Some kids get excited for the new year, the buzz of seeing old friends, finding out who’s in your class. Others feel a little sad, maybe even nervous. That’s normal. Letting go of summer’s freedom can be tough, and the first-day jitters are real.

Back-to-school anxiety isn’t unusual. But there’s plenty you can do to help your child manage those nerves. 

First, be sure to listen. Let them talk about what’s worrying them, without jumping in to fix it or telling them to “just relax.” Validation goes a long way. Say something like, “It’s completely normal to feel nervous meeting new teachers.” Kids pick up on your mood, so stay calm yourself. And if you’re anxious, your child will feel that, too.

Next, get the routine started early. A week or two before school starts, start shifting bedtimes and wake-up times so the first morning isn’t such a shock. Visit the school together, walk around, check out their classroom, and even find the bathroom. Getting familiar with the building helps. Try out the morning drive or walk to the bus stop so they know what to expect.

Let your child have some say in the process. Picking out their own backpack or first-day outfit helps them feel more in control. If they need extra support, reach out to the teacher or school counselor, just to make sure there’s a plan. Teach your child a simple breathing exercise so they can use it when nerves hit.

For more advice, check out guides from the Child Mind Institute (childmind.org) or Harvard Health (health.harvard.edu). Just being present and paying attention, being in their corner, can make the biggest difference as the new school year starts.

Here’s what you need to know for back-to-school in Englewood, Florida, for the 2026–2027 year. 

School starts on August 10, 2026. If you have a student at Englewood Elementary, the Meet the Teacher event happens on August 6. For VPK and Pre-K, drop by at 1:00 p.m. Kindergarten through fifth grade meet their teachers from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The new school hours for elementary students: 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Shopping for supplies? The sales tax holiday runs from July 20 through August 20, 2026, so you can buy school items tax-free during that window.

Before orientation, check your child’s assignment on the Sarasota County Schools Focus Portal. If you need more information, just call Englewood Elementary at (941) 474-3247.

For middle and high school students, start dates depend on your district. North Englewood falls under Sarasota County Schools, while Charlotte County Public Schools handles the southern part. Both districts will launch the school year on August 10, 2026. Easy to remember.

Important links for more information:

Sarasota County: sarasotacountyschools.net 

Charlotte County: yourcharlotteschools.net

This is the first of a two-part series exploring all-things Back-to-School. Part two will be published on August 14, 2026.

The post From Flip-Flops to First Day Jitters: Waving Goodbye to Summer and Hello to 2026 in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties appeared first on Englewood Review.

Among them this year is hometown legend Cherie Ingourdo-Devaux, who just made history as the first female horse trainer to win both the Kentucky Derby and, later, the Belmont Stakes. The full class reads like a highlight reel: Christian Otvos (weightlifting, football), Sam Tilly (track and field, football), Charlie Russo (trainer, mentor, legend), and Robert Burris (track and field, soccer, football). Every single one of these inductees brings a remarkable story, each marked by determination and success.

Recently, the Englewood REVIEW sat down with Robert Burris to hear about his days at Lemon Bay, where life has taken him since, and what it means to join the Hall of Fame.

Asked when he learned about the honor, Robert replied, “A few months ago, it became official.” He’d gotten wind of a possible induction a couple of years back, but only recently received confirmation. As for the ceremony, he expects there will be a photo on display, but on October 9th there’s a dinner for all inductees, followed by an in-game recognition at halftime during the football game, where they’ll also hand out the previous year’s state championship rings.

Does Robert still live locally? “No, I’ve been in Gainesville since I left for college,” he explained. He’s built a life there, running his own lawn care and landscaping business. Earlier, he’d studied zoology at UF and managed snakes and reptiles for a national pet distributor. “It was a cool job,” he said, “but five years ago I switched careers and started my own company.”

His passion for animals started in college, leading him to shift from mechanical engineering to zoology, a turn inspired partly by his older brother and those tough intro years. Managing and breeding reptiles became his job for a while; he took care of everything from leopard geckos to boa constrictors.

Sports played a big role throughout his youth. Robert played soccer his entire life but lights up when talking about pole vaulting. “Pole vaulting was the most fun,” he admitted. “When you’re on the field with a team, you lean on each other. With the pole vault, it’s all on you.” Still, he cherishes soccer and baseball too, but pole vaulting holds a special place for him.

In high school competitions, Robert and teammate Jason Ruberg gave their team a boost. The duo helped Lemon Bay’s Manta Rays achieve their highest-ever state finish.

