This wasn’t just about a new address; it was a double celebration. Not only is Sunstar Realty back with a fresh office in Englewood, but they also hit their 30-year mark as a “Milestone Member” with the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. It’s a major achievement for the team and a big moment for the community.

Becky summed it up best: “We are so happy to have a new physical office location back in Englewood following the devastation from Hurricane Ian. It’s been a long couple of years, although we never stopped working with our customers. Having this location is more convenient for them, almost in their backyard. Please stop in one day to say hello and check it all out.”If you need to reach them, call 941-475-0009, stop by at 880 S. McCall Rd., Englewood or visit coldwellbanker.com.

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The ceremony, which began at 9:30 a.m., included the Posting of the Colors by the Englewood Fire Department, the national anthem led by retired Navy veteran Carol Hilton, and prayers for unity and healing. 

Doug Izzo, executive director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, welcomed attendees and reminded them of the importance of reflection. “This ceremony is not only about remembering lives lost, but also about paying tribute to those who serve and sacrifice,” Izzo said. “Here in Englewood, we may be miles away from where those events took place, but we are forever connected by the spirit and unity that carried this nation through its darkest hours.”

Pastor Alex Christie of the Fellowship Church led the invocation, praying for unity in a divided nation and giving thanks for the courage of first responders and service members.

Deputy Chief Karl Bennett of the Englewood Fire Department delivered the keynote address. He recounted the timeline of September 11, honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost, including first responders who rushed into danger. “Their sacrifice didn’t end on 9/11,” Bennett said. “For months, they searched the wreckage, breathing dust and sorrow, driven by duty, love and hope. Hundreds more have since passed from illness caused by working in this toxic aftermath.”

Bennett also noted the continuing sacrifices of the military, with more than 7,000 service members killed in the war on terror. “We owe them more than thanks,” he said. “We owe them purpose, support and unyielding gratitude.”

Shannon Mesenburg of Operation Solid 7 read the names of Floridians who died that day, followed by the ringing of the bell, a fire service tradition signifying remembrance. The bell tolled five times: for the victims in New York City, the Pentagon, Flight 93, fallen first responders and military members, and as a pledge to never forget.

The ceremony closed with the playing of taps by Danny Fusion of VFW Post 10178. Bennett left attendees with a call to service. “You don’t have to wear a uniform to serve,” he said. “Service is found in mentoring a child, checking on a neighbor, supporting a veteran or volunteering in your community. Every act of service is a tribute to those who gave all.”

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This year’s boat races spectators saw 23 boats hit the water, the largest field in recent memory. Much of the credit went to Bart and Austin Tracy of Lasbury Tracy Real Estate, who built 14 cardboard shells for young participants. That gave first-time sailors a jump-start, needing only to waterproof and decorate their boats before setting sail. Judging by a few sinking vessels, not everyone took the waterproofing advice seriously, which made for plenty of laughs.

Winners by category

• Under 9: Englewood Dot, Englewood Fishing Club; raced by Axell Enderley, 9, and Jacob McGinn, 9.
• Ages 10–16: Englewood Dot, Englewood Fishing Club; raced by Jake McClain, 14, and Jordan Fletcher, 12.
• Over 16: Sea Dog, Port Charlotte High School Electrathon Club; raced by Luiz Silva Pinto, 17, and Jesse Porter, 17.
• Captain’s Choice: Blood Sharks; raced by Owen Silberstrom, 11, Erik Strahan, 12, and Bryson Singleton, 11.
  

Organizers said the event’s success was also thanks to the many local sponsors: Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Englewood Sailing Association, Tracy Lasbury Realty, Jubilee Center at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Venice Sea Scouts, Stumpy’s Free Ride golf cart shuttle, musician Dale Shumate, photographer John Bass IV, and food trucks Shaz Shack and Outside the Lunchbox.

The cardboard boat races remain a highlight of Pioneer Days, a community festival that has brought residents and visitors together for nearly seven decades.

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The evening gala, presented by The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa, will run from 5 to 10 p.m. and feature fine dining, live entertainment, auctions, and a fireworks show. Organizers say the event will combine the excitement of a baseball game, the elegance of a gala, and the energy of a community festival.

