The Path to Pain-Free Healthy Living Begins at Sarasota Neuropathy Center
(941) 347-9434 Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in Nokomis, FL
Living with neuropathy and diabetes is a challenge that millions of Americans face every day. Neuropathy - which comes in several forms and manifests in many ways - can affect any person. In the United States, neuropathy and diabetes often go hand-in-hand, with about 50% of people with diabetes suffering from the condition. In fact, the number of people with neuropathy is only increasing as diabetes becomes more common and the population ages.
People who suffer from these conditions must endure painful and disruptive symptoms, such as:
- Intense Bouts of Sharp, Burning Pain
- Numbness, Prickling, or Tingling in the Hands and Feet
- Decreased Muscle Strength and Paralysis
- Trouble with Balance and Coordination
- Unusually High Sensitivity to Touch
- Digestive and Bladder Control Issues
While some patients are at a greater risk of developing certain types of neuropathy, it doesn't discriminate between sex, race, age, or medical history. Fortunately, neuropathy and diabetes awareness are growing. By proxy, so are new and exciting treatment options that show dramatic improvements in both conditions.
If you've been suffering from the symptoms of diabetes or neuropathy and are in search of a truly effective solution, Sarasota Neuropathy Center can help. Unlike some clinics, our commitment is to offer more than temporary relief. As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL, we aim to rectify the distinct root causes underlying each patient's symptoms.
But to understand how we're able to accomplish that goal, you've got to first understand the nuances of neuropathy and diabetes.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
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Neuropathy 101
Neuropathy is a medical condition that arises when the peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body, fail to function correctly due to damage or disease. These nerves are essential for detecting sensations such as warmth, cold, and pain, as well as regulating muscle movement and carrying out automatic processes like digestion and heartbeat without our conscious involvement.
What Causes Neuropathy?
When patients speak with a nerve pain doctor for the first time, they have a lot of questions, and rightfully so. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear centers around the factors causing neuropathy. If you're reading this article, chances are you have similar questions. While we can't pinpoint what's causing your neuropathy without proper testing, here are a few of the most common factors that can cause neuropathy to manifest:
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of diabetes in adults - especially when a person has dealt with high blood sugar levels over long periods of time. When diabetes harms your nerves, it can lead to diabetic neuropathy and create a recurring trigger for this type of nerve damage.
Lack of Vitamins
Your nerves require certain vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B12, B6, and vitamin E, to function correctly. Without a balanced diet or supplementation, deficiencies in these vitamins can lead to nerve damage over time.
Autoimmune Disorders
In certain instances, a person's immune system accidentally attacks its own cells, including nerve tissues. When this happens, neuropathy often follows. Diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome come under this category, where the immune system's misguided attack on nerves causes dysfunction and pain.
Genetics
Neuropathy can be inherited in some families, meaning it is passed down from one generation to another. When this occurs, peripheral nerves can be affected by genetic forms of the condition, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
Infections in the Body
There are certain viruses and bacteria that have the ability to attack nerve tissues and also cause conditions that can result in nerve damage. Examples of such infections include Lyme disease, HIV, and hepatitis C. These illnesses have the potential to either initiate or worsen existing neuropathy.
Physical Trauma
Physical injuries, whether caused by accidents, repetitive movements, or falls, can lead to nerve damage. Such injuries can result in neuropathy, causing loss of function and painful sensations in the affected region of the body.
What are the Different Types of Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can affect one nerve, a group of related nerves, or multiple nerves in different parts of the body. The symptoms can vary depending on which type of nerve signals are affected. Keep reading for a closer look at the various types of neuropathies and how they affect you. If one of the categories below sounds familiar, make a mental note to discuss it with your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in Your Arms and Legs
Of all the different types of neuropathies, this is the kind that you're probably most familiar with, as it's the most common form treated in the U.S.It occurs most often when the nerves responsible for transmitting messages of touch and movement between your brain and your extremities don't function properly.
Symptoms can include:
- Sensations of Pins and Needles
- Numbness
- Soreness
- Cramping
- Shooting Pains
As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can occur, making it difficult to perform precise movements and walk without assistance. Balance problems are also common.
