Punta Gorda News

The estate sale was founded by Karin Gustafson and continues to has raise funds for area nonprofits.

“The three-day event features items collected by Gustafson, along with distinctive donations from special friends and donors,” it said in a news release. “The event is known for its carefully curated items that feature the rare and beautiful, and items of historic and decorative interest, many with collectible appeal and value.”

The 2021 event will include more than 1,000 pieces of jewelry, art, tableware and decorative items.

It also includes “rare books and first editions, timepieces and globes, and many other collectibles,” it said.

It will be held indoors at the Women’s Resource Center and masks and social distancing will be required.

The funds raised go to the Women’s Resourse Center, the Animal Rescue Coalition and the New College Foundation’s scholarship fund.

A special preview takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. May 13 with a $15 donation requested at the Women’s Resource Center, 340 South Tuttle Ave., Sarasota.

It then continues — and is open to the public — from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 14 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15.

Kovach, 77, is one of the longest-serving volunteers at Tidewell Hospice in Englewood. She is one of about 1,200 people on the Hospice’s volunteer team. Last year, they gave more than 110,000 hours of service, worth $2.4 million, and equal to the production of 53 full-time employees.

Tidewell is honoring Kovach during National Volunteer Week.

“She’s one of seven volunteers in the region in four counties who have been with us for 20 years,” said Timothy Wolfrum spokesperson for Tidewell Hospice.

In 1998, Kovach moved to Port Charlotte. She golfed with her newly retired husband. As a former licensed practicing nurse for 12 years in Michigan, she realized golfing and gardening wouldn’t be enough for her, she said. She needed to do more for others. 

She took a Hospice class and read lots of books on grieving and death before becoming a Hospice volunteer.

“I felt that’s where my gifts are,” Kovach said. “Over the years, I developed listening skills, laughter and silence. You know it can’t be always somber or mellow when you are dealing with death. That’s where I used what I had read in the book, that there is a difference between living every day and dying inch by inch. Each moment is precious, especially at the end of life.”

In the old days, some patients were in Hospice care for five or six months. She would get to know a lot about those staying at the Hospice House facility at 12034 N. Access Road in Englewood East. She listened as family members spoke about their loved ones.

For years, during quiet times, Kovach showed book of Normal Rockwell paintings to dying patients who recognized the pictures and knew they were based on true stores.

“I once read in a heroes book something else that stuck with me, it said, ‘to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the whole world,'” she said. “I believe it’s true. I’ve used that in talks when I speak to new volunteers. I explain how there will be some real special moments you have with people who are dying. Some don’t have families. Others are estranged and see them one last time.”

Kovach said she’s had patients die as she’s saying the rosary with them. Another simply wanted to go to the beach. Because it wasn’t possible, another Hospice volunteer went to the beach and came back with some sand. She put the patient’s feet in the sand one last time.

“Volunteers do those type of things,” she said. “They are in special world and it’s a special place to be a part of the dying. Volunteers follow Hospice guidelines, but they sometimes put emotion in it.”

With their son and mother in the room, a patient once told Kovach the “miracle didn’t happen.’

“That statement took me by surprise,” Kovach said. “I answered back, it isn’t happening in saving your life, but your family can see your compassion, and you are living and loving every moment of your life. Anything I can do to help, I do. I can tell in a person’s face — even if they can’t talk — they can smile, nod or clutch your hand. They know you are there for them and their families.”

Kovach said she would tell anyone whose interested in Hospice to take every class offered, even if they aren’t as interesting at first. She said she’s learned more about respite and arts for the dying that are now part of her training.

“When you are on an airplane, a stranger likes to talk, they will tell you their life story in an hour,” she said. “In Hospice care, families sometimes need to talk. They need someone to listen and sometimes laugh with or just share a conversation.

“Being a Hospice volunteer means you can make a difference in somebody’s life. It’s a good feeling.”

“Her editorials spearheaded many changes in the area, including the period when Sarasota became a county and women were encouraged to vote,” the society said.

The viewing lasts about 41 minutes. 

The series is a part of the Betty Intagliata Lecture Series, which is sponsored by the VAHS with permanent funding from the Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation.

In a news release, the department noted Venice Police officers will be assisting.

