East County Observer 11.27.25

EAST COUNTY

Shabbat salutes veterans

University Park’s Dr. Ike Koziol (pictured above) was one of several East County veterans thanked by Temple Emanu-El members Nov. 14 during its annual Veterans Shabbat.

The event included a blessing, photography exhibit and an Armed Forces musical medley created by Lakewood Ranch’s Scott Sable, Temple EmanuEl’s music director.

The keynote speech was given by Rabbi Mark Golub, an East County resident and veteran, who spoke about the phrase, “The Lamp Still Shines,” which highlights resilience and hope.

Wonder with Worms

For Braden River Elementary School first graders Nathan Shomo and Reagan StobbsBultema (pictured above), Nov. 20 was no ordinary day. It was the Innovation Expo, where each grade level had a guiding question and area of study. First graders were “Waste Wizards” who studied and shared information on the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. Among the highlights of their studies: real-world facts of earthworms.

“When they go poop, it actually helps the Earth,” StobbsBultema offered up. “It helps plants and trees.”

Both described the worms as spiky, furry and sticky.

“To spread awareness, students designed posters promoting recycling and keeping our Earth clean, proudly sharing their learning with others,” said Tammy Peters, their teacher.

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Kuro Sushi cuts the tuna on Main Street location

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the grand opening included a tuna-cutting ceremony.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

When dining at Kuro Sushi on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch, expect to be treated like family.

“We don’t cook to show off,” owner Daniel Dokko said. “We cook like we’re cooking for our loved ones.” In that same spirit, the grand opening on Nov. 20 felt like a family reunion.

Dokko owns Kuro with his wife, Clarice, alongside Anderyas and Mona Putranto. The couples also own two Jpan Sushi & Grills in Sarasota and Kore Steakhouse in Waterside at Lakewood Ranch.

Lakewood Ranch’s Jaime Marco dines at Jpan at University Town Center at least three times a month.

She waved to the crowd around her on Main Street and said, “(The owners) know everyone here. They care about who you are.”

Marco noted that the passion for food and love for their customers is tasted in every bite. She described the tuna as melting in your mouth like butter.

Part of the grand opening celebration was a tuna-cutting ceremony, during which chefs broke down a 180-pound blue fin tuna into fillets. Afterward, guests were served samples.

Chef Anderyas Putranto said Kuro will only serve blue fin because it’s the highest grade of tuna. The fish come from Spain and Mexico.

Artist Joseph Koukl of Inkfish used the tuna’s tail in an art demonstration. He covered the tail with ink and placed rice paper over it to make prints.

Live music was provided by Tampa Taiko, a Japanese drum band. Traditionally, Japanese drums were used to ward off evil spirits.

“We try to bring culture (to our events),” Clarice Dokko said. IF YOU GO Kuro Sushi, 8126 Lakewood Main St., Unit

roSushi.bar. Hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 4:30-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4:30-9:30 Fridays and Saturdays.

Curfew puts Manatee kids on the clock

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

If they’re younger than 16 and unaccompanied, minors in unincorporated Manatee County are now subject to a curfew.

Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the measure last week, with commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn voting against the idea.

If in public during school hours, past 11 p.m. on school nights or midnight on weekends and legal holidays, the curfew authorizes the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to take anyone under 16 into custody on a noncriminal offense.

However, Sheriff Rick Wells said that is not the aim of the ordinance.

“We’re not trying to penalize kids,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure that they’re safe.”

The sheriff noted children are vulnerable to crime, especially at night.

Warnings will be issued first. From there, issuing a citation is left up to the deputy’s discretion.

If cited, the civil infraction will bring a $50 fine. If the child’s parents “knowingly permitted” the minor to break the curfew, they will also incur a fine of $50 per violation.

Lakewood Ranch mother of four Kaity Smyth said the measure “screams authoritarianism and antiparental rights.”

“Weren’t you elected on the premise of limiting government overreach and being fiscally conservative and backing parental rights?” she asked commissioners.

Her wife, Tsi Smyth, told a story of when she was a teenager growing up in Lakewood Ranch. A friend died in a car crash, so she walked to Greenbrook Adventure Park “to look at the stars and digest.” An officer asked what she was doing, then left her alone to process her grief.

The Smyths say they fear their children will now be harassed for merely “existing” and that some of their children’s friends will be harassed because of their skin color.

“Even in Lakewood Ranch, there’s a profiling issue,” Tsi Smyth said. “Because there might not be as many people of color, they’re much more targeted. It’s going to be unsafe, and these are our kids’ friends. These are our neighbors.”

SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM

Commissioner Tal Siddique had similar concerns for his district, which includes neighborhoods in Palmetto and West Bradenton where there is a high concentration of Black and Latino communities.

“The relationship with law enforcement here is better than, perhaps, most (places),” he said, “But those families and kids do worry about being singled out.”

The curfew’s flip side of preventing teens from falling victim to crimes is preventing teens from committing

Restriction for anyone under 16 aimed at safety, cutting crime, sheriff says.

crimes, such as vandalism, property damage and theft.

Tracey Washington, president of the Manatee County NAACP, is not opposed to the curfew but she noted a lack of discussions prior to the vote and told commissioners she’ll be watching for any problems.

“What happens when they socalled resist,” she asked. “That’s the excuse we’re going to hear when something happens to one of them — they resisted.”

One of the main differences between a criminal and civil infraction revolves around the kind of questioning a deputy can conduct.

Custodial interviews are conducted at a police station or when a suspect is handcuffed. They’re inter-

“We all want our kids to be safe. But there are parental rights in this state. It should be up to me and their mom to make that choice (of when they’re allowed to go out), not the government.”

Tsi Smyth

MANATEE COUNTY CURFEW

The ordinance Manatee County passed to enforce a curfew follows Florida Statute 877.22. However, without passing the ordinance, law enforcement didn’t have the authority to enforce the statute, which states the following:

■ A minor may not be or remain in a public place or establishment between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday or between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.

■ A minor who has been suspended or expelled from school may not be or remain in a public place, in an establishment or within 1,000 feet of a school during the hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during any school day.

■ A minor who violates this section shall receive a written warning for her or his first violation. A minor who violates this section after having received a prior written warning is guilty of a civil infraction and shall pay a fine of $50 for each violation.

■ If a minor violates a curfew and is taken into custody, the minor shall be transported immediately to a police station or to a facility operated by a religious, charitable, or civic organization that conducts a curfew program in cooperation with a local law enforcement agency. After recording pertinent information about the minor, the law enforcement agency shall attempt to contact the parent of the minor and, if successful, shall request the parent take custody of the minor and shall release the minor to the parent. If the law enforcement agency is not able to contact the minor’s parent within two hours after the minor is taken into custody, or if the parent refuses to take custody of the minor, the law enforcement agency may transport the minor to her or his residence or proceed as authorized under part IV of chapter 39.

“We all want our kids to be safe,” said Tsi Smyth. “But there are parental rights in this state. It should be up to me and their mom to make that choice (of when they’re allowed to go out), not the government.”

The curfew went into effect for unincorporated Manatee County immediately upon approval of the ordinance. The city of Bradenton already had a curfew; the other municipalities, such as Anna Maria Island, would have to enact their own ordinance.

rogations where the suspect could incriminate themselves, so they have to be read their Miranda rights.

A noncustodial interview is a voluntary conversation.

“Because this is not an enforceable law, the best we can do to combat it is to not go along with it.” Tsi Smyth said. “I’m going to tell (my kids and their friends) to tell the police that they don’t want to talk to them and walk away.”

The ordinance only gives law enforcement the right to stop a child that is suspected to be under the age of 16 years old and ask who they are and what they’re doing. Wells confirmed that children have the right to decline speaking with police if stopped.

Kruse expanded on Washington’s sentiments with examples of kids not wanting to turn over their identifications or the police pulling over a 16-year-old who is found to be doing something wrong but was stopped over a curfew that didn’t apply to them.

He called the measure “a solution looking for a problem” and “a slippery slope that’s going to have more unintended consequences than positive benefits.”

POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT

Commissioner Jason Bearden said Kruse’s comments were “the definition of anarchy.”

“Why can’t kids go out and smoke cigarettes until they’re 18?” Bearden asked rhetorically. “Maybe because it’s unhealthy and it’s unsafe for a child to smoke cigarettes or do tobacco.”

Bearden shared his own history of chewing tobacco underage and said the law made it more difficult to access tobacco.

He also grew up under a curfew and said it deterred him from staying out too late because he didn’t want to get in trouble with his parents or get suspended from sports.

He said the action was for the safety and welfare of children, who simply do not have the same rights as adults.

Chief of Police Josh Kramer said the city of Bradenton doesn’t enforce the curfew “rigorously,” but called it a tool in their toolbox. He also noted it was difficult to be the only area in the county with a curfew. He hopes other municipalities will follow suit.

“It’s a public-safety issue,” Commissioner Bob McCann said. “It has nothing to do with overriding parental rights. It actually gives the parents the stronger right to tell your kids they need to be home.”

There are several exceptions to the curfew, including traveling to and from sports, employment, school events and theme parks. Children can also be accompanied by their parents or adults who have their parents’ permission.

Deputy John Murrell shared stories from his 40-year law enforcement career in Manatee County to demonstrate the positives that could come from a curfew.