Focal Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain in a Specific Area
Focal neuropathy can sometimes result in damage to a single nerve or a cluster of nerves in a particular region, leading to localized pain or weakness. For instance, carpal tunnel syndrome can affect the wrist, causing numbness or weakness in the hand. Similarly, Bell's palsy can impact the face, resulting in droopiness or stiffness on one side of the face.
Other symptoms can include:
- Muscles Don't Work Correctly
- Sharp Pains
- Localized Pain and Weakness
Autonomic Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain That Controls Automatic Body Functions
This type of neuropathy affects the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions, such as heartbeat, digestion, and bladder control. When these nerves are damaged
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness When Standing Quickly
- Issues with Sexual Intercourse
- Constipation
- Issues Regulating Body Temperature
Compression Neuropathy:
Nerve Pain from Your Nerves Being Squeezed
This type of neuropathy happens when a nerve is pinched or squeezed. It happens most often when you are injured or have to repeat actions over and over again for work or sports purposes. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and sciatica. Symptoms can include:
Symptoms can include:
- Sharp Shooting Pain
- Weakness in the Affected Body Part
- Numbness
Whether you or someone you love are trying to live with neuropathy, you know that it can significantly alter lifestyles, making it difficult to perform day-to-day activities, work, or engage in hobbies. That's why it's so important to understand the underlying causes of your nerve pain, so that you can receive appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life. Taking care of the root problem, as well as managing the pain and other symptoms, is key to helping you stay active and comfortable. That's where working with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL, becomes crucial.
Addressing the Root Causes of Your Neuropathy
Sarasota Neuropathy Center is a nerve pain clinic that provides patients with a comprehensive, rewarding journey toward healing. It begins with a thorough evaluation that involves in-depth laboratory tests and analyses. This introductory step helps us identify the specific factors that contribute to your peripheral neuropathy. Our team of neuropathy treatment specialists then creates a personalized treatment plan tailored exclusively to your body and symptoms.
By providing you with a wide range of strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of your condition, you can achieve lasting relief and may even be able to reverse the effects of peripheral neuropathy.
Our advanced therapeutic options include:
Nerve Regeneration Equipment
We use cutting-edge machinery like laser light therapy and electromagnetic impulses to stimulate your nerves, encourage repair, and foster nerve tissue regeneration.
Vaso-Pulse Technology
This FDA-approved treatment sends signals through your feet and around your spine, which helps us highlight and rectify areas where nerve and vascular damage are present.
Antioxidants
By incorporating antioxidants into your treatment plan, we can better mitigate nerve damage and counteract oxidative stress.
Anti-Inflammatory Treatments
Inflammation exacerbates nerve damage and pain. Our neuropathy specialists use anti-inflammatory agents to help alleviate your symptoms
Minerals and Vitamins
Nutritional deficiencies impact nerve health. We supplement those deficiencies with vitamins and minerals to help nerve repair.
Immunomodulators
For neuropathies linked to autoimmune disorders, we employ immunomodulators that help regulate the immune system's activity to prevent it from attacking the body's own nerve tissues.
Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Changing your diet and incorporating exercise into your daily routine are two of the best ways to support nerve health.
Through a personalized, natural, and comprehensive treatment plan from Sarasota Neuropathy Center, reclaiming your life doesn't have to be a dream - it can be a true possibility.
Diabetes 101
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of sugar in the blood. This happens when the body is unable to produce or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating its absorption into cells for energy or storage.
There are several types of diabetes of which you should be aware:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a condition in which the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, resulting in little to no insulin production. This condition usually develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Patients who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes have to depend on daily insulin administration to manage their blood sugar levels.
The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not fully understood, although it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may contribute to it. Contact your diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL to learn more about this disease.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is mainly caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. In this condition, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells don't use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes can sometimes be managed or reversed with lifestyle changes, although some people may still need medications or insulin therapy.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically goes away after giving birth. However, it can give an indication of a woman's future risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy that make the body's cells more resistant to insulin. It's important to manage Gestational Diabetes to prevent complications for both mother and baby.
Other types of diabetes can include:
- Monogenic Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
- Secondary Diabetes
Genetics
You can have genetic links to both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. These links make you predisposed to the condition.
