E A ST COUNTY
Health Matters JUNE 2020
EAST COUNTY
Observer
Observer
Finding
calm chaos in the
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
In times of uncertainty, scheduling self-care into your life is the first step to managing your mental health. PAGE 2
INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VIRTUAL MEDICINE
What you need to know on telehealth.
PAGE 6
DISASTER LEFTOVERS
How to use the stack of cans in your cupboard.
PAGE 9
•
PICTURE OF HEALTH
Discover reinvigoration in fun exercise.
PAGE 11
FREE THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 32
YOUR TOWN
Proposed homes draw criticism
Planning commission won’t recommend Concession’s plans. PAGE 3
Courtesy photo
Special delivery Manatee County road grader operator Earl Wingate was doing his job May 27 when he made a discovery possibly worth thousands of dollars. As the Myakka City resident drove his grader along State Road 64 from Kibler to Taylor roads, he spotted a pallet turned upside down in a ditch. Wingate stopped and discovered a plastic-wrapped pallet of about 30 undelivered Amazon boxes. He called the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and ultimately, the packages went back to the post office to be delivered to their destinations in Dunnellon. “That’s people’s money,” Wingate said. “I just wanted them to get to their destination.”
HABITAT BACK IN BUSINESS Public helps Big Cat Habitat survive lockdown. SEE PAGE 8 Jay Heater
Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Riley Hall makes a new friend in the petting zoo at Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
Why my father’s the best
Liz Ramos
Ace in the hole The 90-degree heat didn’t stop Savanna’s Mariella Mayrina and her 8-year-old daughter, Maya, from competing in a round of mini golf at the Fish Hole at Lakewood Ranch on June 12. The two were tired of being at home and wanted to get out of the house, even if it meant sweating. When looking at the scorecard at the end of their game, Mayrina saw her daughter had three holesin-one. “You definitely beat me, kid,” Mayrina said. “I’ll get you next time.”
Jay Heater
Maddison Butz, 9, shows off the message she created for her dad, Jon, at Let’s Create Art.
Father’s Day art tells dads why they are special. SEE PAGE 20
A+E
Photography is changing focus. SEE PAGE 19