs in the United States, he wasn’t as eager to do so.
“Through popular culture, you see American life, but ultimately, the only way as a high school kid is to do an exchange year abroad,” Elovaara said. “And I never wanted to do that because I was in a very high-level academy, and I didn’t want to risk anything for my soccer development.”
That made his eventual commitment to UNC Wilmington a true leap of faith. His 79 games played for the Seahawks — tied for second-most in program history — in four years as a starter from 1995 to 1998, though, wound up rewarding his roll of the dice. He promptly crossed back over the Atlantic Ocean to play professionally in Finland after graduating with a bachelor of arts in English from the North Carolina-based university. But over 150-plus games later, Elovaara decided to end his playing career and
move into the coaching ranks.
The Paradise head coaching job presents a blank slate, and an opportunity unlike any other in his career. He’s fully invested in facilitating a winning club that thrives alongside the people who lift it up.
“The No. 1 definition of success is a true integration in the community — the emotional connection that happens when a club is actually part of the community,” Elovaara said. “If we’re in a game, whatever the score line happens to be, (that) will reveal the emotion.”
He wants to hear the cries of joy on every goal. He wants to see the stands packed for every match. But he also knows neither can happen without the occasional frustrations at team shortcomings or anger toward officials.
The two principles of a well-run professional organization, in his mind, are taking care of players and understanding soccer operations.
Sarasota will develop its athletes for the next levels — USL Championship and Major League Soccer — while maintaining a global perspective.
Before him lies the task of building a roster from scratch. The club has already hired a chief scout for the process, and is prioritizing domestic talent in its search.
Scouring through Florida and the country at large will take time, and that’s to ensure every player buys into what Walfridson and Elovaara are doing together.
“You’ll find quick examples every year of clubs that spend a lot of money and have a lot of really good players on paper, but they don’t win,” Elovaara said. “Why they don’t win is the culture that’s being created.”
The Paradise have their guy. He’s resided comfortably in the coaching ranks for some time and knows this league well.
That 5-year-old version of himself can’t
— ODA football player Kingston Kokoefer SEE PAGE 16
smile.
Photo courtesy of Felipe Rojas/Sarasota Paradise
Mika Elovaara (center) greets two of his players during prematch warmups when he was coaching the Richmond Kickers. The Oulu, Finland native and UNC Wilmington alumnus will guide the Paradise into the USL League One in 2026.
The Sarasota Paradise name Mika Elovaara, the former Richmond Kickers’ assistant, as the new new head coach.
Photo courtesy of Hunter Butler
Sarasota Paradise CEO Marcus Walfridson and USL deputy CEO Justin Papadakis celebrate the team’s move to USL League One at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
Primed for the playoffs
Some coaches prepare for a season weeks beforehand. Others like to have months to get a head start.
Jessica Leupold’s process begins nearly a year in advance.
Every December or January, the Lakewood Ranch girls’ volleyball coach meets with her rising seniors. Five sat down with her last winter to discuss goals, and brought with them a master plan.
“‘Alright coach, this is what we want to do. This is how we want to do it’,” Leupold said. “‘We understand your program, our standards. We want to implement it from the ground up.’”
That plan has worked — and then some. The Mustangs look the part of a serious regional contender.
Lakewood Ranch wrapped the regular season at 17-8 to secure its most wins since 2021. That includes five straight victories entering this week’s Class 6A District 11 tournament.
The Mustangs were 6-0 in a fourteam district that also features Palmetto (13-10 overall, 2-4 district), Parrish Community (8-13, 1-3) and Manatee (11-14, 1-3). Across those victories, Lakewood Ranch seemed almost untouchable, outscoring the opposition by a combined 18-3 in sets played.
Substantial proof has been submitted that this squad is ready for its deepest run at the state level since 2014’s semifinalist finish in the FHSAA 7A state tournament.
“It’s nice to be on a team with a bunch of girls who want to take it to districts, who want to take it to regionals, and who don’t care how much hard work it takes,” said senior outside hitter Ava Collins. “But (we) just want to pull out every win we can.”
We’ve seen this film before, though.
The Mustangs held promise, too, last season. They entered the district tournament as the No. 1
Entering district play, the Lakewood Ranch girls’ volleyball team looks the part of a true contender.
seed after a 14-win regular season, eyeing a district championship and a regional victory or two.