Lifestyle
Poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity all contribute to insulin resistance, which causes diabetes
Autoimmune
Your immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas, leading to insufficient insulin production and Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
The most prevalent type of diabetes - Type 2 Diabetes - arises when cells resist insulin's effect, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Many patients who speak with a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL assume they have Type 2 Diabetes, but aren't 100% sure. At Sarasota Neuropathy Center, we would need to conduct tests to verify whether you have the disease. With that said, the following symptoms often manifest when you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Neuropathy
Type 2 Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which in turn causes tingling and numbness, especially in your feet and hands.
Tiredness
Chronic fatigue happens when your body can't utilize glucose for energy in the right way.
Excessive Urination and Thirst
When you have high blood sugar, your body's natural response is to eliminate excess fluids. This can cause you to urinate frequently and can also cause you to feel very thirsty.
Slow-Healing Wounds
High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to heal itself and resist infection.
Vision Changes
When your blood sugar spikes, it can cause visual disturbances that can blur your vision.
Unexplained Weight Loss
In uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes, the body may begin to break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unexplained weight loss.
If you believe you may have Type 2 Diabetes, it's important to get checked out ASAP. Regular health screenings and glucose monitoring are important for early detection and effective management of Type 2 Diabetes, as symptoms may not be apparent in the initial stages.
The Sarasota Neuropathy Approach to Diabetes Care
As a diabetic and neuropathy treatment specialist in Nokomis, FL, we are committed to offering a groundbreaking approach for Type 2 Diabetes, which focuses on reversing the condition by addressing the root causes rather than just managing the symptoms. Our innovative strategy goes beyond conventional treatment paradigms and delves into the underlying factors that contribute to Type 2 Diabetes.
We use a holistic methodology that includes comprehensive lifestyle interventions, nutritional counseling, and personalized medical oversight. This approach has consistently demonstrated remarkable efficacy in significantly reducing blood glucose levels among our patients.
Key highlights of our diabetes treatment include:
Book Appointment
The Path to Relief Starts with a Diabetic and Neuropathy Treatment Specialist in Nokomis, FL
At Sarasota Diabetes & Neuropathy Center, our mission is to empower you to overcome neuropathy, Type 2 Diabetes, or both by embarking on a transformative journey to wellness. By integrating advanced medical care with comprehensive lifestyle interventions, we help you achieve better health outcomes and a renewed sense of hope and control over your journey to a healthy life.
Latest News in Nokomis, FL
Expert calls Nokomis holes “cause and effect”
ABC7 Staffhttps://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/05/23/expert-calls-nokomis-holes-cause-effect/
NOKOMIS, Fla. (WWSB) - University of North Florida Assistant Professor of Geo-Engineering, Ryan Shamet, said the holes popping up in Nokomis are most likely a cause and effect from groundwater pumping.“In this area of Florida, we don’t have the stereotypical sinkhole that propagates from the limestone. Actually, where that limestone interface is, in this area, it’s much deeper than what we see in the rest of the state,” said Shamet. “It’s a clear cause and effect like if they were pumping and they w...
NOKOMIS, Fla. (WWSB) - University of North Florida Assistant Professor of Geo-Engineering, Ryan Shamet, said the holes popping up in Nokomis are most likely a cause and effect from groundwater pumping.
“In this area of Florida, we don’t have the stereotypical sinkhole that propagates from the limestone. Actually, where that limestone interface is, in this area, it’s much deeper than what we see in the rest of the state,” said Shamet. “It’s a clear cause and effect like if they were pumping and they were forming and in the past thirty years nothing else has formed, then yes I would say it would probably warrant a closer look.”
Shamet said any changes in the groundwater are going to cause the holes to come to the surface. He explained there are already natural holes in the limestone.
“Most of Florida, especially in the southwest and south of Tampa, there’s going to be natural holes in the limestone,” said Shamet. “Usually, if everything is staying consistent and there are not rapid groundwater changes, then those holes are just going to stay there. Anytime you have extreme water moving through there then it’s going to disturb the subsurface conditions.”
Shamet explained the Nokomis area only has one major sinkhole on record dating back to 1981. He said this could be related to what residents said happened decades ago when holes similarly started popping up when the land was an orange grove.
