The Wandering Disciple

Buckle up is not only the law, it will save your life. That is the message of the Florida Highway Patrol as they show the dangers of unrestrained passengers in a vehicle roll-over. Over half of fatalities in traffic accidents were a result of not being buckled up. In fact, wearing a seatbelt is 99% effective in keeping you from being ejected where 75% of all traffic fatalities occur. So Buckle Up and save a life.  This roll-over demonstrator was on display at the National Traffic Safety Day put on by the City of North Port in 2007. The one day event featured public safety events from the Florida Highway Patrol, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and North Port Police and Fire Departments.  Taken: December 1, 2007 (North Port, FL) Photo of Day: December 2, 2022

Knock, knock. A gopher tortoise stops by our front door in North Port. With much of the city underdeveloped, your neighbor tends to be wildlife rather than people. Gopher Tortoises are a threatened tortoise found in the Southeastern US. Known for digging burrows, the gopher tortoise burrow can be home to over 300 other animals as well, making them a critical keystone of the ecosystem. Taken: July 23, 2007 (North Port, FL)

The baseball community mourns the loss of an icon to the sport, Hank Aaron. Hammerin' Hank got his nickname from his power at the plate. Over the course of his 23 year career, Aaron slugged a career 755 homers. When he retired from the game, he entered the front office of the Braves where he spent several years on the executive side of the sport. His impact to the game was immortalized by his number being retired by the Brewers and the Braves as well as being a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Off the field Hank was a integral part of minority programs and even an advocate during the current COVID-19 pandemic where he publicly joined Atlanta leaders in getting the vaccination .  (Photo: August 21, 2019)

A middle infielder for Eagles Baseball of SFL makes an off-balanced throw to first during an opening round tournament game in the 2020 Independence Battle. The two-day tournament hosted in the Port Charlotte area by Prostyle tournaments is on of the first regional tournament following COVID-19. In the 14U AA Class pictured here, it was Jarvel Juice from Fort Lauderdale that would be the tournament winner. (Photo: June 28, 2020)

North Port, Florida:  Friday night lights, Minor League Baseball style, swept over the West Villages at the Atlanta Braves opened their spring training home for some Gulf Coast League baseball.  A large crowd, uncharacteristic for a GCL game, filed into the newly built stadium for an evening of baseball action. The home team Braves jumped out to big lead in the second inning.  They collected four runs in the frame by the way of six hits to take a lead.  Joel Reyes drove in a run, Wiston Cerrato collected two, and Madson Berne plated another to give the Braves a 4-0 lead. The Brave picked up two more runs in thee bottom of the seventh by the way of a two run homer by Michael Harris, his first professional home run to make it 6-0. Braves pitching kept the Rays off the board until the eighth inning when the Rays scored a run on an RBI single by Johan Lopez for their first run of the night.  They got two more in the ninth by pushing across two runs on an er...

The coach visits the mound to talk to his defense and help them refocus during a middle school baseball game. A trip to the mound is sometimes necessary to help your team refocus and help get their heads back in the game. (Photo: April 17, 2019)

A colorful butterfly helps to pollinate a flower at the Myakka Islands Preserve in North Port.   While bees are known for their jobs as pollinators, butterflies also help nature stay bright and colorful.   (Photo: December 4, 2011)

North Port, Florida: The SWFL Yard Dawgs saw their late rally fall short as they dropped an exciting contest against the Hitmen 7-5 in the opening round of Sunday’s SWFL Champions Cup tournament at Atwater Park in North Port. The Dawgs trailed by seven before throwing five runs on the board in the fifth before having their bases loaded rally ended on a questionable call by the field umpire on a play at third. The Hitmen controlled the tempo early jumping out to an early lead in the first inning. Evan Hermanson drove home a run with an RBI single and then a two run double by Braden Reites gave them a 3-0 lead. The Hitmen added four more to their tally in the bottom of the third. Dawgs starter Michael Paolillo struggled with control, hitting two batters and giving up a single before hitting his third batter with the bases loaded to push across a run. Three more runs came on a double by Joseph Adames to put the Hitmen ahead 7-0. The Yard Dawgs game to life in the bottom of th...

North Port, Florida: After notching out a win in the first game of Saturday’s pool play, the SWFL Yard Dawgs were back in action against rival PBA Outlaws in the second game of pool play. Despite battling toe to toe through the first few frames, it was a big fourth inning by the Outlaws that would doom the Yard Dawgs in the 13-8 loss. The Yard Dawgs opened the game up by scoring in the first inning. Brayden Spain led off the game with a single. He would later score on an RBI single by Donte Taylor to give the Yard Dawgs a 1-0 lead. The Outlaws answered by posting four runs to the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. A bases loaded walk to Anthony Poriello tied the game. Then a sac fly by Dannyel Polanco and a two run double by Wyatt Stafford gave the Outlaws a 4-1 lead. The Outlaws added to their lead by scoring again in the bottom of the second. Angel Rodriguez scored on a single by Prescott to increase the lead to 5-1. The Yard Dawgs battled back to take the lead of...

