When Betsy Wild answers the phone on a Tuesday afternoon, she is at home with her two boys, three and five years old. She was in a meeting all morning, wheeling and dealing from her home on behalf of her company, We Craft Box. With the pandemic and its fallout, the summer has been crazy, but for her subscription craft kit operation, it’s been crazy good. “We’ve been experiencing a surge similar to our holiday buying season,” says Wild, “and I’ve been really grateful for it, but it was definitely not in our projections.”

To keep up with the increased workload, she squeezes in some work before her boys’ naptime, which means answering calls, responding to emails, ordering supplies or managing any number of logistical considerations for her national operation. “We had some supply chain interruptions,” says Wild, “but we thought quickly and ordered for multiple months in advance.” Those extra supplies mean that her outfit can keep pace with the recent spike in its sales, which are themselves propelled largely by lingering concerns over in-person contact. “We’re typically slower in the summer, but we’ve seen another rise. I don’t know if it’s the mask ordinances hitting some places.”

Though the company was already enjoying national press from USA Today, Buzzfeed and Huffpost, the mask and stay-at-home ordinances scattered around the country seem like a plausible explanation for the bump in sales. “A lot of people are incorporating it into their home schooling,” says Wild, “and we just launched a superhero, DIY face mask kit so we can maybe make the idea of a mask more positive for the kids.” One review on Cratejoy says, “Thank you for enriching my daughter’s homeschool pre-K years,” while another explicitly cites the pandemic—“Especially during this time of COVID-19, it gives [my kids and me] a chance to bond more with art projects than electronics.”

“I feel for parents right now,” says Wild. When Florida experienced its shut down in March, Wild shipped all orders priority with USPS, which meant Florida families were getting their subscription and one-time box purchases in just 1-2 days. With Sarasota County schools still in limbo and the recent spike in positive cases within the state, Wild might see her operation flourish right through to the holiday season when her Halloween, Thanksgiving and winter-themed boxes historically thrive. “We make a lot of sales up North during the colder months because people have to stay indoors more,” says Wild, “but now, even in Florida where we’re used to being outside almost year round, I think people are going to continue seeing the value of the product.” For Wild and We Craft Box, it’s an all-too-rare intersection of profits and a higher purpose. “It’s great to be able to be there for parents and kids with something I’m really proud of.” 

Photo courtesy of We Craft Box: Betsy and the boys getting busy with the craft box.

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The staff and board of directors of the John and Mable Ringling Museum were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jean Rockwell Jacobs. Mrs. Jacobs was born in New York City and started her career as a Conover model. Jean was recalled as a beautiful woman with bright, sparkly eyes. She joined the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus in 1952 with a revolving ladder act. During a mishap in a 1953 performance at Madison Square Garden, she fell 30 feet. Her performing career was over, but a new chapter in her life opened when she married Lou Jacobs, a famous and beloved master clown. Jean and Lou had two daughters; Lou Ann and Dolly Jean. Dolly Jacobs and her husband Pedro Reis have carried on the tradition and spirit of the circus through the Circus Arts Conservatory. The CAC partners annually with The Ringling in the production of Summer Circus Spectacular. Lou Ann Jacobs Barreda and her husband offer an educational animal encounter with their African elephants at Wilstem Farm in Paoli, Indiana. “Reaching out to the circus community, everyone‘s first comment on Jean is how nice and gentle Jean Rockwell Jacobs was - just a great person.” Jean's life will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at the Sailor Circus Arena, with entombment following in Sarasota Memorial Park. 