None of that happened. Lakewood Ranch surrendered the district title to Parrish Community and fizzled out in the regional quarterfinals without even winning a set against Charlotte. Indeed, last year’s team had a winning record, but this present team has winning traits. Look no further than Oct. 9’s regular-season finale at Palmetto — a perfect case study.
After losing the first set, 25-14, to a team they swept handily earlier in the season, the Mustangs won the next three without ever allowing the Tigers to touch 18 in a set.
Senior outside hitter/right setter Kora Yanes chalked the first set up to “silly mistakes.” That immediate, set-to-set
adjustment is a universal quality among squads that thrive in the do-or-die nature of the playoffs. Be prepared to adapt, or be prepared to lose.
Lakewood Ranch’s start was uncharacteristic, but the way it finished was entirely in character.
“That’s who we are. We don’t let it get us down. We keep pushing, and every game from here on out, that’s our goal,” Leupold said. “We’re just going to keep pushing. That doesn’t matter if we’re down 24-1 — we’re not giving up.”
Collins and Yanes are at the forefront of every push. The two seniors wrapped their final regular season with 500-plus kills combined, and each with at least 200 have been quite complementary despite largely operating at the same position.
As of Oct. 8, Yanes is up to a team-high and career-best 252 kills
in 2025 with a .237 hitting percentage. Collins has been comparatively more efficient, hitting at a rate of .326 to go with a 40.4% kill percentage, en route to surpassing 600 total kills in her three-year varsity career.
“We always feed off each other, sometimes a little too much, some people say,” Yanes said. “If one of us is down, because we always know how to talk to each other, we always know how to pull each other up.”
Their shared success is enabled by fellow seniors Julia Vendramini and Mariana Alvarez. Vendramini, in particular, is integral to the fabric of who the Mustangs are. She’s been their primary setter for three seasons, and like Collins and Yanes, endured the many trials and tribulations of a 7-16 slog back in 2023 to become the contenders they are now.
Defensive setter Alvarez — with team-highs of 318 digs and 434 receptions — has excelled at holding down the fort to support Vendramini’s 359 assists, all as of Oct. 8.
These are the cogs of a well-oiled, point-piling machine. Leupold knows it.
Leupold said her players this season, more than ever before, have “decided they want it.”
“They decided that they’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win, to get the ball, to get the play,” she said.
To pair with winning traits and a proven core, Lakewood Ranch has the sheer size up front to match up with the height it’s sure to face in the state tournament.
Adalynn Lund, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, leads the block with 50 total as of Oct. 8. Combine her with sophomore Isabella Lorenzo (41) and junior Lylah Hatfield (33), and the team doesn’t even need its tallest player — junior Avarie Tholl at 6-foot-1 — to necessarily be the most productive.
The Mustangs just need to keep on galloping. Their season now depends on not slowing down.
“Doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter what games you’ve won in the past,” Yanes said. “You always have to go out fighting and all guns blazing.”
They had talent and experience in years past, as well as some victories to show for it. But it takes more than that to be special at this time of year.
Not since over a decade ago has this mixture been so potent.
Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.
Jack Nelson
Kora Yanes (center) of Lakewood Ranch girls’ volleyball gets into her stance before a point during an Oct. 9 match at Palmetto. The senior outside hitter/right setter has over 200 kills for the second straight year.
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Kingston Kokoefer
It was a true defensive clinic for Out-of-Door Academy football on Oct. 10 against Seffner Christian, and Kingston Kokoefer played a sizable role in the team’s 19-7 victory. The sophomore wide receiver/running back/free safety pulled down a pair of interceptions for the No. 7 Thunder (7-1) as they knocked off the Crusaders, ranked No. 3 in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. Kokoefer is the East County Athlete of the Week.
When and why did you start playing football?
I started playing flag football when I was young, and in eighth grade, I started playing tackle. So this is my third year playing tackle football. I always loved football, and watched it when I was young — every second — growing up.
You’re listed on both offense and defense for Out-of-Door Academy football, so what is your preferred position and why?
It’s different for me every game, actually. Some games I really like offense and catching the ball and scoring touchdowns. Then some games I really like playing the boom, hitting people, getting interceptions.
I used to only play offense, but now
I’ve started to grow more into a defensive type of guy.
What’s been the highlight of your season so far?
