EAST COUNTY
Observer
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
On top of their game
PAGE 1B
FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
VOLUME 25, NO. 32
YOUR TOWN
County taps better filters Manatee County says Ultrafiltraton system will produce cleaner water. SEE PAGE 6A
Liz Ramos
Boosting their brain health Emery Danko, a Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy seventh grader, wanted people who attended the Brain Health Community Wellness Series event to understanding emotional wellness is a process. Danko was one of five Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy Health Occupations Students of America to make a presentation on Feb. 1 alongside Brain Health Initiative founder Stephanie Peabody (above with BHI member Scarlett Lewis and Danko) and Lewis. The presentations were on the importance of emotional wellness and how to improve it. Lewis, the founder of the Choose Love Movement, went on to talk about how people of all ages can use social and emotional skills, along with other tools, to work toward emotional wellness. The presentation was a part of the Brain Health Initiative’s monthly seminar on ways to improve brain health.
Allswell in Waterside The gastro pub Allswell will be one of the final restaurants to open at the Lakewood Ranch business and entertainment hub. SEE PAGE 3A
Jay Heater
Tory Delany and her husband, Darren Shore, will open their gastro pub Allswell in September at Waterside Place.
Lesley Dwyer
Dinking his way around the Ranch Playing since 2012, Country Club resident Gary Beltowski can be classified as a diehard pickleball player. The license plate on his car refers to “dinking,” a shot all picklers know well, and his nickname is “Wooden Paddle Gary.” On Jan. 31, Wooden Paddle Gary stopped by Lakewood Ranch Park to do some research on his favorite subject. Beltowski (above) first said the paddle he was holding was the only one of its kind in the whole world, because he made it himself. Then he corrected himself to say he owns 10 of them. While he is the first person to own his Prolux paddle, he hopes to start selling them soon. “They’re almost ready, but not yet,” Beltowski said.
SMART blazes new trail Exceptional rider competitions open opportunities for those with a physical, social or emotional disability. SEE PAGE 8A
Courtesy image
Becky Calevro, an exceptional rider with Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, and Mark Hiser, the nonprofit’s executive director, look forward to getting more exceptional riders involved in western dressage competition.
A+E The circus is back in town. INSIDE