The controversial Buchan’s Bayside project returned to the Sarasota County Planning Commission on May 21, 2026, and received a 4-1 approval from the commission allowing them to move on to requesting approval from the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners. 

Libertore’s mission is to rezone to Commercial General/Mixed Use for the Main Street Overlay District, and allow freestanding single-family and also multi-family buildings in the district. The goal was to bring all parcels on Dearborn St. District (as well as their newly added 3 lots) under the same development standards as the recently approved Buchans Phase I. 

One key objection was that the proposed rezoning/amendment is not specific to only the Buchan’s Bayside project, it would apply to the entire Central District of Old Englewood, Dearborn St.

Last October, the Planning Commission unanimously told the County Commission to reject the proposed expansion. The primary complication was that commissioners worried bigger, taller buildings would erase the character of Old Englewood Village. The development management team came back removing only the height request, which satisfied the board enough for approval. 

At the May 21, 2026 hearing, the developer brought four petitions: a rezoning to bring the new parcels into the Commercial General/Main Street Overlay District; a special exception to allow single-family villas and platted lots in that zone; another special exception for structures and boat slips in Marine Park, a request to expand by eight additional Condos (two per building) and a lowered height cap back to 35ft. 

In short, the development management team, primarily Kimley-Horn’s Kelley Klepper on behalf of Buchan’s Bayside Inc. and Scott Libertore has been pursuing a comprehensive plan amendment to bring all parcels into a single, unified mixed-use designation. Phase I is approved, but Phase II has faced significant community and planning board resistance, particularly over adding docks, parking availability and neighborhood character. Their special exceptions and rezoning are not just for their property it is for the entire District. This will change the face of the Historic Old Englewood District forever.

Name withheld upon request

The Englewood REVIEW encourages our readers to share their thoughts. Our opinion section exists online as a space where the community can discuss and debate issues that matter to our community. We receive a high volume of letters, so we can’t publish every submission. To submit your letter, email michele@englewoodreview.com with “Letter to the Editor Submission” in the subject line.

The post Letter to the Editor: Planning Commission’s Approval of the Buchan’s Bayside Expansion appeared first on Englewood Review.

Here’s what changed: they can now build eight more residential villas next to the original set, bumping the total number of approved units from 12 up to 20. 

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The community spoke out, especially about the developer’s push to raise the building height limit to 45 feet throughout the business district. While some residents expressed support for this project, some worry that taller buildings will strip Old Englewood Village of its historic charm.

If you’re following this story, Phase I already brought a 10,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant and 12 paired villas to the area. For updates and the latest news on this development, you’ll find updates on the Sarasota County Planning Commission portal.

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Dyan has been passionate about exercise since she was ten. She recalls, “I remember gym class and my teacher telling us, ‘If you do calisthenics three times a week, you’ll never need a girdle.’ That stuck with me. I didn’t even know what a girdle was back then, but I sure didn’t want one! I’d come home, do my routine every day, and I always felt amazing. What I love most now is passing that feeling along to others, helping them feel stronger, more confident, happier, and healthier. If I can do that for people, I’ll keep doing this as long as I possibly can.”

How did Dynamic Walking Fitness get its start? “I really started this journey about ten years ago when I was working at Tringali Rec Center in Charlotte County,” Dyan explains. “I’ve actually been certified as a fitness trainer since the ‘90s. Don’t ask for the exact year, because I’m not giving it up! The truth is that exercise keeps me sharp. My body feels better, and my mind is clearer. I always tell people; fitness isn’t just about the physical results; it’s as much about what it does for your mental health.”

Dyan hears the same comments all the time from class members: “My memory’s better, my balance is better.”

“One woman just today told me she’s improved so much,” Dyan says. “In the class, I get everyone from 40 to 94. That’s the complete range. As someone with over thirty years’ experience as a personal trainer, I can tell you this works.”

When Dyan started teaching at the county, they asked her to develop a walking class for people with arthritis. She said, “Absolutely!” But there was a catch: they couldn’t give her the gym because they had pickleball, and it was packed. So Dyan took the class outside, but the weather was an issue: uneven pavement, and trying to keep everyone together when people walked at such different speeds. The group never grew much, only about eight at a time.

That’s when Dyan went back and struck a deal. She remembers, “I asked them to give me the gym for a month. If I don’t bring in over 50 people, you can have it back. The first week, we had 20. The next week, 80. By the end of the month, almost 200 people were walking with us.”