But his journey wasn’t without roadblocks. Senior year, coming off a busy overlap between football and soccer, he tore his ACL during a soccer match. The prognosis? “You’re done, get surgery,” said the trainers and doctors. Robert wasn’t willing to accept that. After seeking a physician he trusted, they tried a knee brace. It meant pole vaulting on a leg with a torn ACL; no small feat. He recalls several dislocations before he even got into the season, competing in only three or four meets before the districts. Despite this, he won the state title, defying medical advice and his own pain. “I was determined. I’d said I was going to win states, so that’s what I was going to do.” 

How are his knees today? “About as good as you’d hope; occasional aches, but that’s just getting older,” he joked.

He shared another wild story, losing his state championship ring right after high school, only for it to make its way back to him two decades later. Robert wore the ring to a friend’s pool in Gainesville and lost it, figuring it was gone forever. Years later, a stranger (Tom) tracked him down. Tom had found the ring, buried in mud, and reached out after seeing Robert’s story about the torn ACL. They connected, united not just by the lost jewelry but by parallel experiences. Tom also played sports at UF and lost his senior season to injury. Ultimately, Tom returned the ring, an unexpected gesture that still amazes Robert.

Standing in front of the school as a Hall of Fame inductee, Robert says, “It’s crazy to come back after all this. I didn’t know I’d win states, didn’t know I’d tear my ACL, but I just decided: I’m doing this. Sometimes you just get lucky. But really, it’s about working hard. If you want something enough, you’ll figure out a way.”

He credits Jason Ruberg as a key motivator. “If it weren’t for always competing against each other, we wouldn’t have reached that level.” That competitive friendship pushed him forward, whether it was soccer, baseball, or track. And of course, he’ll never forget Tom, the guy who returned his ring, proof that sometimes, good things really do come back around.

Asked about life today? Robert smiles. “Happily married, got a little girl named Kare—after my mom, Karen, who passed away when I was in my twenties. She’s three now and amazing. My wife’s name is Natalie.”

You learn a lot about someone through their friends, and Robert’s high school pal Derek McConnell summed him up well: “Robert’s the most genuine, authentic friend you could have. To see him as a dad now, it’s just great. He’s loved here, by my family, by the whole community.”

As another school year kicks off, think about what you want to accomplish. The 2026 Lemon Bay Hall of Fame is a reminder that determination, resilience, and a little bit of luck can carry you far. Who knows, maybe your story will be the next one up on the wall.

The post As a New School Year Begins, Lemon Bay’s Newest Hall of Famers Remind Us That Every Great Journey Starts at Home appeared first on Englewood Review.

There’s just something about this late-summer stretch that feels a little nostalgic. One second, the kids are kicking off their shoes and tearing into summer, and the next, you’re staring at a calendar, realizing the first day of school is right around the corner.

To help you get back into the school groove, the Englewood REVIEW is running a two-part “back-to-school” series. This week, you’ll find everything you need, from school links to orientation details and start dates. We’re also talking about those anxious first-day butterflies and giving parents real advice for helping their kids step into the new year with confidence.

But that’s not all. Get inspired by our local legends. The Lemon Bay High School Hall of Fame inductees for 2026. Cherie Ingordo-Devaux is joining the Hall this year, alongside four others you’ll want to read about. Check out Robert Burris’s journey; it’s the kind of story that sticks with you.

And we couldn’t leave out Englewood’s own big-hearted hero, Louie Pierson. If you’ve been around, you know Louie. He spent 25 years rescuing animals and was a regular Steve Irwin right here in town. Even Jack Hanna once shared a meal at Louie’s table. Now, his daughter Riley Lawrence is working to bring her dad back to his Englewood roots. Her story is as touching as they come.

That’s not the end of it. You’ll find a powerful profile on Dawn Stephens, a fun spotlight on the Flock of Flamingo ladies, and plenty more.

So, as summer slips away and fall gets closer, with Pioneer Days on the horizon, everyone at the Englewood REVIEW hopes you find a little calm, maybe catch a cool breeze, and savor a quiet moment on your porch with your favorite drink. Here’s to wrapping up one season and kicking off the next.

The post From Sunscreen to School Bells: Chasing Wild Legends, Warm Porches, and the Magic of Englewood appeared first on Englewood Review.

The owners, Jessi and Brett, know a thing or two about service. They’re both veterans. Brett says, “With Veterans anything is possible.” Then adding, “Englewood strong!” Judging by the energy at the opening, plenty of locals agree. New customers wandered through the aisles, curious faces lighting up as they discovered what’s on the shelves.

