Contents
February/March 2019
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
Caroline Kelly, Kara Chalmers,
Jen Colombo, Amy Bell, Carlee Colonneso,
Jessica Schubick, Ana Rodriguez,
Dr. Kirstina Ordetx, Peggy Kronus
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 APPOINTEES
Adam Mohammadbhoy (Chairman)
Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer)
Andrew Minor
PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS
Tim Pye, Joseph Miller, Rachel Kendzior,
James R. Chatham, M.D., Diane Neeves,
Lupita Wells, Len Tabicman,
Dr. Sharon Otis, Michael Rampino,
Christina Riggio, Rev. Nathan Speck-Ewer
LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS
Debbie Kibler
Children With Disabilities
Program Representative
Annette Larkin
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
MANATEE COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dave Miner, Scott Hopes, Charlie Kennedy,
Gina Messenger, Rev. James Golden,
Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent
8 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
Putting kids on the road to success…
14 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING
Jack Hawkins – the passionate President
20 COMFORT & CARE…
What’s going on at Blake Hospital?
28 BON APPETIT
More than just great Shakes!!
32 A STEP IN
THE RIGHT DIRECTION…
41 CHANGING OF THE GUARD
ELC honors Howard Veltz and
welcomes the new chair
46 A BRIGHT START…
Behind the scenes with Nemours
60 BEYOND GENEROUS
Service Club of Manatee County…
70 THE BIG PRIZE!
Win Marauders season tickets
68 VALENTINES CRAFT
74 Calendar of Events
February - March 2019
78 Kids in the Kitchen
79 On the Bookshelf
82 SEA WHAT’S HAPPENING!
DeSoto Seafood Festival is coming!
84 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT
The Triple Threat!
87 GRADE LEVEL
READING LATEST…
94 A PARENT’S GUIDE
TO GAMING!
Must read for every Mom & Dad…
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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