The Wandering Disciple

Englewood, Florida:  In a battle of league powerhouses, first place Key Agency used a big inning to help roll over second place Labadie Construction 12-2 on Thursday night at Englewood Sports Complex. Key Agency scored a pair of runs in the opening inning to take an early lead.  Cody Mayes broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to score Jake Patrick.  A little later in the inning Troy Reames singled home Nick George to give Key Agency a 2-0 lead. Key Agency doubled their lead in the third.  Donte Taylor belted an RBI triple to center to post the first run of the inning.  Then Taylor later scored on a double steal to make it 4-0. Labadie scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to cut the lead in half 4-2. Key Agency added another run in the fifth on an inside-the-park homer by Reames to increase the lead to 5-2. Then game the big seven run inning for Key Agency.  Two RBI singles by Jake Patrick, a two-run homer by George,...

Do not adjust your screen.  This is just the crazy world of Figment as he takes you on a journey through the senses at Journey Through the Imagination with Figment at Epcot.  The entertaining ride through Dr Channing's lab allows Figment to heighten your senses and make the whole family laugh at the same time.  (Photo: January 7, 2012)

A Pileated Woodpecker clings to a tree in downtown Sarasota.  The Pileated Woodpecker is the second largest woodpecker found in the United States.  It can be found in forested areas in much of the Eastern United States, Canada and a portion of the Pacific Coast.  (Photo: April 18, 2012)

A grasshopper clings to brush as it tries to blend in with its surroundings at the Myakka Islands Point Preserve near North Port, Florida.  This hidden gem lies along the banks of the Myakka River on the edge of Sarasota County.  The 100 acre park features hiking trails allowing you to further enjoy the preserve and the animals that live in the preserve.  (Photo: December 4, 2011)

Englewood, Florida:   Englewood Sports park was buzzing with Saturday night Little League Baseball as Key Agency faced off against Kimberlin Roofing.  Key Agency was able to rebound from an early deficit to earn a dominating 13-5 win. Kimberlin jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.  A fly ball to center was misplayed and allowed Aiden McNanna to score the first run of the night.  Two more runs came on an ground ball by Tyler Dunning to make it 3-0. The lead held until the top of the third.  Back to back walks to Matthew Neumeyer and Jake Patrick gave Key Agency two runners on the.  Troy Reams would reach on an error, allowing Neumeyer to score and pull to within a pair.  But the runners would not remain there long as MJ Patrick took an offering deep to left center, his first homer of the season that put Key Agency in front 4-3 Kimberlin battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the third.  Dunning reached on an error, Ja...

Rising high above the beach, the St Augustine Lighthouse provides a beacon of light, guiding ships through the water surround St Augustine.  Erected in 1874, the 165 foot brick lighthouse was the second lighthouse built at this location to provide aid to navigation.  Today the lighthouse is open to visitors and those who make the journey up the spiral stairs are rewarded with an amazing view of the surrounding area.  (Photo: November 13, 2011)

Englewood, Florida: Key Agency and Labadie Construction took to the field Thursday night in a battle for first place. This rivalry dates back to last season and has really produces some amazing battles and this came would be no different. Both teams exchanged leads all night until Key Agency walked off with the win and sole possession of first following a 4-3 walk-off win. The contest started as an old fashioned pitching duel with both starters tossing scoreless frames through the first two. Labadie broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third. A walk, hit batter and an error loaded the bases for Labadie. Then a misplayed grounder hit by Wyatt Bush allowed Wyatt Seckel to score and give Labadie a 1-0 lead. Key Agency answered by matching their opponents run and adding another in the third.  Donte Taylor led off the inning with a bunt single.  Gabe Todaro followed with a hard ground ball up the middle to put two runners on the bases with no outs.  A wild pit...

Tall coquina wall topped with turrets and cannons were the last line of defense for the Spaniards as they attempted to hold off their city of St Augustine from invaders.  Constructed by Spain over the period of 1672-95, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

Englewood, Florida: A close contest quickly got out of hand as a big fourth inning helped lift Key Agency over Lemon Bay Funeral Home 9-2 on Tuesday night at Charlotte Sports Park. After dueling through two scoreless innings, Lemon Bay broke the scoreless tie by scoring in the top of the third.  Ethan Grossenbacher drew an inning opening walk to give them a baserunner.  Grossenbacher advanced to second on a passed ball and later scored on an RBI single by Zeke Moranda to make it 1-0. Key Agency answered by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.  They walked the bases loaded to put some heat on pitcher TJ Williams.  Then Gabe Todaro delivered a bases loaded single that scored Jake Patrick and eventually Cody Mayes to give them a 2-1 lead. Then came the big seven run fourth inning by Key Agency.  They took advantage of five walks, two hit batsmen and a two run double by Troy Reames to extend the lead to 9-1. Lemon Bay got a run back in the fi...

