EAST COUNTY
Observer
All dressed up — to run
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
PAGE 19
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 19
YOUR TOWN Tick, tock. Turn back your clock! Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.
Work begins on $82 million school The School District of Manatee County begins construction in January on its first K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch. SEE PAGE 3
SUCCESS STORY Courtesy image
Books for Kids founder honored with C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award. SEE PAGE 8
Double the fun at Nolan Middle When Jason Troop, a seventh grade language arts teacher at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, saw seventh grader Macoy Kmetz walk into his classroom Oct. 26, it was like looking in a mirror. Kmetz (above with Troop) dressed as Troop, his favorite teacher, for Halloween Dress Up Day. “I laughed very much and enjoyed the compliment,” Troop said. “Macoy’s mother has been sharing with me how much he enjoys my class and how hard he has been working, quite evident in his work. “We both had a great day talking to each other as if we were both the same person. He was very proud of his choice and the fun all enjoyed.” Kmetz won the seventh grade costume contest.
Jay Heater
Ted Lindenberg, of Books for Kids, works with Oneco kindergarten student Cosette Smart and volunteer Marla Perlstein during a 30-minute mentoring session in the school’s cafeteria.
A+E Building a reputation. INSIDE
Lesley Dwyer
Trader Joe’s opens
While other grocery store chains may have loyal customers, Trader Joe’s has fans. The new UTC store opened on Oct. 26 at 8111 Cooper Creek Blvd., and residents were ready to shop. Rich Antonuccio and Cheri Buchanan (above) were among the first customers to fill up a cart. “We’re from the D.C. area, and we used to shop at Trader Joe’s,” Buchanan said. “It’s convenient and right by our house. We’re super excited that it’s here.” Buchanan and Antonuccio were stocking up on meat, but they also like the salads, frozen foods and “basically everything” Trader Joe’s has to offer.
Quarter century of your stories in the bank The East County Observer celebrates its 25th anniversary at Music on Main on Nov. 3. SEE PAGE 12