Masked ninja in Lakewood Ranch

Masked ninja in Summerfield

Summerfield resident John Annis and his wife, Regina Morris, have had an unwelcomed guest the past few weeks.

It's a pesky raccoon they've nicknamed, "My Friend." Despite Annis' best attempts — a cone baffle and coat hangers cut and hung to create an insurmountable obstacle — the raccoon has proven herself to have ninja-like abilities as she climbs a pole to feast on seeds in their bird feeder.

The last effort — Pam cooking spray on the bird feeder pole — hasn't yet been tested by the raccoon, but it's proving effective on other animals.

"The squirrels aren't very happy," Annis said.

Surprise bears lead to hugs

Lakewood Ranch's Kylie Caffrey and Ava Laurie were enjoying a

day at the Mall at University Town Center when they were given free teddy bears by surprise.

"It was pretty exciting," Craffrey said while giving her new fuzzy friend a hug. 

Caffrey and Laurie, who are 13 years old, were among the first 100 children to go by the MedExpress table and receive a free bear during the Wellness Expo Sept. 26.