Manatee County does Memorial Day right

Crosses marked The Gardens to remember deceased residents of the Parrish community. (provided photo)

From Lakewood Ranch to Sarasota National Cemetery and Bradenton, local residents remembered those who gave all in America's wars.

The Gardens in Parrish also holds a A Memorial Day luncheon and program annually.

The Gardens  honors the deceased veterans from the park by setting up a  display of crosses showing their names and branches of service. This year there were 93 

crosses.

Our salute to The Gardens for caring and remembering.

Observing Memorial Day at The Gardens. (provided photo)

Observing Memorial Day at The Gardens. (provided photo)

Observing Memorial Day at The Gardens. (provided photo)

Mustang statue unveiled at Lakewood Ranch High School

Tarp removed from Mustang sculpture (Photo James A. Jones Jr.)

New Mustang sculpture was revealed at Lakewood Ranch High School. (Photo James A. Jones Jr.)

The results of four months of work in crafting a 300-pound, nine-foot-tall sheet metal sculpture of a Mustang, the school mascot, were unveiled this morning in the courtyard at Lakewood Ranch High School.

The student-designed and constructed sculpture, which sits on a three-foot pedestal, features a rearing Mustang  with a flying mane.

"We drew it 800 times to get it right," said Shelby Gillam, one of  four students who collaborated on the design of the sculpture.

Another student, Chris Shorey, said he thought the artwork was lovely. "Now, that's what I call a sculpture," he said.

All Phases Welding & Fabrication of Ellenton, Quality Powder Coating and Air Gas contributed to the finished product.


For more, see Friday's Herald.


Jim

Students welded the new Mustang sculpture. (provided photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Students welded the new Mustang sculpture. (provided photo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thumbs up to Walk-It

How early was the Walk-It Challenge at G.T. Bray Park this morning?

So early that the dew looked like fat diamonds on the flowers in my yard as we were leaving the house at 7:30.

Terrific event though with 184 walkers from Weight Watchers hoofing it for a healthier life.

Lots of positive energy out there, and this thumbs-up says it all.

By the way, if you haven't been to the county's recreation complex at G.T. Bray in awhile, there is a forest of oaks that is truly magnificent.

For the full story, see Monday's Herald.

For more photos, visit:

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/05/22/3214589/photo-gallery-walk-it-day.html#http://media.bradenton.com/smedia/2011/05/22/17/0523_brlo_walkit01.standalone.prod_affiliate.69
.jpg

Jim

Vitale made it a lucky Friday the 13th for Imagine School

Dick Vitale at Imagine School. (photo provided)

 Friday the 13th failed to keep ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale from venturing away from home.

Vitale was one of several community members visiting Imagine School, 10535 Portal Crossing, Lakewood Ranch, for Career Day.

 It's doubtful students have ever heard such enthusiastic and encouraging words, delivered as only Vitale can.

He urged them to chase their dreams and to never believe in the word, “can’t”.

Other presenters on Career Day included police officers, firefighters, a guidance counselor, a professional photographer, and a banker.

For more information on Vitale’s visit to Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch, visit his website:

http://dickvitaleonline.com/community/community-activities.html

For more information on Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch visit  http://www.imagineschoolslakewoodranch.com/.

Big losers at Braden River Elementary

 August 2010 (from left): Genny Knopf, Lisa Camuto and Kathy Keebler. Provided photo

May 2011 (from left): Kathy Keebler, Lisa Camuto, and Genny Knopf. Provided photo

Three co-workers at Braden River Elementary School are vying to be selected for a future marketing campaign by Medi Weight Loss.

"Even if we don't get selected, we are very proud of our results," said school receptionist Kathy Keebler.

The pride is justified. The trio lost a combined 146 pounds.

 

In July, Lisa Camuto, school secretary/bookkeeper,  began the Medi program at a weight of 202 pounds. She lost 60 pounds, exceeding her goal with a weight of 142.

A month later, Genny Knopf, school registrar, began the program at a weight of 196 pounds. Genny  lost 50.8 pounds, meeting  her first goal with a  weight of 145 pounds.

In September, Kathy Keebler began with a weight of 178 pounds, and lost 27 pounds. She is still working to meet her goal of 138 pounds. 

The dramatic changes -- take a look at the before and after photos -- have worked wonders for health, body image and lifestyle.

"The School Board of Manatee County also has played, and continues to play, an important role in our success due to its focus on wellness, preventive care, and healthy living," Keebler said.

Awesome achievement. Congratulations ladies!

Jim

Buchanan to lead small biz town hall at Ranch

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, will lead a town hall meeting from noon – 1 p.m. Friday at the 2011 Small Business Growth Conference at the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota Small Business Development Center, 7131 Professional Pkwy. E., Lakewood Ranch.

The town hall meeting, a highlight of National Small Business Week, is an opportunity for small business owners to discuss issues impacting their businesses, is part of a free one-day conference from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. hosted by SCF.

The conference features seminars that address important topics for today’s small business owners, including “Certifications for Growth,” “Growing Globally,” “Growing Through Traditional and New Media Marketing Strategies,” and “Financing Growth.”

Speakers include certified business analysts Maria Yepes, Bill McKown, Jim Parrish, Marty Zients, Art Mahoney, Dave Noel, and Wayne Brass.

For information or to register, visit scf.edu/SBDC or call (941) 408-1412.

Don't you love Florida? Gators, love bugs, rain and all

Big rain on S.R. 70 at Lakewood Ranch Boulevard last week.

Who knows why a gator crosses the road?

Lovebug count diminishing?

Love bug season may be waning. Here's my collection from a round trip to Duette this morning.

Add to that a round trip to Myakka this afternoon, and there were enough bugs to warrant a good scrubbing as soon as we hit the driveway.

Take a look through my bug-smeared windshield and there's a little alligator I spotted crossing the road on State Road 64 near Myakka Head.

Remember that big rainfall last week? That proved to be lovebug antidote for exactly an afternoon.

For more on love bugs, see our recent story:

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/05/04/3165525/hate-those-lovebugs-swarms-of.html


Jim