“There’s only one sinkhole in probably a five-mile radius and it’s probably the one previous homeowners were referencing,” said Shamet. “There’s a little bio on it and it says, 1981 a pond was being dug and cleaned out and it caused a sinkhole to occur next to a house.”
Shamet said residents should have some peace of mind knowing the area is not like other places known for this activity.
“It’s not like in Orlando or Tampa where you see a high density of sinkholes form throughout all of Florida’s history,” said Shamet.
Leigh Sterrett is a resident of Kenwood Avenue who continued advocating for construction to stop. He explained Shamet’s comments are good news.
“It’s vindication. I mean I’ve known this since day one. It was zero coincidence that this place has been stable for thirty years there have been plenty of drought situations in that thirty years and we’ve had no issues. Now all of a sudden 72 hours after they started pumping all the groundwater, out of that construction site, all of these sinkholes started collapsing,” Sterrett Shared.
Sterrett also expressed that construction needs to stop and residents in the area need help.
“The project needs to be shut down. I’ve been told by somebody on site that, that job site won’t even hold the construction that they are trying to do and they just need to abandon it. They need to come in here and do whatever they can to make everybody back here whole again. I mean we’ve got properties with sinkholes, they’ve lost property value, and they can’t sell. There are people over here with no water,” said Sterrett.
According to Sarasota County, staff members will be meeting with Pulte developers in two to three weeks to go over the results from geologists.
Residents like Sterrett are also concerned about why Pulte got to hire their own geologists in the first place. Sarasota County explained because the site permit is owned by Morris Engineering, they are responsible for the design, inspection, and certification of the land development.
Copyright 2023 WWSB. All rights reserved.
Residents concerned for properties as deep holes form in Nokomis neighborhood
Kimberly Kuizonhttps://www.fox13news.com/news/nokomis-home-owners-search-for-answers-about-mysterious-sinkholes
NOKOMIS, Fla. - Deep holes are opening up in a Nokomis neighborhood in Sarasota County, and they have residents concerned about what's happening to their properties.Neighbors along Kenwood Avenue said it started after a housing development began on the old Nokomis orange grove property.Resident Victor Kokorian said a tractor doing work on his property, first discovered the hole. Concerned over what was happening, he stopped construction on a new home."It’s only 14 feet from the corner of my pr...
NOKOMIS, Fla. - Deep holes are opening up in a Nokomis neighborhood in Sarasota County, and they have residents concerned about what's happening to their properties.
Neighbors along Kenwood Avenue said it started after a housing development began on the old Nokomis orange grove property.
Resident Victor Kokorian said a tractor doing work on his property, first discovered the hole. Concerned over what was happening, he stopped construction on a new home.
"It’s only 14 feet from the corner of my property, and it’s very close," Kokorian said.
It’s not the only one. Sarasota County calls them "depressions, and neighbors said more than a dozen have popped up in the surrounding area.
"It started when this new development Pulte corporation started pumping water," said Kokorian.
Just feet away, Pulte Homes had started construction on Legacy Groves. It’s a new development on the site of the former Nokomis orange groves.
Sarasota County and the developer agreed to stop the draining of a nearby stormwater pond, as a team of geologists surveys the area.
"It feels very kind of jeopardized by the whole entire situation, we are kind of losing value of our properties. We don’t know what to do," said Kokorian.
Pulte group told FOX 13 in a statement:
"We continue to work closely with Sarasota County and maintain active communication with them regarding our activities onsite. As soon as we were made aware of the reported subsidence events, we ceased work in the area of concern, and engaged geological experts to learn more. At this time, we are consulting with the experts to determine if there is a connection between prior land development work and the natural events that have occurred in nearby neighborhoods."
Across the street, Mark Shannahan keeps an eye on the hole in his backyard.
"It’s only shifted size twice. Basically, it was half the size and then within a day or two it was twice the size," he said. "We feel powerless, of course, because one we are a blue collar neighborhood, we are not swimming in money. We are only swimming in sinkholes."
Shannahan purchased the land to build his retirement home on. Those plans are now on hold.
"Where do we go from here? Can I build on it now? Can I sell it? Those are things just to think what would you do if it was you. It kind of puts you in a pickle," he said.
