Bust that stress, and check out a few others things, too

They will check your feet, your veins, your spine and more at the Lakewood Ranch Activities Health and Wellness Expo.

The expo, which has been around as long as Lakewood Ranch Medical Center — seven years — returns 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday.

It’s always a magnet for folks wanting the tips on health and fitness, free screenings, freebies in general, and a dab or two of advice.

About 50 tables will be staffed by local healthcare and fitness providers in the main lobby of the hospital and admission is free of charge, said Lori Basilone, community activities manager.

For the first time, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office will be taking part to accept expired or unneeded prescription medication — pills or tablets only.

In addition, at the next table the pharmacy school from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will offer advice on how to properly dispose of pharmaceuticals, Basilone said.

Expo attendees might also want to take the opportunity to get a stress-busting massage, have their blood pressure checked, or get a flu shot.

For more, see Thursday's Lakewood Ranch Herald.

Because they are so darn cute . . .

Second graders Zoe Polivchak (left) and Haley Dragon. (provided photo)

Preschoolers Jordon Hutson (left) and Drew Franks. (provided photo)

Here are photos from the recent Braden River Elementary School sock hop which rewarded good citizenship.

They made us smile, and we thought they might brighten your day, too.

Pre-k student  Alyssa Youssef. (provided photo)

Third graders Samantha Pondillo (front) and (back) Krystal Troha and Kyla Swales. Provided photo)

Super Bowl champion Ryan Nece plans Ranch appearance

Ryan Nece (56) during his playing days with the Tampa Bay Bucs. (Herald file photo)

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will be hosting Ryan Nece, member of the Super bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Bucs, at their Breakfast of Champion Series 7:30-9 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

Nece was a four-year starter on defense and  special teams contributor as well. 

Nece founded the Ryan Nece Foundation and has helped to develop foundation programs that strive to promote volunteerism, health and wellness and character development among young people.

The cost of this breakfast event is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Networking is set for 7:30-8 a.m. prior to the program.

Register at www.LWRBA.org or contact Amanda Vercheski at 941-757-1671.

For more about Ryan Nece, check out his website:

//www.ryannece.com/

Pittsburgh Pirates step up to bat for Payton Wright

Payton Wright at age 4.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will host a “Make a Difference” Celebrity/Corporate Softball Challenge and Family Fun Day on Nov. 19 at PirateCity, 1701 27th Street E., Bradenton.

The all-day event will raise funds and support for The Payton Wright Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer. All local companies are invited to participate, with corporate sponsorships ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 for a team of 12 to 15 players.

The 18-team, round-robin softball tournament will include celebrities and baseball ringers who will be announced at a later date and will be assigned to play with each of the teams.

Families can get involved and support this cause by attending the softball tournament and participating in Family Fun Day activities for $25 per adult, free for kids 12 and under.

Family Fun Day passes include food and beverages, face painting, a Pirates fun house and fast pitch, Mixon Fruit Farm’s hitting inflatable and the opportunity to get autographs of Pittsburgh Pirates players. The Family Fun Day takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with softball games starting at 8:30 a.m.

Companies can name their team and design their own baseball jersey. The Pirates will provide hats for each team, along with gift bags and free food and beverage passes for each player. Sign up your team at www.PaytonWright.org, or contact Holly Wright at holly@paytonwright.org or 941-228-4886.


The Payton Wright Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2008 by Patrick and Holly Wright in memory of their daughter, Payton, who passed away at the age of 5 from brain cancer.

Headquartered in Lakewood Ranch,  The Payton Wright Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funds for pediatric brain cancer research, helping families who have a child with brain cancer, and supporting organizations tied to cancer research and care. For more information, visit PaytonWright.org.

New to Lakewood Ranch?

An orientation for new residents of Lakewood Ranch is set for 4-6 p.m. Oct. 12 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

The informational program is designed to educate residents regarding the roles and responsibilities of Lakewood Ranch Town Hall to include the Inter-District Authority, the community development districts, and the homeowners’ associations. Residents will learn about their local governmental structure and how each of these agencies work together.

Attendance is open to any Lakewood Ranch resident interested in the program but seating is limited. RSVP by 5 p.m.  Oct. 5 to Kay DePaolo at (941) 907-0202 or via e-mail at kay.depaolo@lwrtownhall.com.

Any damage out your way?

Large trees were felled by high winds at Christian Retreat today. (Herald photo by Jim Jones)

High winds hit Christian Retreat about 5:05 p.m. Thursday, knocking down numerous trees, including one that fell on a mobile home.

The wind also ripped off a roof awning over a second-story patio space at the Christian Retreat hotel.

Volunteers were at work this morning with chainsaws cleaning up the debris at Christian Retreat, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., off Upper Manatee River Road.

Pastor Phil Derstine said there were no injuries.

Several persons saw what they believed to be a tornado approaching from over the Manatee River and watched it pick up lawn chairs in front of the hotel, Derstine said.

"They saw them go twirling up into the air, and decided they need to get away from the plate glass window where they were standing," he said.

Call us if you saw any damage from high winds out your way at (941) 745-7021.

'Super' news from East Manatee

Just in case you missed them, there's 'super' news at www.bradenton.com and in the Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch Herald.

No. 1, a super-sized church in Branson, Mo., has bought up $6.2 million worth of property in Lakewood Ranch.

Here's the link:

://www.bradenton.com/2011/09/21/3511630/missouri-mega-church-spending.html

No. 2, there's a Walmart supercenter coming to East Manatee with a 2012 opening. It's expected to add 300 jobs. The link:

//www.bradenton.com/2011/09/21/3511609/walmart-plans-to-open-store-in.html