WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Like a luminary shooting warm light through a grey winter sky, Kara Moates rises each day to comfort and guide. Not long after sunrise, she dives into a day chatting about theology and spiritual concepts with a man eager and grateful to share his thoughts about the world while she assesses his vitals. On the same day, she visits a woman in her …
WORDS: Katelyn Disbro
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) wanted to do everything they could to support their ‘Untold First Responders’ – childcare providers who were open every day during this health crisis looking after and continuing to educate our local children!
To help and support them, the ELC procured paper products, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, and much more to distribute …
WORDS: Kara Chalmers
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside has been one of Bradenton’s most beloved restaurants for more than two decades — quite a feat. Situated on busy Tamiami Trail, just north of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, other restaurants nearby regularly come and go. But Landside thrives.
“They always say, ‘location, location, location,'” said John Horne, who, with his wife Amanda, owns Landside, plus three other Anna …
WORDS: Kris Louis — Parentingwithkris.com
Now that COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, schools are slowly gearing up for the start of the new year. Of course, you’ll need supplies — and children’s school supplies can add up fast! From clothing to computers, your budget can really take a beating. Here are some thrifty ideas for moms and dads who want to get everything their kids need without overspending.
Dip Into Online …
WORDS: Katelyn Disbro
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) recently rolled out; pun intended, the newest member of its fleet! The third educational vehicle, named the Mobile Learning Lab, will run alongside the Book Bus and the STEAM Machine, adding additional resources to the ELC’s community educational initiatives.
The former Manatee County school bus was generously donated to the ELC by the School District. The …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Nancy Griffith pulled up to the G.T. Bray playground three years ago with her two grandsons Easton and Nathan – born just six weeks apart and who share a love for all things play – and felt a sense of deflation filter through her body like a party balloon sinking with a slow leak. Apprehension replaced joy as she scanned the playground stretched …
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 …