A couple of kids getting into a car crash after leading deputies on a chase at 4 a.m. is an experience that stays with him. The driver’s brother was killed, and Murrell was assigned to escort him to the funeral.

“He was very emotional, and this young man was not a bad kid — not bad at all,” he said. “He made a bad choice that night with his brother and some friends.”

Murrell wonders if a curfew had been in place, if law enforcement could have talked with those kids and returned them home before tragedy struck.

He also shared a more recent interaction he had with a couple of elementary school students. An 8-year-old named Hudson wasn’t scared of the police, but his 5-yearold sister was until she met Murrell.

Both siblings drew pictures for Murrell that thanked him for keeping them safe.

“When we talk about this curfew, the engagement that officers will have, sometimes it’s not negative,” Murrell said.

“It could be a very positive contact.”

NEWS BRIEFS

Airline adds 35th SRQ destination

Allegiant Air has added another destination to and from SarasotaBradenton International Airport, beginning last week with twiceweekly service to Toledo, Ohio.

“This route offers travelers from northwest Ohio an easy way to enjoy Florida’s Gulf Coast while providing our local passengers another convenient option to visit friends and family in the Toledo area,” said SRQ President and CEO Paul Hoback Jr.

The new route brings the total destinations served by Allegiant to 35 and is the 69th among all airlines from SRQ.

Lakewood Ranch hospital has ‘A’ rating

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center received an A rating for fall 2025 from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit that regularly reports on quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of healthcare.

It’s the third rating cycle in a row the 120-bed hospital received Leapfrog’s top rating and the first since the arrival of CEO Robbert Anderson in April. Leapfrog conducts rating assessments twice a year, in the spring and the fall.

“Earning an ‘A’ safety grade from The Leapfrog Group reflects our entire team’s dedication to providing safe, high-quality care to every patient, every day,” Anderson said in prepared statement.

“This achievement highlights the commitment of our physicians, nurses and staff to maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and continuously improving the care we deliver to our community.”

The hospital is in the midst of building a 60-bed expansion, expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2026.

Dr. Kamalesh Karthikeyan is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Karthikeyan earned his medical degree from the University of Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Antilles. He completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Missouri. He also completed an interventional cardiology advanced fellowship at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

He specializes in the following:

• Percutaneous coronary intervention

• Diagnostic vascular intervention

• Peripheral vascular intervention

• Noninvasive cardiac imaging

o Echocardiography

o Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

o Cardiac computed tomography (CT)

o Nuclear scan

o Stress test

• Noninvasive peripheral imaging

o Pulse volume recordings (PVR)

o Doppler imaging

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

• Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion device placement

Manatee names service center for veterans

Manatee County’s $30 million veterans center near Palmetto now has a name — Valor Commons.

The county donated 24 acres and set aside $4 million to kick off the project earlier this year, with state, federal and private funding making up the remainder. The campus is being designed as a landmark dedicated to veterans.

Plans include:

■ Veterans Resource Center — offering benefit services, peer and caregiver support, and a business incubator to assist veteran entrepreneurs.

■ Memorial and Reflection Areas — featuring community-driven memorials, service installations, and serene walking trails.

■ Public Event Spaces — providing a venue for ceremonies, gatherings, and civic or corporate events that honor those who served.

One Lakewood Ranch area veterans organization has criticized the location as too far from the base of many people who would use its services and features, its cost and the time it will take to build from scratch when services are required immediately.

IMG aquatic center gets started for 2027

IMG Academy in Bradenton is expanding its footprint with the launch of a swimming program and construction of a new aquatic center.

The sports training school says in a statement that the project is one of the largest capital investments in its history.

IMG is not disclosing the cost of the project.

The 9,345-square-foot facility will feature a 10-lane, 54-by-25-meter pool, which is larger than Olympic size, and is designed to support training, major competitions and year-round development.

IMG says the center will host meets, camps and community events. Construction will begin Dec. 1 and that the center is expected to open March 2027.

Work began in January closer to Lakewood Ranch on Premier Sports Campus North’s 44,000-squarefoot Athletics and Aquatics Center. It’s scheduled for completion in summer or fall 2026.

Progress at Premier

236-acre sports campus moves along, with aquatic center coming in mid-2026.

LESLEY

DWYER STAFF WRITER

Swim teams have been waiting years for a 50-meter pool in East County, and they’re now one step closer.

A competition-size pool is in the ground at Premier Sports Campus North. The pool’s panels were installed last week, and the inner liner is due to be installed next.

The Athletics and Aquatics Center broke ground in January and is on schedule for a Sept. 2, 2026, opening.

The therapy pool is prepped for installation, and the bathrooms, offices and support buildings are taking shape.

Broader plans for the Premier Sports Campus North are also moving along, albeit not as concretely.

Commissioners approved the site’s general development plan and the tourist development tax plan during two separate meetings in November. Those actions open up

ATHLETICS AND AQUATICS CENTER

several possibilities for the campus, except a hotel.

County staff had included a hotel with up to 300 rooms for the site, but commissioners removed it from the plan.

Commission Chair George Kruse said he’s tried to persuade hotels to build within walking distance of Premier, but none wants to build that far off the interstate when they can only fill a hotel for events three nights a week. Premier is about 4.7 miles east of the I-75 interchange with State Road 70.

He noted that more amenities opening at Premier, and The Con-

cession Golf Club attracting more tournaments could change things for the private sector.

As far as the public sector, he posed a question: What if the county opened a hotel on the newly purchased Mixon property?

“We’d get killed,” he said. “Why is Premier different? Our job is to build a park.”

Outside of a hotel, what remains within the development plan is the possibility to build public facilities, such as sheriff and fire-rescue stations, softball and baseball fields with concession stands, playgrounds, shade pavilions, a dog park and fuel island.

The fuel island is the only item mentioned that has a corresponding project sheet within the county’s capital improvement plan. The purpose of the $2.9 million project is to fuel the permanent generator on-site to keep Premier functional during a hurricane.

“Even in my five years, there’s been so many versions of what could go into Premier,” Kruse said. “It’s just a matter of what does.”

He rattled off a few of the mentions — a cloverleaf of baseball fields, a BMX track, an ice rink and a gymnasium that could double as community event space.

The BMX track was nixed, for a pump track is being installed at Hidden Harbor Park on the north side of the Fort Hamer Bridge.

Until a project is included in the capital improvement plan with a funding source, it’s only conceptual.

DEVELOPMENT TAX

TOURIST

The tourist development tax plan lays out ways in which revenue from hotel-bed taxes can be spent and two of its line items set aside money for Premier: $30 million for a special event auditorium and $10 million for sports stadiums, venues and parking.

The latter is $10 million per fiscal year and includes construction and maintenance at Premier and other publicly owned and operated sports facilities.

In November 2024, Manatee County voters approved increasing the tax by one percentage point. The now-6% tax is charged to operators of rentals of six months or less.

Elliott Falcione, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the tax enhances the quality of life in Manatee County with no cost to its residents.

By the end of the year, Premier Sports Campus South will have generated about $50 million in economic

stimulus from tournaments.

“Those new dollars into that corridor help small businesses be sustainable in good times and in bad,” Falcione said. “So indoor sports venues will just enhance and diversify that business.”

Falcione and Kruse agreed that whatever venue comes in, it will be a public-private partnership.

An auditorium and stadiums being included in the tourism development plan doesn’t mean they will be built, or even that the county will pay for them, but it allows Falcione to start courting partners.

Another 126 acres of the property were rezoned from Agriculture to Planned Development-Public Interest when the GDP was approved, so just over 236 acres are dedicated to Premier Sports Campus North.

One access will come from Uihlein Road, four from Rangeland Parkway, two from Post Boulevard, and pending approval from the Florida Department of Transportation, one from State Road 70.

And never say never to a hotel.

“I believe there will be more hotel development east of the interstate as Premier Sports Campus gets built up,” Falcione said.

Golf course works its way back to even par

Upgrades to Tara’s Preserve Golf Club go beyond improvements to fairways and greens.

LESLEY DWYER

STAFF WRITER

Liz Gabrick has lived and played golf in the Tara community for six years.

Between the two par-72 golf courses, The Preserve resident said she believes the layout of the course at The Preserve Golf Club is more challenging than the course at the Tara Golf & Country Club, but the latter is in far better shape. There’s a good reason for that: The

Tara Golf & Country Club is a private course with membership dues flowing in each month. The Preserve Golf Club is a public course that’s been family owned since 2020.

However, owner and operator

Krishna Persaud has taken some major steps over the past year to upgrade the facilities, which he showed off recently in an informal reopening.

The golf cart fleet was replaced in March.

Napar Restaurant opened in

the clubhouse in May. More than $500,000 has been put into course renovations since June.

And AsFit, a fitness studio, opened in the clubhouse in September.

“This is the first time the greens have been completely redone since the course was first built (in 2000),” Persaud said. “The Preserve is a community that takes pride in its presentation, so I want residents to know that I have the same pride, and I’m trying to get the golf course up to that level.”

The greens were completely ripped up and sprigged (planting shredded pieces of grass with roots and stems), which Persaud said results in a better product than sod. Sprigs of grass are planted and then heavily watered and fertilized to spread across the entire area.

