On Sunday, May 6, 2012, two students and one professor will be recognized during the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s (USFSM) Commencement ceremony at the Manatee Convention Center for outstanding achievements.
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Kate Shackelford, a senior graduating with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, has been selected to receive the Golden Bull Service and Outstanding Leadership Award, presented by USFSM’s Student Government Association. As President of the PRIDE (Promoting, Recruiting, Increasing Diverse Educators) Club on campus, Kate played an active and hands-on roll in her education. She held internships at both Ballard Elementary School and Rogers Garden Elementary School during her time as a student and hopes to obtain full time employment locally now that she has graduated. As a result of Kate’s leadership, PRIDE has volunteered at events like the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival and organized a Homecoming Dress Drive with Southeast High School to allow students to have access to dresses for school dances. Kate also works part-time by giving private horse riding lessons to youth and is a Big Sister with the Big Brother, Big Sister organization of Manatee County and helped facilitate a partnership between the organization and PRIDE.
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Shawna Machado, a senior graduating with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Award. This award is presented by the Alumni Association. Working on plans to study abroad on a Fulbright Scholarship before returning to USF Sarasota-Manatee for a Master’s Degree, Shawna embodies outstanding in more ways than one. A member of the Social Justice Initiative, the Psychology Club and the Sarasota School of Social Justices, she also works as a Family Advocate for Hope Family Services and volunteers in the community on top of maintaining her status as a full time student. She is passionate about serving the underserved, working with victims of abuse and homelessness, and speaking for those who do not have a voice.
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Professor Ross Alander, Senior Lecturer in Management Studies for the College of Business, has been selected by the students as the Spring 2012 Outstanding Professor. He has an extensive and comprehensive background in Human Resources and Organizational Development in health care, the auto industry, professional employer organizations, with service companies, with professional groups, the public sector and not for profits. Ross has held a number of management/leadership positions at the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors, including being a factory (foreman) supervisor. Moving into the area of health care, he served as Personnel Administrative Manager of E.W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing (Michigan) and as Vice President of Human Resources at Lansing General Hospital (Michigan), then for 10 years as the Vice President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for Tampa General Hospital, where he led a team of 200 members.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in social science and economics and a master's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University and recently attended the Program on Negotiations at Harvard Law.
Nestled deep in the grove of Gumbo Limbo trees at De Soto National Memorial, Graciela Giles and Herbie Rose sketched outlines for their latest masterpieces. The cooling gulf breeze boded well for a day of painting in the natural abundance of Bradenton’s coastline. It has been years since the artists, famous for their watercolors of local landmarks and nature scenes, have painted at the National Park site. Giles said of the park, ”When I am surrounded by nature such as this, I become the tree, the leaves, and the smells. Everything contributes to feeling the essence of nature.“ Rose and Giles’ visit to De Soto is yet another sign that the park is experiencing a resurgence in visitor numbers.
Rose and Giles, from Jamaica and Argentina respectively, have owned an art gallery in Bradenton for decades, the location of which provided the inspiration for the creation of the Village of the Arts. Rose honed his skills at the Pratt institute, one of the top art schools in America. His work can be found hanging all over the world and he designed the 1992 Jamaican Olympic posters in Barcelona. The Rose/Giles gallery displays an abundant collection their watercolors, the latest addition to which will be their paintings of the grand Gumbo Limbo at De Soto.
Although much of the park’s natural wonders warrant artistic interpretation, it is the large Gumbo Limbo that they turned their attention to on Sunday. Officially the largest Gumbo Limbo in the United States, designated so by the National Forests Association, the tree has been a centerpiece of the park since its inception. Scott Pardue, the park’s superintendent, says, ”Rarely do I look out of the window and not see someone taking a picture of our Gumbo Limbo.“
Many artists, from professional photographers to painters, have derived inspiration from the trees at De Soto, but none as skilled as Rose and Giles. All of the park staff are excited about seeing the painting in its finished form.
The American Diabetes Association would like to thank everyone that helped to make this years’ Tour de Cure, Lakewood Ranch an outstanding success.
The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Each Tour de Cure event has its own character and style, no two events look alike, and this was the case with the Lakewood Ranch Tour that took place on Sunday, April 1st! In 2011 more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events raised more than $18 million to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and Cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
A brilliant day for the Tour de Cure Lakewood Ranch, reaching their goal of over 550 riders and over 50 teams - more than twice the number of riders and teams than in 2011! The teams, individuals and sponsors contributed to the event goal of $150,000 and we are quickly approaching that number with about $130,000 thus far to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association. Special thanks to our Top Ten teams and Top Ten individual fund raisers spanning from Tampa to Ft. Myers: Top Ten Teams for 2012 are: Team Survival Armor, Team Spellex, Team Red-Lakewood Ranch, Village Idiots, Trek Tampa Bay/Chain Gang, MarineMax, Riding with the Maffia, Acevedo Ace’s, Core Fitness Solution and Syniverse Technologies. Our Sponsors: Village Bikes, Core Fitenss Solutions, Ryder Bikes, FirstWatch, MarineMax, Tropicana, Datum, Douglas Jeep, Holiday Inn, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Florida Racing Magazine, Nuun, Sara Lee, Bike Sag and Family Beautiful. Top Ten Individual fund raisers are: Bill Joseph, Scott Lucia, Sandy Birczak, Douglas Betts, Lori Maffia, Ed Russell, Allyn Welch, Carlos Borge, Robin Sollie and Phyllis Tyree.
