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Let’s start on Gasparilla Island, where the Boca Grande Community Center is getting a serious facelift. Stevens Construction is steering the renovations, which focus on shoring up the building’s bones, modernizing core facilities, and making the center better able to stand up to future storms. Part of the plan calls for redesigning the east and west wings to better serve community needs. So far, crews have replaced damaged floor joists, poured new concrete slabs, and lifted exterior walkways to help keep water out. Ahead, they’ll transform the old auditorium into a sprawling fitness and multi-use area. 

There’s also a new 9,200-square-foot theater/auditorium on the way, slated to break ground between 2026 and 2027. While these upgrades bring the center into the twenty-first century, planners are determined to keep the laid-back “Old Florida” vibe that locals love.

Meanwhile, over in Punta Gorda, Charlotte County is rolling out a new project at Allapatchee Shores Park, beginning April 3, 2026. They’re shutting down parking and amenities to dig in on long-needed upgrades. Workers will replace the old shell lot, which erosion has chewed up year after year, with sturdy concrete grass pavers. New ADA-accessible parking and improved walkways are in the mix, too. Crews will also repair stormwater trenches so the park can better handle heavy rains. 

With money coming from the County’s Community Services Capital Maintenance Plan, these fixes help keep the park safe, accessible, and ready for both locals and visitors. “This project is a critical enhancement to a frequently used park,” Charlotte County’s project team shared.

Both projects grew out of lessons learned from previous hurricane seasons, and they’re about getting ahead of the next storm and making sure vital community spaces stay open and welcoming. Locals can expect Allapatchee Shores Park to reopen by late summer 2026, ready for a new chapter.

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Colli-Moon comes to the Hermitage from California, where she most recently served as Program Producer for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. There, she oversaw all phases of public programming, including the acclaimed ALOUD series and the inaugural “Night at the Library,” which featured more than 200 artists and arts organizations. She also served for nearly 13 years with the Ojai Playwrights Conference, most recently as Literary Manager.

Pierce, a multidisciplinary curator, producer, and creative strategist, brings experience from New York, where she led initiatives at the Harlem Arts Alliance and Hi-ARTS to expand opportunities for emerging and established artists.

They join a Hermitage team that includes Andy Sandberg as Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stacia Lee as Managing Director, Dave Newman as Operations and Facilities Manager, William Brickhouse as Executive Assistant and Residency Coordinator, and Jordan Moore as Events and Hospitality Assistant. Full team bios are available at HermitageArtistRetreat.org/Staff.

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The Sunshine State Good News Tour with evangelist Will Graham will make its Sarasota stop on Oct. 30 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds as part of a four-city Florida tour bringing music, worship, and messages of faith to communities across the state.

The free evening event begins at 7 p.m. and will include performances by award-winning Christian artists Jeremy Camp and Christine D’Clario. Graham, grandson of the late Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham, will deliver a Gospel message focused on finding lasting hope through faith in Jesus Christ.

More than 130 Sarasota-area churches have joined together to support the local stop of the Sunshine State Good News Tour. Organizers describe it as a collaborative outreach to share encouragement and unity across the region. Leading up to the event, churches have hosted prayer gatherings, worship nights, and training classes to prepare volunteers and equip attendees to share their faith. A special pastors conference is scheduled for Oct. 7.

The tour will begin in Tallahassee on Oct. 26, continue to Gainesville on Oct. 28, stop in Sarasota on Oct. 30, and conclude in Pompano Beach on Nov. 1. Each event will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and free admission for all attendees.

Will Graham, who serves as Executive Vice President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), has preached to more than 1.2 million people on six continents since launching his ministry in 2006. The BGEA, founded by Billy Graham in 1950, continues its mission of sharing the Christian message worldwide through large-scale events, digital outreach, and training programs.

For more information about the Sunshine State Good News Tour or to get involved, visit GoodNewsTour.com.

Tour Schedule:
Oct. 26 – Tallahassee, Tallahassee Automobile Museum Field
Oct. 28 – Gainesville, Depot Park
Oct. 30 – Sarasota, Sarasota Fairgrounds
Nov. 1 – Pompano Beach, Pompano Beach Amphitheater Special Events Field

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Brian Faro, an Englewood resident and co-owner of Paradise Exclusive Real Estate, has launched a program that meets after school at Sky Academy. The 12-week program brings together seventh and eighth-grade boys for weekly sessions on respect, responsibility, and empathy. He discussed the program recently in an interview on WENG Radio with Mary Jones.

“Getting a kid at that age to read my book might be difficult,” Brian said, referencing his 2024 release Self-Inflicted Success. “But going into the classroom, interacting with them and sharing real-life examples gives them a chance to learn and choose the right path.”

The league’s inaugural group includes 14 boys who meet once a week for about an hour. Brian said the sessions cover values such as good manners, accountability, leadership through action, and empathy for others.

“The first thing I told them was, if you’re on time, you’re late,” he said. “When I walked in there, for the first class, all 14 of them were sitting at a desk ready to go. Whoa. I was pretty impressed. That accountability is absolutely necessary in life.”

In that opening week, students practiced handshakes and eye contact. Brian said staff members quickly noticed improvements. “It’s little things like that which build confidence and show respect,” he said.

For Faro, empathy is at the heart of the program. “When you meet someone, you have no idea what they’re going through,” he said. “If these boys can understand that and show kindness, they can change how someone feels in that moment.”

The Young Gentlemen’s League will continue up to right before Thanksgiving, with participants graduating at the end of the 12 weeks. Faro said his hope is to see the program grow beyond Sky Academy.

