Aimee and Michael at The Island Bookshop

Randy Moore Announces Spirit Awards

By Randy Moore, Publisher – Congratulations to our three newest award recipients. The Island Bookshop is receiving our Venice Spirit Award, Cocoa Yoga Café is receiving our North Port Spirit Award and the Englewood Art Center is receiving our Englewood Spirit Award. The Island Bookshop, owned by Aimee Odette and Michael Rank (see photo), celebrates…

Dr. Lisa Turner

Venice Periodontics and Implant Dentistry

Editor’s Note: Dr. Lisa Turner is Board-Certified in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. She owns Venice Periodontics and Implant Dentistry located at 1531 Tamiami Trail South, Suite 701. Please call 941-497-5591. Learn more at VenicePeriodontics.com. Dr. Turner, what is periodontics and why is it important to dental health?Periodontics involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal…

Jamie and DJ Lovern

Lolablue for Bath & Beauty Products

Editor’s Note: We spoke with Jamie Lovern, the owner of Lolablue, to learn more about her artisan bath and beauty products company. Her flagship retail store is located at 2525 Bobcat Village Center Road in North Port. Call 941-564-9207. Shop online anytime at LolablueLiving.com. Lolablue received one of our North Port Spirit Awards in 2022. Jamie,…

Julie Himelein art

Julie Himelein Fine Artist

Julie Himelein of Venice worked in the nursing field for 35 years before trading in her scrubs for art supplies. Today, she splits her time as a retiree between Venice and Hamburg, New York.     “One of the things nursing and art have in common is the need for ongoing study,” said Julie. “I’ve taken many…

Morgan Bettes Angell

Venice Farmers Market Update

Editor’s Note: We spoke with Morgan Bettes Angell to get an update about the region’s popular Venice Farmers Market. It’s open 8am to 1pm every Saturday October through April and 8am to noon May through September. The address is 401 W. Venice Ave. on Venice Island in front of Venice City Hall. Visit TheVeniceFarmersMarket.org. Morgan, what’s…

Mary Lundeberg photo

The Elegant Brown Pelican

By Mary Lundeberg – The brown pelican glides gracefully along the coastline of Florida, occasionally dipping the tip of its six-to-seven-foot wings into the sea. A master of aerodynamics, the wing beats are slow and powerful as it surfs updrafts along waves or buildings. When it spots fish, this native species dives headfirst from heights…

Nurse Practitioner Linda Ritter

Linda Ritter of Impact Primary Care

Editor’s Note: Linda Ritter, APRN, NP-C, is a licensed and board-certified Nurse Practitioner with considerable experience helping patients with preventative medicine and disease management. Her primary care practice is located at 772 Shamrock Blvd. in Venice. Call 941-786-1385. Learn more at ImpactPrimaryCare.com. Linda, please introduce Impact Primary Care?Impact Primary Care is a personal care center with…

Dr. Karen Helmick

Healthy Body Acupuncture with Dr. Karen Helmick

Editor’s Note: Dr. Karen Helmick is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Board-Certified Acupuncturist. She owns Healthy Body Acupuncture located at 1511 Tamiami Trail just off Venice Island near the south bridge. Call 941-228-4688; learn more at AcupunctureVenice.com. Karen, please introduce your local practice.Healthy Body Acupuncture specializes in pain relief and the well-being of your entire…

Photo credit Brenda Mitchell

Brenda Mitchell Photography

Brenda Mitchell’s passion for photography began in Ann Arbor, Michigan when she received a Pentax K1000 camera as a Christmas gift. She ended up using the family’s tornado shelter as a dark room where she would spend many hours mixing chemicals, developing film and making proof sheets. She even bought film in bulk to save…