WORDS: Sheri Roca
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Hunter McGrath has always had a love for cows (all animals, really), and when she saw some of her friends showing animals through the 4-H club, she knew that it was something she just had to do. Armed with a cattle halter, a show stick, and determination, Hunter took first place with her steer, Big Mac, in the 2023 Manatee County Fair. For Hunter, …
WORDS: Merab Favorite
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
At the height of COVID-19 in 2020, working mom Katie Becker found herself at a figurative crossroads. Her three-year-old son had a respiratory vulnerability, so to ensure his safety, Katie placed her career on hold and became a stay-at-home mom. In order to earn income, she watched her neighbor’s son too.
A few months into her new career path, she found herself at another …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
Someone you wouldn’t necessarily think would be connected to every part of a community is the “trophy guy.” But chances are if you or your kids played sports in Manatee County in the last 37 years or have received an award in school or at work, you’ve obtained a piece created by Don Ide of The Trophy Case.
Don moved from south of Buffalo, New …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
The Early Learning Taskforce held its first Transition to Kindergarten (T2K): Breakfast with a Purpose in January. The Breakfast sought to lay the foundation for a successful transition between prekindergarten and kindergarten for students.
The Taskforce is comprised of representatives from Step-Up Suncoast, the Manatee County School District, and the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County. In attendance at the Breakfast were kindergarten teachers, VPK …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
A penguin is unlike your typical bird due to its inability to fly, but that doesn’t stop the bird from having its own beautiful uniqueness. It is from this philosophy that The Penguin Project was born.
The Penguin Project is a national musical theater program where children and young adults with disabilities perform in a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. All roles are …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
When walking up to Prospect Riding Center, one is greeted by the sounds of chickens clucking, roosters crowing, cows mooing, and horses snorting. Not your typical equine therapeutic riding center, Prospect Riding Center offers a variety of hurdles to help folks with special needs overcome many different drawbacks, whether they be mental or physical.
“Coming here, you don’t know what you’ll come up on,” Susan …
WORDS: Sheri Roca
PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
Coach Logan Wells is more than simply a coach. He has made it his mission to give young athletes a chance to play baseball or even go on to college when they may not otherwise have the means to do so. During his five years as a coach of a Florida Travel Baseball team, three of those years have been at the high school …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
When Ted Lindenberg moved to Lakewood Ranch, he wanted to find a way to help people, especially in the process of reading. He joined a literacy council in Sarasota whose objective was to work with adults who have difficulties reading. However, while he found the organization wonderful, it wasn’t quite enough for him; he needed to help children. Thus, Books for Kids was born.
He …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
The needs of local women, children, and families are being radically changed for the better, thanks to The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle. Based out of Lakewood Ranch, the Circle is comprised of philanthropic women who are residents of The Lake Club community.
Barbara Najmy founded The Lake Club (TLC) Women’s Giving Circle in 2014 after having the vision to create a women-only donor-advised philanthropic …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
Dating back to 1948, the De Soto Children’s Parade has been a great source of joy for young ones in Manatee County. This tradition was created by the Hernando de Soto Historical Society and included children of all ages parading through what is now Old Main Street to where Pier 22 sits. While the Hernando De Soto Historical Society also facilitates the De Soto Grand …
WORDS: Merab Favorite
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
While many families from all over the U.S. travel to Florida for an annual trip to Disney World, Craig Warzecha’s family from New Jersey, made the pilgrimage for a different reason. They came to experience spring training games in Florida’s historic Grapefruit League.
During February and March, 15 Major League Baseball teams leave their home states (many still amid blustery winter months) to play …
WORDS: School District of Manatee County
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
The School District of Manatee County has partnered with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) to establish the first-ever Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science at Anna Maria Elementary School. The academy, named for the world-renowned wildlife artist, conservationist, and businessman, will focus on marine sciences, conservation, and the arts.
The collaboration between the district and GHOF will begin this …
WORDS: Josh Moore
When choosing an affordable gift for a child, you may be tempted to purchase the latest electronic gadget or media player—especially if they’ve been asking for it. However, the positive effects of experiential gifts are far more powerful than material goods. Giving experiences encourages social connection and helps improve personal relationships. Here is a variety of budget-friendly gifts that check off these essential aspects!
Look for Ways …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
Did you know that when you read to your child, even as an infant, you are essentially building their brain? There is a common misconception that just because an infant can’t talk or doesn’t react much while being read to, they’re not able to get anything from a book. However, this could not be further from the truth. You might feel hesitant or even awkward …
WORDS & PICTURES: Gabrielle Versmessen
The Bradenton Kiwanis Club is well-known around Manatee County for the many good projects they have done for our community. This year, the Club turned 100 years old, and to celebrate, they not only did things throughout town but also explored the history behind the Bradenton Kiwanis Club.
Established on August 22nd, 1922, the Club was initially named the Manatee River Kiwanis Club. …
