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Contents August/September 2017 PUBLISHER Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County EDITOR Darrell King PRODUCTION EDITOR Kelly Harbour DESIGN EDITOR Mara Stork PHOTOGRAPHY Whitney Patton Wendy Dewhurst CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kara Chalmers, Carlee Colonneso, Caroline Kelly, Dr. Sharon Otis, Jen Colombo, Wendy Dewhurst, Amy Bell, AnnaMaria Carleton, Lela Rast Hartsaw, Crystal Rothhaar, Dr. LoanAnh T. Bui CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata ADVERTISING SALES Hilarie Jackson: hjackson@elc-manatee.org PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION PCI Communications, Inc. CONTACT NEXTGEN EDITORIAL ............................941-757-2912 ADVERTISING .....................941-757-2904 FAX ................................... 941-757-2917 EDITOR editor@nextgenmagazine.org COMPETITION ENTRIES competitions@nextgenmagazine.org ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@nextgenmagazine.org ADVERTISING SUBMISSIONS adsubmissions@nextgenmagazine.org ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS articles@nextgenmagazine.org EARLY LEARNING COALITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES Howard Veltz (Chairman) Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer) Andrew Minor PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS Patrick Cassella, Tim Pye, Madison Wells, Joseph Miller, Rachel Kendzior, James R. Chatham, M.D., Diane Neeves, Lupita Wells, Len Tabicman, Dr. Sharon Otis, Adam Mohammadbhoy, Michael Rampino, Christina Riggio, Rev. Nathan Speck-Ewer LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS Debbie Kibler Children With Disabilities Program Representative Deborah Ludwig Private, For-Profit Provider Representative Dr. Robin Thompson Manatee County School Board Designee Jennifer Passmore Board of County Commissioners' Appointee Kathy Patreka Head Start Director Mary Beth Wehnes Department of Children and Families Designee James Disbro CareerSource Suncoast Dr. Carla McGill County Health Department Designee Dr. April Fleming Florida College System Designee Paul Sharff Chief Executive Officer SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD Linda Guritz Annette Larkin MANATEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION John Colon, Dave Miner, Scott Hopes Charlie Kennedy, Gina Messenger, Dr. Diana Greene, Superintendent 6 CHILDREN’S CHAMPIONS P.E.A.R.L.S Keeping Our Kids Safe! 18 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING Exclusive Interview: Commissioner Pam Stewart 28 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT A University Education 32 KIDS AND THE DENTIST? Dr. Bui Has The Answers! 39 READ DR. OTIS Why It’s Good To Talk 46 AMAZING SUPPORT NETWORK The Story Behind FND 54 THE ART OF LEARNING Van Wezel’s Summer Program 60 KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE AT HOME 62 EXERCISE YOUR HEART Manatee County YMCA 68 Back to School Craft 70 THE BIG PRIZE! Win Kennedy Space Center Tickets 74 Calendar of Events August - September, 2017 78 Kids in the Kitchen 79 On the Bookshelf 82 BON APPETIT! Arts and Eats 85 BEYOND GENEROUS The Manatee 100 Club 94 DIVE INTO READING The Horne’s Fantastic Literacy Drive NEXTGEN and the Early Learning Coalition do not endorse or warrant any products or services contained herein, unless otherwise expressly noted. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. Submitted materials will not be returned. Whole or part of this publication may not be used or duplicated in any way without written permission from the Early Learning Coalition. The Early Learning Coalition is a 501-C (3) nonprofit organization committed to ensuring affordable and creditable early child care and early education through School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs. Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning and Manatee County Government.


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