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A real estate agent told Ryan the previous day that he "is slammed this year" and almost booked for next year, Ryan noted. "Mother Nature works in our favor some- times," he added, noting the continuing spells with snow and exceedingly chilly tempera- tures in other parts of the country. Matthes of the Daiquiri Decks also referenced the weather. As a volunteer at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, he said, he has talked with a lot of people arriving earlier than usual for their annual visits to the island, and they are eager to find things to do. Even a spokesman for the Amish and Mennonite community of Pinecraft told the County Commission on March 5, "We have bus after bus leaving [a stop at a community church], going to Siesta Key with standing room only." Fred Hershberger was thanking the board for making the new Sarasota County Area Transit Route 33 available from Feb. 1 to May 2 for visitors and residents in Pinecraft, which, he noted, is "primarily a walking/biking commu- nity that depends on public transportation." Route 33 stops in Siesta Village as well as at Siesta Public Beach. To handle the extra crowds, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has implemented its "spring break operation," including putting more personnel on the beaches. (See the related story in this issue.) However, Deputy Chris McGregor told the News Leader on March 11 that people on Siesta Public Beach generally have been well behaved so far. Ed Smith Stadium is packed with fans for the Boston Red Sox game on March 8. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader March 14, 2014 Page 53