This year’s success was due to the diligence of the planning committee lead by the Co-Chairs Ed Russell of MarineMax and Ed Levins of Village Bikes. The entire planning committee includes residents of both Tampa Bay and Sarasota. Thank you, Jen Andersen, Max Andersen, Steve Brown., Rob Bryja, Jen Douglas, Steve Hays, Rob Ferguson, Mary Ellen Fortier, Don Foster, Helen Foster, Sara Foster, Sherry Gluchov, Linh Gordon, Beth Graves, Blake King, Vicky Iriazzy, Louis Iriazzy, Drew Hunter, Lori Maffia, Heather Brunette, Alix TePoel, Eva Martin, Lt. Chris Miller, Cynthia Reina, Paul Troyer and Dana Voight. If you are interested in joining this energetic group to impact the mission of the American Diabetes Association, please contact Melissa Brochu Parsons at mbrochu@diabetes.org.
The ride was safe, well marked, and the riders felt the energy out on the road. To ensure the safety of the riders, route support was provided by Gold Wings Riders Association, Sarasota Radio Club, Florida Highway Patrol, Bike Sag, UBC Bikes and Trek in Tampa. Our rest stops were manned by SHI Inc., Gateway Bank, Universal North America, pirates Krewe of Tampa, Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club, and MarineMax.
"Fundraising for the individuals and teams will continue through May 1st and we will be engaging and reengaging those who are looking to be involved in the 2013 Tour de Cure. Each year we have grown and we have VERY high hopes for 2013, as we came off an event that was a GIANT Success all around." states Team Captain and Committee Member, Mary Ellen Fortier.
Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes, including one quarter of a million in the Tampa bay area. An additional 79 million Americans are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.7 million people are unaware that they have the disease. Every dollar raised through Tour de Cure plays an important role in stopping diabetes for good and more than 75 cents of every dollar raised supports the mission.
Please mail any additional donations to: ADA, 4902 Eisenhower Blvd., Ste 295, Tampa, FL 33634 and contact Melissa at mbrochu@diabetes.org if you would like to find out more about sponsorship opportunities for 2013 or if you would like to join the planning committee.
Manatee County is accepting applications for two positions on the Health Council of West Central Florida.
The Health Council consists of twelve members from five counties including Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough and Polk. The Health Council assesses the health status of area residents; collects and analyzes health care data; and develops strategies with community partners for improving health services. The Health Council is an independent, private non-profit organization governed by the member County appointees.
Manatee County appoints two members. One Manatee County position is for a representative who is a health care consumer over age 60. The other position is for a representative who is a non-governmental health care provider. Members must be residents of Manatee County. Health Council members serve for a 2-year term that will begin on October 1, 2012 and are eligible to apply for reappointment in subsequent terms.
Applications are due by 5 p.m., May 15. The application may be found online at www.mymanatee.org/advisory boards.
The Council meets on the second Wednesday of every other month at 8 a.m. at the Health Council Office, 9600 Koger Blvd, Suite 221, St. Petersburg, Florida.
For more information, call Andy Guyre at (941) 749-3030 or e-mail him at andy.guyre@mymanatee.org.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.
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Ever heard of Arthur Eldred? Gerald Ford, or Neil Armstrong? How about Truman Horton? Steven Magie? Payton Edwards or Ian Harkins? All these gentlemen are Eagles Scouts.
In August of 1912, almost exactly one hundred years ago, Arthur Eldred earned the very first Eagle badge. He was so ahead of the curve that he didn’t receive the actual badge until a month later, because the medals hadn’t even been produced yet. Ian Harkins of Manatee County just earned his Eagle badge last February 30.
At least forty astronauts earned the rank as a youth, including Neil A. Armstrong, and 10 of the 11 other Apollo astronauts to walk on the moon. Businessmen who have earned the award include Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, Marriott International CEO J. W. Marriott, Jr., and Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg L.P.
Eagle Scouts found in prominent public offices, as recipients include 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford, 22nd U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, 13th and 21st U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Stephen Breyer. In academia, Pulitzer Prize-winner E. O. Wilson, Gordon Gee, President of Ohio State University, and Kim B. Clark former Dean of the Harvard Business School represent Eagle Scouts.