Step off the ship and take a stroll through the streets of Port Royal and be whisked away some 300 years to when pirates controlled the high seas.  At the St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum in the heart of downtown, the pirate legacy is reborn through interactive displays that allow you to experience life as pirate.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

This boardwalk over the marsh just outside St Augustine was once the site of Fort Mose, the first Black settlement in North America. In 1738, Governor Manuel de Montiano ordered the creation of a fort north of the city. Slaves that were able to escape their British captors were sent here where they were declared free and given the opportunity to serve in the Spanish army.  Today the ruins of the fort are considered the premier site on the Florida Black History Trail.  (Photo: November 12, 2011)

The bell tower of Grace United Methodist Church stands tall in the old city.  Railroad tycoon Henry Flagler left his mark on St Augustine and this historic church is one of his crown jewels.  Built in 1888, the church was built using the same Spanish Renaissance style that the Ponce De Leon Hotel features, another famous Flagler building.  (Photo: November 11, 2011)

A fur-bearing trout is just one of the many oddities that await within the historic castle that houses Ripley's Believe It or Not in St Augustine. The urban legend surrounding this fish was that the cold waters of Lake Superior caused the fish to grow fur to adapt. The legend came to life when a taxidermist attached white rabbit fur to a trout which was then displayed at the Royal Museum of Scotland. It was later debunked by Robert Ripley in the 1930’s when he discovered the Canadian taxidermist responsible for making the display. Today the display can be seen along with other oddities at the museum. (Photo: November 11, 2011)

The sun rises over the dunes and boardwalk at Anastasia State Park in St Augustine.  The state park along the Atlantic Ocean provides breathtaking sunrises over the beach.  (Photo: November 13, 2011)

Sarasota, Florida: The Tampa Bay Rays ventured north to Ed Smith Stadium for a Grapefruit League matchup against fellow AL East competitor Baltimore Orioles. Despite having the long ball working for the home team, it was the consistent offense production of the Rays that lead to the 9-6 Rays win. The Rays jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Steven Souza singled home Corey Dickerson to put the Rays on the board. Souza Jr later scored on an RBI single by Curt Casali to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. Both teams exchanged runs in the second. In the top of the inning Dickerson singled home Braxton Lee. Then in the bottom, Orioles catcher Francisco Pena scored on an RBI single by Craig Gentry to make it 3-1. The Rays pushed across a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Lee scored for the second time this afternoon on an RBI single by Nick Franklin. Franklin would later score on a single by Souza Jr to increase the led to 5-1. The Orioles would get back a run in the fi...

Port Charlotte, Florida: The bats were red hot on Sunday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Rays blasted the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 in Grapefruit League action at Charlotte Sports Park. The Rays combined for four homers including two by Casey Gillaspie who hit one from each side of the plate and a moon shot by Jake Bauers. The Rays broke the scoreless tie in the second inning on a two run blast Bauers. The ball landed on the roof of the administrative building in right field with unofficial estimates of 450 feet from home plate. The Blue Jays battled back to tie the game in the fifth. Dwight Smith Jr delivered a two run double to left that scored Rowdy Tellez and Jonathan Diaz to tie the game. The Rays regained the lead in the sixth on a solo homer by Evan Longoria, his first of the spring. The Rays added some insurance in the form of three runs in the seventh. Gillaspie struck his first of two homers to get the scoring started. Later in the inning Ryan Brett singled home Pat L...

Englewood, Florida: The was one lone game on the schedule Saturday night as Key Agency faced off against Kimberlin Roofing in the final game before Spring Break. In a game that saw a total of 19 runs posted on the scoreboard, it was Key Agency who cruised to a 14-5 win. Key Agency capitalized on control problems from Kimberlin’s starting pitcher. Zachary Connor walked the bases loaded and then issued three bases loaded passes to give Key Agency a 3-0 lead.  Kimberlin bounced back in the bottom of the first, collecting a pair of runs to pull within a run of the lead. Jeremy Williams and Connor delivered back to back walks to lead off the inning. They both scored on an RBI triple by Carson Moore to make it 3-2. Key Agency countered with seven runs in the second inning. Two runs scored on an RBI single by MJ Patrick and two more on a double by Gabe Todaro. Sam Sheidy also collected an RBI in his first base hit of the season. Combine these hits with a couple bases loade...