“VPD has partnered with Drug Free Sarasota, Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County, Poison Information Center and First Step of Sarasota, along with the Florida National Guard, to organize this event as a drive-thru for residents’ convenience and safety,” it said.

It’ll take place at the new Public Safety Facility, at 1575 E. Venice Ave. It noted only tablets and capsules will be accepted on Saturday.

“This ongoing program allows the public to return unused prescription medications into a controlled collection system,” it said. “In doing so, the medications are destroyed without being deposited into our landfills or water system, substantially reducing any potential environmental damage and the chance of the meds becoming a health hazard. Safe disposal of these medications also decreases access to addictive drugs for accidental or intentional misuse.”

For more information, call 941-486-2444.

Not sure what to expect, I was splendidly surprised by the variety of delights served up by two singers, two dancers, and the four-piece band. More of the unexpected showed up as projections onto the building of colorful kaleidoscopes, movie montages, and even subtitles for some of the Spanish songs.

Having never heard Ana Isabelle’s incredible vocal range or seen her take a stage and own it, I can only compare her to a cross between Jennifer Lopez and Idina Menzel. Her performance of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” and “Let It Go” from “Frozen” could be mistaken for the latter if you close your eyes.

The show, expertly woven together by Director Josh Rhodes, included three elements: vocal medleys from Broadway, Latinx music, “Evita,” and one they call “Good News,” tango to tear your heart out (more on that later), and personal sharings from the guest stars. The pace and interplay worked well.

The Broadway medley was one of my favorites, with just the right amount of powerhouse solos like “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and captivating duets like “Somewhere” from West Side Story and “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera.

I say one of my favorites, because the showstopper of the night came from a risk Josh took with this production that was truly memorable. He cast the Argentinian Tango partners Justin Lopez and Guadalupe Garcia as his dancers. Guadalupe is six months pregnant with their first child.

I will admit it took me a full song to wrap my head around it. The most passionate dance form known to man with a woman who is that far along? But once my head got out of the way, my heart could enjoy her grace, form and artistry in completely new ways.

And then mid-show came the introduction of their baby’s name as she emerged in a costume that celebrated her madonna-like beauty. While Ana and Justin sang “The Prayer,” she and her husband danced a love song that brings me to tears as I recall it.

Enough spoilers — suffice it to say, I strongly recommend this creative musical revue. The show runs through April 25 and tickets are available by calling 941-351-8000 or by going to their website at www.asolorep.org.

Just remember to bring a blanket to throw over your knees and the experience is sure to warm your heart.

Note: Masks are required for all patrons and all seats are socially distanced. There is also some seating on blankets on the grass for younger audience members and their parents.

“Voices of Her” runs April 28 to Saturday, May 1. It will be held at the Asolo Terrace Stage at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, the news release said. It starts at 8 p.m.

“For ballet fans eager to see Company Dancers of The Sarasota Ballet return to live performance, and especially to catch a glimpse of the next generation of choreography, ‘Terrace Program 2 — Voices of Her’ is a perfect fit,” it said.

Larson is one of over 500 residents from the Parkhill, Eagle Point, River Haven and Gulf View RV Resort communities along Burnt Store Road who have signed a petition pushing for Charlotte County to find a solution to their dump truck dilemma.

Residents believe the increase in dump truck traffic is due to construction and development taking place in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.

“We have followed some of the trucks and they go all the way down to there,” Larson said. “It’s residential and business development happening.”

The noise is not the only problem, Larson said, but also the high speeds at which the dump trucks are traveling.

“People are afraid to go on the road,” said Larson, who has lived in Parkhill for 15 years. “I don’t know why all of a sudden these dump trucks have the right to do whatever they want.

“What rights do we, who pay all the taxes in this area, have to have any say in this because we can’t do anything.”

Over 600 residents live in the four communities, which lie within the first mile of Burnt Store Road immediately south of U.S. 41.

“For the past year, our communities have been turned upside down by the traffic, speed and noise created by the dump trucks that use this section of road,” wrote Larson, along with board directors from the other three communities, in an April 5 letter to the Charlotte County commissioners and the Punta Gorda City Council.

Parkhill was annexed into the city limits years ago, but Burnt Store Road and the other three communities are under the county’s jurisdiction.

For a year or so now, community residents say they have been dealing with the increased speed and “incredible noise” from over 300 unmuffled dump trucks a day.

