E A ST COUNTY
SEASON SPRING 2020
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Y R TS A N D S O C I E T G U I D E TO T H E A T H E O B S E R V E R ’S
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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 15
ODA’s Ranch footprint expands
YOUR TOWN
Courtesy photo
Sweet price of freedom Denise Herrera’s class of fifth graders at Robert E. Willis Elementary School were in agony Feb. 12. Herrera, who dressed as King George III (above), taxed students as if they were colonists by taking away their chocolate gold coins throughout the day as part of a lesson on events leading to the American Revolution, taxation without representation and the Declaration of Independence. “I love to make [history] come to life,” Herrera said. “I always get excited about it. I wanted to teach it in a different way.”
New middle school should be complete by the next school year. PAGE 3A
LIFE’S NEW PATH Seminars, workshops keep local man on course despite Parkinson’s disease. SEE PAGE 8A
Liz Ramos
Pam Eubanks Courtesy photo
Lakewood Ranch’s Dick Amesbury said Neuro Challenge’s workshops have helped him keep up to date on Parkinson’s developments, as well as products to assist with life changes.
Kindness plan hatched Braden River Elementary School second grader Rosemary Aronin surprised her teacher, Denise Miller, Feb. 21 with an autographed copy of Miller’s favorite book, “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch.” Miller has used the book for teaching every year since meeting author Eileen Spinelli in 1999. Her own autographed copy had been lost. Aronin (above with Miller) wrote Spinelli, who provided an autographed book, bookmarks for the class and Mr. Hatch’s brownie recipe. “I felt so loved,” Miller said. “It was such a thoughtful thing, even for the author, to do.”
Auto lot decision delayed Pam Eubanks
GreyHawk Landing’s Jan Hengel and Kristina Courtenay say they are frustrated Manatee County commissioners have granted a continuance before considering a car lot project on State Road 64.
Proponents for a proposed Cox Chevy lot are granted more time by commissioners to make their case. SEE PAGE 5A
Julie Bianchi, head of ODA’s middle school, said the new building will open opportunities for teachers and students at the private school’s Lakewood Ranch campus.
A+E Entering Dalí’s dream. INSIDE