Occasions

The East County Observer would like recognize your family’s milestones. To have your announcement included in the East County Observer, please email your information to Senior Editor Pam Eubanks, [email protected].

BIRTHS
Natalia Alexis Besse
Natalia Alexis Besse was born to Jason and Avelina Besse, of Lakewood Ranch, at 5:02 a.m. June 16, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces and was 18 inches long. Proud big brothers are Jaylen and Dylan.

Weston Michael Hartley
Weston Michael Hartley was born to Mike and Danielle Hartley, of Bradenton, at 11:32 a.m. May 1, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Weston weighed 8 pounds, 11 ounces and was 21.25 inches long. Proud siblings are Addison and Everett. 

Grayson Andrew Figueroa
Grayson Andrew Figueroa was born to Drew and Jacqueline Figueroa, of Braden River Lakes, at 6:30 p.m. July 22, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Grayson weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and was 22 inches long. Proud maternal grandparents are Greg and Cheryl McGrew. Proud paternal grandparents are Mel and Maria Figueroa.

Emmy Grace Flynn
Emmy Grace Flynn was born to Scott and Catie Flynn, of Parrish, at 12:36 a.m. Aug. 3, at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Emmy weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long.

ANNIVERSARIES
The Toonders celebrate 68 years
After 68 years of marriage, Thomas and Doris Toonder are as in love today as the day they married — Aug. 9, 1946.

Doris Toonder, 94, and Thomas Toonder, 91, live with their daughter, Kathy Decker, in the Greenbrook community.

The couple met at Nardin Park Reformed Church in Detroit. Thomas Toonder enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper in World War II. Doris Toonder wrote to him while he was overseas.

After the war in January 1946, Thomas returned home and attended Hope College in Holland, Mich. He hitchhiked 200 miles to Detroit to see Doris and bring her roses.

He asked her to marry him July 12, 1946, and the couple married less than a month later.

They have five children, two — Kathy and Nancy — who live in Sarasota. They also have 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The Martinsens celebrate 60 years
Although they moved to Illinois, Jim and Nancy Martinsen, formerly of the Palm-Aire community, remembered their friends and loved ones in the East County as they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary July 26.

The Martinsens were members of the Palm-Aire Country Club and Living Lord Lutheran Church.