Sarasota County said in a statement:
"At this time, the developer is working with a team of geologists to gather information of the surrounding area. Based on the results of this report will determine next steps. We do not have evidence at this time to know if the activities on site have contributed to the subsidence or if it’s related to current drought conditions. The incidents continued to occur after dewatering ceased."
READ: Sarasota authorities investigating shooting that left one dead on Fruitville Road
Those living along Kenwood Avenue just want answers and peace of mind.
"We are supposed to enjoy our retirement here, but right now it’s everything under the question," said Kokorian.
The Best Restaurants in Osprey and Nokomis
Lauren Jacksonhttps://www.sarasotamagazine.com/eat-and-drink/best-restaurants-in-osprey-and-nokomis
1092 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 244-0310, bayleafosprey.comWarm Indian spices abound at this cozy strip mall spot. Tuck into favorites like tikka masala or biryani, or try something new like Nirwana curry, a flavorful fish coconut stew. If you’re suffering from choice paralysis, swing by on the weekend for the buffet, which is offered from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. You won’t be disappointed....
1092 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 244-0310, bayleafosprey.com
Warm Indian spices abound at this cozy strip mall spot. Tuck into favorites like tikka masala or biryani, or try something new like Nirwana curry, a flavorful fish coconut stew. If you’re suffering from choice paralysis, swing by on the weekend for the buffet, which is offered from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. You won’t be disappointed.
The Breakfast Cottage
2301 N. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, (941) 313-9529, thebreakfastcottage.com
The Breakfast Cottage is a longtime Nokomis staple. Located in a Florida bungalow, the menu features plenty of morning-time items like omelets and Benedicts, but it’s the Monte Cristo that keeps us coming back. Honey-baked ham, roasted turkey and Swiss cheese nestled between two pieces of French toast? Yes, please.
Casey Key Fish House
801 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey, (941) 966-1901, caseykeyfishhouse.com
Perhaps the most iconic restaurant in Osprey and Nokomis, Casey Key Fish House brings the taste and ambiance of Old Florida to life. Pop in for a piña colada at the outdoor tiki bar, or relax on the patio with conch fritters and a grouper sandwich. Whatever you order, you’ll be mesmerized as you watch the boats navigate through the historic Blackburn Point Bridge. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a Stephen King sighting.
Café Evergreen
801 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, (941) 412-4334, cafeevergreen.net
When you’re in the mood for something healthy, Café Evergreen has you covered. This small eatery packs a big punch in the flavor department with options for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores. We love the cheesy quinoa cakes, which also come in a vegan iteration. Try them on their own, or order them in the “Super Vegan Wrap” for your daily dose of veggies.
Kiku Sushi & Grill
1254 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 918-0288, kikusushigrillosprey.com
This brand-new Japanese spot has all the locals raving thanks to its comprehensive menu and top-notch execution. Select a sushi roll from an extensive list of offerings and prepare for maximum satisfaction. If raw fish isn’t your bag, never fear. Kiku also features hibachi-style options like chicken, steak, shrimp and more.
Local Pizza
66 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 909-0743, thelocal.pizza
Located in “downtown” Osprey, Local Pizza is serving up some seriously good pie. Ingredient combinations skew Italian-style, like the “Right in the Kisser,” made with soppressata, fresh mozzarella and Calabrian chili honey. And while the pizza is fantastic, the salads steal the show. We love the roasted hearts of palm salad with roasted lemon vinaigrette for a light reprieve from a rich, cheesy pie.
Mad Moe’s
106 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 966-9700, madmoes.com
If you only have a chance to visit Mad Moe’s once, order a burger. Trust us. Generous, juicy patties are cooked to your preferred temperature and topped in a variety of ways. We like to keep it traditional with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese, but there are plenty of other options to make your burger dreams come true. If you have extra room, throw in an order of wings and prepare to be wowed.
MAX’s Table
115 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, (941) 220-7463, maxstablesrq.com
This breakfast and lunch staple—named for the initials of the owners’ daughter—offers consistently delicious fare. The dining room is bright and cheerful and the food is fantastic, with choices that run the gamut from healthy to traditional to nap-inducing. We particularly love the corned beef hash with over-easy eggs for a satisfying weekend brunch. Don’t forget to order the French fries, which we argue are the best in town.
