The Dance Family
To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak, goes the Hopi proverb. For Michele Mercier, owner and director of Dance University in Lakewood Ranch, dance not only…
Leading the Charge for Safe Sleep
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) proudly leads a life-saving initiative funded by the Manatee County Government. The Sleep Baby Safely project…
A Sanctuary of Second Chances
On a quiet street in Bradenton Beach, among stately homes and rental cottages bathed in bright pastels, one property is not like the others. That’s because many…
What Women (Really) Want…
“A college education will adversely affect a woman’s health and fertility.” Wait. What? In the late 1900s, women pursuing higher education battled…
Creating a Better Tomorrow, Today…
On her 19th birthday, Veronica Thames (then Veronica Lequeux) boarded a plane and reluctantly said goodbye to her old life. Tears flowed in this movie-like…
Time to Play!
It was an exciting morning at Tom Bennett Park for the much-anticipated ribbon cutting and grand opening for the fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)…
Hope in New Hands
Since 1980, the mission of HOPE Family Services has been to promote safety, strength, and well-being for those affected by domestic violence in Manatee County…
Summer of Discovery!
As the sun rises higher in the sky and the days grow longer, the anticipation of summer fun fills the air. For many children, summer is a time of endless play…
Teching It to a New Level…
As a 5th Grader at Prine Elementary, Elyan Rivera is described by his teachers as an all-around amazing kid! As a member of the Technology Student Association…
A Force to Reckon With
Nine years ago, a group of three very influential and impactful organizations whose mission is to support early learning came together with the…
Hatching New Ideas!
Ever heard the old adage, “The early bird catches the worm?” Well, it turns out this saying applies to early learning, too! The earlier children are…
Unlocking Joy Through Dance
ReImagine Dance is a local, nonprofit organization offering dance classes, at no charge, to young people between the ages of 5 and 25 with any disability…
Bradenton Reads!
The City of Bradenton hosted a ribbon cutting last month for the Bradenton Reads! Exhibit Grand Opening. The project, a partnership between the City…
The Man Behind the Camera
Station Manager Charles Clapsaddle, along with his Manatee Education Television (METV) staff and board members, have created a legacy here in Manatee…
Cornerstones of the County
We see the names Bishop and Parker on buildings throughout Manatee County, but who were Edward and Lillian Bishop and Mary Parker? How did they help to…
