Reflections 2011

THE THEMAGAZINE MAGAZINEOFOFLONGBOAT LONGBOATKEY KEYCLUB CLUBAND ANDRESORT RESORT2010 2011

Introducing the All New

.net For the Florida Bride

Infinite Luxury Bridal

Photography by ROBERT ADAMO

Florida Weddings . Bridal Style Honeymoons . Contests . Announcements Idea Gallery . Resources

PLYMOUTH HARBOR –

THE PLACE TO PURSUE PASSIONS Professional artist Scott Pike used his creative talents in everything from comic book illustration to story boarding TV commercials before he and his wife, Margi decided to move to Plymouth Harbor. It is not just the views or the airy art studio available to all residents, but the entire community that far surpasses other retirement options and keeps them inspired with their decision to call Plymouth Harbor home.

When quality of life, smart planning and the freedom to pursue passions and new interests are top priorities, Plymouth Harbor is the wise choice. Call us today for a tour of our award-winning campus, luxury accommodations and amenities.

Sarasota’s First Choice in Continuing Care Retirement Communities

700 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, Florida 34236 (941) 365-2600 • www.PlymouthHarbor.org A Not-For-Profit Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) OIR #88039

contents REFLECTIONS | 2011

The Magazine of Longboat Key Club and Resort

12 Welcome

General Manager Michael Welly greets members and guests.

15 Shorelines

Interesting tidbits and news you can use.

Dance Revolution | Beach Music

Meeting the Challenge | Tennis and More Picture-Perfect Photography

EDITED BY JASON DAVIS

This tropical paradise takes your sense of style to unprecedented heights.

26 taking flight

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT ADAMO

36 a healing touch

Island House Spa does more than pamper.

It can help you achieve greater well-being.

Golfers have an opportunity to cross a few of their must-do items off their “bucket lists.”

By working closely with Florida farms, the Club brings the very best dishes to the table.

BY BRE JONES MULOCK

40 dare to dream

BY JASON DAVIS

BY JASON DAVIS

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Milly dress, The Met, St. Armands Circle.

ROBERT ADAMO

44 LOCAL CONNECTIONS

contents

The real

Spirit of Ireland

Kitchen Open ‘til Midnight Kids Menu Stop in for a bite, a beer and a chat.

Lynches Pub & Grub

ROBERT NELSON

St. Armands Circle (941) 388-5550 www.lynchespub.com

48 A feast for the senses

The creative culinary team presents intense colors, intoxicating aromas and incredible flavors every time.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT NELSON

56 master of your domaine?

Think you know your way around a wine cellar?

Are you sure? Take our sommelier quiz and decide.

BY MARK SPIVAK

60 SMOOTH SAILING

Discover why the spirit of boating adventure runs deep for Club members Bill and Meike Dooley.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts is an oasis for anyone looking to nurture their creativity.

INTERVIEW BY JASON DAVIS

64 ART OF THE MATTER

BY BRE JONES MULOCK

68 LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Things to do in Longboat Key and nearby communities.

72 LAST LOOK

An unforgettable moment in an unforgettable location.

On the cover Photography: Robert Adamo Dress, wrap and necklace, Dreamweaver, St. Armands Circle

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A Smarter Path to a Healthier Life.

Nothing is more important than your health and well-being.

At LernerCohen Healthcare, we believe the best path to good health starts with a personal approach to patient care. We limit the number of patients in our practice, spend as much time as necessary for each appointment and recommend lifestyle changes that can improve your quality of life. Our unique personal care focuses on what’s ailing you today, and on optimizing your wellness for the future. ~ Board Certified in Internal Medicine ~ Exceptional, Experienced Primary Care Physicians ~ Personal Attention ~ Unlimited Visits ~ House Calls ~ 24/7 Access with No Waiting

941.953.9080 Brad S. Lerner, MD ~ Louis M. Cohen, MD 1921 Waldemere Street, Suite 814 ~ Sarasota, FL 34239 ~ LernerCohen.com

The Doctor Is In. Always.

PALM BEACH R E S O R T

M E D I A

G R O U P

Publisher Ronald J. Woods Editor Jason Davis Design Director Olga Gustine

Fashion and Style Director Katherine Lande

Art Director Diana Ramirez

Contributing Writers Lynn Archwood Bre Jones Mulock

Mark Spivak Contributing Photographers Robert Adamo Robert Nelson

Contributing Art Director Jenny Fernandez-Prieto

Digital Imaging Specialist Leonor Alvarez-Maza

PALM BEACH MEDIA GROUP Chairman Ronald J. Woods

Group Publisher/ Chief Operating Officer William R. Wehrman

Controller Marti Ziegler

Associate Group Publisher Randie Dalia

Associate Publisher, Naples Kaleigh Grover

Executive Director, Marketing and Special Projects Allison Wolfe Reckson Editorial Director Daphne Nikolopoulos

PIANO BAR

NIGHT CLUB UPSTAIRS

Design Director Olga M. Gustine Operations Director Todd Schmidt Director of Production and Manufacturing Terry Duffy

Advertising Design Coordinator Jeffrey Rey

Reflections Sales Manager/ National Account Manager Wendy Reiter

Senior Account Manager Deidre Wade

OPEN: Seasonal / 7 days 11:30 am - 2:00 am Summer / 7 days 4:30 pm - 2:00 am

Modern Italian Cuisine St. Armand’s Circle 15 South Blvd. of the Presidents 941.388.1555

Account Managers

Donna Egdes Katie Gamble Brenda Ruth Isabela Schmaltz Linda Sciuto Jennifer Shesser

Advertising Services Managers Sue Martel Shalyn Ormsby Online Editor Stephen Brown Editor, Resort Media Group Jason Davis

Business Manager Karen M. Powell

Office Manager M.B. Valdes

Subscriptions Marjorie Leiva

Publishers of Palm beach illustrated • Naples Illustrated • weddings Illustrated Palm beach charity register • NAPLES CHARITY REGISTER Reflections: Longboat Key Club AND RESORT The jewel of palm beach: The Mar-a-lago Club • Traditions: The Breakers RIVERWALK ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT GUIDE Neapolitan: naples grande beach resort and Edgewater Beach Hotel Published by Palm Beach Media Group P.O. Box 3344, Palm Beach, FL 33480 Telephone: (561) 659-0210 • Fax: (561) 659-1736 www.palmbeachmedia.com Copyright 2011 Palm Beach Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.

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exclusively at

TILDEN ROSS JEWELERS 410 St.

Armands Circle . Sarasota, Fl, 34236 – (941) 388.3338 – www.TildenRossJewelers.com

REFLECTIONS THE MAGAZINE OF LONGBOAT KEY CLUB AND RESORT | 2011

GENERAL MANAGER

MICHAEL D. WELLY DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

MARY KAY RYAN DIRECTOR OF CLUB SALES

MATT WALTERS DIRECTOR OF RESORT SALES

RHONDA HOLLIDAY GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER

ELIZABETH BRIGHT

301 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-383-8821 800-237-8821 www.longboatkeyclub.com

GOLF PRO SHOP: 941-387-1632 TENNIS PRO SHOP: 941-387-1634 MEMBERSHIP: 941-387-1602 GROUP SALES/MARKETING: 941-387-1605

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Indulge yourself with....

Too Faced Cosmetics Becca Cosmetics Bare Escentuals The Balm Cosmetics Bliss Kate Sommerville Skin Care Mario Badescu Skin Care Coola Organic Suncare Zoya Nail Polish Art of Shaving Supersmile Pre De Provance Vera Bradley …and many more.

with luxury beauty products & gifts

1471 Main Street , SaraSota, FL 34236 | 941-364-3337 |

www.SiMpLySpoiLedboutique.coM

TO LONGBOAT KEY CLUB AND RESORT

As we enter our 29th year as a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning, green-certified resort and private club, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our signature magazine and provide an overview of what is ahead.

Condé Nast Traveler’s esteemed 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards selected Longboat Key as the second-best island travel destination in North America—something that will come as no surprise once you stroll along our pristine, white sandy beaches and discover everything they have to offer. In addition, we are excited to announce that the Club received approval from the Town of Longboat Key to move forward with a $400 million redevelopment of our Islandside property. The Club will add a 196-room five-star hotel, 155 condominium/villa residences, a 17,000square-foot meeting center, a wellness center with enlarged spa and fitness facilities, a new golf clubhouse, three new restaurants, three new swimming pools, and a Rees Jones redesign of the 18-hole Islandside Golf Course.

While it is certainly fun to imagine the next five to seven years ahead, we still have so much available to the discerning traveler today. In addition to the beautiful photography on these pages, you will learn more about our continued commitment to pure living—the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle that encompasses the mind, body and spirit. You’ll discover how our culinary team goes the extra mile to bring only the freshest ingredients to the tables of our six diverse restaurants, why the Longboat Key Center for the Arts is an island amenity that feeds wwyour creative spirit, how Longboat Key Club Moorings nurtures an appealing and relaxing lifestyle, why our golf and tennis programs get better every year, how our Island House Spa and Mind & Motion Studio offer innovative services and programs fully dedicated to wellness, and so much more.

Please enjoy this edition of Reflections, and on behalf of our managers and associates, our thanks for your patronage and for being an integral part of our continued success.