Dyan received the gym, and people quickly learned about it. People felt safer indoors, especially those on medication. 

“If you’re in your twenties and you want to jog outside, great,” she explains. “But for my group, mostly middle aged and up, the gym is best. We did that for a while, and then I realized I’d built something special. People kept telling me, ‘Wherever you go, I’ll follow you.’ That gave me the push to break off and start my own classes at Englewood Sports Complex. It’s been seven or eight years now.”

COVID made things tough. A lot of folks stopped coming, and then Hurricane Ian didn’t help. Many people lost their homes and moved away. Still, during the season, Dyan has 50 to 60 people in a class, and off-season it’s 30 or 40.

Today, Dyan’s classes are thriving. Along with Dynamic Walking Fitness, she also teaches a stretching class at Tringali. “I just started that up recently. It’s focused on balance and stretching, only 45 minutes, but people love it. I throw in a bit of yoga, a bit of Pilates, and I switch things up often, so no one gets bored.”

For many people, getting started can be tough. Dyan has tips for staying healthy and keeping your mind sharp. She promises it is much easier than you think. 

“The hardest part is just showing up,” she says with a laugh. “Once you’re there, you only do what you can. If you need modifications, I’ve got you covered; march in place, work out from a chair, lift your legs, twist gently. No one should feel embarrassed. In my classes, the slower walkers go near the wall; faster folks take the inner lanes. We play different music every day, too: The Beatles, Supremes, you name it! If you want to dance, dance! Just move your body.”

Dyan has had calls from people who ask if they can use a cane. Dyan says, “Of course. I have a 90-year-old woman who’s there every week with her cane, plus couples in their 90s who do the entire class, and have for years. Recently, someone told me their blood pressure and sugar levels were down after coming. Someone else said, ‘I can get in and out of a kayak now without falling!’ These stories keep me going. I know I’m helping people live longer and better lives.”

It’s not just beneficial for the body; Dyan’s classes are good for your brain health. “Mentally, we do memory sequences. I’ll add simple choreography, like ‘heel out, heel out, tap back, side to side,’ and then ask them to remember the next step. It’s small, but it’s powerful for keeping your mind sharp. As we age, memory gets dodgy, but movement triggers those mental circuits. I’m also an author, and honestly, my mind is so much sharper since I started teaching these classes. There’s nothing like the clarity you get after moving your body and releasing all those endorphins.”

And the music helps, too. Dyan plays old favorites from the 60s, 70s, and 80s; they put everyone in a good mood. The classes are co-ed, and even the men who start off shy end up dancing like nobody’s watching. 

One of the biggest benefits is the social component. “The friendships are like a club all on their own,” Dyan says. “Some people tell me it’s like being in high school again; half the fun is seeing your friends. We’ve got people in their 40s, people retired early, talking with folks in their 70s or 80s, trading stories. Everyone looks out for each other, and I love seeing those connections grow.”

But for Dyan, she admits the number one reason to stay active is mental health. “I’m constantly telling folks with sore knees, canes, or bad backs, ‘We’ll modify the movement. Do what feels right and safe, even if you skip the weights and just use your own body resistance.’ There are no excuses. You’ll be shocked at what you can do if you just keep at it. You’ll improve your balance, your agility, your memory, even your attitude. And if you can’t make it in person, I have videos on YouTube you can do at home. Try at least two or three times a week for both your body and mind.”

Dyan says the most important thing is just don’t give up. “That’s my number one motto. Do what you can, even if it’s just ten laps around the gym. One mile is seventeen laps, and we aim for one to three miles when we can. If you’re not there yet, set it as a goal. Just keep moving. Anything is better than sitting at home doing nothing. That’s what matters most, to keep moving.”

The big question is: was Dyan’s gym teacher right? Did she ever have to wear that dreaded girdle?

“Never!” she says with a laugh. “And I still don’t. So it really does work.”

For more information check out Dynamic Walking Fitness on Facebook or call Dyan at 941-626-2399.

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In 1988, Keith joined his late father, Rex, in his insurance business and eventually purchased Rowley Insurance Agency Inc. in 2004. His family has helped thousands of families, hundreds of businesses, and countless seasonal residents with their insurance needs and questions in the Southwest Florida area and the entire state of Florida. He is a third-generation insurance agent/agency owner and is proud to continue the family vocation. 