Honestly, just being here with the seniors. It’s one of the biggest things. I love being with the seniors. And (I love) how our team just rallies together, like you saw on Friday with our defense. Everyone
If you would like to make a recommendation for the East County Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to JNelson@YourObserver.com.
was together and came out with a big win.
What’s been the most humbling moment of your career? I’ve definitely had some. Maybe my first year playing tackle coming from seven-on-seven, non-contact, and trying it out. The difference is just that I didn’t know what it was like to get hit until my first game.
What are your goals for your sophomore season with ODA? I want to go super far in the playoffs, maybe get to the state championship. Just keep doing what I’m doing, helping the team. And I want to finish the season off good with the seniors.
What do you love most about playing for this program? I feel like there’s never a dull moment. Every practice is always fun, everyone’s just together.
What’s one quote, if any, you live your life by?
Something I live by every day is not changing who you are for anyone. Just doing what you do every day, and always being who you are.
If you could meet any professional athlete, who would you meet and why?
(Cristiano) Ronaldo. I like soccer, and he’s the best guy.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why? To get away from the Florida weather, I’d probably want to go to Antarctica.
Finish this sentence. Kingston Kokoefer is... Caring.
GOURD-GEOUS FESTIVAL
In case you missed it, the festival continues on Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26.
MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER
Bradenton’s Collier Moore, 3, had a jam-packed day a the 34th annual Pumpkin Festival at Hunsader Farms Oct. 11.
From jumping in the bounce houses to visiting the petting zoo, he was kept busy along with his brother, Dylan, his parents Katie and Kyle Moore, and his grandfather, Michael Moore.
“My favorite part was getting my face painted like Jack Skellington (The Pumpkin King skeleton in “The Nightmare Before Christmas) and riding the camel that went bump ... bump ... bump,” Collier Moore said.
“We love they are finally old enough to enjoy a lot of the things the festival offers while still being young enough to get in for free,” (which is under 5 years old) Katie Moore said.
“That was a nice perk. The weather was perfect. We look forward to going annually.”
Bradenton’s Averie Lavoie celebrated turning 7 at the festival.
Jeff Lavoie, Averie’s father, said the atmosphere was friendly and fun and recommends the festival to anyone looking for a fun day out with the family.
“She thought it was fun to go on her birthday because it was her ‘yes day,’” said Jeff Lavoie, Averie’s father. “If she wanted to do something or buy something, and it was reasonable, we had to say yes.”
Bradenton’s Alicia Amaya attended the festival with her two sons, Raul Amaya, 10, and Xavier Amaya, 6. The boys especially enjoyed the pumpkin cannon. Raul likes the white pumpkins and Xavier likes the large orange ones.
Alicia Amaya said her family has attended every year for the last eight years.
“The festival is such a fun tradition for our family,” Amaya said. “We love the hayride, the beautiful farm scenery, and especially getting to pick our own pumpkins. It feels good to support a local farm while making memories with the kids.”
The festival takes place for three weekends: Oct 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26.
Photos by Madison Bierl
St. Petersburg’s Kelly Jin, 3, dresses as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” for the festivities.
Strangers just moments before, Punta Gorda’s Dalphia Morgan, 6, and Parrish’s Brynley Brown, 2, share a dance at the Pumpkin Festival.
Bradenton's Ray Ramirez, 6, says being pulled by a tractor while sitting in a cow ride was both weird and fun.
Cape Coral’s Koda Randoll, 7, and Heather Martinez couldn’t leave the festival without popcorn to go. North Port’s Alan Aguilar, 2, couldn’t resist petting a goat.
Emmi Sue, 4, runs through the hay maze at the Pumpkin Festival at Hunsader Farms on Oct. 11.
Bradenton’s Collier Moore, 3, came to the festival for the first time and had his face painted.
NEIGHBORS NOTES
Boys and Girls Club benefit raises $100,000
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County has announced that the fifth annual Keeping Kids Safe Golf Invitational at the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Country Club in Lakewood Ranch Sept. 29 raised over $100,000 to support youth development programs for more than 2,500 youths in Manatee County.
More than 100 golfers participated in the event to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, which has impacted the lives of children since 1946. The club strives to offer its members an after school and summer program which provides a safe place to learn and grow.