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Three young women with a passion for all things woven have recently launched their resale company, The Woven Home Co. The thoughtfully collected furniture and decor come second-hand—having either been salvaged and upcycled or found in near new/perfect condition. The thrifty treasure hunters: Davina Vreman, Lindsey Poll and Megan Uccello scour the region’s marketplace for a very specific boho, beachy look, with an earthy, retro feel. Sourced items come made by natural materials, handmade or handloomed, and of a neutral sand or wood palette. Some standouts featured since their start in June have ranged from a rattan chandelier, braided planter coverings/wicker plant stands, vintage wine racks, basket wall displays, towel holders, honey-colored bench seats and daybeds, wicker swivel chair sets, round jute rug, woven tote bags, nesting side tables, a bamboo entryway table, an intricate wicker headboard and many different variations of natural-colored rattan shelving units. 

The company operates completely virtual on Facebook and Instagram by simply posting newly-discovered items each week on their social media pages. Posts include beautifully-designed staging photos of the thrifted item utilized in a space, as well as close-up photos of its framework. In the caption, find the product description including its material, dimensions, their selling price (as well as the normal retail price it goes for), which of the founders’ find it was, and if it came from a smoke-free, pet-free home prior. The first follower to comment ‘SOLD’ on the post or on the story is winner, winner, plant-based dinner. Recently, The Woven Home Co. started implementing online auctions as well, as if operating their own little local Ebay enterprise. Upon announcing the piece up for grabs and the starting bidding price, the highest bid by the day and time specified wins the coveted piece. If someone comments ‘BIN’ (Buy it Now) and the designated price stated in the caption, the auction ends early and they claim it all theirs. Customers are privately messaged details of purchase, payment and local pickup instructions within 24 hours. So get your bidding hands ready and check out Davina, Lindsey and Megan’s whimsy and wonderful woven finds every week to add a new specially-sourced bargain to your she-shed or boho abode. 

Photo courtesy of The Woven Home Collection, 941-374-0403, thewovenhomeco@gmail.com, @thewovenhomeco

Fantastical face masks created by costumers, artists, and sewers from around Tampa Bay will go on exhibit from August 1 -14 at the equally fantastical St. Petersburg emporium Zazoo’d at 351 Central Avenue daily. The exhibit is part of a project called “Mask-R-Aid”, spearheaded by St. Petersburg resident, Andre Kupfermunz. When the exhibit is over, masks will be auctioned at Bay Area Auction in Pinellas Park to raise money for the St. Pete Arts Alliance Relief Fund.  “The purpose of our project is to call attention to the need to wear masks during the pandemic to protect yourself and others, “says Kupfermunz. “At the same time St. Petersburg is a hub for artistic talent and many of the artists are financially suffering at this time. Mask-R-Aid aims to offset some of the burden by raising money for the St. Pete Arts Alliance Relief Fund. Anyone wishing to see the masks can drop by Zazoo’d or view them online at Bay Area Auction. The auction will be live and online. Preview begins at 8am, Auction at 10:00am on August 15th. at the auction site. Anyone wishing to bid online for the masks must register first at BayAreaAuctionServices.com. Follow the instructions online to register and bid online. 

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Sisterhood For Good Inc (SFG), an all-volunteer  501(c)(3) completed its eighth Annual Grants Program. With another record number of grant applicants this year, the local public charity awarded $41,930 to qualified local non-profits in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. This is an increase of 99.6% over the $21,000 distributed this time last year, and 341% over the $9,500 awarded in 2018.

“With each year of grant distribution, it’s exciting to see how our membership has grown, our reach has extended, and our giving potential has increased, thereby ensuring our shared mission continues to make an immediate, direct impact to a specific cause in our region.” said Yvonne Schloss, Board Chair SFG. The organization secures its annual revenue via fundraisers and membership dues. Q1 2020 year-over-year fundraiser revenues were SFG’s best to date, resulting in a net profit of $47,000.

“The 2020 Grant Application amounts requested, ranged from $800 to the highest at $5000.” said Roxanne Sima, SFG Grants Chair.  “The members of SFG are proud to support diverse local causes that do so much for the people of our community, and especially pleased when SFG can double our impact when an organization has a matching grant, such as with S.M.A.R.T. and Josh Provides” Sima said.  

