As temperatures continue to rise and July rolls into August, one constant remains on Florida’s Gulf Coast: professional baseball. Yes, the Gulf Coast is home to its very own Major League Baseball team–the incredibly good Tampa Bay Rays–but it is also home to a slurry of Minor League teams, from the Florida Complex League’s Orioles, who play in Sarasota’s Ed Smith Stadium to the Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders, who play down the road in Bradenton’s storied LECOM Park.

It is here, in this haven of Minor League Baseball, away from the glitz and glamor of the Major Leagues that some of the most interesting stories take place. These are not the stories of multi-million dollar contracts or splashy brand deals, instead they are the stories of new beginnings, of hope, promise and hard work. To follow Minor League Baseball is to know that it is transitory in nature–the teams assembled at these levels are not built to last. Players are meant to progress onto bigger and better teams, with the hopes of eventually reaching their Major League Affiliate.

One such player that has moved onto greener pastures is Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Termarr Johnson, a 19-year-old second basemen who on August 1 was promoted to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Pirates High-A affiliate. Despite a slow start to the year, Johnson has been a star for the Bradenton Marauders all season long, helping propel the team to a 56-40 record on the year. Sporting a slash line of .244/.419/.448 on the year with 44 RBIs and 13 home runs, Johnson’s OPS climbed steadily each month culminating in a whopping 1.013 OPS in July.

While Johnson will be missed in Bradenton, there is already new talent waiting in the wings. On Monday, the Pirates assigned 2023 third-round pick Garrett Forrester to Bradenton. Forrester, a 21-year-old third baseman out of Oregon State, made his debut on Tuesday night, going one for two with three walks. Not bad for a rookie.

LECOM Park, 1611 9th St W, Bradenton. 

Pictured: Pregame warm-up work at LECOM Park. Photo by Thomas Bender at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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New College of Florida’s (NCF) presidential search committee has submitted three finalists to the NCF Board of Trustees for consideration. The three finalists for consideration by the trustees are Richard Corcoran, Tyler Fisher, and Robert Gervasi. Corcoran is the interim president of NCF, a role to which he was appointed in February 2023. Previously, he served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives, holding the seat of Speaker of the House during his final term. From 2018-2022, Corcoran was Education Commissioner of Florida, leading the state’s K-12 education and state college systems including COVID-19 response. He is a member of the Florida Bar, earning his Juris Doctor from Regent School of Law. Fisher is an associate professor of modern languages and literature, Burnett Honors College faculty fellow, and core faculty in the Ph.D. program for texts and technology at the University of Central Florida. A Rhodes Scholar, Fisher earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy at the University of Oxford. He conducted a wealth of scholarly work abroad before joining UCF in his current position in 2018. Gervasi was most recently interim president at the University of Mount Union, and was previously president of Ohio Dominican University and Quincy University. He sits on the board of directors of the Fulbright Association and chairs its selection committee for the annual Fulbright Prize for International Understanding. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in classics from Ohio State University, in addition to an MBA in marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.The 15-member search committee, comprising a distinguished group representing the SUS BOG, NCF Board of Trustees, student body, faculty, NCF Foundation, alumni and other stakeholders and supporters of NCF, started its work on April 7. Over the last four months, the committee received and reviewed 63 applications and conducted eight interviews. The committee was tasked with identifying candidates who could guide New College beyond its recent history of enrollment and economic challenges while restoring its reputation for providing a nationally-recognized liberal arts undergraduate education. Details on candidate forums and interviews will be posted on the NCF.edu Board of Trustees page. 

It is time once again to nominate individuals who have enhanced the agriculture industry in Manatee County. Each year Manatee County Farm City Week recognizes two individuals who have made significant contributions to the agriculture community through the Agriculturalist of the Year and Agriculture Hall of Fame awards. These individuals may have provided these contributions through their farm or ranch, representing the agricultural industry, serving as agriculture consultants, agricultural educators, or by being someone who has been involved in the agriculture sector. The Outstanding Agriculturalist must be a current living member of our community and will be honored during the Kiwanis Club of Bradenton Farm City Week Luncheon. Nominees for the Manatee County Ag Hall of Fame may be living or deceased and will be honored at the Farm City Week Hall of Fame Luncheon. Photos of both recipients will be placed in the Manatee County Agricultural Museum and Hall of Fame in Palmetto. Nomination forms and award guidelines may be obtained online at https://adobe.ly/4740Fao or by stopping by the Manatee County Extension Office at 1303 17th St. West, Palmetto, FL. Nominations must be submitted by close of business on August 31, 2023. Farm City Week runs from November 14th through the 22nd. For a full schedule of agricultural awareness events happening during this annual affair, visit http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu or call 722-4524.  