This isn’t your average thrift store. It’s crafted as a gathering place, full of secondhand treasures, friendly chats, and the thrill of unexpected finds. It’s veteran-owned and takes pride in serving its local community.

And in the store’s own words on Facebook: “We are overwhelmed with the amount of support from our community! Thank you all for an amazing afternoon!”

When Englewood REVIEW spoke with Jessi, she was moved by the support at the ribbon-cutting. “The response from Englewood and our fellow veterans has exceeded anything we expected. Our goal is to create a place where people feel valued, veterans and community members feel supported, and everyone can come together. We are honored to be a part of this wonderful community!”

Do you have any questions or want to connect? Reach out at info@veteranthriftshop.com or call 941-681-0786.

Location 1552 S. McCall Rd. Englewood, FL

Click here for their website. Click here for their Facebook page.

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Englewood Pioneer Days happens every Labor Day Weekend. To get you ready, the Englewood REVIEW comes out August 28th with our special Pioneer Days edition, packed with all the details you need. 

Here are just a few of the fun and fabulous events to look forward to:

– Little Miss/Mr. Englewood Pageant
– The wild Cardboard Boat Races
– Diaper Derby (as competitive as it sounds!
– The iconic parade down Dearborn Street
– Family fun at Pioneer Plaza

Let’s talk about the “Mayor for a Day” candidates; always a crowd favorite. 

This year’s hopefuls:

– Courtney Defilippis representing The Literacy Center (TLC)
– Todd Dunn for EFD Firefighters Benevolent Fund
– Kris Hartley (with her dog, Shea) for Suncoast Humane Society
– Karen Harvey for Englewood Helping Hand
– Victoria Macri for Operation Healing Heroes Foundation

Each candidate is organizing their own fundraising events, leading up to all the Pioneer Days festivities. The Mayor for a Day will ride in the parade, wear the sash, and help show off all the things that make Englewood great.

This year’s committee chair is Mike Dalke, working with Mary Jones and Amy Gonzales to pull it all together. Over the years, money raised at this event has lifted up many local charities, some of them completely new to the spotlight. It’s a chance to make a real difference while having a great time.

If you have questions or want to get involved, reach out to Amy at 360-431-6910. Fundraising kicks off on August 1st. Thanks to the Englewood Chamber for making this all happen for the community. Let’s celebrate 70 years together!

Click here for more information.

The post Groovy Ballots and Bell-Bottoms: Englewood’s 70th Pioneer Days Pairs a Disco Parade with the ‘Mayor for a Day’ Race appeared first on Englewood Review.

Now things have changed. Louie is in hospice, and his family faces a tough challenge: getting him back home to Englewood for his final days. His daughter, Riley Lawrence, wants nothing more than to see him back among the mangroves and familiar waters he loves, the place that’s always been at the center of his life’s work.

Louie spent a lifetime caring for this community’s wildlife. Today, it’s our turn to care for him. Let’s do what Englewood does best and come together for one of our own, making sure Louie can finish his story where it began.

To help bring Louie home, you can visit gofundme.com/f/help-louie-pierson.

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Images is jam-packed with everything that makes Englewood special: local businesses you’ll want to support, restaurants that never disappoint, beaches that practically beg you to visit, and plenty more. It’s the go-to resource whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through.

Inside, you’ll find details on fishing spots, nature trails, real estate listings, schools, places of worship, a look back at our local history and so much more.

You can pick up Images wherever you normally find the Englewood REVIEW. Or swing by our office on Dearborn and grab your free copy, then go enjoy everything Englewood has to offer.

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People in Englewood and nearby towns still know his name and remember how he’d drive out at any hour to rescue a manatee, patch up a bird’s wing, or carry in a raccoon with a limp. Some grew up watching him roll up in his old truck, animal in tow, always ready with a story for whoever gathered around.

Lately, though, Louie’s world has changed. He’s in hospice care, and his family’s fighting a tangle of logistics to bring him back home to Englewood. His daughter, Riley Lawrence, wants his last stretch of time to be spent where the mangroves, sand, and water shaped so much of his life. It’s difficult moving end-of-life care between states; there are hurdles, time is ticking, and it takes a village.