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Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the expansion of the Tidewell Hospice Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center to care for additional children and families in our region. A recent grant of $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation will help support the pilot program housed in Charlotte County. The program will open in August 2020.

Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly is the only evidence-based program in our region that helps grieving children, teens and caregivers through professional counseling, peer-support groups and therapeutic activities. Since its inception in April 2018, Blue Butterfly has served more than 200 families and is continuing its services virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After my brother died, I didn’t know what to do,” said Sarah, a 17-year-old Blue Butterfly participant. “I felt so lost. I didn’t know how to live without him. How do you lose a twin? It’s a lot, so coming to Blue Butterfly really helped me cope with that and has been a really important part of my healing process.”

Blue Butterfly peer-support groups are facilitated by grief specialists and trained volunteers who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support children and families in grief. The free grief sessions bring children together who are experiencing the various emotions that accompany grief, allowing them to process these feelings without judgment while sharing stories that facilitate comfort and connectedness with others.

“It’s really important that they know they aren’t alone and there are other kids that have to deal with all of those emotions — on top of just losing someone,” said Nicole, a Blue Butterfly parent participant. “Kids have questions and this is a great place for them to come to join together and have a better life.” 

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The tremendous success of Genoa in The Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch’s most prestigious village, has continued beyond its debut and into 2020. The newest enclave has had 42 sales so far this year, contributing to a remarkable 72 sales in the village overall. Genoa began by offering exceptional homes on both 65’ and 84’ homesites. After the recent release of additional 84’ homesites, the thriving enclave has expanded even further. It now includes five neighborhoods offering a collection of three, four, and five-bedroom residences with over 20 spacious floor plans from which to choose, ranging in size from 2,400 to over 4,000 square feet under air. Four new models are planned to open later this year. 

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Fishman & Associates is partnering with Sweet Sparkman Architects in Sarasota to design the new student servery at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. The water view dining will include multiple made-from-scratch and vegan stations, along with a large salad bar and a tandoori grill. The servery will be supported by a new kitchen.Eckerd College is located on a 188-acre campus along Boca Ciega Bay. The coeducational liberal arts school supports more than 2,000 students pursuing their Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 40 areas of study. 

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Local farms and food vendors prove tenaciously nimble as farmers markets are forced to pull the plug. 

Click here to read the full article from SRQ's Summer 2020 edition.

As hospitalizations continue to rise on the Suncoast, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is taking steps to bolster its staff, create more isolation units and ICU space for COVID-19 patients and reduce non-emergency elective surgeries to free up beds in other areas of the hospital for non-COVID patients who need care.

Below is a YouTube link with a video interview of James Fiorica, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and Kirk Voelker, MD, a critical care specialist and director of Clinical Research at SMH, with the latest updates for our community. 

Click here to watch the video interview.

Due to travel restrictions and the interactive nature of the show, The Choir of Man’s Sarasota debut performance at the Van Wezel has been postponed to a future date in January 2022. The Van Wezel’s Box Office will be following up with patrons directly affected by these changes. Patrons who wish to attend the rescheduled performance should keep their tickets, which will be honored for the future performance date. Patrons who will not be able to attend the rescheduled performance have the opportunity to donate their ticket. This generous action will enable the Hall to deliver on world class entertainment, bring arts integrated learning to children, families and educators, and invest in the power of the human spirit. 

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As Tidewell remains focused on providing quality care amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a $40,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation has permitted Tidewell to obtain iPads for its hospice houses, as well as for use when caring for patients in their homes, long-term care and assisted-living facilities. Since receiving the grant, Tidewell staff have received training on using the nearly 100 WiFi and cellular-enabled iPads, allowing Tidewell physicians and clinical staff to deliver care remotely when necessary. “The Tidewell Foundation is so grateful to the Selby Foundation for its very rapid response to our need for support to expand Tidewell Hospice's telehealth capabilities,” said Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason. “In addition to providing the clinical support, these iPads can make a huge difference for us to use in connecting distant families with patients.” 

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