Michael D. Welly, General Manager

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MARK SICKLES

welcome

2010 Top Sales Team for Michael Saunders & Company, Longboat Key

58+ Years of Combined Real Estate Experience Team Sales Exceed $183 Million Since 2005 Top Sales Leader at Longboat Key Club & Resort in 2010 Knowing the area and what’s available is key to finding the home that matches your individual preferences. Let the Addy & Wittig Team simplify your search. We combine decades of real estate experience with a new perspective, bringing a fresh and knowledgeable approach to the greater Sarasota luxury real estate market. We specialize in waterfront properties and luxury residences on the barrier islands including Longboat Key, Bird Key, Siesta Key and Casey Key. Let us show you the area’s best places. Together with Michael Saunders & Company, the Addy & Wittig Team can and will exceed your buying or selling expectations.

‘Allow us to earn your business’ Gail Wittig, Ian Addy, & Barbara Milian

941-387-0100 www.athomesarasota.com Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker 440 Gulf of Mexico Drive • Longboat Key, Florida 34228

941.388.3991 | St. Armands Circle | Sarasota

shorelines EDITED BY JASON DAVIS

pure living Which word should we emphasize? Do we focus on “pure” — the pristine Gulf beach we enjoy, the invigorating salt air we breathe, the fresh food we eat? Or do we commit ourselves to “living” — the activities we enjoy, the friends and family we embrace, our private retreats for pleasure and our public pursuits of happiness?

We’ll let you decide. This year’s edition of

Reflections explores the complete concept of pure living—however you define it—at its highest levels in this unparalleled place.

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dance revolution The words evoke images of Alvin Ailey’s soaring protégés and Martha Graham’s famous choreography, and if you’ve never glided across the floor, they might even sound daunting. But take heart. Longboat Key Club and Resort has stripped away the intimidation and ignited the imagination by offering modern dance classes for members and guests at its Mind & Motion Studio. It’s an exciting way to step up your overall exercise regimen, says spa and fitness director Edward Raspa. “You can only take so many step and aerobic classes,” he says.

“It’s a nice addition to any workout routine.” Why? Participants cite a variety of factors: • Exhilaration: Jumping and gliding get adrenalin pumping. With music pulsing and your mind focused on your next steps, you forget you’re burning calories.

• Flexibility: Dancing pushes muscles to explore a full range of motion, which helps them extend to capacity.

Greater flexibility helps keep injuries at bay.

• Toning: Building strength by forcing muscles to resist against a dancer’s own body weight, it promotes a stronger body. Jumping employs many muscle groups, such as the legs, arms, glutes and abdominals. Gliding movements strengthen your weight-bearing bones, which can help prevent or slow the loss of bone mass.

• Endurance: Dancing increases the ability of muscles to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue, and can burn as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle.

• Posture: After just a few sessions sweating it out in the studio, you’re likely to find yourself standing taller, sitting straighter and breathing easier. As your back, neck and abs strengthen, posture and balance improve.

For information about this or other workouts, call 941-387-1656 or visit longboatkeyclub.com and follow the Fitness link.

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4 professionals ONE FAMILY in business over 67 years over $60 Million sold Year to date Judy Kepecz-Hays

C: 941.587.1700 O: 941.387.1825 Kepecz@JudyHays.com

Charles BUKY

GABE BUKY

C: 941.374.5772 GabeBuky@aol.com

C: 941.228.6086 O: 941.387.1864 CharlesBuky@aol.com

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, LLC • 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1 • Longboat Key, FL 34228

Steven Kepecz

C: 941.376.6411 LBKRealtor@gmail.com CITYSCAPES INTERNATIONAL REALTY 1765 Ringling Blvd., Ste. 200

Bayfront Longboat Key $3,925,000

Beau Ciel Grand Penthouse $7,700,000

Lido Beach Sailboat Waterfront $3,495,000

Longboat Key Towers

Longboat Key Sailboat Water

You could have a home with this view!

$700,000 - $995,000

$2,499,000

$3,700,000

Bayfront Longboat Key

En Provence

$3,695,000

$3,295,000

$238,000 - $1,075,000

The Water Club

L’Ambiance

The Beach Residences - Ritz Carlton Managed $1,729,000 - $4,499,000

$1,500,000 - $2,500,000

Inn on the Beach

$2,599,000

shorelines

beach music Along with a towel, sunscreen and a cool pair of shades, every beachgoer needs great music. In an effort to help you make the most of your surf-and-sand time, we’ve assembled a playlist of 10 classic, perfect-for-the-beach songs, crossing many musical genres. Sure, it’s a highly subjective list, but if just one of them gets you thinking about a day in the sun, then, hey, we’ve done our job.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes • Jimmy Buffett (1977) The elder statesman of beach bums everywhere has inspired millions of Parrotheads with this country-flavored anthem to the pursuit of life’s simple pleasures.

Good Vibrations • The Beach Boys (1966) Though we don’t surf much on Florida’s west coast, this song will always plant in your mind the idea of grabbing a board and catching a tasty wave.

Sailing • Christopher Cross (1980) We do, however, love our boats here in Longboat Key. This easy-listening standard takes you offshore, evoking feelings of quiet freedom on the water.

On The Beach • Chris Rea (1986) A lush track, blending jazz elements, Latin rhythms and soulful, gravel-voiced lyrics about love and summers gone by.

Vacation • Connie Francis (1962) V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Nothing spells out sheer joy better than this innocent ode to the end of the school year.

Here Comes the Sun • The Beatles (1969) Absolutely perfect for your just-before-dawn walk on the beach, when it’s just you and the Gulf breezes. This song prepares you for a beautiful day.

Water Music, Suite in D Major • Handel (1717) The second movement of a three-part symphony, originally written for England’s King George I, it synchronizes amazingly well with the undulating Gulf waves.

Caribbean Blue • Enya (1991) Don’t pick geographic nits over the title. This ethereal New Age standard with a relaxing vibe makes you feel like you’re soaring above beautiful aquamarine waters.

One Love • Bob Marley (1977) Steel drums and passionate vocals from the “King of Reggae” evoke universal contentment and one-world island spirit.

Sleepwalk • Santo and Johnny Farina (1959) A song you know by ear but probably not by name. Its unmistakably slow, twangy steel guitar lulls you to a sandy slumber.

What’s on your playlist? Find us on Facebook and share your favorite beach songs with other friends of Longboat Key Club and Resort.

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THE 2011 SARASOTA OPEN

––––––––––––– TICKETS AVA I L A B L E

N OW !

–––––––––––––

941.809.8996

The top players in the world are coming to Sarasota!

shorelines

meeting the challenge With day melting into night, a fire pit gently crackles on the beach as people gather to toast marshmallows over the low flames for s’mores.

Although this could be a great vacation memory, it’s for a different purpose. This is a modern business meeting.

has been honored repeatedly by the state and county for its environmental efforts.

• Social Butterflies: By tapping into popular social networking sites, meeting participants can do more than discuss hobbies or send

Stuffy corporate conferences have gone the way of the fax machine

status reports to friends. About half of all meetings now incorporate

and the typewriter. Today, experiences that build teamwork and foster

Facebook or Twitter in the proceedings, Holliday says. They create buzz

creativity are prized most. And that’s not all that’s changed. We asked

before a meeting, allow updates during, and enable feedback after.

Rhonda Holliday, director of resort sales at Longboat Key Club and Resort, to share some emerging trends in offsite business meetings.

• About Face: Although technology enables people to work in virtual offices and on their own schedules, there are drawbacks—namely, the

• Location, Location, Location: Many modern retreats mirror elabo-

lack of face time with colleagues. Cognizant of that, top meeting plan-

rate destination weddings in terms of event planning. The right venue is

ners now create special opportunities for attendees to have personal,

imperative—one with enough ambiance to stimulate thought and par-

relaxed interactions with others through group activities and occasions.

ticipation, and a taste of local flavor. In Longboat Key, a meeting might easily incorporate steel drums and tiki torches overlooking the Gulf.

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Longboat Key Club and Resort was honored in 2010 with its third

• Going Green: Planners encourage participants to leave their pa-

consecutive Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings magazine,

per business cards at home. Smartphone applications that store and

which recognizes the top 1 percent of U.S. meeting venues. For

transmit your photo, bio and contact information on demand are

more information about conference services, call 800-237-8821

growing in popularity. And, by the way, Longboat Key Club and Resort

or visit longboatkeyclub.com and follow the Meetings link.

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Reaching w e a lt h i e s t

reader s

ILLUSTRATED

fl or id a’s

FOR THE FLORIDA BRIDE

RESORT STYLE

gilded moments glamorous gowns inspired decor

THE

POWER ISSUE

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o f

Palm beach Illustrated • Naples Illustrated • Weddings Illustrated Palm beach Charity Register • Naples Charity Register the jewel of palm beach: the mar-a-lago club • traditions: the breakers reflections: longboat key club & Resort neapolitan: Naples Grande Beach Resort and edgewater beach hotel Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District Guide

NEAPOLITAN

THE THEMAGAZINE MAGAZINEOFOFLONGBOAT LONGBOATKEY KEYCLUB CLUBAND ANDRESORT RESORT2010 2011

2011

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THE MAGAZINE OF THE BREAKERS

T R A D I T I O N S T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E B R E A K E R S 2 0 11

FROM THE PUBLISHER OF

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more than a game Ask any tennis player what they love most about their sport, and the answer is almost always twofold: It’s great exercise and a great way to meet people. That’s certainly true at Longboat Key Club and Resort. With its state-of-the-art Tennis Gardens—a venue earning rave reviews from players and top industry honors (including USTA Private Club Facility of the Year, and a top 50 national ranking from Tennis magazine) since its March 2009 grand opening—as the stylish backdrop, members and guests are enjoying the sporting life and their social lives in equal measure.