Keith spends his free time on his boat with his wife of over 36 years, Cheryl, when he is not in the office creating marketing plans and aiding various community organizations. He also visits their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in North Carolina and keeps in touch with his youngest son as he prepares to get married. Keith is excited about being in the heart of downtown Englewood with its wonderful, revitalized district and is looking forward to being a part of the revitalization.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Having my entire family together, including extended and add-ons for a week long retreat in the mountains.

What is your greatest fear? 

Letting someone down.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? 

Forgetfulness.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? 

Excessive pride in self.

Which living person do you most admire?  

Cherie Devaux Ingordo, a young person we took in after her parent moved back to New York, who has since become one of the most successful female race horse trainers in America with a horse in the Derby.

What is your greatest extravagance? 

My collection (not to be disclosed).

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? 

Success based only on the amount of money you have.

Which living person do you most despise? 

No one, but entitled people.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 

You know…

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.

The post From Lemon Bay to Local Legacy: Keith Rowley Keeps Florida Covered appeared first on Englewood Review.

“We’re excited to show the public our new headquarters building,” says Fire Chief Kevin Easton. “The move to 579 S. Indiana Ave. makes us more accessible to the public and locates us in the center of town.”

The Englewood Fire Department is also collecting school supplies for the 21st Annual Englewood Back-to-School Bash. Even though school isn’t out yet, they’re already gearing up for the next school year. As an official collection site, they’re making sure local kids start the new school year with everything they need. Pencils, notebooks, folders, backpacks; every single donation matters.

Organized in partnership with the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Englewood Fire Department enjoyed offering tours of the new facility and celebrating with the community it serves. 

The post Englewood Fire Department Welcomes Community to New Headquarters with Grand Opening Event appeared first on Englewood Review.

Last October, the Planning Commission unanimously told the County Commission to reject a proposed expansion of Buchan’s Bayside. In that vote, they denied a plan to add eight more residential villas and bump the maximum building height from 35 to 45 feet throughout the business district. The primary complication was planning commissioners worried that bigger, taller buildings would erase the character of Old Englewood Village. The developer pushed for the added height, insisting it’s needed for better storm resilience.

At the May 21 meeting, the developer is back with four new requests for the mixed-use project. The commission will weigh in on the following petitions: a rezoning to bring new parcels into the Commercial General/Main Street Overlay District; a special exception to allow single-family villas and platted lots in that zone; another exception for structures and boat slips in Marine Park; and, again, a request to expand by eight additional villas and raise the height cap to 45 feet, still citing storm resilience.

If you want to attend, the meeting takes place at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, next to the Venice Courthouse, in the R.L. Anderson Administration Center. The meeting runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, check the Sarasota County Planning and Development Services calendar, or call 941-861-5000.

The post The Controversial Englewood Buchan’s Bayside Project Heads Back to Planning Commission May 21 appeared first on Englewood Review.

This will be the region’s first location, set just off I-75 by Harborview Road. They’re planning a sprawling 74,000-square-foot travel center with 120 gas pumps and parking for 740 vehicles. Don’t grab your keys just yet, though, as the projected opening isn’t until sometime between 2026 and 2028. Construction is already winding its way through county approvals.

Florida’s relationship with Buc-ee’s is still a long-distance one for many. Right now, you’ll only find these stores up near St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. But that’s about to change, with four more centers on the way. The wait isn’t short. According to Buc-ee’s, the earliest anybody’s firing up the grill at the new Fort Pierce spot is 2027.

Buc-ee’s is a bit of a legend, mostly for its massive size and the sheer range of things you can get, with over a hundred gas pumps, hot food, a wall of jerky, fresh-baked snacks, home decor, and an almost comical array of souvenirs. The list could go on for pages, but you get the idea.

Buc-ee’s is plotting four more massive centers across Florida:

Fort Pierce, Ocala, Tallahassee, and Port Charlotte. 

These are just a handful of the 16 new Buc-ee’s locations on the books nationwide, some scheduled as far out as 2031.

In Florida, there are only two Buc-ee’s open right now:

St. Augustine: 200 World Commerce Parkway. Opened February 2021, 52,600 square feet and 104 fuel pumps.

Daytona Beach: 2330 Gateway North Drive. Opened in March 2021, 53,000 square feet and 104 fuel pumps. They even added a giant 235-foot-long car wash in 2023.

So, why do people make such a fuss over Buc-ee’s? Maybe it’s the all-hours energy, open 24/7, 365 days a year. Or the Texas-sized ambition that’s led to expansion in 12 states since 1982. 

