E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
The new marshal.
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FREE THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018
VOLUME 20, NO. 27
YOUR TOWN
Going Green Tavistock’s CORE development takes shape in Lakewood Ranch. SEE PAGE 3
The right hook
Courtesy photo
An honor to graduate River Springs’ Lindsay Wheeler (above) graduated with honors May 23 from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Wheeler, a 2014 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High and the daughter of River Springs’ Rick and Susan Wheeler, earned a bachelor’s degree in government. Vice President Mike Pence gave the commencement address. An ensign, she will serve aboard the USCGC John McCormick, which is ported in Ketchikan, Alaska.
Those fighting Parkinson’s score a knockout at boxing gym. AMELIA HANKS COMMUNITY REPORTER
Amelia Hanks
Over the moon Joseph Barr, a fourth-grader at Braden River Elementary, was dressed appropriately in an astronaut’s suit May 16 during the school’s Living Museum in the cafeteria. A student in Carrie Ling’s class, Barr (above) selected Neil Armstrong as his subject. “I chose Neil Armstrong because I thought he would maybe have a lot of cool stuff going on other than being an astronaut,” Barr said. Does Barr want to be an astronaut? “No,” he said. “I want to be a doctor and make money to support my family.”
Going through a painful divorce 15 years ago, Michael Roy admits he was looking for a way to relieve stress. After a suggestion from a friend, Roy walked into a Hampton, N.H., boxing gym, where he enjoyed the workout, but figured it was a one-time deal. He got his frustration out, and that was it in terms of the heavy bag and ring. He went on with life. Now 56 and living in Lakewood Ranch, Roy is back in the boxing gym, but for an entirely different reason.
Seniors cap high school careers Family, friends celebrate accomplishments of East County graduates.
SEE PAGE 8
A+E
SEE PAGE 17
Amelia Hanks
Lakewood Ranch High School’s Ashley Bruneman and Anna Castellanos earned their diplomas.
FST spotlight. INSIDE