The returning U.S. Olympic Pommel Horse Bronze Medalist Stephen Nedoroscik touched down at SRQ Airport on Delta Airlines Tuesday at 7:23 pm on his trip home to Sarasota from the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Greeted by a cheering crowd of enthusiastic friends and fans waving large signs and balloons and wearing American flag capes, the 25-year-old first-time Olympian shared, “For the past five months now, I’ve been very locked into gymnastics, every single day. That's kind of what you have to do when you're training to be an Olympic medalist. So now that that weight is lifted off my shoulders, I'm just ready to go home and sit in my gaming chair and relax a little.”

If the excited people who flew with him are any sign, Nedoroscik makes as strong an impression in person as he has through TV and iPad screens. Passengers from the plane came down the gangway ahead of the athlete, proudly announcing to the waiting crowd, "He was on our flight! He is right behind us! " A man who claimed to have been Nedoroscik's seatmate from Atlanta told waiting reporters, "We talked the whole flight. He's a really nice young man."

Excited to welcome the returning champion was Tess McCracken, the athlete's girlfriend, who also attracted attention with her enthusiastic cheering during Nedoroscik's winning performance. McCracken had flown back to Sarasota a few days earlier and was already planning to make the most of the couple's downtime, "I'm looking forward to doing some more things in the area. I'd love to go to Busch Gardens, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, stuff like that. Just to be able to hang out as a normal couple."

Kevin Mazeika, the Executive Director of Evo Gymnastics and one of the coaches who went to Paris with the team, was exuberant with praise for Nedoroscik, "He has really become quite the hero because he had a heroic performance. It was pressure-packed on the biggest stage for our sport, and he came through with flying colors. We're really, really proud to welcome him home."

Stephen trains at EVO Gymnastics in Sarasota with Sam Mikulak, who was also named as the coach for the 2024 U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic Team, and Paris Olympic Games teammate Brody Malone and alternate and 2020 Tokyo Games Olympian Shane Wiskus. Stephen says he is already looking forward to the 2028 Olympics to be hosted by Los Angeles, California, but for right now, he is happy to spend some time enjoying online gaming in Rocket League and online chess, as well as honing his skills with a Rubik's Speed Cube.

Photography by Wes Roberts.

Last week, The Exchange, a renowned consignment shop in downtown Sarasota, held a very special one-time-onlty bridal event.

After receiving a very generous donation of over 300 new wedding dresses valued between $600 and $1,000 from a bridal shop that was closing its doors in Bradenton, The Exchange offered them at drastically reduced prices--$35-$100—for three days only. The event took place Thursday, August 1 through Saturday, August 3. In addition to bridal dresses, The Exchange featured a selection of mother-of-the-bride dresses, bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos.

“It all began with an incredibly generous donation from a bridal store in Bradenton that was closing,” says Karen Koblenz, executive director and CEO of The Exchange. “This was a first time event for us. Normally, we don't accept wedding dresses due to the space they require, but in this case, we couldn't refuse such a kind and thoughtful donation. Over 300 new wedding dresses were generously donated, along with mother-of-the-bride and flower girl dresses, as well as tuxedos for men and boys. Fitting an entire bridal store into our existing space proved to be a significant challenge!”

Before the shop even opened on Thursday, there were 20 brides lined up and the flow of visitors was steady for the next few days. Given the fantastic price point, many brides purchased two or three dresses at a time. “We've been pleasantly surprised by the number of men coming in for tuxedos as well. In the first 4 hours of the sale alone, we sold 62 dresses and 104 men's items,” says Koblenz, who noted that there was also a number of black tuxedo skirts and pants for sale that could be used by those in the food service industry.

Each year, The Exchange donates a portion of its proceeds to the arts. In June of this year, they awarded a total of $404,000 in grants and scholarships–ten scholarships, 24 Grants and seven Arts in Education Grants.

“The Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education Grants support local 501(c)(3) art organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties, facilitating over 340 performances and exhibitions for K-12 students during The Exchange’s 2024-2025 fiscal year,” shares Koblenz. “These initiatives, including 54 workshops, foster community engagement, enrich educational experiences, and promote creativity and cultural awareness among young people and educators.”

Through the organization’s scholarships, many recipients have honed their talents through local theater, youth orchestra, opera, and choral groups supported by The Exchange for over 62 years. “These students are poised to inspire future generations globally, enriching lives and building a cultural legacy of creativity and appreciation,” says Koblenz. “Moreover, a total of 24 grants have been awarded to local 501(c)(3) art organizations, underscoring a strong dedication to cultural enrichment. These grants acknowledge the significant role of the arts in enhancing mental well-being, personal development, and community unity. They also boost the local economy by drawing tourists, generating revenue, and creating jobs, while supporting essential artistic programs and nurturing a vibrant cultural landscape. These grants will fund 1,614 performances and reach an audience of 417,236 people.”

