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NOVEMBER 2022 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA, LLC VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Harry Moser, LMA secretary
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THE PHOTO SHOP
It’s returning in December
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DAY TRIPPING
A visit to the Gamble Plantation
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SHOPPING CENTER KEEPS EVOLVING
Hurricane Ian packs a punch at The Landings Considering early warnings predicted The Landings would take a direct hit by Hurricane Ian, we were more fortunate than our neighbors to the south. Maybe the old Indian legend saved us yet again from a direct hit. Still, The Landings had substantial tree damage throughout the community. To our knowledge, there was very little structural damage. As winds abated on Thursday, we got our first look at what had happened to our beautiful community. Trees were down everywhere including across our streets. Our usual tree company, Troyer Trees, was contacted but were not able to respond that day but would probably be available the next day. As luck would have it, a tree service from St Petersburg took a wrong turn following their GPS right into the north gate. LMA Vice President Jeff Smith and Security Chair Mike Knupp were called to the North Gate to see what the tree company was doing in The Landings with seven or eight fully equipped trucks and equipment. After questioning the company manager and checking their licenses and making sure they had the proper insurance, we took the manger and his foreman (turns out the foreman and his father own the company) on a tour of The Landings to determine if they could give us an estimate to clean up the community. Considering the uncertainty about response time and the need for road clearance especially with regard to possible emergency vehicles, we received an estimate from Proper Cut. After consultation with LMA President Elida Ramberger and LMA Board member and Landscape Chair Paul Weiner, we accepted the estimate and Proper Care Tree Care began the cleanup on Thursday afternoon. The agreement with Proper Care required them to clear trees and debris from every street and the ten foot right of way on both sides of the street. In accordance with FEMA procedures, the contractor is required to stack the debris in piles along the roadway in anticipation of FEMA contractors hauling it away. Proper Care completed most of the work on Monday clearing the streets and stacking the debris. In addition, they cleared the nature trail at no additional cost to the LMA.
More hurricane-related photos on pages 10 and 11. Next came the task of removal which turns out to be far more difficult than we could have imagined. Because of massive destruction in south Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, FEMA resources are currently overwhelmed, and we anticipate many weeks will pass before we would see FEMA contractors in our area. In addition, Sarasota County is responsible to identify FEMA approved disposal sites for Sarasota County debris. They identified sites in north Sarasota off MLK Way (6 miles), at the end of Bee Ridge (10 miles) and the County solid waste site off Laurel Road in Nokomis (20 miles). Sarasota County began to provide updates on debris removal, assigning zones of cleanup with estimated dates for cleanup. Unfortunately, because The Landings streets are private, even at press time, the County has not designated any estimated pickup dates for The Landings. Faced with this uncertainty, it was decided we should seek other options for transportation of debris. Proper Care was approached to see if they had the equipment resources to take on the task. They gave us a day-rate price to load and carry the debris to the nearest
landfill 6 miles away. Upon arrival at the site, Proper Care was informed the site was only open to residents in private vehicles and to FEMA approved contractors with Sarasota addresses on their driver’s licenses. Proper Care was turned away and instructed to go to the County facility 20 miles south in Nokomis and wait in line to dump the waste and pay the fees. After several calls to the County, we were informed they had to follow FEMA rules and we had no other choice than to send the waste to Nokomis. As of press time, Proper Care has removed appropriately 50% of the debris. The estimated cost for the clean-up will probably exceed $130,000. Part of the cost will be offset by a substantial contribution from the Landings Homeowners Association. We will also explore reimbursement from FEMA and if applicable, our insurance coverage. We thank all our residents for their patience in completing this work. We also want to acknowledge the work of Proper Care Tree Care staff, especially owner Yeiner Lopez and project manager Ken Spenser.
USTA Senior, Super Senior, Ultra Father/Son Clay Court Championships Return Sign up to Become a Tournament Ambassador New stores, remodeled Publix await
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TEEN SCENE
Bailey Reynolds, 19
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We are treated to a week of great tennis with nationally ranked players from all over the country. The role of our tournament ambassadors is to welcome their team upon arrival, answer any questions, and whenever possible, follow their team’s matches. The games begin on Tuesday, Nov. 15th with the Ultra Seniors (father in his 80s). The Super Seniors (70s) start playing on Wednesday, Nov. 16th; and Seniors (60s), start playing on Thursday November 17th. Choose a day you can make your team feel welcome. It has been our great courts, nostalgia with the players, and Landings Ambassadors that keep the players returning year after year for the past 30 years. We will continue giving out t-shirts and enjoy the same great tennis performances up close and personal throughout the week. This year, we are happy to announce the tournament players’ luncheon will be again
hosted by the “Kitchen Ladies’ Ambassadors and friends on Thursday, November 17th. Volunteers contribute one potluck dish enough to serve 10 people for the luncheon. We will also need servers who can set-up or breakdown for the day (along with our Committee Members: Margo Cesar, Valentina Bruno and Gayle Marval). The luncheons run from 11:00am - 1:30pm and is served in the Lakeside Clubhouse. We kindly ask you to bring your dish in at 10:00am since setup will begin around that time. We also ask hosts to help for an hour or so on Thursday or Friday to set out any
leftovers. Please sign up at the Pro Shop and confirm what potluck dish you will bring (suggestions: hot dish, salads, deli meats, cheeses, breads, pizza, fruits, desserts or just use your imagination). Also, confirm the time you can serve at the luncheon or just be a helper. Remember to label your dish for return. If you want to volunteer as an ambassador, please contact: Ralph or Dee Ricapito, at 941927-6261(home) or 941-356-7912(cell), or sign in the folder in the Racquet Club. Again, thank you, for your efforts in giving the “tournament” that special Landings touch. Any questions, please give Ralph and Dee a call.