By Randy Moore – I’m very pleased to announce awards for two respected leaders in our community. Artist Carroll Swayze is the inaugural recipient of our Lee Reid Lifetime Achievement Award, and Lee Perron is the inaugural recipient of our Sarasota County Spirit Award. Carroll and Lee have had a significant impact on the health and vitality of our community.
The Lee Reid Lifetime Achievement Award honors the memory and contributions of Lee Reid, the founder of Reid’s Nutrition Center in Englewood.
Carroll Swayze has been a popular artist, skilled art teacher and dedicated advocate for independent artists for many years. She was part of the steering committee that helped to save, restore and create The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key. One of the houses at the retreat belonged to her mother. Carroll is one of the original board members of the Englewood Art Center. She launched many local art events over the years including the Boca Grande Art Festival, Englewood Bank & Trust Art Festival and the Spring Fine Arts Festival now managed by the Rotary Club of Englewood. Click here to enjoy some of Carroll’s colorful art.
Lee Perron manages the Englewood Farmers Market (Thursdays), Venice Farmers Market (Saturdays) and Braves Farmers Market in North Port (Wednesdays). His positive energy and thoughtful leadership since 2011 have enhanced connections between residents, visitors, area farmers and small business owners. The three markets support our local economy while providing fresh locally-sourced produce and other essentials.
Congratulations to Carroll and Lee for their well-deserved recognition. Both of these outstanding individuals foster community goodwill and healing through their efforts and associations.
We also announced a third award through our sister magazine South County Healthy Living distributed in Venice, North Port, West Villages, Nokomis and Osprey. Dr. Barbara Gaunt-Jaehne, the owner of Medical Gardens Hearing Center since 1976, is receiving our Venice Lifetime Achievement Award.
We look forward to announcing more award winners in 2020. Here’s a list of our prior winners: Englewood Spirit Award (two prior winners) – Lata and Robert Coykendall with Loving Light Yoga and the senior pet-loving nonprofit One More Day Foundation; Venice Spirit Award – Linda Best with Venice Island Gallery; and North Port Spirit Award – Traci Dalrymple with Kokokohn Pure Essential Oils.
Randy Moore owns Triple 3 Marketing and he’s the publisher of South County Healthy Living and Englewood Healthy Living.