The bridges on the cart paths were falling apart, so the wooden planks were replaced with steel plates, and overgrown vegetation was cut down to improve visibility on the course.

Gabrick played at The Preserve Nov. 4 with her ladies league in its season opener. She noted “significant maintenance improvements”

that made the play much more enjoyable than last year.

Gabrick only plays country club courses over the summer when they open up to leagues and the prices drop. She loves the affordability of the Preserve, but the poor condition of the course was starting to outweigh the rates.

“My game doesn’t warrant me to spend $120 a round,” she said. “This is the biggest step (Persaud) has taken to improve the course in the past five years.”

Currently, rates range from $23.36 for a tee time after 3 p.m. to $54.99 for a tee time before noon.

Persaud said the improvements will force the price to rise, but he’s holding back on pricing adjustments until he sees the final results of the sprigging.

Persaud estimated that a morning round could cost anywhere between $60 and $80 once the greens are fully established.

“We try to keep the price balanced to where the condition of the course is,” Persaud said. “Golf has become a sport where people think it only caters to the wealthy. We have to make it affordable to attract younger people, as well.”

The new restaurant, Napar, is attracting more people to the clubhouse.

While the cuisine is Thai, a golf-

er’s menu is offered up until 4 p.m., and includes basic menu items like a cheeseburger and fries.

Gabrick already has become a regular.

“It’s the real deal,” she said. “The service is impeccable, and the food is good.”

The restaurant is independently operated by Chef Tony Supharat, and like the golf course, is open to the public. Supharat also owns Star Thai and Sushi on Siesta Key.

The menu offers sushi, sashimi, soups and salads. And if golfers want to forgo the burger or grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, they can order a bento box of Thai goodies to go.

Another new addition to the club is AsFit, a fitness studio that offers group and individual fitness classes, along with red light and salt therapy sessions.

Owner Jennifer Ritter also runs a four-week golf fitness program that was designed to improve any golfer’s strength, agility, swing and putting skills.

Joe DiBartolomeo, chairman of The Preserve at Tara Community Development District, is pleased with the progress being made at the club.

“It’s headed in the right direction, which is going to sustain or increase our property values and offer another good course for play,” he said.

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Love the leftovers

JAY HEATER MANAGING EDITOR

Brio Italian Grille Executive Chef Josué Pabellón said it’s not spices, marinades or secret recipes that make Thanksgiving dinners so special.

“It is that they are prepped with love,” he said.

And that, more than anything, is what he remembers about growing up in a family of chefs in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico.

His father, Angel Diaz, was a chef, and his mother, Abigail Diaz, was a pastry chef. His brother, Hector Pabellón, eventually became a pastry chef.

And Josué, all through his childhood, loved being part of the Thanksgiving preparation for the 25 people who would show up at his grandmother Juana Diaz’s home.

“My job was marinating the turkey,” he said, remembering his childhood. “It was a lot of salt, pepper and garlic. Then there were herbs and seasonings. We let it sit overnight, and then the next day it would cook four to six hours.”

It was a wonderful time, and he said there was no reason it had to last just one day.

When people go to bed on this Thanksgiving night, it’s a good bet their refrigerators will be stuffed with turkey, dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and rolls. For his family in Puerto Rico, that meant the fun was just beginning. He said it could be the same for you.

Leftovers for Pabellón’s family meant sweet potatoes stuffed with leftover turkey that had been ripped apart.

“Then we would put cranberry sauce on top,” he said. “It was so good.”

The following days were filled with cranberry turkey sliders, which were a way to use up the rolls, the turkey, and the cranberry sauce. His grandmother also came up with his favorite leftover — turkey balls.

It was just a matter of rolling ripped up turkey, leftover stuffing, Panko bread crumbs and eggs into balls and then cooking them in a 350-degree oven.

“They were so soft and flavorful,” he said.

Even better was that the kids would roll the ingredients with their hands and laugh the entire time.

He loves that every family has its own special ingredients or recipes that add a personal stamp to the holiday celebration. And whether that recipe comes from the turkey dinner made right at home or by using leftovers from Pabellón’s Brio Italian Grille kitchen doesn’t matter.

On Nov. 24, Pabellón said it was “game on” the Monday before Thanksgiving. He already has checked all the products on the previous day to make sure the restaurant has everything it needs. On Monday, about half of the turkey is cooked.

It takes time to prepare the 350 pounds of stuffing — Brio’s Italian touch is that it adds sausage to its stuffing — and 260 pounds of green beans. Twenty cases of rolls (with 40 in a case) are ready to go. The 10 gallons of gravy is made in-house, and the 20 gallons of cranberry sauce is ready to be served. The 600 turkey breasts (the res-

taurant only serves turkey breasts in its Thanksgiving Day meals) is prepared over the days as the holiday approaches.

It’s a lot of work for Pabellón and his staff, which normally concentrates on the restaurant’s Italian menu. But Pabellón, who has been a chef for 20 years, loves the break from the norm and the connection with his childhood.

He said the marinade at Brio is similar to the marinade he used as a kid. That makes him smile.

Brio General Manager Jamie Jarrell said her restaurant will feed close to 900 on Thanksgiving and another 30 to 50 families will opt for take out.

“On July 1, which is my birthday, I am already thinking about Thanksgiving (and preparing a meal),” Pabellón said. “I enjoy it. It’s been my passion my entire life. It runs through my blood.”

Jarrell said each year the demand for dining out on Thanksgiving becomes greater.

“People are not cooking as much as they used to,” she said. “They like the option of not having to clean up the mess, and not dealing with drama.”

If you want leftovers from Pabellón’s kitchen, you will have to either bring them home from Brio’s or order a to-go feast. Brio’s only goes off its Italian course for Thanksgiving, so it’s back to the regular menu the next day. Brio’s donates its leftovers to those in need.

Here are some of Pabellón’s leftover favorites that you can make in your own kitchen.

CRISPY MASHED POTATO PANCAKES

Three cups leftover mashed potatoes, 2 eggs, half cup, all-purpose flour, a tablespoon chives, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, a cup of butter, a cup of sour cream, oil.

Combine the potatoes, egg, allpurpose flour, chives, cheese, salt and pepper. The mixture should be slightly sticky but hold its shape.

Heat the oil, and when it reaches 325 degrees or it sizzles, start forming your pancakes. Form and fry as you go. Lightly wet your hands, to prevent the mixture from sticking. Measure out about 1/4 cup of the mixture and form it into a pancake. Fry 3-4 minutes a side. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

TURKEY BALLS

Two pounds leftover sausage stuffing, 2 eggs, 2 pounds leftover turkey, parsley, Kosher salt, half cup buttermilk, 1 1/2 cup Rold Gold pretzels (crushed), pepper, pinch of cinnamon, pinch of garlic powder, 12 ounces cranberry sauce and a halfteaspoon orange zest.

Preheat over to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Mix the stuffing, buttermilk, eggs, turkey, parsley, salt and pretzels. Roll mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls and arrange on the baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes. While meatballs are cooking, stir cinnamon, orange zest and garlic powder into cranberry sauce. Serve meatballs warm with cranberry sauce.

CRANBERRY TURKEY SLIDERS

Leftover rolls, 1 pound leftover turkey, half cup cranberry sauce, 2 ounces mild cheddar sliced, half ounce green onion chopped, half pound butter, half teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Cut rolls in half and set tops aside. Evenly distribute turkey meat over the bottom of the rolls. Spread cranberry sauce onto turkey. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and close sliders with top buns. Melt the butter in a microwave, add green onions and Worcestershire and stir to combine all ingredients. Using a pastry brush, brush rolls with the butter mixture. Cover dish with foil. Bake for 12 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until a golden brown color is reached, about 10 more minutes.

“If we are to

a better

we must remember that the

is

— a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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Pass the turkey, and the thanks during a special holiday

This week’s East County Observer comes out on Thanksgiving Day, so I thought I would touch upon some of the joys of living in Lakewood Ranch and why I feel so thankful. I hope you can identify with some of these, as well. First, I have to note that on Thanksgiving morning, I will be covering the Florida Turkey Trot at Nathan Benderson Park, just one of the many traditions that have made our area special. You have to be thankful you are part of a community here, not just some place where we sleep between work shifts. Call me quirky, but every year, I look forward to waking up at 6 a.m. and going out in the dark to be surrounded by thousands of people dressed up like turkeys to run a 5K. It has been cold in the past, sometimes windy, and yet, everyone is smiling.

The run takes place in one of our area’s beautiful parks, which is known throughout rowing circuits as one of the finest rowing facilities in the world. A $65 million boathouse and events center is expected to break ground in 2026. Nathan Benderson Park will host the 2028 World Rowing Championships, which is one of the many major events headed to our area to stimulate our economy.

It’s a short walk from the park to the $132 million Mote Science Education Aquarium that opened in October. Next door is Tiger Wood’s PopStroke. Walk a hundred yards and you can go into the Mall at UTC. Twenty years ago, none of it was here.