“If it’s successful enough, we can structure it into a format other schools can use,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s anywhere across the nation or the world, as long as it helps kids.”

For more information about the Young Gentlemen’s League, Brian can be reached through his website, BrianFaro.com.

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Organizers say a strong business plan is key to growth, opening doors, attracting support, and connecting entrepreneurs with others who share their drive. The workshop will guide participants through breaking down markets, building financial projections, and shaping roadmaps that investors will notice.

Attendees will also have the chance to network with local business owners and exchange ideas with peers who share ambitious goals.

The event, hosted by Crews Bank & Trust, the West Coast Center for Economic Opportunity, and the City of North Port, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Venice campus.

If you would like to attend, organizers encourage you to reserve a spot early to secure your place.

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A packed crowd filled Landy’s Restaurant on Thursday night as six candidates and their supporters gathered for the grand reveal of the Englewood Pioneer Days Mayor for a Day fundraiser.

When the final tally was announced, Petreccia D. Samuels, known by many supporters as “Pet”, was named Englewood’s 2025 Mayor for a Day after raising more than $17,000 for the Englewood Food Pantry.

Pet later shared a heartfelt message of gratitude on Facebook. “This victory is not mine alone, but ours as a community,” she wrote, praising her fellow contestants for their teamwork and passion. “It never truly felt like a competition, rather, it felt like teamwork. Each of us worked side by side, lifting up one another while lifting up the people of Englewood.”

She credited her faith for guiding her through the campaign, adding: “Before my first debate I sat and had a conversation with God and I told Him I have no clue what I was doing and that He’s going to have to help me out. And guess what, we all see what He did. It’s not of me but because of Him.”

Outgoing Mayor Laura Roy congratulated Samuels, calling her “a beacon of hope for those less fortunate in our community.”

Six Candidates, One Cause: To support Englewood

This year’s Mayor for a Day contest featured six candidates, each representing a local nonprofit:

• Petreccia Samuels – Englewood Food Pantry (Winner, $17,000)
• Darla Mapes – Englewood Recovery Oasis (2nd Place, $13,645.)
• Ed Kinsey – VFW Post 10178 Veterans Relief Fund (3rd Place, over $11,000)
• Addison Morey – Junior Leadership Englewood
• Lucy White – YMCA, fundraising for a new playground
• Sonnie Hall – Englewood Area Cancer Foundation

Together, the candidates raised more than $65,000 to benefit local organizations.

Mapes, who finished in second place, thanked her supporters, saying, “All for such a good cause. Thank you to everyone who supported our organization.” Kinsey, who placed third, noted, “I’ve lived here all my life, and I see that sometimes people don’t realize what a great community Englewood is. When we come together, things get done. We can do anything!”

Candidate Addison Morey added, “Our community is one of a kind. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but Englewood.”

The event drew a large crowd, including eight former mayors and one grand marshal. Those recognized included past Grand Marshal EstherHorton, and past Mayors, Linda Stevens, Margo Grimshaw, John Mead, Debra Mosley, Charlie Hicks, Janet Shawen, Rebecca DeRosa and 2024 Mayor Laura Roy.

In a special presentation, members of the Sunrise Rotary—Dennis Guzik, Ray Labadie and John Meade—presented a $5,000 check to Linda Stevens of FAME (Friends for the Advancement of Musical Education) to purchase much-needed instruments for local schools.

The “Mayor for a Day” tradition has long been a highlight of Pioneer Days, bringing neighbors together in support of local charities. As Samuels reminded her supporters, quoting Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

This year, Englewood reaped a harvest of generosity, raising funds, awareness and hope.

Next up: Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound Park, 10AM Saturday, August 30. See you there!

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Registration is now open for a free, 3-hour introductory Energy Coach workshop set for August 09. Participants will receive professional instruction on and hands-on training in energy- and water-efficiency strategies, device installation, financial incentives for home upgrades, and public outreach. Training takes place at the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County: Twin Lakes Park, Green Building 6700 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34241

“Community-centered support for reducing energy and water bills makes a real difference for Sarasota County households already working hard for safety and stability,” said Casey McCabe, energy program specialist with Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability. “Our focus on weatherization and efficiency is especially relevant as we experience increased extreme heat and storm activity in our area.”

Nearly half of Sarasota County households are cost-burdened, meaning residents pay more than 30% of their annual income on housing costs. Utility and water bills are a large contributor to this disparity, with some low-to-median-income households in our region paying up to 19% of their annual income on energy costs.

From 2020 through 2024, the Energy Upgrade team has reached nearly 7,000 people with energy-efficiency education and upgraded 310 households. They’ve helped residents save more than $182,000 in utility costs and upward of 4 million gallons of water annually.

The Energy Coach training will run from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a light lunch. Training will cover energy- and water-conservation techniques, energy equity, local utility bill payment assistance, efficiency-related financial incentives, and more. Learn more and register at eventbrite.com/e/1342471040019.

Whether you have a busy weekday schedule or simply prefer weekend learning, this training is designed and scheduled to ensure that everyone can participate. If you would like to join the training but require accommodations or cannot make the specified time, please contact SustainableSarasota@scgov.net.

For more information and to register, visit the registration page or call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 311 (or 941-861-5000 outside Sarasota County).UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County partners local, state, and federal resources to translate research into community initiatives, classes, and volunteer opportunities related to 4-H youth development; agriculture; gardening and landscaping; natural resources; nutrition and healthy living; and sustainability. Learn more at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota.

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