Save the Date! The Hank "Hutch" Kenter Memorial Poker Run to benefit the Southwest Florida Honor Flight will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. Registration at 9 a.m. with honoring our Veterans and KSU at 10 a.m. The event will take place at Bert's Black Widow Harley Davidson, 2224 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. There will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and a SWFL Honor Flight Merch Table. Cost is $15 per drive and $10 per passenger. 

Funds raised will go toward Southwest Florida Honor Flights, which takes Veterans to Washington DC to honor them at their memorials and give them the welcome home they deserve in 2026. 

Learn more about Southwest Florida Honor Flight at swflhonorflight.org.

TSgt John Skeen was a World War II Veteran who had been awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He was drafted into the Army in January of 1941. Skeen turned 107 on Oct. 3rd, 2025, and spoke to 180 people at his birthday celebration. He died Oct. 22nd. His life will be honored at a celebration form 5-7 p.m. Dec. 8, 2025, at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing Center, 7051 Wireless Court, Sarasota. The event is free and open to the public, with food and beverages provided. 

Honorary guests at the event include Skeen's daughter Anita, son Greg and their guests; Skeen's own Bob Evans Breakfast Brigade & 70th ID Association; Celebrant Chaplain Frank Bruner, U.S. Army (Ret), the French Consulate; and the Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 Color Guard.

The program begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. There will be food, drink and camaraderie before and after the program.

Skeen was generous while talking about his life and wartime experiences. In 2013, he spoke to Michigan State students taught by a special person, his daughter, Professor Anita Skeen. In October of 2023, Skeen was recognized with Suncoast Veterans across three generations with a Congressional Commendation by Congressman Vern Buchanan. He dropped the "first puck" for the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team in 2023. The French government awarded John Skeen its highest honor for a non-French citizen - the Legion of Honor. 

Legal clinics will be available at Manatee County Veterans Services, 1401 3rd Ave. W, Bradenton, from 9 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in 2025. All services will be provided on a first come, first serve basis with the last application being accepted at 11:45 a.m. For additional information, please contact the MLP appointment line at 727-398-9592. Legal services are provided by Bay Area Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm. 

ActivAge Sarasota is hosting a Heroes Breakfast with guest speakers from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. Dec. 12, 2025. The event is at ActivAge Sarasota, 3801 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Guest speaker will be Holly Evans, a VFW Auxiliary President and Sue Berger, Auxiliary Treasurer of the VFW, Post 3233, Sunshine Post. They will be sharing how of VFW Auxiliary serves Veterans, families and communities through volunteer service, advocacy and community programs. All Veterans are welcome to attend and enjoy a free breakfast. Call 941-269-2273 to RSVP.