The club concentrates on three programs — Academic Success, Good Character and Leadership, and Healthy Lifestyles.
The event included live and silent auctions. Among the celebrities who attended were former college and NFL Head Coach Urban Meyer and Major golf champion Paul Azinger.
Stuff the Bus donations solid, but down from 2025
The Food Bank of Manatee's Stuff the Bus event Oct. 5 netted approximately 70,000 pounds of food donations.
“With the growing challenges facing many in our community and the continued rise in the cost of living, we suspect that those who once donated generously are now struggling themselves,” said Maribeth Phillips, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, which operates The Food Bank of Manatee. “At the same time, the need for food assistance remains higher than ever. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave what they could. Every single item donated makes a difference.”
The event brought in about 40% less than a year ago.
The Food Bank of Manatee serves as Manatee County’s only food bank, providing nutrition for children, families, and seniors through a network of food pantries
and partner agencies. Community members can support local hunger relief efforts by making monetary or food donations directly to The Food Bank of Manatee. For more information or to donate, visit MealsOnWheelsPlus.org.
Manatee County celebrates ‘Mixon In Bloom’
Manatee County invites residents to celebrate the purchase of the former Mixon Fruit Farms property to be used for community service. The event will be held 10 a.m. Nov. 7 and is called “Mixon in Boom,” and features a symbolic “Passing of the Key” ceremony to signify the passing from private to public hands. The property is located at 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton. Those who attend can take part in a community planting and beautification project that will run until 1 p.m. County staff members, local organizations and volunteers will help landscape, plant new greenery, and clean up the grounds as part of the site’s transformation.
“This will be a community service and team-building kind of event,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard in a release.
Courtesy photo Former college and NFL head coach Urban Meyer joins Dawn Stanhope, the president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, at the fifth annual Keeping Kids Safe Golf Invitational at the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Country Club Sept. 29.
It’s Time to Give Your MEDICARE COVERAGE
A CHECKUP
This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:
returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)
joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another
joining or changing prescription drug plans
Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”)
Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accept all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.
To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) IN-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.
Aetna
Florida Blue*
Florida Blue HMO*
Florida Complete Care
Freedom Health*
Optimum Healthcare*
UnitedHealthcare
Wellcare
These plans are in-network with SMH and FPG Specialists only Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) OUT-OF-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.
American Health Advantage
Devoted Health
Gold Kidney Health
Healthspring
Humana
Longevity Health Plan
Ultimate Health
If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2025.
Helping Patients Live Life Reflux Free
Patients with chronic GERD or reflux who are also diagnosed with a hiatal hernia may benefit from a new robotic-assisted, minimally invasive procedure* at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Known as cTIF, the two-part treatment helps patients find relief by treating the root cause of reflux in both conditions.
Patient Advantages
Quicker recovery
Fewer post-operative problems, such as swallowing issues, excessive burping, bloating or gas
Shorter hospital stay
Reduced reliance on medication
Restored natural esophageal functioning
Improved quality of life with reduced GERD symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation and chest pain**
If you’re ready to start living free from reflux, ask your doctor if the cTIF procedure is right for you.
The general surgery team at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center offers compassionate and advanced surgical services, including minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic and traditional treatments.
Visit doctors.lakewoodranchmedicalcenter.com to find a doctor.
Faith the cow didn’t mind that she was standing in front of the crowd at Dakin Dairy’s Harvest Festival Sunday.
She had to relieve herself, and she did, both ways.
The children in the crowd laughed at the splattering sound.
“Splashdown! When you have to go, you have to go,” said Dakin Dairy’s Jennifer Griffith, who was in the middle of a milking demonstration.
“And that first part, we use that here for fertilizer.”
For those who didn’t get to the Harvest Festival Saturday or Sunday, the festival continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.
Griffith went ahead to allow the children who wanted to hand-milk Faith.
How was it?
“Pretty easy,” said Englewood 5-year-old Benjamin Wojcik with a big smile.
“It’s important that we give the community a chance to see the animals,” said Grant Dakin, one of the co-owners of Dakin Dairy Farm
in Myakka City. “It’s important they see what we do. And this is something that we would want to do with our family.”
Families had a host of activities, including interactive opportunities with farm animals, a huge playground, large slides, apple and pumpkin launchers, cart rides, pony rides, live music and more.
