Education

Coach, Mentor, Educator

Sascha Hyer wins "Ripple Award" by making a lasting impact at Venice High School Article by Emily Leinfuss | Photography by Courtesy Sarasota County Schools Sascha Hyer has always believed that relationships come first. “For me, it’s about building trust with students. Once you’ve got that, you can teach anything,” he says. That student-first approach, combined with his leadership in the classroom and on the field, recently earned Hyer one of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Ripple...

Life + Culture

Kids, Pets & Life Lessons

Interacting with pets helps teach children about respect, kindness and responsibility Article and Photography by Introducing children to pets is more than a rite of passage, it’s a powerful opportunity to nurture empathy, compassion, and responsibility. By learning how to treat animals with respect, children also gain a deeper appreciation for life and the world around them. Respect for pets begins with understanding that animals have needs, feelings, and boundaries. Teaching children to...

Entertainment

Faith at the Heart of Education

Principal Roberto Pugliares is helping to build a Christ-centered future for all at Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School Article by Emily Leinfuss Raised in Middletown, Connecticut, by Italian immigrant parents, Roberto Pugliares grew up with strong values of faith, family, and hard work. After earning his degrees, he taught high school English for 20 years, but over time grew disheartened by the public education system. When the Covid pandemic disrupted daily life, he and his wife moved with...

Education

Classic Kids’ Books That Last

Beloved stories that continue to delight generations from Venice's The Island Bookshop Article and Photography by Oh, the Places You’ll Go!  By Dr. Seuss For: Children of all ages First published in 1990, "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!" is a joyful, rhyming journey through life’s ups and downs. With wit and whimsy, Dr. Seuss encourages readers to embrace their potential and persevere. A perennial favorite and the top gifted graduation book, it’s a heartwarming send-off into a world of...

Life + Culture

"Agents" App Curates Sarasota County Adventures

Explore nature and uncover hidden history at area parks with Sarasota County’s free “Agents of Discovery” app Article by Emily Leinfuss Looking for a fresh way to explore the great outdoors? The Agents of Discovery app turns Sarasota County parks into interactive playgrounds for your brain—with nature-based missions that are as fun as they are educational. Best of all? It’s free, family-friendly, and guaranteed to get you moving. Developed in partnership with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation...

Life + Culture

Summoned By Name

Recognized, remembered, and loved—by each other, and by God Article by Janice Marie Meidel You may recall a television sitcom that aired from 1982-93 called, “Cheers.” Whether Norm was cracking one-liners heading to his favorite chair, or Cliff, the know-it-all mailman, was venting about the latest Sears catalog delivery, this Boston bar is remembered as a place, “where everybody knows your name.” Using someone’s name typically conveys a willingness to engage with them on a personal level.  ...

Life + Culture

Gift Giving Spreads Smiles & Comfort

How Jessy’s Toy Box brings joy to sick kids in Venice Article by Barb Haberman For a child facing a hospital stay, a simple toy can make all the difference. That’s the heartwarming mission of Jessy’s Toy Box ,  a nonprofit dedicated to bringing comfort to children in medical settings through donated toys. The charity was founded in 2015 by Jessy Haberman, a young boy from North Dakota who, despite his own serious health challenges, wanted to make sure other kids going through medical...

Arts + Culture

Where Art, History, and Nature Converge

Discover timeless beauty and rich heritage at Selby Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point campus Article by Emily Leinfuss Nestled along the tranquil shoreline of Little Sarasota Bay just seven miles north of Venice, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Historic Spanish Point invites visitors to explore more than 5,000 years of human history surrounded by native flora and timeless beauty. This 30-acre preserve in Osprey is one of two bayfront sanctuaries under the Selby Gardens umbrella and has quickly...

Education

Driven to Give Back

Car and community clubs award scholarships, celebrate service and friendship Article by Jessie Glantz | Photography by Brian Glantz, 1st Glanz Media Members of the Shark Tooth Sports Car Club (STSCC) and Target Masters came together for a heartwarming evening filled with hugs, warm smiles, and lively conversation at their annual joint event held at Plantation Golf & Country Club. Since 2023, the two clubs have partnered each year to award $1,000 scholarships to two deserving seniors from...

Professional Services

Allen Media Celebrates 20 Years of Growth

Founder David Allen turned one-man startup into national firm Photography by Brian Gantz, 1st Gantz Media When David Allen first shared his plans to open a marketing firm in 2005, some said he’d never make it. The industry was crowded, the local competition fierce, and many agencies were already well established. But Allen, armed with firsthand industry experience and an unwavering drive, wasn’t deterred. He took a leap of faith, left an Atlanta based corporate sales training position, and...