In line with tennis’ continued growth nationwide, court reservations here are at a premium, merchandise sales are up, lessons are being booked at impressive levels, memberships are on the rise, and resort visitors increasingly drop by for casual matches, says tennis director John Woods, now in his 33rd year at the Club.

To meet the demand, Woods and his staff have created special afternoon group events—open to guests and members—that allow players to work on their games and mingle with others afterward. Mondays, for example, bring the Singles Shootout, a fast-paced mini-tournament where players compete against others in a short time span. Doubles players get their opportunity on Wednesdays. Fridays are for doubles strategy sessions, giving players face time with instructors and workouts against other twosomes.

All are timed to conclude during the cocktail hour—when the facility’s Court 21 Café & Lounge is nothing short of a bustling, convivial setting, both inside and on the Players Patio, where participants get to know each other better and make new friends.

“This whole place was built to be more than just a place to play tennis,” Woods says, mentioning a fashion show held at Center Court that drew 400 visitors. “And that simply reflects the way tennis players are. They love their game, but they love to be around other people just as much. We’ve made every effort to accommodate them here.”

AT A GLANCE • WHAT: The Tennis Gardens, featuring 20 Har-Tru courts, stadium seating for 600 (expandable to 2,500), a 7,200-square-foot clubhouse (including pro shop, café, meeting space and locker facilities).

• WHERE: Located at the Club’s Harbourside campus; complimentary shuttles are available from Islandside.

• SERVICES: Comprehensive instruction for players of all levels, with adult clinics, junior clinics and private lessons, along with weekly tournaments, concierge service (including match set-up), racquet rental, equipment repair and fitting.

• ALSO: Longboat Key Club and Resort hosts the annual Sarasota Open, a $75,000 USTA Men’s Challenger tournament each spring. This year’s tournament is April 23May 1. More information at sarasotaopen.org.

• CONTACT: Call 941-387-1633 or visit longboatkeyclub.com follow the Tennis link.

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shorelines

picture perfect These days, digital cameras are powerful, affordable and plentiful— and almost everyone has one. Thanks to the ability to share moments through social media as well as the desire to express one’s creativity, interest in photography is at an all-time high. Here in Longboat Key, there are many picturesque settings, but the ultimate do-it-yourself souvenir is capturing a spectacular sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. That can be a challenge, so we asked Longboat Key Club and Resort photographer Kimberly Dyer to share some expert tips for better results.

• Two environmental conditions to consider are dust and clouds.

The red-orange of the setting sun results from dust or other microscopic particles in the air. Clouds are also a critical factor, each providing a unique effect. Use them to your advantage in your photo.

• Vision your frame in thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Put the horizon in the top or bottom third of the picture and your subject in the left or right third. If the sky is particularly beautiful, show more sky. If the foreground is interesting, show more of it.

• To include silhouettes against the background sky, turn the flash setting off. The most common foreground objects when photographing sunsets are people, trees, sailboats and boardwalks.

• Be sure to wait for the “afterglow” that comes after the sun has slipped below the horizon. Some excellent photos can be taken during that fleeting twilight period.

• A word of safety: Do not look directly at the sun. Not with the naked eye nor through the camera eyepiece. It can cause irreversible damage to your vision.

• Go ahead and shoot liberally. Instead of taking one picture and walking away, take several. One might be better than the others. Try different angles as well. Digital photography means there’s no film to waste, and memory cards are cheap and can store thousands of photos.

Kimberly Dyer offers a variety of photography services for members and guests. For information, call 941-383-8821, ext.

1020, or visit kimberlydyerphotography.com.

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In In e e very very se se ason, ason, a a re re ason... ason...

Winter Highlights (January–March, 2011) Special Highlights Exhibition: Gardens in Perpetual2011) Bloom and Ringling in Bloom Winter (January–March,

Year Round at the Museum Art after 5 — Every Year Round at theThursday, Museum5–8 PM

An extraordinary event floral Bloom arrangements inspired by the Special Exhibition:4-day Gardens in pairs Perpetual and Ringling in Bloom old extraordinary masters with lectures, dining, music fashion during our exhibition An 4-day event pairs floraland arrangements inspired by the Gardens in Perpetual Bloom, a collection of fashion botanical printsour from the old masters with lectures, dining, music and during exhibition Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Gardens in Perpetual Bloom, a collection of botanical prints from the Contemporary Museum of FineDance/Theater Arts, Boston. in an 18th Century Playhouse A five-part exhibition of performances in the Historic Asolo Theater from Contemporary Dance/Theater in an 18th Century Playhouse Monica Bill exhibition Barnes & Company, OtherShore, & Koma, Bowers, A five-part of performances in the Eiko Historic AsoloBill Theater from and KateBill Weare Company.

Monica Barnes & Company, OtherShore, Eiko & Koma, Bill Bowers,

Enjoy an 5after hoursThursday, evening in the Art after — Every 5–8 PMMuseum of Art and Circus Museum.

Gallery Walk Talk, Filmofand Enjoy an after hours evening in the&Museum Art Performance programming seasonally. and Circus Museum.

Galleryvaries Walk & Talk, Film and Family Days —programming Every Saturday, 1–4seasonally.

PM Performance varies Family-friendly designed Family Days — activities Every Saturday, 1–4for PMchildren of all ages serve as aactivities gatewaydesigned to the Museum.

Family-friendly for children of all ages serve as a gateway to the Museum.

and Kate Weare Company.

Spring Highlights (April–June, 2011) Special Exhibition: Beyond Bling: Voices Spring Highlights (April–June, 2011) of Hip-Hop in Art An exhibition at theBeyond Museum andVoices theaterofand dance Special Exhibition: Bling: Hip-Hop in performances Art at the Historicat Asolo Theater celebrate theand influence vitality of An exhibition the Museum and theater danceand performances Hip-Hop culture andTheater its undeniable mark society. and vitality of at the Historic Asolo celebrate theon influence Hip-Hop culture and its undeniable mark on society.

Open Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, Thursdays until 8 PM 5401 Shore Road, Sarasota, FL until 8 PM OpenBay Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, Thursdays 941.359.5700 | Ringling.org 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 941.359.5700 | Ringling.org

Leif Bjaland, Bjaland, Artistic Director Leif & Conductor Artistic Director & Conductor

2010 2011 S E A S 2011 O N 2010 S E A S O N

Experience one of Experience one of Jewels Sarasota’s Cultural Sarasota’s Cultural Jewels

From traditional performances From traditional performances of works

by Beethoven, Brahms of works

by Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart to groundbreaking and Mozart toproductions groundbreaking multimedia that multimedia productions that bring new relevance to great bring new relevance to great masterpieces. masterpieces.

Use code ref10 for 10% off your new Use ref10 for 10%12/31/2011. off your new ticketcode purchase.

Expires ticket purchase. Expires 12/31/2011.

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues

www.SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-953-3434 www.SarasotaOrchestra.org | 941-953-3434

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues

Come as you are. Leave different.

Come as you are. Leave different.

TAKING FLIGHT This tropical paradise takes your fashion sense to new heights.

Photography by Robert Adamo

Dress, wrap and necklace, Dreamweaver, St. Armands Circle. Beachfront at Longboat Key Club and Resort.

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Beach tote, sandal, hat, Island House Spa sunscreen, The Resort Shoppe, Longboat Key Club and Resort. Longboat Key Club Moorings courtyard.

Opposite page: Cotton dress, Foxy Lady, St. Armands Circle; heels, Addison Craig, St. Armands Circle; golf bag, clubs, glove, Harbourside Golf Course Pro Shop, Longboat Key Club and Resort; earrings and bracelets, Armel Jewelers, St. Armands Circle.

Harbourside White Egret Golf Course.

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Tory Burch blouse, The Met, St. Armands Circle; Tory Burch sunglasses, bracelets, Addison Craig, St. Armands Circle; earrings, Dreamweaver, St. Armands Circle; tennis skirt, bag, racket, Tennis Gardens Pro Shop, Longboat Key Club and Resort.

Tennis Gardens at Harbourside.

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Long dress, Dreamweaver, St. Armands Circle; coral necklaces, Nikki Sedacca, Sarasota.

Opposite page: Anya Hindmarch tote handbag, Tory Burch clutch, Moschino heels, Addison Craig, St. Armands Circle; necklace, Dreamweaver, St. Armands Circle; bangles, The Resort Shoppe, Longboat Key Club and Resort.

Beachfront at Longboat Key Club and Resort.

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Embellished heel, Alexis Bittar bracelet, clutch, Addison Craig, St. Armands Circle; blue evening bag, butterfly compact, The Resort Shoppe, Longboat Key Club and Resort. Longboat Key Club Moorings walkway.

Opposite page: Diane von Furstenberg dress, The Met, St. Armands Circle; necklaces, Nikki Sedacca, Sarasota; bracelets, earrings, Armel Jewelers, St. Armands Circle.

Longboat Key Club Moorings patio.

