By Randy Moore – I’m very pleased to announce awards for two respected leaders in our community. Dr. Barbara Gaunt-Jaehne is the inaugural recipient of our Venice Lifetime Achievement Award, and Lee Perron is the inaugural recipient of our Sarasota County Spirit Award. Barbara and Lee have had a significant impact on the health and vitality of our region for many years.
    Barbara is a Board-Certified Audiologist and the owner of Medical Gardens Hearing Center with offices on San Marco Drive on Venice Island and Dearborn Street in Englewood. In addition to supporting thousands of local patients since 1976, Barbara has been an active leader in her profession advocating laws and rules that protect Florida consumers. She’s also been a key contributor to several community organizations. Barbara is beloved by patients, staff, and her adorable granddaughter Genevieve (photo).
    Lee manages the Venice Farmers Market (Saturdays), Braves Farmers Market in North Port (Wednesdays) and Englewood Farmers Market (Thursdays). His positive energy and thoughtful leadership since 2011 have enhanced connections between residents, visitors, area farmers and small business owners. The three markets support our local economy while providing fresh locally-sourced produce and other essentials.
    Congratulations to Barbara and Lee for their well-deserved recognition. Both of these outstanding individuals foster community goodwill and healing though their efforts and associations.
    We also announced a third award through our sister magazine Englewood Healthy Living distributed in Englewood, Boca Grande, Manasota Key and Placida. Artist Carroll Swayze is receiving our Lee Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors the memory of Lee Reid, the founder of Reid’s Nutrition Center in Englewood. Carroll was part of the steering committee that helped to save, restore and create The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key. She’s one of the original board members of the Englewood Art Center and a well-respected art teacher.
    We look forward to announcing more award winners in 2020. Here’s a list of our prior winners: Venice Spirit Award – Linda Best with Venice Island Gallery; North Port Spirit Award – Traci Dalrymple with Kokokohn Pure Essential Oils; Englewood Spirit Award (two prior winners) – Lata and Robert Coykendall with Loving Light Yoga, and the senior pet-loving nonprofit One More Day Foundation.

Randy Moore owns Triple 3 Marketing and he’s the publisher of South County Healthy Living and Englewood Healthy Living.