But the real magic seems to be the over-the-top selection: hundreds of pumps, piping hot brisket, fudge made right in front of you, bags upon bags of their own snacks, and rows of southern home goods and souvenirs. Even their bathrooms get near-legend status. GasBuddy.com ranks them as the cleanest in the country. In May 2024, USA TODAY’s 10Best put Buc-ee’s in the top ten for both Best Gas Station Brand and Best Gas Station for Food.

For fans and skeptics alike, Florida’s about to get a bigger taste of this quirky Texan powerhouse. Ready or not, here comes Buc-ee’s.

Click here to check out the Buc-ee’s website along with their latest news updates and information about their new locations.

The post Beaver Believers Rejoice: Mega-Travel Center Buc-ee’s Plots Massive Port Charlotte Outpost appeared first on Englewood Review.

Statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard say a lot: three out of four people who died in recreational boating accidents drowned, and 87 percent of them weren’t wearing a life jacket.

Right after that, National Safe Boating Week kicks off, from May 16 to 22, 2026. The National Safe Boating Council leads this annual push, challenging boaters to make safety a priority, especially putting life jackets front and center and making sure their safety equipment is up to snuff. The week is a good time for boaters to double-check their routines, inspect their boats, and get in on some educational programs.

National Safe Boating Week lines up perfectly with the start of boating season in a lot of places. It’s the obvious chance to look over your vessel, update your safety gear, and get ready for everything summer on the water offers.

By getting involved, you help cut down on accidents, keep life jackets top-of-mind, and support a culture where safety comes first out on the water.

Locally, Flotilla 99, Cape Haze, will be out and about handing out boating safety info at these spots: Freedom Boat Club in Englewood, Gasparilla Marina Fuel Dock, Tiki Hut Restaurant, Placida Boat Ramp, the South Gulf Cove lock, and at their Communications/PA trailer at the South Gulf Cove HOA property (14859 Ingraham Blvd).

A quick note about the Coast Guard Auxiliary: they’re the uniformed civilian branch helping the U.S. Coast Guard in pretty much all their missions. Congress established the Auxiliary back in 1939. Want more details? Head to www.cgaux.org.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast stands out as the leading mentoring group in Southwest Florida, working with kids ages 6 to 18. They’re not just matching mentors and mentees; they’re building relationships that help young people to reach their potential.

Their programs cover both community-based mentoring, where matches spend time together outside of school, and site-based mentoring, happening right in the classroom. They’ve also added specialized programs like Reading Buddies, Bigs with Badges, and Big Futures. These initiatives focus on literacy, connecting youth with law enforcement, and guiding teens toward college, careers, or service.

Every year, over 1,600 kids get paired with mentors. The results speak for themselves: every graduating senior continues their education, joins the military, or heads straight into the workforce. That’s a 100% success rate. Their work has earned them recognition as a National Agency of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

It’s About Transforming Lives Across Our Community

When you talk with Kahdeja Burroughs and Melissa Nelson from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, it’s clear this organization isn’t just about pairing adults with children. It’s about building genuine relationships, ones that can quietly transform lives across our community.

For Kahdeja, the best moments in her role as mentor manager usually sneak up quietly: maybe a child’s nerves melt away as they meet their mentor, or a volunteer’s awkward smile shifts to laughter once they realize they belong. 

Kahdeja’s busy days include community outreach where she recruits, interviews, conducts background checks, and strives to make ideal matches. “It covers everything,” she says, and there’s an easy humor in her voice. “I look at personalities, strengths, creative or academic abilities, life stories. I try to match kids with the right person, but I also look for a real willingness from the child. You can’t make them want a mentor. If a parent wants it for the child, but the kid doesn’t, I have to say, ‘I can’t force it.’ These relationships have to be real.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast runs both site-based and community-based programs, either meeting at school weekly or going out for activities. Kahdeja adapts her approach, but always keeps the child’s comfort at the center. “It’s up to the child to build that relationship. If they’re not interested, I can’t push it,” she says. “But honestly, nine times out of ten, our team prepares families so well that most kids are open and ready.” When things click, Kahdeja sees change ripple out, not just for the kids, but for families and volunteers, too. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she says, and you can feel her pride.

The real magic, both Kahdeja and regional program director Melissa Nelson agree, is in those unpredictable little milestones. Sometimes, a volunteer calls months into a match, almost in disbelief, to share that their mentee just said, “I love you” for the first time. Or it shows up in a quiet boost to a child’s confidence, a happier report card, or a burst of excited storytelling. Kahdeja checks in every month, sometimes at school, sometimes with a phone call home, making sure the right support is always in place, and nothing falls through the cracks.