Fashion Director: Katherine Lande Design Director: Olga Gustine Model: Jenna Reeves, Next Model Management, Miami Hair and Makeup: Rachel Reumann, rachelartistry.com Photography Assistant: Robert Kildoo

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Island House Spa does more than pamper—it can

touch help you achieve a greater level of well-being.

a healing

BY BRE JONES MULOCK

Candles flicker to the soft harp and trickling water sounds that saturate the plush room. Soothing scents of fresh lemongrass, honey and vanilla flirt with the air as your skin soaks in a warm mud body mask. You teeter on the edge of serene sleep, tossing away the world’s worries as the luxurious spa treatment heats your muscles and calms your soul.

Relaxation. Beautification. Bliss.

You expect to look better and feel better after an afternoon of quiet pampering, but the benefit of your spa visit runs deeper than the skin you’ve just refreshed. There’s a growing amount of research that suggests spa visits aren’t only indulgent, they’re also essential for overall well-being by helping to detoxify and purify the body.

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Island House Spa (top) offers an extensive array of treatments from head to toe, from healthful steam and facials (center) to indulgent pleasures such as manicures and pedicures (below).

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Tendering this holistic approach to health, Island House Spa offers a creative array of clay, steam, seaweed, scrub and massage treatments that satisfy the craving for indulgence while promoting a wellness regimen for health-conscious clients. Along the journey, the spa’s team of therapists, technicians and specialists help explain the beneficial treatments that even spa aficionados might have trouble understanding.

“Our philosophy is a marriage of indulgence and wellbeing,” says the spa’s assistant director, Courtney McGough. “The detoxifying and purifying treatments are important because they help rid the body of toxins, drawing out impurities that we pick up from the environment, our diet and our stress levels.”

Behind the tall, frosted-glass entrance, 12 treatment rooms and a full manicure-pedicure salon unfold against a backdrop of cool earth tones and soft-glowing lights. Opulent pillow-lined banquettes welcome bathrobe-donning visitors to the treatment sanctuaries where therapists employ an entirely organic product line called Naturopathica, which infuses pumpkin, cherry, pear and fig ingredients into many of its treatments. McGough says the combination of fine, natural products and experienced therapists accelerates the health and beauty benefits of a spa treatment.

“Although our treatments certainly help you de-stress, coming in for a detoxifying seaweed body wrap or deep tissue massage does more than relax you,” McGough says. “It is not always about enjoying a treatment and then crawling back into bed. We have clients who come in for a massage and then go out and hit their best golf game or run a faster mile. They’re reaping the health benefits from some of our many spa treatments.”

With roots embedded in ancient healing practices from various cultures, the services at Island House Spa provide key therapeutic benefits.

Seaweed body wraps are a popular treatment, employing mineral-rich elements that help eliminate lymphatic sluggishness and restore healthy body tone. Seaweed contains chlorophyll, which is said to draw out impurities, and essential fatty acids, which improve skin elasticity.

In addition, the carbohydrates in this versatile plant stimulate the skin’s natural healing abilities, and some say it relieves aching bones, arthritis, joint pain or water retention.

Dr. Kenneth Beer, a Florida dermatologist and nationally recognized aesthetics and health expert, agrees. Spa treatments that stimulate the lymphatic system and improve fluid circulation, such as seaweed wraps and massages, can provide some benefits. “Lymphatic draining does help, particularly in areas that have been affected by surgery,” Beer says. “Many of my patients that have had [surgery] develop swelling that can be improved.”

Island House Spa’s seaweed wraps are noted for the absence of harsh smells that often accompany plant-based treatments. “The scent is fainter—more pleasant,” McGough says. “It also has a serum you can leave on as long as you want and then shower off later in

also worth noting order to maximize results like firmer, tighter skin.”

Mud is another natural ingredient with particular value. Ancient Romans employed it not only as a preventive and curative measure, but also as a means to draw people together in a social setting. A generous slather was supposed to ease the pain from dry skin, bites and burns. Today, researchers cite mud for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to improve some skin problems. Recent studies have found mud might reduce symptoms of psoriasis and osteoarthritis.

Island House Spa’s new Espresso Mud Body Treatment combines fragrant and finely ground coffee beans blended with Indian sarsaparilla, honey, tobacco and black silt clay to stimulate the lymphatic system and deeply cleanse the skin.

Another natural purifier is steam, which induces pores to open and allow toxins to escape from beneath the surface of the skin—the body’s largest organ and the first line of defense against infection and harsh elements. Through sweating, the skin releases these water-soluble impurities. “During a purifying facial, one of the most important steps is the steaming process,” says Island House Spa facial specialist Casey Austin. “Impurities like to collect in the pores, and steam draws them out.”

Such treatments are usually followed with active plant ingredients, including herbal enzymes, glycolic acids and botanical peptides, that target the aging process while providing potent antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental damage. The menu of treatments ranges from those that soothe rosacea to those that reduce the appearance of sun damage.

In addition to steaming facials, sauna treatments can trigger increased blood flow and help the skin glow. The heat allows muscles to relax, widening the blood vessels and allowing more oxygen to flow to them, which ultimately releases tension.

Massage can have the same effect—relaxing muscles, increasing circulation, promoting oxygen flow. Island House Spa features many individual massage treatments that can aid the elimination of toxins from congested circulatory, lymphatic or respiratory systems. It also has an important psychological benefit. The simple act of being touched is a key element in helping us relax and feel better. “We can carry that feeling of being cared for with us for a period of time,” says New York University psychiatry professor Virginia Sadock, “and very often that can help us cope better with stress.”

Indeed, modern spa visitors seek experiences and treatments that are more than sheer indulgence, and the very best spa destinations are those that manage to blend pleasure and wellness in equal measure.

At Island House Spa, it’s common to find guests wrapped up in cozy robes, relaxing against cloud-like pillows in the spa’s lounge, sipping cucumber water in advance of their mud treatment, facial or massage, anticipating the transformative nature of what awaits them.

“Ultimately, our goal is to provide a luxurious experience that relaxes and revitalizes,” McGough says. “The health benefits come along with the treatments.”

• Island House Spa provides complimentary sun protection services on weekends. Skin care experts will apply sunscreen, tanning oils and aloe treatments for club members and resort guests in the comfort of their pool or beach chairs.

• Massage sessions are available outside Island House Spa. By request, therapists can provide in-room treatments for members and guests, onboard treatments for yacht owners at Longboat Key Club Moorings, and on the beach overlooking the Gulf.

• For complete wellness, Island House Spa urges visitors to meet with its on-site dietician/physical therapist, who can prepare a personalized nutrition and exercise plan to support good health by mapping out suggested activities and menus.

• Because music has its own healing powers, Island House Spa offers An Island Place and Time, a signature collection of soothing piano compositions by Bryan Pezzone. The hour-long CD is available for purchase at The Resort Shoppe and in guest suites.

For more information about spa services, call 941-387-1583 or visit longboatkeyclub.com and follow the Spa link.

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dream

dare to With two sweet courses and a

team of top-flight professionals, Longboat Key Club and Resort gives golfers an opportunity to try some of the things they’ve always wanted to do.

BY JASON DAVIS

G

olf is a game of aspirations. For some of us, our fondest desire might be to wear the green jacket of The Masters, or play at St. Andrews in Scotland, or hit the ball with our heroes: Palmer, Nicklaus, Carner, Woods, et al. For others—and that’s probably most of us—maybe we just want to break 80, or finally figure out how to get past the clump of trees that always blocks our second shot on a certain short par-5.

Indeed, it is important to have goals in life, and whether our hopes are elaborate or simple, every golfer keeps a running inventory of things he or she would like to do at least once before putting the clubs away forever.

Call it a wish list. The more sardonic might call it a bucket list. Whatever the terminology, we all have a golfing agenda, and it’s time to start crossing items off it.

Longboat Key Club and Resort is an excellent destination to achieve some of your dreams.

And while you might not be able to experience everything you want over the span of your golfing career, here are five things you can move to the “done” column almost immediately.

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Play the Game Longboat Key Club and Resort offers two unique golf courses for its members and guests.

• ISLANDSIDE: Dubbed “The Watery Challenge,” this 6,792-yarder borders the Gulf of Mexico with water hazards coming into play on all 18 holes. Accuracy off the tee is essential, as more than 5,000 palm trees and blooming oleander bushes line the fairways and canals. Its location in a bird sanctuary ensures avian spectators, and its 1960 Bill Mitchell design is a Florida tradition.

• HARBOURSIDE: Three distinct nine-hole courses—Red Hawk (3,342 yards), White Egret (3,426) and Blue Heron (3,411)—bordering Sarasota Bay and playing through natural surroundings. Red Hawk and Blue Heron recently were redesigned by architect Ron Garl; White Egret underwent minor updates in 2008.

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GET SOME LESSONS

Blue Heron No. 5 is the signature hole at Harbourside. Lower right: Islandside Golf Course is its own challenge.

PLAY ’EM ALL With 27 holes at the Harbourside Golf Course (three nine-hole courses) and another 18 at the Islandside Golf Course adjacent to the resort, it’s theoretically possible to play 45 holes of golf in one day. It is, however, quite improbable. Figuring the standard four hours for a full round of 18 holes, completing the equivalent of 2.5 courses would take you 10 hours—if you don’t stop for meals, beverages or anything else.