North Port, Florida: The SWFL Yard Dawgs kicked off the 2019 SWFL Champions Cup with an early morning pool game against the Hitmen. The Yard Dawgs jumped out to a big lead early and held off a late game comeback to squeeze out a 7-6 win. The first inning rally for the Yard Dawgs began on a two out single by Donte Taylor. Taylor then stole second and later third and then scored on a passed ball before clean-up hitter MJ Patrick drew a six pitch walk. The Yard Dawgs then loaded the bases following back to back singles by Michael Palilllo and Hunter Force to load the bases. They then went station to station with back to back to back RBI singles by Jake Trottier, Michael Sprague and Bobby Timmons to increase the lead to 5-0. The Hitmen got on the board in the top of the third inning. A ground ball by Kessler scored Ian Kozolowsky. Peyton Hale followed with an RBI single to score Ethan Tsai to make t 5-2. The Yard Dawgs got a run back in the bottom of the fourth. In similar ...

North Port, Florida:  After finishing pool play with a 2-0 record on Saturday, the SWFL Yard Dawgs came into Sunday's tournament play at the 2018 Home Run Derby Classic as the number two seed in the tournament. By virtue of ranking, the Yard Dawgs entered the tournament in the semifinals,  Their semifinal round match-up would be a tough one against the Gulf Coast Monarchs, the only Majors rated team in the 13U bracket.  The red hot Monarchs were coming off a 2-0 Saturday as well an 11-0 shut-out win in the opening round of tournament play. The Monarchs dominated the game, cruising to a 16-0 win against the Yard Dawgs.  Costly errors and miscues doomed the Yard Dawgs as they were eliminated from the tournament.  The Monarchs would go on to defeat the PBA Diamonds in the finals to win the 2018 Home Run Derby Classic. Despite losing today, it was a great effort for the Yard Dawgs as they went 2-1 on the weekend in their first tournament as a team. More impres...

North Port, Florida:  Following a win in their first pool game of the day, the SWFL Yard Dawgs took to the field against the undefeated PBA Outlaws in their second and final pool game of the day.  Both teams looked to remain undefeated on the day as they battled for the top seed heading into Sunday's tournament play. The Yard Dawgs offense picked up right where they left off in the first game, opening up the game with three runs in the first inning.  The Yard Dawgs put the lead runner on the bases when Jake Patrick was hit by a pitch to lead off the game.  A walk to Donte Taylor and MJ Patrick loaded the bases with no outs.  The first run of the inning came on a fly out by Elijah Halcomb, Jake Patrick tagged up and scored to put the Dawgs on the board.  Donte Taylor then scored on an RBI double by RJ Cooper to make it 2-0.  The third run came on an ground ball by Michael Paolilo to increase the lead to 3-. The Outlaws answered in the bottom of t...

North Port, Florida:  The SWFL Yard Dawgs opened up their inaugural season with the 2018 Home Run Derby Classic hosted by Prostyle Tournaments.  The two day tournament featured six 13U teams in an open format with teams ranging from Majors down to AA.  The Yard Dawgs faced Clewiston Travel Ball in the first of two pool play games on Saturday afternoon at Atwater Park. Clewiston jumped out to an early lead by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Cayson Holman led off the game with a single to right field.  Holman later scored on an RBI single by Jadin Herrera to put them on the scoreboard.  A pair of walks loaded the bases for Clewiston.  Then Jonathan Thompson drew a bases loaded walk to score Herrera to give Clewiston a 2-0 lead. The Yard Dawgs cut the lead in half by pushing across a run in the bottom of the first.  They loaded the bases following three straight walks to lead off the inning.  Jake Patrick, Donte Taylor and MH P...

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)

A longtail skipper butterfly rests its wings on a leaf in North Port, Florida.  (Photo: October 22, 2011)

North Port Fire-Rescue's Truck 82 helps spread the Christmas joy by leading the 2010 Poinsettia Parade.  (Photo: December 11, 2010)

North Port Fire-Rescue Truck 82 sits on display at a special event in the City of North Port. The North Port Fire-Rescue provides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the City of North Port. They operate out of 5 stations spread throughout the city. (Photo: December 1, 2007)

A Zebra Longwing pollinates a flower in the Myakka Islands Preserve. The preserve is a popular spot for many species of butterflies. (Photo: December 4, 2011)

The newest addition to the North Port Fire-Rescue, Station 84 was dedicated in 2011 for the late Captain Earl Conrad.  The station is home to Truck 84, Rescue 84, Rapid Attack 84 and Battalion 8.  (Photo: October 25, 2013)

A Zebra Longwing feeds on the pollen of some wildflowers at the Myakka Islands Preserve. (Photo: December 4, 2011)