Contents
August/September 2018
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
AnnaMaria Carleton, Caroline Kelly,
Lela Rast Hartsaw, Kara Chalmers,
Jen Colombo, Amy Bell, Carlee Colonneso,
consumersafety.org, Kirk Zeppi,
Peggy Kronus, Christina Russi
CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS
Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata
ADVERTISING SALES
Niki Richards: nrichards@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 Appointes
Howard Veltz (Chairman)
Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer)
Andrew Minor
Private Sector Appointed Members
Patrick Cassella, Tim Pye,
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
Maritza Gonzalez
Department of Children and Families Designee
James Disbro
CareerSource Suncoast
Dr. Carla McGill
County Health Department Designee
Dr. April Fleming
Florida College System Designee
Marjani Jones
Faith-Based Provider Representative
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,
Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent
8 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
Soaring into the future
14 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING
SCF’S biggest cheerleader
20 Y YOU SHOULD JOIN?
28 BON APPETIT
Lakewood Ranch’s Speakeasy!
32 A BIG CLAP FOR CHARLES
40 HOW TO BABY PROOF
YOUR HOME
A must read for every parent!
46 FULL STEAM AHEAD!
Inside the ELC’s Steam Machine!
56 ADOPTION IN 2018
All you need to know
60 BEYOND GENEROUS
A slice of generosity
66 WHAT IS
LEADERSHIP MANATEE?
68 After School Craft
70 THE BIG PRIZE!
Win tickets to Aquatica!
74 Calendar of Events
August - September 2018
78 Kids in the Kitchen
79 On the Bookshelf
81 BUILDING A
BETTER TOMORROW
Willis Smith construction and
our new schools!
84 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT
Tristan Tran – Piano man!
86 WHY EVERY DAY COUNTS
92 BACK TO SCHOOL
Message from Superintendent Saunders
Nonprofit of the Year
In Education
Tampa Bay
Metropolitan 8 County Area
2016 FINALIST 2017
2015 WINNER
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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