For the first time ever, popular local musicians JSanti & Sabrina are teaming up for a rocking duo called Whiskey & Willow. See them perform live on Saturday, August 5th from 5-8pm at Hamlet’s Eatery. It's going to be a night of unforgettable music, great food, and pure joy. JSanti is a master at blending different music styles and genres, creating a unique sound that's all his own. His music is an uplifting experience that will leave you feeling energized and inspired. Sabrina is a soulful and sultry singer-songwriter who's quickly become a fan favorite in the local music scene. Her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics have touched the hearts of many, and her music is perfect for those who love to get lost in the moment. They will be playing a mix of covers and originals from classic to southern rock. The patio at Hamlet’s Eatery is the perfect venue with its intimate setting and casual vibes. Hamlet’s Eatery has a great menu of classic items and vegan options. Plus, craft beer, wine and Prosecco on tap. So mark your calendars for August 5th from 5-8pm, and get ready to experience the ultimate doubleheader show. Don't miss out! Located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.HamletsEatery.com or call 941-445-1938. 

Goodwill Manasota recently received a grant of $5,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, in support of Goodwill’s Pursuit of Education program. These funds will enable Goodwill team members who are Sarasota County residents and mid-career (ages 30-54) to earn market-relevant, post-secondary credentials in technology, which will lead to higher earnings. The Pursuit of Education program will enable full-time employees to attend classes either online or in person, resulting in certificates in content areas such as the Microsoft Office Specialist, various CompTIA certifications, Python, and others. Goodwill will work with its training partners Manatee Technical College, Suncoast Technical College, and ed2go to enroll employees in these and other technology certification programs, based on the individual’s interests and preferences. Goodwill’s GoodPartner Coaches will ensure that each participant has the support (i.e., access to the internet, appropriate digital skills training, a digital device, arrangements for transportation, etc.) prior to enrolling in classes. The goals for the program in the current fiscal year (August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024) are to enroll 10 team members in training; have at least seven team members achieve certification; and have at least five team members receive a raise and/or a promotion at Goodwill or be hired for a higher-paying job elsewhere. For more information about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org. 

The Play for Life Foundation, a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Pickleball Club, recently celebrated winners from its first tournament. Benefiting the foundation’s mission, the tournament was held on July 29 at The Pickleball Club near Lakewood Ranch. The 3.0/4.0 women’s and men’s doubles tournament were open to the public and brought in more than $5,000 in entrance fees and donated $1,000 of the proceeds to The Play for Life Foundation.  In total, 43 teams competed during the 10-hour event. “We are so thankful to all of the players who came out for our first tournament and are extremely proud and humbled to see how our foundation is changing lives through pickleball,” said Valerie McCarthy, executive director of the foundation. “By serving youth, veterans and first responders, we have seen first-hand how the sport is decreasing stress levels, encouraging teamwork and promoting healthy lifestyles.” Youth clubs and organizations, schools, veteran programs, fire stations, EMTs, police departments, sheriff offices and highway patrols are encouraged to request a Club-N-Box. Each box contains nets, paddles, balls and instructional material on how to play and setup a court. Qualified requests will be granted a Club-N-Box free of charge. The Foundation has distributed over 40 Club-N-Boxes to date at a cost of $24,000. Each Club-N-Box benefits 200 to 1,000 recipients.  The foundation relies on local businesses and individual support for most of its funding for the Club-N-Boxes. For more information or to donate to help fund a box, visit P4L.org.  

Pictured: Danielle Pfeil, Janet Kempton, Yanette Davis, Grayson Hall, Jennifer Bright and Tatyana Ayaroglu.

 This past Saturday, 7/29, JFCS of the Suncoast held their 2nd Annual Family Day this year themed the “Game of Life” event at the Potter Building in Sarasota. Over 200 individuals attended to make this a successful event to celebrate past participants, welcome new families and collaborate with the community. The purpose of the event was to teach families how to play games together that taught life lessons, fostered an environment of teamwork, and helped build problem solving strategies. Attendees were also invited to enroll in JFCS’s Ignite Fatherhood Program or REACH (Restoring Empowerment and Choosing Hope) program. REACH assists adults in developing the skills they need to hone healthy relationship skills, improve parenting/co-parenting skills, and enhance skills and abilities required to gain and retain economic self-sufficiency. Skills and support are provided through the usage of 10-week evidence-based curricula and individualized case management. Program Director, Melissa Putman states, “Saturday’s Game of Life event was an opportunity for us to spread awareness of the services we provide. We had a great turnout and people signed up to learn further how to promote health relationships.” JFCS’s Ignite Fatherhood program is a grant & research study exploring the role of fathers and father figures through individualized coaching and group discussions. Participants are welcomed into an encouraging growth environment where they can connect with others and share their experiences. For more information about REACH and Ignite please contact JFCS at 941-366-2224. 

Photo courtesy of JFCS of the Suncoast.

THE WALLENDA CIRCUS FAMILY | One of the most daring circus families in the world, the Wallendas, has held a prominent place in the circus and in Sarasota for the greater part of this century, July/August 2023. 

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