Growth can be scary. On the other hand, we have entertainment options we never thought possible. The amenities aren’t limited to the Mall at UTC. The $17.6 million Lakewood Ranch Library opened in January 2024. A $44 million aquatics center and pickleball complex is scheduled to be open by the fall of 2026 at Premier Sports

Campus North. In addition to a 50-meter competition pool, the 44,000-square-foot athletics center will feature a therapy pool, 24 pickleball courts, restrooms, locker rooms and walking trails.

Manatee County is working on more park amenities and a trail system to be constructed with the help of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch.

Do you like to eat? You have to love how your restaurant options have expanded over the past five years. It used to be that Lakewood Ranch was a steak desert. Now you can choose between Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Grove, Bourbon and Bones, 131 Main, Kore, Outback, Fleming’s, Texas Roadhouse, Capital Grille, LongHorn and on and on.

Do you feel safe in East County? I think the answer is “yes.”

Hopefully, we all spend a moment on Thanksgiving — you don’t have

to be dressed as a turkey — to reflect on our first responders in East County. If things are going well in your life, it isn’t likely you will have contact with them. But how comforting it is to know they are there.

When the Tribute to Heroes Parade moved to the Sunday before Veterans Day this year, I worried a bit that our first responders would get pushed to the background because they always had been a big part of that event. They definitely deserve attention, and I hope we can keep that in mind moving forward. It’s not like they are asking for the attention, but it’s just deserving. We don’t want our only interaction to be at the scene of an accident.

So please find time to say thank you to a Sheriff’s Office deputy, a firefighter, an ambulance driver or anyone who responds to an emer-

gency. The next “thank you,” can be hard at times because our political figures can be polarizing. I know I can criticize them for decisions I don’t believe have our best interests at heart.

That being said, these men and women who hold public office are serving us, and in most cases, are doing it to make our area a great place to live. This is an unbelievably thankless job, along with being highly stressful.

It is a tough job that attracts such negativity, it can be hard to find candidates for our very important local positions. So I want to take a moment and say to all those who hold public office, I appreciate your work and your passion. Although we don’t always agree, I respect you. If you see a local politician this

week, please pass your thanks along even if the person in front of you makes your blood boil. We appreciate the service.

Do you know a farmer/rancher?

How about a “thank you” hug? A Farm Flavor national survey shows that Manatee County agricultural products had a market value of $356 million in 2024. Crop sales made up $308 million of that while livestock and animal product sales made up $48 million of it. It was all produced by 692 farms. It is a huge job, and we are fortunate who have those willing to do it. And let’s remember that before our homes were built, the Ranch was a big part of this effort. I want to finish by saying that I am thankful to you, our readers of the East County Observer, who have been so kind to me as I enter my second decade here on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.

You always have provided me with plenty of story ideas, and you have been very complimentary on the stories you like. You also (mostly) have been courteous when I anger you.

I especially love when I read about someone who could use a helping hand, and the readers step forward. It’s a rewarding part of the job and it’s proof that we live in an area where people care about each other.

I wish you the very best this Thanksgiving, and I hope this is just the start of a rewarding holiday season.

Jay Heater is the managing editor for the East County Observer. Contact him at JHeater@ YourObserver.com.

Generosity Meets Strategy with Tax-Savvy Donations

Are you thinking about giving to charity? If you itemize your tax deductions, your donations to qualified charities may be taxdeductible.

For that to work, your total deductions must exceed the standard deduction. In 2025, that’s $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for couples.

For oame people, combining donations with mortgage interest, and state and local taxes exceeds that standard deduction to make itemizing possible.

But if not, consider “stacking” your charitable donations to exceed the standard deduction - giving more this year for greater tax benefit, then taking the standard deduction next year.

Of course, not all donations qualify. You must give to IRS-recognized charities, and you can’t receive personal benefits in return. Above

Food for thought on Thanksgiving

Local chef Greg Campbell talks about the impact of food trucks.

Consumers have never had more dining choices. In nearly every new development, restaurants line the streets, each a vision of hard work, risk and investment. For a chef or restaurateur, it’s thrilling to see. But it’s also disheartening to see food trucks parked directly in front of full-service restaurants.

It’s one thing to celebrate food culture and community events. It’s another when those “events” are hosted by the very developers who collect rent from their restaurant tenants and then invite mobile competitors to siphon sales away. Developers often justify these food truck nights as communitybuilding experiences, complete with yoga sessions, concerts or farmers markets. But the irony is that they use the atmosphere of the very restaurants they undercut to sell the illusion of an ideal lifestyle they market. When the yoga classes end and the music stops, it’s the restaurants that remain, paying the bills that keep the community vibrant.

There’s a broader question of fairness. Why are we, as a society, so quick to romanticize food trucks while disregarding the commitment of those who anchor our communities? I don’t hate food trucks. In fact, I respect anyone with the courage to cook for the public. But they don’t belong directly in front of lease-paying restaurants or

within established dining districts. It’s insulting. If you’ve ever dreamed of opening your own restaurant, you know the stakes. The investment is immense, as is the stress. You hire teams, source fresh ingredients, build menus and pay every permit and license fee the city requires. You live and die by guest loyalty. And yet, on a whim, a developer can invite a fleet of food trucks to park right outside your door that offers cheaper, faster food that requires no infrastructure, no staff and no long-term commitment.

Why do landlords compete with their own tenants? Why do city planners allow mobile vendors to operate within dining corridors? Why diners become so desensitized to the harm caused by this trend?

Food trucks have their place at festivals, fairs, breweries and roadside stops, adding diversity and fun.

Restaurants are cornerstones of a community. They create jobs, sponsor events, host family milestones, and pay the taxes that support the neighborhoods we love. They deserve the respect of a fair playing field.

So next time you’re strolling through a food truck festival set against a backdrop of restaurants, take a moment to think about the chefs and restaurateurs who built that environment, because they are the ones feeding people yearround, not just when the weather’s nice. Eat clean. Eat local. Eat from a plate that doesn’t blow away in the wind.

And remember — feeding people is supposed to bring us together and not pit us against each other.

Feed people and make them happy!

Greg Campbell Executive chef, co-founder of

Grove

and

with dignity. Planning today ensures your wishes are respected tomorrow, while easing the burden on those you love. Contact us for a personal consultation.

MARKET MAYHEM: CAN YOU STILL RETIRE COMFORTABLY?

Why a Second Opinion Could Be Time Well Spent

Markets are up one day, down the next, and the headlines never stop. For anyone with investments or approaching retirement it’s natural to wonder: Are my investments on track? Can I still retire comfortably?

These are the right questions to ask. The wrong move is assuming you already know the answers. Because the truth is, while the market will always fluctuate, and outcomes are never guaranteed, a clear long-term plan can help you stay on track while planning for your retirement.

That’s why now may be the right time to get a second opinion on your investments and retirement plan. At JL Bainbridge, we’ve been helping families navigate retirement for more than 40 years, and we know how valuable a fresh perspective can be. In fact, we believe a complimentary 30-minute review with our team could be an opportunity for you to assess your financial plan.

WHY TIMING MATTERS LESS THAN PLANNING

Too many people put off getting help because they think they can “wait out the market.” But the reality is, waiting for the perfect time can backfire. What you really need is clarity right now. That’s why the real key to retirement planning isn’t about catching the exact “right” moment to invest or withdraw. It’s about creating a plan that can help anticipate ups and downs and works to keep you on track regardless of the headlines.

A second opinion can help to give you that clarity. It can give you insight into whether your current strategy is built to consider market volatility, whether your risk is aligned with your goals, and whether you’re making the most of the resources available to you. And because our review is complimentary, you can explore this opportunity with no cost or obligation.

WHAT

YOU’LL DISCOVER IN A COMPLIMENTARY REVIEW

During your complimentary review with JL Bainbridge, we may cover educational topics such as:

• If you’re still on track to retire when you want to.

• Whether your investments match your comfort level and timeline.

• Your financial picture including income plan, Social Security, pensions, and retirement accounts.

• How to identify gaps in tax planning, estate strategies, or healthcare considerations.

Even if you already work with an advisor, a second opinion can uncover opportunities or risks that may otherwise be overlooked. Think of it as getting another doctor’s opinion on something as critical as your health, only this time, it’s your financial future.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

Markets will always rise and fall. That’s out of your control. But what you can control is whether you’ve taken the step to protect your retirement through smart planning. The mistake people make is waiting until it’s too late to find out they aren’t on track.

Don’t leave your retirement to chance or to the next market swing. The cost of not reviewing your retirement plan may reduce awareness of potential opportunities and potential risks. By contrast, the cost of a complimentary second opinion is just 30 minutes of your time.

THE NEXT STEP IS SIMPLE

At JL Bainbridge, we’ve built our reputation on guiding families with a comprehensive approach to wealth management. But the first step always starts with a conversation. So, ask yourself: Do you really know if you’re on track to retire? If there’s even a shred of doubt, isn’t it worth a second opinion?

Contact JL Bainbridge today for a complimentary financial review and get a second opinion on your retirement plan.

RAIDERS REIGN

The team of eight boys and five girls win four of five events.

MADISON BIERL STAFF WRITER

The morning air was crisp as the Braden River High School Raiders Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps team prepared to begin its first challenge of five: a 5K run. Competing as a team of eight boys and five girls, it doesn’t matter if they have the fastest kid in school. They are timed as a team, so they are only as fast as their slowest runner.