“This is so great, the playground, the milking,” said Scarlet Linn.
“They put a lot of effort into this. The kids love it.”
— JAY HEATER
Samuel Yelverton, MD, general surgeon, performs the cTIF procedure at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Dakin Dairy’s Jennifer Griffith helps Englewood 5-year-old Benjamin Wojcik milk Faith the cow.
Photos Jay Heater Leah and Courtney Theriault have a ball at the Dakin Harvest Festival Oct. 12 in Myakka.
Scarlet Linn tries out the slide with her 18-month-old son, Rowan.
Lakewood Ranch’s Jenna Ziegler works quickly to move as much water as she can with a hand pump.
Lakewood Ranch's Stephanie Pufall and her 3-year-old daughter Millie get to know a Dakin Dairy cow at the Harvest Festival.
Sarasota's Maddie Silk, 2, rides high.
Myakka's Chase Lehmann, 3, drives his tractor.
COMMUNITY
YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, OCT. 16 THROUGH
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING
Runs from 4-7 p.m. each day at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The live music lineup at Jiggs Landing includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Munro Street Players (Friday), Gator Ridge Ramblers (Saturday), and Kid Red (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday shows are $5 each and the others are free. For information, go to JiggsLanding.com.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
Begins at 6 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive, Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. Enjoy the Asolo Rep on Tour production of “Alice in Wonderland” adapted from Lewis Caroll by Asolo Rep’s Artistic Associates Cat Brindisi and David Darrow. The show invites the crowd to enjoy the fast-paced play that brings the spectators on an adventure of imagination. For more information, go to WatersidePlace. com.
SATURDAY. OCT. 18
MUSIC AT THE PLAZA
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Jesse Daniels performs country, rock and soul. For more information about the free music series, go to WatersidePlace.com.
ROOFTOP YOGA
Begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. Adults (18-and-over) can participate in the Rooftop Yoga program. For information, go to MyLWR.com.
SATURDAY, OCT. 18 AND SUNDAY, OCT. 19
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Hunsader Farms, 5500 C.R. 675, Bradenton. The 34th annual Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday for the rest of October. Enjoy the festival’s live music and shows, crafts, pumpkins, the Tiny Town, Pioneer Trades Village, hayrides, pony rides, scarecrow display and more. For more information, call 322-2168 or go to HunsaderFarms.com.
BEST BET
SATURDAY, OCT. 18 AND SUNDAY, OCT. 19
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Dakin Dairy Farms, 30771 Betts Road, Myakka City. Dakin Dairy Farms Harvest Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday through the end of October. The event includes food trucks, vendors, live music, a kid’s zone, pumpkins, a corn maze, and more. Admission is $20 per person with children 5 and under free. The event has free parking. For more information, go to DakinDairyFarms.com.
MUSIC AT THE LODGE Runs 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Linger Lodge, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton. Linger Lodge’s live music schedule includes Schmitz Brothers on Saturday and Rich McGuire on Sunday.
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
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 just voted as the top farmers market in the nation, will run year-round every Sunday. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy products, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles among other items. . For information, visit MyLWR.com.
YOGA IN THE PARK Runs 8-9 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota. Start the morning off with gentle yoga with lake views. For information, go to MyLWR.com.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
RANCH NITE WEDNESDAYS
Runs from 6-9 p.m. at 1560 Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place. Join the crowd at Waterside Place enjoying the food trucks and live music or playing in the cornhole league during Ranch Nite Wednesdays. Weekly programming is offered each week in Gateway Park. The third Wednesday of each month features Sunset Drop-In Pilates with Bodybar. No outside food or beverage is allowed. For more information, MyLWR.com.
Dr. Amir Boubekri brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Lakewood Ranch I office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Orthopedic Medicine.
Undergraduate: University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Medical School: University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL
Fellowship: Shoulder and Elbow Fellowship, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Certification: Board Eligible, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Sarasota Doctors Hospital; Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
Riverdale home tops sales at $2 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Ahome in Riverdale Revised on Regatta Way topped the week’s sales.Cass and Jason Adelman, of West Palm Beach, sold their home at 556 Regatta Way to John Germinario Jr. and Jenna Sulovski, of Bradenton, for $2 million. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,915 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,768,000 in 2021.
