Since 1981, teams of law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes have joined together in the Torch Run, carrying “the Flame of Hope” from Chicago, the site of the first International Special Olympics in 1968, to the Opening Ceremonies of local competitions to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement. Since its inception, the Torch Run has raised over $900 million. Yesterday morning, it stopped in front of Rise & Nye’s to celebrate and honor the 5,000-plus athletes who will compete in the 2022 USA Games in Orlando beginning next week.

Starting at the Sarasota Police Department and continuing through State Street, Wednesday’s Torch Run drew many spectators, including members of Easter Seals and The Haven, who enjoyed coffee and snacks while cheering the officers and athletes on at Rise & Nye’s.

This year's games will be the largest in US history with more than 5,000 athletes participating from across the United States and the Caribbean. Jersey Mike's Subs, the presenting sponsor, raised over $20 million to help athletes go to Disney World, the main host location for the games.

Mary Russell is a Special Olympics swimmer from Sarasota participating in three events. “I’m 24 years old and I’ve been swimming since I was five,” she said. “This is a big opportunity for me and I’m so excited for it! I feel ready and strong.”  Local athletes Jared Stancil (golf) and Justin Bear (tennis) will also travel to Orlando to compete in the games.

Beaver Shriver, co-founder of Rise & Nyes expressed his gratitude for the local supporters, officers and athletes. “Today, we are celebrating the final leg of the 2022 Special Olympics Torch Run, representing the culmination of Torch Run events that are taking place around the country in support of the Special Olympics,” he said. “Inclusion, Jobs and Dignity - that's what we are all about here.”

The USA Special Olympics Games opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 5th on ABC at 12 noon. Be sure to check listings for ESPN coverage and download the official app for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games for more information. 

Pictured: Local athletes Mary Russell, Jared Stancil and Justin Bear ready to compete in the 2022 USA Special Olympics Games in Orlando. Photo taken by Barbie Heit.

A grant to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County from one of the nation’s largest financial institutions could mean a greater sense of financial literacy for local high schoolers.

Wells Fargo this year funded Financial Awareness Week events in April at four area high schools: North Port High, Riverview High, Sarasota High and Suncoast Polytechnical High. A month later, the funding also supported two “Dollars and Sense” workshops at the Sarasota Military Academy.

Foundation leaders said that’s all part of effort to provide beyond required school curriculum and better prepare students for the future.

“Throughout our years of work in helping students prepare for life, we discovered the need for high school students to have an awareness of managing finances once they embark on next stages in life,” said Bianca Harris, chief program officer for the Education Foundation. “Financial literacy is equally as important to us as supporting students with college and career decisions. Without this type of literacy, high school students are less likely to make sound financial decisions that can improve their quality of life.”

The financial literacy events at the county’s public high schools were held at Education Foundation Student Success Centers. A total of 223 students visited the events, and completed daily trivia questions, quizzes, interactive financial literacy games and budgeting sheets that tested their ability to earn, spend, save and budget.

College career advisors also spoke with students about ways to save and accumulate money for college and for adult life in general after high school. 

“Over 100 students participated in our financial literacy workshop because they now have the tools, resources, knowledge and confidence to make sound financial decisions in life,” Harris said. “We look forward to hosting more opportunities to help students learn about their finances.”

Harris said the foundation has offered financial literacy support to local schools for the past two years.

“We continue to expand with more banking/community partners who care about students’ financial knowledge and understanding,” she said. 

Image via Pixabay

This weekend, take a trip out to Siesta Key to experience what the Sarasota area may best be known for - the water. Stretching out from the Intercoastal Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico, these waters are not only home to a large and diverse array of wildlife, but also are the perfect place to cool off as temperatures continue to rise in the coming weeks.

Siesta Key Watersports offers an array of different options to get you out onto the water and experience the true beauty of the area, whether it be on boat, jet ski, or 400 feet in the air attached to a parasail.

“Our Jet Ski tours are two hours long and take you north through the Intercoastal Waterway, to the sandbar out by Lido Key, and through Big Sarasota Pass which leads out into the Gulf of Mexico in between Siesta Key and Lido Key. Afterwards we can head back into the Sarasota Bay through New Pass and see the beautiful downtown area from the water,” says Bill Costello, manager of Siesta Key Watersports.

While the outfit offers guided tours, first timers are more than welcome to just rent jet skis and strike out on their own. “Everyday we have people who’ve never been on a jet ski come into our office for a rental or a tour. We’ll equip you with a map and directions to see all of the same spots that’d you see on the tour,” attests Costello.

In addition to jet skis, customers can also experience these waters through the outfit’s boat tours, rentals, and parasailing experiences.

“You don’t have to have any experience at all to parasail. You can fly by yourself or with two others - you leave from the back of the boat dry and ascend to about 400 feet above the water nice and gradually. While you’re out there, we can slow the boat down so you can dip your feet in the water while attached to the parasail or submerge yourself to waist level if you’d like,” says Costello.

