E A ST COUNTY Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Holiday Gift Guide INSIDE
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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. VOLUME 22, NO. 2
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FREE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2019
Business boom on SR 64 corridor
YOUR TOWN
Liz Ramos
Principal turns fly cook Mario Mendoza, the principal at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, was at the school at 6 a.m. Nov. 22 frying a turkey to have ready for the school’s staff. Mendoza (above) also spent four hours after school Nov. 21 seasoning and prepping five turkeys, each weighing about 16 or 17 pounds, to fry for the school’s approximately 70 faculty and staff members. “There are different ways to show appreciation, so mine is cooking for people,” Mendoza said.
Area developers, investors say timing is ripe for more business in East County. PAGE 3A
Chores for charity Kindergarten students turn their labor into a Thanksgiving dinner for those in need. SEE PAGE 8A Pam Eubanks
Pam Eubanks
Aiden Kain tries to lift a 15-pound turkey by himself during part of his tour through the Publix store.
FDOT has a roundabout under construction at the White Eagle Boulevard/Rye Road intersection at State Road 64. Two other roundabouts and commercial development are set to follow on S.R. 64.
Courtesy photo
Photos develop into donation University Park resident Sally Ullman has a talent for photography, and she just might have one for fundraising, too. On Nov. 9, Ullman delivered a $400 check to Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Executive Director Dari Oglesby. The money was generated through donations from guests during her standingroom-only “Return to Africa” photography show Oct. 24. Ullman (above with Oglesby) also donated $500 to the African Wildlife Foundation, which does wildlife and habitat education, conservation and advocacy work in Africa.
Open school choice period approaches Pam Eubanks
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary first grader Leah Olsen practices vocabulary words. The school choice period for parents begins Dec. 2.
Parents hope doors aren’t locked to certain schools due to overcrowding. SEE PAGES 10-13A
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Launch time for museum INSIDE