COUNTRY CLUB
Jeffrey Hawkins and Magdalena Reyes sold their home at 7210 Desert Ridge Glen to Verne Scott Pignolet, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.9 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,487 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.03 million in 2024.
David Carroll Flanigan, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 12806 Forsgate Place to Michael and Aimee Griffith, of Fayetteville, Georgia, for $1,649,000. Built in 2004, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,756 square feet of living area. It sold for $373,900 in 2004.
LAKEHOUSE COVE AT WATERSIDE
Patrick Porter and Lawrence Thomas Zerone, of Naples, sold their home at 8261 Grande Shores Drive to Donald King Jr. and Dori Lynn King, of Sarasota, for $1.34 million. Built in 2019, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,872 square feet of living area. It sold for $894,400 in 2019.
ESPLANADE
Janet Jones, trustee, of Harrisburg, Illinois, sold the home at 4803 Cabreo Court to Elizabeth and Adam Moser, of Bradenton, for $1,333,000. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,222 square feet of living area. It sold for $656,800 in 2017.
Timothy and Jennifer Hamilton, of Opelika, Alabama, sold their home at 4620 Benito Court to Robert Martin Emanuele and Monica Emanuele, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,285,000. Built in 2019, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,071 square feet of living area. It sold for $683,000 in 2019.
Michael and Chi-Long Feeney, of Chester, Virginia, sold their home at 13214 Treviso Drive to Pal and Donna Latraverse of Bradenton, for $1,195,000. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,036 square feet of living area. It sold for $606,300 in 2016.
RIVERDALE REVISED
Nhu Mai Thi Do and Duc Huu Truong, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 4007 Fourth Ave. N.E. to Bella Management of Florida LLC for $1.21 million. Built in 1996, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,530 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,175,000 in 2022.
Zachary Robert Plesac and Nicole Plesac, of Shelby Township, Michigan, sold their home at 4615 Shark Drive to John and Joan Geiling, of Bradenton, for $1.17 million. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,436 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2022.
MONTEREY
Toll Southeast LP Co. Inc. sold the home at 2537 Waterfront Circle to Ryann Capitanini and Michael Knops, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1.11 million. Built in 2024, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,477 square feet of living area.
EMERALD LANDING AT WATERSIDE
Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 1583 Running Tide Place to Steven James Serra and Nataliia Serra, of Sarasota, for $1.1 million. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms,
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS SEPT. 29-OCT. 3
three-and-a-half baths and 3,228 square feet of living area.
Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 1614 Running Tide Place to David Anthony Vargas and Daysi Nicole Gomez, of Sarasota, for $780,000. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,314 square feet.
Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 7404 Newham Lane to Stephen Capobianco Jr. and Amy Lynn Caponbianco, of Sarasota, for $695,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,365 square feet of living area.
Weekley Homes LLC sold the home at 7320 Donnybrook Lane to Matthew Richard Cobuzio and Jessica Lee Cobuzio, of Sarasota, for $650,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,027 square feet of living area.
POMELLO CITY CENTRAL
Tyrone and Juana Hill, of Bradenton, sold their home at 22403 75th Ave. E. to Saverio and Josephine Ligato, of W. Hartford, Connecticut, for $1,035,000. Built in 2003, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,066 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2020.
CRESSWIND
Christopher and Laura Kelly, of Nokomis, sold their home at 4915 Kiva Circle to Mitchell Rappel and Susan Glass, trustees, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,005,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,770 square feet of living area. It sold for $993,000 in 2023.
COUNTRY CLUB EAST
Preservation Trust Services LLC sold the home at 7542 Windy Hill Cove to Joseph and Tracy Welter, of Orchard Park, New York, for $915,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,972 square feet of living area. It sold for $710,000 in 2020.
Wayne and Shirley Candy, of Ontario, Canada, sold their home at 7204 Annanhill Lane to Jeffrey and Karan Rowan, of Bedford, Virginia, for $679,000. Built in 2011, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,202 square feet of living area.
RIVER CLUB NORTH
Andrew and Michelle Sanderbeck, of Wadsworth, Ohio, sold their home at 6702 Pinehurst Place to Daniel Peter Haedtke and Christa Dawn Haedtke, of Bradenton, for $899,900. Built in 1992, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,754 square feet of living area. It sold for $665,000 in 2021.
