wcw DECEMBER 2022

just some
thoughts
Louise Bruderle
Editor and Publisher
West Coast Woman Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan
Photo by Evelyn England
I’ll say up front, I’m a tennis person - been
playing since high school and always felt it
was “my” game - meaning it fit me well athletically
and was enjoyable. But I was curious
and all those articles about the sport made
me say, hey, let’s check it out. It is also near
impossible to find a tennis buddy and a court,
most of them have been repurposed as, you
guessed it, pickleball courts.
So with all this in mind, I went to CoreSRQ
(the former YMCA) where I’ve had a membership
since I first arrived in Sarasota back
in the eighties. They have a really nice, large
and bright auditorium-like room where all
the exercise classes are and where pickleball takes place.
Right away I felt tremendous positive energy and saw some matches
going on - men and women. But I immediately have to add, they were
serious about their game, but smiling and congratulating each other
between points.
The pickleball leader of the group is Terry Ryan and she’s our WCW
this month. Terry does it all - organize locations and schedules, coach,
compete and keep everyone’e spirits running high and enjoying the
game of pickleball - the fastest growing sport in U.S.
Venice Theatre Update
Venice Theatre isn't letting Hurricane Ian stop them from getting back
on the stage. While their main theater was completely destroyed, they
are constructing a temporary stage at their education building. And
they’re putting on The Christmas Carol in December!
“There were about 15 minutes that day looking at the building the
day after the
storm where we
were all kind of
numb, and then
within just a
few minutes, we
started making
plans and saying
here’s what’s
next. Here’s
what we can
do," said Murray
Chase, the Producing
Executive
Director at
Venice Theatre.
“A tremendous amount of work has gone into figuring out a way to
present as many shows from our original 2022-23 season as possible.
Losing our main 432-seat theatre will not stop us from sharing these
great stories with our community. We are excited that we can still present
Up On the Roof, The Cemetery Club, Gypsy, Arabian Nights, Xanadu,
The Silver Foxes, and Pinky's Players and we’ve changed a couple of
titles,” says Chase.
Coming up, A Christmas Carol runs December 2-19. While their mainstage
Jervey Theatre is undergoing major repairs, the show will be performed
on the temporary stage in the Raymond Center directly behind
their main building. Tickets: https://venicetheatre.org/tickets/.
December Season Preview
We need the arts now more than ever - a hurricane, a near hurricane, a
difficult economy and acrimony in many places in our lives - all can be
soothed through the arts whether it’s a musical at the Van Wezel, a play
at one of the many theaters in our area or viewing art at a museum. And
there’s no shortage of events, venues or artforms to choose from - choral
music, classical music, drama, musicals, comedy, classical ballet or contemporary
dance, classes of all types as well as informative lectures - and
so much more.
And somehow we managed to squeeze in tons of events in over 10 pages
in this issue - from calendars to features. Enjoy!
Comings and Goings
Our WCW from a few months ago, the amazing Luz
Corcuera has announced she will be stepping down as
the executive director of UnidosNow at the end of 2022.
Luz wants to devote her full attention to her family.
Kelly Kirschner, UnidosNow’s co-founder and current
board chair, describes Corcuera as a transformational
leader. “Luz has ushered in an era of remarkable growth
for the organization,” he says. “It’s rare to find a leader
with vision, integrity and the ability to inspire others.
Leaders who combine all of these qualities, as Luz does,
are unicorns. Luz poured her talent, love, and passion
into UnidosNow and made a significant impact on the
region. It is with good reason, as a result, that Luz has
Luz Corcuera
been recognized nationally for her work. She will be deeply missed by all
of us, particularly by the families and students our organization serves.”
During her seven-year tenure at UnidosNow Luz strengthened and
expanded UnidosNow’s educational programs designed to put predominantly
low-income, first-generation Latinx students on a path to
a post-secondary education. Corcuera’ s transformation of these programs
has empowered more than 3,000 high school graduates to build
a post-secondary path, securing over $14 million in scholarships and
grants, the great bulk of dollars coming from outside the southwest Florida
region to support these local students.
Additionally, Corcuera expanded the reach of the organization,
launching new intergenerational programs including the Future Leaders
Academy for Girls (FLAG) for elementary students, Future Leaders Academy
for Middle Schoolers (FLAM), and the Parenting Leadership program.
During the pandemic, Luz led the organization in establishing key partnerships
to provide emergency assistance, health education/vaccine and
treatment access to hundreds of Hispanic families in the region.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to have joined the UnidosNow
family,” says Luz. “I'm deeply grateful for a visionary board, a talented and
passionate team, amazing community partners, and generous friends and
donors who believe in our mission and life-transforming work. I have no
doubt that UnidosNow will continue its success and impact in our region.”
The board has selected Cintia Elenstar as the new executive director to
start in January 2023. For more information, visit UnidosNow.org for more
information. We wish you well, Luz, and thank you for all that you have
done for our community.
Also on the move is Susie Bowie. The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation’s
Board of Directors has announced that Susie,
currently Executive Director of the Manatee Community
Foundation, will become its next CEO effective
March 1, 2023. As previously announced, Carol Butera,
the Foundation’s current CEO, will retire in April 2023.
Board Chair and lead in the search effort, Barbara
Zdravecky, noted “Susie’s demonstrated leadership in
the local Foundation arena compliments the values
of our founders, Bill and Marie Selby. The attributes
of humility, collaboration, stewardship, innovation
and social responsibility match well with her style and
accomplishments.”
Butera added that she has worked closely and collaboratively
with Bowie for many years. She added “Bowie’s deep experi-
Susie Bowie
ence in working with our region’s nonprofits and developing grants and
scholarship programs will be a huge asset for our Foundation.”
“I have been privileged to spend the past 17 years in philanthropy
at community foundations, immersed in the work of supporting donor
aspirations, building strong nonprofits, and bringing people together to
contribute their lived experiences to address the challenges of our time.
For me, leading this work has been a function of recognizing the strength
and leadership of others, understanding the gifts every community member
brings to their rightful seat at the table, ” says Susie
Bowie has served as Executive Director of the Manatee Community
Foundation (MCF) since April 2016 where she has led all aspects of MCF
under the direction of a board of directors.
Photo by Karen Arango
Louise Bruderle | Editor and Publisher |
westcoastwoman@comcast.net
We welcome your thoughts and comments on this column and on other columns and features in this issue.
You can reach us at westcoastwoman@comcast.net. We’re on the web at www.WestCoastWoman.com.
4 WEST COAST WOMAN DECEMBER 2022