“Pain is just an illusion; keep going,” Carson Smith, assistant team leader, told Marfil Trejo, the command sergeant major.

The team went on to compete in four more events — litter carry, obstacle course, rope bridge and kettle bell relay — at the Florida High School JROTC Raider State Championship on Nov. 15 in Brooksville.

At the competition, the teams are allowed up to 14 kids on the roster. For every event, they pick the 10 best suited member.

They competed in the tier for smaller schools that have 200 or fewer cadets in the program and placed first against 12 other mixed teams overall. They placed first in their tier in all events except the rope bridge, in which they placed second.

Brinlee Johnson, a senior and the battalion commander, said that in the rope bridge, one second can make or break the score. Their knot got bundled up and they had to manually untie it.

“It added like 10 seconds to our time because we couldn’t figure it out,” Johnson said.

“Teams have to make snap decisions on the fly, they’ll encounter challenges and obstacles along the way that they were somewhat prepared for, but sometimes things happen, and as a team, they have to overcome it quickly,” added Johnny Browning, coach of the team and Army instructor at the school. “Time’s ticking.”

Browning said he thinks the three practices and two morning runs a week helped prepare his team better than the competition. Additionally, the members get together on nights and weekends to train as well.

“This team has a synergy that I haven’t had in some teams in quite awhile,” he said.

Johnson described being part of the Raiders as being part of a family and it especially feels that way when they do their Saturday runs and gather at her house to cook breakfast.

“I see all of them every day, and I

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RAIDERS?

The Raiders have three upcoming competitions:

DEC. 6: Florida State Best Raider Competition at Newsome High School in Lithia. They will bring six teams of two students each. Braden River High is the defending champs in the Male and Female categories.

DEC. 13: Manatee County JV Raider Competition at Manatee High School for all first-year Raiders. APRIL 2026: National Raider competition at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

For information, visit BradenRiverJROTC.com.

would argue even more than my family at home,” Johnson said.

The team consisted of Karina Gutierrez, Carson Smith, Judah Clark, Brinlee Johnson, Grady Johnson, Sammy Martinez, Adrienne Oliver, Arsenii Pianykh, Katie Rock, Trevor Russin, Marfil Trejo, Jancarlos Urbina and Ethan Hunt.

Johnson said she’s learned leadership, how to provide encouragement and self-discipline in JROTC.

“Brinlee is just all about Raiders and has been since a freshman,” Browning said. “Despite her stature, she’s always been among the strongest and fastest of the girls.”

Trejo said the sport tests each member in many ways.

“The most valuable lesson I learned through these experiences is the importance of teamwork,” Trejo said. “It was not always easy to get everyone to stay focused or understand the drills, but we always found a way to overcome challenges together. Teamwork truly makes the dream work, and this team has created memories I will always cherish.”

SPORTS

Mat masters

Braden River High’s wrestling program hopes to continue its steady rise.

Coaching high school wrestling is, strictly in terms of pay, not a full-time job for Cezar Sharbono.

Sure, he gets financially compensated for the time of year which the Florida High School Athletic Association dictates as in-season.

But that doesn’t mean he just sits around in the offseason. He’s plenty busy.

Sharbono takes three weeks off after the state tournament, but the mat is on his mind the rest of the year.

He’s poured everything he has into the Braden River High team since taking the job in 2020.

“You can’t run a wrestling program for three months out of the year and think you’re going to be a successful program,” Sharbono said. “It’s not that kind of sport. Kids need to actually buy in and be involved in it year-round.”

Such commitment has paid dividends. Last season, the Pirates sent eight wrestlers to the FHSAA Class 2A individual state championship, a record for the program. Five had been the previous high-water mark.

That’s not the only sign of growth under Sharbono’s tutelage. Braden River’s roster was five athletes deep in 2016-17, but entering the 2025-26 season, 37 are participating.

The sixth-year coach also guided the first undefeated state champion in school history, Jessey Colas, who claimed gold in the 182-pound weight class in 2023. Colas was the second state champion ever for the Pirates following Brendan Bengtsson’s 285-pound victory in 2018.

“Everybody asks me all the time, ‘You’re a teacher. How do you make ends meet?’” said Sharbono, who also teaches at Louise R. Johnson School of International Studies. “My other job is wrestling.”

History continues to favor the Pirates. They hope the months ahead will be similarly kind.

Five of their state qualifiers from a year ago have returned following the graduations of Matthew Ireland, Israel Clark and Scott Cook. Ireland placed fourth in the 120-pound class, though his two fellow seniors didn’t reach the podium.

Freedom McDaniel — a junior — is among that core of continuity. As a defensive end/tackle for the Braden River football, wrestling wasn’t his primary sport of choice at first. He joined with the intention of bettering his technique on the gridiron.

In 2024-25, he was just one of two Pirates to place at the state tournament, coming in seventh and winning three bouts in the 215-pound class. His priorities as an athlete have changed.

“What’s helping is we don’t have very long practices, so I think it helps our legs rest up for the games that we have.”

“I’m putting wrestling over football,” McDaniel said. “I play on the line of scrimmage, and when you look to the upper levels — even when you go Division III or JUCO — the people who are playing those positions are 6-foot-2, 250 pounds. I’m just not that big.”

Sharbono’s program has provided an avenue where McDaniel’s 5-foot8 stature isn’t a limitation. He’s leveraged to become a winner, and now, has a goal of finishing in the top three at the state tournament.

The snatch single was McDaniel’s signature move as a sophomore, but opponents have had time to get familiar with his tendencies.

They’ll be prepared for that this season.

He spent the preseason working on other takedowns, as well as defending them.

Amid that individual pursuit to enhance his skillset, he’s also committed to the team around him. He is happy to embrace the role of an upperclassman.

“Now that I’m growing up, I can actually say that I’m one of the elders on the team, and I get to watch

everybody progress,” McDaniel said. “That’s just a fun experience, watching somebody come in not even knowing what a sprawl is, and they’re making it to their first season, and they actually know a little bit of what they’re doing.”

A trio of seniors are right alongside him, each looking to not only qualify for the state tournament once more, but to take the next step and place. Jayden Russell, Jacob Fuentes and Evan Rowe will compete in the 120-, 144- and 165-pound classes, respectively, this season.

History remains up for grabs as the program continues to make it.

Braden River is still searching for its first girls place-winner. In 2024-25, Karlianna Arteaga became the second girls state qualifier in Pirates history, making waves in the 190-pound class as a sophomore.

Entering her junior year, she’s worked on lower-body takedowns, looking to differentiate herself in a weight class known for upper-body moves. The expectations she will face as a proven returner aren’t a burden. They excite her.

“Just feeling that sense of accomplishment and having some pressure on me (is exciting),” Arteaga said. “Now that I’ve qualified, people want to see how far I can go.”

There were four girls on the roster when she was a freshman. Part of her wrestling journey has been becoming an advocate and going around the school to recruit others.

With the aid of those efforts, the girls’ contingent is 10-deep entering this season.

Sharbono expects juniors Presley Vogt and Alexis Hutter to reach the state tournament and vie for a medal in the 115/120-pound and 135-pound classes, respectively.

The months ahead will offer an opportunity for the Pirates to keep building.

“I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. Switching schools is not a thing,” Arteaga said. “It might be a solo sport, but this team is supportive … it feels like family.”

FAST BREAK

A RESOUNDING RETURN?

Junior Logan Pike is poised to compete in the 190-pound weight class this season after missing all of 202425. He tore his ACL in the finals of Braden River’s season-opening tournament this past December.

Away from the sport for 11 months, Pike hit the mat in late August to drill and was cleared to live wrestle in late October. His weight ballooned to 238 pounds after surgery, unable to do much with his legs, but through dieting, he cut down more than 40 pounds.

“He is somehow better now than he was when he left,” Sharbono said. “He’s wrestling at a better pace. He’s more automatic — he used to think about everything. He’s very impressive, and I expect big things out of him at 190 this year.”

The Elks Hoop Shoot returns to Lakewood Ranch Dec. 5 at Carlos E. Haile Middle School. The yearly free-throw shooting contest for kids ages 8-13 is set for 7:30 p.m. Six winners will be crowned — one each on the boys’ and girls’ sides in the 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 age groups. Those winners will advance to a district contest, and can move up through states and regionals to reach the national finals, which will be held on April 18 in Chicago. For information, contact Jeff Bosworth at JSBosworth5@gmail.com.

... There were two hole-inones Nov. 19 at University Park Country Club. Jim Heller found the cup on No. 5 from 100 yards out with a nine hybrid. On No, 4, Glen Shadburne used a five iron from 156 yards. The club also hosted the Partner’s Fall Classic in LGA play on Nov. 18, as Kim Brown/Joanne Catlin won with 27 points and Jessica Nguyen/Risa Benoit were second at 20.0 points. ... The Out-of-Door Academy girls’ soccer team has rolled to a 5-0 record. The squad has outscored opponents 25-4 combined, including close victories over Northside Christian (2-1) on Nov. 11, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal (3-1) on Nov. 13 and Seffner Christian (3-1) on Nov. 18. The Thunder returned their top three scorers from last season in junior Maggie Yull sophomore Avery Rice and sophomore Kaleigh Ronca Dylan Clark, Parrish Community High football coach, announced his resignation on Nov. 20. The team lost to East Lake 35-7 in the regional quarterfinals of the FHSAA Class 6A state tournament on Nov. 14 following a 9-1 regular season. He went 25-8 since 2023. “The previous three years have been extremely rewarding, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished,” Clark posted on X.

Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

Confidence makes a world of difference for athletes. It can help elevate their game to the next level.

Some make it look easy — they just have that air about them. For others, it can be a tireless battle to eliminate doubt.

Vinny Mercadante wasn’t his most confident self as a high school senior. And he certainly wasn’t when he moved to Florida from New Jersey at age 12. By his senior year in college, though, he had jumped that hurdle and it was far behind him.

“Once I did, I played the best lacrosse of my career and had the most fun doing it,” Mercadante said. “The more confident you are in yourself and your teammates, the more confident other people will be in you.” Now, he’s in the business of inspiring his younger counterparts to find that belief within themselves and not waiting until cap-andgown fittings to do so.

Mercadante, a 25-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident, founded VM Lacrosse Training in January. He’s open to serving all ages and field positions in the Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota and Tampa areas.

His humble clientele spans around 10 students this fall on a weekly or biweekly schedule. Those in the local lacrosse community continue to spread word about his teachings, and in the year to come, he expects his client list to grow.

“I try to preach to the kids that it’s OK to mess up, especially when you’re out here. We can always fix a missed shot or fix footwork or adjust mechanics,” Mercadante said. “And out here, the score doesn’t matter. Nothing like that matters.”

beginning with those times when Mercadante returned home for winter and summer breaks while a freshman at Marian University in 2018-19.

In his own playing days not so long ago, he was a midfielder for Cardinal Mooney, and reached the 2018 FHSAA regional final as a senior while the team went 20-2 overall. He played for Florida State men’s club lacrosse in 2021-23 as a faceoff specialist after starting out with Marian at the NCAA Division III level.

Mercadante’s small business of private training, though, wasn’t necessarily his own idea at first. A neighbor’s request encouraged him that his perspective was valuable to share with athletes of the future.

He soon realized his competitors in Southwest Florida are few and far between.

“It seemed like there was a need for it around here — not a traditional hotbed for lacrosse,” Mercadante said. “It’s still obviously getting a lot larger, but there’s not all of the guidance or the accessibility as some other regions.”

“As a (faceoff, go-off) player, it’s a little hard trying to step up and play some offense. I let him know,” Rasool said. “He was like, ‘Boom, we’re doing offense.’ And we just worked on three new dodges. I didn’t let him know at all beforehand, but he was ready for it.”

2026 rolls around.

“He’s very calm. He doesn’t get mad at anyone. If they just picked up a stick for the first time, he still trains them,” Sabella said. “His character is great. He’s always in a good mood. I’ve never seen him in a bad mood.”

But it’s not just the quality of coaching that distinguishes Mercadante. His approach to accessibility sets him apart.

The up-and-coming mentor has spent money out of his own pocket to gift equipment to those who can’t afford it. He’s also organized raffles and fundraisers to gather funds for athletes in need.

He genuinely wants to help mold students into the players they want to become — by any means possible.

“I never want money to be the reason that someone isn’t able to try the sport that they might end up loving and play for the rest of their life,” Mercadante said. “I’d rather be able to help other people with it than hold on to more than I need.”

Those days of wavering confidence are well behind him. He needed time to truly believe in himself as a player, but as a coach, he’s confident about his platform. Knowledge is power. In lacrosse, and in a region where private training is lacking, his insights are uniquely powerful.

Mercadante is a name local players should know.

Dating back to 2022, Mercadante has been offensive coordinator and faceoff coach for University of Tampa men’s club lacrosse, which plays in Division II of the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. He’s also held stints as faceoff

He spends his work days as a senior account executive for Shamrock Marketing Solutions, but during his free time, he’s thrown himself into just about every coaching avenue available.

coach for five school-based programs, including Lakewood Ranch High and Sarasota High in spring 2024. True Lacrosse, 850 Lacrosse Club, Sarasota Seahawks and Tamiami Lacrosse have also enjoyed his guidance at one point or another. They’re included on a coaching resume, which spans seven years,

Vince Sabella, a sophomore at Cardinal Mooney, is a comparatively newer student of Mercadante’s. The two have worked together for about a year-and-a-half.

He couldn’t shoot or pass with his left hand when he started out with the young coach. Now, with an expanded skill set, he feels plenty comfortable in that regard.

Sabella’s shot is faster than it’s ever been as he looks to make varsity for the first time when spring

Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.

Avery Rice

Avery Rice has helped guide The Out-of-Door Academy girls’ soccer team to a 5-0 start. The sophomore has seven goals and one assist for the Thunder through Nov. 18. They have outscored opponents 25-4. Rice has been on varsity since eighth grade, and as a defender this past season, had six goals and one assist in 12 games played. Rice is the East County Athlete of the Week.

When and why did you start playing soccer?

I started playing soccer when I was about 4 years old, and my parents just put me in it. Ever since, I’ve loved the sport.

What do you enjoy most about the sport?

I like how it’s a community, and it’s like a second family to me. I love representing ODA.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Winning the SSAA tournament — twice. That was fun.

What are your goals entering your sophomore season with ODA? One of my goals is to score the most goals, and to get athlete of the week.

The Thunder are off to a 5-0 start, what has been the focus in practice recently?

We’ve been doing this passing drill and shooting drill every practice. What’s helping is we don’t have very long practices, so I think it helps our legs rest up for the games.

When you’re not playing soccer, how do you spend your free time?

I like laying in bed, but I also play a lot of club soccer.

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would it be and why? Alex Morgan, because I’ve loved her since I was

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.

a

What’s

you’ve

Try your hardest, no matter

Don’t let anyone tell you what kind of player you are.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now for a dream vacation, where would you go? Hawaii, because it looks really nice there.

If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why? Invisibility, because I love peoplewatching.

What’s your favorite meal? Pasta. I love pasta with butter.

What’s your favorite movie? I like Disney, so I like Rapunzel.

What’s your go-to music to help get in the zone?

Country music, it always puts me in the mood to do great things.

Finish this sentence. Avery Rice is ... Committed.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Dr. Keyur Kurani brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Cattleridge office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Internal Medicine.

Dr. Monica Drummond brings to Intercoastal Medical Group at the Lakewood Ranch I office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Family Medicine.

Undergraduate:

Undergraduate: University of South Florida, Sarasota, FL

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Graduate School: Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

Medical School:

Medical School: Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC

Residency:

University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts, Basseterre, SKN

Residency: Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Moultrie, GA

Certification:

Family Medicine Residency, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Jackson, TN

Board Certified, American Board of Family Medicine

Certification: Board Eligible, American Board Family Medicine, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (AOBFP)

Hospital Affiliations: Sarasota Memorial Hospital; Doctors Hospital

Hospital Affiliations: Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Medical Building I 3333 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota, FL 34232

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Bordoodle bonds right from the jump

Marge DeSimone, 88, acts as a releaser for a Nikki, who has made a positive splash in her life.

MADISON BIERL | STAFF WRITER

At 88 years old, Marge DeSimone, who has never learned how to swim, approached a pool anyway.

She is leading Nikki, a 7-year-old Bordoodle (a Border Collie and Poodle mix) while providing the dog with encouraging words.

Nikki is about to show her skill in the sport of dock diving.

“You can do it Nikki; make me proud,” she said before letting the dog loose.

After 58-year-old Courtney Barr took her under her wing, DeSimone has become part of the dock diving community at K9 Sports in Myakka City.

The object of dock diving is to measure how far dogs can jump. Nikki’s record jump is 17.1 feet as part of Team Barrdoodle.

DeSimone acts as the “releaser” and holds Nikki until she feels the

dog is totally locked into the task.

Being a member of Team Barrdoodle has kept DeSimone active, engaged and surrounded by excitement.

It has been good for Nikki, too.

Barr said if Nikki didn’t have some sort of activity such as dock diving, she would “drive her human insane.”

Barr described her as a “soft dog” in the sense that she is gentle and will not cause trouble for her handlers. Away from the dock, she doesn’t bark and lies down quietly when they go out to dinner.

That calm also makes her perfect for DeSimone, who might not be a good fit for a dog always pulling at the leash.

DeSimone has spent a fair amount of time around dogs in the past, but her relationship with Nikki is different. Nikki provides her with love and support without even trying.

DeSimone describes her as affectionate and a “smart cookie.”

“She’s such a wonderful dog,” DeSimone said. “She is apt to try different things. I just love her to death.”

Nikki’s handlers were introduced because Barr was good friends with DeSimone’s late son, Peter DeSimone, who died in 2014.

Barr got to know DeSimone at the Celebration of Life, and they kept in touch afterward. DeSimone’s husband, also named Peter, died in 2017. They had been together 55 years.

“I was a little depressed at that

FLORIDA

to provide a safe environment for humans and dogs alike. For information, visit FLK9Sports. com.

“We’re all going to die someday, but until I do, I want to be out there doing and learning different things.”

Marge DeSimone

I’m her age. I feel I’m paying it forward. I told her this from the beginning, that I treat her how I want to be treated.”