But if you started at 7 a.m., you’d be done around 5 p.m., and we say that’s a pretty good day. So we offer this suggestion: Go ahead and try it. Think of the story you’d be able to tell.

Still, perhaps it’s more reasonable to think about playing 36 holes. That’s pretty impressive by itself. “And much more doable,” says Terry O’Hara, director of golf at Longboat Key Club and Resort. “It’s challenging but still enjoyable. Yes, it’s possible to play 45 holes, but those last nine aren’t going to be fun at all. Play 18 in the morning, have lunch, go out for another relaxed 18, and you can still say you’ve done something most people haven’t attempted.”

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It’s amazing how much your game can improve just by consulting a professional who can isolate the flaws in your swing—which you probably aren’t even aware of. Once fixed, your future rounds will be much better.

“The biggest problem for most players is flight and distance,” O’Hara says, “and for 99 percent of them, it’s because they have the wrong grip.

If you can fix just that one little thing, you’ll notice a difference immediately.” Of course, there’s more science to it, which is why the Club offers a comprehensive instructional program for novices and seasoned players alike, featuring full-day programs, half-day sessions and tailored lessons.

“We all want to get better, whether we’re just starting out or we’ve been playing for 20 years,” says O’Hara, who was honored as a top professional in 2007 by Golf Digest and 2008

by Callaway. “Even a three-club tour of the golf course—the driver, putter and wedge—and one hour of instruction with each club can help you get closer to where you really want to be.”

So put yourself in a pro’s hands, and watch your game improve—dramatically, in some cases.

FIND THE RIGHT FIT You’ve heard it for so long, it’s become an annoying buzz in your inner ear whenever you head to the golf course: “Play with the proper equipment.” Far too many golfers treat buying a set of clubs like buying clothing off the rack. But according to golf manufacturer Titleist, fewer than 5 percent of all golfers fit perfectly into a standard set of clubs, and that makes buying clubs actually more like hâute couture.

Since no two people swing a golf club exactly alike, being custom-fitted will help you get the most from your equipment. Longboat Key Club and Resort features selections from manufacturers such as Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist, and offers complimentary fitting with purchase. It also offers opportunities to try new equipment with the pro staff during seasonal Demo Days (usually in November and February); instructors can help determine proper club faces and shaft lengths based on a player’s needs through a quick swing analysis.

Although players are permitted to carry up to 14 clubs in their bag, O’Hara says most players use only a handful. Proper club fitting gives players the right tools for the job. “Every club has a purpose,” he says. “With the right equipment, you can finally learn to hit them all—using the proper club for the shot.”

Learn the Game Still working on the mechanics of golf? Longboat Key Club and Resort's instructional programs offer lessons and analysis for players of all skill levels, with professional instructors and high-tech equipment at your disposal.

Here’s some of what’s available.

• FULL-DAY PROGRAM: An intense, five-hour session designed to teach the fundamentals and how they relate to your game. Includes instruction in bunker play, pitching, chipping, putting and full swing. Includes lunch and a personal playing session with instructor and recap session.

• HALF-DAY ACADEMY: Three-hour session evaluates the basics—grip, aim, stance, posture and balance—and reinforces their importance. Includes evaluation of bunker play, pitching, chipping, putting and full swing.

• ALSO: Programs can be tailored to specific needs. Instructors offer private individual lessons, semi-private lessons, playing lessons and clinics.

• EQUIPMENT: Instructors are certified club fitters in major brands, including Callaway, TaylorMade and Titleist.

TRY A TOURNAMENT It’s the height of competition—dozens of players, all playing for pride and prizes, but only one will taste the fruits of victory. We’re talking, of course, about a tournament. Longboat Key Club and Resort organizes at least 25 regularly scheduled member tournaments during high season (between October and April)—including a few that are open to resort guests—as well as charity and private events throughout the year. Enter one.

While individual competition can be fun, we’re more partial to relaxed tournaments that follow a scramble format, with longest drive and closest-to-the-pin contests, along with best-ball scoring for the foursomes. Most golfers have played in at least one scramble during their playing days; if you haven’t yet, make it a point to do so. It’s a reminder of why we love this game.

STAY AND PLAY Instead of trying to pack everything into one wire-to-wire day, why not stretch things out?

Assemble a group of friends for a long weekend,

For information about courses, instruction or fees, call 941-387-1651 or visit longboatkeyclub.com and follow the Golf links.

and spend a few mornings playing golf and afternoons enjoying other resort amenities. It would be hacker heaven.

This idea actually incorporates all of those previously mentioned. Over a long weekend, you could easily manage to fit in all 45 holes of challenging golf between the Harbourside and Islandside courses, schedule a lesson or two, and get some new equipment. And tournaments?

Create your own—54 holes over three days or 72 holes over four days, just like the pros. Reserve some rooms at the resort, commission a trophy or a plaque to be made, make the losers buy dinner for the winner, and—voila!— you’re in the big leagues.

Just like you’ve always dreamed.

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local CONNECTIONS

By working hand in hand with Florida farms, Longboat Key Club and Resort is committed to bringing the freshest ingredients to the table.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JASON DAVIS When a farmer offers you a sample of some fruit picked that morning, accept it. And when he tells you it’s the best you’ll ever taste, believe it.

It’s a lesson you learn the easy way.

“C’mon over here, folks,” says an older gentleman wearing a red plaid shirt, denim overalls and a straw hat. “Try these peaches. Picked ’em not more than 50 yards from where you’re standing. These are the finest peaches you’ll ever put in your mouth, I promise you.”

Sure, you’ll have a few questions—Florida peaches? Aren’t peaches from Georgia? Isn’t this citrus territory?—until one bite into the sweet, tender flesh erases all doubt. They’re perfect and juicy and flavorful and deserving of consumption by themselves. It would be a sin to eat them in a pie or a cobbler or anything other than in their purest form.

As you toss the stone away and dry your wet chin with a paper towel, you’re left with only one real question: Why haven’t you heard about these beautiful things before?

That’s an answer the culinary team at Longboat Key Club and Resort hopes to provide. And it’s not just peaches—there’s a rich bounty of fruits and vegetables being grown within two hours of this island enclave.

Head inland about 50 miles to places such as Old Myakka and Ona—towns not much more than wide spots in the road—and you’ll be in what Florida natives call “the Heartland.” Well before the state was known for beaches and theme parks, its foundation was built on the fertile soil of Heartland farms and groves. Overshadowed today by beachfront condominiums and tourist destinations, Florida’s agrarian ways live on. Farmers plant and harvest superior heirloom crops rarely found in supermarkets, where the available produce tends to be bred for long-distance shipping, high yields and shelf life at the expense of flavor and nutrition.

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Harvesting crops grown in Myakka City and east Bradenton, King Farms produces a wide array of fruits and vegetables, including succulent Florida peaches.

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Executive Chef Ed Geyfman (above) and Food and Beverage Director Robert Weil (far right) frequently stay in touch with local farmers such as Rick Turner (near right) of Hi-Hat Ranch and Marge Mitchell of Mitchell's Natural Produce (below).

"THIS IS WHAT THE BEST RESTAURANTS DO. NOT JUST THE BEST CLUB AND HOTEL RESTAURANTS, BUT THE BEST RESTAURANTS, PERIOD." Remember tomatoes that used to taste like tomatoes? They’re still grown around these parts.

“We’re seeing some fantastic products that you just can’t get through the usual supply chain,” says Robert Weil, food and beverage director at Longboat Key Club and Resort “Baby red romaine lettuce. Inch-big blueberries. Sweet corn you can eat raw in the field. These are the things— extremely delicious, highly nutritious ingredients—that we want to bring to our members and guests.

“Consumers have become much savvier about the food they consume.

They’ve become more health conscious and aware of their diet, concerned about processed foods. They want to know where things come from and how things are prepared. That’s very important for them, which makes it very important for us—not only because our members and guests want it, but because it’s the right thing to offer.

“This is what the best restaurants do. Not just the best club and hotel restaurants, but the best restaurants, period.”

On the belief that produce harvested at its ideal ripeness and delivered quickly to keep most of its nutritional value and flavor intact means a better dining experience, the “locavore” movement was identified as the most important culinary trend of 2010, according to a survey of top U.S. chefs by the National Restaurant Association. Ahead of the curve, however, Weil and his team have been working with a handful of local farms over the past few years to bring their fragrant and flavorful products to the Club’s kitchens.

Currently, about 75 percent of the menu at the Club’s flagship Sands Pointe restaurant incorporates locally sourced ingredients, including seafood and meats, during peak season. That’s far better than the indus-

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try average, but there’s a desire to increase that figure. As Weil and his team see it, an ongoing dialogue with local farmers is essential.

The main challenge in obtaining great local produce has always been availability, and not just in the sense of physically getting the harvest from farm to fork. Instead, it’s been more about getting the right things into the ground in the first place.

“It used to be that some farmers would plant things they wanted to plant,” Weil says. “They might come to us with petite white aubergines, which is something we might very well want, but it would turn out they’d only produced four cases. We can’t add something with a limited supply to the menu. If they had been planning several months ahead, we could have worked something out.

“We saw that as an opportunity to build a two-way street where they know what we want and plant just for us, and we know what they have and can create a seasonally inspired menu from the local growing cycle.”

