PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB VEDDER

Russ Johnson, left, a volunteer for Venice Area Beautification Inc., watches as Mike Pell, of the city of Venice, places one of 23 new flowering baskets in the city. This basket is in front of Ann Thompson's law office. She is one sponsor of the new baskets.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ED MARINAK

John Bagdovitz, kneeling left, Rudy Saveli; and Jack McNally, standing left, Jim Martin, Frank Viola (Grand Knight), Chuck Hartley (Deputy Grand Knight), Eric Schneider and Ken Conray, along with Ed Marinak (activity chair, not pictured) prepared breakfast for about 125 Immokalee tomato farm workers who stayed at the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 7052, recently. The farm workers were marching from Immokalee to Lakeland to bring awareness to their desire for better wages.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB VEDDER

A new flower basket decorates the lamp pole in front of Coldwell Banker in downtown Venice. The basket is sponsored by Lueanne Wood, as is the turtle art.

COURTESY PHOTO

Betty Watson, front left, Judy Young, Louise Balboni, Louise Atkisson, Jean Marie Burton, Jeanne Richgels (instructor), Nancy McKee, Sandy Krubl, Marion Cerny, and Jim Young, back left, Phil Balboni, Dick Engle, John Burton, Tom McKee, Tom Krubl and Bill Cerny, all participants of the dance classes at Country Club Estates.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMA DAYTON

Asye Somersan, left, stands with Sheila Farrell, president of Venice Area Democratic Club. Somersan gave a presentation on the economy at the February meeting.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE KUROPATWA

Billy Bob, left, Shayna Forgetta and Tanya Scotece attended the funeral for Shayna's Lhasa/Westie mix dog, Gizmoe, held at Venice Memorial Gardens when it opened its pet cemetery Feb. 16.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ED MARINAK

Immokalee tomato farm workers ate breakfast after spending the night at the Knights of Columbus facility. Several K of C members prepared the breakfast.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN LEGION

American Legion NO-VEL Post 159 Color Guard members Bob Oen, front left, Jim Tucci, Cliff White and Wayne Hill; Post Commander Jim Hutchinson; Honor Guard members Norm Cote, John Farrow, Butch Gorman and Steve Chamzcak; Bugler Phil Groebe; and John Sliman, back left, Al Angelasti, Commander Norm MacLellan, Lance Rose and Steve Doty participated in the recent dedication of the Berlin Airlift Memorial at Patriots Park.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES SAGER

Nan Winans, left, Leslie Yard, Sandy McIntyre, Nancy Pike, Janita Wisch, Esther Bird, Carolyn Conte, Betty Black and Claudia Daniels, board members of Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County, at the organization's annual fundraiser March 12 at Jacaranda Trace's banquet room. Out of a colorful array of dazzling teacup auction prizes, won by many, one stood out: “I'm donating my winnings to the Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County,” said Leslie Yard, the organization’s tutor coordinator and lucky recipient of the 50/50 drawing. For more information about LVSSC, call Leslie, 941-488-8994 or visit LiteracyChangesLives.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BELINDA AUBUCHON

Belinda Aubuchon's son, Mack Kitchel, and his dog, Bella, visited Belinda's mother, Ann Johnson, 88, at HarborChase, Venice.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SANDRA BROOKSHIRE

Debbie Grossman, left, Olivia Thomas, SPARCC executive director, and Linda Berliner, right, speaker. Berliner is a court services volunteer for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center. A 25-year-veteran in the field, she goes to court to help clients that need restraining orders, etc. The SPARCC auxiliary monthly membership coffee was held at Debbie Grossman's home on Casey Key, Nokomis, March 6. The next free membership coffee will be April 3, 10 a.m. at the Moose Lodge, 111 Auburn Road, Venice.