WORDS: Amy Bell
MAIN PICTURE: Whitney Patton
For Marge Vita, volunteering is a way of life. She has worked as a volunteer for as long as she can remember, and Manatee County has benefitted immensely from her tireless work.
Born and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, Marge studied at The Berkeley Secretarial School in East Orange, New Jersey. She graduated from the one-year intensive program that included courses in shorthand, …
WORDS: Katelyn Disbro
PICTURES: Kyle Baker
KIDS around the County are longing to get back out into the community, back into sports, and once more enjoying the outdoors with their friends and families. And, when life does get back to normal, look no further than the Conquistadorables for an amazing fun program full of glamour and grace!
The Conquistadorables have been capturing the hearts of everyone they meet in Manatee …
WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Based in Tampa, Production and Process Technologies (PPT) is a full-service design/build contractor that offers best-in-class design and integration services. “I started PPT Florida in 1997, and we are on our 25th year in business,” says President Bruce Bottorff. “We are a systems integrator for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.”
PPT Florida consists of a group of chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineers who …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
In September, Caitlyn Ryherd, 14, watched one of her cows give birth to a calf, a boy, whom she named El Chupacabra. “It was so cool,” she said. The cow had walked from her stall several yards into the pasture, stopping under an oak tree Ryherd’s family calls “the birthing tree” because it’s been such a popular spot for mothers in labor.
Caitlyn grabbed …
The birthday party glowed with many women and men in white or purple “Votes for Women” sashes. Fancy hats abounded. In February, the League of Women Voters (LWV) was 100 years young!
The celebration at IMG Academy on February 15th, which coincided with the 200th birthday of Susan B. Anthony, was attended by over 200 Manatee and Sarasota County supporters. The event was hosted by the LWV …
Playing in the great outdoors is something kids are doing less and less of these days, and it seems their well-being is suffering as a result. Not only that, but adults are also experiencing ill-effects from less time in nature. Thankfully, this is one parenting battle that’s pretty easy to win. Here are some weapons to add to your arsenal of knowledge.
What You’re Up Against
While you may or may not disagree about whether television has taken things too far in recent years given the slow erosion of content restrictions, you still want to make sure that your children aren’t exposed to inappropriate material when they are still too young to understand or properly process what they are seeing.
And violent, sexual, or otherwise problematic content is everywhere, and on most networks (broadcast or cable). …
WORDS & PICTURES: Jessica Schubick
The Community Engagement team at the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) is a newly-formed branch of the Child Development department supporting the ELC’s drive to make the community as strong and positive for families as possible.
Under the guidance of Director of Child Development Kerry Gaylord, Rachel Spivey heads this new team as Community Engagement Program Manager, with support from team members: Sheila …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
When Ashley Santana-Morales was only eight, her art teacher knew she had a gift.
“She was very artistic,” said Alex Miranda, who then taught at Palmetto Elementary School. “She had her own style already.”
Having your own style at age eight is rare, Miranda said, adding she usually only recognizes personal style in a handful of students in an entire K-5 elementary school.
“Some …
WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
As the husband of State College of Florida (SCF) President Dr. Carol Probstfeld, Bill Murphy is often referred to as the “First Gentleman” around the SCF campus. Although he chuckles at the mention of it, it’s a title that Bill takes seriously. Like his wife, he is fully committed enhancing education in Manatee County – and it shows through his tireless work with the …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Greg Campbell was 12 and home – supposedly sick – from school, when he cooked on his own for the first time. Always ambitious, he chose popovers – light-as-air, eggy bread rolls, known for soft interiors and crisp golden crusts. He used all his mom’s flour, “destroyed the kitchen,” he said, and the popovers he made were an utter failure.
Chef Campbell, now 48, …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
When life swells uncomfortably out of proportion and the phone buzzes impatiently every five minutes, Annette Larkin – the gregarious, charismatic director and owner of Happy Cubs Child Care Center who has a talking speed fast enough to challenge any auctioneer – knows exactly where she needs to go for a deep breath and re-centering: The baby room.
Turning her phone on silent …
WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
As the radio host of 92.1 CTQ’s “Maverick & Lulu in the Morning,” Maverick Johnson is a household name for local country music fans. But there’s more to this popular media personality than meets the ear. In addition to his love of music, entertainment, and sports, Maverick is also passionate about giving back to the community.
“Being able to help and make a difference …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
When Sophie Potillo dances, she is graceful, precise, and expressive. All things that make her a winner. Sophie, 10 and in fifth grade at Braden River Elementary School, has been succeeding in dance competitions since she was six years old. Of all the dance styles she’s performed — tap, contemporary, hip-hop, and lyrical — jazz is her favorite. “Because it’s sassy,” Sophie said.
At …
Southwest Florida has a new early learning resource. The Mosaic Backyard Universe at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton is a brand-new permanent exhibition geared toward children two to eight years old, providing a welcoming and safe place for them to begin learning about science and nature.
The Mosaic Backyard Universe is part of the North Education Center, the Museum’s new wing that opened October 1. The …