It was with this philosophy that a delegation from the Club made a daylong excursion to some local farms one morning last June, a journey that takes place several times a year. Part conversation, part appraisal, these personal visits give the Club’s culinary team a better understanding of what’s happening down on the farm—and vice versa.

One important stop: visiting Marge Mitchell, who runs Mitchell’s Natural Produce with her grown children on a 10-acre farm near Ona. She produces lettuce exclusively for Longboat Key Club and Resort from the controlled confines of a hand-built hydroponic greenhouse, embracing all things natural. Captured rainwater is used for irrigation. Plants are pollinated by bumblebees. Pests are controlled by ladybugs. continued on page 70

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Afor the Feast Senses With every dish in every venue, and always with the perfect ingredients, Longboat Key Club and Resort’s creative culinary team presents intense colors, intoxicating aromas, intriguing textures and incredible flavors that leave you thoroughly satisfied.

Photography by Robert NELSON

Foie Gras Parfait Layers of foie gras, amarettosoaked brioche, organic blackberry compote with sunflower granola, and crème fraiche, with smoked sea salt and edible flowers

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Herb-Roasted Chicken Breast Accompanied by watercress salad dressed with lemon-thyme vinaigrette, heirloom tomato relish with sweet white onion, capers and kalamata olives, with roasted garlic chips

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Braised Short Rib With mashed celery root, carrot puree, fried onions and onion marmalade

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Beef Tenderloin Crusted with smoked sea salt and grains of paradise, accompanied by a ragout of Florida peaches and Madeira, with cinnamon crème fraiche and dehydrated Florida peaches

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Popcorn- and Truffle-Crusted Scallops With sweet potato and peanut butter mousseline, Galliano beurre blanc and asparagus

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Lemon Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta With mixed berries, whipped cream, rope of raspberry coulis and lemon curd, and chocolate straws

Lemon Raspberry Tart With mint leaves and raspberry syrup

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Think you know your way around the wine cellar? Are you sure about that? Take our quick quiz and discover whether you have what it takes to become a master sommelier.

master of your domaine?

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BY MARK SPIVAK These days, more and more people proudly declare themselves wine experts, spouting the basic knowledge they’ve gleaned through magazines and websites and what they’ve heard others talk about. But it takes more than reading, surfing and eavesdropping to be a true expert.

One of the highest distinctions a wine expert can attain is the designation of master sommelier, an honor conferred upon precious few candidates by The Court of Master Sommeliers. The London-based organization, founded in 1977 to determine standards of expert knowledge and service of wine, spirits and related pursuits in the restaurant and hotel industry, has recognized fewer than 140 people around the world as masters.

It takes an average of five years of education and examination to reach that lofty achievement; fewer than 5 percent of those who enter the master sommelier program successfully complete it. And the MS examination itself is a rigorous test of knowledge, divided into three sections: Service, Tasting and Theory.

During Service, candidates are bombarded with a series of situations found in typical restaurant work and must handle them with grace and style. Some individuals find Tasting to be intimidating, and rightly so. The format is blind tasting, and the candidate has 24 minutes to correctly identify six wines in terms of grape variety, country, region and vintage.

For many, however, Theory is the most difficult of the three. This section is oral, so there is no time for extended pondering or reconsidering—either you know the answer or you don’t. The aspiring master sommelier must endure grilling by a panel of examiners. Questions are asked in rounds and become progressively tougher as the exam progresses. Many candidates wilt under the pressure.

Unlike the similar Master of Wine examination, which assesses a candidate’s understanding of connections between broad wine-related issues, the MS exam focuses on tiny pieces of information. The reasoning behind this is sound. Before someone is certified as a master sommelier, they must be able to answer any question posed, regardless how obscure or tricky the query. Sometimes, the questions aren’t even about wine itself, focusing on related aspects of the good life, such as beer or cigars.

With that in mind, here’s your chance to find out whether you truly know your stuff. Do you have master sommelier mettle? With your reputation and/or budding career on the line, turn the page and answer 10 questions similar to those found on the actual MS exam.

Or, better yet, have someone read them to you and respond spontaneously. Only then will you have a taste of what it’s like to be a true expert ... assuming you can pass our test. Good luck. You’ll need it.

Mark Spivak holds certificate and advanced diplomas from the Court of Master Sommeliers and is a frequent guest lecturer about the wine industry.

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ANSWERS 1. Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse is located in the Bordeaux commune of Pauillac, and was ranked as a Fifth Growth in the Classification of 1855. This is an extremely easy question, and one that any average Bordeaux collector probably could answer.

2. There are 2.471 acres in a hectare; to convert hectoliters per hectare into tons per acre, roughly divide by 15. This is basic information, but useful in determining grape yields.

3. A gonc is a barrel used in the production of Tokaji, the famed Hungarian dessert wine; it holds approximately 136 liters. The sweetness of Tokaji is expressed in puttonyos, which is a measurement of how much dried grape is added to the fermented juice in the gonc. Tokaji is one of the world’s great dessert wines, popular in Europe and becoming more so in the United States.

4. The Highlands (Perthshire, Speyside, Northern Highlands and Islands), Campbeltown, Islay and the Lowlands. As a master sommelier, you must also be an expert on the production and service of fine spirits.

QUESTIONS 1. Where is Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse located, and what is its classification?

2. How many acres are in a hectare? How do you convert hectoliters per hectare into tons per acre?

3. What is a gonc?

4. List the districts of scotch in Scotland.

5. What is the largest American viticultural area?

6. What is Morillon?

7. What is the difference between coulure and millerandage?

5. The largest AVA is the Ohio River Valley, which consists of more than 16 million acres covering the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. It is 75 times larger than Napa Valley. You can expect a number of questions on the largest, smallest, oldest or most recent wine categories, with a particular emphasis on rules or legislation enacted just before your exam.

6. Morillon is Chardonnay produced in Styria, Austria. Master sommeliers might well have a customer who has just returned from the region and is eager to get an opinion on the subject.

7. They are both physiological vine diseases. Coulure occurs under a number of different climatic conditions after bud-break; it causes the berries to dry out and drop to the ground. Millerandage is induced by cold or wet weather at the time of flowering. This makes fertilization difficult, and as a result many berries fail to develop.

Expect a number of questions on vine diseases, vineyard management and viticulture in general.

8. Options include Chimay, Orval, Westmalle, Roquefort and Westvleteren. You must be expert on beer as well—beyond a firsthand acquaintance with domestic brews.

8. Name two Belgian Trappist ales.

9. What are cotto and sifone?

10. Name two types of parejo and figurado cigars.

What are the major differences between them?

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9. They are agents used in the production of Marsala. Cotto is cooked must made from the Catarratto grape. Sifone is generally made from late-harvest Grillo grapes, which are then dried. (Yes, this is the point of the examination in which you might well contemplate why you wanted to take it in the first place.)

Top: The Scottish Highlands is a top scotch-producing region. Right: Tokaji, the famed Hungarian dessert wine, with roquefort cheese. Below: A typical Bordeaux vineyard.

the longboat legacy 10. Even as society becomes increasingly sensitive to smoking, you must be conversant with the production and service of every type of cigar. Parejo is the most common shape (cylindrical body, straight sides, one open end and a round cap on the other); types include coronas and panatelas. Figurados are shaped irregularly and are usually hand-made (and prized accordingly); look for a torpedo, pyramid or perfecto. Such a question might arise during the Theory portion of the examination.

SCORING 8-10 correct — Congratulations! You might have what it takes to be a master sommelier. But be warned: Only about 10 percent of those who even attempt the exam will pass.

0-7 correct — Tough break. The master sommelier exam requires a score of 75 percent or better in each of its three sections.

Try again next year.

You don’t have to be a master sommelier—or any kind of sommelier, for that matter—to enjoy the offerings found in the wine cellar at Longboat Key Club and Resort, which features approximately 300 unique imported and domestic selections at any given time.

“There’s not an area of the wine-producing world that we don’t touch,” says Robert Weil, the Club’s food and beverage director and resident oenophile. “We don’t concentrate on any particular region. It wouldn’t really make sense for us to do that because our members and guests overwhelmingly know their wine, and they appreciate a variety of tastes.”

Weil says viticulture has developed to a point where the usual geographical suspects—namely, France and California—no longer have a monopoly on great vintages. South America, South Africa and the northwestern United States have caught his interest in particular. “We’re to the point where winemaking is no longer about location, location, location,” he says. “There’s an abundance of interesting stuff out there now that people absolutely have to try.”

Hand in hand with the commitment to keeping a wide array of varietals in the inventory, Weil says one of his favorite parts of the job is introducing new selections to the Club’s wine lists on a regular basis. Whether finding them on their own or taking a server’s suggestion, Club members and resort guests have been receptive to the efforts.

“People today are willing to be adventurous when it comes to wine,” Weil says. “They don’t feel obligated to stick with Burgundy or Bordeaux. They’re willing to spread their wings, and we like to reward that by exceeding their — Jason Davis expectations.”

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smooth

sailing He was an experienced yachtsman and racer from Florida. She was a first-time boat owner from the hills of Germany. But both shared a spirit of adventure that led them to meet on the clear blue water of the Caribbean and eventually make a life together on the sandy shores of the Gulf coast. Longboat Key Club and Resort members Bill and Meike Dooley graciously share thoughts about why boating is a great way of life—and why you’ll find it so appealing, too.

