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: 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: 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: 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: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
With a towering frame over six-feet tall, Deputy Ralph Bryant exudes a bigger-than-life, stoic force field and a nature so humble and serious you may wonder if this 26-year employee of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) will ever crack a smile.
However, last January, Bryant, who molded a fierce basketball program for the Police Athletic League of Manatee County (PAL) over a …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
With the clock barely striking 7 am on a recent morning, Esperanza Gamboa rushed to get ready for a bustling day when her cell phone rang unexpectedly. Surprised at the sunrise call, Gamboa – Director of Outreach and Eligibility for MCR Health – answered to a boisterous and excited woman rattling off a battalion of questions before Gamboa could barely squeak in hello. …
WORDS & PICTURES: Jessica Schubick
Palm View Elementary began the new school year on an exciting note after receiving excellent news over the summer when the Florida Department of Education released school grades for the state. Palm View showed the greatest gains in the School District of Manatee County, going from a D grade in the 2017-2018 academic year (and the 2016-2017 year), to an A grade in 2018-2019! Of …
WORDS: Jessica Schubick
John and Amanda Horne, owners of Anna Maria Oyster Bar, launched the Dive Into Reading program in the summer of 2017. A collaboration with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the School District of Manatee County, Manatee Public Libraries, and with the participation of other community partners, the program began with 74 rising third graders from local Title 1 schools visiting the Anna Maria Oyster Bar Ellenton …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
The bustle of Dr. Michael Mackie’s morning had already roared into full throttle several years ago as he popped in and out of exam rooms caring for patients seeking treatment from a kaleidoscope of ocular diseases to dry eyes. While focused on his intense daily juggle, an unexpected visitor breezed through the doors at Eye Center Inc., baring a beautiful gift that served …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst
With hearts fluttering to a drumbeat of exciting new beginnings and every item they owned, including a dog and a cat, jam-packed in their car, Cheri Coryea and her husband motored from Huntsville, Alabama, to Bradenton in 1989 and soared over the Sunshine Skyway for the very first time. Golden sunrays illuminated their welcoming path and sparkled like diamonds in the water. Coryea …
Words: Cynthia Saunders (Manatee Schools Superintendent)
The 2018-2019 school year in Manatee County was one of transition, challenges, and hard work at all levels of the school district. Thanks to our talented students, dedicated teachers, and devoted support employees, I believe the school year added to what has now become an established record of success.
The school year started with a change in leadership. Dr. Diana Greene, who served as …
WORDS: Amy Bell
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) has been providing counseling, training, and guidance to women across the Suncoast for nearly 40 years. Today, WRC serves thousands of women and families in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The organization offers strategies and resources to encourage self-confidence, determination, and a sense of place. It all comes together to solve immediate needs and provide hope for the future.
A …
WORDS & PICTURES: Jessica Schubick
Dr. Sharon Otis has devoted her life to working with children and families, with a career that spans over 50 years. More than 35 of those years were spent serving the local community in Manatee County. As she approaches a well-deserved retirement, Dr. Otis has much to reflect upon – as well as much to look forward to in the future!
Dr. Otis began her …
WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
As the morning school bell threatened to ring at Stewart Elementary recently, Dwayne Riedel peered through his glasses down 75th Street NW in Bradenton and watched a little boy feverishly riding his bike topple to the ground and knock out his front teeth.
Riedel, a 73-year-old Manatee County School crossing guard, who can’t bare the thought of a child suffering, painfully resisted …
