By the Numbers
Nice to Know
After great response to our first Nice to Know column, we decided to make this an occasional feature. We?ll introduce some of the people who make this area rich in culture, creativity and care. Jackie, Jon and Julie Aranibar
Julie
moved here in June of 1998. She says that before moving here they had been to several locations for interviews. They would check out the communities on the Web. ?We had lived on the east coast for over ten years and vacationed on the west coast. We thought this would be a great place to raise a family,? explains the mother of twins. ?The green space, parks, sidewalks, connected neighborhoods were all features we had looked for.? Lakewood Ranch was still very young with a lot still on the drawing board. ?We ended up being pioneers,? she says. She says when they first came to town to look for a home, there were no apartments to rent and most of the neighborhoods were pictures and not developed yet. She found a neighborhood with some models under construction and one home with a sign in front that said, ?Auction for Boys & Girls Club.? The couple met Lee Wetherington, the builder of the home, he explained the process and pricing. ?I asked when the house would be ready and it was just when we would be moving and then we agreed to the price. Lee Wetherington said it could not be discounted because each subcontractor had given back to the Boys & Girls Club. The sale price was just over 300k and the donation check was $53,000,? remembers Julie. ?My first introduction to this community was knowing we were going to a place that cared about kids. I could not imagine a better place for my children to grow and learn!? Julie is involved with non-profits where people volunteer and funds are not raised for salaries and properties. She really like s those with a ?grass-roots? approach. ?It?s amazing to see that come to pass. Since my passion is education and children, I would say Kiwanis has been a great non-profit experience where all members pay their membership and volunteer to serve others. The more I volunteer here, the more grateful I am for friendships along the way. Fred Lopez, Retired U.S. Department of Treasury
Fred
worked in the World Trade Center and survived two terrorists? bombings?in 1993 and 2001. His official training is in chemistry and accounting, and he worked in a New York hospital before the Treasury. As an accountant, Fred knows the numbers and counts the ways out east makes a difference. He and his wife bought a home in Lakewood 38
Living
OUT EAST & ON THE BAY June 2009 Ranch in 2000. It was going to be a winter/vacation home. Then, September 11,2001 happened. He was in Tower 6. He carried a coworker through the rubble, debris and chaos. His office was gone, and Fred and his wife felt there was no reason to stay in New York. The Treasury Department gave Fred a job in their Tampa office in 2002. He commuted there for a while, but realized it wasn?t right for him. He and his wife quickly made friends and made this their new home. They loved Disney World and especially enjoyed their visits there. They enjoyed their home and neighbors in The Country Club in Lakewood Ranch. In 2004, Fred?s wife was diagnosed with cancer. She was the first surgery patient in Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. ?The first patient was a mom giving birth,? explains Fred. ?My wife was their first operation.? Sadly, his wife passed away from cancer. But Fred does not let that get in the way of his mission and commitment. He is a loyal member of the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club and has helped with the Suncoast WineFest. He is also a past member of the board of the Shelter Box, a non-profit sponsored by the Rotary Club. Recently, Fred stepped up to volunteer with the American Cancer Society. He helped with the Relay for Life and is now on the committee for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. ?Fred is just the kind of volunteer we need,? says ACS Area assistant director Martha Gilmartin. ?He has a real commitment and devotion. He is willing to take any challenge we give him.? Fred has already recruited relatives and friends to help with the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on October 24. There are many opportunities for anyone who wants to help. Jennifer Jones, President of Gallop Home and owner of Chaslin Farms
Jennifer
is a life-long east Manatee resident. Her passions and career have led her to work with horses. She has boarded, trained and cared for horses most of her life. But it was after reading the book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, that she realized there may be another option. Her mom encouraged her to create some kind of game related to horses. ?Sure, Mom, I?ll get right on it!?she said.?But one day while I was on a play, I came up with the idea for Gallop Home,? explains Jennifer. Jennifer is convinced that horses and horse-related sports are great for almost all ages, abilities and interests. Horses heal and bring out the best in people. So, about five years ago, she conceived of the idea for a board game, Gallop Home. She then found the manufacturer, developer, etc. ?There?s now a major retailer looking at it,? she explains. Jennifer?s devotion is to her own family and kids. Beyond that, she is also dedicated to horses and the roles they play in improving peoples? lives. For an additional creative outlet, Jennifer is writing a script for a children?s movie that she believes will some day be a major draw. By Sondra Guffey, Multimedia editor and president of Guffey Communications. She can be reached at sondrag@livingouteast.com.