Bill Dooley, a construction industry executive, and Meike Dooley, a radiologist, have lived in Longboat Key for nearly a decade, brought together by a mutual love for sailboats and the open sea. Their boat, Critical Path, takes its name from a project management term for the sequence of events that ing vessel outfitted with 10- to 12-person teams, it has won three long-distance regattas since 1997.

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JASON DAVIS

must happen in a successful undertaking. As a rac-

INTERVIEW BY JASON DAVIS How did you meet?

Meike: After ending a relationship, I decided to get away to the Caribbean. I absolutely loved it down there. I had an opportunity to buy a 48-foot Cheoy Lee, and after some serious thinking, I thought it was a perfect challenge. It needed a lot of work—a new mast and some other things—but I got it seaworthy again with the help of some boatyards and some sailing friends. Then I sailed it to Grenada, where I was teaching at the medical school [St. George’s University].

Bill: It was 2000, and I was taking a yearlong career sabbatical to sail around the Caribbean. I left Sarasota in early March with a plan to make it to Antigua for Race Week in April, but during some heavy weather the shrouds [the wire mast stabilizers] came loose and needed repair. Well, it took two months to get the right cable. In the meantime, we anchored at Prickly Bay in Grenada, next to her. We met, and I fell in love.

Meike: He convinced me that everything I might miss in the Caribbean—the water, the beaches, the weather—I would find here in Longboat Key. And I’ve found that to be true. We got married in 2002, and I sold my boat six months after that.

By the way, the name of my boat? Lucky Break.

Tell us about the vessel you share, Critical Path.

B: It’s a 51 [-foot] Beneteau First racer/cruiser, which I bought in England in 1996. It’s my fourth boat, actually. I started with a Pearson 26 day-sailer in 1972, a four-way group purchase in which I ended up becoming the sole owner; followed by an Endeavor 37 cutter-rigged sloop in 1976; and then a Morgan 45 sloop in 1986, which I kept for 10 years and sold. After about six months of boat withdrawal, I found Critical Path. And we’ve been all over the place with it ever since, including lots of races: Daytona to Bermuda, Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay, St. Petersburg to Mexico, St. Petersburg to Cuba—you name it.

M: It’s easier to sail a bigger boat, I think. I could immediately feel a difference from my 48-footer. The size is good for a full 10-man race crew, but we can very well sail the boat together, just the two of us. I like it better that way, actually—I know what he’s doing, and he knows what I’m doing. Just the two of us.

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61

AT A GLANCE Here’s a look at Longboat Key Club Moorings, the luxurious and private setting for boating enthusiasts, resort guests and Club members.

• SLIPS: 291 storm-protected deepwater posi-

Longboat Key Club Moorings

tions with direct Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay

(left) is the largest deepwater

and the Intracoastal Waterway access, for pur-

marina on Florida's west

chase or lease on an annual, seasonal, monthly

coast, giving deep-drafting

or daily basis; more than 90 percent are owned

boats a comfortable and safe

• DOCKAGE: Accommodates yachts up to 200 feet (minimum 35 feet) • ON SITE: Ship’s store and boutique, restaurant

harbor as well as easy access to Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

and lounge, pool and whirlpool, tennis court, delicatessen, showers and laundry • SERVICES: Complete maintenance and repair, fuel port, dockside pump-out and more • UTILITIES: Telephone, cable TV, electric, water and wireless Internet access at each slip • STAFFING: Marina concierge, brokerage agents, harbormaster, dock staff, security and more • SHUTTLE: Free to the resort and nearby St. Armands Circle

Isn’t that the ultimate appeal of sailing? The time to yourself, the spirit of individualism?

B: I wouldn’t say it’s individualism, exactly. It’s definitely about a love of the sea, but it’s just as much about the camaraderie you share with your shipmates, whether it’s just the two of us or a full racing crew. I think you’re united in the challenge of getting to where you’re going.

• YACHT CLUB: Members may take advantage of Longboat Key Club and Resort’s dining, recreation, fitness amenities; enjoy exclusive social events, parties and private gatherings; and have reciprocity with select other yacht clubs throughout the country if coordinated with the marina operations office For information about marina slips and services, call 941-383-8383 or visit long-

Where do your travels take you? Any favorite ports of call?

M: The Grenadines are so beautiful. You can be on a different island every day, just doing day sails. And, of course, race committees everywhere in the Caribbean know how to put on a good race—and good race parties.

B: The southern Caribbean, I think I enjoy most. But St. Lucia, Bequia, Grenada, Eleuthera, Harbour Island in the Bahamas, Marsh Harbour on Abaco ... well, you can’t go wrong anywhere down there.

boatkeymarina.com. For information about yacht club membership, call 941-387-1602 or visit longboatkeyclub.com and follow the Membership link.

Clearly, these aren’t “long weekend” trips you’re taking.

B: No. If we’re sailing from here to the Bahamas, we’ll generally take a month. But we love to take shorter trips, too—Charlotte Harbor, Captiva, up into the Caloosahatchee River. Here in Longboat Key, we’re in the perfect place to make these quick trips.

M: I think Longboat Key counts as a great day trip itself. You can go sailing on Sarasota Bay and anchor there. We could swim home if it comes to that—and maybe that’s a good thing for some people. (Laughs.)

How often are you able to take the boat out?

M: I told Bill not to answer the question by saying, “Not often enough,” and here I am, struggling not to answer that way. It’s the truth. We’re sailors.

Sailors don’t want to sit in a marina all day long. Sailors enjoy nature, and they want be out on the water. Sailors like the peacefulness of the wind blowing through the boat.

JASON DAVIS

Being a sailor offers a sense of freedom most people don’t realize, doesn’t it?

B: I’m sure it does, but you shouldn’t ever forget about how fortunate you are to have the availability of a boat. Maybe we take it for granted.

M: When you’re on the boat, when you have just the right breeze and the perfect day, you look at each other and say, “This is unbeatable.”

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REFLECTIONS

How does living on Longboat Key nourish that feeling?

M: We often think about vacations we might want to take, where we might want to fly, and we often can’t come up with anything. I walked on the beach for an hour this morning and asked why I’d ever want to go anywhere else.

B: It’s all right here.

M: We’re not just boaters. We ride bikes. We work out at the gym. Everybody here is active, outdoors people. Yes, we live on an island, but we can go to Sarasota and be fancy. We can go to Cortez and hang out with the fishermen and wear flip-flops. We can go to Anna Maria and be a beach bum. We can go into town to the opera. It’s casual and chic. It’s relaxed and active. It’s the arts and theater or just listening to a local band.

B: Having a boat, though, means you get to experience all of its grandeur.

JASON DAVIS

Being based at Longboat Key Club Moorings helps, right?

B: The Club, having the foresight to acquire the marina and the facilities for its members, is such a huge benefit to boaters. You can come in from a hot day on the boat, grab a shower, take a swim, have a pizza at the restaurant, and hang out with some of the best bartenders in town. (Laughs.)

M: The friends we’ve made have been incredible. They’re some of my best friends.

B: I guess I take a practical look at it, too. We moved Critical Path to the marina four years ago because it offers better access to the Gulf. We used to have to motor all the way down to Venice to get out to the Gulf because of the low bridges—our mast height with antennas is 72 feet above the water line—and that was a time killer. But from here, we can get over to the New Pass Bridge and we’re right on the Gulf in minutes.

You’ve mentioned friends several times. The boating community is often described as a close-knit fraternity. Do you find this true?

M: I could not have made it in the Caribbean for so long, not being a sailor when I got there, without the help of strangers who became my friends in no time. I think you become friends easier because you share an interest. Anytime you see somebody who needs a hand, you give it—because you’re going to be the next one who needs it. It’s nautical karma.

B: I think for the most part, boaters are friendlier than most people. You meet people on the dock, and they’ll stop and chat, whereas if you met them on the street, they might not. And they’ll help you if you need it. We’re all in this together.

Jason Davis, who spent the better part of his teenage years sanding teak wood and swabbing the deck on his family’s 37-foot Irwin ketch, is the editor of Reflections magazine.

For the Dooleys and other boat owners based at Longboat Key Club Moorings (top right), the Caribbean is a popular destination.

At right: St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada.

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63

art

of the matter Longboat Key Center for the Arts is an oasis for anyone looking to feed their creative spirit or nurture their imaginative soul.

F

BY BRE JONES MULOCK

acing a picture window that reveals sprawling sea grape trees, gently swaying palms and late afternoon sunlight, Jean Blackburn quietly escapes into making her children’s book swirl to life.

With her blond hair pulled back loosely, glasses slipped slightly down her nose, and the sounds of public radio filling the room, she adds a layer of red to her monotype illustrations for the book she is donating to a charity fundraiser.

She travels from her small farm in Myakka City to create art in an idyllic location: the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a division of nationally renowned Ringling College of Art and Design and a facility whose goal is to enrich creativity, culture and community among its visitors. The center not only buzzes with professional artists like Blackburn, but also dreamers newly waking their imaginative spirits and even business executives pursuing creative interests in this corner of paradise.

“We are evolving into a premiere arts facility that encourages creativity to seep into the community, because we know creating is important to a whole sense of self,” says Jane Buckman, the center’s executive director. “We all have it in us. It is about learning how to get into that zone and think artistically in shapes and forms. Some of our members have been creating art their entire lives, but others have never picked up a pencil, paint brush or pastel.”