Pop’s Sunset Grill
112 Circuit Road, Nokomis, (941) 488-3177, popssunsetgrill.com
Soak up the Intracoastal views at Pop’s Sunset Grill (also pictured at top). This expansive waterfront stop has it all: live music, delicious food and the friendliest staff around. Pull up to the bar for a refreshing cocktail paired with fish tacos or shrimp ceviche for a taste of the good life. Before you head home, scoot over to Nokomis Beach, just across the bridge.
Roessler’s
2033 Vamo Way, Sarasota, (941) 966-5688, roesslersrestaurant.com
We know this classic continental restaurant is technically in south Sarasota, but since it’s less than a mile from the Osprey border, we think it deserves to be included. The beautiful property overlooks a pond setting complete with a gazebo and footbridge, for surroundings you would never believe is a stone’s throw from U.S. 41. While we love everything on the menu, the wiener schnitzel is the star thanks to chef Klaus Roessler’s German upbringing.
Nokomis neighbors worry about mysterious holes opening up in the ground
wtsp.comhttps://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/nokomis-neighborhood-mysterious-holes-opening-in-ground/67-06edf1b9-2341-489d-b90e-9665964895ce
The neighbors live near Albee Farm Road and Edmondson Road in Nokomis. They said they have counted 13 holes so far – some being as deep as 14 feet.More VideosNOKOMIS, Fla. — Some Sarasota County neighbors say they are concerned about strange holes that have opened up in the ground near their homes.The neighbors live near ...
The neighbors live near Albee Farm Road and Edmondson Road in Nokomis. They said they have counted 13 holes so far – some being as deep as 14 feet.
More Videos
NOKOMIS, Fla. — Some Sarasota County neighbors say they are concerned about strange holes that have opened up in the ground near their homes.
The neighbors live near Albee Farm Road and Edmondson Road in Nokomis. They said they have counted 13 holes so far – some being as deep as 14 feet.
Some of the holes also formed on the road and have been filled already.
"It's going in this direction and it's going in that direction," said Victor Kokorian, who had a hole in his driveway area. He also has one hole in his backyard.
"On this road alone there are three holes. They would open up and boom – they get filled in right away" said Mark Shannahan, another neighbor with a hole near his property. "On the street over there, there's four holes and the county garbage truck got stuck in one. The county code enforcement officer, he got stuck too."
The neighbors explained they started seeing the holes form when crews began pumping water out of a pond at a nearby construction site.
The site is for the new housing development called Legacy Groves, and it used to be agricultural land for an orange grove.
"Within days of that happening is when you first start saw the first [hole]. The first one was at the end of the road here and it was days after they started pumping groundwater from there," said Shannahan.
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Now the neighbors say their homes are at risk if the holes continue to form unchecked.
"It's an old established neighborhood and a lot of these people have lived here for generations, and it's being destroyed," said Leigh Sterrett, who also lives in the neighborhood. "Right now with what's going on, they can't sell, they can't we can buy and it's negatively impacting everybody around here."
According to the developer for the property, Pulte Homes, they halted the project in the affected area immediately after it was reported.
However, county officials said even after the pumping had stopped, the holes still formed. Now they are looking to see if the incidents are linked to the ongoing drought.
The homeowners are not assured by this and said because of the uncertainty and for the safety of existing homes, they want the developer and the county to rethink the project altogether.
"I think the project needs to be shut down. I don't think the property can hold or withstand what they're trying to do in the development," said Sterrett. "Can you imagine what's going to happen if they put a concrete slab and a whole home on it? I mean, I don't think structurally is going to hold or be able to support what they are trying to do there."
A spokesperson for the developers said in a statement they had sent a team of geologists to the neighborhood so they can investigate.
They said the findings will determine if there's a connection to the current construction or prior development on the land.
Those neighbors told us they are worried they may be dealing with sinkholes but county officials have said they are depressions.