When Barr approached DeSimone about involving her in dock diving, there was some hesitation and shock. DeSimone wasn’t sure what her responsibility would be and whether she could handle it. Barr assured her that it wasn’t a difficult task.

“I would definitely say we had a rough start because we both didn’t know what we were doing,” Barr said. “I think now, Marge is much more confident, as I am and Nikki is, as well.” Barr said the three of them are like

“The Three Musketeers.”

time, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” DeSimone said. “I had the whole house to myself, so it was lonesome and it was depressing.”

In 2024, DeSimone moved from The Windsor of Ocala to The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch. She felt she needed more help and companionship.

Barr brought Nikki for a visit and she could see how it affected DeSimone in a positive way.

“I’ve always been single myself,” Barr said. “My parents have passed and I have no siblings, so I don’t know who’s going to help me when

“She (Barr) has done so much for me,” DeSimone said. “She’s very talented, she’s well educated, and she has helped me tremendously health-wise, and by getting me out, doing things, and not feeling sorry for myself.”

On top of competing in dock diving together, the two women have also gone on multiple trips, including visits to Costa Rica and Ireland. Ireland was especially important to DeSimone, because her father was from there and she had never visited.

“We’re all going to die someday, but until I do, I want to be out there doing and learning different things,” DeSimone said.

Despite their 30-year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr’s 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the “Three Musketeers,” as Barr said, active and engaged.

Adventure Park lives up to its name

hen Lakewood Ranch’s Scheilla Calmon brought her 3-year-old daughter, Ayla Antonina Calmon, to Greenbrook Adventure Park, she was met with a surprise. Unaware of any sort of event, the Calmons were able to enjoy live music, face painting and extra activities that provided some more variety to their usual park trips.

“My experience at the park today was extraordinary,” Calmon said. “Having a park like Greenbrook Adventure Park means a lot to me because my daughter is turning 4 and she’s been going to this park since she was 6 months old.”

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted a Party in the Park on Nov. 22 in celebration of the new pavilion being complete and open for use after it burned down in 2023.

With the new pavilion also came a new Little Free Library, where adults and children can come and take any type of books that sparks their interest.

Elizabeth Henderson is the founder of

the Little Free Library Club.

“It represents our shared commitment to learning, as well as the strong sense of belonging that defines Lakewood Ranch,” she said. “The new pavilion is amazing and I encourage all residents to stop by, and while you’re there, grab a book.”

This specific library was sponsored by Arielle Monserez, the same person who sponsored the one that burned down in the fire.

She said it was great to see a new one and dedicated it to her mother Irene Farese’s memory.

Monserez’s daughter, 7-year-old Millie, used oversized scissors to open the library and was proud to do so.

“I thought I was going to cut my finger straight off,” the younger Monserez said.

— MADISON BIERL

VOTED SARASOTA’S TOP IMPLANT & AESTHETIC DENTISTS

Mission in Motion delivers the goods

Gathering both physical and monetary donations, Mission in Motion is currently supporting eight organizations.

or the past three-and-a-half years, a group of six women — all drivers of SUVs — have come together to provide for local people in need.

They pack their vehicles with donations consisting of anything from clothing and diapers to toys and baby blankets.

Mission in Motion is a subgroup of Tuesday Live, a Bible study group at Harvest United Methodist Church. Its members work to provide both monetary and physical items to local charities. Faith Michael is the Mission in Motion team leader.

“It’s amazing to see how loving and generous all these ladies are,” Michael said. “There are over 100 of us involved in Tuesday Live, and (the Mission in Motion six) are just kind

of the collectors of everything. It’s so heartwarming to see what happens when we communicate a need.”

For the Christmas holiday season, Mission in Motion held a toy drive. It requested wish lists from different organizations and was going to hang them on an angel tree. Before members could even put them on the tree, Tuesday Live members already had gathered toys to distribute.

“It shocks me, but we have a whole garage full of toys that we’re going to have to sort and label by age and what child requested it,” Michael said.

Although the holiday season tends to be busy, Mission in Motion works year-round to provide what they can. The organizations they are currently serving include Casey Cares, Hope Family Services, the School District of Manatee County, Mothers Helping Mothers, Our Next Mission, Safe Children Coalition, Turning Points and United Methodist Committee on Relief.

“Every week, at least two of our (SUVs) are packed to the gills,” Michael said. “We separate, sort and send them out where they need to go.” Michael said one of their main

MISSION IN MOTION

Mission in Motion is currently supporting:

■ Casey Cares: Gift cards, cash, pajamas for critically ill children and their families

■ Hope Family Services: Food, household goods, clothing for abuse victims

■ School District of Manatee Coun-

ty: Food for children in need, volunteer to help teachers, students

■ Mothers Helping Mothers: Diapers, baby needs, clothing, household goods and hundreds of toys for Christmas

■ Our Next Mission: Gift cards for food, etc when a veteran is given a new home

■ Safe Children Coalition: Toys, gifts, cash and support for foster and adopted children

■ Turning Points: Jackets, blankets, socks, supplies for homeless in Manatee

■ United Methodist Committee on Relief: Flood buckets and emergency supplies, cash after a disaster

focuses is to emphasize the importance of personal involvement and volunteerism in addition to giving physical gifts.

Mission in Motion’s Debbie Apple is the point person for Mothers Helping Mothers, and she regularly volunteers with that group. She said she feels as though she has been placed there to build relationships and see the effect volunteering, as well as donations, make firsthand.

She said maternity clothes and coats specifically have made an impact.

Rose Marie Hartley, the Mission in Motion point person for Turning Points and other organizations that help the homeless, was fortunate to grow up in a giving family that inspired her to follow in their footsteps. She does her best to inspire others as well and enjoys seeing how happy the women are when they come together to donate either time or donations.

“When the (Tuesday Live members) come and bring something, they don’t just throw it in the basket,” Hartley said. “There is joy and they want to know where it is going to go. There is a pleasantness about

getting to bring something for somebody.”

Michael said she didn’t grow up in a family that was very giving, but now that she is comfortable, she is happy to donate anything she can.

“I realize that all that I have is a gift from God, and God says we’re not to hoard those gifts,” Michael said. “We’re to share them with other people, and that makes me happy.”

Judy Kirkpatrick is treasurer of Mission in Motion and the point person of the nonprofit Our Next Mission, which provides support and housing to veterans.

“A lot of times you don’t know what’s happening behind the scenes,”

Kirkpatrick said. “(The veterans being served) are living paycheck to paycheck and all it takes is one illness or something like that. That’s what we’ve got to stress, is the needs don’t go away.”

Kirkpatrick said she has a special place in her heart for anything related to foster kids, as her father, Charlie Hines, grew up in an orphanage and aged out of the system. They donate toys, cash and other gifts to the Safe Children Coalition.

“I know it is so important to these children who have lost so much to be able to call something their own,” Kirkpatrick said.

One of the organizations they have supported in the past is Selah Freedom, which provides support for human trafficking victims. They have collected various items for them including bedding, linens, household goods, clothing, bathing items and baby care.

“People live in conditions that I’ve never experienced and can’t even imagine,” Michael said. “These people are sometimes hidden in shelters away from their abusers, and they have to start over with absolutely nothing.”

Ruth Barker, a member of the Mission in Motion team that focuses on schools, said they are following God’s path.

“We see the needs of people here and around the world, so we’re stretching out as far as we can go to support them,” Barker said. “We have the love in us to do those things.”

“Mission in Motion is always in motion,” Hartley said.

“Always.”

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Del Webb vets march to a charitable beat

Operation Thanksgiving feeds active duty military personnel stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Even in the 110-degree jungles of Vietnam in 1971, Thanksgiving was celebrated.

“The helicopters came in on Thanksgiving and dropped off a turkey dinner,” said Richard Greenberg, a former U.S. Army platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division who now is a Del Webb of Lakewood Ranch resident.

“Turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes — kind of the last thing you really want to eat — but it’s so important,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg served two years in the U.S. Army. His return home was bittersweet because of the poor treatment he received after his tour.

The country was upset over the war, and it trickled down to the men and women who served. At the time, they weren’t viewed as American heroes by some.

“It stung,” Greenberg said. “I went through the rest of my life saying, ‘I want to do something for veterans when I retire.’ Meanwhile, I haven’t retired yet.”

Greenberg does construction consulting for lenders that take on big projects. He’s also the president of the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters, AVMS for short.

The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser each year is Operation Thanksgiving, which supplies Thanksgiving dinners to active duty military personnel at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.

Peggy Hufford’s husband, Jerry Hufford, was the AVMS president up until his death in 2022.

Jerry Hufford served four years in

YEAR-ROUND OPERATION

Operation Thanksgiving is not the only reason the Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters raises money. The nonprofit supports other local nonprofits that support veterans. With about 330 members, of which about a third are veterans, the AVMS raised $55,000 in 2024.

Operation Thanksgiving:

$20,000

Operation Warrior Resolution: $13,000

My Warrior’s Place: $13,000

Jewish Family and Children’s Services Veterans Outreach: $3,500

Dogs Inc: $2,000

JROTC Scholarship Program: $1,500

Ringling Vet’s Art Program:

$1,500

Operation Warm Heart: $500

the Air Force as a hurricane hunter. He made the initial connection with MacDill and the AVMS.