MOTE RANCH
Aaron and Theodore Howell, of Sarasota, sold their home at 6206 Stillwater Court to David Joel, of University Park, for $842,000. Built in 1999, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,735 square feet of living area. It sold for $576,000 in 2021.
LINKS AT PALM AIRE
Richard and Madonna Schaeffer, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 7324 Links Court to James Robert Lovins and Jessica Dunavent Lovins, of Sarasota, for $800,000. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,564 square feet of living area. It sold for $495,000 in 2019.
COACH HOMES AT LAKEWOOD NATIONAL
Geoffrey and Katherine Tatman sold their Unit 3422 condominium at 17703 Gawthrop Drive to Lori Petersen, trustee, of Bradenton, for $790,000. Built in 2020, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,108
square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2023.
Carol Ann West and Judd Steven Sloane, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 6312 condominium at 6055 Worsham Lane to James and Sharon Chirumbole, of S. Lyon, Michigan, for $495,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,786 square feet of living area. It sold for $395,000 in 2021.
RYE WILDERNESS ESTATES John Grossenbacher, trustee, of The Villages, sold the home at 111 172nd St. E. to Morgan and Travis Newell,
Courtesy photo
This Country Club home at 7210 Desert Ridge Glen sold for $1.9 million. Built in 2005, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,487 square feet of living area.
VOTED SARASOTA’S TOP IMPLANT & AESTHETIC DENTISTS
of Bradenton, for $775,000. Built in 2011, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,101 square feet of living area. It sold for $374,500 in 2011.
COUNTRY MEADOWS
Claudette Jennings and Hamlet Jennings Jr., trustees, of Greenville, Wisconsin, sold the home at 14714 Fifth Terrace N.E. to Benjamin and Laura Jesmer, of Bradenton, for $760,000. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,194 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2014.
TIDEWATER PRESERVE
Steven Railton, of Bradenton, sold his home at 5020 Lake Overlook Ave. to Paul Kelley, of Sarasota, for $760,000. Built in 2014, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,333 square feet of living area. It sold for $423,800 in 2014.
INDIGO
Michael Dennis Currier and Andrea Dawn Currier, of Bradenton, sold their home at 13212 Deep Blue Place to Arlie Riley Miller and Jessica Miller, of Bradenton, for $730,000. Built in 2020, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,758 square feet of living area. It sold for $492,500 in 2020.
MALLORY PARK
Frederick Moran and Marisela Roman-Moran, of Towaco, New Jersey, sold their home at 12139 Cranston Way to David and Alejandra Cline, of Bradenton, for $715,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,483 square feet of living area. It sold for $589,500 in 2021.
PALM GROVE
POLO RUN
Paul and Judith Maquine, of Bradenton, sold their home at 17519 Polo Trail to Kim and Chi Trinh, of Bradenton, for $665,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,616 square feet of living area. It sold for $534,100 in 2021.
GREYHAWK LANDING
William Anthony Vasquez Jr. and Michelle Vasquez, of Bradenton, sold their home at 1438 Brambling Court to Robert Arakel Jr. and Donna Marie Arakel, of Bradenton, for $659,000. Built in 2002, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,270 square feet of living area. It sold for $667,500 in 2023.
DESOTO LAKES COUNTRY
CLUB COLONY
Craig Berkowitz, trustee, of Boynton Beach, sold the home at 5111 Canterbury Drive to J&S; Oasis Rental LLC for $650,000. Built in 1983, it has three bedrooms, twoand-a-half baths, a pool and 2,621 square feet of living area. It sold for $304,000 in 2013.
CROSSING CREEK
Michael Jazzar and Mary Therese Jazzar, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 6807 46th Terrace E. to Caleb and Anna Schmidt, of Bradenton, for $590,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,984 square feet of living area. It sold for $325,000 in 2007.
Alexis and Alexander Lochead, of Austin, Texas, sold their home at 4429 67th St. E. to Shiloh Jesse Reeves and Kaitlyn Kramer Reeves, of Bradenton, for $535,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,331 square feet of living area. It sold for $380,000 in 2018.
Ranchland Investors LLC sold the home at 17642 Meandering Palms Crossing to Gerald Joseph Cercone and Teresa Ellen Cercone, of Bradenton, for $709,500. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 2,425 square feet of living area.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
MIXED DRINKS by Kareem Ayas, edited by Taylor Johnson