Englewood, Florida: Errors and small ball end up being the krypotonite that ended the Key Agency’s quest for 4-0 before spring break as they fell to Labadie Construction 7-1 on Thursday night at Englewood Sports Complex. Labadie Construction grabbed the lead in the first inning and never really looked back. A single by Charlie Dillmore followed by a double by Trey Rutan set the offense up for a two run error that put them on the board. Then an RBI double by Josh Alexander increased the lead to 3-0. Labadie increased their lead in the second on a single and two errors which increase the lead to 5-0. Key Agency avoided the shut-out by scoring in the bottom of the third inning. MJ Patrick delivered a one out single to put a runner on the bases. Patrick later scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-1.  Labadie struck of a pair of runs on the fifth to close out the rout. Brady Kern scored on a passed ball and an RBI bunt by Dillmore gave them the 7-1 margin of victory. Rut...

Englewood, Florida: Little League fans were treated with an old fashion shoot-out on Tuesday night as Key Agency picked up a comeback win over Lemon Bay Funeral Home. Key Agency watched an early lead disappeared but managed to rally late to improve to 2-0 on the season. After starting the game off with a 1-2-3 inning, the Key Agency offense went to work in the bottom of the first to gain an early lead. Lead-off hitter Jake Patrick drew a walk to open up the frame. He later scored on a RBI double by Nick George to put Key Agency ahead by one. George later scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 2-0. From there, the Lemon Bay Funeral Home offense went to work, putting 7 unanswered runs on the scoreboard in the next three frames to make it 6-2. But Key Agency would not stay down for long as they came together to score six runs in the bottom of the fourth to regain the lead. Lemon Bay Funeral Home’s reliever struggled with control, issuing a few bases loaded walks comb...

Sarasota, Florida:  With the World Baseball Classic just days away, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the defending champion Dominican Republic in exhibition action at Ed Smith Stadium.  The Dominican Republic lineup looked like a team of all-stars as they rolled into Sarasota for Tuesday’s game.  The home team Orioles broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning.  Two runs would score on an RBI single by Hyun Soo Kim to make it 2-0 Orioles. The Dominican Republic countered in the top of the sixth.  They waked the bases loaded and then a free pass to Carlos Santana plated Jose Reyes for their first run of the after.  Later in the inning, Jonathan Villar scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. The Orioles regained the lead in eighth inning.  Audry Perez singled home Sean Coyle to give the Orioles a 3-2. The Dominican Republic countered with a pair of runs in the ninth to take their first lead of the afternoon.  Nelson C...

Paratroopers jump from a C-17 Globemaster III over a drop zone at the MacDill AirFest in 2011.  The crew from the Joint Communications Support Element at MacDill Air Force base demonstrated the static line jump used to access remote areas around the world. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

Hop aboard Fire Engine 71 and take a ride down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.  The Main Street vehicles are classic turn of the 20th century automobiles that transport passengers from the train station to Cinderella Castle or vice versa.  (Photo: October 2, 2011)

Englewood, Florida: The 2017 Englewood Area Little League season opened up with a bang as Key Agency faced Kimberlin Roofing on opening day at Englewood Sports Complex.  A dominating performance from Key Agency's starter George combined with an explosive offensive onslaught helped lift them to a 15-0 win. George was untouchable, tossing a complete game no-hitter.  All 12 outs were recorded by strikeouts and the lone baserunner was from a second inning walk to Dunning. Everyone in the lineup contributed offensively to the win with the Key Agency offense posting 15 runs coming of 16 hits.  Leading the charge was lead-off hitter J Patrick who a perfect 3 for 3 and drove home a team high 3 RBI's.  Clean-up hitter Mayes also hit the ball well, finishing a home run shy of the cycle in the season opener. George picked up the win and is 1-0 on the season.  Williams was charged with the loss for Kimberlin. Next up, Key Agency will host Lemon Bay Funeral Home o...

Vets in Blue, a tribute by JetBlue to our nation's veterans arrives at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Not only does the aircraft symbolize the airlines respect for the veterans, it also represents an effort to provide veterans employment through JetBlue's Vets in Blue program. Launched in 2012, the programs provides employment for over 1,000 veterans. (Photo: March 2, 2017)

When most people think of penguins, they immediately think of cold climates and snow.  But did you know there is a species of penguin that thrive in warm weather climates.  To adapt to the warmer climates, the African Penguins have a gland above their eye that when blood circulates through it, it helps regulate the temperature allowing the penguin to thrive in warmer weather.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

The bright colorful cheeks of the hornbill stand out in the aviary at Lowry Park Zoo.  The zoo is home to many colorful species of birds, each with their own stunning appearance.  Many of these birds can be seen close up in one of several free flight aviaries throughout the zoo.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)

An African Elephant gets some relief from the Floridian sun by taking a dip in a pond at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.  The zoo is home to a herd of six elephants, five females and one male.  The male elephant, Sdudla, is the zoo's largest animal weighing almost 10,000 pounds.  (Photo: February 25, 2017)