Siesta Key Watersports, 1536 Stickney Point Rd., Sarasota, 941-921-3030. 

Photo courtesy of Siesta Key Watersports.

To learn more, visit

In this new installment of Lauren Tarshis’ New York Times bestselling historical-fiction series, the reader experiences a catastrophic hurricane through the eyes of an eleven-year old boy living in Galveston, Texas in 1900.

Charlie Miller is a loving son, devoted big brother, and aspiring magician. When he watches a big storm brewing in his hometown, he finds that he is also a very brave young man. In this action-filled, edge-of-your-seat page turner, readers learn about America’s deadliest disaster and one boy’s bravery in fighting to save the people in his life.

Publication Date: September 2021 by Scholastic Press, Paperback ISBN: 9781338752533. Grades 2-5, age 7-10. 

Music Compound is committed to educating all year long, including when school is out for the summer. In addition to hosting an in-person summer camp, Music Compound launches the Rock Your Summer Reading initiative each year on June 1. Music Compound is again partnering with area businesses to provide special treats, one-of-a-kind experiences, and cool items as prizes; area youth have an opportunity to receive prizes for every five books they read. The program runs through August 5. As the number of books a child reads increases, the value of prizes he or she can earn grows. All participants who read 50 books or more are eligible to be entered into the grand prize drawing for a party for up to 20 people at Music Compound’s Studio 32. Karaoke, pizza, bounce house donated by Let’s Jump Rentals, and sweet treats donated by Crumbl Cookie are included (a $600 value). Associated Rock Your Summer Reading events are being planned, including three workshops with local young author Sienna Alfano, 10. Alfano will present sessions on poetry (July 12, 1:30 p.m.), fiction writing (July 13, 1:30 p.m.) and non-fiction writing (July 14, 1:30 p.m.); these all take place at Music Compound (1751 Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota). Each workshop is two hours, including a break (with snack), and is open to just six participants ages 8-13 each. This program is open to all area children. Participants can download a reader passport by visiting RockYourSummerReading.com. Each participant is requested to complete the form after each book to inform prize partners; after reading their 50th book, participants are encouraged to drop off their completed passport at Music Compound to be entered into the drawing for the grand prize. The winner will be announced on August 12. While the children enjoy the reading and the prizes, parents also enjoy knowing that their kids are benefiting from the activity as well. For additional information, contact Music Compound: info@musiccompound.com or 941-379-9100. There is also a Rock Your Summer Reading Facebook group, with live reading events and plentiful inspiration to keep those pages turning. 

Lynn Miller, PGT Innovations Code Compliance Manager, was recently appointed as Chairman of the American Society for Testing and Materials(ASTM) impact-resistance task group. The American Society for Testing and Materials is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. Miller will serve as the Chairman of the most prominent task group within the window, door, and skylight subcommittee at ASTM. The group is tasked with overseeing the development of the ASTM E1886 and E1996 standards, which are global standards that set the criteria for performance of exterior windows, curtain walls, doors, and impact protective systems impacted by windborne debris in hurricanes. The ASTM E1886/E1996 standards are adopted by the International Building Code, International Residential Code, Florida Building Code, and many other codes worldwide. The standard is critically important in hurricane-prone regions. Miller joined PGT Innovations, a national leader in the premium window and door category, in 2010. In his current role, he oversees the preparation of all PGTI product certification documents, including structural calculations, test planning, and verification of testing protocols. He also provides project-specific engineering services for PGTI products. Miller holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of South Florida and is a registered professional engineer in Florida and Texas. He is a voting member of the ASCE 7-22 wind load subcommittee and is actively involved in various fenestration task groups at ASTM and FGIA. He also serves as President of the Southeast Region of FGIA. 

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Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has announced the promotion of a seasoned staff member, the addition of a philanthropic trailblazer, and the addition of an experienced donor relations staff member. Kelly Borgia joined Gulf Coast in the summer of 2018 after having worked 10 years at Asolo Repertory Theatre as their Production Stage Manager. Borgia served as a Philanthropic Coordinator and Administrator in the Philanthropy Services team at Gulf Coast, and she has now been appointed to Strategic Engagement Manager.  Sasha Hausman Pyatte, CFRE joins the Gulf Coast team as a Philanthropic Advisor, bringing experience in leadership, communications, donor cultivation, and stewardship. Pyatte most recently served as Director of Advancement & Strategic Partnerships at the Van Wezel Foundation where she developed, executed, and evaluated long-term goals and strategies for the foundation and the future Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Priscilla Boward joins the Gulf Coast team as Philanthropic Administrator. Boward hails from Caledonia, Michigan where she worked with many nonprofits for several years. She brings experience in donor relations, volunteer coordination, and communications. In her new role, Boward will work closely with the Philanthropy Services team to assist donors in establishing relationships with Gulf Coast. For more than 25 years, Gulf Coast Community Foundation has transformed our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast serves the needs of the region through systemic change and viable solutions, as a partner in philanthropy and a leader in community initiatives.