The Chronicles of Charlee and Nova– Big News You’ve Been Waiting For
Many of our friends, who are not from the Sarasota-Bradenton area, don’t know “our special girls, Charlee and Nova.” Unfortunately, in November 2024, their mom Sara lost her life at the hands of an irresponsible drunk driver.
When you hear the phrase “it takes a village,” it does. Nancy and I and several other folks (of course Mookie too) in our community have stepped up to help “Gammie Leesa.” There are many struggles ahead for this family.
We have become “Surrogate Grandparents” to 5-year-old Charlee and 4-year-old Nova. We take the girls on Tuesdays; Charlee goes to OT and speech class and then we pick up Nova at school. From there it’s always something different. Sometimes McDonalds, we went to Chuck e Cheese, they love the Swordfish Grill, Clancy’s Irish Pub and the Cortez Kitchen, Slicker’s Eatery, going to the movies, looking for fish at the Swordfish dock, but their favorite thing to do is come to my house where we have an early dinner and then it’s game time with Candy Land, coloring books, but best of all they love to chase me and Mookie around the house playing hide n’ seek. Their laughter is contagious, and they wear me out and I love it!
And we try to always grab them a second day and whenever else Leesa needs us. We have bonded beautifully with the family. So grateful for this life experience in our 70’s. We are trying hard to turn their lives into a bunch of wonderful adventures and make lifelong memories for the girls.
We are blessed beyond measure. We will be trying to help build financial security for future education for the girls as well with the help from the wonderful team at the Swordfish Grill and Tiki as a special event is set up for the girls. October 20, 2025, is the date for “Giving Back.” The planning committee for the event includes Katrina Cox, Kimberly Nemeth, Lily Banyas, Adam Sears from The Swordfish, me, and Nancy Cohen. We already have a list of folks who want to volunteer to help with the event. More to come on this.
And thank you so much for the music sponsors for the evening, Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub and 88 Live Piano Bar. Your generous contribution is allowing us to present one of the areas favorite bands, Kettle of Fish with special guest, Tim “TC” Chandler to perform that night.
THE BIG NEWS! Tickets are now available for “Giving Back”
Here is the link to purchase tickets.
Thank you for always loving our posts and the girls, it means a lot. Please keep following our weekly adventures, “The Chronicles of Charlee and Nova.”….and purchase your tickets today!
With love, Sande Caplin
This event is brought to you by The Swordfish Grill & Tiki, Sande Caplin & Associates and The Suncoast Post.
Photos and Graphics from Sande Caplin & Associates