EAST COUNTY
Observer
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Hot-to-trot artwork
PAGE 1B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 24
YOUR TOWN
Soleta tees off with groundbreaking The golf facility and community set to put Myakka City on the map as a golf destination. SEE PAGE 3A
Liz Ramos
Guest of the governor Olivia Markun, a Robert E. Willis Elementary School third grader, was able to kick back with Gov. Ron DeSantis for a day. She visited the governor’s mansion Nov. 28 as a result of being one of four studentwinners of the Native American Heritage Month 2023 Art Contest for students in kindergarten through third grade. Markun drew Native American Floridian Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, who was the first woman to lead the Seminole Tribe. Markun’s prizes included an all-expense paid overnight stay in Tallahassee, a reception in the governor’s mansion, $100 and an annual pass to all Florida state parks. She said she’s proud of her work and happy to be able to have visited the governor’s mansion.
Team USA wins Cup, pops cork The Americans rally to victory in the first World Champions Cup at The Concession. SEE PAGE 17A Ryan Kohn
Jerry Kelly wipes champagne from his eyes via Steve Stricker’s American flag as Stricker celebrates Team USA’s victory in the World Championship Cup at The Concession Golf Club in the Lakewood Ranch area. Kelly was the highest scorer of the 18 participants over the three-day event.
Courtesy image
In a hurry to help
Lucy Crank graduated from the State College of Florida’s nursing program on Dec. 8 and was already offered a job at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. “She is the youngest ever graduate of the nursing school,” her dad Paul Crank said in an email. “She is the only student ever to achieve 100% in a cardiology exam.” Lucy graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School in 2020. She was able to graduate from nursing school at 21 years old because she completed her associate’s degree in one year instead of two. On top of the acceleration, she graduated summa cum laude and played viola with the Bradenton Symphony Orchestra. Crank’s next step is to take the exam to become a registered nurse in January.
Jay Heater
Laura Adcock, a principal architect for WBRC, presents a gift to Douglas Whitney, who is retiring from WBRC after 43 years. The gift shows some of the license plates from states in which there are projects he’s designed.
Noted local architect retires after 43 years with WBRC
A+E
Doug Whitney saw the future ... then drew it. SEE PAGE 8A
Butcher’s block: Florida’s wild. INSIDE