Editor’s Note: We spoke with Dr. T. C. Lackey to learn more about Florida Lakes Spa and Florida Lakes Vein Center. They are opening a new office in Wellen Park at 19790 Wellen Park Blvd., Suite 2A and 2D. It’s expected to open in March 2023. Please call 941-777-7SPA or 941-777-7773 (vein center). Their other offices…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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By Randy Moore, Publisher – Clare Harvey and Barry Thorne, a couple in North Port, have been honored with our inaugural Inspiring Artist Award. The acclaimed art teachers have developed one of the region’s best children’s art programs at the North Port Art Center. Dee Gozion, the Executive Director of the North Port Art Center,…
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Editor’s Note: We spoke with Dr. Michele Gero, a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician and owner of Aspire DPC located at 415 Commercial Court (Suite C) in Venice. DPC is an acronym for Direct Primary Care. Call 941-800-1630 for a free meet and greet with Dr. Gero. Visit AspireDirectPrimaryCare.com. Aspire DPC was one of the two…
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Editor’s Note: We spoke with Aimee Odette, one of the owners of The Island Bookshop with Michael Rank. Their business is located at 206 Miami Ave. W. on Venice Island. Call 941-416-5511 and visit TheIslandBookshop.com. Aimee, please introduce The Island Bookshop?It’s a sweet and mighty bookshop on the island of Venice at the corner of Miami…
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Editor’s Note: We spoke with Daniela Koci, a licensed insurance agent and owner of Koci Insurance Services. She helps her clients choose the right Medicare plan for their individual needs. Call 941-462-3653 for a free consultation. Visit KociInsurance.com. Daniela, please summarize how you help your clients?As an independent agent, I represent several major insurance carriers…
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