E A ST COUNTY
Health Matters AUGUST 2020
Observer
EAST COUNTY
Observer
INSIDE
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
KNOW YOUR FUTURE
Genetic testing can tell you what conditions you and your children might face — and possibly the best ways to stay healthy. PAGE 2
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
LOOKING FORWARD
What to expect as your eyes age with you.
PAGE 4
•
THEY SEE ME ROLLIN’
E-bikes are the future of transit — for everyone.
PAGE 6
PICTURE OF HEALTH
Push yourself for the next generation.
PAGE 7
FREE THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 41
YOUR TOWN
OPENING DAY RAINBOWS
Liz Ramos
Big shot on Main Street Michael Cucci Jr. (above), a 2-year-old Creekwood resident, picked up a small blue bag, walked to the cornhole board and threw it down the hole. He laughed before going for another bag. “He’s a first-time cornhole player,” said his father, Michael Cucci. The Cucci family was enjoying dinner on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch on Aug. 7 when Michael Cucci Jr. decided to start playing cornhole.
East County students, parents experience optimism as schools open during the pandemic. PAGE 8
Photo courtesy of Dagmara Niedzielski
Sophie Niedzielski, a second grader at B.D. Gullett Elementary School, sees a double rainbow on her way to her first day of school. Niedzielski says the double rainbow is a sign of good luck. Pam Eubanks
Last bash before school begins With only a few days remaining before she began her third grade year at Robert E. Willis Elementary School, Lakewood Ranch’s Mackayla Blood (above) was looking for something fun to compete her break. She found a unicorn. Or at least she had a unicorn painted on her face during The Mall of University Town Center’s Back to School Bash on Aug. 15. She picked the unicorn because it was going to completely cover her face. “I was going to do a mermaid, but I realized it was going to be small,” she said. Hundreds of children enjoyed special events, live performances and making tie-dyed face masks.
Messenger retains board seat District 1 school board member says she will concentrate on improving reading skills. SEE PAGE 3
Kruse intends to offer a new voice to county Pam Eubanks
Manatee County District 7 candidate George Kruse campaigned outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall on election day.
George Kruse pulls away from longtime administrator Ed Hunzeker, moves to general election. SEE PAGE 3