For Melissa, the art of matching, getting the right mentor with the right kid, is the heart of the work. “When it works, you just know,” she says. “You see them walk out together laughing, and you can tell they’ll do well.” She gets to watch both mentors and kids thrive, knowing the support doesn’t fade after the first meeting. “It takes patience. We have a waiting list because we don’t just fill spots. We want these relationships to last,” she says. The current waitlist stands at 175 kids in Charlotte County, mostly boys, which means they urgently need male mentors and women comfortable working with boys.

After 14 years, Melissa finds joy and passion in training mentor managers like Kahdeja and watching the lasting impact of strong matches. “That’s what keeps us all motivated,” she says. “We share stories with each other to remind ourselves why we’re here.” For Kahdeja, those stories are enough: hearing a shy kid open up, or learning about why someone wants to volunteer, or witnessing even tiny steps of growth. “I love hearing their stories and figuring out what makes them tick. Watching a connection build; it never gets old.”

At Big Brothers Big Sisters Sun Coast, the proof is in the little things: trust earned, laughter shared, the kind of change that happens slowly but sticks for life.

BBBS is always looking for more mentors, especially men. If you have an hour a week and a willingness to show up, you could be the person who helps a child see new possibilities. For details about volunteering or enrolling a child, visit Big Brothers Big Sisters Sun Coast’s website at bbbssun.org or call 941-473-4003. Sometimes, all a kid needs is someone in their corner to remind them it’s still okay to just be a kid.

At its core, this organization empowers youth facing tough circumstances, with many coming from single-parent families. Through mentorship, they give young people the tools and encouragement to thrive. On Mother’s Day, it feels right to honor them, and all the people helping to guide, support, and believe in the next generation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast 

Family Services Center,
21500 Gibraltar Dr,
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
Port Charlotte: (941) 764-5812
Englewood: (941) 473-4003

The post Beyond Mentorship: How Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is Building Brighter Futures and Strengthening Families this Mother’s Day appeared first on Englewood Review.

What’s special about The Arctic Alligator Creamery? Since 2019, they’ve been churning out small-batch ice cream with fresh Florida dairy. This isn’t the same old stuff you find at the grocery store. Most of their ice cream gets its colors and flavors straight from nature, not from a lab. Sarah and her team call themselves “flavorologists,” and they make everything fresh right in what they playfully call “the lab.” Whenever they can, they pull ingredients from other local small businesses.

Sarah told us, “All of our ice cream is truly made in-house. It’s small-batch, made with natural colors and flavors. There’s nothing artificial. For example, our mint chocolate chip is white because we ditched the green dye. We’ve never used red dye, either, just good old red beet juice.”

Sarah and Kevin opened Arctic Alligator six years ago, and picked up A Better Scoop about twelve years back. And a heads-up just in case you like a good excuse to celebrate with the creamy goodness of a scoop or three, National Ice Cream Month lands in July, on the third Sunday.

Summer is when they really have fun with flavors. Right now, there’s Lemon Blueberry Custard and Key Lime Cheesecake; it’s all about those bright, citrusy tastes. When it comes to bestsellers, Sarah says, “Salted caramel is a favorite. We also have Mint Condition — that’s mint ice cream with a fudge swirl and Oreos. That one’s a big hit.”

If you’re planning a visit, The Arctic Alligator is open Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. A Better Scoop is open every day from noon till 9:45 p.m.

If their Salted Caramel ice cream tempts you, it comes packed with fresh praline pecans from Georgia. Birthday Cake is loaded with buttercream, made fresh for every batch. If you’re in Englewood, grab a scoop at A Better Scoop. Or swing by “the lab” in the evening, because you never know what new creations they’ll be serving up. And if you’d rather stay home, no worries. They’ll ship ice cream straight to your door.

At Arctic Alligator Creamery & Bakery and A Better Scoop, they’ll build or shake up the best frozen dessert you’ve ever tasted. They start with the freshest local ingredients and let their creativity go wild. You’ll taste the difference right away.

Arctic Alligator Creamery & Bakery
3385 S Access Rd Ste 1
Englewood, Florida 34224
(941) 460-3647
Click here to check out their website.

A Better Scoop 
70 S Indiana Ave.
Englewood, FL 34223
(941) 473-2650
Click here to check out their website.

The post A Natural Churn of Events: Arctic Alligator Creamery & Bakery and A Better Scoop Creating a Local Legacy appeared first on Englewood Review.