Guests will be treated to a multi-course menu featuring maple-glazed salmon, French onion-braised beef, seared chicken breast with apple-sage butter, and apple crisp with salted caramel cookie crumble. Live and silent auctions, games, music, and dancing will round out the entertainment, followed by a fireworks finale.

Chamber officials emphasized that proceeds from the evening will benefit community programs, including scholarships for Lemon Bay High School seniors, paid internships for local students, area events, and the Chamber’s building fund.

“Our goal is to host an unforgettable night that also makes a meaningful impact,” the Chamber said in its announcement.

Sponsorships remain available at three levels — Grand Slam ($3,000), Home Run ($2,000), and Batter Up ($1,000) — offering benefits such as reserved seating, media recognition, and banner placement. The title sponsor is The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa, with Shoreline Mortgage Group serving as the fireworks sponsor.

Tickets are $150 per person. Each guest will receive a customized event baseball hat as a keepsake.

Organizers expect the event to sell out and encourage the public not to “wait until the last inning” to purchase tickets.

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The Englewood Sailing Association, along with Lasbury Tracy Realty, is sponsoring the event, offering free cardboard boats to those who want to decorate and enter them in the races. The boats, crafted by renowned local builders Austin and Bart Tracy, veterans of Pioneer Day racing for decades, will be available for a refundable $25 deposit. The deposit will be returned on race day, Saturday, Aug. 30, when participants bring their boats back to race.

Austin and his dad Bart, will construct 10–15 cardboard boat shells that will hold 2 to 4 kids, depending on their size. These will be made of raw cardboard that families can take home, waterproof, and customize to make it their own. If there are not enough boats to go around, a raffle will be held to determine who receives one. However, Bart and Austin will do their best to ensure that each team of kids is allocated a boat.

Racers can take their boats home after pickup to paint, decorate, and customize before returning the following Saturday for the competition. The August 30 races begin at 10 a.m. at the Sailing Center and will feature music, food trucks, pirates, prizes, and community festivities. Spectators are encouraged to bring folding chairs and plenty of spirit.

Race registration is available through the Englewood Chamber of Commerce website. Overflow parking will be located four blocks away at Orange Avenue and Green Street.

For more information and to register for the race, visit englewoodchamber.com/pioneer.

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Each candidate represented a local nonprofit and used the event to raise funds and awareness for their cause. The winner will be named honorary mayor during the Englewood Pioneer Days Parade later this month.

The candidates and their affiliated charities included:

• Pet Samuels, Englewood Food Pantry
  
• Addison Morey, Junior Leadership Englewood
  
• Lucy White, Englewood YMCA (supporting a new playground)
  
• Ed Kinsey, VFW 10178 Veterans Relief Fund
  
• Sonnie Hall, Englewood Area Cancer Foundation
  
• Darla Mapes, Englewood Recovery Oasis
  

One of the evening’s more lighthearted moments came when candidates were asked, “What would be the most important thing to bring to Englewood?”
White, promoting youth programs, answered, “I’d obviously bring all the youth to the new playground!”
Kinsey joked, “A water park. Yes, a water park with big slides and a wave pool!”
Mapes offered a more whimsical take: “A couple of mountains—or at least a few rolling hills.”

The debate was moderated by a panel of local leaders: Irene Slattery of Michael Saunders & Company and the Lemon Bay Conservancy, Kathy Macklin of Englewood Meals on Wheels, Peter Jennings of Harbor One Mortgage, and Bill Flemming of WENG Radio.
Michael Dalke, also of Englewood Meals on Wheels, served as emcee.

In addition to the Q&A, each candidate raffled a themed gift basket, and a 50/50 raffle raised additional funds. Each contestant received $29 from the raffle proceeds to go to their chosen nonprofit.

During the event, the Chamber also announced the Grand Marshal of this year’s Pioneer Days Parade: Nancy Wille, a longtime Englewood resident and active member of the Lemon Bay Historical Society. Wille has lived in Englewood since the age of 10 and is recognized for her contributions to preserving the area’s heritage.

The next Mayor for a Day debate is scheduled for Aug. 19 at The Waverly. The final winner will be determined by the amount of funds raised in support of their respective organization.

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