Contents
October/November 2019
PUBLISHER
Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County
EDITOR
Darrell King
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Kelly Harbour
DESIGN EDITOR
Mara Stork
PHOTOGRAPHY
Whitney Patton
Wendy Dewhurst
Nancy Guth
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kara Chalmers, Amy Bell,
Carlee Colonneso, Jessica Schubick,
Ana Rodriguez, Bre Jones Mulock,
Sophie Williams, Dr. Sharon Otis, Jim Knapp
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
Joseph Miller, James R. Chatham, M.D.,
Diane Neeves, Lupita Wells,
Len Tabicman, Dr. Sharon Otis,
Michael Rampino, Christina Riggio,
Rev. Nathan Speck-Ewer, Karen Carpenter
LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS
Rachel Kendzior
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 BEYOND GENEROUS
Kindhearted Kiwanis Couple…
14 CHILDREN’S CHAMPION
All Aboard the Dental Express!
28 BON APPETIT
Bagels or Bistro
36 THE ART OF RAISING KIDS…
39 POWER IN THE PAST
Behind the scenes at
Manatee Village Historical Park…
45 ELC INSIDER SECTION!
52 NEW BOOK BUS ROLLS IN…
60 ASK DR. SHARON…
Our resident expert returns!
66 EXECUTIVELY SPEAKING
Work it Suncoast!
70 THE BIG CATCH!
Win a family fishing trip!
72 THANKSGIVING CRAFT
74 Calendar of Events
October - November 2019
78 Kids in the Kitchen
79 On the Bookshelf
82 MANATEE’S GOT TALENT!
Lord of the Strings!
86 SOARING INTO THE FUTURE
Which school has gone from D to A?
94 BACK TO SCHOOL PICS…
96 GRADE LEVEL
READING LATEST…
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.
link
link
link
link
link
link