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65

Tucked in the shade of the island’s hammocks and serenaded with echoing seagull calls, the center invites residents and vacationers of all artistic abilities to slip into a studio drenched in natural light and slide a brush laden with oil paint across a canvas, sketch a charcoal human figure or melt silver into shimmering jewelry.

Windows stretch gloriously across spaces lined with wooden easels where many retired doctors, attorneys, school teachers, police officers and art therapists have stepped up to compose a watercolor still life or pen-and-ink drawing.

“We have members who are ready to turn the page on the next chapter in their lives and look for something to do that’s rewarding,” Buckman says. “They have raised their kids, had their careers and finally have some time to create.”

These are the dreamers who have secretly sketched on scrap paper throughout their lives— doodling on napkins and the backs of receipts.

“They have a lot to bring to the table,” says instructor and artist Bill Buchman, who specializes in the human figure and abstractionism. “They have a lot of life experiences and accomplishments to draw from, and they are very appreciative and eager to learn.”

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One of the most alluring aspects of the Longboat Key Center for the Arts is the opportunity to create something tangible, whether painting pictures (top) or crafting jewelry (bottom).

Buchman says studying art in the center’s retreat-like setting—it’s tucked away in a lush residential neighborhood, just off Gulf of Mexico Drive—is ideal for any artist because inspiration blooms throughout the property. While dining on a picnic lunch at the center, he has watched young osprey nibble fish plucked from the nearby water. You can smell the salt water riding the playful breeze through the campus, which has undergone several major renovations since it was established in 1952.

The facility was the brainchild of resident Grace Yerkes, who wanted to create a cultural center on the north end of Longboat Key. Gordon and Lora Whitney donated the land and their honeymoon cottage, which still sits on the campus. While the exterior landscape permeates Old Florida charm, the interior stretches out in cool modern tones.

Wood floors and generous wall space make up the Durante Gallery, which will feature at least five major exhibits in 2011, including both student and juried shows. Two older galleries were combined into a high-tech media room, which is home to a celebrated jazz concert series, lectures and meetings for community organizations.

The center merged in 2007 with Ringling, al-

lowing the island facility to provide expanded programs and access to the college’s faculty and artists, as well as flourish with stronger administrative and financial support.

One program the center focuses on is bringing in business executives from surrounding communities for workshops in which they discuss modern workplace ideas and unconventional business strategies. They channel energy into modeling clay and storyboarding a problem. “They access their own individual creativity, explore a piece of art and then apply their experiences back at their own workplaces,” Buckman says. “We view it as a creativity lab.”

Some of these community movers and shakers and budding artists also pause to experience the center’s kaleidoscope of workshops that range from the acclaimed George Pierson’s measuring of creative brainwaves to more fundamental classes like photography and light. Students also have the opportunity to study niche genres such as Chinese brush painting, silver jewelry, wire sculpture and stained glass. Many will engage in class and stay for the day, only breaking to have lunch with friends.

“Art does fill up your life, and for empty-nest

at a glance

• WHAT: Longboat Key Center for the Arts • WHERE: 6860 Longboat Drive S. • CONTACT: 941-383-2345 or lbkca.org • NOTABLE: Longboat Key Club and Resort is a sponsor of many juried exhibits and other events. The center’s classes are open to club members and resort guests, as well as full- and part-time residents of the area.

ers, it can help fill any void,” says Buchman, who has taught at the facility for nine years. “I’ve made lifelong friends here, and my students have formed great friendships. At social gatherings, I often hear the spouses of our students say how much art has changed [the students’] lives.”

The biggest obstacle for this artist’s haven: awareness.

Vacationers and residents flock to soak up sun on the island’s white-powder beaches, sip wine against the backdrop of dreamy sunsets and taste enticing flavors from the sea. They don’t always think about studying art during their stay.

“I know people make art in [many locations], but to do it in paradise here ...” Buchman says, his voice trailing off in wonderment. “It is a glorious atmosphere.”

Working in the printing studio, Blackburn couldn’t agree more. As the radio station pauses for a few words, the seasoned artist pauses to peer over one of her book pages, which reveals a little boy sitting tall and proud on an impressive horse. A beaming smile stretches across his face, and you can’t help but feel warmth radiating from Blackburn’s work. It mirrors the inspirational glow percolating across the center.

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67

POINTS OF INTEREST Things to see and do in Longboat Key and Sarasota ATTRACTIONS Big Cat Habitat Wildlife sanctuary and educational center 7401 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota 371-6377 | bigcathabitat.org Cà d Zan Ringling family’s Gilded Age mansion 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 359-5700 | ringling.org Joan Durante Park Viable wetland and coastal hammock forest 5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 316-1999 | longboatkey.org Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Spectacular and rare plant life 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota 366-5731 | selby.org Mote Marine Laboratories Aquarium and marine research center 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota 388-4441 | mote.org Sarasota Jungle Gardens Zoological and tropical vegetation exhibits 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 355-5305 | sarasotajunglegardens.com MUSEUMS The Circus Museums Celebrating the American circus and its history 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 359-5700 | ringling.org Crowley Museum and Nature Center Florida history and environmental preservation 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota 322-1000 | cmncfl.org G.WIZ: The Science Museum Hands-on science and technology exhibits 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota 309-4949 | gwiz.org John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Home to Old Masters paintings and sculptures

TAMPA • ST. AUGUSTINE • ST. PETERSBURG • CLEARWATER BEACH CELEBRATION • RIVERWALK, TAMPA

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REFLECTIONS

5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 359-5700 | ringling.org

PERFORMING ARTS Asolo Repertory Theatre Leading professional theater company 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 351-9010 | asolo.org Sarasota Ballet Leading professional dance company 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 359-0099 | sarasotaballet.org Sarasota Opera Nationally recognized performances since 1960 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota 366-8450 | sarasotaopera.org Sarasota Orchestra Entertaining classical music lovers since 1949 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 953-3434 | sarasotaorchestra.org Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Leading venue for top concerts and more 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 953-3368 | vanwezel.org OTHER Art Center Sarasota Popular art exhibitions and workshops 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 365-2032 | artsarasota.org

Fish. Cruise. Play. Spend a Day on the Water.

Boat Rentals at Cannons Marina

Baltimore Orioles Spring training baseball, February-March Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota 954-4101 | orioles.com Longboat Key Center for the Arts Workshops, performances, exhibitions and more 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key 383-2345 | lbkca.org Sarasota Fairgrounds Home for major indoor and outdoor events 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota 365-0818 | sarasotafair.com Sarasota Film Festival

Cannons Marina offers the largest and newest fleet of rental boats available for full and half day rentals. The fleet features Grady Whites, Scout Boats and Hurricane Deck boats all powered by Yamaha outboard motors.

A day on the water is the BEST way to enjoy the local waters.

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69

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Mitchell proudly shows visitors a bumper crop of zephyrs, a summer hybrid of green Delicata and yellow acorn squash with a nutty flavor, of which she produces about 1,700 pounds a year. She’s also happy with some Malabar spinach plantings, some lemongrass and some peppers, and talks about the fate of some beets that didn’t work out as hoped. “This time of year, we just play,” says Mitchell, a retired nurse who took up farming in 2005 after being inspired by a hydroponics seminar near Orlando. “We experiment with new methods all the time to see what happens. If it works, great. As a small farm, we can devote time and attention to our work.”

That personal touch may be the secret to those amazing Florida peaches, an early-season variety known as Tropic Beauty that was developed over 45 years by the University of Florida researchers in partnership with state growers. King Farms, based in Myakka City and operated by third-generation Florida farmers, grows them in an orchard at a small farm in east Bradenton and was first to bring them to market.

To understand the attention that goes into every harvest, consider this: King Farms produces more than 40 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and each piece is hand-polished before it’s boxed for delivery. And the plump blueberries, grown in Myakka? “They’re our pride and joy,” says Shelby King, who, with husband Ben, runs the farms. They were the first locals to strike a deal with Longboat Key Club and Resort to provide fruits and vegetables throughout the year. “There’s a lot we can produce on even a small amount of acreage and supply it locally,” she says.

That includes the peaches, which had overwhelmed the trees and attracted the attention of Executive Chef Ed Geyfman, who quickly began thinking of ways to incorporate them into the club’s menus. “When the peaches come around,” he asks, “they’re all ours, right?”

Weil looks at the bigger picture. Not only does the relationship bring better raw ingredients to the table for members and guests, he says, but as one of Sarasota County’s largest private businesses, the Club can help make a positive impact on the regional economy as well.

“It’s a lot of work to create a bridge between farmer and consumer, but as a company we feel a huge commitment to making it happen because we know it pays off for everyone,” Weil says. “We have committed sources of great ingredients. The growers have a committed buyer who will take their crops instead of hoping for the best at a farmer’s market. And anyone dining with us will have the very best food Florida has to offer.”

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REFLECTIONS: LONGBOAT KEY CLUB AND RESORT

2011

LASTlook

friday, 7:52 p.m.

This might just be the most perfect spot to watch a sunset. With the Gulf of Mexico crashing relentlessly against the beach, you feel simultaneously invincible in your surroundings and yet aware of your place in the vast universe. It is a paradox you ponder until â&#x20AC;Ś well, at least until dinner time, when there are equally important decisions to be weighed. Because while the day is over, the night has just begun.

72

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Like it here as much as we do?

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