Louie’s story isn’t just about one man; it’s about decades of dedication most people would never sign up for. He became Englewood’s go-to “animal guy.” If you found an injured owl by the roadside or a manatee stranded in the weeds, everyone told you: call Louie. Before the social media age, he built Amber Lake Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center from scratch, and that’s how word spread. The story goes that years ago, he was cruising down Manasota Beach Road, saw a hawk get clipped by a car, scooped it up, and brought it home. He’d grown up on a West Virginia farm and wasn’t squeamish; he just figured things out. The next thing people kept calling. It became his life’s mission.

His own home turned into a wildlife center: a hospital shed in the backyard, orphaned animals in the guest room, cages for the ones that couldn’t make it back to the wild. He patched up wings, splinted broken legs, coordinated release days at schools so hundreds of kids could watch an eagle they’d all rooted for head back into the sky. If a dolphin or manatee washed up, he’d drive out in his truck, loaded down with nets and stretchers, working with state wildlife teams to get them safely to rehab facilities. Some days, a rescue meant calling up the local high school wrestling coach mid-school day and borrowing a bunch of tough teenagers to haul a 700-pound manatee.

Louie did all this on donations, small grants, and the kindness of the community. He wrote stories for The Sun, Boca Beacon, the Herald Tribune, and other local papers to help cover the rescue bills. He knew Jack Hanna, who ate dinner at their kitchen table. Although chaos reigned at home, they maintained organization. Otters chased your heels if you forgot the house rule about keeping your shoes on. Gopher tortoises roamed showers. Raccoons would join you at the dining table. Louie welcomed it all and felt it built compassion in his daughter Riley, her friends, and anyone who stepped inside.

But in 2005, after 25 years of almost never taking a break, Louie got kicked by a deer he was trying to save. That’s when he realized it was time to step back. He packed up, left Florida, and returned to his first home, West Virginia. As the years rolled forward, his health faltered. Now, at 75, he’s facing stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Hospice says he has maybe a couple of months left.

Riley, who just moved back from New York to Florida, wants nothing more than to bring him home, back to Englewood and the place he fought for. She’s juggling moving, caring for her son, haggling with health systems, and running a fundraiser so Louie can finish his journey in the place that meant so much.

In a recent conversation, Riley shared what it was like growing up. She laughed about answering the house phone at five years old with “Amber Lake Wildlife, how can I help you?” She talked about friends who still message, recalling the time her dad brought an eagle to class or rolled through show-and-tell with an eagle, raccoon, or otter. Every moment, animals were front and center. Otters nipping at their heels, raccoons at the table, and Louie standing there, ready to tell every story.

Louie had a way of making anyone care, showing why eagles matter, why a hurt raccoon deserved a chance, and why turtles belonged in the world too. His work deeply impacted the community; Riley treasures the memories and photos. There are so many stories to share, all of them packed away, waiting for her to find space and time to share the legacy.

Louie never set out to be famous; he followed the need. When state agencies called, he answered no matter if it was Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a rainy morning when everyone else was sleeping in. Louie’s legacy isn’t just the animals who survived or the stories in print; it’s the empathy that took root in every kid or adult who saw what he did.

Now, Riley’s looking for ways to carry that legacy on. She’s starting the Amber Lake Wildlife Conservation Fund, buying the domain, working on paperwork, and figuring out how to keep the lights of Louie’s mission burning. She wants her son to know what kind of man his grandfather was. Even if he missed the otters and rescue calls, he’ll grow up with these stories.

In the end, Louie’s life and service in Englewood show what one person can carve out, how one house, one truck, and a stubborn sense of duty can ripple through an entire community. He’s not just Riley’s dad or the “animal guy.” He belongs in the same breath as the big-name conservationists because, here, he was our legend. That story deserves to keep on running, long after he’s gone.

If you would like to help Louie to return home to Englewood, visit the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/help-louie-pierson.

The post Louie’s Final Rescue: A Community Rallies to Bring Englewood’s Gentle Wildlife Protector Home Where the Mangroves Breathe appeared first on Englewood Review.

Both Sarasota County and the Economic Stimulus Working Group had filed motions last month, urging the court to dismiss the case. Their argument was straightforward: the petitions focused on parts of the stormwater pond construction and wetland impacts which an earlier version of the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) had already approved. According to them, you can’t come back and fight those areas once they’re covered by the amended permit. They also claimed Kelly and Mary Beth never really made their case for why they had the right to bring this challenge. The petitioners fired back with their own responses, right on schedule.