Koblenz and her team at The Exchange are thrilled with both the shop's donation and the community's support. "We are extremely grateful for this generous donation. The contribution not only supports the arts within our community but has also made a fairy tale come true for many brides. We hope this one-time event helps make their special day truly magical."

The Exchange, 539 S. Orange Avenue, Sarasota; 941-955-7859. 

Pictured: Bridal parties took over The Exchange last week when over 300 new wedding dresses were donated for sale. Photo courtesy of The Exchange.

Erin McLeod, President and CEO of Senior Friendship Centers, has been selected as the recipient of the United States President’s Volunteer Service Award – The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor recognizes dedication and service to the community over the past 20 years.The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, will be presented by Dr. Jennifer M. Pilate, Certifying Agent for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program on behalf of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., along with Vice President Kamala Harris. This award celebrates United States citizens who exemplify a high level of humanitarian assistance to their communities and the nation. McLeod has dedicated two decades to enriching the lives of over 10,000 seniors throughout Southwest Florida. As only the second CEO since the organization’s founding in 1973, she has focused on addressing societal biases against aging and ensuring that seniors are respected, valued, and have access to essential resources. Beyond her work with Senior Friendship Centers, McLeod has always been a serial volunteer, actively contributing to her community from a young age through school, town, and church initiatives. Reflecting on the significance of the award, McLeod shares, “This award isn't just a recognition of a lifetime’s work; it’s about being inspired by others and hoping to be inspiring. It’s about making a positive impact and seeing how people can lift a community, a neighborhood, and the world.” Currently, McLeod serves as a board member of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair for HCA Doctor’s Hospital of Sarasota, and on the Empath LIFE (PACE) Boards of Directors. She is also a member and past president of the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. On the state level, she is President-elect for the Florida Council on Aging and an active member of the Aging Society of America, the National Council on Aging, and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Additionally, McLeod is a long-time volunteer at Church of the Redeemer.   

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Aniko Barna-Roche, MBA, as the new Program Manager of Our Mother’s House, a two-year transitional program for mothers and their children. Aniko brings a rich and diverse background in education, speech therapy, and social services, perfectly aligning with Our Mother’s House's mission to empower single mothers and their children.Born and raised in Hungary, Aniko’s early career was deeply rooted in education. She began as an elementary school teacher, where her passion for nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning set the stage for her professional journey. With a desire to further support her students, she pursued a degree in speech therapy, enhancing her ability to positively impact children’s lives through improved communication skills. After five years in the public school system, Aniko began working for an American-based company in human resources. This move marked her entry into the corporate world, where she balanced professional responsibilities with academic pursuits, ultimately earning a master’s degree in business. During a visit to the United States, Aniko met her future husband and decided to relocate to the United States, embarking on a new path in social services. Most recently, she served as a Program Manager for The Salvation Army, where she refined her leadership and program development skills. Outside of her professional life, Aniko enjoys baking pastries, gardening, and nurturing her collection of roses. She is enthusiastic about her new role at Our Mother’s House and looks forward to leveraging her diverse background and experience to enhance the program and make a meaningful difference in the lives of mothers and children. “We are delighted to welcome Aniko to lead the team at Our Mother’s House. Her extensive background in education and social services, combined with her passion for helping others, makes her the perfect fit for this role,” said Christopher Root, Catholic Charities CEO. "Our priority is to help homeless single mothers and their children achieve self-sufficiency. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties (BGCSDC) is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency have earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. This rating designates the 54-year-old organization as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that it is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator. Since 2001, the organization has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually. Charity Navigator analyzes nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, referred to as beacons. Currently, nonprofits can earn scores for the Impact & Results, Accountability & Finance, Culture & Community, and Leadership & Adaptability beacons. Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties’ rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on charitynavigator.org. For more information about how to support BGCSDC, please visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911. 

Sarasota Opera is world-renowned for its Verdi Cycle. Between 1989 and 2016, the company performed every note that Giuseppe Verdi wrote. It is in that spirit that Sarasota Opera will launch its 2024-2025 season with its fall concert, The Music of Giuseppe Verdi. The performances will take place Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 3 p.m. Single tickets are on sale now at the Sarasota Opera Box Office, by phone at (941) 328-1300, in person at 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, or online at https://tickets.sarasotaopera.org.  

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