Big fundraiser July 21 for Cortez fisherman

Florence "Di-Di" Foster is surrounded by First Bank friends on State Road 70, who helped her celebrate turning 102 years young.

There’s a 2 p.m. July 21 benefit for longtime Cortez fisherman Mike O’Leary at Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W. The event is help raise funds to defray medical costs for the well known single dad who is battling throat cancer. The event is being supported by Cortez Kitchen, Chop Shop, Sysco, A.P. Bell and Cortez Seafood Market to name a few and will have food, raffles and entertainment.
For details, call Pamela O’Reilly at 941-713-5865. Or email sydneydiving@aol.com or OLearythecrab@gmail.com.

Layna Ryser

Allee Lowry

• You’re never too young to learn about doing good deeds. Allee Lowry, 3, and Layna Ryser, 4, each donated 10 inches of hair for Locks of Love. Allee’s parents are Nicole and Ricky. Layna’s are Leslie and Randy;  Their grandma is Karen Ryser.

• There was no three-peat at the 16th annual Beech Mountain Invitational on beautiful Beech Mountain, N.C. Beall’s executive Jim Simpson dethroned Jay Romine, the tournament winner the last two years and Manatee Technical Institute’s new law enforcement academy director. Simpson also beat Ken Appel and Paul Riesterer in the six-day event.

• Alas, the season is over for the Manatee Cal Ripken 8-&-Under All Stars. Manager Lee Heintz’s ballclub suffered only one loss in postseason, but it happened at the recent state tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, keeping them out of the regionals in Richmond, Va.

Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com.