Judge Van Wyk held a hearing over Zoom on July 16. She listened to both sides, then ruled on July 21, 2026: motions granted without prejudice. That means Kelly and Mary Beth get another shot. They’ve got 15 days to file amended petitions, but this time they must stick to the actual changes in the amended ERP: building dry ponds 6 and 7 and reducing wetland impacts. Plus, they’ll need to prove they’ve got standing based on the standards from the Agrico Chemical Corp. v. Department of Environmental Regulation case. Miss the deadline, and the lawsuit dies, sending everything back to the Water Management District.

But that’s only part of what’s unfolding.

Since the hearing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Kelly Bauman’s been poring over hearing transcripts, checking the court docket. She said in an interview that she was especially caught off guard when the county’s attorneys leaned heavily on the Doctrine of Finality, something she says they’d never mentioned before. “They should not have,” she wrote. “I did not have the opportunity to prepare for it.”

Kelly keeps going back to the root of things. This project got Planning Board approval back in November without support from Jon Thaxton, as she’s quick to remind everyone. The core argument hasn’t changed: no road, no project. It’s that simple.

Recently, Kelly filed a Motion for Official Recognition, asking the judge to formally acknowledge that Sarasota County approved Parcels A & H in January. These parcels sit outside the present boundary of Sarasota National, which raises fresh concerns about spillover impacts.

The crux of their fight ties into the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP). This permit is supposed to examine what future development will do to the area. The ERP insists Basin 11 must be built, but that would need a completely new permit, and it doesn’t mention any impact on Parcels A & H.

Kelly and her group want the judge to recognize that the County’s approval of these parcels changes the game for the road project. They want this on the record.

There’s more. Kelly also discovered that important evidence, photos and exhibits showing flooding and drainage issues, was missing from the official filings sent from the Water Management District to DOAH. She filed a Supplemental Memorandum to get that evidence added to the record, convinced that these details matter for anyone who wants the full picture.

To argue against the dismissal, Kelly lays out five main points:

First, the District already ruled her petition timely and sufficient. Unless someone can prove that wrong, those findings stick.

Second, her property sits right next door—and it’s already been harmed by past permit failures. She’s got the physical evidence and wants her say in a proper hearing.

Third, the District’s own documents make it clear: ending the case outright would harm the CDD’s interests. That, she says, makes her role as a neighbor even more important.

Fourth, her petition spells out specific disputes: flooding, a giant wall, a flawed swale that worsens drainage, and a developer’s plan to rely on a drainage basin that isn’t built.

Fifth, the record doesn’t add up. On July 15, the CDD called itself just an “operations and maintenance” entity, but elsewhere it admits it’s a co-applicant. Kelly argues you can’t call the challenge premature if co-applicant status is still in question.

In the end, Kelly asks the court to keep their petition alive and let the case move forward to the September hearing.

For now, the battle over Manasota Beach Rd. pauses. Kelly Bauman and Oppose Manasota Beach Rd. are regrouping, figuring out their next steps.

While they wait, Kelly Bauman and Oppose Manasota Beach Rd. won’t let up. They’re working behind the scenes, determined to see this fight through and make sure the community finally gets its say. They also welcome anyone in the community that would like to provide support and legal assistance. More updates will come as this story unfolds.

The post Manasota Beach Case Dismissed; Activists Vow to Fight On appeared first on Englewood Review.

After pouring himself into every inch of the renovation and opening, Erik has made it his mission to flood Englewood with art. His philosophy? Keep it simple: bring your creativity, leave your hesitation at the door. “We’re all about community here. If you can get your project through the door, I’ll find a way to say yes. No limits about size or what you want to do. Artists need space to breathe.”

Erik says he grew up bouncing between Philadelphia and Orlando. He’s been coming to Englewood for three decades, but settled here for good 15 years ago with his wife, where they welcomed their daughter. They share the house with a dog and three cats, definitely a lively bunch. 

Before this, Erik spent years working in galleries and museums in New York City and the Bay Area. He genuinely just loves making stuff: painting, writing, music, you name it. For Erik, running the gallery feels like another creative project, but say, “This one’s better because it’s not just for me. I get to support other artists, help them stretch their imaginations, and show off what they can do. That’s what I want: to push local artists to aim higher and help their work get the spotlight it deserves.”

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I probably overuse the word ‘yes’ too much, as I like to try to keep things flowing and progressing. 

Which living person do you most admire?

I probably most admire Mark Grosenbacher, former principal at Englewood Elementary.

Which living person do you most despise?

I probably despise Elon Musk most, if I had to pick.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

The trait I most deplore in others is irreverence.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness would be exemplified by the world just prior to the discovery of electricity.

Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.

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