They also attribute a number of car crashes to the dump trucks’ speed, including one where a vehicle lost control, went off road and crashed into a Parkhill resident’s home.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the crashes or the traffic concerns.

Punta Gorda Police Lt. Dylan J. Renz said their department has assisted CCSO with some traffic enforcement in the area but could not speak to any specifics because the roadway was outside the city limits.

The residents have made three suggestions to the county to resolve the problems. The options include:

Rerouting the dump trucks to U.S. 41 south to Zemel Road — where there is high-volume truck traffic due to a nearby landfill — and then east to Burnt Store Road.

To lower the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph within that section of Burnt Store Road.

Enforce the Florida Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles muffler requirement for trucks, which regulates decibel levels of vehicle’s exhaust systems, among other rules.

“The only option that we feel has any ability to fly is lowering the speed limit,” Larson said.

The county’s public works engineering division does have a traffic study in the works on this section of Burnt Store Road, according to county spokesperson Tracy Doherty.

“The traffic data along Burnt Store Road in Acline Road’s vicinity, south of U.S. 41, has been collected and is under review,” Doherty said. “This data provides volume, speed and type of vehicles that travel Burnt Store Road.

“When the engineering division has completed analyzing the data, their findings will be shared with the residents.”

Larson feels the county would have taken action sooner if their communities’ home values were higher.

“If we were in the $500,000 to a million-dollar range, this would have been taken care of already; it wouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

Larson said most of the homes in the area probably average around $85,000.

“Dollars make a difference, and this would never happen if these people (here) had lots of money,” he said. “We are no less a citizen than someone else; it just doesn’t seem fair.”

“Attendees will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Vince Lombardi Championship Trophy up close,” Downtown Sarasota Alliance said in a news release. “The group encouraged DSA members and venue patrons to experience the glorious trophy up close between 6-7 p.m.”

Signups for DSA memberships will be available online and at the event.

“Downtown Sarasota is fortunate to have leadership such as Mayor Brody, Vice Mayor Arroyo and City Manager Marlon Brown who are terrific partners of downtown businesses and residents. DSA is proud to host the Buccaneers organization and looks forward to continuing the relationship on our way to a second championship,” DSA Board Chair Shay Atluru said.

The event will also include food, beverages and live music, it said.

“The event is part of the Downtown Sarasota Alliance’s Spring Happy Hour Series, bringing excitement to and promoting Downtown Sarasota,” it said. “There will be great people to network with…Do not miss this opportunity to cheer on our local team and be part of this great story.”

The Shamrock Pub is at 2257 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

Downtown Sarasota Allianceis a non-profit “with a mission to provide a forum and build community amongst the stakeholders of Sarasota’s Downtown Districts and a vision to promote a vibrant and thriving Downtown Sarasota community.”

The food distribution will run from 9-11 a.m. April 24 and will include frozen meats along with fresh fruits and vegetables, All Faiths said in a news release. 

Registration is not required; food will be distributed in a first-come, first serve basis. 

“With its convenient location, size and layout, Van Wezel offers a wonderful opportunity for us to reach hundreds of community members easily,” All Faiths CEO/President Sandra Frank said in the news release. “We are grateful to Van Wezel and The Bay for their commitment to helping us fight hunger and thrilled for this partnership to continue on into the future.”

It said its seen a 360 percent increase in people visiting its website during the last year.  

“Van Wezel and The Bay are honored to partner with All Faiths Food Bank on an ongoing basis as the need for food continues throughout our community,” Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Mary Bensel said in the news release. “While many of us are welcoming the prospect of life returning to normal at some point soon, too many of our friends and neighbors are still suffering from the economic impacts of the pandemic. We are pleased to help them get the food they need here on our site.”

All Faiths Food Bank provides food throughout the year. To donate, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. Food distributions can be found on the “Food Finder” page, it noted.

“We are asking for a few minutes of your time to take a short survey and tell us what you think about the importance of Venice history and the roles different organizations play in preserving and sharing that history,”

The city is also emailing hard copies of the survey that can be returned to City Hall and will have paper copies available for residents at City Hall Information Center, it said.

City Hall is at 401 W. Venice Ave.

For more information, call Historical Resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer at 941-486-2490, the city said.