Peggy Hufford has never sat on the board, but she always was, and remains, an active member of the group. She had a good laugh thinking back on that first Operation Thanksgiving.

“Even though it was our smallest Operation Thanksgiving, it was by far the most fun,” she said.

There were barely 100 homes in Del Webb in 2019, so it was a small group. They threw a packing party, formed an assembly line and boxed up 50 turkeys and all the fixings. They decorated and delivered the boxes, too.

“It was so heartwarming to see those soldiers,” she said. “Some of them were crying. They were so appreciative.” Her husband made one request of

the soldiers: Pass on a photo of your family enjoying their Thanksgiving meal. Hufford said every single one obliged. AVMS members were able to see all the photos during their next meeting.

The following year was the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, so Operation Thanksgiving transitioned to gift cards. Social distancing made it necessary in 2020. Since then, it was just easier for both the volunteers and the enlisted personnel.

The majority of active duty members stationed at MacDill live

Rich Greenberg and Peggy Hufford hold 425 Publix gift cards that will be delivered to MacDill Air Force Base for Thanksgiving.

off base, so it’s much more convenient for them to get a gift card and buy what they need from the Publix closest to home. Greenberg noted that food insecurity is common in the lower ranks.

According to the 2020 Status of Forces Survey, junior enlisted service members are at the highest risk for food insecurity, and nearly a quarter of active duty service members had experienced food insecurity over the past year.

In July 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense published, “Strength-

Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters. Visit DWLWRVets.com.

Mission statement: To foster patriotism and loyalty to the United States of America, through the support of local community activities, which recognize the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans and families with respect, fairness and compassion.

ening Food Security in the Force: Strategy and Roadmap” to address the issue.

Operation Thanksgiving raised over $20,000 this year, which translates into 425 $50 Publix gift cards and a $1,600 donation to Operation Warm Heart, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance to airmen, sailors, soldiers, Marines, Air Force civilians and contractors.

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YOUR CALENDAR

COMMUNITY

THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 30

LIVE MUSIC AT JIGGS LANDING

3-6 p.m. daily at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton. The lineup includes Steve Arvey (Thursday), Kid Red Band, (Friday), Gator Ridge (Saturday), and Rev. Billy Wirtz (Sunday). The Friday and Saturday shows are $5 and the others are free. Visit JiggsLanding.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28

MUSIC ON MAIN

6-9 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. R.J. Howson will play rock and blues. Proceeds benefit the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance. The event includes vendors, sponsor booths and games and activities for the kids presented by Grace Community Church. Visit MyLWR.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28 AND SATURDAY, NOV. 29

MUSIC AT THE PLAZA

6-9 p.m. at Waterside Place, 1561 Lakefront Drive, Lakewood Ranch. Enjoy acoustic cover artist Mike Williams on Friday while country, rock and soul entertainer Jesse Daniels performs on Saturday. Visit WatersidePlace.com.

FRIDAY, NOV. 28 THROUGH SUNDAY, NOV. 30

‘WONDERLAND: BELIEVE’

Begins 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday at University Town Center and then runs through Jan. 4. Nik Wallenda’s circus production is held inside a climatecontrolled tent. Go to Tickets.WonderlandCircus.com/Events/3 to see dates, times and prices, which start at $40 for opening night.

SATURDAY, NOV. 29

ROOFTOP YOGA

Begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. The donation-based group class for 18-and-older is designed to inspire and invigorate. Visit MyLWR.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 29 AND SUNDAY, NOV. 30

SARASOTA MEDIEVAL FAIR

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City. The 21st annual

BEST BET

THURSDAY, NOV. 27

TURKEY TROT

The Kids Dash begins at 7:15 a.m. with the 5K run/walk to follow at 8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Join an expected crowd of 4,000 runners at the annual Florida Turkey Trot, presented by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. All participants receive a finisher medal, a race shirt, food and beverages, and a special sweet treat to take home. The event benefits the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation. For more information about fees and to sign up, go to NathanBendersonPark.org.

Sarasota Medieval Fair includes human combat chess, washing well wenches, the New Riders of the Golden Age jousting and the Knightwings Birds of Prey. Visit SarasotaMedievalFair.com.

MUSIC AT THE LODGE

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 Sheree Cade on Saturday and Huckleberry on Sunday.

SUNDAY, NOV. 30

FARMERS MARKET

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch. Vendors offer seafood, eggs, meats, dairy, pastas, bakery goods, jams and pickles, among other items. Visit MyLWR.com.

YOGA IN THE PARK 8-9 a.m. at Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota. Visit MyLWR.com.

TUESDAY, DEC. 2

MARKET AT THE PARK

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Features local artists, small businesses, and crafters. Visit NathanBendersonPark.org.

Lake Club home sells for $3.55 million

ADAM

HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Benedict and Manisha Heiderscheidt, trustees, of Dover, New Hampshire, sold the home at 15904 Baycross Drive to Nancy Kuk, trustee, of Lakewood Ranch, for $3.55 million. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,933 square feet of living area.

LAKE CLUB

Timothy and Deborah Prister, of Lakewood Ranch, sold their home at 8520 Pavia Way to Kevin Thomas Lynch and Deborah Rose Lynch, of Bradenton, for $2,975,000. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,992 square feet of living area. It sold for $2,369,200 in 2023.

Heather and Robin MacDonald, trustees, sold the home at 8512 Pavia Way to Mark Yanowitz and Carrie Yanowitz, of Bradenton, for $2,632,500. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,550 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,879,300 in 2022.

WILD BLUE AT WATERSIDE

SDWB Waterside LLC sold the home at 1119 Blue Shell Loop to Ben Manning, of Sarasota, for $2.15 million. Built in 2025, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,756 square feet of living area.

SDWB Waterside LLC sold the home at 8516 Sandpoint St. to Scott and Tracy Raymond, of Sarasota, for $1.8 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,054 square feet of living area.

SDWB Waterside LLC sold the home at 8501 Sandpoint St. to John Robert Gunther and Chrissy Gunther, of Sarasota, for $1,595,000. Built in 2025, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,446 square feet of living area.

COUNTRY CLUB VILLAGE

Nicolas Gomez, of Sarasota, sold his home at 7257 Greystone St. to Universal North America Insurance Co. Inc. for $2,085,000. Built in 2007, it has five bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 4,310 square feet of living area.

AZARIO ESPLANADE

Daksha Prabodh Mehta and Prabodh Manubhai Mehta, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, sold their home at 3888 Santa Caterina Blvd. to John and Suzanne Pastorello, of Bradenton, for $1,662,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,665 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,572,600 in 2024.

Jeffery and Deborah Sellers, trustees, sold the home at 16127 Fortezza Drive to Kevin Keane and Fay Keane, trustees, of East Jordan, Michigan, for $700,000. Built in 2024, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,920 square feet of living area. It sold for $630,400 in 2024.

WATERLEFE GOLF AND RIVER CLUB

John Victor Palermo and Maria Palermo sold their home at 9613 Turning Leaf Terrace to Anthony and Marla Alibrio, of Bradenton, for $520,000. Built in 2000, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,481 square feet of living area. It sold for $565,000 in 2022.

CENTRAL PARK

James Robert Hill Jr. and Tania Paige Hill, of Sarasota, sold their home at 4808 Boston Common Glen to Steven McDowell and Migdalia Sarahi McDowell, of Bradenton, for $512,500. Built in 2012, it has four bedrooms, three baths and 2,451 square feet of living area. It sold for $340,000 in 2019.

10-14

DEL WEBB

Shashi Mody, trustee, of Sarasota,

sold the home at 17714 Northwood Place to Judith Lee Maquine, of Lakewood Ranch, and Jacqueline Melanie Eppolito, of Bradenton, for $507,000. Built in 2021, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,640 square feet of living area. It sold for $418,600 in 2021.

MALLORY PARK

William Du and Tara Elizabeth Buchanan, of Grand Junction, Colorado, sold their home at 12017 Cranston Way to Nathaniel and Regina Rayan, of Lakewood Ranch, for $495,000. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,320 square feet of living area. It sold for $515,000 in 2024.

TARA

Francis and Sue Ann Iannello, of Jacksonville, sold their home at 6339 Rookery Circle to Steven and Helmi Sandifer, of Morrison, Colorado, for $485,000. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,738 square feet of living area. It sold for $259,900 in 2012.

SOLERA

Barbara Dorothy Kaprielian, of Johnsonville, New York, sold their home at 5344 Grove Mill Loop to Anthony and Kelly Amodei, of Bradenton, for $465,000. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 2,056 square feet of living area. It sold for $529,800 in 2022.

ARBOR RESERVE

Stuart and Hilary Jones, of Bradenton, sold their home at 4609 Arbor Gate Drive to Bruce and Michelle Hearon, of Bradenton, for $450,000. Built in 2015, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,697 square feet of living area. It sold for $379,000 in 2015.

DESOTO LAKES COUNTRY CLUB

COLONY

Elaine Kelly, of Mendon, New York, sold the home at 4910 Palm Aire Drive to Eldon and Jennifer Yoder, of Sarasota, for $435,000. Built in 1977, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,004 square feet of living area. It sold for $105,500 in 2012.

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