After COVID Break, Enander’s Winter Wonderland Walk-Through Lights Display Open In Nokomis
Sarasota, FL Patchhttps://patch.com/florida/sarasota/walk-through-holiday-lights-display-reopens-nokomis
Enander's Winter Wonderland in Nokomis features more than 400,000 lights, about 400 figurines, holiday music and a snow machine.Tiffany Razzano, Patch StaffNOKOMIS, FL — With a growing family, in the early 1990s Bob Enander thought decorating their Nokomis home for the holidays would be a fun activity for his children.It started simple enough with icicles on the roof and traditional lights on the bushes out fr...
Enander's Winter Wonderland in Nokomis features more than 400,000 lights, about 400 figurines, holiday music and a snow machine.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
NOKOMIS, FL — With a growing family, in the early 1990s Bob Enander thought decorating their Nokomis home for the holidays would be a fun activity for his children.
It started simple enough with icicles on the roof and traditional lights on the bushes out front, the Chicago transplant, who moved to the area 35 years ago, said.
Then, he discovered Lori’s Lighted D’Lites, a North Florida business that creates custom-designed light displays. That’s when the family’s holiday light display “got out of control,” he joked.
“I found that whatever I could draw, they could make,” Enander said. “It’s really unlimited. That’s part of the fun. We started with the (Noah’s) ark and animals. As the kids got older, there were dinosaurs. By the time they got to high school, it was Santa playing basketball and football and reindeer bench pressing (weights.)”
He added, “A lot of stuff matured with the kids getting older. They eventually started drinking and now we have dogs playing (beer) pong.”
Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Today known as Enander’s Winter Wonderland, his family’s free walk-through holiday display is a Sarasota County destination each Christmas season. The public is invited to walk his 2.5-acre property and enjoy the lighted décor, which features more than 400,000 lights and more than 400 figurines.
Visit Enander’s Winter Wonderland
Address: 2281 Mission Valley Blvd., Nokomis
Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. through New Year's Day (Learn more here.)
Cost: Free
Three computer systems are set up to control the holiday music playing in different areas of the display, he said. And the family sets up a snow machine, going through four gallons of snow concentrate nightly.
Many of the walkways are paved, allowing those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues to enjoy the holiday scene. And buses filled with residents from nearby retirement homes tour the property each year. Since they can’t leave the bus, Enander’s son boards it to talk about the light display as they drive through it.
On weekends — and on the days just before Christmas — the family welcomes anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 visitors each night, Enander said.
To accommodate the traffic, he even purchased a second property a couple hundred feet from his home to use as a parking lot. The land can fit about 85 cars and Boy Scout Troop 1001 volunteers to direct traffic in the neighborhood.
“I like to say it was a great $150,000 investment so you can park cars for free three weeks a year,” he said.
Twenty-seven years after they started decorating their home, it remains a family affair. All four of his kids are grown now — ranging in age from 27 to 44 — and married. Their spouses, as well as Enander’s seven grandchildren, also help with the holiday fun.
This year, his 7-year-old grandson climbed on the roof to help him hang lights. When his daughter — the child’s mother — saw him on the roof, she “gasped” and got worried, he said. “And I reminded her, ‘How old were you when you were helping?’”
Enander is amazed by how much his family tradition has grown in nearly three decades.
“Somebody took a drone video and I looked at it and it looked like an amusement park,” he said. “I knew it was growing but I didn’t really know how much until I saw it. It started out as this small drive-by thing.”
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As his lighted décor became more elaborate after the first couple of years, he started putting some in the yard, which isn't visible from the street.
“My wife asked how people will see them from the road. I said, ‘I imagine they’re going to have to park and walk up and see them,’” he said.
Last year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Enander’s Winter Wonderland switched back to a drive-by scene. This limited the number of lights he could put up, so neighbors allowed him to spread his display onto their properties.
“It was a big change,” he said. “All of a sudden we were going out to movies and dinner in December. We didn’t know what that was like. Normally, where there every single night the lights are on.”
This year, the display is once again a walk-through destination. The family has added about 40 new items to the “always changing” display, from new huskies for Santa’s sled to squirrels jumping over a log and even a handful of gnomes, Enander said.
“It feels real good to be back,” he added. “The biggest thing is making people happy. It's great in today's world that you can just do something for free that people just enjoy.”
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