Entertainers who earned the BSA’s highest rank include documentary filmmaker and Academy Award-winner Michael Moore, Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg, and Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs. Athletes who have earned Eagle Scout include Basketball Hall of Famer (later U.S. Senator) Bill Bradley and MLB All-Star Shane Victorino. Recipients are also leaders of religion, including Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore William H. Keeler, Church of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, and Howard W. Hunter, 14th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Since the first Eagle Scout Award was earned in 1912, more than 2 million young men have gone on to achieve the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank.
In 1982, 13-year-old Alexander Holsinger, of Normal, Illinois became the one millionth Eagle, and Anthony Thomas, 16, of Lakeville, MN became the two millionth in 2009.
While Scouting came to Manatee County in September 1910 a mere seven months after William, D. Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America; it was not until February 1929 before a Manatee County Scout earned that honor. That distinction belongs to Truman Horton. Steven Magie became the 100th Manatee Scout to earn that honor and Payton Edwards was number 500.
Exactly 83 years to the day separated Truman Horton and Ian Harkins, T41 Parish, who became the latest Scout in Manatee County to earn the Eagle Scout Badge. In between Horton and Harkins 639 other Manatee Scouts became Eagles. When you read their names you will be reading a roll call of some of the leading citizens of the County for the past 50 plus years. Names like Warren Saunders, Oscar Brewer, Dan Blalock Jr., Dr. William King, Wayne Bailey, the Zoller brothers Dan and William, Carlton Beall, Judge Gilbert Smith, William Gallo, the Shinn brothers Tyrone and Byron.
And let’s not forget those Eagle Scouts that have migrated to Manatee County; people like Cliff Walters, Ed Hunzeker, Thomas Leis, Kenneth Settlemyer, Jim Lyons, Phil Baker, Rod Urban, Calvin Brown, the late Col. Linwood Griffin, as well as many others.
In honor of all members who have earned the Eagle Scout Award, the Boy Scouts of America has designated 2012 as the Centennial Year of the Eagle Scout, and encourages the public to recognize and celebrate those Eagle Scouts in their communities.
Becoming an Eagle Scout requires years of dedication and hard work. The Eagle rank has become widely recognized as a mark of distinction both within and outside of Scouting. Once earned, it is worn for life. Being an Eagle Scout is more than setting a long-term goal as a youth, and persevering until it is achieved. It is an internalization of the values and principles young men need for life.
In order to earn the rank, a Scout must spend countless hours over the course of several years working and developing his skills in leadership, teamwork, community building, and the outdoors. He must then complete a project that gives specific benefit to his community.
Those Scouts from Manatee County earning the Eagle rank in 2011 were John Ashman, Kyle Cleland, Ben Comes, Dylan DeCarlo, Richard DeCarlo, Elikam Dorbu, Jeff Drummy, Justin Foley, Timothy Foote, Chris Fruchey, William Gerardi, Jason Howze, Brandon Jones, Nathaniel Krafve, James Loppe, Eric Salisbury, George Stranahan, Jordan Tidd, Cory Sivek, Trent Sivek, Kevin Turner, Morgan Wegar, and Richard Wheeler.
Further information on Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, or Exploring in Manatee County may be obtained by e-mailing the Manatee District Executive, Henry Miller, at henmille@bsamail.org or by visiting the Southwest Florida Council’s website at http://www.swflcouncilbsa.org
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Groundbreaking authors talk nutrition at O’Brien Family Farms again this weekend. O’Brien Family Farms will host Naked Calories authors Mira Calton, CN & Jayson Calton, PhD this Saturday at 2pm for a lecture and book signing.
The Calton’s story begins personally: By the time Mira Calton was 30 years old, she had the bone density of an 80-year-old woman. Her doctor’s official diagnosis was advanced osteoporosis, and he prescribed a host of medications. But Mira would have none of that. She took her health into her own hands and began a search for alternatives. Moving to Florida to be closer to her family, she found Jayson Calton PhD, a nutritional theorist with experience working with people who had chronic health conditions. He not only reversed her condition within two years; they bonded over their common passion and desire to help others uncover the sources of their disease through nutrition. In 2005, they married and set off on a 6-year, 100-country research journey to study the effects of modernization on the lifestyle and nutrition habits of people around the world–and the findings culminate in writing of this book.
This Saturday, April 14th from 2pm-4pm, O’Brien Family Farms is hosting a lecture and book signing with Naked Calories authors the Calton’s . ”We’re honored to have nationally recognized authors, such as the Calton’s, come out to the farm as to educate our customers about nutrition,“ says Shannon O’Brien, manager of O’Brien Family Farms.
O’Brien Family Farms is a farm stand and educational center that features hydroponically grown fresh fruits and vegetables that customers can pick themselves or buy freshly picked.
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